...where the green grass grows

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

While visiting Fantasy at the Bay, we stopped in to see Santa. This little chica wants a ballerina dress! And she's been very good this year! She sat right up on his lap looked him in the eye, and told him what she wanted. She was on a mission!

Anyone game?

2011-11-14T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my friends. We are still alive and well. We are now in our house and finding out that homeownership is not as fun as it's made out to be, at least not all the time. We are changing a lot and slowly making it ours. But I guess the good think about owning your home is that you can change stuff. Kind of a double edged sword. We've redone the bathroom, and are currently waiting for furniture to place in our family room. We've been watching TV with the Lazy-boy, and a sleeping bag on the floor. I think college dorms have it better than us down there.

Pictures to come, I promise.

That aside, I miss being in SLC for many reasons, but this one found me today. So...is anyone game? Want to go? They have THE BEST and cutest modern stuff! Seriously, I was quite unimpressed with all Peach Days had to offer. The Bijou market is where it is at. I promise you'll come back with lots of fun stuff! Anyone, Anyone? I'm thinking about going Friday.

Click the flyer to see the vendors, and then call, text, fb, or leave a comment and tell me when you want to/can go, because you will!

I know, I know...

2011-09-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

I'm fully aware that my lack of blogging is horrible, however, I'm pleased to report we have found a house, close on the 26th and are excited beyond belief!

We did family pics the other night and this was my absolute favorite! I love these two more than I can put into words. They melt my heart every time!

And...

2011-07-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

We're here, just barley. We kind of don't have internet, and we kind of are loving the country life. Seriously, 9:00pm 4-wheeler rides up to the canal and back with the wind in our hair. We're not sure if we want to leave. Seriously. Anyways, here's a picture to tide you all over. We are still house hunting. We honestly just don't know where we want to live. We're just taking in this slow country life as much as we can. Sleeping with the windows open, playing with cousins until the sun goes down, hanging out on the porch chatting the evening away and making daily trips to the slushy stand.

Moving

2011-06-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

And we're off. Where, we don't know exactly. Rob got a job at Bonneville HS, so we will be moving to the Ogden area eventually. For now, we will be renting from Rob's parents until we can find a place of permanent residence! We're buying a house! Finally! Needless to say Evva will be spending some time like this in the car.

2011-06-16T07:04:00.001-07:00

How we make it in Ikea

2011-05-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

Lots of snacks...

Enjoying the sun

2011-05-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

We just got back from an awesome walk! The sun was out, the breeze was lightly blowing and Evva was rocking her Dora shades! Happy weekend everyone!

Birthday Weekend

2011-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Evva was officially 2 last weekend. Friday we had a great day. Waffles with strawberries, strawberry syrup and whip cream for breakfast. A little shopping. And friends over for dinner, cake and ice cream. It was wild night. After they left we skyped the grandparents and Evva ate more cake. {you get to do whatever you want on your birthday right?}

{I'm aware this is a horrible picture, but it was the only self portrait of us that worked}

With all the fun we had Friday night, we didn't get her big present in until Saturday morning.

She's so official and now gets to cook with mommy. I have a little sidekick. She is so in love with it!

Sunday we got to get out and enjoy the sunshine a bit with our friends the McDonalds. We love them so much! Ask Evva about anything from dreams to what she learned about in church and she'll say "carter n' mia". We love them!

Business Update

2011-04-30T20:10:00.001-07:00

I'm well aware that this goes against everything everyone has said, but...

We're done potty training for a while.

And Evva and I are back on speaking terms.

Enough said.

Happy Easter

2011-04-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late. Whatever. We had a great Easter weekend. Rob had spring break and we were able to go home from Thursday to Sunday. It was bliss. We had a great night at the temple with my family, great {early} birthday party for Evva, ate lots of food, had lots of laughs, a trip to Smith & Edwards {that makes me sound like a hick, but it was great, minus I didn't find what I was looking for...they're supposed to have everything right?} lots of time with cousins and a good Sabbath day to remind us of Christ and what He did for us.

Evva about had a heart attack when the pinata broke open. She kept yelling "Broken, Broken!" She was pretty sad until I took her over to see what was inside. Then she was kind of happy.

*Note to Rob: Don't let our kids name the pinata.*

Business

2011-04-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we picked up a book about going to the potty. On Evva's level. She was so enthralled by it. Seriously, we read it for like 20 minutes as she flipped back and forth through the pages taking each one in. So today, she decided it was time to do her business in the potty. I was astonished and caught a little off guard. She doesn't turn 2 until Friday!? I guess I'm getting thrown into it.

A quick trip to Target brought:

New potty

New big girl unders

Jelly Bellies {for success}

We'll pretty much not be leaving our house for the next week or two.

Let the training begin!

Started with a somersault...

2011-04-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

We are not awesome at doing FHE. Every night is kind of FHE for us, but we're not great at having an actually lesson or doing something outside the norm. But last night was great. After dinner we went to a new little place that just opened for some frozen custard {it's pretty comparable to Neilson's. So all my S. SLC/Provo friends, do stop by, it's called BOMBDIGITTY'S, on 126th and 14ish W}. It was fun to get out and Evva insisted she wear her sparkly black church shoes with her jogging suit. We're classy.

After coming home and getting the house cleaned up, we ended up in Evva's room and started playing around with Rob's nerf gun. We then tried to teach Evva to do a somersault. It was so funny. So totally rolled to the side. So I showed her. I haven't done one for YEARS and I'm convinced I must have been much smaller in size because I felt like I had a long way to go to roll over my head. Rob took a turn and didn't do much better than Evva. So funny. That lead us to being Frogs, which lead us to an impromptu game of following the leader, animal edition. We were laughing so hard being penguins, snakes, elephants, and lots of other things. Evva has having a blast and all three of us were exhausted by bed time.

Good memories. It was a good night!

We were Irish

2011-03-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

I redeemed myself the next day with dinner. Like I said before, I'm all about traditions this year, so we had a traditional Irish dinner. I guess. I've never been there, but it's on my bucket list. So we had corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, and Irish soda bread.

We invited Uncle Mark, but unfortunately didn't get a picture with him. He said it would have been complete if we had a frothy beer. Maybe next year. I'll put it on the list. But it was seriously yummy. The bread took all of 1 hour, to make and bake, and I did the beef in the crock pot. Tasty! And for dessert we had chocolate coins. Not so tradition, but it hit the spot.

{Evva looking at uncle mark who brought her "bo-buddys" for a treat. Thus, the blue lips}

Dinner?

2011-03-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today I made the worst dinner...EVER. I didn't know I was capable of such awfulness. Most definitely could have qualified for "worst cook in america".

