Ivy Turns One

Where did this red headed, blue eyed little girl come from?

HEAVEN... She is our angel.




We are constantly amazed by this zen baby. The best way I can describe her is low maintance and fun. She has been a beautiful gift from God from the very beggining.
We cherish you Ivy!

I haven't been posting videos because the audio won't work for some reason. I just had to post this one though! She was so confused!

New Year's Resolutions

Every year I make resolutions to eat and exercise better. It usually lasts about a week. This year I have a little more determination thanks to some surprising inspiration. While we were in Utah we had the great opportunity to visit the Body Worlds exhibit at the old library downtown.


I walked in thinking it would be fun and interesting, but I left truly inspired. The experience changed the way I view my body. Especially my heart. What a courageous and magnificent organ! Now when I feel to lazy or I'm having a difficult workout, I think about how much I love my heart and it gives me new resolve to keep chuggin'. I know it sounds cheesy, but it has changed my life. I'm so grateful for my body. It's far from perfect, (all my life I've focused on the imperfections) but now I focus on how miraculous my bones and muscles and organs are.

Hyrum's Four!

I can't believe I am the mother of a four year old.

We are so lucky to have Hyrum in our family.

We named him after Hyrum Smith because we think he's one of the best big brothers in all history. Hyrum is completely living up to his name and then some. He's Ivy's best advocate wherever we go. The other day when Ivy received her immunizations Hyrum kept giving her hugs until she calmed down (and that's how he constantly acts with her). He is such a gentle and sweet big brother.

He is a great friend and peacemaker. Everyone loves to have him over for play dates because he keeps it fun and calm. Bry and I both consider Hyrum one of our best friends.

He has amazing hand-eye coordination. We are so excited to see how he does with sports because he seems to have natural talents and gifts when it comes to playing ball.

I thank Heavenly Father every day for this hilarious and sweet child!

Another Utah Trip

Packing for 4 people (with as little luggage as possible), traveling across the country with two very-active-not-used-to-sitting-in-confined-spaces-over-any-length-of-time children, having to sit by incredibly rude people, entering the cold and snow packed Utah after enjoying 60 degree temperatures... is it worth it? YES!!!!

We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing trip to Utah in December. We are so grateful to both our parents for sacrificing so much to fly us out. Every trip has given us rejuvenation and more determination. It makes this Dental School experience all the more wonderful.

We only have 2 1/2 more years to go! The time is going by so quickly I can't believe it. Thanks so much to all our family for the support and love!

Have I Lost Touch?

Lately it feels like everyone in the universe can't get enough of the Twilight series. Most of the people I know will be standing in line to watch the movie just as they did to buy the books. I on the other hand, was petrified to attend in fear I would hurl all over everyone during the love scenes. While reading the books I had to stop myself several times from actually throwing them across the room. I haven't read the last book yet... I might... some day.

I can't figure out what the appeal is. An always icy cold, pale dude who has this instantaneous eternal love for this impossibly unrelatable normal girl. I can understand the books being popular, but this mass hysteria? I really don't get it!

Were my books missing some pages? Did I not receive a memo? Am I drinking the wrong water?

I totally respect so many of the people that love this series and I know they're very intelligent. Why am I the odd one out?

My Favorite Time of Day

I absolutely love being a stay-at-home mom. Sometimes I can't help but giggle at my own craftiness. I get to stay home and play with two adorable kids while Bry is at school. But there are times when I feel claustrophobic and trapped in my role. To release this tension I take little breaks throughout the day.

I used to dread bathtime. I couldn't stop thinking about everything on my to-do list that I couldn't get done because I was stuck in that bathroom. Now it's my favorite time of day because I can't do the dishes or work on the computer. We sing songs and splash in the water and laugh at funny stories. The kids have even started letting me read while they play and laugh. What could be more satisfying than sitting on luxurious vinyl flooring and reading a juicy novel while the kids are entertaining themselves? (Now you know why all of our books have terrible water stains)



I'm reading Brisingr right now. It's been a fun series, but not life changing or anything. I think it's super fun to say though: Brisingr... BRISNGR!

DC

We had a terrific weekend a few weeks ago. Bry took the day off on Friday and we drove up to DC. Our first stop was Arlington National Cementary. It is a beautiful place with an amazing feeling (but not the best place to bring rowdy and even sometimes whiny kids). The weather was amazing (70s) and the fall colors were still brilliant.

After checking in at the Holtel and eating in a very sketchy part of town, we dropped off the kids at Ali and Lincoln's place. They were so sweet to watch the babes so we could attend the temple. Thanks you guys!

On Saturday we went to the very crowded, but beautiful zoo.

It was a great little vacation. We are so lucky to live so close to so many historical sites. I'm so lucky to have such a sweet family to share the memories with!

Halloween

Ivy is such a "solid" girl we had to take pictures of her costume back in September- and I totally forgot about them! (I've learned my lesson not to buy her costumes a year in advance) So here's our cute little flower fairy!

We had a super fun Halloween. I didn't want too much candy in the house (we still have candy from last year) so we decided to go trick-or-treating in our very child deprived neighborhood. My plan ended up backfiring- even though we only went to ten houses, everyone gave Hyrum a huge handful of candy. He ended up getting a huge haul! There's one happy boy!

I've just discovered an amazing trick for a bad day: acquire a bucket full of assorted candy, bring it slowly to your nose and inhale deeply, the smell will immediately take you back to a time of no worries, no responsibility, and no love handles. Try it!

FAMILY PICTURES

I've been wanting family pictures forever. I've just been too cheap and lazy to follow through. We finally got together with our good friends and neighbors Josh and Katie and took each other's family pictures. I think they turned out great- and they are free!

Hyrum the Photographer

Hyrum's new hobby is photography. Whenever I download pictures from the camera I find hundreds of hidden treasures. Most of them are of cars and toys and people's backs. But some of them are true gems.