Happy Holidays!

Zions Nat'l Park 2010

We took a family trip to St. George over Mother's Day weekend with our good friends the Baldwins. We went to Zions, played in St. George and had a blast the entire time.
Thanks Baldwins!Elise LOVED riding the bus in Zions and begged to "ride bus" the entire time!

We hiked to Emerald Pools, which is a gorgeous hike. I hadn't been there since I broke my foot hiking the same trail in 2007 which coincidentally we were with the Baldwins then also.
No injuries this time!

Jim and Todd decided to hike Angels Landing while Frances and I took the kids to the cute little town of Springdale. We shopped and walked around for a couple of hours until we heard from the boys. I'm pretty sure they set a record of hiking Angels Landing...62 min to the top, 30 min on the summit and 35min down. That's fast I tell ya!

Jim at the top of Angels Landing

I am guessing the people around them didn't think this was too funny.

Jim and Todd also hiked Signal Peak while we were in St. George.
Jim doing what he does best...thinking.Elise and Cambree were so cute the entire time.
They were best little friends and play together so well.

Cambree celebrated her birthday while we were there. For her birthday she got cute little princess dresses, which kept she and Elise entertained the entire time!

Strawberry Days Rodeo

My friend and co-worker Tia and I took Elise to the Strawberry Days Rodeo in June. The evening started out windy and cold so it turned a lot of people away but it was great for us. It wasn't very crowded which is unusual and made for a perfect night at the rodeo. It was Elise's first rodeo and she loved it. She loves horses and cows and had fun being able to walk right up to the fence to see them. I love the mutton bustin!

We had a fun night and as always Elise was so good.

She and Tia have become cute little buddies!

She's Two!!

Our little sweetheart turned the big 2 in March! It is so much fun to see her grow-up. I love this age and I love how much she talks and can carry on a conversation.

Elise loves Minnie Mouse so we had a fun little party with family. We also took her to the park on her birthday were she could swing and go down the slide, two of her favorite things to do.

May

This post started out being about Mother's Day but then we went out of town for the weekend and I didn't finish it. So all I have to say is I love being a Mother. It's really easy when you have one child who is an angel. She is the joy of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Here are some pictures of that said angel. Two is such a fun age, she learns more and more everyday and she keeps us laughing.

I won, I won!

I won a contest! I am so excited to get these earings. Kate Benson is an amazing photographer. Her work is perfection! If you are looking for a great photographer check her out!

See her website here.

Happy Birthday Elise!

I can't believe that 2 years ago we went from here....to here...

and today we are here...

(I know, the picture quality isn't too great but the laugh just kills me)

Happy Birthday to my baby girl Elise!!!!

An Angel, from the Realm of Glory...

In December we had the opportunity to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. For a very special reason, this wasn't just any Christmas concert, it was an opportunity to see (and more importantly feel) the Lord's hand in my life and experience one of those "full circle" type of moments. We weren't planning on going until the last moment and thanks to some very kind people we were able to get fantastic tickets. I can't explain in words the feeling that was there that morning. It was a very memorable and personal experience.

This song was part of the program. If you watch closely at about minute 3:51 you will see a cute little blond in the right hand corner. Yep, she is the reason we were there. Almost 11 years ago this took place. I never could have imagined that I would be there seeing her sing. It was beautiful, it was wonderful. I will never forget that day.

I am so blessed. This song brings back so many good memories of a great day. I had a glimpse of an angel and I will forever be changed.

Our Big Girl

I know that most little girls go through the phase of changing clothes and this little one is no different. She loves to take her clothes off and dress herself. We are in the process of potty training her so she LOVES to run around naked.

I love that even at this young age Elise has fashion sense!

She knows it's hip to wear your shirt backwards.

That cute skirt is really a shirt....she is so fashion forward.

Shirt inside out and backwards, it's what all the cool kids wear

All dressed up for church. Mom got her dressed this time.

The little stinker, I was trying to take her picture so we could send it to Grandma and she wouldn't hold still and show me her face.

It Doesn't Get Much Cuter

Wow! Has it really been almost 3 months since my last post? I guess you can say we have been busy, or lazy. For some reason blogging has taken a back seat for the last few months. I have plenty to write about but no time to do it. After working out, working 8 hrs a day, fixing dinner, spening time with my family, sleeping and watching my tv shows I feel I don't have the time to blog.

Our Christmas break was wonderful. I had 10 days off of work and it was great! Elise is such a happy little girl. She loves to play with her dolls. She is so fun to watch as she takes such good care of them. I think her favorite thing to do is change their diapers. She uses baby wipes and all. We are enjoying this stage of life so much. Elise will be 2 in just a couple of months!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring when we can once again emerge to the outdoors. I don't think it is coming soon enough.