Rob, I told him he didn't have to eat it, but he ate a bit, like a trooper. Evva, she just spit it out.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Stickers for prizes

2011-03-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

{please excuse her hair, it's 10pm and it had been a long day}

Saturday night at Target, Evva tried to get away from me while I was holding her hand. She fell to the ground and started crying. I just thought she was throwing a fit, but she wouldn't stop crying. Not like her. So we left the store and started heading home. She continued to cry and whine and didn't even eat the "baby turkey" {peep} we gave her to appease her. We decided we better take her to kidscare because she was not moving her left hand {the one I was holding}. She ended up having a "Nursemaid Elbow" basically the tendon in her elbow goes over her radial bone and it hurts to move. Seriously, I felt like such a bad mother. But apparently it's fairly common and the way Evva's happened is usually how it's done. The good thing is the doctor was able to fix it right there. It didn't feel good right after, but like 2 minutes later, it as like it never happened. She was running around and laughing and jumping again. So here are her prizes from the doctor. She also got a sucker, which she ate on the way home.

And one more of us with Baby K, at his blessing. We love him.

Good day!

2011-03-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

Evva,

Today we went to the library, we don't go often because I usually end up chasing you up and down the isles and you rip the books, so I've decided to take a break from there for a little bit, but because you are doing better with paper books, I thought we'd try it again.

I still ended up chasing you up and down the isles, only this time you were yelling "cash me, cash me". Not at the moment, but yes, it was funny. You found a Bob the Builder DVD, and lucky for us, your cousin Korver got you hooked last weekend. So that along with some Signing Time DVD's and some books is what we ended up with.

We had "peaut budder & lelly" for lunch with "arrots". You took a fabulously long nap which enabled me to get caught up a little bit with the challenge we've been working on to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. I've never read it this fast and I'm seriously loving it! I'm making so many more connections.

After your nap, we read your new books, gave tickle hugs and laughed at your "lilly monsters" while we snuggled on the couch.

I had YW tonight, but when I got home we had more tickle hugs with Daddy. After you would tackle us we would lay on the floor and laugh at each other while you gave us "nuggins" and tried to pull us up.

I love you and I love good days with you!

P.S. Yesterday at the grocery store, you discovered the shopping carts with the cars on the front. Pretty sure your shopping experiences will never be the same.

weekend, don't go!

2011-02-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

Just a few notes to get down how great this weekend was, even though we didn't get done anything we had planned on doing.

Saturday brought snow, I figured this out at 6:00am when I got up and went out to run {6 miles cause I'm training for a half}. One of the negatives of living in a basement, is you have no idea what the weather is like until you step out. So after stepping out into snow that came up to my ankles, I called my partner, and we decided to crawl back in bed. This is how our day followed:

Sleep til 9

Malt-o-meal with peach jam

get dressed

go to IFA to buy a sled

realize that have baby chicks

tweet at the baby chicks for a while

hit the hill by our house

quesadillas for lunch

naptime

playtime with cade and addi

JoAnns

stop at BK on the way to cabella's

while contemplating on if we should get her chicken fingers or not

{no, we were not asking her, we didn't even look back at her}

from the back seat we hear "kees-buger......get it" when we pull up

{seriously, we have only done this like 4 times}

laugh

feed the fish at cabella's

pj's

scrpitures

prayers

bed

And today was seriously great too.

Church

nursery-we got treat bucket for next week :)

Yummy dinner.

Thai chicken legs with cilantro lime rice.

Tasty.

Skype with the grandparents and "baby K"

hugs with tickles

snuggles

awards

kettle korn

tall towers

superman

I'm seriously loving this!

Can we do it again?

this Friday night

2011-02-25T20:06:00.000-08:00

Our house was the place to be. Trains, coloring, blanket rides all which lead up to a calm down with Bolt and popcorn. Evva loves friends!

loving the popcorn.

We were loved

2011-02-16T06:35:00.001-08:00

This year we had a great night in and I loved it! This year I'm kind of all about our own traditions. I'm wanting to make memories. And do things that my kids will remember and know we do it every year. I had so much fun planning what we'd do, and we honestly kept it way low key and simple. It was a day that I could show my love and appreciation for Rob and my little munchkin.

We didn't have to fight Evva {at least not too hard} at a restaurant, and we had fun just being together. I love my little family so so much. I'm looking forward to next year!!!

Grilled steaks w/ peppercorn melange and sweet onion marmalade, wilted baby spinach w/ honey-maple vinaigrette, squash and rolls {which fell and were flat}. So yummy!

Tablecloth-Target, placemats-ikea, salad plates-Rob's mom was DI-ing them {along with bowls-now mine}, napkins-dillards like 5 years ago, I wish I'd gotten more, napkin rings, made in like .5 seconds with random stuff around the house.

I found these cute fortune cookies at gardner village last summer, I was so excited to pull them out, I think they kind of inspired to whole thing. Beautiful flowers from Rob.

I found these awesome straws for Evva, and she so gladly shared. She totally loves them & one of my all time favorite DI finds, I use this little pitcher for dressings and syrup. It makes it happy.

And these amazing things grace our table every now and again. Molten Chocolate Lava cakes with Vanilla bean Ice Cream on top. More please!!!

Hope you were loved too!

"Oast Bees"

2011-02-15T13:27:00.000-08:00

That's what she calls it.

Ruffle bums

2011-02-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

I haven't been such a fan of the ruffle bums, but I found these tights my aunt handed down to me a few weeks ago. Pretty much this is the last time these tights and this dress will be worn, because Evva ran around church like this all day long last week.

Dear wind,

2011-02-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

Although it is absolutely frigid, we love that we are seeing some blue skies. We went to Ikea today and I think Evva about passed out on our way to the car. But thank goodness that yucky inversion is gone!

Over the weekend we got to meet up with this little bundle of energy. We love her so much and wished she lived closer.

American

2011-01-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

I'm really liking this book. Just finished the chapter on 9/11. I'm so blessed. And grateful for his leadership at such a time of turmoil in our country. I appreciate him, although I don't agree with EVERYTHING he ever did in office. I appreciate him and what he has done for our country.

I am proud of our history.

I feel chills when we sing the national anthem.

Commercials about veterans make me cry.

I'm so honored to have men and women serve and sacrifice so that I can be free.

So Thank You!

Baby McKay

2011-01-17T17:20:00.000-08:00

My sister Tiffany finally had her little bambino. He is so precious. Evva loves "baby Kay" as she calls him.

Trauma

2011-01-08T21:49:00.001-08:00

Let me introduce you to Elmo, Blankie and "Buddy". These three spend a lot of time with Evva. She is in love. Many times I hear her in her crib, "Elmo...Buddy{the care bear}...Blankie...Elmo...Buddy...Blankie...over and over again." So obviously, it's hard to wash them during the night or nap time. Before I know it, it's time for one or the other and I haven't gotten them washed so it gets moved until the next time, when the wash doesn't happen again.

However, yesterday morning it was time. So as soon as Evva got up I put them in the wash. She followed me in there and saw the tail end of blankie going into the big white machine. Immediately the trauma began. So I had to tell her that they needed to take a bath, just like she did because they were stinky, like she was, and they would have bubbles, like she would. Things calmed down a little bit after that, but we had to go check on them like every 10 minutes. But now, they are clean! And they have to watch Evva take a bath from the vanity. And they may be able to take "baths" more often from now on, because baths are good.

