Legends Outlet Mall

We went to Legends to try this restaurant called T-Rex Cafe. Eden was a little worried about the large robotic dinosaurs but loved sitting by a giant fish tank to eat lunch. By the way, I really enjoyed the food.

Eden found it a little noisy during the "meteor shower" that occurs every half hour.
The fountain was great fun.

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

Eden loved feeding the baby goats.



Leila had a blast!

Feeding the fish was also a big hit. The only negative part was noticing that Leila had picked up some fish food and popped it in her mouth and I didn't get to it until half of it was traveling down her esophagus....um...not gonna lie, that grossed me out.

Can you see Leila's little arm reaching through the fence.
Leila loved the little benches until I told Eden to go sit with her. She threw a tantrum and tried to push Eden off "her" bench. But Leila's cute...even when she throws a tantrum.

Lots of fun playgrounds, slides, etc.

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is an awesome place where kids go and it is FILLED with tables and tables of arts and crafts. Eden LOVED it and Leila would have loved it if we didn't have to stop her from eating all the paint, glue, and papers.

Eden's favorite was painting.
This is her saying "I'll smile for a picture mom...but I'm busy painting" face.
Leila did enjoy the water fountain intended for washing hands covered in paint.
This picture doesn't do justice. This room was all black light and you took these paint sticks an could fling paint on your picture...or as Eden would do, paint little dots on it.

When Eden first found the room, it was dark and she ran back out. Then she said, "Mom. Come with me. But don't be scared." She's so brave. :)

Tornadoes

Crazy time to live in Missouri.

After the MASSIVE tornado in Joplin, Missouri....we're all a little on edge over here.

Tyson's met doctors from Joplin. Now the hospital and clinics are all demolished.

Here the storms come and go along with warnings that there are more storms to come.

Today I took the kids to the library while Tyson stayed home to do more boards study. While we were there a librarian came around to talk to everyone.

"There's a tornado warning. There was a touch-down in Jackson County just now and the storm is headed this way. You are welcome to stay here if you like. We'll be heading into the basement. Or you could quickly head home if you'd rather be there."

I decided to go home. I'd rather be with Tyson.

As I leave the library and start to pack the kids in...the tornado sirens go off.

I head home.

We get in the house the rain starts coming down harder.

My cell phone rings, its our friends telling us that they say to go to a safe place in the house in about 15 minutes. They knew we didn't have a television to have really updated news on what was going on and what we're supposed to do.

Our neighbor comes out and knocks on our door.

We stand with him outside in the rain and we talk. He tells us "watch the clouds".

The clouds are moving fast.

Our neighbor says, "Its the big black one over there that is the one to worry about. Watch and see if it starts a swirling pattern."

Sure enough, a little swirl comes.

I've never seen clouds do that before. It was crazy to watch.

It was lunchtime, so Tyson cleared out the closet under the stairs and laid down a blanket and I made some lunch.

We ate a little picnic in a closet under the stairs.

Eden thought that was pretty cool.

Soon after, the sirens stopped, the clouds blew past, and the sun came back out.

Things went back to normal. Tyson went back to studying. I cleaned up lunch. Eden and Leila played in the family room.

I admit that I wasn't deathly afraid of a tornado hitting....but I admit that it definitely made me nervous. I figured that tornado sirens and hiding underground were very much an "extra precaution" than a warning that death is on our doorstep.

In fact, Tyson and I had a laugh as I made lunch and asked Tyson, "So, how prepared to you think we REALLY need to be?" and Tyson replied, "Famous last words..." And we talked about that question regarding the Last Days. And had another little chuckle.

I don't know if people around here think all this is normal. I've never seen clouds move the way these did or had to seek shelter before. So for me, this has been an adventure.

And apparently there are still more storms on the way....but I think the fear of more tornadoes is coming to an end.

I feel terrible for those who have suffered injury, damages, death, etc. from all these tornadoes. My prayers go out to all of them.

4th Anniversary

Tyson and I have been married for four years. In those four years, we've had two wonderful little girls, moved to 4 different places (our 5th time comes at the end of June), both graduated with a bachelors degrees, Tyson got into med school, and just having a great time with each other.

This last Thursday we celebrated our 4th anniversary.

Tyson took the night off from boards studying.

Dinner was delicious.

The movie was funny.

It was a simple and GREAT anniversary. In fact, I'd call it "BLISSFUL".

Thanks mom for babysitting.

Its amazing when I think about how things have changed over the years. What's even more amazing is how even with all this change, Tyson and I have been able to change and grow closer to one another over the years. God truly knew that Tyson and I were a good match, a better match than I could have imagined. Every change over the years have been a good change that brings Tyson and I closer together.

And to finish off this post....Here's a little list of things Tyson and I like to do together:

• At night we like to watch shows on Netflix and Hulu. Things we've watched include: Law and Order, Pushing Daisies, Bones, Arrested Development, House, Community and a few other things here and there.
• We've mastered the art of making an AWESOME fruit smoothie.
  
• Tyson and I like to dream of our future home...things like a little bungalow in a semi-rural area and larger piece of land with simple and clean decor, art such as the picture of Christ by Minerva Tiechert, small chandelier, Venetian mirror, and Tyson's "dream office".
• Occasionally, Tyson and I like to try our hand at DIY projects such as recovering our dining chairs (which need to be done again), reupholstering a Laz-E-Boy recliner, and painting and finishing a bookshelf.
• Tyson and I often talk about our financial dreams like living like paupers to pay off our med school debts FAST, paying with a dream house entirely with cash, and going through life never owning a credit card.

Eden's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe my little Eden is THREE! We had a little birthday party. My mom and 2 friends came out from Utah to join in the celebration. Eden LOVED it all.

She's been telling us lately she wants these ponies.
Eden's Grandma Namba sent us the Hungry Caterpillar book and stuffed animal. Eden's been sleeping with it every night and loves to read the book as well.

Instead of cake, I tried my hand at Cake Pops....a big hit!

These are my little Hello Kitty creations up close.

But Eden was rather sad that Hello Kitty was missing a mouth. So, for hers I made a little smiley face. She was very happy about that.

This is where I may get dubbed the "shameful mother of the year award". I let Leila have an entire cake pop of her own....and she LOVED IT. Like, beyond measure. I mean, its 100% sugar: cake mix and frosting covered in white chocolate. The girl fell in love.
We also took Eden out to eat at Perkins. I went there a while back when I was having one of those "my husband has finals weeks and I never see him and my kids are making me crazy and the last thing I want to think about is cooking" weeks. Eden discovered Rainbow Pancakes (pancakes with sprinkles and whipped cream on top) and she was in love. So, she wanted to go there for her birthday for the favorite Rainbow Pancakes.

Hayden

No More Pink Wall...

No More Mindful Grey...

All Because of Hayden...
Tyson's brother Hayden came to visit. He's leaving on a mission to Canada (Korean speaking) in a few short weeks and he decided he wanted to see us before he left.

But when he heard we needed to paint our apartment before leaving he said, "I can help." He came a week early and slaved away (and I'm not exaggerating) painting like a mad-man to help us out. What a guy.
Thanks Hayden. You rock. Seriously.