My little corner of the world!

2012-02-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today I'm tired and I have all these things in my head that I want to do. I even have an idea book so I can write them down. For the most part I want to finish decorating for valentines day and I have this urge to be a wonderful cook. I just got a new cookbook by a woman named Ree Durmmond, she is also known as The pioneer woman, she has a blog and I love her. I have all these fantastical ideas about making steak and amazing mashed potatoes and having Rob and the kiddos fawn over me and my amazing cooking. But I'm pretty sure I will make something blah and they will look at my like I'm trying to make them eat dirt.

It's nice out today, After I got Katie from school we drove down to the lake ( Utah lake) and it was mostly frozen but so beautiful. The funny part of the whole thing is that while we were driving past the lake on this yucky dirt road, there were a few other cars. A young couple had pulled over and got out of their car and decided the lake was frozen enough to walk out onto. The strong man of the couple decided that he could glide and do twirls on the ice. As this was happening another car drove by and a elderly man was driving and he decided that he should pull over and reprimand them for being on the ice, they both looked down at there feet and shuffled off the ice. I laughed so hard I almost wet my self and the girls were looking at my like I had finally lost my mind! Anywho I'm so happy it's Friday and I can't wait for Rob to come home and remind me that I'm a person, not just a tired mom, thought I love being a tired mom :)

The Y

2012-01-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

So, I think I'm ready to hike to the Y! After living here for 6 years!

Anchor

2011-04-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

" When all the world is spinning round
Like a red balloon way up in the clouds
And my feet will not stay on the ground
You anchor me back down"

Dear Sweetie Pie,
I love you so much and I wanted to say thank you
for always being my anchor and for letting me be a red balloon!

Lyrics by Mindy Gledhill
mindygledhill.blogspot.com

Friday, April 15th 2011

2011-04-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Moving tip #2

DON'T, under any circumstance think about how much stuff you have to move/put away. Your thoughts will turn into worry, then stress then panic, it will be a snow ball effect and if your not careful you will end up sitting in your empty new living room surrounded by popcorn that your two kids dumped everywhere and singing Tangled songs to your self, trying to remember what day of the week it is. So be careful..... you don't want to look like a crazy person!

Thursday, April 14th 2011

2011-04-14T14:59:00.001-07:00

We're moving on Saturday and I thought I would give you some of my tips for moving!

Tip # 1

Don't!

Ever, never ever ever! It is NO fun, just stay where you are, you'll be better off!

More tips tomorrow :)

Tuesday, April, 12th 2011

2011-04-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Today I feel rundown, tired and defeated and it's only Tuesday. This move has me feeling overwhelmed and I'm seriously lacking self confidence! I hope I can make it through!

OK OK, I know I will, thanks to the help of my bff Jamie and my honey pie Rob. I know so many others will help and soon I will be sitting in my new house, happy as a clam!

Until then I'm going to need a steady dose of fully caffeinated coke!

Friday, April 8th, 2011

2011-04-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

My Beautiful daffodils at the new house!

Have a happy weekend!

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

2011-04-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I went and saw this last night and it was amazing!

I Am Not My Body!

It's a documentary,
about a little boy who is a survivor!

Check out his story

Here

and
Here

Mr and Mrs. Nielson!

I also met Stephanie Nielson and Mr. Nielson! I was soooo excited to meet her, Check her out!

Here!

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

2011-04-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sarah Jane Studios creates these super cute Peter and the Wolf Puppet Theater PDF Downloads!

Check them out!

Here!

Monday, April 4th, 2011

2011-04-04T12:09:00.001-07:00

UGGGHHH I'm Sick!!!!!!!

2011-04-01T22:03:00.001-07:00

Does anyone read my blog?

Friday, April 1st, 2011

2011-04-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is a great Etsy page I found that does hand drawn silhouettes. So beautiful!

Check it out!

Here!

Happy Confrence Weekend!