"Lilly"

2011-01-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

Evva. You are a "lilly gurl" who loves her uncle Tyson!

Favorite

2010-12-29T21:05:00.001-08:00

We have been having a FABULOUS Christmas vacation. We've been up with family all week long and we LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I apologize for the horrible picture, but it's honestly one of my favorites. Rob caught us just as we were coming down to see what Santa brought us. See that excitement on Evva's face? And on mine?

Santa and an elf of two made this little dollhouse just for Evva. She LOVED it! It came complete with little Hedgehog calico critters and some furniture with a fireplace that really works!

I had a chance to get together with my BFFs! I love these ladies so much! They are amazing examples to me and I'm so blessed to have them in my life. We've gotten older, gotten married and had kids, but no matter what, whenever we get together, it's like we never parted.

We have a problem...

2010-12-21T18:38:00.001-08:00

Evva has decided that she will no longer just lay down for her nap. We have to snuggle. Not that I'm complaining, because she has never been this way. However, she has insisted we snuggle on this chair for the last week. Today after trying to lay her down and screaming for a good 20 min I noticed she needed her pants changed. After taking care of that, she RAN to the chair and continued whimpering. I stayed back to see what she did, she totally fell asleep. Until I tried to move her to her crib, at which point we started all over again. Needless to say, that is something we will be working on durning Christmas break.

Savers

2010-12-21T18:32:00.000-08:00

Found this a Savers the other day for $5. Brought it home cleaned it up, threw a little throw pillow together and ta-da! New favorite chair in my home. The other favorite chair in my home was $5 too. Dude, I love me a deal.

To all of you from us...

2010-12-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

Decking the halls

2010-12-03T09:54:00.001-08:00

Sort of...I've been working like a mad woman and Rob is wondering when we'll take the kitchen back from the fabric and glue gun. But I was honestly so sick of so many of my Christmas decorations, so it was time to revamp. And I was feeling a little crafty {actually I totally needed a project} So I made this cute pillow and stockings and a few other little things that I will have to add later.

Rob asked that his had no flowers...so there you go, how about a tree. I guess that's more masculine.

We did some family pictures before Thanksgiving...it was super windy...but we got a few between wiping Evva's nose. {seriously, we're going on 3 weeks...chronic runny nose?}

And I took a few for my cute Grandparents...Evva just had to sneek in. {I love her shirt!}

And this folks was the highlight of the weekend...Evva had been playing hard for the last 2-3 days and was resisting naps. I tried to keep her awake for the big Thanksgiving day feast, but as soon as we sat down she grabbed my arm, snuggled up and FELL ASLEEP! This has NEVER come close to happening. My little munchkin was all tuckered out.

dirt cups

2010-11-09T21:35:00.000-08:00

Evva had her first dirt cup the other day...you know, the chocolate oreo kind. I feed it to her, which is why she isn't as messy as she could have been. But she was still in L.O.V.E!!!

Picture overload...

2010-10-19T16:59:00.001-07:00

Not here...over on my photo blog...don't worry. I'll be back to post about our life soon. But for now, just enjoy these.

Check it out!

2010-09-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

Alrighty, I think it's time for a give-a-way.

I'm giving away a free photo session!

Go check it out on my photo blog!

Tatiana Riley Photography

Labor Day 2010

2010-09-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

We hiked to Ensign Peak. Just us three. Then we had a picnic. Just us three. Then we explored the east side of SLC. Evva slept in her car seat. Then we spent the afternoon at home. Just us three. It's funny, but as much as I love our family. Sometimes it is nice to be just us three.

p.s. Rob asked me to help him cut his hair tonight. This has been an ongoing learning experience for me. Rob gets a little frustrated and I laugh and tell him I don't understand what he wants me to do. Honestly I don't, I'm not a faker.

He asks me why my mom didn't ever teach me to cut boy hair. I laugh. She did. My dad throws on a #1 and I do his entire head.

He looks at me like "This isn't funny, it's serious." Then he says to me,

R: "Isn't this a young women requirement?

T: What? {Laughing uncontrollably}.

R: "Why isn't this a YW requirement? It should be, women need to learn how to take care of their husbands."

...Still not a crack of a smile on his face....

I'll talk to Sister Dalton about that.

Good Day

2010-09-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

Good testimony meeting {Serve God by serving others}, Good nap {Rob let me sleep longer and got up with Evva}, Good lunch/dinner {tomato sandwiches, corn on the cob, and watermelon-all home grown} Good laughter {Evva eating corn on the cob for the first time, playing peek a boo under the blanket, jumping, and kisses}, Good walk {with good neighbors}, Good cookies {Thanks honey}, Good movie {Harry Potter 6}.

Good Sabbath.

I'm so blessed.

Bed

2010-09-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

No pictures today because it's been a little crazy...actually I did take one, but it's for a surprise, so you know... Anyhow, Evva was a little trooper today! Such a little partner! She ran errands with me for 5 hours straight!!! Contained in either her car seat, the stroller or a dressing room. Bless her little heart!

When we got home she ran around our house like a mad woman.

Laughing and screaming.

I loved it!

Good Night!

P.S. 4 miles today on a new path. Loving my Garmin!!!!!

Good taste, Good eats, and Goodbyes

2010-09-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

Evva is obsessed with shoes. If she sees a pair anywhere, she brings them to us and wants us to put them on. This time I had her put them on. So pretty!

And, she has found the whip cream in the fridge. Now, if she sees the fridge open, she comes running, spits her binky out, grabs the can, takes the lid off and puts it in her mouth.

And today we had to say goodbye to these guys. We have loved watching them grow and will miss them So So So much!

Evva is obviously really sad about it...

The best day, today

2010-08-31T22:39:00.001-07:00

Evva,

Today I had so much fun with you! You are learning and developing so much lately. Today you dumped out all your Baby Einstein books and worked really hard at getting them all the fit into the box again. At first you got a little frustrated, and mommy had to help a little, but you kept working at it. I was so amazed that you worked on it all afternoon, and then when daddy got home, you showed him and worked on it some more. You would dump them out, put them back, dump them out, put them back. You are working things out and I love seeing your little brain work.

You also got out my pink high heels and put them on today. I LOVED it! You walked around for a little bit while I told you how pretty you looked! I just smiled and thought of how this was your first time playing dress-ups. You're getting so big! And you truly are so pretty! I lvoe you my beautiful little girl!

Nursery

2010-08-29T21:01:00.001-07:00

Evva is 16 months old today. I visit teach the lady who does nursery in our ward, and since Evva is the last one her age to go into nursery, she told me I could start coming in with her. The first time we walked in, Evva's eyes got so big and she looked at me like "Did we just walk in to a magic room!?" It was so great! She loved it so much and has loved it ever since! Today Rob brought home her very first picture that she colored in nursery. Tender, I know! Since we have never been able to figure out our scanner, but now have a reason to, I will be working on that tomorrow! She's just growing up so fast!

