The Bliss's

Monday Quicky

2012-01-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Because of my commitments (explained in previous post), I have been TRYING to spend less time on the internet.....blogging included. However, because I do feel that it is important to document my family...here we are again!

I also haven't been getting out my big camera very much lately! The weather, even though it is relatively mild this winter, hasn't been inspiring me. You can only get so many 'shots' in the living room and kitchen! But I always have my phone on me and I am soooo grateful it has a camera. It is my little point-and-shoot that I take EVERYWHERE so I'm not missing too many moments. If you follow my instagram feed you see many of these.......they aren't as good of quality but they are good enough for who its for!

Millie has a friend, Layne, that gets to come over every Tuesday while his mom goes to school in St. George. They have soooo much fun playing and running around! Heck, he even blow dries her hair! Ha ha!

Charlie hasn't been neglected either in the photo department! She is still our little snuggle bug and the two of them are best friends......my opinion....every kid should have a dog!

Our little girl is getting so big! She has a pretty convincing ROAR whenever she sees a lion, tiger, bear, or dinosaur. She knows a lot of animals and their sounds including monkey, horse, sheep, goat, pig, duck, dog, cat, deer (even though they don't really make much sound), cow, and there are more...just can't think of them! She is converting down to just one nap a day now- somedays we still do the two but I think she is ready for the one! We can tell when she wants to watch the Lion King or her Your Baby Can Read videos cause she will either say 'iyon' (lion) or 'bubby' (baby). Her pronunciation of daddy, Charlie, and doggy tend to sound the same at times but usually we can tell what she is saying. We have REALLY been working on her saying please and thank you. She kinda squints her nose in a cute little way when she says 'pee' (please) and she has only signed thank you- she learned that one at day care. She will tell us when she has to go poop or when she has----its really not so cute in the middle of sacrament meeting when she shouts it over and over again! Ha ha..... we love to peek in the room while she is in nursery to watch her playing....she is just sooooo darn cute! We love her sooooo much! I hope she will always know that!

Love life.....

Colby is studying to take the GRE next week! I know he'll do great but he is pretty nervous and hopes he only has to take it once! I do too- him being stressed makes me stressed! My term has been a kicker so far- my Adv. Patho class that I was kinda excited for to learn more has turned out to not be very great! They are grading more on APA format than content and the lectures suck! So I'll be glad when this term is over in 6 weeks....but then I only have 1 1/2 weeks off before the next term cause the U of Cincinnati is switching to semesters next fall so they are CRAMMING the classes and terms in! NO fun----only 15 months left till I'm done- yes I am counting down already!

Commitment

2012-01-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

I have seen many around the blogosphere choose one word to represent this year. So I have chosen oNe word to represent MY year.......commitment. People tend to make New Years resolutions and drop them by the end of January. Why??? Because they don't make their goals attainable. They go from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds and get burned out before they are even 1/4 of the way there. I have believed that making goals doable instead of outrageous for.....um.....ever.....I mean I'm not gonna say I don't like to aim high....because I like to......but for me, I have to take things one step at a time. I was listening to Studio 5 in the background while puttering around the house one day and heard this segment. It basically talks about how you should make your improvements 5% at a time so you don't overwhelm yourself. So this year I am going to put 5% more effort into my commitments. I don't know EXACTLY how much 5% is in each area.....but basically.....I'm just going to try harder. I'm going to put more effort into my roles at home. I want to put effort into being a better wife and mother and homemaker. I want to put more effort in my relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I want to put more effort into my roles at work....be a better nurse. I want to put more effort into my schooling (cause I have been slacking in that department immensely!) So what things am I going to do to take these subtle steps???

RELIGION

I'm going to pray more. I know thats not some MIRACULOUS and LIFE ALTERING change but I feel that in time my relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior will grow.

WIFE

Show Colby that I love him more by doing the little things.....

actually putting makeup on.....hugs.....kisses.....ect.....

MOTHER

Be present with our time together....me just being in the room while she is playing isn't making the best effort. I need to be down on the floor playing with her. Coloring......putting puzzles together....reading....ect.....

