Magic Kingdom

We spent our first day at Disney World in the Magic Kingdom.

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Matt, Ella, and Sienna on the parking lot trolley getting ready for our first day in Disney World!

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Kate and Sienna only wanted to walk with Grandma. The would run away from us and we would call out my mom's name and she would put her hand down because she knew that meant one either Kate or Sienna were coming to walk with her, usually both of them.

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THE CASTLE!! The kids were so excited to see the princess castle. Unfortunately, we didn't meet any of the princesses. After we had come home from our trip Matt's mom asked Sienna how her trip was and if she met any princesses. Sienna's response was, "NANA, the princesses are in the castle." Andrea told me it was so funny how she said it because she acted like that was the silliest question and of course she didn't meet them because they were in their castle. I'll need to get more pictures from Brit because she got some of the castle at night and it was beautiful.

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The only other person the girls ever wanted was grandpa. The girls and I were looking through pictures when we got home and after seeing this one, Sienna said, "I love Grandpa Doug and his shoulders."

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The line for Dumbo took awhile and Sadie fell asleep right as it was our turn but Sienna loved it. I held Sadie and Sienna made the elephant go up and down.

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Getting ready to go on "It's a Small World." On this ride Ella said, "this is fabulous." I might have the quote mixed up with another because throughout the trip she said, "this is the best day of my life" and many other cute things.

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The kids did not like the Snow White ride and I don't blame them, it was kind of freaky. Sadie had covered her eyes the whole time and was just starting to peak to see if it was getting any better.

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My kids have the best grandparents ever. They are so blessed to have four amazing grandparents that would do anything and everything for them.

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Daddy and Sadie watching our strollers and saying hi to Buzz from a distance.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Matt and I have wanted and entertainment center since we got married and have recently found one that we love. Even though it was mostly what we wanted we decided that it would probably be best if we waited a little bit longer. However, I called the company to ask a couple of questions and it was such a good deal that we changed our minds and here is our Valentine's Day and 5th Anniversary present to each other. It adds so much to our living room and I absolutley love it! Maybe for our 10th anniversary I'll surprise Matt with a 50' TV to fill the opening but our tube works perfect for now. Thanks babe!!

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Mr. & Mrs. Jacob

Our trip to Utah was for Mike and Adri's wedding. I was fortunate enough to be able to go a week earlier than Matt and be there with Adri as she went through the temple for the first time to receieve her own endowment. A week later, Matt was able to join me in the temple as we witnessed Adri and Mike sealed in the House of the Lord. What an amazing experience that was for everyone. They were sealed by the temple president and it was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever witnessed. Everything about their wedding was absolutely beautiful and amazing. Mike couldn't have looked happier and Adrianne glowed. I am so grateful that we were able to share this special week with Adri and we are so proud of her choice to get married in the temple. We experienced feelings that day that we will never forget. We love you Adri and Mike!! Congratulations!

Papa

Sienna and Papa both with a mouthful of ice-cream. They are the bestest of buds and Sienna sure misses him.

Our Weekend with Em

The girls and I were lucky enough to spend the first four days in Utah with the Macdonalds. The kids played so well together and had so much fun. Every morning Gavin and Max would come into our room so excited to get the girls. They even tried to shower with us and sleep in our room.

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Dog pile on Andy and Max.

Sienna and Gavin were best buds and had tons of fun together while Sadie and Max just ran around like wild monkeys.

Gavin was so excited to show the girls the aquarium.

You can't hang out with Em without eating a bag of marshmallows.

Em had fun experimenting with the girls' hair and the girls loved feeling like princesses.

Andy was nice enough to watch all four kids for an entire day so Emily and I could go have some fun. We're just grateful we came back to everyone in one piece (including Andy).

Don't worry, there is a giant bean bag under her.

Best friends.

Do you recognize her?? Yes, this would be Sister Johnston now known as Steph. She is home from her mission and going to BYU. She was nice enough to meet Em and I for breakfast one morning.

I love Steph and am so happy I was able to see her! She is the best.

Going Away

I will be gone until the 21st of February doing different things. In this time I probably will not update the blog much if at all but I promise fun pictures when we return. For now, I wish I could write everything that is on my mind but I have become somewhat of a closed book recently. Even if I was willing to share everything, it would be difficult to put such emotions into words. A few thoughts that are occupying a lot of my mind include how grateful I am for my closest friends, how excited I am for the changes we are making to our home (I promise pictures when I get back), and how rewarding it is for me to watch others that I care about do wonderful and amazing things.

A couple lessons I have learned over the past little while are:

1. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we don't always understand why people do the things they do or act the way they act, but they are doing the best they can just like we are. "If we cannot forgive others, we ourselves do not qualify for the Lord's mercy and forgiveness."

2. Loving unconditionally is so rewarding and has made me a happier person. It isn't always easy but it is worth it.

3. I have always tried to be an optimistic person and have found that sincerely putting my trust in the Lord has honestly made me deal with difficult situations much better.

4. It's okay to be happy. "Life is to be enjoyed, not endured."

- President Hinkley

5. Happiness can come from material things but it will wear off and true happiness needs to be found somewhere else.

6. I have learned the difference between sympathizing and empathizing. I am so grateful to have gone through different things in my life so I can truly empathize with others. I too have been blessed with amazing friends that are always there to sympathize and empathize with me.

I came across this quote and fell in love with it.

"Faith means trust—trust in God's will, trust in His way of doing things, and trust in His timetable."

- Dallin H. Oaks

I really am trying to do things HIS way. I am far from perfect and personally struggle with a lot of things but I am "trying a little harder to be a little better." I am so blessed to have so many wonderful examples in my life that I can look up to and try to be more like. I am surrounded by friends and family that have such amazing talents and gifts that I desire to develop within myself.

Who's the Leader of the Club that's Made for You and Me?

The girls have a really exciting month ahead of them. Thursday we head to Utah for Auntie Adri's wedding and will be there 10 days. Shortly after returning from Utah we leave for Florida where we will celebrate my mom's 50Th birthday in Disney World. Getting ready for our trip, Matt taught the girls the Mickey Mouse theme song. The girls love to sing and this is heard around our house several times a day.