Triathalon

2010-08-29T00:13:00.001-07:00

This morning I participated in the "Share a Smile" triathlon with some people from my office. They asked me to do the swimming part. So I dusted off my goggles and swim camp {ok, I had to get new ones} and started going to the pool a few mornings a week with my faithful running partner Charlene {LOVE HER!!!!} Anyhow, after a few days of that, I mentioned to Dr. White that I was going to be ready for that 1.5mile swim, to which his reply was, "Did I not tell you I was kidding about the distance?" Nope! You forgot to mention that little detail. So the swim was only a quarter a mile, but still fun to take part none the less.

{Barb-hygienist-Ran, Dave-Barb's husband-ALL, Brent-Cindy's husband-ALL, Dr. White-Biked, Me}

And just so you know, this is Evva playing "Beek-Boo". We LOVE IT!

Shots

2010-08-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

Evva had her 15 month appointment today...nevermind that she'll be 16 months on Sunday. She had shots today and was not happy about it. Poor thing has been sore all day.

So we've been watching lots of Phineas and Ferb, and Signing Time. She's still recovering from the flu...

Stats...

25lbs 5oz*31in tall

And she's talking! Kind of!

She loves stairs and anything she can climb up.

The words she can say are

Momma

Dadda

Nanna

Poppa

Shoes

Blankie

Binki

Milk

Good Girl

Bath Tub

Book

Keys

Jesus

{said while pointing to any picture on the wall}

Two

Four

and she can make the following animal sounds

Duck*quack, quack

Cow*"boooo"

Lion*RRRAARRR

Monkey*OOoo, OOoo

Pig

{this sounds more like she's trying to get rid of some mucous in her throat}

Sheep* AAaaa, AAaaa

Home...

2010-08-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

Last week we ended up staying up north all week due to our car being in the shop! We loved it! Seriously! Who loves having their car in the shop? We do, as long as it's up there. We loved being with family! {And we love Hyundai of Logan for working with us so great!} I don't know why, but I feel like I can enjoy the moments up there a little more. Maybe it's the family. Maybe it's the porches. Maybe it's the openess. Or the quiteness. Or maybe it's just because that's where I learned to live!

While up there we got to visit my grandparents for a little bit and I got to meet little Liam!

Evva got to play in the sprinklers!!! We loved this!

And we were pooped when we finally made it to our own home. We just relaxed and of course, read lots of books.

I can't tell you how excited and happy I get as I drive past Willard Bay. It's like such a change of pace. I honestly feel that when I hit the overpass just north of Smith and Edwards, life slows down. The country music goes on and, weather permitting, the windows go down and I just breath all the fresh air in! I LOVE IT! We sit out on the porch, we drink lemonade, and we just sit back and talk. The crickets chirp, it gets really dark and quite at night and we just talk...and listen...and soak it all in!

26

2010-08-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

That's it...I'm getting old! This is the first year that I've really dreaded getting older. Now I've over the hill and closer to 30 than I am to 20. Dang it! I wanted to be young forever. I had a wonderful birthday and wrestled this little monkey throughout the day. We were able to go to Maddox and spend the rest of the week with friends and family. How's that for a "stay-cation".

{P} Family

2010-07-13T17:42:00.001-07:00

Just did a session for this amazing family! Check out more here.

Summer Time!

2010-07-12T07:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a little crazy here. I feel like I haven't had time to sit down and do a real post, but since everyone loves the pictures, I figured I'd just do some of that. So sorry for the absence.

This was an outfit I wore as a little girl. Pretty much it was a little small when she wore it, but she reminds me of pictures of me wearing this.

I ran my half-marathon in Bear Lake. It was a good thing to have accomplished. I'm kind of looking forward to the next one. Don't know where or when. But I loved the fact that I did it...the next day. Once I finished I just wanted to be done!

Some of my supporters

Evva is LOVING to climb up into our big chair {yes, she's CLIMBING like no other!} and read her books. She climbs up, throws them all from the table onto the chair, then sits on them while she reads and gets frustrated when she can't get one that she's sitting on.

We've been spending lots {but not enough} time with cousins.

Jumping on the trampline

Wearing her gaucho pants! {I LOVE them!}

Playing in the water

{And these two are my favorites}

And curling up in her blankie and sitting in the sun when she wakes up at Grandma's.

And loving life!

Remember

2010-05-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

We're still here, and we're alive. It's been a crazy hard 2 weeks. I'm just now starting to feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things. However, the thing I've learned the most about these past 2 weeks are my FAMILY! Holy cow am I grateful for my family. And not just because they do so much for me, but I'm grateful that I can do things for them.

Last Sunday, we were on our way home from my mom's and I got a call from my cousin telling my that my cousin Tagg and his sweet, sweet, wife Katie, had lost their baby at 32 weeks along. Devastating. I dropped Rob and Evva off and headed to American Fork. Not knowing what to expect my sweet sister came to watch Evva the next day while Chandi and I were able to stay at the hospital until Katie's parents arrived from Texas. Seeing them have to make decisions about everything that had to be done brought me to tears countless times throughout the following days. They are much to young to have to be doing this. And all Tagg kept saying was that it's "Part of the plan." I believe it is so rare and such a tender opportunity to see a man show so much love and concern for his wife, and I'm still in awe at how Tagg took every moment to make sure Katie had everything she needed, to comfort her, to strengthen her, and to cry with her. It honestly touched my heart in ways that will stick with me forever.

I know that they feel so weak and hurt at this moment in time, and I can't say that the pain will end soon, but I know that they don't want to forget. They don't want to forget the little time they had to hold his little body in their arms, they don't want to forget the feeling that was in the room. They don't want to forget the love they felt for this little boy who was sent to help them return to our God above. They want to remember what it was like to give him a bath, and dress his little body. They want to remember the way they became closer and had to lean on each other in ways they never thought they would. They want to remember how thin the veil was and think of it often so they can remember what they will be working towards for the rest of this earthly life. And I pray they do.

They asked me to take pictures for them when little Zachary made his way here and all I could do was pray that I would be able to capture those tender, tender moments that they could hold on to so that time would not let them forget the little moments. It was a complete honor and I hope that I have given them something priceless to remember.

A year ago...

2010-04-29T13:02:00.001-07:00

One year old. Evva is one! I can't believe it. It has been the most magical/memorable year of my life. I absolutely love being a mom, especially to this little one! She makes us smile all the time and we're already having a hard time keeping up with her, so I can't imagine what we're in for, but as long as she's happy, I guess we can't complain. We love her so much and are so grateful for the blessing she is in our home! We love you Evva!

My little smuchkin!

2010-04-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

Evva...

2010-03-23T21:01:00.001-07:00

you walked today. And I cried because you're growing up. I love you!

Try it!