Thursday, March 31st , 2011

2011-03-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

I saw this picture and I fell in love, I don't know what it is about the picture, it has a haunted, southern feel that I just love.

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

2011-03-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Today I read about a local charity and it made me so happy and inspired. I thought to myself , I'm going to do that! Except I think I'll keep a few in my car just in case I see an soaked stranger walking by. My street in my neighborhood is small and I don't know how many people I could help. Because spring showers are here and more are coming, I thought this would be a good deed to try. It could be your 17 second miracle for the day!

**want to know what 17 second miracle is? Go check out www.jasonwright.com

Umbrellas for Strangers is a home-run charity wherein we collect umbrellas in a secure, dry area of our house. On a day like today, we will watch vigilantly out the window. Upon our viewing of a stranger caught without covering, we will dispatch an umbrella to the unaware stranger, thus saving our new friend from wetness, annoyance and possibly pneumonia/death. When that stranger has no more use of the umbrella, he/she can kindly return it to our doorstep (thanks is not necessary, and we don't eat treats from strangers, unless they are pre-wrapped treats, Snickers and the like).

Thank you CJane for your inspiring ideas, check cjane out http://blog.cjanerun.com/

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

2011-03-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Over the river and through the woods on a romantic getaway we go!!!!

A few weeks ago Rob and I took a little trip to midway/Heber/Park city together. (Thanks to Rob's mom, Cindy! She stayed with the girls for three whole nights, brave woman! ) We had a wonderful time. Lot's of yummy food and sleep. We Went horseback riding and we went on a sleigh ride! It was nice to have a moment with my sweet honey pie! So romantic......ahhhhh!

Snowed Inn!

Our Room at Johnson's Mill

Snowed Inn!

Sleigh ride!

Johnson's Mill!

www.johnsonmill.com & www.snowedinn.com

It goes with every outfit!

2011-03-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

From the Heart, comes the truth!

2010-09-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

A short conversation that made my day, maybe even my week !

ME: Sometimes I wish I could work so that I could feel like I'm helping out money wise, I feel like I don't do anything important!

FRIEND: yeah, it is hard because the stay at home work isn't as recognized or looked at by society as important, but to me that's where the importance is. How i look at it is men are by nature providers, they work to provide and support their family. In our modern times that is done by making money to pay for stuff. Women by nature are nurturers. And by modern society this is frowned upon and women, such as yourself, feel that it isn't "important" when it is more important than providing for. what you are doing is very very very very important.

It's amazing to have someone say something to you that is so simple but that really hits home. All I needed to hear was this, I don't need flowers or candy, I just need simple words that come from the heart. So, to my friend who took the time to tell me a simple truth, Thank you, you are an amazing person, who cares so much for others and always knows what to say to cheer me up!

Magic Eraser

2010-08-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

The Mr.Clean Magic eraser is AMAZING, I don't know how they do it but it does perform some magic. I bought one a few weeks ago and it had been sitting on the counter and yesterday I decide to try it out. Well, to my surprise it worked better then any towel and all purpose cleaner. It got all the scuffs, scratches and spaghetti sauce of my walls and base boards, my house feel super clean now and I'm very happy. Try it out! It's pretty awesome :)

To New York and Back!

2010-08-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

So, for our family vacation this year we decided to drive (yes drive) to New York. My dad and my stepmom and little sister live there and that is where Rob and I met.

We did our research and discovered that it would be cheaper to drive than fly. So, we packed up the jeep and started our adventure. On our way to New York we stopped in Fremont, Michigan, to stay with my Grandma for 2 days. My mom was also visiting, we had so much fun there. My grandma lives on creek that goes into a beautiful lake. Katie got to go fishing with my mom and Rob out on the paddle boat, she caught several fish. There was also napping and eating and enjoying family!

