The start of a new year

This year we had two long weekends in a row because of the holidays and let me tell you, it was awesome! we got to spend more time with daddy then normal and take things slow. Justin and I have realized how awesome it is to have family videos, so our goal is to take more. Not just 30 seconds here and there but minutes and daily life.

 In this moment I was making a grocery list when JJ had other ideas. This time around I took advantage of him sitting still and asked him some questions. This kid is seriously hilarious and he doesn't even try!

These boys of mine have so much fun playing together and sometimes in between the wrestling I catch them chatting, it is priceless.

Every age seems more fun than the last! and right now the giggles and smiles are great!

This time last year I was barley pregnant with Ezra and we were traveling to California for my Great-Grandpas funeral. This year we traveled together with 2 kids! thankfully Justin and I flew together because I don't know if i could have done the first plane ride with 2 alone. Our Sling was a lifesaver, Ezra was asleep before we hit security!

We made it safe and sound to California! we are so looking forward to the warmth and sunshine. 

Croft Adventures

Along with celebrating Christmas with my family while they were here we went on lots of other adventures!

Our first wedding of the trip (more on that later) was for a long time family friend. Our parents were friends for a long time and when we all lived in California we played together. The reception was up in Logan and gratefully the weather was nice for us. Lately my Dad has gotten REALLY into playing the piano and teaching himself to play his favorite tunes. My heart always melts when JJ wants to play along with my dad, and once everyone else had left the reception they were free to rock out!

JJ also loves to play the guitar with my dad, his style of playing could be considered "August Rush"

The day after Christmas all of the boys (except for little Z) went skiing and my mom and I decided we would take advantage of our free time and do some antique shopping. First we went to Euro Treasures in downtown SLC, and we had no idea what we were getting into... trying to describe this place in words is difficult... It looks like a furniture hoarder/backroom of a museum/furniture graveyard/ horror movie set/ claustrophobic's nightmare! 

There were some pretty awesome pieces there although nothing we just couldn't live without.

Most of the "walkways" and mind you I use that term very loosely, were just barely big enough for us to walk through. 

After JJ decided he was done on the mountain, we met my dad at the bottom and had lunch. My mom just couldn't resist squishing this cute little bear while we waited. 

There is just something about this boy that makes everyone want to squish him. We also got our breakfast fix at kneaders at least once. 

Our second wedding of the trip was for Justin's step-sister Talena and her new husband JP. JP's family is from Columbia and loves to salsa! my dad coerced me to get me on the dance floor. I am not a dancer at all and not very coordinated, but I know he enjoyed it so I guess it was worth it. 

While the happy couple smashed cake JJ and Justin took to the dance floor for a little swing and salsa mix. 

Justin and his step-sister Tawni, holding the two newest babes, Ezra and Saige. Ezra is two weeks younger but definitely winning in the heft department. 

After everyone else left Brian got a little out of control... with the Martinellis.

JJ and two of his awesome Grandpas

Seriously how handsome is this little man in his three piece suit!

and Ezra looked just as adorable with his vest and big cheeks!

Ezra turned 4 months old!

On the coldest night of the whole trip (we didn't plan that) we went down to temple square to look at the lights. truthfully we didn't last very long but it was a beautiful sight. 

This is how I like my house, full to the brim with people I love. 

There is never quite enough time with my family but I am grateful every time they come out to visit us or we get to go back to Minnesota. 

High five for Friday! Feb 20

This week has been an interesting one. There a just some days where you are going all day long but when the day ends you don't feel like you got anything done, and this week was full of them. However I am still grateful for these days with my boys. 

Ezra started using a cup, he can't quite do it by himself and it's pretty funny to see how impatient he gets. 

JJ got this Uno Moo game from his Memere and Grandpa, and insisted we play it for family night. His favorite part of the week is our game for family night. 

I am always grateful for the times when both boys sleep at the same time and I'm able to get things done like shower and occasionally put makeup on. This time I got in both! I was even surprised with a happy baby after naptime. I also got out of the house without kids! Justin watched the boys so I could go to a church activity. We talked about security in relationships, being true to yourself and the importance to taking time to refuel so you can face the challenging days ahead. I am hoping after this that I can find ways to do more of what I love and what keeps me, me so stay tuned! 

On Valentine's Day we picked out a new couch! And had it delivered. We really love it except we're one piece short (long story short the sales guy got it wrong) 

And last but not least my "potions" kit arrived in the mail thanks to my mom! (I had all the big bottles already) And I'm excited to use them, my favorite new one so far is the lemon, since the smell is amazing! 

Part 2: Winter Wonderland

Something miraculous happened this Christmas... This year we had a few flurries but not much in the way of snow on the ground. Just after midnight on Christmas Day the snow started falling (I would know I was awake) and it continued falling until late Christmas night. We were so excited to see the beautiful blanket of snow, and once the gifts were opened and breakfast had been eaten, we bundled up to enjoy the powder. 

The first Order of business was to make a snowman with chalk eyes, carrot nose, and a pretty cool hairdo.

For Christmas my dad and the boys got a GO PRO! and since they couldn't go skiing on Christmas they had to test it out in the backyard. the first test was to see who could hit it with a snowball on our Frisbee cage.

Ezra's first snow adventure was a hit! we put him in his bear suit and snuggled him in close in our Sakura Bloom sling. He loved being close and I loved watching him experience flurries for the first time. 

Seriously, who wouldn't want to squish this kid?

JJ got to go sledding on our mini bunny hill. He had a blast!

JJ was the first to test the GO PRO on his sweet sled down the "hill"

Since the bunny hill wasn't cutting it they took a more adventurous approach, a hill over our strawberry rock wall. 

The snow was a hit, Thanks Mother Nature! 

And we all know what happens when it snows... The boys get the uncontrollable urge to go Skiing. so they day after Christmas they piled in the car and headed up to the mountain. My dad was even brave enough to take JJ to see if he would get up on the skis, he wouldn't this time around but he is hopeful that soon he will!