2010-03-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

So when we moved to Riverton Rob and I decided that we would really try to go out of our way to try some local places to find some good eats. This was one of the first and it's been a favorite in our family ever since. We seriously go probably once a week. This place is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Rob's favorite is the Raspberry Torte and mine is the Coconut Cream. But I had a sugar cookie there the other day and my, oh my! If you're a soft yummy sugar cookie kind of person, RUN. They are just off the 12300 S exit to the west, I mean just off the exit! Like you get off, go 1 block west and you're there! Stop in, get a doughnut, get back in your car, go 1 block east and BAM! you're back on the freeway! It's in the complex with pictureline. They are such a cute little place and oh so tasty! I'm trying to think of a way that I could get them to make a birthday cake out of doughnuts...if you have any ideas let me know! See the heaven here.

p.s. any good local places around here that you love? Let us know for real! We sometimes get a little nervous about places if we haven't heard anything about it.

Such a helper...

2010-03-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

Evva, you are trying to be such a helper lately. That's what I call it at least. In reality, you're mostly being curious. And you're getting quick! I open a door and there you are, wanting to see what I'm getting into. But you're getting really big.

You are standing and took your first step yesterday. Twice! What!? I swear you are going to be getting out of your crib before I know it! Here you are, my big girl using your new skill to see what's in the cupboard.

Oh, and you LOVE books! You love to turn the pages, and if I take to long reading the page, you just turns it for me. I LOVE it! You are also loving to clear everything off, thus, the decorations on my coffee table are now gone. Which allows for more banging of pretty much anything you can get her hands on. This little love has resulted in our coffee table looking like it has been dropped on a gravel road. You also love to be pulled around in these! Loves it! You giggle and laugh so hard. You have a permanent grin on you face when daddy pulls you. We are loving you so much and are so excited that you are trying so hard to talk. I LOVE the way your little lips form as they try to make sounds.

Yesterday's project

2010-03-09T05:55:00.000-08:00

Worked on this yesterday to put above my kitchen sink. LOVE IT THERE!

Then last night we hung out at Ikea for a little bit, I seriously love that place. It kind of gets my creative juices flowing! Rob got a new desk chair that he loves, so that is a plus. I picked up my share from there a few days ago. I got some awesome deals that perhaps I will show later.

In other news, after a long hard decision I have decided that I need to give up my job in Perry, and try to find something here in SLC. I have been blessed with a great opportunity to work at an office down in Orem 1 day/week and I think it will be a great experience. It was definitely hard to leave my Wahlen office, they were so great to me there and it was an office I truly believe in. They are ethical, and truly care about giving the patient the best treatment. So if you're in the BC, or even Ogden or Logan area and need a good dentist, go to them! I recommend them HANDS DOWN! From a professional and personal stand point. So as I move on, it's hard and a little scary stepping into the unknown, but I know this is what I need to do and in the end everything will work out.

P.S. How about Sandra Bullock and her Academy Award? Just love her!

Rob...

2010-02-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why I love this guy, but here's one more...

As I'm getting ready for bed, Rob is laying on the couch watching a movie. He turns to me says

rob: Honey, I put in a movie for us

me: Oh yeah?

rob: Yeah. I don't know what could be more romantic than X-Men

and that my friends is another reason I love my man!

and another one is that he's singing 'today was a fairytale' by taylor swift right now as I type this. Love him even more!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Share the LOVE

Snuggling

2010-02-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Evva,

Most of the time when I go in to check on you while you're sleeping, I just want to crawl in your crib and snuggle with you. Unfortunately you won't go to sleep while I rock you anymore, so I have to put you in your crib and then go in to check on you after a few minutes. I try to hold you as long as I can when you do fall asleep in my arms. You are just growing up so fast. You are crawling so fast and you love when daddy and I chase you. You just giggle with delight with the biggest smile on your face hiding behind your bink. And you stood up today for a few seconds all by yourself with out holding on to anything and fell down only when I started to praise you for it. And you start to do things ever once in a while that lead me to think that you will be a tease. I love who you are becoming! And more than anything else, I love that I get to watch it happen!

Tatiana Day

2010-01-25T12:57:00.001-08:00

Who knew I had such a special day! Looks like we need to celebrate.

Also, Evva thought she'd help daddy with the dishes yesterday! I just love her, even though she wears us out and we find her on the other side of the room when we look away for a second, she is seriously the source of so much laughter and happiness in our home.

Happy New Year

2010-01-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

From us

Christmas 2009

2010-01-02T21:58:00.000-08:00

Of course we know what it's all about...such a tender moment every year.

But we did some of this too!

This was quite enough of this

and some fun with a new lens

and seriously, how can you NOT love those cheeks?

TIff's Graduation

2010-01-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

Absolutely love this tender moment

Photo Blog

2009-11-08T19:58:00.000-08:00

So people can see a sneak peek of their pictures because my personal blog is going private. Tell one and all! Let me know if you need any done!

Want to see what I see?

V Kids

2009-11-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

Just a couple little tantrums with these cute little cousins of mine. Love them!

It's happening...

2009-10-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

Going

You know what to do

Sneek peek

2009-10-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

Just for Daniella. Such cute kids! And I think they deserve tons of marshmallows for letting us get some great pictures!

I must say this one looks just like her Aunt!

Sadness...

2009-10-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

This week was a tough one. We lost two people who were truly so close to our family. Amber Chase was such an amazing example of faith to us and truly we were honored to have as much extra time with her than we thought we would. She showed me how no matter what the circumstance is, God loves each one of us, and he has a different plan for each of us, but he knows what is best and he will give us the trials WE need to help us become the people that he knows we can be.

Stephanie Hunter Johnson was taken from this life so abruptly and it is so surreal that she is not on this earth any longer. I constantly see her smiling face in my head and can't think of anyone who cared about others more than she did. I wrote some thoughts about her in my journal I thought I would share...

It truly broke my heart to see such an amazing woman leave so many friends and family after such a short time here on this earth. I do find comfort in the knowledge of the gospel and the eternal plan that the Lord has in mind for each of us, but it still stings to have such a beautiful daughter of God gone from our presence. My heart goes out to John and over the last few days, it is thoughts of him and his continued journey here that bring tears to my eyes and inspire prayers on his behalf. Stephanie was truly a remarkable girl and I only wish that I could have told her how much I truly did appreciate the friendship and example that she was to each of my siblings. Thanks for everything Steph! Know that we miss you and I hope that you will now get to see all the many lives that you have touched in the short time you were here on this earth.

I'm Coveting...

2009-10-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

Does anyone want a D40? I'm thinking around $400 for everything?

Pictures

2009-10-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

Look who's sitting up

2009-10-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

We took a ride up to Copperton the other day and took a couple pictures. Cute little town 10 minutes from SLC. Loved it! Such cute homes with so much character! If we stick around, we might consider it.

R Family

2009-10-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Did this cute family over the weekend.

So cute, possibly the cutest nieces and nephews ever!

And who could forget this cute girl?

Ears

2009-09-23T20:50:00.001-07:00

Evva,

I was so proud of you today! You sat up all by yourself as you watched Mr. Zebra and Mr. Monkey on your play mat. You also rolled over 5 times all by yourself. I was all smiles, and I think you knew that you had done something great because you were all smiles too. I was so proud of my little princess! And yesterday I took you to get your ears pierced and Aunt Chandi had to come to give me moral support because Daddy was at work, and he wouldn't have come to watch anyways. You cried a little bit, but did so great. You are growing up so fast!