NURSE

Be more patient oriented instead of task oriented....again... its not life altering- but hopefully its doable!

SCHOOL

I'm going to pay more attention to detail. I find that I loose points in my work for stupid little details. If I would take the TIME to pay attention to those details, maybe then I would improve my grades.

So there we have it.....new year....new goals....commitment....now on to a funner person!!!

First bubble bath.....she didn't know what to think at first!

Then she got the hang of things....

New favorite past-time (thanks to nursery) is COLORING!!! She had always wanted to eat the crayons before but she is learning what they are used for....every once in a while I catch her trying to gnaw on one!

Hayden got this cute horse beannie from grandma and grandpa Moody and she loves putting it on herself, us, and the dog.

The best seat in the house....sitting on her horse, watching the 'i-yon' or in other words The Lion King...

Christmas!!!!

2011-12-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are always busy for us! We ping-pong back and forth between family activities cause- heaven forbid we miss anything!! We want to catch it all!! So Christmas Eve evening starts with a visit from Santa. He is always so nice to stop in the town of Hinckley amidst his travels that night....

Sister did not want a thing to do with him!!

We then venture into Grandma Joyce's for the annual Christmas Eve Moody get-together! Good food- good company.

(Shayda Mae and Dylan- loving siblings)

Dylan thinks Grandpa Rick is awesome- which he is!

We then ventured back out to Hinckley to spend the night and wait for Santa to come....

Boxes are so much funner than the actual presents!

After a TON of good food and fun....we headed back to Cedar- Santa knew that the little Cobalt wouldn't be able to hold what Hayden wanted for Christmas; so he left it in Cedar at our house.

She loves her little kitchen.....she is quite the little homemaker!

We love Christmas and the traditions that it brings....we are so very grateful for our Savior and for the sacrifices he has made for us. We love the opportunity to celebrate his birth and cannot wait for the years to come!

Happy happy New Years everyone!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

2011-12-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

I tried to do a cute little photo shoot with this little setup..........note to self: when you have a 20 month old......wait until you have help!

The little diva did not think it was as fun as mom thought it would be....

Boring.........

Finally a decent picture!!!

A week or so ago.... we went to get our Christmas Tree!! I took my camera and as I was snapping away I realized that I had left my SD card at home and my camera has no internal memory.....so I didn't get the cute pictures of Millie eating it in the snow and her face COVERED in the 'white stuff.' She did not think it was funny! So when we got back to the truck.... I busted out the phone to snap a few pics.

For FHE that next Monday we got to decorating!!!

And the stockings were hung by the 'plant shelf'' with care........because toddler hands would have had those pulled down in a heart beat had they actually been on our pretend mantle!

Someone was a menace during our decorating process so her dad put her in 'time-out'.......I bet ya can't guess how long that lasted!

And.....ta da.... our little tree! It turned out better than we thought it would because we had to hurry to get it cause I was working that night.

On a school note...... Colby and I are both done with our classes for a couple weeks and we ended up doing better than we thought we would this semester! We are enjoying some time off watching movies at night when we put the little one to bed instead of doing homework!!

November November- Where hast thou gone??

2011-11-29T16:10:00.000-08:00

November has brought........ oh gosh........ I don't know because it went by so fast!! I'll think about this....

The first snow storm
Charlie turned 2!
Maddy got baptized
Thanksgiving was DE-LISH!!!
Another molar is raring its ugly head causing a VERY temper-mental child
The count down to a break from school is ON!!

Yes we hate molars.... we love Thanksgiving...... and are so excited for Christmas break!

(Braden and Crystal's family when Maddy got baptized)

By golly---- this kid can CLIMB! She is constantly reaching her little legs for the next highest thing. She thought it was AWESOME when I busted out the ladder today to put a chest back on my plant shelf (no worries- I only let her go up a couple rungs).

We tried to get a 'grandkid' picture for my mom's Christmas card but Hayden WAS NOT cooperating. These two were- of course- ready for the camera! So my mom might just have to be okay with three individual shots.

Bring on Christmas!!!