On day 6 we made it to New York. We stayed in NY for 7 days ( not long enough). We had so much fun. Rob and I got to spend a lot of time with my little sister Emily, who is 10 and a cute, funny and wonderful little girl. We got to go swimming almost everyday in their pool. We went shopping, took family pictures and had the chance to go visit my Grandpa and my Great Grandma, which is Katie and Lexie's Great Grandpa and Great Great Grandma, we took a 5 generation picture, Amazing!

Rob was also able to go to the University of Rochester, which is where he did his undergrad work! He went and visited with old professors and a few friends. I was able to go visit my very good friend Mindy, she is such an amazing woman, mother, wife and friend. She has such a sweet spirit and I always look forward to seeing her. We miss our New York family very much and treasure the time we had with them!

Our time in the car to NY and back was really fun and the girls were great, it went much better then I thought! Overall we had a wonderful and time and made a lot of great memories and also stayed in a few sketchy Motel 6 :)

Here are a few Pictures from our trip!

Perspective

2010-06-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

Perspective – by Jenny Phillips

Perspective #1--The perspective I almost took last week
Doing laundry is miserable. Just when I finish 8 loads and finally put it away, the laundry baskets are overflowing again. My baby won't sleep. My kids are always fighting, complaining, whining, screaming, and moaning. My husband's high council meeting lasted 3 and a half hours, and I had to mow the lawn myself. It takes two hours to get my kids in bed, and there is never any extra time for myself.

Perspective #2--The perspective I decided to take last week
I am the head laundress for a very royal family. I have found that my chubby little baby loves to be propped up in all the laundry while I fold it and talk baby language with him. One day the mound of laundry reaching half way up to my ceiling will be a small mound of just mine and my husbands laundry, and I will have no chubby little baby to keep me company while I fold it. I also have the title of head tutor for this royal family. Everyday I have the opportunity to teach and train four little souls about the gospel, being kind, and developing a noble character. And in the meantime, they are helping mold and stretch me into a person of much deeper charity. Sometimes I get to be the head gardener. I even got to mow the lawn and smell fresh cut grass and watch the dark rain clouds float lazily in the sky while feeling my muscles work out. Perhaps one of my most loved titles is head bed tucker inner. For 2 hours I get to brush little white teeth, read and tell stories, listen to little voices asking for water, stuffed animals and special blankets. I get exercise as I put my 3 year old back in bed 30 times. And then I get to rock a little chubby baby and see him stop drinking his bottle and smile when I start to sing. Perspective changes everything.

Sooooo Hot!!

2010-06-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm in Arizona, sitting in the living room of my friend Stephanie. It's 8am and it's 95 degrees out. Now, I'm from Utah and it gets hot there, I have also lived in upstate New York and Palm Spring, Ca, My husband is From New Orleans and we have spent several weeks there during the summer. All of theses place get really hot but I have NEVER be hotter( temperature wise) in my life. I am sweating ALL the time, I keep telling Stephanie that I feel like I have a sunburn because I can feel heat radiating off of me. I walk from the couch to the bathroom and I need a bottle of water :). I have had like 300 bottles of water and I have only been her 2 1/2 days. Stephanie thinks this is the funniest thing, she thinks I'm crazy, I just wonder if I'll survive until Thursday but I am having lots of fun :)

Happy New Year!

2010-02-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

Hello, I'm in the mood for blogging! So I looked and last time I posted was in December, lame. So, This year has been pretty uneventful, We had the flu pass through our house a few times and pink eye....eewwwww! Rob is still working for Bluehost and loving it, I'm still at home with the girls, Katie goes to pre-school a few days a week. Alexis 'Lexis' will 1 year old next Sunday, how amazing and fast it went! Katie turned three 1/2 last month and she is a wild woman, in all ways!
I went to CA with Lexie to visit my mom, we had a great time :). We got to see Rob's mom for about an hour while she was traveling through, it was short but nice. Rob and I became sunbeam teachers at our church, it's the 3 and 4 year olds and they are a funny bunch, they make me laugh so hard, they all have the attention Span of a fly, 2 seconds Lol. Yes, Katie is in our class and she is one of the instigators and a stinker in class, we have tried talking to her about it but she is like "whatever!". Other then that things are going good, I'll post a ton of pictures soon :)

Santas little helper!

