BYU Day

October 14, 2011

Steve and I realized that, aside from football games, we really hadn't been back to BYU to visit together since we graduated in 2008. When we found out that my little bro, Matt, was going to be touring the campus with his friend (side note: I CANNOT believe he is old enough to be touring college campuses!!!) we decided to head down, take him to lunch, and make a day of it. It was so fun to go back with the girls and let Miss E run around and play on the beautiful campus. I absolutely love the campus in the fall! We were also able to visit our old boss, Chuck, from when we worked at the field house doing activities support. We loved that job and he was the best boss! I was also so very happy to get some fudge from the bookstore...I love that stuff!

This is at the fountain of the new(ish) JFSB. This building is so beautiful and high tech, I wish I would have been able to spend more time here.

We took Matt to Sammy's in downtown Provo. It was yummy, although it was WAY slow! I attempted to do a little photo shoot with E against the cool red brick. She didn't cooperate too much and these are the silly pictures I did get...

This little missy is a trooper! She has such a sweet disposition and allows us to schlep her all over the state, only crying when she is messy or hungry. LOVE HER!
Sadly, I didn't think to get any pictures of the girls with Matt, not smart. We'll just have to imagine his cute face!

Cute Big Sister

October 11, 2011

This girl has had an interesting time of becoming a big sister. It is the same story told by every mother I have ever talked to, but it is so much more difficult when it is my life and my kids! (Isn't that how it always feels!) Miss E loves her baby sister so very much, but has had a hard adjustment when it comes to sharing her mama and daddy. She has been acting out and has become so defiant we aren't quite sure what to do sometimes. Her listening "skills" have become nearly nonexistent. Our great sleeper has turned into a nervous Nelly and is up in the middle of the night almost every night. She sometimes tries to love her little sister "to death," with squeezes and loves that would bring a grown man to tears. We try to calm our frustration by (constantly) reminding each other that "this is just a phase" and that "her world has been rocked," but it is still hard! Nevertheless, there are still times each day when E reminds us how much she loves little sis and that she is going to be a fiercely protective and FUN big sister!!! She loves to share her toys and blankie with the little miss and jabbers with her all day long. We love our girls more than words can say and look forward to seeing the relationship that they build!

PS: Thanks to Aunt Mari and girls for the super cute outfit! She seems bigger and bigger each day!
PPS: Mom, notice the "bobbers" in her hair. Oh those take me back!

Family Pictures 2011

October 1, 2011

We were so lucky to get our family pictures taken this year. This is the first time we have done "real" pictures since our wedding, six years ago, so we were overdue! We gotten them taken up in Huntsville by the lake and the setting was beautiful. Thanks to Adri Freeman, we are so happy with the result! We would totally recommend her, her price is awesome and she does a fabulous job! Check out her blog for more of our pics:

Family Pictures

Girls' Pictures

Cute Halloweeners!

We are watching two of our nieces this weekend, lucky us! E loves these little ladies and I love what big helps they are for me. We had our church Halloween party last night so I was accompanied by a witch, purple cat, pink skeleton, and Angelina Ballerina. Cute girls!

Fun Family Day

Steve's schedule has been really crazy lately. He is still working 7 days on, 7 off. The 7 on are 10 hour shifts, and he is now on the evening/night shift. On top of that, he is in school. On his on weeks, we don't see him much. We have been doing our best to maximize the time we do have with him! We have been spending a lot of time playing in Salt Lake the last few weeks. 

On the 20th we decided to do something fun for Miss E. We headed down really early so Steve could go to his morning class. While he was at class the girls and I went to Whole Foods...I SO wish we had one of these in Ogden!!! After his class got out, we went to the Discovery Museum at the Gateway.

 E loved it! She was totally in her element. E loves things that are just her size and this place did not disappoint. Her favorite things were the play house, the grocery store, and the water table.

 Sis had a great time, obviously! She spent most of her time sleeping in her seat and eating in a quiet corner.

 Holy play food! Miss E was going ballistic in here. She was cracking us up making all kinds of "sandwich" concoctions: ketchup, mustard, eggs, fish, and chocolate syrup.

 This was the funniest thing. Steve would build wooden houses on this platform, then E would turn on the platform which simulated an earthquake. She would scream and scream!!!

 After the museum we ate lunch at the food court and then rode TRAX to Temple Square. Miss E loves trains so that was probably a highlight of her day.

This was such a great day and I really hope that these are the times Miss E and Sis will remember, rather than daddy being gone so much!!! We love these girls so much and want them to have all of the great opportunities and memories we can give them!

1 Month

I feel like we went to the doctor when Miss E was one month, but Little Sis went at 2 days and 2 weeks, but we don't have to go again until 2 months. So, no stats this month, we just know that she has gotten SO big! We have had a great month with this sweet girl. I really feel like she is the perfect addition to our family!

First bath-August 26: She looks content in this picture, but she really did not love it!!!

September 2-2 Week doctor appointment: She did really well...much better than big sister ever did at the doctor!

Sept. 4-Family picture attempt at the Teeples. Considering we had tried several, this was sadly the best one.

Sept. 8-Snuggling with Grandpa K in Boise. Little Sister was wiped out because she had just projectile vomited everywhere and scared everyone.

September 11-I have the most beautiful sleeping children!!! I love how she sleeps with her hands up by her face.

September 20-1 month old! This picture pretty much sums up the relationship...Miss E being rough and crazy and Little Sis trying to get away.

Such a pretty girl!!!

She Has Arrived!

Sweet little sister joined our family on August 20. We were all very glad that she decided to make her debut a week before her due date!

Birth Stats:

7:01 am

7 lb 7 oz

20 inches long

Our first family photo as a family of 4...very telling. Little sister sleeping peacefully, Miss E and dad being goofy, and mom trying to look calm while whispering threats through her teeth!!! :) Just kidding, we are totally loving our new addition and are actually adjusting pretty well.

This little girl is an absolute angel! Heavenly Father knew what I needed when He sent her to our family. I am pretty sure that if I had another just like E, I may consider stopping at two children. This baby is so precious! She is a great sleeper (for the most part) and is quite content most of the time.

I cannot express how grateful I feel for the family I have been blessed with! I am completely smitten with my two beautiful daughters and I couldn't ask for a better husband to raise them with. While life is certainly not perfect (I'll save that for another post!) I wouldn't trade it for anything.