Spring Break 2009

This week had been very uneventful with a lovely snow storm that kept me inside on my week off. Lucky for me on Friday we headed down to Salina with our good friends Brian, Nicole and their cute baby Russell for a weekend vacation. We got there Friday afternoon and were able to stay at Nicole's Grandmas house. Her uncle owns horses so we took the boys over to see them. Daniel was a little nervous at first but liked them in the end. He even tried feeding them when no one was looking and almost lost his fingers.
On Saturday we packed up the babies and headed for the Arches National Park in Moab. We decided to hike to the Delicate Arch which round trip was about a 3 mile hike. I'll be the first to say that I was nervous because I am not in the best shape of my life but I'm proud to say I made all the way to the top without stopping for water or rest lucky for me David is an animal and in great shape he was able to carry in Daniel and beat me to the top by 10 or 2o minutes. I'm really glad that he is in good shape because for sure I wouldn't have made it with 23 extra pounds on my back. This hike was so WORTH IT. Anyone that lives in Utah (or comes to visit) should attempt this hike at least once in their life. David said that when he turned the corner and saw the arch he let out an audible "wow" without even thinking, it is that rockin' cool. At first I wasn't going to go down to the actual arch because it is on the edge of a nice high cliff and you have to walk around this bowl shape cliff to get to it. I could just see me slipping or Daniel running off down the Mountain. But I couldn't go that far without getting a picture under it so I put on the brave pants and walked over and got our family picture under the arch.
This is a hike for all ages old and young, I couldn't believe how many little kids I saw up there and older people. On the hike back to the car Daniel fell asleep and his backpack doesn't have any head support for a sleeping baby so that's why his head looks so funny in some of the pictures, he was out cold.
We also went to another arch (but I can't remember the name) in the same park that was in a cove filled with the softest sand I'd ever felt in my life way better then the beach. I must have told David 5 or 6 times that I wanted a sand box at home with this same sand. Daniel and I took off our shoes and played in it. I didn't know that the park was so big and full of so many different things to do. Thanks to the Hills for inviting us on this great family trip!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Old pics new post

These pictures are from our trip to Oregon back in October I never got a chance to post these ones for some reason enjoy... The beach ones are of seaside and the other is of us with Grandma Leland. She has threatened me several times about not taking pictures of her and is threatening whoever is taking this picture but I had to post at least one. Daniel fell asleep in her arms. She was so cute with him.

Update

Ok I have completely neglected our blog over the last few months. It all started back in January when I had my appendix removed and now here it is April and I have only posted two new entries. So I’m going to attempt to update the best I can.
Daniel is a full time walker now. He started walking back in December, right before his birthday he was doing really well and now he walks everywhere nonstop. He is into everything and can't get enough of his newly found freedom. I have video if I ever find out how to load it on here. He now has 12 teeth 4 top front and 2 top molars, and 4 bottom front and 2 bottom molars. He can say clearly Mom, dad, ball, baby, hi, and a lot of others that are close like book, dog, grandpa, grandma. (he has said some of those clearly but only once or twice so I don't really count them) He weighs 23 pounds as of Sunday and I'm not sure how tall he is. He has lost a lot of his baby fat but still has cubby thighs, and feet(my personal favorite). He is growing so fast!!!! He is a little obsessed with the dogs our backyard neighbors have. He doesn't really like petting them but is always talking about them and saying "woof woof". He loves dancing he can't help but dance whenever music plays. One of our favorite family activities has become dance parties in our living room.
Back in February we went cross-country skiing. Leslie (my mother in-law) was kind enough to come with us and show us where to go. What a great way to spend time as a family. We had so much fun enjoying the mountains and the nice clean air. It was quite the workout but so worth it. Daniel LOVED it. He rode on David’s back and fell asleep on the way in and woke up just in time to enjoy the last half on the way out. He really likes being outside.
























We also took Daniel to the park for the first time. He wasn’t a big fan of the slide, we tried to make it exciting but he wouldn’t buy it. We even crawled in the tube with him but still no smile except the nervous one he gave with me.



















































Daniel has now become very independent. He loves climbing on things and thinks that he can feed himself. I am trying hard to let him have his independence without freaking out. I see the Danger in everything so this is not easy for me. I'm getting better, I think...

