DoTerra

I have just recently started trying the DoTerra essential oils and I've become a believer!  I was skeptical at first, but everything I've tried, I've liked.

I've tried the Melaluca on my cold sores-works like a charm!  I've also been putting it in my lotion and it has really helped with  my eczema/dry skin issues.  We've used DigestZen for tummy troubles on us and the kids-it helps every time.  I made some "Febreeze" with the Purify and put it in a spray bottle.  I love the smell-better than Febreeze!  I'm anxious to try out some recipes using the oils and see what works. 

Anyone out there who uses them-I want ideas!
How do you use them? Which ones are your favorites?

Anyway-just throwing it out there (f anyone even reads our blog anymore). If you want to try some essential oils, talk to me or make a comment!

Picture Update

My little artists

 Snow Day!

 (she insisted on wearing her little bear backpack)

 She enjoyed putting on my makeup one night...so beautiful!

 He fell asleep sitting up and buried his face into his bumper.

 Licking the beater after making cookies

 Daddy Playground!

 Making chocolate strawberries for Valentine's.

 Jeron came all the way from China to visit!  We had a really fun night catching up and playing games.  Lisa brought some pie from Marie Callendar's.  Livy was the first to get a piece because she was so excited to eat some.  She took one bite and was like, "I don't want any more."  We kept insisting she eat it saying, "It's yummy!  It's pie!"  We force fed her another bite and she spit it back out.  So finally someone else tries the pie and it tastes all garlic-y and parmesan-y!  It was pretty vile.  We all felt so bad for making Livy eat it thinking it was delicous.  It was pretty funny.

Happy Valentine's Day

We are so full of love this morning, we're bursting at the seams!

Livy loves her Valentine's Hello Kitty lip gloss and M&Ms.

 I love pink heart pancakes for breakfast.

 Andrew is just loving life in general!

 So excited for a day full of love!

 Spencer loved getting up at 5am and going into work (no one was awake to take his picture).

Cute Kids

I have the happiest baby in the world.  Seriously, I've never met a happier baby.  He is the perfect little brother to his sister (thank goodness).  He is so easy going and makes my life that much easier.  He loves to eat and will put ANYTHING in his mouth.  We've had a few minor choking incidents, but all is well.  He is so close to crawling-seriously it will be any day now!  He loves to clap (especially when the Gilmore Girls theme song comes on).  He is interested in anything Olivia has and loves to be standing up.  He would spend all day on his feet if he could.  He's a great sleeper going from 8-8 and naps twice a day.  I love this little guy!  He is such a doll.

Livy is so much fun.  Her imagination is running wild right now.  Everyday we are assigned some character from one of her movies.  Like today, Andrew was Pascal (from Tangled), she was Nala (from Lion King), and I was Gus Gus (from Cinderella).  I love that we can spend the whole day at home playing with toys (which we are doing a lot these days in the 14 degree weather) and she is never bored.  Playing with her is always entertaining and I love seeing her little mind learn new things.  She talks her head off and thinks she is the boss.  She is completely potty trained as of the beginning of January (hallelujah)!  She had her first painting experience the other day and loved it!

 These two-couldn't love them more! 

 Such a happy little bub!

Andrew and Clara

Such cute little buddies.

It's a good thing they have Olivia around to dole out the toys and make sure they stay in line.

All Dressed Up and No Place to Go

Livy got a Cinderella doll and some "glass slippers" for Christmas.  She loves to clunk around the house in her shoes and carry her doll around (though she keeps referring to her as Baby Jesus).  One day she had nothing but panties and glass slippers on and came over to me and asked if I wanted to hold Baby Jesus.

She certainly keeps us entertained.

Christmas 2012 Recap

We had a wonderful Christmas season!  Sorry I am so behind on blogging-a month late!

We got out the Fisher Price nativity which Livy played with for 2 days straight.

We picked out and decorated our Christmas tree.  Livy rearranged the ornaments on a daily basis.

We went to Candlelight Christmas at This Is the Place with Matt and Megan and their kids.  The girls had a blast and we had a good time too.

We saw Santa and did some crafts.