2009-12-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

The Grinch

2009-12-04T11:40:00.001-08:00

I don't know what my issue is this Holiday season. I just can't get into the spirit of things. I thought if I listened to Christmas music I would feel better.....nope. putting up Christmas decorations.....nope. So now I asking for help, does anyone have any inspirational thoughts or stories or ideas of things to do that might help me get into the Holiday spirit. I hate feeling like the Grinch! I know I should not feel this way because I have so very much to be greatful for, I just need to get out of this funk, Please Help :)

Our sweetie pies and Turkey

2009-11-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

Princess in Training!

My kewpie doll

Lexie

Sassy pants

Lexie

These are some pictures from Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great Thanksgiving. We spent it with family and it was wonderful to see everyone. The best part was that it was at my uncles church building and everyone brought something, So there was no cooking at my house and nothing to clean up and no stuffing my fridge with leftovers. Woo Hoo

so to sum up the day...... it was Basketball, good food, family and a movie for the kids!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

The James Miracle

2009-11-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

So if any of you don't know yet, I'm a humongous Jason F. Wright fan :) and he has one book that is not in print anymore and I was on the hunt for a copy and have been for a long time. I was about to give up and then a special person sent me a copy in the mail. When I opened it my heart skipped a beat. I am so flippin happy that I have it and I'm sure I will Finnish it tonight!

Thank you so much CJ angel :)

New Moon and Cali!

2009-11-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

I went to Cali to visit my mom and John for a few days and also to see

New Moon with my mom!

We had a great time with lots of laughs. I love you mom and I miss you already

Here is a picture of the beautiful redwoods my mom and John live in!

Here is the sun setting on a beach in Santa Cruz
New Moon Baby!

Alexis- Happy and feeling much better!

2009-11-24T14:01:00.000-08:00

Here are two cute pictures I took of Lexi today, She is finally feeling better, I'm so happy!

Met Jason F. Wright AGAIN!

2009-11-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

It's not the best picture but I'm excited all the same!

Jason spoke at the Orem library tonight and I got to go!

Jason told some amazing stories that really inspired me and gave me a new sense of faith and hope.

Thanks Jason for a really great evening!

Jason F. Wright!

2009-11-14T18:56:00.001-08:00

Tonight I got to meet author Jason F. Wright, he is the author of The Christmas Jar and The Wednesday letters. It was flippin amazing! I was a babbling idiot, sorry, I was star struck

If you have not read his books, you should they are great!

check him out!

http://www.jasonfwright.com/

The Swine!

2009-11-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

So everyone at my house has been sick except for me for the last week.

First Katie got sick and then a few days later Rob got sick and then a few days later Lexie was sick. All my poor babies are sick with bad coughs and stuffy noses and fevers.

We have been to the doctors twice in one week and have gone through 3 boxes of tissue, I bottle of baby Motrin, two boxes of NyQuil and 3 Gatorade's. Many tears have been shed by Lexis, Katie and me and there have been many sleepless nights, but we have all made it through and I think we are on the upside of things. Wish us luck!

A ton more pictures

2009-11-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

Aysa, Rowan, Alexis and Katie
Lex napping

Making cookies on the 4th of July

Lex mohawk

Lex in CA

Lex and Rowan

Katie

Princess Katie

Flapper girl

Princess Katie

Tub time

Halloween

Grandma and Katie

Making cookies

making cookies

Katie

Katies 3rd birthday

Katie

Katie and grandma

Jamie and Craig

Alexis and Katie in tub

my sister Emily

me eating baby food

Lex eating for the first time

yummo

More pictures

2009-11-08T13:49:00.001-08:00

Sisters

Grandma and Katie

Emily, Katie and Lexis

Me and my Katie

Katie

Dad, lauri, Emily, Rob, Katie, Lexie and Me

The Family

Emily and Alexis

Emily and Katie

pictures of our girls

2009-11-08T13:22:00.001-08:00

Katie and my BFF daughter Aysa
Lexie

Lexie

Rowan my BFF daughter and Lexie

Katie New Haircut

our Girls

Katie

My sweet Lexie

2009-11-08T13:15:00.001-08:00

8 months old

2009-11-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

so, I'm not going to catch up on everything in the past that I have not posted. I'm starting with now!

