Scottsdale

Dear Kate and Riley,
Two weeks ago Zach and I got to go with Dad to Scottsdale where he had a conference for work. We decided to tag along because it was at a fancy hotel and we knew we should get some nice weather in Arizona. We were right! The hotel was nice, Zach slept in the walk in closet which was almost as big as his room at home! I enjoyed reading my book on the balcony and taking baths in the gigantic bathtub. We got to take Zach in the pool for the first time and he LOVED it! He even did a good job on the 6 hour car ride to and from. On the way out we got to stop in Yuma and see Great Grandma and Grandpa Hansen. It was a really fun trip even though we didn't get to see much of Dad.

Dad and Z in the pool his first time

Me and Z in the pool

Stopping for dinner in Palm Springs on the way home

If you look closely, you can see those two little teeth!

Love,
Mom

Happy Easter!

Dear Kate and Riley,
Happy Easter. I am sure that Easter is a very important holiday in heaven as you remember when Jesus was resurrected and made it possible for us to all live again. I think that Easter has become the most significant holiday to me since losing you because now I feel like I am celebrating the chance I know I'll have to be with you again some day. It is a happy happy day for me. I love hearing about how Jesus lives and how we will all be resurrected one day.

We had a low key Easter here. We got a little basket for you to bring to the cemetery and a little basket for Zach with some toys. Zach got a cute little Easter outfit and I saw a little girl in church today with a dress that would have matched his little outfit and I was sad you weren't here to dress you in cute matching dresses. You would have been so cute in them I'm sure. We went to the cemetery before church and brought your basket with an Easter lily inside. I liked the lily we got because it had three open blooms and I thought it was perfect, one for each of you and one for your brother. Zach tore off a few of the petals before we got there and I thought that was appropriate since if you were here, I'm sure he'd be getting into your stuff and making you mad all the time. That's how little brothers are, after all.

I hope that you rejoiced and sang today. Our choir sang a medley of "I Stand All Amazed" and "I know that My Redeemer Lives" and it was perfect for Easter.
Some of my favorite words---

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head!

He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

Girls, I am so grateful for the day we had to celebrate the beautiful gift of the resurrection. I am so thankful for the gospel in our lives and the fact that I know I will see you again some day. I know He lives! I want you to know how strong my testimony is of that.
I hope you had a wonderful Easter.

Love,
Mom

FIVE months!

Dear Kate and Riley,

Yesterday Zachary turned five months old! I cannot believe how fast the time has passed. It seems like yesteray that he was born! He is such a good happy baby, he is so cute and fun and this age is just the best so far. He got his second tooth this week and is already sleeping much better. We hope to get some relief for a few months!

Zach loves the beach, we got to go four times last week. Daddy thinks we're spoiled but how could we resist? He still isn't rolling over but I think he's getting really close to sitting up. He loves to talk and squeel all day long. He loves playing with his toes. He is just so fun and cuddly and growing up way too fast!

We miss you and think of you often and as Easter approaches the wonderful blessing that we know we will be with you again some day is on our minds.

Love,

Mom

Your Due Date

Dear Kate and Riley,
A year ago today was your due date. I guess I never placed too much significance on this day since I knew that you would most likely come before it. But in case I forgot (which I did) our good friends at Huggies made sure to send me a big advertisement in the mail today that said "Your baby is one!" I used to cry when we got those huggies things in the mail and get so mad about them. It was strange to think you could be a year old or a little over a year old right now if you had gone to term. I got a little sad today and I felt bad that I didn't remember. I guess there are other dates I associate much more with you now than March 5th.
I hope you are looking down on us and smiling. I am feeling peace about you and finding so much joy in your brother. He looks so much like daddy. I wonder if you would have looked more like me.
I love you my angels.
Love,
Mom

Video Debut

Dear Kate and Riley,
For Christmas Grandma Janice gave us a video camera. I was so excited but I am a little slow when it comes to technology (notice no fancy blog background) so it took me a few months to figure out how to use the camera and upload videos. Sunday we tried it out for the first time. We got some good laughs out of Zach so it was fun.



Love,
Mom