Family Night

Last night my brother Mark invited us over for family night. We had dinner, dessert, and a little lesson around the camp fire. The kids sure have fun getting together and it's fun to watch them play. Thanks you guys for the fun night!!!

Fall Fun at the Park

The weather has been pretty good here the last few weeks and Elley and I try and get out of the house as much as possible. It won't be too much longer and we will be couped up for the winter. This is one of our last trips to the park before it gets to cold.


This is Elley and her new "thing" She loves to take her shoes and socks off. Usually I put easy to slip on and off shoes for my convenience, but thought since we were going to the park I better put ones on that she couldn't take off. Here she is trying!

Halloween Candy

Last week Elley got a Halloween package from her Grandma Pat. She was so excited to go get the mail and then for me to actually let her open the package that was inside. Sorry the pictures are out of order but you get the idea. Thank you Grandma Pat....we can't wait to see you soon!!!

Family Tradition

It's become a family tradition for 2 years now that we get together with Jay, Leah and their family and carve pumpkins. We all have a fun time cutting open the pumpkins, gutting them, and making them scary or silly by carving them. I like to put some seasoning on the seeds and roast them too. We had big pumpkin this year so we had a lot of seeds. Like I've said before, we loving living so close to family so we can see them so often and create family traditions like this. Oh and by the way......next year it's going to be at Jay and Leah's....I was cleaning up pumpkin for a week!!!

I can't decide if the pumpkin is bigger than my belly?

Random and/or Weird

My friend Melinda sent me this tag about a week and a half ago and I've put it off....until today! Sorry it's taken me so long to do this Melinda but you are right it is kind of hard. I'm suppose to post 7 random/weird things about me that maybe others don't know. Believe me, there are plenty of weird and random things about me, especially right now because of the pregnancy. So, here it goes in no particular order.

1. I'm kind of OCD about the way my laundry is done, particularity the way it's folded.....just ask Adam. I actually can't stand it when others fold my laundry. When Adam helps me, I tend to focus on how he is folding instead of me folding myself. And usually end up refolding what he has already done. The bad thing is he is just trying to help and be a good husband, but would rather he just left it up to me.

2. I love HOT showers....almost to hot. Even in the summer time! Theres just something about the hot hot water that I love. Adam hates this because he says I make the bathroom like a sauna.

3. I love to watch Wheel of Fortune. It was one of my mom's favorite shows too, maybe that's why I love it so much. I remember watching it with her as a kid. Now I have it on every night while I'm making dinner.

4. I have a hard time getting into bed at night if the bed has not been made. Okay, so I'm a little OCD about this one too. I usually make the bed soon after I get up. There's just something about having my bed made that makes me feel good all during the day.

5. I have to wash, dry and curl my hair everyday. I can't skip a day without looking like a total grease ball. It just feels better to me to wash my hair everyday anyway.

6. Unless I'm really tired, I have to read before I fall asleep.

7. Last but not least, I love ice cream! Rocky road is my favorite but also love Gold Medal Ribbon from 31 Flavors.

Okay...so there are my random/weird facts about me. This tag game....if I followed the rules, asks me to tag 7 people but, I think anyone who wants to do this can, meaning I'm not tagging anyone. It's kind of fun coming up with things about yourself that nobody knows about

Baby Shower

Two of my friends from church put on a fantastic baby shower for me last weekend. It was fun to get together with friends and family to celebrate such an exciting time in my life. The food was delicious, the decorations were cute and the games were so much fun. Thanks again to Brittany and Kim for doing such and amazing job!!!


My sister in law Leah and I

I just have to say thank you for all the gifts. It's hard to buy gift for someone who doesn't know if they are having a boy or a girl.

From left to right.....My sister in law Jordan, her sister in law and my friend Cara and Jordan's mom and good friend Marcia!

Marcia made this blanket and I love it. It is so soft and the color is perfect for either a boy or a girl.

My friend Melinda made me this nursing blanket which I think is very cute. This is one of her first sewing projects and I think she did an amazing job.

My friends Kim and Brittany (the ones who did the baby shower) made me this diaper cake, isn't it cute? Elley and I had a fun time taking apart all the diapers. Every time we unrolled one Elley would scream "melmo" (which means Elmo) because Elmo is on every diaper.