Halloween

2011-10-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,

And doesn't know where to find her;

Leave her alone,

and she'll come home,

Wagging her tail behind her.

(Love being reunited...hugs all around!)

This Halloween hasn't consisted if ghouls and ghosts or zombies and skeletons. With little girls, it's all things FRILLY and PINK!!

(This costume is awful... This is what Charlie's face has written all over it!)

Nursery rhymes are timeless......

Happy Halloween!

nonsense

2011-10-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

What if........ should've...... these are words that I TRY my hardest to avoid. These words have driven me to the insanity of grad school and the wonders of motherhood. No matter what I do....no matter what decisions I make- those dreadful words are inevitable. I am constantly asking myself questions like, "what if I don't get as sick with my next pregnancy..will I regret waiting to have another child until after school is done if I don't?" I make excuses for myself CONSTANTLY! For example, I really want to make family traditions like every October going to a pumpkin patch like Staheli Farms followed by a night at Thriller. I also want to host fun family Halloween parties. This year I was going to FOR SURE at least make it to a pumpkin patch--- did it happen? NO! What are my excuses? Homework, School, Work, Deer Hunt, Exhaustion, Being Sick, ect. Excuses- excuses!!! I really do want to be a good mom and do tons of fun family things- but my excuse- the obligations of life are getting in my way!!!! I keep telling myself that if we just sacrifice these few years, the next 30+ years will benefit because of the things we passed up on NOW!

Walmart pulled through for me this year.....pumpkin carving might have to wait a year or two and the AWESOME Halloween traditions might have to wait longer. But this cute little pumpkin from Walmart expresses the best of intentions of these exhausted parents. She loves this 'ball'- as she says it!

(Her hilariously laughing faces)

'wrangler butts drive me nuts'

Such a cute little toosh!

On to the 'hunt'.....

Colby didn't draw out- I'm the one with the tag. I really do love going camping and hiking in the mountains and looking for deer. But its hard......first off.... I am THE SLOWEST hiker (Colby gets frustrated with my huffing and puffing I'm sure)....and.... toting an 18 month old along isn't Colby's idea of hunting. So a couple of times we got a babysitter; but that can't be too often (lack of $$$$). Great friends have helped. But still the mom having the tag- isn't easy!! It was nice spending peaceful evenings enjoying the mountain air and getting some quality couple time.

But alas...... we've had no luck.

Luckily, we know that when we have to lean on others to help take care of our bug while we are away- she is in the best of care! The past few weeks I have realized the importance of great friendships and relationships. I have been so lucky to meet wonderful women through visiting teaching who have helped me in times of need. As well as awesome family willing to jump in whenever distance doesn't prohibit. Then there are those long-time friends that are always there when I need them. And of course....we are so grateful for a reliable babysitter whom we are going to be devastated to see leave at the end of this semester.

This mom loves it when she gets called off of work and gets to spend more precious time with the ones she loves most- talking in 3rd person is so not cool- haha!

This kid opens doors......ugh....one of her favorites is the pantry. She spends time rearranging cans and boxes and brings me the bags of cereal to give her a snack. The cereal is going to have to find a new (higher) home.

Now I really need to stop procrastinating and get this Healthcare Policy paper I have been putting off for way too long- started! Blogging is much funner......

Fall-

2011-10-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well- we woke up to snow this morning. I can say with confidence that I am so not ready for it to be winter!! I love all the things winter brings- Christmas- Family- ect.- EXCEPT for the cold! I can even handle the snow- I just wish it were 75 degrees along with it!! Ha ha- I guess that isn't possible!
Along with the leaves changing, October Conference, pumpkins, and midterms, comes more milestones Millie! As of the 16th, she is now 18 months old- I say 1 1/2 cause that just seems easier to comprehend! One blessed thing that this milestone brings is NURSERY!

This ^ is how we thought nursery was going to go! But- to our surprise- she actually did really good! However, she has only been the once because we weren't at church this last week. She went to Delta to spend the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Moody while Colby and I were hunting. Needless to say- I got sick and my parents came down with it too! So- we'll see how nursery goes this next week!

