EZ

My cute friend took our family pictures last weekend. It was so fun to see her and her little family. Afterwards, we went to the best zoo and finished to day off at the Chamber's classic-Steak and Shake. Although, they did not have the Guac burger AND kids don't eat free at this Steak and Shake. Weird.

Here is our Bluebird.

I took this on another occasion of EZ. He is over 5 months. Seriously. 5 months!

She loved gymnastics. By the end she could do a somersault unassisted and they were starting to work on back bends. She loved the beam and was the only kid (ages 3-5) who could walk and kick her legs as she walked.
I love this picture.

We are planning a visit to Utah (very soon...YAY!)

Blogworthy...

A few things before the pictures.

Today, I got a free shirt at Aeropostale. Regularly 17.50...free...BAM!

We heard that a new sub shop was offering 8" subs for a buck...BAM!

Ezra went to bed tonight without tears. I think he misses me and that's why he cries.

I always ask people to buy me socks when a gift idea is needed. I love socks. Only colorful socks and crazy patterns don't matter much. Today, I scored and bought 4 pair of socks at the Gap...on sale. Seriously, I am fine with cheap socks but that doesn't mean I think all socks are created equal. I love me some soft, colorful, well made, argyle socks.

Went on a bike ride today...BAM!

Scored a double stroller from my friend and now I know I can go on walks again.

The gym we discontinued our membership from sent us a letter saying we could come back and not pay any of the back fees since we cancelled...BAM! I knew they'd cave before we did.

We went to Kville last week and stayed with our dear friends and ate delicious food.

I got selected to do another focus group and made 75 bucks.

Brad went to Texas a couple of weeks ago for a Cancer Conference. He participated in a research project that was published and his name is on it. He's such a smart guy.

Easter was fabulous. We were going to go to an egg hunt but apparently it was the week before. Oops. We had one in the backyard instead. Chloe would've been happy with rocks I think.

We colored eggs.
Somehow...who knows how this happened (if you wear earrings you know what I mean) I wore 2 earings in the same hole...all day. When I asked Brad how he let me go around like that he told me it just looked like one earring. I guess it kind of did. But seriously, how did I not notice an earring in my ear when I put the other one in??
This girl knows where all the mirrors are.
Grandma Nancy was with us for Easter. She took us to all the fun restaurants I have been wanting to try and she helped play with Chloe all day. It's so fun to have people visit.
This is Chloe looking at her print.
This is one of her favorite spots at the Children Museum.She is always shocked when other kids want to play with her blocks.
And...that's what we've been up to.

We'll be in Utah soon.

1,2...3!!!

She's 3!

Sitting in front of her packages. This kid will grow up thinking birthday presents come in the mail. We love you families. Thank you, thank you.
We went for a haircut.
She was a princess all weekend...and really all year, right?
She loved her cake.
A princess get together.
I made her that little shirt with my new screen printing technique. Gotta say, I love it.
Daddy bought her a princess towel. I have to say, I have embraced the princesses. This last month I have found myself really wanting a lot of princess garb. It makes her so happy.
Opening many many presents. Thank you, thank you.
We went and saw dad at work, wore a princess crown and earrings around town, napped, went to the park, went to Steak and Shake (her request. we had the same waiter we always have and he actually commented that he remembers us...nice. That's too many visits to Steak and Shake I think) We had "crusted rice" for dinner and lots and lots of cake and KitKat bars.

I love her leg hugs. You know the ones. Those tight ones where they hold on and make you feel like you are the single most important person in their little life because you are and you just want it to stay that way forever. I love those leg hugs. We love you Miss Blue.

Starksy is getting older.

We still love our little dog. He's just getting older and with that grumpier and lazier. Chloe loves playing with him. He can still keep up running with me and Brad. He stinks more. But...same old cuddly, center of attention, Starsky.

Chloe has been really into carrying these animals all over the house. Downstairs with her in the morning, back upstairs for nap, back down after nap, back up for bedtime. Once she told me to carry her animals because she couldn't. She said, "I only have 2 hands, mom, you do it."

After church last week, she came home and threw herself on the ground in a defeated way and said, with her head in her hands, "this drives me crazy".

She'll ask Brad and me, "what are you guys laughing at?"

When Ezra isn't awake in the morning she goes up about every 5 minutes to "check on him". She told the doctor the other day that we only call Ezra "handsome boy".

She's a character...soon to be three next week. More on that later.