Cookies

2009-09-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

Evva,

Yesterday you made cookies with me for the first time. We had a good time singing "peanuuut, peanut butter, and jelly". Daddy had fun watching us from the kitchen table. And I may have let you have to tiniest taste of peanut butter frosting. It was such a good day. And then tonight as I watched you drift to sleep in your crib, you must have been having good dreams because you would smile every once in a while and you even giggled a little. Maybe you were thinking about peanut butter cookies.

I'm missing a few people

2009-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, so a few of you guys have gone private (abby, michaelene, Kati baxter, and Kelly Flygar, do you even have one? I want to know what you guys are up to) and a few others that I can't remember at the moment and I can't see your blogs anymore. If you don't see your name on my sidebar please leave your e-mail so I can e-mail you and you can add me or just add me and then tell me. Also, Marci, I can't remember your blog address and so I can't see if you've had that cute baby boy yet. I hope everyone is doing well!
-Tatiana

4 month stats

2009-09-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

Evva lovey, you are growing so much!

At your 4 mo check-up you blew me away that you gained almost 5 lbs in the last 2 months! You are changing so much!

Weight: 14.2 lbs

Length: 24.5 "

You love your baths, especially last night because Mommy put a little to many bubbles in your bath.

And you love your toes! You discovered them about month ago, but now you are strong enough to pull them up to your mouth.

Some other things you are doing:

*Sneeze in 3's and then laugh

*Tell us lots and lots of stories

*You can see really far

*You smile and talk to us when we walk in the room

*You like to reach for everything

*Drool a lot

*Like walks

*You are so happy when you wake up in the morning

*Love to look at your hands

*Grunt when you get tired

*Love to stand up

*Love to stare at Daddy

Those cheeks!

2009-08-25T17:45:00.001-07:00

Evva's cheeks are getting so chubby! I just love them! Especially when she smiles!

thoughts

2009-08-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

-growing my bangs out

-really liked Scarlet Pimpernel at HCT w/ Rob tonight

-really love Rob

-really love little miss Evva

-hate that cars break down

-thankful for family

-proud of my mom for being brave and painting

-love that my brother is so hilarious and positive

-love that my mom pronounces hilarious "hi-larious"

-grateful for my sister mackenzie and her amazing love for my baby

-grateful for such amazing in-laws

-i now how a dishwasher {happiness}

-we're adjusting to riverton, slowly, but hopefully surely

-we miss having big windows to see outside

-i don't show Rob enough appreciation

-i felt like i was going away to college when i pulled out of my mom's driveway the night we moved

-i like frogurt

-moving is expensive

-Rob is a good daddy, a good son-in-law and an even better husband

-Evva is the smartest little girl i know

-i just smiled when she talked to her cousin maggie jo the other day because i'm sure it was the start of a beautiful friendship

-roxaboxen is my favorite kids book

-in high school i thought by the time i was 25 i would have 2-3 kids {what was i thinking?}

-when i was pregnant i missed exercising more than i thought i would

-i thought i was fat before i got pregnant {again, what was i thinking?}

-i miss brigham more than i thought i would

-snuggling with rob right before we fall to sleep is my favorite part of the day hands down

-seeing Evva smile when i get her out of bed in the morning is a close runner up

This little chica...

2009-07-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

and her parents will be calling Riverton home at the end of this month. Goodbye little Brigham, Hello big city! Hope we survive.

Father's Day

2009-06-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

So thankful Evva has a good Daddy!

Thankful I have a good Dad

Thankful Rob has a good Dad {and I have a wonderful Father-in-law}

A couple of Evva I loved

10 hours!

2009-06-17T09:13:00.001-07:00

Evva slept for 10 hours last night! So happy! She's been sleeping for at least 6 the past 2 weeks, but today she just kept sleeping. 10 hours! Yeah!

If you've been through middle school...

2009-05-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

So for Mother's day I got a gift I totally wasn't expecting. Not that I was expecting something in particular, but I'd never heard of these books before, however, I've totally LOVED them! I highly recommend them. It's an easy read and absolutely hilarious! (See below)

Since Rob and I loved the 1st one so much, we picked this up at Costco today. More laughs to come!

And for those of you who want to see more of baby Evva, here's something to get you by.

She's doing so great and sleeping 5 hours during the night! Yeah! She's smiling more and she's trying to form her little mouth to "talk" to us. We love love love having her and are so blessed with joy to have her in our life!

Evva

2009-05-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

SHE'S Here!!!!

2009-04-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, baby Riley made it here last night at about 8:30pm and it turned out to be a GIRL. We are loving her so much and are so grateful she made it here safe and sound, all be it a little late. Rob is a little worried that this will be a habit of hers....only time will tell. We love being mommy and daddy so far and just love her to death!

Just waiting

2009-04-21T09:05:00.001-07:00

So here I am at 39.5 weeks. How is it still inside?

How does your belly go numb?

2009-04-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, I do know how it gets numb, let me tell you. First off, you have to have a little baby in there, and it pushes up against the outside of your tummy, and it just keeps pushing, or stretching or SOMETHING, and so it makes your tummy so tight that it cuts off the blood circulation and it goes numb. And it really is annoying and it kind of hurts. It's been happening a lot.

What to do...

2009-04-17T18:18:00.001-07:00

Since I'm no longer working until after our little bundle comes, I've been trying to find things to do. I've been spending a lot of time in front of this lovely (thanks mom!) and putting a few projects together.

Let's go fly a kite

2009-04-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday was Rob's birthday! Holy 27! We're getting so old. Since I'm in my current state and had to work on his b-day and he had to go down to Provo and wouldn't be home until 8-ish, we just had a simple little get-together with the fam.

Rob got a airplane kite for his birthday and luckily we were able to use it this weekend with our nephew. It was such a nice day on Sunday! Love conference weekend, especially because I didn't have to sit through church...hopefully just 2 weeks left.

Hope you had a fantastic birthday honey! I kind of like you a lot! Here's to the next year when you will be a daddy for the first time!

Drumroll please....

2009-03-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

The winner is...none of the below. You see, I went to Target the other day and found this set that I quite liked and even better, it was on SALE! Hello, can't beat that! So I snatched it up and have a few ideas of what I can do with it. So thanks everyone for your input.

Also, Carin, pictures of the shower on Friday will be up soon, you were deeply missed!

So much blogging today

2009-03-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

I've been spending quite a bit of time messing around on the computer today {be sure to check out the baby bedding posts below 'cause I could really use some advice}. Along with bedding, I found some killer photoshop elements actions that have made me so happy! I've been playing around with them and this is what I've come up with so far.

Before

After

Before

After-Vintage

After-Strawberry Glaze

Before

After

I'm still learning, but hopefully I'm getting closer.

#8 & 9

2009-03-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is #8, I found this a little later, Really liking it. It's a light blue, but has a fern print, which is more feminine.

#9 I don't need to say much about this one, other than I'm in LOVE! This was the type of black and white print I was looking for, now it's just mixed with some green, LOVE it!

