All Girl

Rebekah has a new love affair: shoes, hairclips, and bags! It all started when she got a whole box full of "new" shoes from cousin Belen. She carried them around for a few days, but they were all just enough too big that I put them up in a box thinking we would need them in a month or two. As if she heard me think it, within 2 weeks she had grown into the new shoes. She was so delighted with these little black dress shoes. She has never been one to leave shoes on for too long, but loves to play "shoe store" and is constantly taking them off and trying to put them back on (which usually sounds like yelling and whimpering until Burke or I help her put them on). She is getting pretty good at putting them on finally. Anyway, these little black beauties have been a clear favorite--even before she is out of her pajamas in the mornings, she has been bringing them to me to have them put on. She loves the way they sound on the tile, (or any hard surface) and literally is tap dancing around my house all day. I have drawn the line by not letting her wear them into the garden :) (Preston thinks this is wildly unfair, because I will not let him wear his "Sunday" shoes except when we are going to church--but I can't help it, it is just SO cute that she LOVES these shoes!!) When she is finished wearing them, this is how I find them :)

Crying because her hairbow came out!

Any bag with a handle is now a "purse"-- this one stuffed full of dominos . . .

I love the way she marches all over the house letting this thing swing from her elbow.

Who knew Little Girls just come that way?!?

New 'do

A few of you have been asking to see my new haircut-- it is not that new anymore-- it has been almost a month-- but here it is :) It took some getting used to, but I really have been happy with the change.

Those of you who have had short hair know that "bed head" is pretty scary-- shortly after I got the cut I woke up one morning with crazy hair (as usual) and Preston said, "Whoa Mom-- you're gonna need a lot of hair spray to fix that!!"

Hey at least he is looking out for me right?

I'm gonna get there . . . someday!

Have you ever seen a puppy chasing his tail? That is what this reminds me of! Burke and I could not stop laughing--my kids crack me up!

Preston's Birthday . . .

just the three of us . . . our first family photo
I have been remiss in posting this since Preston's birthday was fully two weeks ago, but I have just been so unmotivated to blog. . . the warm spring weather has me completely smitten-- I don't want to do anything in the house right now! (I know that when summer hits, I won't want to be anywhere but inside after 10:00 in the morning--so you can look forward to regular blog posts then!) Here are some photos of how we spent April 16th the last few years!!

Preston Burke Hill
4/16/2006
7 lbs 14 oz

my tiny sweet baby boy . . . I'll always remember the first time I held him--that first moment you meet your child is so difficult to capture with words -- I remember feelings of love, wonder, uncertainty, excitement, humility, amazement, shock, pure joy . . . just to name a few!

Little baby boy turning one!

Preston turning 2!

A few weeks before the big day Burke's family came into town and we had a spring birthday party of sorts (for Rebekah, Preston, and Cousin Quinn). Preston got these awesome Golf Clubs from Grandma and Grandpa--sadly they have spent more time in the top of my closet than anywhere else--when he plays nice with them he looks so stinkin cute!


(3 year old boy + golf clubs + walls + piano + little sister = TIME OUT!!)



Two of my fabulous sisters (Rachel & Becki) came to see us the actual week of Preston's Birthday-- It was SO wonderful for me to see them and Preston had a riot with cousin Belen :) They really helped us celebrate and made Preston's day extra special.

Here is Preston opening the Mega Blocks they brought for his birthday!

I did actually get input from Preston this year about what a party should look like-- "we need party hats, balloons, and dinosaur cake!" The ONLY party hats to be found at Walmart featured "Mater" from Cars--luckily Preston is a huge Cars fan, but I did think it was a little funny going along with the dino cake . . .

Good thing my sisters helped me so much-- I was pretty nervous about this endeavor, but it turned out okay and the birthday boy was thrilled with the end result:)
His favorite part of the cake: the hershey kiss balloons the dinosaur is holding :)

Burke and I debated long and hard about this gift--Mostly I just wasn't sure he was ready (or that I was for that matter!) Preston has been asking for this for a year though, he was completely speechless when he saw it! It was priceless :)

He wouldn't even dismount to blow out the candle on the cake!