18 Month Milestones

21 lbs 12 oz 14%

32 1/2 in 73%

She is talking more and more- I'll try to think of the new words she is saying but I always remember more after I have posted!

eye- ear- mouth- nose- toes- head- hair- oatmeal- nana (banana)- shish (fish)- deer (her dad has been REALLY working on this one)- dad (finally- still no mom)- bottle (instead of baba)- shoe- horse- meow- ot ot ot (for hot hot hot)- du (duck- sounds just like she says dog so its hard to distinguish unless she is pointing)- ball (ball, balloon, pumpkin- she generalizes)- ssshhhh (she puts her finger to her mouth- I think she learned this in nursery cause she wasn't doing it before then)

Of course, she only says these things when we aren't expecting it and not when we ask her to say something. Everything is on her terms! We are still working on mom and Charlie-

She is recognizing and following simple commands like 'go get in the bath' or 'lets go change your bum' or 'wanna go outside.' I am REALLY working on 'let's clean up your toys!'

She is using a fork and spoon with confidence- whether or not it makes it to her mouth before falling off that is the question- but she sure is confident about it! I no longer can feed her, she has to do it herself- using utensils. Occasionally she will let me "load" her spoon or fork before she takes a bite; but that is only when she wants me too.

She still loves pretty much all foods! She begs for banana's and eats all of her veggies before anything else. For example, I made her some mac and cheese and some green beans for lunch- I mixed them together- she picked out all of the green beans first and then proceeded to eat the pasta. Then tonight, I made homemade chicken noodle soup and she picked out all the carrots and celery and ate them first before the noodles and chicken. I really hope that these good eating habits continue! If she doesn't like something the first time I try again and again- but she really hasn't needed much coercion! It is one of my goals as a parent to not raise picky eaters because I was/am picky and I hate it and wish I could change but I don't have the willpower! Ha ha- I do feel that good eating habits are definitely a learned behavior so I want to start my kids young. Hayden always gets a veggie or fruit with every meal (except I sometimes skip breakfast and just do oatmeal). She has eaten veggies that I don't think I ever tried growing up like brussel sprouts, spaghetti squash, artichoke, tomatillos, ect. and she eats them all without flinching!

She still sleeps pretty good (when we are home- elsewhere is another story). She takes two naps still and I really don't see us dropping one for a while- she just gets so tired! She also sleeps 12 hours at night sometimes she pushes 13! This is a great thing cause her mama needs her sleep and needs time to do homework in the evenings I don't work!!

The only complaint I have about this munchkin is when teething comes around!! It takes about 3 WEEKS for ONE stinking tooth to come through and she is a TERROR through the whole process! She still only has 9 so we have a while to go before we're done! Ugh!

Shifting gears......

I am my ward's Activity Day leader! It was a calling that I was nervous about but have enjoyed! This month I was only able to get one activity because I was the only leader (I now have help) and I have been pretty busy working and with school! So this week I took the girls on a Cemetery Scavenger Hunt!! It seemed fitting around Halloween time and I wanted to expose the girls to a family history avenue! My friend Sasha is a cemetery/family history GENIUS- so I called upon her to help me gather facts about cemeteries!

Hayden doesn't think Activity Days is all that fun- she is pretty clingy the ENTIRE time! Thank goodness it's just an hour!

Here is me, the girls, and my new helper Kim after our Cemetery Scavenger Hunt!

Thanks to Sasha, I was able to put together this fun little handout to guide them! The girls ended up really liking the activity and wanted to keep looking for stuff once the activity was over! I think they will have a new perspective when visiting cemeteries!

love.

2011-10-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that Colby's grandpa Shirl had died. Colby was super close with his grandpa and has always looked up to him so much! It was amazing to see how many family members genuinely love and will miss him- there were very few dry eyes in the church during the funeral. It was definitely sad but so good all at the same time- grandma Millie has been gone for over 9 years and I'm sure their reunion in heaven was amazing!

