A Jack, A Joker and our Ace

Mark's company rewards high performing employees with a cruise and this year Mark got it! We had to hustle and schedule it before I was 24 weeks pregnant since cruises don't let you go afterwards. It was very nice to be alone with Mark for a week on a trip we don't normally think to do. My parents were amazing and watched the kids again this year like they did last year for London.
We flew to Miami and boarded our ship. Right away I got myself a Pina Colada and enjoyed walking around the decks with Mark. Each day was relaxing but also a lot of fun. We took an awesome tour from one of the locals in Nassau named Big D, we enjoyed a hop on hop off trolley tour on Key West and spent lots of time relaxing on deck, by the pool, reading books and napping. The day I was looking forward to the most, Coco Cay, got cancelled due to high swells so we spent the day sleeping and swimming.
Dinner was very enjoyable with a very nice couple at our table from Michigan. They were raised Muslim and so we talked a LOT about religion. It was so great to have such a wonderful missionary opportunity and to learn about their beliefs as well. They were genuinely interested and asked so many questions each night. Mark and I were thrilled to be companions discussing the gospel.
When we docked in Miami, we had all day to wait for our flight so we took a cab to a local mall, went to a movie and out to lunch and just walked around. Then we took an Uber back to the airport, read and rested and flew home. We drove home to sleep and then Mark drove all the way to Twin Falls by himself to get our kids. The trip was great but my legs were swollen and my back was sore so I needed to stay home and rest. I LOVED seeing my kids that night and hugging them as hard as I could. Man I missed them but it was a nice trip away and with a new baby coming, who knows when the next trip for just Mark and I will be!

An amazing staircase carved from the existing stone in honor of the Queen

Mark took a tour of Ernest Hemingway's house on Key West. He loved seeing it and I loved resting on a bench until he was done

One afternoon Mark went to a Star Wars trivia tournament and won! He was very proud of himself

In December we have Fullback's birthday and then in January we have Mark and ACE's so needless to say with all the holidays throughout it is a very busy time! But as usual we had a great time celebrating each other and making the birthday person feel as special as possible.

Fullback:
How is he 5?! He is so excited to start school and also sad to be leaving me. This kid is my little protector, my best buddy and my shadow. We have such a great time together. He always has a story to tell me and he loves caring for his little sister. He looks up to his big brother and also holds his own with being a bit bossy. I think he might be the most excited about a new baby and asks me constantly "How is that baby growing? Need anything?" He has already said he wants to have the baby sleep in his bed and that he will take care of it. He has energy for days, empathy for everyone and his memory is incredible. He loves to know the schedule and then remembers it. He likes to put on shows and talent competitions and lately has gotten really big into legos. Oh my blue eyes...how I love him so!
His birthday was on a Sunday so n Saturday night we invited the Durazzanis to join us at Chuck E Cheese. It was a blast! I am not a big fan of these places but Mark took the four boys and Rachel and I followed the two little girls around (her husband and oldest daughter couldn't make it) and it made it a perfect night for everyone! Fullback was so excited and happy and kept saying "I can't believe this is my birthday! This is the best night ever!" On Sunday we went to a friend's baby blessing, then to our ward where Fullback got sung to and then we had a nice evening of his favorite meal, cake, ice cream and presents. He has such a joy for life and for everything that doing stuff for him just rocks.

Paw Patrol EVERYTHING

This kid LOVES cherry so he asked for a cherry drink and thankfully I was able to find one

So excited for cake!

Mark:
Having a beginning of January birthday does not seem fun and Mark said it was always hard growing up and having to go back to school after Christmas ON his birthday. I try really hard to make it special and he says it is always nice now but he did have to go back to work on his birthday. He was a good sport and we tried our best to make him feel special. The kids decorated the cake and had picked out the decorations the night before. We had cake and ice cream and presents then se asked for another Ron Swanson birthday so I happily obliged and set him up for that. I fed the kids an early dinner and then put them in my bed to watch a movie so Mark could have the whole downstairs and evening to himself. He is pretty easy to please and always grateful. One of the gifts he gave himself was shaving his facial hair into a Doc Holladay mustache. Oh brother...but he is happy so I put up with it. I am so grateful to this man. He has taught me so much, has shown me what true love and service are and does everything in his power every day to help me feel loved and appreciated. I am glad I get to celebrate all his birthdays with him.

Eyeballs and mustaches...you can tell the boys picked them out

All ready for a Ron Swanson birthday

Her boys

Before...

After. *sigh*

ACE:
Poor little ACE was not feeling well on her birthday. She has had a rough winter of sickness and turning 2 did not change that fact. Her birthday was on a Sunday so we stayed home from church so she could rest and then we just tried to help her be comfortable and happy. For the most part she was very sweet which was a blessing. We had the Durazzanis over for spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner and then cake and ice cream. ACE loves the streamers in her door and the balloons in her room. She loved the presents but I think just enjoyed having her cousins over to play. This girl has my heart. She is sassy and fesity and sweet and loving all wrapped in to one. She is still not talking a lot but we are getting there- who needs to talk when everyone in your family does whatever you want, whenever you want!? She knows how to get her way and loves to bat her eyes at anyone who will pay attention. She isn't super shy an finally loves nursery. Keeping up with her brothers is not a problem for her and she can hold her own with anything they do. There is no height she doesn't try climbing and no drawer that can keep her out. She is into, onto and under everything and is as tough as nails. She is my little friend and her dad's princess. Her brothers think everything she does is amazing and adorable...and I have to agree!