The Pumpkin Patch

Adam and I both love the fall, everything about it! The pumpkins, the colors, the leaves, and the cooler weather. A few weekends ago, some friends from our ward invited us to go to the pumpkin patch. Seeing how we both love the fall, we were so excited for this little family outing. The only bad thing was the weather was a little cold and we got a little wet but hey, we're use to cold and wet!!!

Elley and daddy going through the hay maze

Our little family on the hay ride out to the pumpkins

The hay ride stopped at a little petting zoo before we got to the pumpkins

Elley trying to find the perfect pumpkin

Our wet ride back to the car. The weather changed on us in a matter of minutes. Good thing we picked out our pumpkins, saw the animals and went through the maze before it started to rain!!!

Husband Tag

I think I have done one of these before but with different questions....okay, here it goes. Oh, and a big thanks to Kaitlyn for tagging me.


Where we met: When I was 16 or so, my parents and I moved into his family's ward

How long we dated before we got hitched: Off and on for 2 years before he left for his mission. Then I left for a mission and we kept in contact. October of 2003 he sent me a letter confessing his undying love for me. He came home from his mission in November and I came home in April and we were married in August.

How long have we been married: 4 years this past August

What's my fav feature about him: His smile and his laugh.

What's my fav quality about him: He is pretty laid back, which is good for me because I can get pretty uptight sometimes. And his thoughtfulness. He is always doing kind things for me.

What's his nickname for me: I don't have one.

His fav color: I don't know, I don't think he really cares.

His fav food: We both just like food in general.

His fav sport: Football

Who said the L word first: I said the "L" word first, and I don't let him forget it!

First kiss, when and where: The night before Mother's day so, May of 2000. Haggen's parking lot.......I know, I know...how romantic!

Fav couple thing to do: We love going for walks, and we like to walk around the malls, especially at Christmas time when theres so much to look at. we also like to watch T.V. Our favorite thing to watch is The Office.

How many kids: That's not a very good question for me to answer right now.

His hidden talent: He is very good at shooting a gun, which is good for the occupation he has. Once a year he has to "qualify" and he alway gets in the high 90's. He is actually pretty good at a lot of things he does, he tends to pick up on things quickly.

His age: 25 (26 in december)

His fav music: He likes a little bit of everything.

What I admire most about him: He is a great father and a great husband. I can't believe he puts up with me sometimes.

His fav pastime: He likes to play games. Video games, card games, any type of games really

Will he read this: probably

Having Said That......

So, after that post about missing my mom I just wanted to say that I have the best Dad in the whole world. My mom died 4 months before I had Elley and my dad took 2 months out of his life to come and stay with me. He cooked, cleaned, held the baby and made sure I had everything I ever needed. I was sure spoiled! There's one thing that I will never forget him saying to me, something that brought great comfort to me. Elley was a tough labor and delivery. I had to work very hard to get her out and finally in the end the doctor had to help her out with a vacuum. After all was done and we were back in our room I was telling my dad about the hard time I had. And while holding Elley and looking down at her he said "Your mom just wasn't ready to let her come yet, she must of had a hold of her feet."

And now, with this baby a few weeks away, he will be here on Wednesday to help this time around. Elley sure loves him and is excited for him to come. It sure makes it nice not having to worry about who will take care of her when the time comes. This time he will be staying until the 1st of the year. Hopefully I wont become to dependent on him so when the time comes for him to leave I will be able to cope on my own!!

He really is one of a kind, one of the best people I know. He is always giving to others and never asks for anything in return.(except for an occasional foot rub) He really is the best example of service, one that I try and follow. You will never hear him complain, even in his darkest hours. I love you Dad and I'm so excited for you to get here this week!!!

Missing My Mom

A few weeks ago, my dad and I drove up to Washington to visit family and friends. It was just a short visit....we drove all day Thursday and I flew home early Saturday morning. It was the first time leaving Elley over night and I sure did miss her. Good thing her daddy is a great dad and stayed home to watch her. He actually had a few days off so it worked out perfectly. It was sure nice to get away one last time before the baby comes and to have a little break away from a toddler crawling all over me.

While we were there we visited the cemetery where my mom is buried. At 27 years of age with her second baby on the way you don't ever think you'd be writing about visiting your mothers grave. I know I post about my mom often, but I must, I miss her!