Late Night thoughts...

Its almost 1:30 am and I am still wide awake. I've been thinking lately about how horrible our world has become. In the last two days there have been three shootings in Utah and thats a lot for our humble little state, and one happened right down the road from where we live. I worry about the world that my children will grow up in and how hard it will be for them. I worry about how bad it really is going to get. But even though there are so many horrible things there is still good in this world and things that I am grateful for. I am so grateful that I live in a free country. I know that it is FAR from perfect but I wouldn't pick another. I am so grateful that I have a husband that supports me and loves me for me. Who goes to work every day to support his family. I have a son that is so wonderful, he brightens every day. I have a family that loves me and that is always there for me. I have my Savior and my Father in Heaven and I know that they love me and are always there to listen to my prayers. I have a job and so does my husband which is more then a lot of people. I am blessed. Whenever I feel down or sad about the way things are going I like to stop and reflect on all the good and the blessing that I have. It gives me hope.

Daniel's 1st birthday!!!!!

My little baby turned One today. Its so sad that they grow so fast. For all that weren't able to make it for cake and Ice Cream here are some pictures... Okay Lindsie really wasn't there but we wanted her to be so I added the picture. THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone that could be there we had a blast and you made Daniels 1st Birthday that much better!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Family pictures

we got our family pictures taken it was so much fun. Daniel and Bean also got a lot of pictures together. Here is the photographers blog so you can look at some of them. She did an amazing job!
www.seasonatwaterphotography.blogspot.com

BYU Basketball

David and I are really big BYU Basketball fans. My cousin just happens to play on the team and that makes it even more exciting for me. This weekend we went to two games(Thanks Mike). Saturday they played Wake Forest and sadly lost, but it still was a great game. Last night we went to watch them play Western Oregon. We had 4th row seats which includes a nice dinner before the game, treats during and at half time. It was so much fun. I couldn't pass bringing Daniel along this time. He did really well and didn't even mind the noisy student section behind us. They won, Go Cougars!!!!

Christmas lights at Temple Square

We took Daniel to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square for our anniversary. I was so worried he would get cold so I think I went a little overboard on the bundling. He is a pretty chill baby though and didn't even seem to care. I think he liked them. David and I did.

Christmas Morning

We had Daniel crawl out from our room and come in and open his presents. It took him awhile to get them all opened and he seemed to like the boxes more then what was inside of them. It was so much fun. We then headed over to my parents house where Daniel got the best present (in my opinion) Teddy Ruxpin. Sadly Daniel is a little freaked out about the talking stuffed animal but I was so excited. When I was little I had one and he really was my best friend. Grandma and Grandpa Brown got him a really cool puppet and Great Grandma Carol got him a great walker. Thanks to our families for making this Christmas so great. (I have video clips but can't load them for some reason, so more to come.)

Christmas Eve

We always spend Christmas Eve at the Browns. Leslie started a tradition, I don't know when, but she makes everyone PJ pants. They are the best and so comfortable. This year Daniel got his first pair. He looked so cute in them.

Happy 4th Anniversary!!!!

David and I just celebrated our 4 year anniversary. It fell on a Sunday this year so we weren't able to do anything spectacular on the day but Monday night as a family we went to Temple Square and enjoyed the beautiful Christmas lights and some real good Korean food at our favorite restaurant.
I just want David to know how much I love him. Marrying him was the best decision of my life. He is the best husband and perfect for me. I love that he can always make me laugh, even when I'm angry. He supports our family, he is a great dad, and he loves me for me. I know that I am far from perfect and that I can be difficult and stubborn but he puts up with me. He pushes me to do things that I would otherwise not do he's my better half. I really don't know where I would be without him. Happy Anniversary David! I love you!!!!!
P.S. I think he looks really hot in this picture!

Together for the Holidays

Heather, Cale and Bean are now in town for the Holidays. This is a picture of their 4 month reunion. Daniel and Bean will get to play together a lot these next few weeks and we are so excited.