Goodbye Nana

My mom left Sunday night after pampering me and my family for a week. We had so much fun while she was here - we went on multiple walks to observe the beauties of spring, shopped, went to the zoo, and out to Lancaster county. She spoiled us with meals, cleaned my house, entertained my boys, and held Paige every possible moment. We were all so sad to see her go!

Thanks for all you did for us, Mom. You are the best!
I've survived two days by myself so far, and this baby is still an angel, so I think we're going to be okay. Thank you to all my friends who have helped me with dinners this week, it's been such as blessing!

Welcome Paige Kylie!

Paige Kylie Barnhurst has joined our family! She weighs 7 lbs. 3 oz. and is 20 1/4 inches long. Mason and Logan helped us name her, Paige was mine and Eric's choice and Kylie was theirs. Mason came up with Kylie all on his own right after we found out we were having a girl, and the name stuck!
We don't know who she looks like - but we think she's pretty cute!
Me and my THREE kids! I really can't believe I am a mother of three, crazy.
And baby makes five!
We are all in love with this little pink bundle. Mason adores her and wants to hold her all the time, albeit for 10 seconds at a time. Logan is less interested, but when he does show her attention he talks in the cutest high pitched voice. It will be interesting to see how a little girl fits into our rowdy family - we are so glad she's here!

Before and After

My boys woke up looking like this...
And a half hour later looked like this!

Eric had tried trimming Mason's hair the day before and didn't like the results so he decided it was time for their "summer buzz cuts!" Logan told me he was so happy Dad cut off all his curls because the curls were "a little too crazy."

And in case you are wondering, we don't have a new baby. Hopefully that will be the next post!

30?!?!?

It's my 30th birthday today! How can I really be 30? It used to sound so old, but I sure don't feel old! In fact, I think I am stuck in 1999 at the age of 21, which feels like yesterday. Please tell me if I become the crazy lady who still wears the same clothes, makeup, and hair that she did when she got married, even when it's 30 years out of date.
My men took me to California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate and somehow the boys ended up with a birthday dessert too. But I guess it wasn't enough to really impress Mason because on the way home he said, "Grown-up birthdays are boring." Earlier in the week he said he didn't want to go to preschool on Tuesday because he didn't want to miss my birthday - I guess he had envisioned something more exciting than eating out.
Now the best present would be if our baby girl decided it was time to come out. She's welcome to enter the world anytime after midnight tonight (she has to have her own birthday!). Send some good vibes my way, please!

By the way, I'm claiming no responsibility for this picture. The boys insisted I stand on the chair to get the birthday sign in - totally ridiculous, but I guess I'll always remember how huge my belly was on my 30th birthday!

Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday cards and gifts - I love you all!

A Big Apple Weekend

"The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."
-Elizabeth Foley

I spent last weekend in New York with 10 girlfriends who shared the 3100 floor of John Hall at BYU with me the year of 1996-1997. Even though many of us hadn't seen each other since 1997, it was if we had just seen each other yesterday. It was inspiring to be with women who had all completed college degrees, created successful careers, and become mothers and wives. We had all grown up since our days as Freshman at BYU, but our friendships were just as strong. Here's a little glimpse into our fabulous weekend.

We gathered from all over the country to be together. Here is the gang, (from left to right). Trisha (Arizona), Tiffany (Maryland), Jenny (Minnesota), Melissa (Utah), Mehrsa (New York), Amy (Texas), me, Joanna (Florida), Shauna (Colorado), and Amberli (Boston). Even more girls were supposed to come but couldn't at the last moment.
We spent our time eating at delicious restaurants, like the famous "Tavern on the Green"...
Walking over every square inch of the city...
Buying fake "designer" bags (even more were purchased on subsequent days)...
And staying up way too late reminiscing about the "good ol'days!"
Thank you Mehrsa and Jared for letting us all stay at your home and thank you to my good friends in Philly for watching my kids while I was away! I can't wait for the 2nd Annual John Hall reunion, where are we going next???