I miss her more so right now with baby #2 just 3 short weeks away. I want to call her and tell her everything about my pregnancy. The doctor visits, the baby shower, the weight I've gained, how I'm feeling, everything! I want to tell her THANK YOU for being pregnant with me in the summer months and how miserable I was. I just want to tell her thank you for being pregnant with me period. I want to tell her how Elley is doing and how much Elley loves her. I want to see her play with Elley, I want to see her kiss and hug Elley. I want to see her hold this new baby and love them as much as I do.

I know and understand the plan of salvation with all my heart. I know she is a big part of my life even though she may not be here on earth. I know she knows all that I want to tell her and all that I am going through. It's hard not being able to see the bigger picture, but I believe that one day I will. Until then, my faith sustains me. I love you mom, I always have and I always will.

37 Weeks

Wow, time has gone by very quickly. I am now getting very anxious and ready to have this baby. I think the one thing I'm most anxious about is finding out if it's a boy or a girl. It's actually been kind of fun this way, except when shopping......it's hard to pass up cute outfits, especially when on sale. And it's hard to know what to wash, I don't want to be doing a lot of laundry when I come home from the hospital.

I'm feeling pretty good....pretty good for being 37 weeks pregnant. It's hard taking care of Elley this late in the pregnancy. She has been pretty fun though. She likes to lift up my shirt and say baby....immediately after she lifts her own shirt and says baby!!?? I wonder if she will always think I have a baby in my tummy? Sometimes when the baby has the hiccups I will have Elley feel (if shes in the mood to sit for more than 5 seconds) and when she feels them she looks up at me with this excited/shocked look on her face that makes me laugh. she really is the sunshine in my days.

One last story before I close things up and go to bed. (I can't do too many post in one day or my friend Melinda will make fun of me!) Elley has learned to say juice, except it sounds more like "jew." The other day I had a prenatal appointment and I had to take Elley with me. And of course, I had to submit my urine sample. (it has to be official, and it has to be urine!) Can anyone guess the T.V. show that line is from??? Anyway, Elley oblivious has to come in the bathroom with me and while she is distracted I get things done. I set the sample on the toilet paper dispenser while I finish and flush. Elley then sees the cup and starts running towards it squealing "jew." Don't worry, I stopped her before she got to it but, I thought it was so funny I just had to share. Maybe you just had to be there, or maybe it's just funny to me because I'm her mom?!!!

Baby Danger Zone

If you come to my house and you bring a baby with you, you better be prepared to share with Elley. It might even be a good idea to leave all babies at home.....for their own safety! Do not leave babies unattended, leaving babies unattended may result in injury. If you come to our house, come at your own risk!

Elley has these two pink blankets that she came home from the hospital with . I don't think there has been a night when she has not slept with them. She loved to be swaddled when she was a baby and was swaddled until about 4 months old with these pink blankets. She now likes it when I "swaddle" her babies and she carts them around like that. She will even put them in the baby swing and push them back and forth. But, when it comes to bed time the blankets are removed from the babies and into bed with Elley they go.

Elley and the Puppies

These pictures are for my friend Stephen

Helping Mommy, Relaxing with Daddy

Elley is a big helper girl but, at times it can be a bit overwhelming! She likes to help feed the dogs but if I'm not careful she will feed the dogs all day long. She also likes to help with the laundry. This is nice when I can't get down far enough to get the last of the laundry out of the dryer but not such a good thing when she knocks over all the stacks of clothes I've just folded.

This night she wanted to help with dinner. I really didn't want her to help but figured that it might be good for her. I think daddy helped her with the chair but she has been known to move the chairs so she can see better......or to reach something that she shouldn't on the counter. Anyway, she was actually a big helper this night. I would cut up the lettuce and she would put it in the bowl. Sometimes it would end up in the sink, but for the most part it would land in the bowl.

And after dinner she wanted to hang out with daddy. Whatever we are doing she wants to do it too!!!

Elley's cousin Sophia

Here are a few pictures of Elley and her cousin Sophia. As I have mentioned before in other posts, Elley loves other babies and she defiantly loves her cousin Sophia.

Aunt Leah, Sophia and Elley

Jay, Sophia's dad, was giving me a hard time about being half way in the picture. He said "it would of been a cute picture if "someone" wasn't in the way." How rude I thought, look at the death grip Elley has on little Sophia. She loves babies so much I was afraid she would hurt her. I was just trying to protect his daughter. Whatever, I still think its a cute picture!