Katie is 3 now and full of spunk and sass. She is very cute and funny! She goes to pre-school three days a week and she loves it and is doing really well. Alexis is 8 months old and is such a doll. She has 6 teeth and is sitting up on her own and is almost crawling! She is a happy healthy baby and we love her!

Rob is still working at Bluehost and is doing really well! He is in Scouts now and he really likes it!
I'm still a stay at home mommy and wife and that keeps me pretty busy. Other then that everything is going well!

My goal is to post once a week, with pictures :), Wish me luck!

My sweet Katie!

2009-07-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

I'll put up pics of Alexis tomarrow!

Just a mom!

2009-07-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

I'm just a mom! That's what I feel like sometimes. I feel like I have no Idea who I am. I feel like I should know what my talents are and what types of things I enjoy doing but I'm too busy doing laundry and changing diapers to find out. I feel like my closest friend is the dishwasher and that I see the vacuum more then my husband, Having kids is hard work and very tiring but very rewarding. I love being a mom, I just wish that I had a little more balance in my life. If anyone has any ideas for finding balance, send them my way. I hate complaining but sometimes I just need to put it out there, sorry!

Sometimes motherhood can be the loneliest and busiest place to be!

Summer update!

2009-06-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say hello and give a little update! Summer is here and we have been doing lots of fun things. We have gone to the aquarium, story time at the library, the park. We have also gone to a few museum's and farm country at Thanksgiving point! Katie is in pre- school 3 days a week and she loves it, she has such a cute little tan from being outside so much. Alexis is about 3 1/2 months old and she is very cute. She smiles and laughs a lot and she is a great sleeper. Rob has been working hard at his job and on the weekends he has been doing yard work and making our yard beautiful! I have been learning how to be a mommy to two kids and it has been a learning experience but I have enjoyed it! We have Rob's family coming to visit at the end of June but first The girls and I are off to my mom's for a week, we are also hoping that we can get back to New York before the end of the summer! We have a few exciting things coming up, Katie is going to the dentist for the first time, Oremfest( it's a big parade/party in Orem, Utah). A lot of traveling and our 5 year Anniversary and Katie turning 3! It should be a fun summer.Hope everyone is doing good! Also I will post some pictures in a few days!

More pictures of my sweet Katie at preschool

2009-04-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

Katies Easter egg hunt at preschool!

2009-04-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

We're Moving!

2009-03-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

We are moving to Spanish Fork on May 1st

Here is a picture of the new house!

Pictures and updates!

2009-03-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well our new baby Lexie is two weeks old and it feels like time has flown by. We are all getting use to the change. Katie is doing very good with Lexie, she helps me change diapers and always wants to give kisses. She is being a sweet big sister. Rob stayed home with me last week and that was very nice. I had a birthday last week also and Rob took me out to lunch and we did a little shopping, it was a nice day. Everything else is going well, we are all healthy and happy!

Here are some pictures, Enjoy!

Katie in her Tutu

Katie and mommy after a day apart

Katie and Lexie

Katie and Grandma Mills
Katie and Grandma Mills
Katie, Lexie and daddy

Katie being silly

Lexies first bath

Katie having a "drunk" moment

Katie wearing her big sister shirt

Day 2

2009-03-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, we won't post a new blog every day! But we just wanted to show off a few more pictures of our beautiful little girl. She got to have a bath first this time. :)

She still has an IV line on her scalp but she hasn't had to have any fluids since last night. She's had a few minor respiratory problems. Her pediatrician said she may have just had slightly immature lungs. They helped her out by have a little tube blow air into her nose to inflate her lungs (not oxygen, just regular air) and now she's doing much better. Everything looks good for her to go home tomorrow. She's very mellow and squeaks a lot when she's sleeping.