A little bit about Shirl:

He was a member of the Merrill’s Marauders (named after Frank Merrill) or Unit Galahad, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional), was a United States Army long range penetration special operations unit in the South-East Asian Theater of World War II which fought in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, or CBI. The unit became famous for its deep-penetration missions behind Japanese lines, often engaging Japanese forces superior in number.

In slightly more than five months of combat, the Marauders had advanced 750 miles through some of the harshest jungle terrain in the world, fought in 5 major engagements (Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng, Nhpum Ga, and Myitkyina) and engaged in combat with the Japanese Army on thirty-two separate occasions, including two conventional defensive battles with enemy forces for which the force had not been intended nor equipped. Battling Japanese soldiers, hunger, fevers, and disease, they had traversed more jungle terrain on their long-range missions than any other U.S. Army formation during World War II.

The men of the Merrill's Marauders enjoyed the rare distinction of having each soldier awarded theBronze Star.

Later in life, Shirl was able to live his dream by having a very productive farm and cows. He has 5 children as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I had Nikki's camera throughout the funeral trying to get pics for her so I didn't take my own photos but Colby took a couple with his phone of the display.

.........

On a lighter note, the weather has chilled- we stopped watering the garden and it is definitely sweater weather. We enjoyed the slightly warmer weather this evening and took advantage of it by going out and watching Dad mow the lawn.

(Do ya love the battle wounds all over her face? Baby vs cabinet door- cabinet door won)

Over the last couple months- yard work has taken a back seat to homework, tests, and studying. The grass had grown to an unmanageable level! It's nice to see it nicely mowed today.

We are still lovin us some pink boots! We have a couple pair!

Charlie is nervously chewing on her rag- she is scared to death of the lawn mower- and Millie is busy moving toys here and there.

Wish us luck- first day of nursery tomorrow!

last week

2011-09-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Teething........

...why does it take SSOOOO long......

Needless to say- after a week of swelling, a molar popped through- then quickly receded- and popped again- it's finally completely through. Ugh- we hate it! Tantrums, clinginess and jealousy all accompany this process. I wish they would come faster than 1 at a time. Let's just get the pain and torture over with! We now have 8- only 12 more to go until the primary set is in! Why can't we be more than half way there?

The jealousy was evident last week in St. George while watching Misha's kids while she was basking in the sun on the golf courses of Florida. Hayden was fine when it was just the two of us- but in walks one of Misha's 4 kiddos and the whining and clinginess escalades. I really felt bad for the kids- they just wanted to help her and she was ornery towards them- so frustrating.

This is a mild dirty look that has become her specialty lately- like I said- this is a mild one- she could kill you with her looks sometimes!

While in St. G- I went to Fries Farmer's Market and picked up a box of peaches- this was my first time canning without my grandma by my side walking me through it (or just doing it for me)! Sammie, Dax, and Lexie helped me out by peeling peaches, washing the rims and writing on the lids! They turned out good and Colby is loving his new breakfasts.

Then, last weekend, Colby decided he wanted to go to Veyo to get his gun sighted in by a legend gun sighter and he wanted to go through St. George to get there. So we got the gun sighted in and stopped at The Cracker Barrel for some nummy southern grub

And then we stopped in to visit Trevor and Lashel and their little heart-breaker Koleman-

Hayden stole his sippy......

....and a couple kisses....

....but finally K-man had had enough and didn't want the kisses anymore. So they finished the night with a 'low-five' which is probably the pace that we (their parents) would prefer it for now and at least the next two decades! Ha ha-

Those smooches sure are cute though!

~Good week~

On a side note: Colby's Grandpa Pace passed away this morning- a sad but peaceful day- he is where he needs to be now. I will have more on this amazing man in a later post.

life.

2011-09-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Obviously, the majority of my posts are about one certain individual. She happens to be the most entertaining human in our family that is why she gets so much air-time! However, this is our family's so-called 'scrapbook' so I figure that I should tell a little bit about the other two humans- aka Megan and Colby. However, the two of us really are quite boring! Ha ha- we are busy though!

