Spring is here and we like it!

And again since the after deserves a couple pictures:)

Here is the after!

Here is the before. Jason fixed the pole because it was rotting. Then we scooped out all the rock border, pounded the dirt back down to make it even, laid sand then the tiles. We wanted the patio to be a bit bigger and also to get rid of the rocks. And when I say we I really mean that Jason did 75% and it looks amazing!

Safe from the rain;)

This weekend we spent the majority of out time outside doing yard work and fixing up the patio. Saturday afternoon Rich and Andrea took a cruse out on the bike and came over for a visit. And to much our gratitude they jumped right in and helped us scoop rock, thanks so much for your help! It was a much bigger project than we expected. Above is Chloe running through the sprinkler with her umbrella. She was pretending that she was the Little Mermaid and that it was raining out:) I love her imagination just as much as she does.

Thursday we had a fun time at music class. Chloe is into the routine and loves to see her little girl friend Selma there each week. They always greet each other with a huge hug and even bigger smiles. Here she is striking a pose for me, she came up with it all one her own too:)

Friday we didn't have any plans and Uncle Rich had great timing inviting us to lunch. We had a yummy lunch out to Boji Grill and then a shopping trip where Rich treated Chloe to a new toy. She picked out a Rapunzel doll set that includes Eugene, the horse and some accessories. Thanks for a fun lunch "hour" ;)

A lot goes on in a week!

Today we had a fun time at story time again. Then we had to go shopping for Chloe since the seasons are changing and she has continued to grow like a weed. We found a bunch of cute shorts, tees, tanks, tunics, and sandals. This was no easy task considering how tall she is and how slim she is as well but after trying on a few things I was able to get a lot accomplished. I swear it's harder than it sounds:) In this picture Chloe is playing that she is calling Brigett but from what I overheard Brigett was at work:) Thank you everyone for spending time with Chloe (and Jason and I). It's apparent that she loves you all so much! We've had a great past week!

This is Tuesday afternoon outside. Chloe's sportin the new outfit from gramma, too cute!

Chloe wanted to show gramma the boat that she built on Saturday at the home Depot kids workshop. Daddy and Chloe spent some fun time together with tools while mommy and Brigett went shopping:)

Chloe loves playing with gramma, it's like mom and dad aren't even in the room when she's around!

Then Monday after gymnastics class we came home to gramma ready to play! We had a great time going out to lunch, playing at the mall, and playing at home. Then Tuesday we went to lunch again, as tradition tells we went to Noodle Zoo:) Then we played in the back yard and then went to the park and gramma had to go home late that afternoon.

Brig and Chloe playing around with the Easter bucket Brigett brought along. I don't think they had enough time to decorate the eggs though. But we made sure to decorate and eat the cookies! Brig had to take off Saturday afternoon and we spent the rest of the weekend playing outside and doing yard work.

And also a nice picture of her cups:) She took about 60 pictures that night!

Chloe was practicing her photography skills Friday night. I like this one for some reason:)

Chloe was hosting a fish fry for everyone including her barbies:)

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Catching up: Last Wednesday we had a great time at story time. Thursday was another fun music class. Friday we tried something new and went to Monkey Joe's, it's an inflatable play place. We met up with our friends there and Chloe had a blast. After that our friends were going to the mall, it was just across the street. And when Chloe heard that she had to go too! So we all played at the play area then got lunch together. What a fun morning and afternoon. .

But our day didn't end there. Brigett came over for the weekend! Then Rich and Andrea came over too and they all left to go out to eat and Jason and I went on a date night! We had a delicious supper and then by Jason's request we went bowling:) We are both competitive by nature and date night was no exception. We played three games: J 114 H105, J58 H84 (we lost our mojo), J148 H147 (we got it back). Then came home to the above activities/pictures.

Exciting Tuesday!

Chloe rode the train all by herself. This was her first time and by the end of the ride she decided that she really liked it!

BFF"s :)

We met up with Hannah too! They made the princess necklace craft together.

Saying a big cheese with Jasmin.

Meeting Jasmin and showing her the Cinderella doll. I think everyone kept calling Chloe Cinderella but Chloe thought they were talking about her doll, you know how she corrects you if you call her the wrong name/nick name:)

Helping herself onto her lap:)

Talking it up with Snow White!

Saying cheese.

Meeting Belle and showing her the Cinderella doll.

Helped herself onto her lap for a picture:)

And they have the same head band:)

Tonight we went to Family Fun Night at Valley West Mall and it was Princess Theme! Chloe was so excited and got all dressed up for the event:) Here she is meeting Cinderella, she is pointing out that they have the same dress on.

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Today we had our friends, Stephanie, Hannah and Ava over for a play date. Hannah and Chloe had a blast playing dress up, monsters, and painting. Stephanie and I had a nice time hanging out and chatting. And baby Ava was such a good little girl.

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Monday Chloe had a great time at gymnastics. They had a huge inflatable slide and after going down with me once then Ms Kelly once, Chloe was ready to do it on her own. Which she continued to do until it was time to go onto the next activity!

