This little ladybug says:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Back in the Swing of Things
Elise and I returned home to find our sweet Jim-Dad waiting for us. When you are the one on vacation time seems to go by a lot faster than those at home. We had such a great time with family and friends and I am so thankful that Jim let us leave him for 2 weeks.
I have a ton of pictures I need to post of our fun trip to Utah. I forgot my cord to my camera at my parents. Hopefully I will get them posted soon.

A Day At The Park

The weather this time of year is gorgeous. Today we went to the park with Jim's sister Ellen and cousin Mackenzie. Elise and I had a great time and we enjoyed being outside in the beautiful fall air.

I love this girl

Elise loved the swing

Elise and Mackenzie

Ellen and Kenz getting ready to go down the slide

Ellen is a good sport, even though she is 5 months pregnant she still went down the slide with Kenz. She is brave.

Kenz climbing to the top of the slide all by herself.

Who Let The Dogs Out

Elise is getting to be around dogs, something she hasn't ever done. She loves them and is cute to watch as she tries to play with them. Thankfully both Grandma Kathie and Aunt Tasha have mellow dogs that love kids. Uncle Brent and Aunt Jen's dog Solo is a little bit more playful which Elise loved.

Playing with Otis at Grandma Kathie's

Elise and Tamone at Aunt Tasha's house

Our Flight to Utah

Elise did so well on the airplane on our flights to Utah. She is such a good little traveler. We had to change planes in Las Vegas and as we were waiting to board our flight we sat next to the slot machines. Elise loved the noise and just sat there so content listening to the slot machines. Note to self in 21 years watch Elise around the slot machines.

New Kids On The Block were playing at Madalay Bay that night. I figured this is as close as I was going to get to the concert.
We are so happy to be at home in Utah for 2 weeks. We woke up to snow on Sunday morning which was so fun. We miss our Daddy who is working hard at school in Texas.

The Rock Star Ride

Our friends Todd and Frances gave us this when Elise was born. She is pretty happy in it, and now thinks she deserves to be "chauffeured" around town (our apartment). Baby girl now has a rock star ride to match the her rock star hair. This afternoon we found her strapping herself in and pointing in the direction she wanted to go. Once you give in to their demands.... Little diva.

My Two Babies

We have had a nice relaxing weekend at home as a family. I love this time of year and watching General Conference for our church. In case you are interested and want to watch it click here.
I feel renewed and am committed to being a better person and serving those around me. I feel thankful to be a woman and a mother. I am so blessed by my Heavenly Father. I was also reminded this weekend that we have many opportunities living in Texas to make new friends and share our beliefs.

We love technology and are grateful that we could watch all the sessions on the internet from the comfort of our own home. Today we have had a huge thunderstorm which made us cozy up even more while at home.

Elise continues to bring us joy. She loves to roll around in her blankets on the floor. I will come up to her and say "where's the baby girl" She just laughs and keeps hiding. It is so cute. These pictures are her coming out of her sausage roll.

I Am Okay With My Husband's Man-Crush

I am excited about the new James Bond movie coming out in November but not as excited as my husband. He really likes Daniel Craig and isn't afraid to admit he has a man-crush on him. Lately, Jim goes around telling me to call him "James" and asking for his protein drinks to be "shaken, not stirred." My opinion? I think he has beautiful blue eyes.....o yeah and he isn't too hard to look at either. Jim thinks he's a great actor and loves his "action" moves. I think Jim is confused about what those "action" moves are....

For the Grandparents

The Shirt Says It All

I am not really sure why Elise has decided that she likes to wake up at 3am to eat. She has always been a great sleeper, sleeping through the night since she was 2 months old. However, lately she has been waking up to eat around 3am. Maybe she is just teething or having a growth spurt. Whatever the reason we hope she goes back to her old schedule.

We are enjoying our new life here in Lubbock. We sure do miss our friends and family in Utah. Elise and I will be going back to Utah for 2 weeks. I am excited to see our families and friends. Jim has a very busy October with school so we figured it was a good time to go. We are going to miss Jim but thanks to Skype we will be able to talk to him each night.

