Fun Weekend

We had a fun, busy weekend. On Friday Aaron had a Young Men's activity so we had some fun with the kids and then had a movie night while he was gone. Then on Saturday morning I got up early so I could do my long run at Townlake and it was awesome. Then Carson had his first tennis lesson. He really loved it. I spent the morning playing with the girls while Spencer took a long nap and then having a picnic with all the kids and reading books. I was worn out by the afternoon so when Aaron got home he took the kids to a bounce house so I could stay home and take a nap. 

The kids had a lot of fun.

Then they came home and had dinner and played the wii then after the kids went to bed I picked up dinner for Aaron and me and we watched a tennis replay. 

I just have to include this picture of Carson after he got dressed for church. I mean really? This boy could care less how he is dressed. Buttons messed up, tie on backwards, pants hiked up and tucked in the socks. He didn't even notice... He is the best. 

Boy's Trip

So Jamie and I decided to make the guy's trip from last year an annual event and got Aaron and Adam a trip to Salt Lake City to go snow boarding for Christmas again. They were so excited. We picked the perfect weekend for them to go and they had such a great time. 

While they were gone we did a lot of fun stuff. 

What is a girl to do when he brother and sister go to school and little brother takes a nap and Mom is busy. Well throw yourself a little party of course. Everyone got a little string cheese and turkey and their very own cup of water. They also read some Christmas books and the Book of Mormon. It was a raging party. :) 

Carson devoured a few books and a few bags of grapes. 

I finally stepped up to be a good Mom to Spenc and took him to story time at the library. (Okay confession, I had promised the littles a trip to the library and when we got there baby story time was just beginning but we still went!)

Spencer loooved it. They had bubbles and singing and he had a smile on his face the whole time. 

At the end they got out all the great baby toys and let the kids loose. 

Day one for Aaron was Brighton. It snowed on them the whole day, he had a blast. 

Check out this snow. 

They stayed all day and even closed it down and did night riding.

On Friday I took the kiddos to the Children's museum. It was probably our most fun trip ever. We did story time and spent lots of time in the water and painting. Spencer is finally big enough to join in on all the fun. 

It was a gorgeous day and we played outside until it closed.

On Aaron's second day he went to Solitude. They had just as much fun as the first day. They were tired and sore but stayed all day. I am so glad they had a great time and enjoyed the powder. 

On Saturday Carson did some babysitting and I enjoyed a nice foggy early morning run. 

Then that night I got out and took the kids to see The Trolls and then we went out to dinner. The movie was a blast but out to dinner was too much. The kids were kind of little monsters. I couldn't wait to get them home and straight to bed! Mom was worn out and ready for Dad to come back into our lives. 

Aaron spent Saturday with his family. He played with Spencer's kids, made a snowman and enjoyed the snow.

Then he celebrated Spencer's birthday with his brothers and they went to an arcade and played games and then had Costa Vida burritos. 

Then on Sunday Daddy came home and we were all happy! He brought me this great t-shirt and I put it on right away and then spent the morning helping Carson organize his pokemon cards.

Then we were off on a family walk. Love this girl and her clothing choices. We were all very happy to have our family all together again. 

Girl's Trip

Just a quick update that the beard is still going stong...and looking good. :)

So we had our Pierson Girl's Trip last weekend. I always really look forward to this trip and have such a great time. I am lucky to have married into a fabulous family filled with women I greatly admire. This year I was hesitant about the trip because of Spencer. He doesn't sleep good and still nurses a lot and I had a lot of anxiety about it. So Aaron agreed to drive up with me and get a hotel near Cassie's (the host) house. He was great and kept the kids and watched Spencer and brought him to me when he needed to eat. Aaron's parents also helped a ton. There is a lot of hard work that goes into making these girls' trips works and I am grateful for everyone. 

Aaron took the kids out to dinner and then the candy shop. The kids loved spending so much time with their Adam Pierson cousins. 

The girls did what we do best, talk and talk. I loved our night of favorite things and left it inspired to be better. Love these women and the girls who are growing into amazing women. 

These two boys were best friends over the weekend and we loved it!

And just like that it was over. We drove home Sunday afternoon to beat a bad storm. Love my girls! 

Just a Quick Update

We got some seriously cold weather here, like legit cold. The kids suffered from the cold weather crazies so we had to get creative. We took them swimming at the gym and I held a few work out sessions in the house. 

We even used some weights and cans. 

Some core work. :)

So after the great cold day, it really was freezing, it felt like 8 degrees on my run!,

 the weather turned beautiful again and we were back at the park. 

Life continues to be crazy in the evenings. One night I came home with all the kids from gymnastics, we had about 10 minutes before the piano teacher got there and I was trying to get everyone settled and figure out what we would have for dinner. Kids were kinda crazy and Spencer was crying. I felt pretty stressed and then I looked over and saw sweet Brookey, just painting her toe nails. Oh I love her. 