I'll start off by telling a little bit about Colby-

Colby has made some critical decisions since we have been married. One of which was when we found out we were going to be parents- he quit his job (in Delta) and moved back down to Cedar to be with me. He had been wanting to go to school and get a degree since he returned from his mission but wasn't able to narrow down exactly what degree that would be! So- when he moved back down, he made the quick decision to become a Radiology Technician and he ran with it. He was able to bust out his prerequisite courses within a year and applied for Weber State's program through Valley View Medical Center here in Cedar.

Unfortunately, the program is really competitive and hasn't accepted first time applicants in several years. So- he trudged on- the next year he took courses that will be able to go towards his Bachelor's degree and applied again. When he got the acceptance letter in May it was such a happy day. We were both excited to have a (very distant) end in sight.

So, in August, Colby started his two-year program. He has to complete three 8-hour shifts a week at Valley View's radiology department. I was really nervous that after all the work and preparation that he would start the program and decide he doesn't like the line of work. However, he has really enjoyed it so far. Colby also works for the Cedar City Water Deparment. He is busy doing his work hours, clinical hours, homework, and trying to get in a little hunting this fall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile- I decided that while Colby is going to school and while Millie is young- I had better just jump on the band wagon and finish up my goals as well. Last fall- I took a statistics class (with Colby) in order to be able to start applying to graduate programs. I applied to the University of Utah's Doctorate of Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) program and the University of Cincinnati's Master's of Nursing program. I got accepted into both but had to weigh out the pros and cons to both programs. The U's program was 3 years (hence the Dr.) and Cinci's was only 2. I really wanted to have the prestige of being a U graduate and the Dr. degree but decided to go with Cinci for reason's such as: I don't want my kids to be 5 years apart and I can't be pregnant and go to school (cause I'm pretty much worthless while prego), there are no campus visits for Cinci, and it just felt like the right thing for me! I will have the exact same license by the time I'm through. So, in June I started my program!

Also- I work in St. George at Dixie Regional Medical Center in the Central Staffing department and I LOVE it! I get to work everywhere from ICU to NICU to Med/Onc ect. I have learned so much and feel that it has been a great opportunity to help me grow and prepare for my education.

(at work on CVU)

We are the poorest that we have been in our whole married lives because we are both only working part-time right now- we don't see each other nearly enough- and our stress levels are through the roof!

Luckily, because of great friends and family and some good inter-marital teamwork, we will survive these next two years! I hate to wish them away because that will mean that our baby will be 3!! But, it will be so nice to be done and hopefully then we can gain some stability and normalcy in our lives!

......and bring some more cute kiddos into the world! He he

Oh- here is a picture of our little house we bought when we were expecting- I hope to be able to go take pictures of the other places we have lived since being married- but for now- this is our home.

Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

We went to good 'ole D-Town for Labor Day weekend- since we don't know the next time we'll make it up there. Colby had to rush back to Cedar on Monday to work and do clinicals Tuesday. I don't start up school again until Sept. 21st and I didn't work until Thursday night so Millie and I extended our stay a couple days.

While we were there........

....we rode with Grandma Cyn...

...and played in the playhouse with dad...

....and canned with Grandma Joyce....

(we made this delectable peach rasberry jam and some scrumptious tomato soup.. and I'm not normally a fan of tomato soup)

We did many other things that I didn't get pictures of- like play with cousins, roast weenies with the Bliss bunch, and visit-visit-visit!

Despite the beginning of a new molar 'popage' we had a great week! We love going home and being around ALL of our family! We are so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.

Phone Photo Dump

Diamond

2011-09-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows the Moody family knows that the pets around there are members of the family. Unfortunately on Tuesday we had to say goodbye to one of the best. In 1994, my mom brought home a pretty black yearling. She made her way into our hearts pretty fast- I was 7 years old at the time. I was fortunate enough to get to know Diamond more than a lot of my family members because I got to do 4-H on her when I wasn't able to use Tomahawk and then we moved up into the high school rodeo level. She helped me progress and become a better rider. The two of us won saddles, buckles, trophies and other prizes throughout our time together.

I will miss her sooo much.

I wish I had some pics on my computer of us competing. I guess I will need to get those uploaded at some point.