We went to Chicago last weekend and met some friends. We stopped at REI and a couple days later found that we came home with an item we didn't buy. Just so you know, you can call REI and they will gladly take your credit card number of the phone and make a purchase. So now we own a new beanie hat. Christmas for someone next year, I guess!

What else...well, I am loving Spring.

We 4 celebrated 30 in Chicago

I got up early to open my presents because Brad wasn't going to be home till late so we wouldn't really get to celebrate my birthday till the weekend. I didn't cry or even complain because I know this has been a long rotation for Brad and I just grinned and bared it and mentally willed myself to be happy that we would celebrate the big day 3 days later.

But Brad is a sly guy! He had me open my first present which was awesome and then I opened this big folder full of little envelopes. Anytime he gives me a folder full of envelopes it's something good. This time it was better than good. The first card was a poem telling me that basically I had the whole day to have an adventure with the kids and ...him. He took the day off. I cried when I read it. I'll admit it...I cried. I was sooooooo happy to just have time with him. I've hit that stage. Quality time over gifts is way, way more precious to me. (but don't get me wrong, I love the gift part, too:)) So, the other envelopes had ideas of things we could do for the day in Chicago (activities and restaurants) I showered quick, got the kids ready and we were out the door by 9 for a fun filled day in Chicago. Seriously, who gets to spend their birthday in such a beautiful city?

We ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. A really fun place for families. we sat by the big fish tank.

This picture is great for 3 reasons: 1. This is Chloe's picture taking attitude these day. 2. Ezra and 3. Me posing. I've never been one to shy away from pictures. oh and there is probably a 4th reason to love this picture, the crazy guy who's lap we're sitting in.
We shopped for a bit at this huge mall. These pink shoes were a must. She alternates now between these and her silver ones my sister bought her for Christmas.
The first place I ever had one of these taken was in the Woolworth's in Cottonwood Mall when I was about 10.
We loved having Our Brad with us.
Little EZ. Happy boy.
Did I mention we spent the first part of the day at the children's museum on Navy Pier? we saved 3 bucks on parking but turned around and spent that on warmed sugar-coated almonds. Love those.
It was the best best best day. I love all of you for remembering little ole me, too. Thanks. Am I really 30??

HIJACKED BLOG...BIRTHDAY POST :)

HAPPY "30th" BIRTHDAY
MELANIE ALICE NELSON CHAMBERS

(From your awesome, funny, smart, loving sister Emily)

Top "30" Reasons I am glad YOU are my SISTER:

1) You are a good listener.
2) You are always nice to EVERYONE.
3) You put your husband and kids first.
4) You are smart.
5) You are a good friend.
6) You are a good blogger :)
7) You are funny.
8) You let me call you "BLUE" when you were little.
9) You love to play games.
10) You love to ski.
11) You have the same love for exercise that I do.
12) You love to vacation...and have been on some fun ones with me.
13) You are patient.
14) You love the gospel.
15) You served a mission for our church.
16) You are adventurous and not afraid to try new things.
17) You love to cook and bake.
18) You make friends easily.
19) You love our parents.
20) You love dogs...especially Starsky.
21) You have a great smile.
22) You graduated from college.
23) You laugh at my jokes.
24) You are a morning person like me.
25) You love both of your families...Nelson's and Chambers'
26) You are a great mother and wife.
27) You play with Chloe and Ezra.
28) You have people over for dinner.
29) You are diabetic and never have I heard you complain about it.
30) You are MY sister and we are the bestest of friends.

I hope you have a FABULOUS birthday today. Thanks for always being a good example to me and everyone around you. You are the BEST.
I LOVE YOU :)

Some more..

Another project to keep my busy was this little "redo" Easter dress. My sister sent me this cute gently loved Easter dress. I love more vibrant colors so I set to work. Thanks to the inspiration of "redoing" clothes from many of my friends out there.

This is the new dress. I just took those pink rosebuds off. Add some bright pink thread to the center of the light pink flowers (this took WAY longer than I thought it would) and then added the bold pink ribbons in the center. I love it and it makes me happy that Chloe will have something "new" for Easter.

I heart running. I seriously prefer to run when it's colder. I'm the opposite of most people, I know. So, I have had some great mornings and evenings to get out and get this body back in shape. The shoes and the leash go hand in hand. Starksy loves a good run, too.

Brad would say he hearts his trainer. We set the bikes up as often as we can and ride in the living room while the other watches our shows.