Two Reasons I Love Today

I am so excited!!!!

6 months already?

It doesn't seem like 6 months ago today this was Elise


She was so little

This is her today

No longer a little baby

We love this little girl

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? We met in 1999 when we worked together at the Provo Marriott. Didn't start dating until 2002.
2. How long did you date before you got married? 2 years
3. How long have you been married? 4 years
4. What does he do that surprises you? He can hike 27 miles in one day no problem but struggles to run 3 miles. Also he loves me unconditionally even when my OCD takes over.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? I love his shoulders. I also love that he is tall because I like to wear heels.
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He won't admit it but he is very sensitive to others feelings. He genuinely cares about people.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? Baby cakes, cakes, mama, and pooks
8. What is his favorite color? Blue-Cowboys blue, Carolina blue, BYU blue
9. What is his favorite food? Anything I make and anything from JCW's, something we miss being here in Texas.
10. What is his favorite sport? let me think...FOOTBALL, basketball, soccer, cycling, hiking, climbing really he just likes sports.
11. When and where was your first kiss? He finally kissed me after almost a month of dating. It was at my sisters house where I was living.
12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Get it on
13. Do you have any children? Yes, see question above.
14. Does he have a hidden talent? Yes, refer to question #12
15. How old is he? 33 almost 34
16. Who said I love you first? I think we might disagree on this one but I am going to say he did.
17. What's his favorite music? anything really but his favs are U2, Pete Yorn, and Neil Diamond
18. What do you admire most about him? He is his own person. He love the outdoors and it makes him who he is. I admire that he is honest, he is a great dad and husband, and he thinks I am funny.
19. Do you think he will read this? It is a football weekend so he might see it when he is online checking his fantasy football stats.

Bouncing Baby

I took this video of Elise today. She loves to be in her bouncey seat.

Church got out early for us today

yep that's poo, all over Jim. It even got on his shoes!

4 years ago today

We were here


With those we love

Celebrating


That was then

This is now


We are still celebrating


I couldn't have imagined


We would have so much joy

I have the best husband


Happy Anniversary Baby!!

*Thank you to our friend Maggi for the great family photos. You can find her website here.

I Do Not Take it For Granted

I have always wanted to nurse my children. I saw my mother do it with my younger siblings and knew for me it was something I wanted with my own babies. Before Elise was born my mama friends told me that it may take some time and it isn't always easy. I didn't worry too much about it and looked forward to actually being able to try it out.
That first night in the hospital I tried to nurse her but she just wouldn't latch on. Now, in case you don't know I am well endowed. Sorry to be blunt but it's true. My little one had this teeny tiny mouth and it just wasn't happening. Over the next few weeks we would try everyday. I pumped and fed her from the bottle or try the nipple shield which was a very time consuming process, as some of you know. Everybody I talked to including the lactation specialist told me to just be patient and not give up.
I prayed. I prayed everyday that she would nurse.
After 6 weeks of this I didn't think I could take it anymore. I wanted this so badly and I didn't want to give up. I was returning to work soon and knew that I wouldn't be able to keep up the same routine at work. She was going to have to start nursing or take a bottle. After 6 weeks of nipple shields, pumping, and bottles, it happened. I took my friend Maggi's advice which was nurse her and use nothing else and my cousin Stacie's advice of try at least 10min a day. miraculously she latched on.
I know there are many who can't nurse or choose not to. I am sensitive to that, and do not wish to make anyone feel bad. I am just expressing my gratitude and sharing my experience.
For me it is something that I do not take for granted.

Rice Cereal

Now that we are here in Texas and a little more settled in I decided it was time to give Elise some real food, if you can even call rice cereal that. I wouldn't touch the stuff if you paid me. As you can see from her face she feels the same way. It has been fun to watch her face and the reaction of having a different texture in her mouth. I think this cereal thing is going to take some time to get the hang of it.