Here is a tribute to Diamond written by my mom- Cynthia

R.I.P. Diamond Dee Rose

April 19, 1993 to Sept. 6, 2011

I fell in love with Diamond from the very first moment I laid eyes on her as a baby by her momma’s side in the sale ring. I thought she was the most perfect beautiful little black beauty I had ever seen. So did a few other people, therefore, the buying price was not cheap! Who said Money can’t buy happiness? I had been dreaming of a black beauty since I was a tiny little girl. She was the most intelligent horse I’ve ever been privileged to train and ride! She was soooo athletic! As a 2 year old she demonstrated a reining pattern including flying lead changes, speed changes and a beautiful sliding stop most veteran reiners would envy! Throughout her 18 ½ years she had many accomplishments including: Awesome trail horse, babysitter horse for my young children (even though she was a colt herself), top 4H horse (winning most every class she was in), top barrel and pole horse (she won MANY saddles, buckles, and prizes for Megan and Maisa—and even me), breakaway, goat horse, bulldogging (for Brock), hazing (Megan hazed for Brock on her barrel & pole horse when he needed a hazer at high school rodeos), parades, queening, rodeo flag carrier, lion hunting, deer hunting and even carried handicapped children for lessons (she could always be trusted and took care of and knew who was on her back), she won Grand Champion mare when shown at halter (except for one time). She also raised 5 beautiful babies! She loved being a momma! She always gave 150% at everything we asked of her! She could even make a rookie like me look like I knew what I was doing. She took life pretty seriously! She accomplished all these things even after we were told she was going to be a brood mare from the time she was 4 years old after a permanent injury to her right front knee joint capsule. 14 ½ years of knee pain is enough. In spite of her pain, she loved her many jobs! She loved to run!!! She had the most beautiful chiseled face a horse could ever have! She’s always been my sweetheart, matching the heart on her face! I don’t think God could have sent a more perfect horse to me and my family! We will miss her! "Nothing is more sacred than the bond between a horse and a rider. No other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner’s heart, soul, and very existence dies also." ~Stephanie M. __________?

-Here is my mom with one of her very best friends- Sunday Sept. 4th-

Family Pics

2011-09-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

Love my lil family- 'nough said.

Le Beach

2011-08-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

We went to the beach- well Cedar's beach! Needless to say- there were dead fish, wind and the sand was more like gravel- but oh well! I liked it! Dad and Hayden, not so much! I guess we'll just have to keep going until they both like it- hehe.

Ball!! Too bad we couldn't swim out to the ball- The ball was the one thing that perked her up- she didn't care for the chilly water nor the gravel (sand)- but the ball- now that is important!

Then, we went for a drive- I love to look at houses- dreaming really- but Colby showed me this beauty- I think it should be our future home!!! I love it! Landscape and all..... well- the shutters I'd change- but other than that- I'm sold! If only it were in Delta- (someday?)

16 mOnThS!!!

2011-08-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

Oh where oh where has my baby gone? Oh where oh where could she be?

Well- she became a toddler on me!

Oh what is a mother to do?!?

Having another baby isn't an option right now!

Oh well- at least we are thoroughly enjoying this little toddler!

What things does 16 months bring for us?

Climbing on EVERYTHING!

Running- playing!

She plays dress up with charlie- She'll put headbands and hats on Charlie's head.

AtTiTuDe!!

Still only saying a few words- however, 'outside' is one of them- not mama or dada!

She has been hating her baths for a couple weeks and we have no idea why!! She used to LOVE them!

She gets a little carried away on the rocking horse- it almost endos because she is rocking so hard!

Yesterday she went jogging into her room saying 'ni ni- ni ni' apparently she wanted a nap- I put her in her crib and she was fast asleep in no time flat! This kid loves her naps (at least now she does)!

For the past couple of months she has been working on getting molars- only ONE has popped through- so that puts her total tooth count to 7- unfortunately there is still a lot to go!

She loves to be outside! One downside to our backyard is the dog poop! Yes- the other day she thought it would be grand to pick up a handful of the fresh stuff! I about GAGGED!