We had a great day for Preston filled with phone calls, and fun! Thanks to everyone who helped to make his day special! I am so lucky to be this awesome little guy's Mom!

I love Spring!

We had an awesome visit with Burke's family about a week and a half ago. Preston has asked me nearly everyday since they left when they will be coming again! Grandma brought us this awesome sidewalk chalk and we have been having SO much fun with it. Somehow I don't have a picture of Rebekah in on the activity, but she loves it to (though she tries the chalk out as a lollipop from time to time!)

Here is a picture of Rebekah just because she is cute! She is now walking more than crawling, though she is still painfully slow and prefers something (read: Mom's hand or legs) to hold to. She surprises us with new words and signs every day or two. We are loving her funny mannerisms and big slobbery open mouth kisses!

Preston and I had a few fun projects this week while Rebekah was taking naps. Here we are getting started coloring Easter eggs!

What a fun mess!!

are we coloring eggs or hands?!

Preston loved adding stickers and "belts" to the colored eggs.

Below is a picture of another fun little activity we did a few days ago. The recipe and instructions can be found here.

Hope Everyone is Enjoying Spring!! (Even if the weather is a little fickle.)

Another Preston Interview . . .

Most of the time snapping pics of Preston is an exercise in frustration for me-- he never holds still for a moment, so I have many pictures like the above-- this wonderful boy is always on the GO!!

Here is another cute interview with Preston that I was tagged to do. thanks J--we had fun with this!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
You said, “What’s goin on in here?”

2. What makes mom happy?
When you obey (me or him? hmmm)

3. What makes mom sad?
When I make big messes that makes you sad.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
You tickle me.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
You were tiny like Rebekah.

6. How old is your mom?
I don’t know.

7. How tall is your mom?
You’re big and tall-- as tall as Mom!

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
Clifford (His favorite this week!)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Be quiet. (Yes I do love the quiet at the end of the day!)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
She would be lost! (Maybe I should be offended! What do you think?)

11. What is your mom really good at?
You are good at Me, Mom! (Wow, I thought that was generous!)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Sometimes you cry at me and then you have to go to bed.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
It is on the computer. (I think because I am sitting in front of it right now!)

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
I don’t know—probably Salad.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
When I go potty.


16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
T-Bone (Clifford’s side kick of course!)


17. What do you and your mom do together?
Go to the library.


18. How are you and your mom the same?
We are not the same!

19. How are you and your mom different?
You are Mommy and I am Preston!

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
You just love me!

Me: But how do you know?
I already told you Mom.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
He asks you questions. (Hmmm--Nope!)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
To the library!

Overheard While Watching General Conference

General conference was wonderful (as always!) and really lifted me. Burke had to work out of town at the last minute, so I had some juggling to do with the kids, but I was able to listen to most of it and even got a few notes written down. Preston enjoyed it (especially when he listened well enough to get some jelly beans!) I enjoyed his comments and thought you might get a kick out of them as well:

"Oh, I love this prophet!!"

"I'm tired of this prophet movie . . ."

"Oh these are really good singers!!" (Already a fan of MoTab!)

"There's President Uuk-dork!" (I hope that is not too disrespectful, by the end of conference he was consistently saying his name correctly!)

"Is this Elder Cooker?"

"Oh, he said, scriptures! That means I get a treat!"

"I am such a good listener!"

"The temple is not a house--it's a temple you silly goose!" (Spoken to Elder Bednar)

"He said, temples! That means I get a treat!!"

While looking at the pictures of the Prophets and Apostles "there's Elder Packer, Elder Blueberry . . . "(Perry)

It really was a joy to be able to hear our prophet and leaders give inspired counsel and speak messages of hope. I love the Spirit that is in my home at General Conference time :)