Here's some pictures. The rest will be up on our picture site: http://alexis.rvandam.com (aka http://katie.rvandam.com).

Alexis Marie Faith Van Dam

2009-02-28T23:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures immediately following Alexis' birth. We started the day at 7am, started laboring at 9am but had still only progressed to about 5 centimeters (half way) at about 3pm. No one had said anything, but we were all starting to worry that things weren't going to work out and she was going to have to have another c-section. But then Sarah found her 'Go' switch and within an hour she was completely dilated and effaced and started pushing. Although she pushed for about 30-45 minutes, it seemed like no more than 10-15 minutes. And then suddenly it was all over and we had another cute little girl. Alexis weighed in at 6lb 3oz, a little under Katie's 8lb 8oz but not too shabby. She was 18.5 inches long. Mom is doing great and glad to no longer be pregnant. Little Lexie is doing well as she adjusts to all these annoying lights and sounds.

Just seconds after birth

Sarah's first look at baby Lexie.

The New Year

2009-01-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

So my friend Jamie told me that I needed to post a new blog because it had been to long :)

So the last time I blogged it was Christmas, nothing to exciting has happened since then. I'm getting bigger and bigger, I'm 35 weeks pregnant and I'm ready for the baby to be here. Rob and I set up the nursery and I have washed all the little clothes. I think we are about ready. I have been nesting a lot, I have been cleaning everything and I'm getting really organized.

Katie started a new Pre-school and she really likes to go and seems to be learning so much. She is getting so big and she will be 2 and 1/2 next month. She is talking so much and she really likes to color and read books and play in the snow. I'm very happy she is my little girl and I feel very blessed to be having another little girl. I'm so excited Katie will have a little sister and they will grow up having each other.

Rob is still working at Bluehost, he is a senior programmer! His company moved to a new office closer to our house. He has his own office, it's really nice. It is also nice to have him closer to home :)

I was looking at some old pictures of Katie and Thinking about how much she has grown up!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T15:48:00.001-08:00

We had a really fun Christmas, Katie enjoyed opening gifts and watching Shrek the halls.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Katie got some cute bracelets from my mom and we were modeling them

Katie got a new book

Opening gifts from Grandma and Grandpa from CA

Looking at through her view finder

Katie loved this view finder, it was her first and favorite gift

Christmas, baby and snow

2008-12-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

So as I have been thinking back on my pregnancy and talking about it with my friend Jamie. She reminded me that when I first thought I was pregnant, I took like 10 pregnancy tests and everyone around me thought it was very funny. This cartoon was me ! So today I'm 7 months and 5 days pregnant! I only have about 10 weeks left, it seems so far away but I know that it's not.

So this month had been filled with fun Christmas activities. While Rob's family was visiting we went to Temple Square and saw the beautiful lights. Katie loved them and we had a good, cold time. Then a few weeks later Katie, Rob and I drove through the Thanksgiving point lights and Katie was very very excited and yelled "LIGHTS" the whole time. Then a few days later, Katie and I went to the mall and saw Santa, Katie was a little unsure but she smiled for the pictures. Then while we were at the mall we went to Build A Bear and Katie made a Christmas Deer named Holly, we had fun. We put up the Christmas last Monday and Katie likes to touch the lights and take the ornaments off and put them back on in different places. Katie and Rob also went outside on Sunday and made a sorta snowman, it was very cold and Katie wanted to come in. Last Thursday Rob and I got the go to the Mormon Tabernacle choir Christmas show and we had a wonderful time and the music was beautiful. Also somthing fun that has happned, we put Katie in a toddler bed and she is doing well. The first few nights she got up in the middle of the night and played with her toys but now she sleeps through the night!