Seriously?

2009-03-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

So all we really need to get for the baby is bedding. We have everything else, we just need to get the crib ready. However, I have been searching high and low for bedding that I like and I just can't decide. I haven't really found anything I love, wait, I take that back, I have but it's like $500 dollars for the set, and honestly, I didn't even spend that much on my bed, so that's a negative. Anyhow, these are some of the ones that I'm contemplating:

#1 I really like this one, I'm thinking I could add a lot of yellow and brown in so it's not so boy-ish, in case we have a little lady. I'm not so hot on tons of pink as it is, and this blue is a kind of aqua blue, so it's kind of girly.

#2 I'm not totally hot on the animal theme. I know it's a unisex thing, but I just have a hard time with it {just like I'm having a hard time that my text is underlined and I can't seem to figure out why and how to fix it!}. However, I do like the look of these little animals. So this one's in the running...

#3 I really really like this one. The colors are kind of boyish, as far as blue and green, but I think the print is quite feminine. Truthfully, this is my top pick, but Rob doesn't like the paisley, but let's just be honest here, I really really like it.

#4 This is a top pick as well, I like it, but I don't love it, at least not as much as #3. I like the elephants, how could you not, but I feel like it's a little plain, when compared to #3 because it doesn't have the blue, it's just brown and green, and there's no way to really tie any other colors in.
#5 I just had to throw this one in, if it wasn't for the price, this would already be on the crib. I LOVE this one! Love the red, the yellow and the blue and brown. But alas, I just can't bring myself to spend that much on a crib set. So needless to say, unless someone wants to give us some green paper, this one is out of the running.

#6. This one is my least favorite, and probably won't make it past here, but for a while I was thinking of doing black and white and then I could just match it with some pink or red. Nice idea, however, I don't really like the print, it's a little to small and therefore, looks to busy to me. Most of the black and white bedding I found is that way, so I think I've opted to get away from this idea. Plus, if you know me, you know I'm a color girl. I love to have bright colors, so I want something bright and bold, okay, not necessarily bold, but fun and happy.

#7 This goes along with the black and white as well. They have this in brown also, and I think I may go for that. I like that this set has a more simple lines rather than all the business of the set above. However, I'm afraid that this will get dirty quickly and I'm not 100% sure what I could mix it with. The more I type and think about it though, the more thoughts and options come to mind...it's a possibility. It has more of a chance than #6.

So there you have it. PLEASE leave a comment and let me know your vote, maybe why you say that, and if you have any ideas as to what I can do with it. Time is ticking and this is one of the last things that NEEDS to be done, otherwise little baby won't have a place to lay his head. BTW, 30 days left, I'm praying all go early! Seriously!

32.5 weeks

2009-03-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here's for Carin, and anyone else who is NOT missing anything by seeing me in my current state. While taking these Rob was like "if you hate it so bad, why do you want pictures to remember it?" Oh Hon, how I love you!

New site?

2009-02-27T14:00:00.000-08:00

Apparently there is a new site for inspiration on You Tube with clips from people who are members of the LDS church. I added a link on my side bar "Mormon Messages" Really loved the one titled "Create".

Ready or not...

2009-02-27T10:50:00.000-08:00

Hopefully we will be ready in the next 8 weeks {maybe sooner if I'm lucky!} for this little baby that will be changing our lives forever more as we know it. Rob and I have been busy trying to shop, set up and rearrange our apartment to be functional for this little kiddie. So far we've got a crib

A car seat/carrier

And a super awesome running stroller that I'm so excited to use

It has a dock that you can hook your iPod up to and then it has a sound system built into the stroller! Watch out baby! We're going to be sweating to the music {well at least I will be, the kid not so much}.

I'm still trying to decide on crib bedding, but I've got my eye on a few.

We finished our birthing class with flying colors {not that you wouldn't} and have been practicing our {my} relaxation techniques. Due to the fact that I want to be able to get up and walk around and get back to my old self {ASAP!} I'm opting to try and do this birthing thing natural. I know, some of you may think I'm a total nut case, I prefer not to think of myself as a "granola" and truthfully, it's nothing against the drugs in my body or the babies body, it's just that I want to be up and going as soon as I can. Am I crazy to think I could walk the day I give birth? Seriously, I'm tired of being so uncomfortable to bend over, and sleep, and feeling out of breath when I come up the stairs, and having to ask my friend to slow down when we go walking. Walking, not running. I can't even run, my belly goes up and down and I feel like I'm giving the kid shaken baby syndrome in utero. HATE it! So there you have it, that's why I want to do it natural, Oh, and I don't want a c-section, mostly because of all the previous stuff.

This is mostly an update for my little friend in Cali w/ the twins on the way, but the class...interesting. Truthfully though, if anyone wanted to take a natural child birth class, I'd recommend it hands now. Just go in taking everything with a grain of salt, and know that there are some really really good things you will take from the class, and there are some things you can choose to leave behind. But all in all, there was only one thing that Rob and I were like...Um, we're not doing that, actually two things. I'll spare the details.

So besides shopping and our class, I've started nesting. The odds of us moving in the summer are fairly high, whether it be to a new town or just into a house here, we are not sure, but I still feel like I want to get our little place in a state of which that I can feel ok about when the baby comes. Since I've been prego my decorating desire has become almost null and it was somewhat reluctantly that I put Christmas up at all. But once I took it down, I didn't put anything back up, so it's been a little sad and shambly in our little home.

However, now that I'm nesting, I decided I needed to recover the couch pillows, redecorate the living room, deep clean the bathroom, kitchen, and extra room, dejunk and reorganize all our storage areas, such as the bookshelves, the garage, the laundry room and closets and get everything in a state that I feel comfortable with. Whew, it's kind of exhausting, but I also hope it will make moving easier. Seriously, how do we accumulate so much stuff in 3 years.

Anyhow, Rob has been a trooper and been so good to me this week with cooking dinner. Monday he asked if I wanted him to go grocery shopping, to which I asked "what are you going to get?" He said he'd plan all the meals and do the cooking the week. After wiping the huge grin off my face I said ok and was looking forward to it all day. He's done a great job and the menu has consisted of Subway {on the way out from grocery shopping}, Chicken Enchilladas and Spaghetti. In his defense, this week was a little crazy. But he's done a great job at planning and making sure our meals are well balanced.

Other than all this, we are just trying to pass the days by watching my belly kick and squirm. I know I need to put a picture up, but we just keep forgetting. I think I just look like a sick pregnant girl though. That will be my assignment for the rest of the day. I'll hopefully get it up soon.

I was craving some of this...

2009-02-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

Not necessarily these, but they were all I could find. Seriously, does anyone know where I could get a good cupcake in Logan or Ogden, or how about Provo or SLC {we're heading down there this weekend} These did satisfy the craving, but I need something more! So if you know of any yummy place, let me know.

