Moments

 I have been thinking about my job as being a mom and how different my life is now, but I really wouldn't have it any other way. The love I have for this little girl is indescribable. We do have our hard days and hard moments, when I wonder how I am going to get my "to do list" done with a crying toddler attached at my leg or when I think why do tantrums have to exist? (especially in the middle of the check out line). :) Then I remember how I have it easy now with just one :) I sometimes wonder, is she learning? Am I doing what I am suppose too? My mind is always brought back to how important this time is. How incredible children really are. I love little moments we have like swinging or practicing walking and wish I could just freeze that time. I know I can't, but that our lives can be filled with these amazing moments. I love children, especially this little one and I am grateful we have eternity together. 

Easter

We had a great Easter this year. Shawn had Good Friday off, so we decided that going to the temple would be a good thing to do.  We haven't been to the Manhattan Temple yet, so we decide to make the trip with our friends the Adams.  The city is so busy with every taxi honking etc, but once you walk into the temple it is so peaceful and quiet. You can't hear any of the outside world! I am so glad we were able to go and hope we can make it to the temple more often. 
Saturday we had an easter egg hunt with some friends from church. Kanyin was unsure about collecting eggs, but she sure did like jelly beans. I have to say it was an improvement from last year. I still can't believe how much she has grown in a year. 

Sunday was a spiritually uplifting day for me. It can be hard to get something out of church when you are fighting a one year old the whole time, but this last Sunday was different. When I think about what the Savior has done for all of us, it is overwhelming. I am very grateful that we will be able to have eternal life because of Jesus Christ. We finished up the weekend with an Easter dinner with our Bishop and his family.

Can you believe this? Why do babies have to grow so fast??

Photographer Shawn is getting pretty good :)

My attempt at making jello eggs. I could not find an egg mold, so I substituted by using plastic eggs. It worked ok :) This little project was more time consuming then I was hoping, but at least they look cool! I have to be honest, while I was staying up till the wee hours of the morning doing this, I was thinking of President Uchtdorf's talk  about what matters most and that it is not the most important thing to stay up to finish your daughter's hair bow. Being a little drowsy Easter Sunday because of jello eggs, I am sure is justified. :)

So many places to find eggs! Thanks for coming everyone. Super fun having a get together

The Temple fits right in

Ayla and Kanyin chilling in Central Park. I didn't realize how awesome and huge Central Park is. We are definitely going back there.  

Now there are two cool dads

                                              Rockefeller Center. Instead of a Christmas tree there was a HUGE easter bunny 

Kanyin the Sponge

I feel like Kanyin copies everything we do. She is at that stage where she just wants to learn and be a big kid. I probably shouldn't think that her learning to shake her head no is cute because I know I will reget it later, but we are working on yes too. 

Spring Break

This was officially Shawn's last year having a spring break since the second year of P.A. school is rotations. Kind of a sad thought, but then again, that much closer to having a real income! We live close by so many neat and historical places, so we filled up our spring break with some good adventures and a few days of getting things done. 
Our friends the Butlers watched Kanyin for us all day on Wednesday, so Shawn and I could do the the NYC thing. We got a really good deal on Cinderella Broadway tickets. We loved the show! It did take us longer to get there. To make a long story short, the show was at 2, we got off the subway at 1:57 and SPRINTED about 3-4 blocks. Right when we got there, the guy handed us our tickets and then picked up the phone and said, "their here, start!" Still not sure if he was just pulling our leg. I thought I about had a heart attack I ran so fast and was so worried we wouldn't make it. SOO glad we did! The show was so amazing! When Cinderella turned from rags to riches, her dress was literally changing as she was twirling. It was seriously so cool! I didn't know they did magic on broadway. :) Shawn did feel a little out of place being one of the only males there, but he still liked it :) We explored Time Square, which was so crazy! So many lights, people and shops etc. It was such a fun day and it was nice not having to worry about Kanyin. 

We drove to Staten Island and parked for only $7 and then rode the FREE ferry to the city. It was super fun

We passed the statue of Liberty on the way

I can now check off NYC broadway show off my wish list

Maybe next time we can get into the Late Show

M&M world! Chocolate everywhere! It was amazing

time square

Heart of Time Square

We took a day to recover from NYC, and then decided to explore the historical Valley Forge. It only took us thirty minutes to get there!
 The more I read and learn about George Washington, the more I respect him and wonder how he did what he did. It was a really cold day, but that didn't stop us. Kanyin was a trooper. It is a neat park, because you can walk or drive the whole park and they have monuments recognizing some that were apart of the encampment. We also got to tour George Washington's headquarters/house. I am excited to go back this summer when it is warmer and they have reenactments. 

Kanyin was set to go! Wish there was room for the three of us in that stroller, it was a chilly day!

My favorite monument

Love this picture

Shawn and one of his heros

George Washington's house

What a good "last" spring break.