Our Month Away - part 1

We are back from our month in Utah. Beware this is a long blog post. Sorry. We spent the last month visiting friends and family in Utah while Joseph studied for finals and for his first round of Dental boards. He took his test last Thursday and flew out for a day and a half to pick us up and return home. We had a very busy trip and spent a week and a half of it with sick kids, so we didn't get to visit as many as we had hoped. But, all in all, we had a great time (although we missed Joseph terribly). I will try to give a quick and condensed version of our stay. I have to say, that this trip would absolutely not have been possible if not for my angel mother. Honestly, she is so amazing, kind, patient, understanding, and great a juggling babies. Thanks mom and dad for letting us crash with you for the month!!

The first weekend in Utah we enjoyed the Spanish Fork fair and the 24th of July festivities. I am hoping to get a few pictures from my sister so stay tuned!

Westover Family Cousins Reunion

The first full week we were in Utah we had Joseph's three older sisters and their husbands and kids visit us from AZ and Vegas. In total their were 21 cousins, 10 years old and under. Two of the three families stayed with us at my parents house, so let me tell you - it was a busy house! We had a blast. We met at the BYU creamery, had a picnic with Grandpa and Grandma Adams, went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, the kids did Seven Peaks, and the girls had a Pamper party. Their was lots of swimming, Popsicles, and hugs. The cousins hadn't seen each other for over a year so we had a great time re-connecting! Thanks guys for making the trip to spend time together! We loved it!

Pamper Party and Tea

Let me tell you how fun this was!!! Joseph sent me to the Primrose Retreat (oh my, it was heavenly) for another day of relaxation. We spent our 7th anniversary apart - so he decided to send me there on our anniversary. Besides sending me to the day spa, he also set up a pamper party for the girls and their cousins. This place was a princess heaven. It included dress-ups (and a cat walk in the middle of the room to dance and show off for the big screen TV in front of them), a manicure or pedicure, and a tea party. The girls had cousins with them from both sides of their family. I am sure it will be a long lasting memory.

Fourth Of July Festivities

We love America!!!!

New Hair Do

The girls and I got new hair cuts. My cut is about to my chin. I really like it, but am still trying to figure it out!!!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I was the lucky one invited to use the 4th ticket to a Pirates vs. Cubs Baseball game with the Hulls. Billy's dad has a tradition of coming to Pittsburgh to see the Cubs play when they play the Pirates. It was a ton of fun and brought me back in time to high school when I went often to the Angels games with my dad. Thanks Billy and Kristy, and especially Joseph for manning the fort while I was gone! P.S. Billy if you are reading this - Joseph thinks your hat is goofy! Go Pirates :-)

Twins at 5 months

I just LOVE them!

Open Wide

It's sure fun getting to visit the dentist and daddy all at the same time!!!! Today we took the kids to the pedo department at the Dental school for check-ups. Our friend Billy Hull arranged to have 2 other students there at the same time so we could have all 3 girls looked at together and not have to be there long. The girls did a great job and got lots of special presents to bring home. They have been asking me all night when they get to go back. Crazy (don't tell Joseph - but I hate the dentist!) Thanks Billy and friends!!! And great job brushing girls (I mean mom!).

(Waiting for the dentists)

(Joseph does not traditionally assist with a burp cloth on his shoulder - I LOVE IT!!)

Flash Floods

Some of you might of heard about the flash floods we were having here in Pittsburgh last week. We got a quick and crazy down pour on Saturday while I was home cooking dinner and Joseph was out on a walk with the kids (yes all the kids - he is superman.) I heard the rain start down pouring and ran outside to find the kids running around the corner with Joseph behind them pushing the stroller - all soaked. Since they were already wet the kids had a fun time playing with daddy in the rain. Joseph is such a terrific father! I just love him and so do the kids!

Our Cute Hunk

Talee Rolling

I took this video of Talee rolling over almost 2 weeks ago. Goes to show how crazy things have been around here. Funny, Tate rolled over first, but now whenever you put Talee on the ground she rolls over right away and Tate just hangs out for awhile until he is tired of being on his back and then joins her on his stomach. They love to hold on to things and if they are sitting close to each other, they are always holding hands. I just LOVE them!!! They are awake a lot more now, so my house is never clean - but, I just love this age. I could just hold and squeeze, and kiss them all day (but then the other kids get jealous - I guess I have to share the love).

Babies at 4 months

This picture is less than professional - but, you get the basic idea. When I took them in for their check-up, Tate weighed 13lbs. 7 oz. and Talee was 13 lbs. 6 oz. Their bodies are totally different - Talee is rolly-polly and Tate is our muscle man with hardly any rolls - so, it was fun to see them weighing the same. They are still so cute together and SOOO fun! I love watching them smile and most recently they have discovered that they can hold things and move them to their mouths. And - both of them have started to roll. It usually happens when they are crying - so I haven't got it on camera yet - but, maybe by my next group of posts!!!

Dance Recital Videos

We had a very busy week. The incoming dental students had orientation this past week and we had the privilege of hosting one of the girlfriends (Sarah) of an incoming student. The dental school also held a BBQ on Thursday night for all students and faculty then Friday night was the girls dance dress rehearsal and then another LDS 1st year and incoming student BBQ. Let's just say the girls (and us) were exhausted by Saturday which was the actual dance recital. The girls still had a fun time and did a great job.

Maria Moon, Laura Nelson, Kiah, Malea, Finley Waits

Joseph was a good sport - even though he has threatened to never attend a recital again (meaning the girls won't be in one)

This was Eva half way through

Here is the footage from the dress rehearsal. It was Malea's first time on a big stage. She is quite a talented dancer but we think she was a little stunned. She was quite a bit more with it during the recital. We were really proud of them both!

"Puff the Magic Dragon" - Ballet number

"Smile" - Tap number

"Finale"

Dance Recital

We had a very busy week. The incoming dental students had orientation this past week and we had the privilege of hosting one of the girlfriends (Sarah) of an incoming student. The dental school also held a BBQ on Thursday night for all students and faculty then Friday night was the girls dance dress rehearsal and then another LDS 1st year and incoming student BBQ. Let's just say the girls (and us) were exhausted by Saturday which was the actual dance recital. The girls still had a fun time and did a great job.
Maria Moon, Laura Nelson, Kiah, Malea, Finley Waits

Joseph was a good sport - even though he has threatened to never attend a recital again (meaning the girls won't be in one)

This was Eva half way through

Here is the footage from the dress rehearsal. It was Malea's first time on a big stage. She is quite a talented dancer but we think she was a little stunned. She was quite a bit more with it during the recital. We were really proud of them both!