Weekend Fun!

This is the motorcycle cage, there were 3 motorcycles driving in circles all at the same time! Chloe called it Cinderella's pumpkin:)

The elephants were very cool but I think Chloe's favorite part was the princess that rode in on the horse:)

The elephants doing their tricks!

Putting on her chap stick to kill some time, maybe an hour or so;)

Entertaining herself until the show starts again:)

At intermission Chloe tried out the bounce house but it was a little much for her so we watched the elephant rides instead.

Too cute!

Say cheeeese!

This afternoon we had a blast at the Shrine Circus! It was Chloe's first time at the circus and I think she had a wonderful time. Chloe picked out Go Diego for her souvenir:)

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Friday we had a fun day. First we started out going to the mall playground, doing a little shopping and having lunch out. Then we went to Andrea's house to see Rich;) He showed us his new office and we even stuck around for some playing with Rambo and Zella and visiting with Uncle Rich. Then we went to supper at Uncle Tyler and Aunt Rebecca's. We had a great time cooking, eating, drinking, playing, dancing and listening to music. I think Chloe was most excited about playing with Caz again:) It's so great to be able to see family so easily like this!

Back at it.

The other night Chloe and I had an entertaining conversation. It went like this as I'm walking down the stairs after my shower.
"Mommy you take a shower and wash your hair?"
"Yes I did"
" It was dirty, now it's clean. Don't lick it." (this comes from past experiences)
"That's right, it's clean but it doesn't taste very good."
"You wash your hair and make it orange."
"Um yeah....." :)

Chloe playing her guitar:)

Daddy and Chloe playing with the her new fave magnetic puzzle.

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We resumed our busy schedule this week. Monday we had fun jumping around at gymnastics class. Chloe missed her teacher, Miss Kelly, and even got Miss kelly to hold her during some of the class:)

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Tuesday we had a fun play date with our new friends, Stephanie, Hannah who is 2 1/2 and her baby sister Ava who turns one next week. Chloe and Hannah went running through the house and up the stairs screaming like the sweet little girls they are up to Hannah's room and came down with some stuffed animals. It was so cute! Then Tuesday evening Chloe got to be dropped off to go to a play date at Marissa and Kelsey's house! So Jason and I enjoyed a quiet supper out with each other and some relaxation at home during our crazy rain and thunder storm. The play date went well especially considering there were 3 red heads all playing together;)

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Wednesday we saw Hannah at the library and she joined us for story time. The girls raised a little havock but it was cute. At one point in the middle of the story time group Hannah lifted up her shirt and Chloe smacked her in the belly, they both giggled and so did the moms:)

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Today we had a great time being back in music class. Chloe was happy to see her friend, Selma, again and wanted to dance with her during class. But after she got settled back into the class routine she had fun and participated again.

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Chloe got used to playing outside last week and keeps asking to go outside. So we've been spending about and hour outside during the afternoons. Of course we have to wear our coats, hats and gloves but it's worth it to keep getting the fresh air.

Spring Break 2011!

Brigett and Chloe's photo-op:) We also enjoyed our time with grandpa and great gramma but neglected to get any pics this time around.

Audrey, Chloe and gramma had a blast doing make-up and playing with gramma's (one and only) Barbie from her childhood! Thanks to all of you for taking care of Chloe so I could enjoy a fun night out with my sister. Not only did I need it but I really appreciated it too!

Daddy and Dave had a good night jamming out to music and entertaining Chloe:)

Here I am getting a very warm welcome home from Chloe when I got back that night:)Brigett and I on our way out Saturday night to go to Kings Point to see a comedian. We both had a great time and laughed a lot, what a fun girls night out! I could get used to this:)

Friday we headed out to SL to visit Gramma and Grandpa Smith. Saturday we went to Brigett and Tyler's for supper were Chloe made a new BFF, Callie! I asked Callie if she was interested in moving to Ankeny;) Chloe loves playing with her cousin Tyler and it only got better that his friend was there as well.

We had a very nice rest of the week. We had a play date at our friend's house, Julia Josephine and Lillian. Chloe and Josephine have gymnastics classes together. It was great to get together and have the girls play and the moms chat:) The end of the week we did more yard work, grilled out and played outside. Thank goodness spring is on it's way!

Spring Break

It's Spring Break and all of our activities are cancelled this week. Which is actually kinda nice so we can ease back into our routine. Yesterday we met a group of friends at the play place at the mall, Chloe always loves playing with her friends and the mall play ground is one of her favorites as well. Today we did hours of yard work in the back yard, picking up sticks and raking. It felt good to be outside getting the fresh air and also to be productive. Chloe had a blast in the leaves, using sidewalk chalk, driving her car and digging in the dirt, I think the dirt was her fave by far :)

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Thank you so much to our families and friends for all the support you have given us over the past week. It truly has made a huge difference as we go through this process. Your phone calls, messages, meals, flowers, trips to see us, taking care of and playing with Chloe has made our lives a lot more manageable. I don't think I can thank you all enough, your love and support means the world to us.