Conference Weekend

I feel like it's too late to be writing a blog post...but I just got home from a meeting and as I looked over my schedule for tomorrow this was really the only time to get it done.  All I could think was, "Grandma needs pictures of the kids."  So here we go :)  Love you Grandma!

We kicked off the weekend with a trip to the Zoo.  Aaron has and will be really busy at work for the next little bit.  We decided to have him work a little Saturday to allow some family time on Friday.  I asked with much enthusiasm to go to the Zoo.  It was perfect Zoo going weather!  I also weaseled my way into a membership, so I have a guest on my card if you every feel up for a trip you can be my guest! 

 No crowds!  It really was just what I was hoping...  Relaxing, breezy, fun, family time!

 Can you see her pointer finger?  She was in love with the red birds!

 Too much going on to look at the camera.

 Elephants!

 She was so interested.

 This is the sign for elephant.  Don't you just love that?!

 She's looking over at Porter as if to say, "Why are you running away, this is awesome?!"  Porter jumped so high when this Chimp (is it a chimp, guessing here?) was up close.  He wouldn't get close at all.

 Isn't this just a classic little boy moment?  Running his hand slowly down the fence... made my heart sing!

 

Right before we left he got to play in the water. 

Afterwards we went across the street to This Is The Place monument and had a picnic.  The weather was beautiful and Porter had a great time exploring the place. 

One of those brief moments where they are happy to play together, be siblings and it shows.  This makes me overwhelmed with emotion.  My children love each other so much.  However, they are so raw and real that they fight, wrestle and yell at each other already at this young age.  They are passionate kids, when we as a family create a situation where they successfully express love to each other...WOW!  In full discloser, the moment didn't last.  But it happened and there will be more of them!

After Aaron's run Friday we decided to pimp out his protein shake for our evening desert.  This was so ridiculously good it tasted just like a cookies and cream bar, but in ice cream shake form.  Delicious! 

Alright, let's get to Saturday... there is some no so pretty stuff about Saturday.  If you want to read about well behaved children and mothers during conference, just stop right here.  

I needed to complete a longer training run on Saturday.  I mentioned we decided to have Aaron work and listen to conference at his office, so I was on my own.  This meant I had to run at the gym, which I love, but it took longer than I hoped and I knew I'd miss the beginning of the first session...bummer...until I remembered the DVR and had it record.  We got home, I took care of Priya's naptime, showered, prepared snack (above) and got ready for conference. 

This is what happened when there was boring T.V. no listening going on.  I paused, bless my DVR, and set up our home so he couldn't hurt himself and have free roam of the place.  I was willing to clean up messes if it meant I got to listen.  He did his best to be destructive.  I was trying to just let it all roll off when I looked up to catch him discovering the cereal on the table.  I could see it on his face, I knew what was coming and yelled, "No Porter Stop!" which only egged him on...

We had to have a time out from each other.  He went to his room, while I finished conference.  An hour later we talked and tried again.  Funny thing...all the talks were about Children in that first session.  Really bad, ironic kind of moment.  Aaron and I watched the second session together after he came home.  Saturday conference makes for such a busy day for Priesthood holders. 

Today (Sunday) was a much better day.  We got together before the morning session and had a big breakfast with Aaron's siblings (his parents were out of town). 

Most of Aaron's siblings.  His sister Karli showed up and ruined the make-up free, pajama thing the rest of us girls had going on. 

These are whole wheat and have flaxseed meal in them.  Love delicious and healthy food!  

My children were so well behaved today.  Mostly because there were lots of people to be around and their Uncle Tyler was the coolest person ever in their eyes today.  It was nice.

 

 Tonights dinner (a pinterest dinner)  Aaron just told me it was picture worth so I snapped it.  It was also tasty.

Last but not least- we got to listen to Heavenly Father's prophets this weekend!  Such wonderful messages, so much to go back and study.  We were uplifted, touched and edified.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church and that these men/women do share the messages Heavenly Father wants us to hear.  I'm so grateful I got to listen!

p.s. Aaron is sleeping so if there are typo's you'll just have to deal until he can fix them.  Love ya!  Good night!