I'm Obsessed {Random}

2009-01-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

Baby has been moving so much lately, it's even active at certain times, like about 9:30am, 2pm, and 8:30pm, those are the ones I notice the most. So when I'm home, I just sit and watch my belly. It makes me smile to see it move. I love it! I'm so so so excited to have it out and watch it move for real. One of my patients said the other day that she missed not being able to feel it move, and I hadn't really thought of that. Pretty sure that's about all I'll miss of being pregnant. But I love watching my belly, LOVE IT!

As far as other things we've been doing. I bought this little toy.

I have no clue how to use it yet, so I've been reading the manual and am going to start classes. I've always had interest in photography, so I'm glad to start dabbling in this. Rob's been super supportive and encouraging so hopefully I'll start getting some better pictures up.

On a different note, every year for their birthdays we give our nieces and nephews a free night at our house where we have a big sleepover. Last Friday we had Keaton and Gracie over for a night of fun. {Keaton said he was going to save all his up til he was like 76, but we told them they should probably cash them in before the baby comes.}

We watched Igor and Bridge to Terabithia. Saturday we went over to my mom's so Keaton could wrestle with Tyson, not sure why, but Keaton really likes to wrestle with Tyson.

Other than that we've been working, trying to get ready for baby and Rob's been coaching the YM basketball team {what an adventure, no one listens to him!} Hope everything is going great for everyone.

It moved

2009-01-11T22:38:00.000-08:00

Today in church the kid was pretty active, so as we were sitting there I told Rob and he watched my belly and it kicked! It was the first time I've seen my belly move, Rob was excited to see it too. At least it doesn't hurt yet.

Finally some Christmas

2009-01-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

While Rob's not here, I thought I'd FINALLY post our Christmas pictures. We had a fantastic holiday season and love love LOVE that we get to spend it with family. This year was the first year that Rob hasn't been playing a brown santa for UPS and we didn't miss it a bit {at least I didn't, Rob kind of missed people being really happy when he rang the doorbell}.

As my computer lines my pictures up backwards, I'm starting for after Christmas and will work my way back. {There's to many pictures to change them all around}.

Starting with New Year's Eve:

Rob and his brother Will took the kids out tubing on the 4-wheelers and we picked up my cousin's kids so that they could get some stuff done before her husband left the next day. They kids had fun and so did Rob.

Will, Madalyn and Jayden

Jayden

Sydney, Chloe, and Madalyn

Gracie, Rob and Keaton

The day before New Year's eve, I went to my Grandma's so she could help me make a little baby blanket. We're not finding out the sex, so I found some cute monkey fabric that could go either way. My Grandma is so awesome to help with these things! Seriously I'm so grateful for her!

Now to Christmas, the last 2 years for Christmas Eve my brother has been on a mission and they call home on Christmas Eve, so we've been at my parents. But this year, Tyson was home, so we were at the Riley's. Rob's family has a tradition of doing a Christmas Eve hike to the canal by their house. {From what I've heard, Rob's dad saw a Hallmark commercial where a dad and a boy were hiking through the snow with old kerosine lanterns and that's all it took for him to want to do it :) Now it's a tradition} This was my first time going. It's about 2 miles to and from and we do it a lot on Sundays in the summer, but this was a first time in the snow for me. It actually was quite enjoyable until the last quarter when I really had to relieve my pregnancy bladder. We just bundled up really well and went with tons of lanterns. It was a fun tradition that honestly I'd be glad to do again.

I got to ride a little of the way in the sled holding Korver

Rob and I {So I really don't want to buy a new winter coat, I'm hoping this one will hold out}

Keaton and Korver

We also had the opportunity to do a secret Santa and had a good time doing that. She's going to kill me, but Tiff came and helped us run to deliver the gifts, this is her stretching. {Such a nerd! Love ya Tiffers}

This year for the Petersen Christmas party almost everyone was home! It as so fantastic! We just missed my Uncle Ned and Aunt Gina and Tagg and Katie. For the party Brooks and Amber were gone too, stinky work! But other than that, we had all the cousins. 13 out of 16 isn't to bad right?

All the Petersen cousins

On the 19th we headed down to Redmond to visit Rob's grandma and had a good time there. Helen loves to do a fish pond for all the grandkids so we can get prizes and such. It was the first time I did this too. We had a great time.

Helen opening our present to her. We told her to wait until Christmas and she said she'd just wait until we all left and would open all the ones we left anyways so we might as well just stay and watch her open them.

Gracie fishing

Rob and Gracie playing some foosball.

Fishing

Keaton and Syd and some of their prizes from the pond.

There you have it, our Christmas in a nutshell. Rob and I had 2 weeks off, so we ran quite a few errands and just enjoyed each other. We helped work on a house Rob's family was fixing up, went to IKEA {LOVED IT} and bought a few things for the little tyke {stroller and crib}. Hopefully everyone else had a good holiday. We definitely did.

A must read!

2008-12-31T12:27:00.000-08:00

Oh my fellow Twilight enthusiasts, this is a definite must read. I must say, it describes the way I feel about the series, enjoyable, yet there is something more I couldn't quite put my finger on until stumbling across this screenplay, just click here.

P.S. I know I haven't posted Christmas, I just haven't gotten around to loading them onto my computer. But the best news is Rob took me to IKEA for the first time yesterday, Love, sweet love!

Photoshop Elements CS 6

2008-12-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We had an awesome one and pictures will be sure to follow soon. However, Rob surprised me with Photoshop Elements CS6, which I'm not quite sure what that means and I have no clue how to work with it! I've been trying to look online for tutorials, but some things don't quite make sense w/ my version {or so I assume}. So my question is, are things really that different from version to version, and if so, where can I find a tutorial that goes w/ mine? Seriously, I feel like my mother w/ all this technology I have no clue how to run.

Thanksgiving and the Christmas Tree Hunt

2008-12-06T08:01:00.001-08:00

So we've been doing great, just staying super super busy! I thought I better post some pictures so that people know we're still alive. This Thanksgiving it was our turn to go to my family's celebration. We went to my Aunt Sue's to join the crowd. It was fantastic, but I think Rob and I are off in relation to when all my cousin's come, it was a small group of us compared to years past. None the less, I'm so grateful for my family and all the happy memories I have with my amazing family!

Ted, Tagg, Tuck and Amanda enjoying the feast.

Mattias, Ceci and Emma
Rob, Tyson and Uncle Eldon
Then of course we had the Christmas tree hunt. Tyson came this year. All the kids went, minus Korver and Riley, so us girls had an easy time at the house just getting soup ready and watching Serendipity! I love that show! Rob came back with a winner of a tree. I seriously love it! I'm grateful for Rob's family and all the fun traditions that they have. Even though they make me laugh at times! I love that they do so much as a family!

Gracie{covered by the scarf}, Syd and Korver before they headed out.

Tyson and Rob

Jim and all the Grandkids
Matt and Tyson hauling out a tree
Our tree
Tytan

Here I am decorating.

The finished product

Question

2008-11-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

So I'm sure I'm a dork, but can someone give me some help on making a blog private? I'm trying to figure it out. I'm sure it's in settings, but any help on this would be great. And Katie Baxter, if you read this and are allowing people to read your blog, I want permission...if it's ok. Thanks!