We had a white elephant party with friends.  The babies enjoyed the wrapping paper and Livy liked passing out the presents.

We did "Christmas morning" at our house on Christmas Eve.  Here was Livy's loot.

 And here was Andrew's.  He's so little that he won't remember, so we went light on gifts for him this year. :)

Andrew loved everything-the wrapping paper, his presents, Livy's presents, his stocking...it was so fun!

Livy was  beyond thrilled with her easel.  When she first walked out and saw it, she just looked at me confused.  When I said "It's for you!" she brightened up and said, "It's mine???!!" and ran over to it.  It was really cute.  We draw animals, castles, princesses, and stars on a daily basis.

 

Andrew got on of those Fisher Price car garages with the little elevator and the ramp.  Livy got a Rapunzel doll and horse.  I love how she just layed down on the floor to admire it.

Christmas Eve night, we went to the Slades.  We had dinner and opened presents. 

 Here are the annual pajama pants.  So cute!

 Aunt Katie with Andrew-I love the tiny bag Andrew is clutching.  Perfect for a bitty his size!

Christmas morning was spent up at the Armstrong's.  We had a nice breakfast with Grandpa Ellis and then opened presents.  The kids were so excited to get into the living room and see what Santa brought.

 Andrew was thrilled to be opening his stocking. 

 We had Christmas dinner at Grandpa Ellis's house.  Two of my cousins had babies in February.  It was fun to get the babies together.  Andrew was such a ham and loved all of the attention from the girls!  It was so cute!

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

The beginning of December, Spencer ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.  He ran in honor of my awesome mom.  AND he ran the race with strep throat!!!  What a guy! What a guy!  

We stayed at the Venetian which was amazing!  The rooms were huge and beautiful and the hotel was just a fun place to be.  We had a great time wandering around the canal shops, supporting Spence during the race, hanging out with my parents (who came down to support Spence), eating a ton, and enjoying Las Vegas!  As I mentioned earlier, poor Spencer had strep while we were there.  We arrived Saturday night and he woke up Sunday feeling totally crappy with a fever.  He went to the Walgreen's clinic where they did the strep test and prescribed him some antibiotics then he ran 13.1 miles that evening!  I can't believe he did it-what a dedicated runner! 

Here is a picture of the P.F. Chang's dragon that ran the race.  There were 5 or 6 people that ran the race with the dragon.  If you beat the dragon, you got coupons for free lettuce wraps. Luckily, Spence beat the dragon-woo for a trip to P.F. Chang's!

 We were waiting mid-race to see Spence run by and Livy was really worried her pigtails were going to blow away with the wind so she kept grabbing them and holding onto them.

 Dad and Andoo boy waiting to see Spence.

 At the finish!  Runnin for Coco!

 Livy enjoyed a nice dip in the jetted tub before bed.

 Outside the Venetian they had all of these people dressed up as winter prince and princesses. Livy was completely enchanted and loved meeting them.

Vegas is always a great time!  Thanks for giving us an excuse to go, Spence!

Grandpa Slade

Spencer's grandpa Harry Slade passed away in November.  He was such a great man and will be missed by all of his family and friends.  Even under such sad circumstances, it was nice to have the whole family together.  

Here are the Yaya's, M and Livy, having a pre-funeral snack.

Andrew enjoyed greeting guests at the viewing and was quite the little entertainer.

He and baby S having some binky time.

The Robert Slade family-the originals.

And the sisters.

Here is Grandma Slade and the 4 kids, Spencer's dad and his 3 sisters.

We will miss Grandpa Slade's happy demeanor and infectious smile.  We're glad we could spend a day celebrating his life and legacy.

3 Generations

of handsome Slade men.

Sleeping Babies

are the sweetest things in the world.

I love my sweet boy!

Ali and Brian

One of my best friends growing up, Ali, got married on October 20. 

 She was a beautiful bride and she and Brian make such a cute couple! 

 BFF's since 6th grade!

 How many does it take to bustle a wedding dress???

 It was so fun catching up with the old crew!  We really need to get together more often!

Congrats to Ali and Brian!  What a beautiful wedding and a lovely day!