Spencer is eating food!! Eating real food people and he loves it. He especially loves pasta and rice and fruit. Well he pretty much wants whatever I'm eating. I am SO happy to have him eating real food. 

We had a night of epic tantrums. I mean they were out of control. The girls completely lost their mind and we made them take a shower. It was too much. I thought I was taking a video, turns out it was just a picture. "Let me out of here!" We have been going through a very difficult stage with Camilla's tantrums. She seems to have no control over her emotions lately and we are really trying to figure out how we can help her. Both of us hate how much of our time, energy, and patience are used up on her right now. 

I thought I was taking a video but its just a picture. Pray for us. :)

Brooke loved wearing her vest in the cold weather.

The girls love wearing matching dresses. 

Carson is still going strong on his Book of Mormon reading. He's already in Ether! 

2017

I've been doing a lot of thinking about goals for 2017. I'm not normally one to make a lot of resolutions. I mean I try to think of ways that I can improve regularly but I don't usually sit down at the beginning of the year and make a bunch of goals. Lately I've been doing a lot of reading about positive thinking and the power that it can have in your life and a big thing that is emphasizes is the importance of making goals, writing them down, saying them out loud, owning them. I believe in positive thinking and how it can effect you so I am really trying to make more goals and hold myself accountable for them. I have some goals for the year but I'm trying to break them down into monthly goals and then at the end of each month reflect on how I'm doing, if I want to continue, if the goals is working/was realistic, etc. I'm trying to keep it simple and improve in four aspects of my life - motherhood, as a wife, physically, and spiritually. 

Ultimately I want there to be less yelling and less motivation by threats in my home so each month I want to break it down to something I can do to make that better. 

I also want to spend more time enjoying my kids and giving them my undivided (NO MULTITASKING) attention.  

I want to be a more compassionate wife, putting Aaron's needs ahead of my own. This one has been harder to break down into a monthly goal but I'm working on it. 

I want to be healthier, eat healthier, and be more consistent in meal preparing and prepping. I also want to see faster times in my races and enjoy the process of getting there. I know how much hard work that takes so I need to remember that. 

I want to make my way through the Book of Mormon at home seminary study guide. And actually participate and do all the assignments. 

We had a FHE where we talked about resolutions and some things we can do better as a family. Of course we did it around the fire pit with s'mores. :)  

Carson wants to get 60 minutes of active time every day and at least 8,000 steps, he wants to pass off the next level in his piano books, and move up a level in swim. He also plans to finish the Book of Mormon this year before he gets baptized. Camilla has some goals for gymnastics and wants to be kinder. Brooke wants to turn 4, learn to swim without floaties, and be my best friend. Spencer has a goal to sleep.through.the. night. (wait maybe I made it for him!) 

It was a fun night and I hope the kids really try to stick with their goals. Of course incentives help us achieve those goals so I am planning to make those as well. 

I think 2017 is going to be a great year for the Pierson Family. As my Mom said, "Haley this is your chance to not move or be pregnant for a whole year." :) 

Happy New Year!!

We had a great New Year's Eve this year. After my long run and Aaron had a tennis game I took the kids to play and get some energy out. Then we came home to try and get some stuff done around the house before we attempted naps so the kids could stay up late (it was a fail :) and then we head over to the Baldwins to start the party. We had yummy dinner over there and the kids played and were so happy to see their friends gain. Then when Spencer couldn't take it anymore we head home, he promptly fell asleep in the car, we got Brooke down when we got home and then we started our own little party with the big kids. I had stocked up on special drinks and we started playing games. 

Why are kids drinking out of bottles so adorable?

Then it was Wii time. We played some Mario Kart and did a lot of winning. :) Then we started our movie and made pizza rolls. The kids had a great time. I really started to wear down and finally head to bed around 11:40....so close. The big kids both made it, were exhausted but both made it. Josie was very scared of the fireworks and the fireworks also woke up baby Spencer. 

2016 was a big year for us filled with big changes. After surviving pregnancy, we were blessed with baby Spencer and without even really trying Aaron found a great job in Austin. We are all healthy and happy and the kids continue to be a great source of light in our lives. This year has brought challenges of course but I feel like Aaron and I continue to work through them together and come out stronger on the other side. 

On our bonus New Year's Day we drove to this great park in Round Rock. It was a gorgeous day and we just let the kids run around and play. It took both of us for sure to try and keep up with them but we made obstacle courses, played school and did a lot of running. 

And did some fit throwing. :) Why is everything she does so darn adorable?  

Spencer crawled around the park 

and rode down the slides with Spencer. 

We are SO sad that Dad had to go back to work after 2 whole weeks at home but part of me is craving the schedule and routine that comes with school. 

Here's to 2017!