My Two Valentines

Happy belated Valentines Day! I hope you all had as good a day as I did. I had roses delivered to my house and Chris also got me a really nice watch. We usually don't do anything for Valentine's day-at least give presents-so this year it was really fun. I kind of have a new appreciation for this day. Ha ha ha- I know a lot of people don't like it but I kind of feel like Valentine's day reminds us to love those around us just like Christmas reminds us to serve and give to others. To me it isn't just about your significant other it is about everyone you love. I think being human we often forget to show our love and appreciation for those who are most important to us. The ones that really matter-like the ones we get to live with eternally. Anyways-off my soapbox. It was really fun to see how all of you got spoiled by your hubby's and such. Keep up the post and I promise I will do better with mine! I just want to give a shout out to Melanie and Megan I am so happy for both of you. You are going to love being a mom. It is a roller coaster of ups and downs but it is so worth the ride!

These are my two Valentines!

We ended up at a buffet for our Romantic night out with Kate! We left too late everywhere else was a two hour wait and no toddler will that long for dinner. Well Kate made full use of her free meal. (We didn't have to pay because she is under 3). A couple of her favorite things are bread and potatoes which are in abundance at a buffet. When we were leaving I noticed how full her belly was and it looked like her pants were against her tummy so much that I had to undo her belt and first button before we put her in her car seat. My stomach just hurt looking at hers. I think we have all been that full before. Poor kid! She, however, was as happy as can be.

This is her showing off how well she ate.

Catching Up

Hey Everyone! Sorry it has been so long. Chris, Kate and I just moved into a new home. We are really excited, but have been busy. It happened fast. Here are a few things that we have been up to beside moving.

Kate is getting so big. She is offically not a baby anymore. She kept her baby look for a long time but its gone now. Being in a bigger place has made her much more independent. She has started going to nursery, evn though she is only 16 months old. Our new ward doesn't have very many toddlers, so they told us to bring her in. It was wonderful to sit through most of church and actually get to listen. She did end up crying and Chris had to go in with her, but it was better than roaming the halls with her.

I tried to teach Kate how to finger paint. I didn't know I would have to teach her because she seems pretty good at making messes herself, but I did. She didn't like having her hands dirty with paint. She was content with holding the bottles of paint. She really is her Father's child.

We got a new camera! Yah! I was practing pictures on my model! Can't you feel his enthusiasm.

Kate now has 12 teeth. She has two big front teeth with a gap in the middle. It is one of my favorite things when she smiles.

My friend Diana also had a baby. This is Kate and baby Lucy. She is so adorable. Kate loves on her as much as she can. She loves babies so much.

I'd rather be a mother than anyone on earth

Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious birth. . . .

I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in bed

Than twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] head.

I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby eyes

Than paint a pageantry of fame or walk among the wise.

-Meredith Gray, from The Beauty of Motherhood

Princess at the White House

These pictures are meant especially for grandma's. There are a lot of pictures of Kate just standing around being herself. Some would find this boring and overdone, but only a grandma can truly appreciate it. You've been warned!

We went to the White House Christmas tour last night. It was especially nice because they had all the decorations up and also, if any of you have ever been through the White House you know cameras aren't allowed, however at Christmas they are. It was really fun. As you will see it was very beautiful and much more exciting than just the regular tours.


Kate was the only young child there. She was "the bell of the ball" if you will. She had on her Christmas dress (because we had to dress up) and everyone loved her. She kind of becomes a ham when people watch her and she acts it up. Other times she is very shy. She was a little of both last night. People kept calling her "Princess" because of her dress, which in that setting looked kind of like a ball gown. Her dress was gold and it matched the decor so she looked extra special.

She is incredibly hard to take pictures of because she won't hold still. However, when Uncle A.J. tried to take pictures of her she would just stand still and smile at him. One time she started blowing kisses for him. It was really cute. Unfortunately he got way better pictures than me.

Chris loves taking pictures too!

Being shy.

This is the big Christmas tree for the White House. Gorgeous!

This is her on the front step of the White House as we were leaving. If any of you have ever been to Disneyland and taken pictures with the any of the Princesses there you'd notice that they hold there hands a special way. When I saw this picture I noticed Kate is doing the same thing. I think she is practicing.

We also got to take a unexpected tour of the West Wing. This is when we were going inside. We've never been on this side of the White House. We got the see the Situation Room which I didn't know really existed. We saw the Oval Office and some other really neat things in the West Wing.

This is in by the Rose Garden where that famous picture of JFK is taken. Under the colonnade.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Candy!

Kate and I made chocolate dipped pretzels for our ward Christmas party. Why we were making them she snuck one off the paper. Oh boy! She loves chocolate. She would take a bite and then go "mmmmm". It would crack me up. I think loving chocolate runs in her blood.




We saw Santa Claus at our ward Christmas party. Kate didn't really like him. Hopefully he'll still visit her this year.

Jelly Belly Buddies!

One of Chris' favorite treats is jelly beans. I, however, can't stand the flavor or texture of them. He got them for his birthday and had been saving them for a time when him and I could sit down and enjoy them together. He loves them so much that he loves to have someone else savor them with him at the same time. I can not even begin to explain how much joy this brings to him. Anyway after I tried to choke down a couple I told him I was done. He was obviously disappointed. Then looking around he called Kate over and let her try a little piece of his. Needless to say because of the pics she loved them. I was so happy that he now has someone who truly treasures jelly beans as much as he does. Now I don't have to suffer through anymore taste testing either.

Fall Feels Like Home

We have really enjoyed Fall. It is so beautiful here. After living in St. George for 5 years is was nice to have 4 seasons again. The leaves changin color makes it feel like I am 6 again living in North Ogden. I love fall. There are trees as far as your eye can see here, so you can only imagine how amazing it looks when they all start to change. We will miss fall, but can't wait for Christmas.

We went out to pick pumpkins. It was our first time doing it and we had fun being out there in the wide open space. It may become a family tradition.

Kate got a lot more into it than I thought she would. She was excited about all the pumpkins around. This one she was trying to carry.

Kate and Chris at our Ward Trunk-or-Treat. Kate made a hall and now Chris has a bag of candy to take to work with him.

We also went to a Halloween party at Diana's house.

This is Diana and Bella. The Bumblebee and the Cat.

Liz and her little angel Charlotte.

Little Devil, Jack!

Heather and Bella.

All the gang. My personal favorite is the monkey, Sophie, in the brown outfit.

We attempted to take pictures with Savannah, Bella and Kate.

Kate wouldn't have it. She threw a monster tantrum about it all. Everyone thought it was so funny. They call her a soprano when she screams. She's loud!

Clothes Horse Already??!!!!

The other day I found Kate walking around the house like this. She would fall over and drop everything and then get back up and pick everything back up and keep walking.

It cracked me up. Especially the shoe in the mouth.