We have been having a great Holiday season so far. we are just getting ready for Christmas and a fun new year. Hope everyone is doing well!

It's been a while

2008-11-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not blogged in a long time, life has been crazy. I went to visit my mom two weeks ago and the third day I was there, I woke up in the middle of the night with really bad pain in my back and stomach and I was really sick. So my mom took me to the hospital and they told me that I had Kidney stones and that it would just have to pass. So I stayed at the hospital all night and the next day and nothing happened, so they sent me home. I stayed at my mom's house for a few more days and still dd not really feel well. Then I went home on a Friday and on Saturday night I stared to get the same pain again. So Rob took me to the hospital and they did a bunch of tests and found out that I had Gaul stones. I had to have my Gaul bladder removed Monday morning, they do it laperscopically , so I have four little holes in my tummy. One of them being in my belly button. My mom came to help takes care of Katie and me and she left last Friday. I'm still sore and feel a little under the weather. I can't pick up anything over 20 lbs, so I can't pick up Katie, which has been really hard. I'm just thankful that everything is OK with the Baby and that I had family and friends close by to help. Thanks Joe and Lu and Jamie. Also my mom and Rob. Love you all!

On a happy note, Rob's family is coming for Thanksgiving and we are excited to see them and spend some time with them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

What a strong family

2008-10-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

My Friend Cheri and her husband posted this quote from Joseph Smith on their blog in reference to their little sweetheart Macie, who passed away last Saturday. I was thinking that they were such a strong family to have these thoughts during such a hard time.

"The Lord takes away many, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of the world. They are too pure, too lovely, to live on earth. Therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning, we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil and we shall soon have them again." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 196-197).

So sad

2008-10-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

I'm so very sad today. My friend Cheri lost her sweet baby girl yesterday. Cheri was about 37 weeks pregnant. They named the baby Macie, she was 7lbs. Her husband did not say what happened, just that Cheri was recovering form a C-section. My prayers are with her and her Family. Please say a little prayer for them, I think we can all understand . It also makes my so thankful for my baby Katie and my family!

We have some news!

2008-10-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the doctor and found out that I'm having a girl. We are very excited that Katie will be having a little sister. Have a good weekend!

Just a few thoughts!

2008-10-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say that I'm so excited that we get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl on Friday!

The weather is getting cooler everyday. I'm not a big fan of the snow or cold but I love winter clothes. Though, I have to admit that I got some new winter maternity clothes and I'm excited to wear them. I also got some new winter clothes for Katie and she just looks so cute in warm snuggly clothes.

I have re-connected with some old friends and it's so nice to catch up and see how everyone is doing. I just can't believe that we were all kids together and now we have kids. Time flies!

Also, Monday night football is on....... GO SAINTS!

It's been to long!!!!!

2008-09-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. A lot had been going on. As some of you know I'm pregnant. I'll be four months this Saturday. We are very excited about having another baby. The downside to the pregnancy is that I have been very sick. I started feeling sick at about six weeks and I have been sick ever since. I have had to go to the hospital and get an IV about 6 times and I can't eat very much. I am starting to feel a little better but I'm still nervous that the sickness will come back. My due date is March 9Th, 2009!

Rob and I have decided to say in Utah for one more year, so we will be here until next summer and then I'm not sure where we will go from there. Rob likes his job and enjoys the people he works with. Our Katie has been going to a home daycare and she loves it, she is a social butterfly. Katie gets to swim and do crafts and go for walks, I feel good when she is there when I don't feel good.

Rob, Katie and I went to New Orleans at the beginning of June for his sister Sarah's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and we had a wonderful time spending time with family and Friends. We really enjoy going to New Orleans and enjoying the different culture and weather, also I think we all love the yummy food.

