America the Beautiful- July thus far....

The 4th of July this year was a long one! I had to work the night before so I got home at about 730 in the morning and we hurried up to join in the Delta festivities. Millie was having nothing to do with pictures so at least Brooky was okay with giving me a smile!

However, a horse ride will always make her feel better!

After a few of the family get-togethers, a few of us headed out to the Rez and the weather was perfect! We didn't get out there until about 6:30 so it was cooler and the kids had fun!

I love this picture because she came out of the water and told me she had to go pee. Crystal and I told her to just go in the water (come on, you guys know that is the least of your worries out at the Rez) haha! I know- "Mom-of-the-year" goes to me! But this was the look she gave us..........it's like..........."what are you telling me to do?"

Later that night, Tyson and Karlee were gracious enough to brave letting most of the Bliss' come to their house to watch the fireworks! They live in the perfect location to see them!

Last week, Grandma Nikki was able to some spend a few nights with us because she had classes in Cedar she had to be too Monday thru Friday. So, we all went out for Family Home Evening and saw Monsters University. It was pretty cute!

On Wednesday night she got to spend some quality time with Grandma while Colby and I were at work. I think she got a tad bit spoiled! That's what grandma's are for, right?

While Colby was at work on Saturday, we FINALLY ventured up to the pond on the hill here in Cedar. We had fun.......and we both got burnt! Oops.

We spotted some ducks swimming so I told her to hold really still and be really quiet and the ducks might come close and they DID!! She thought it was great!!

May AND June!

May really shouldn't have been a busy month because I was done with school......Colby was on a break from school.......but it was BUSY! 

On May 2nd, we found out some very surprising but exciting news............we are EXPECTING Bliss baby #2!!! I had wanted to wait until I had taken my certification exam but apparently Heavenly Father had some different plans for us! 

From May 6th thru the 9th, I went up to Salt Lake with Jamie Cox for a nurse practitioner exam review course. It was a long week. I learned a lot but also started getting sick....I was surprised because I was only like 5 weeks at the time and with Miss Millie, I didn't get sick until 7 weeks!! 

At the end of the month our little munchkin fell off the kitchen barstool (which she had done 1000 times before) and broke her little wrist. She had to wear a splint for a week and then a cast for about 4 weeks. She was super sad!

For Memorial Day weekend, we went up to Delta to visit family and go the the Bliss family reunion. I didn't get any pics at the reunion because a certain three year old was SUPER ornery that whole entire day.....I think her arm was hurting her that day. Luckily, the horses came to the rescue!!

Nikki would probably kill me if she knew I had posted this but I love this pic. Here she is all snuggled up with Riley (Chelise and Ronnie's new little one) with Brody and Hayden in the background looking at the horses in the back.

In June, Millie and I were able to go to a little circus that came to town. Colby unfortunately had to work that night but us girls had fun! We got to sit by the Griffin's and the Mitchell's and the highlight was the elephant ride. She loved the clowns and the dancers.

In June we also got to see the first glimpse of the new family member and things were looking great!! Zofran and Phenergan have become my candy. We are due January 6th.

June was very busy as well because Colby was doing a summer class (Biology II which he ended up getting an A in) so he would have class all day Mon-Fri so he had to work the night shift all month long which presented some complications because I only work night shifts! So we had to rely on some amazing people to keep an eye on our kid while we were both working! She got to spend some time with her 2nd cousins, the Morris', she also spent a couple nights up at Grandma Nikki's, and then the last week my dad came down to Cedar to spend the night with her. We are so grateful for each and everyone of these people who are so willing to help us out in a bind!

On June 19th, I took my Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam. I was so nervous, stressed, and downright sick. It was a REALLY hard test for me!! It consisted of 150 questions and I went down to St. George to a testing center to take it. I had Colby give me a blessing the night before and I KNOW it helped. I threw up right before and right after the test but not during!! I swear it took five minutes after i clicked submit exam for it to tell me PASSED or NOT PASSED. Luckily, I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!! I was so incredibly relieved!!!

Here is just a little collage of our funny little human from those two months!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hold on to your saddle horns!!!!! April was a busy month! I was finishing up my LAST few clinicals and LAST few classes of my VERY LAST semester of school. Colby was also finishing up his Radiology Tech program. He took his boards in April and PASSED!! We are so proud of him and how hard he has worked to get to this point in his education!! 

We also celebrated Hayden's 3rd birthday on April 16th. We had a fun filled day that started with Layne and Tayte. I tried making "Birthday Waffles" with sprinkles in them and frosting for the syrup......but none of the kids thought it was as great as I did haha.

Then, because it was kind of a gloomy day, we met a few friends at McDonald's for lunch and the kids played and played and played some more! 

Here is her birthday cake I made....I loved how it turned out and it actually tasted okay too!

Colby got done with class early in the afternoon and he thought it would be a fun little outing to go bowling! It was actually super fun! I hadn't been bowling in YEARS!!

Then it was present time....

Here she is getting her "bike hat" all buckled up and she was trying to close her eyes for the next surprise......

Her BIKE!!! 

I think she blew out her candles at least 5 times.......she kept wanting to do it again and again!

Happy Birthday little one!!! We love you more than anything and can't believe how big you are getting!!!

At the end of the month, I was lucky enough to be able to meet up with some of my favorite women for our annual Cox Girls Getaway! Misha doesn't exactly get to get away cause we all invade her house for the weekend....but she sends her kids away and plays a marvelous hostess! That weekend just happened to be my graduation and instead of flying out to Cincinnati to celebrate with people I don't know I celebrated with those women.......and they were so good to me....they even had my car detailed while we were there! I worked Thursday night and then slept for a few hours when I got to Misha's then woke up to this little plate of deliciousness and a sweet little note!

Then we all headed to brunch at Breakfast at Tifiny's. It was also delicious!

Starting in the back left to right: Tricia Duffin (cousin), Me, Suzanne Morris (aunt), Cicelie Keller (cousin). Front left to right: Leah Cox (cousin-in-law), Misha Edwards (cousin), Jody Cox (aunt).

After brunch we headed up to Zion's to do a little hiking. I have lived in So. Utah for 8 years now and had never been to Zion's until then........I know.....ridiculous!

I had to post this picture cause it was so funny to scroll through pics and then see Cicelie just perched on this rock!

That night my mom and Maisa were able to join us and the next day was filled with sleeping in, lunch, and shopping!

I had so much fun and, as always, I am looking forward to next year and hopefully more can make it!