Katie and I went to my mom's house at the end of June for a visit and we had a ton of fun. We went and saw Thomas the Train. We got to ride on Thomas and play some fun games. Katie had a good time and did not want to leave. My mom and I took Katie to the beach and my mom took Katie for rides in her red wagon in the park. We love visiting Mimi and pop-pop in California!

On a sad note some family friends of ours, The Hyers. Have moved to Arizona and we miss them very much but we know that they are happy there, we love you guys and miss the card games and girls night!

My mom came to visit for a few day and we had a lot of fun. She is a good cook and I love having her here. We got to have some girl time, we went and saw Nights in Rodanthe. We also went shopping. Katie loves having her Grammie here to play with her. I think they had a good time together. I miss not having her around. Also while she was here it was Rob's birthday and she babysat for us so we could go out on a date, oh and just so you know Rob is 27! what a old man!

As the summer is coming to an end the weather is cooling down, we are looking forward to the holidays and seeing family. Hope everyone is doing well, we love you all!

Sorry I don't have any pics right now, I'll post them later!

Dance Dance Dance!

2008-06-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Our Little Katie loves to dance, especially when Dora comes on. She gets so excited. She starts jumping and waving her arms and singing. Here are a few pictures of her Rocking out!

We have Friends that live across the street from us and they have a little Pomeranian named Sasha. Katie loves her so much and she has learned to say her name and now she asks about her all the time. We go over and visit a lot. It's so cute to see how excited she gets when she see Sasha. Here are a few pictures of them together.

Summer Time At The Park

2008-06-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

Rob, Katie and I have been going to the park a lot lately. Katie loves to swing and to go down all of the slides, she is not afraid of anything!

Katie going down all the slides at the Park!

Katie on the swings!

Just a little reminder to Bee

2008-04-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

A Nice Day

2008-04-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

We had a really nice day a few days ago, I believe it was about 70 degrees out, so Katie and I decided to go outside and play, here are some pictures, this is in our back yard!

Katie playing in her house

Katie shooting hoops

Katie learning to drive!

Katie on her climber/slide! I think it is her favorite

Katie enjoys playing outside and she loves having no shoes or socks on. She really likes to go down the slide and climbs on everything. Katie also loves it when I blow bubbles, she likes to try and catch them.

GoodBye Sammy!

2008-04-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

This was our Sammy, he passed away a few weeks ago and we miss him.
Sammy had six toes on each foot and he loved to lay in the sunshine.
He was about 15 years old, so he lived a full life. We got Sammy from a
shelter when we were first married. I just wanted to put a few pics of him and say goodbye!
We love you Sammy!

Pictures of our Katie girl

2008-04-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

Katie in the tub!
Katie at the park!
Katie on St.Patricks day!
Katie at the park!

Spring is almost here!

2008-03-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to say that spring is here. Our days have benn getting warmer and sunnier, although it's still chilly in the early mornings and evenings. Katie is 19 months old, she is walking, talking and learning more everyday. She is such a joy to watch, plus she is cute as can be.

Katie loves going outside and playing. She has a little play house and a slide. We have a little girl that lives next door named Asya and she is 2 1/2, they are sweet little frineds and like to play together. Also, Asya's mom Jamie is becoming my really good friend, she is a sweet mom and friend. Katie has also been going to a daycare two days a week from 9am to 12pm and she loves it and has made a lot of friends and she is learning a lot also. I have been doing some tax prep work for Rob's dad and I've really loved doing some work on the side.

Rob is almost finished with his thesis, he should be done by the end of next month. Cross your fingers :). Rob also is still working for BlueHost, a web hosting company, he is a programmer there, he enjoys it.

We went to New York in Febuary for Emily's 8th Birthday and baptism, we had a lot of fun and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Sarah, Rob's sister and her fiancee Kip are here visiting for a few days and its fun having them here, they are very cute together. They are getting married June 12th, 2008. We are very happy and excited for them. My mom is also coming next week to stay for a few day and I'm so excited to see her. We hope everyone is happy, healthy and doing well. We miss all our family and friends and look forward to when we we will see you next.