Her dancing consists of turning in a circle and swinging her right arm back and forth- it's pretty hilarious!

She still loves pretty much any food you give her (thank goodness)! I cannot have a child as picky as me-

There is so much more about her that I don't think about till we are in the moment! I love and appreciate everything this little rugrat has done and even through her challenging quirks I cannot get enough of her!

Here's some more pics- I decided I needed to dump my phone pics and let ya'll get a glimpse of them! I didn't have a camera on my phone till just a couple months ago and it is so nice to just be able to snap those candid moments without having to drag out my big camera- however, you can definitely tell they aren't as good of quality- thank goodness for instagram to liven them up a bit!

Colby and Charlie taking a lunch time nap! Yes- this cuddling with the pooch is a common finding at our house!

This is a pic my babysitter sent me- she always has her hair done so cute!

A few weeks ago Misha watched her for an afternoon- they went swimming.

This is Sammie giving Hayden a kiss!

She is not afraid to just walk right up to the horses at my parents house- and here- she got her 15 mo shots!

Back in May- my grandma Joyce watched her for a day! It is fun seeing Millie and Jaydree at the same table that their mom's (ie me and Chalee) ate at when we were little!

This is the company I get when I go to the bathroom- so helpful these two are!

Family Outing

2011-08-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

One of Colby's favorite things to do (when he isn't in the mountains) is to go to the greens!! He LOVES to golf- I don't so much like the price of golfing- but every now-and-again he gets to splurge! Well to prepare for the Cedar City Corp. Golf Tourny (today)- Colby wanted to go on a family outing to the putting area of the golf course (free!) to practice.

For a little girl who loves to run free and LOVES balls- this was HEAVEN!

She is starting out young! She actually kinda knows what to do! She knows she is supposed to hit the ball with the club- and she for sure knows where to find them when they make it in the hole!

We are FAMILY!! (I'm singing that song in my head right now!)

After a little bit- Millie started getting a little sunkissed and cranky so her and I headed to the car to watch Tangled while dad got some practice in peace! That is one movie that I can watch over and over with her- it's so cute!

We need to do more of these free family outings! We get so caught up in routine, school, work ect. that we forget that we can have fun every once in a while!

Any ideas for free family fun??

Under the Sea- Under the Sea!

2011-08-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Bliss girls took a get-a-way!!! Nikki found us fabulous tickets to Tuachan's The Little Mermaid! Oh my gosh- it is amazing how they are able to put that production together! The special effects were absolutely amazing! We also got to enjoy some shopping and good food. I wish that I would have taken more pictures! I always wonder if people get sick of me snapping pictures all of the time- but oh well- GET USED TO IT!! haha

(We loved Karlee's sexy pants- yes those were actual pants for sale at Rue 21- not pajamas!)

24th of July Weekend

2011-07-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

It had been 9 YEARS since I was able to go to the Hinckley 24th of July Celebration! It had been 6 YEARS since Colby had been able to go. Why you might ask?? Every year since I graduated high school I have worked this holiday (or right around it) and during high school- every year except my freshman year I went to the Panguitch Invitationals High School Rodeo. Colby, of course, went on his mission the March after high school, so he missed those two years, and all of the 24th's after that he's been married to me- a healthcare worker who has to work holidays- and he's so nice and doesn't want to be there without me!

Just FYI- this year did not disappoint the years of anticipation! The parade was great! Millie finally learned that the stuff they throw out is candy- and she can pick it up!! She just hasn't quite figured out why she has to put it in her sack!

After the parade, while Great-Grandpa Bliss was still all done up in his parade garb and on his horse- the kids took advantage of it! Millie LOVES horses!

Oh the day was not over after the parade- oh no- we got to go visit with my family at my Great-Aunt Dorene's luncheon and Nikki cooked a fabulous (as usual) holiday meal! Then, we headed to the Hinckley Rodeo! I had been looking forward to this for quite some time- Maisa (my sister) ran barrels- my cousins McCoy and Damen Moody rode bulls- all three of them had the hometown curse and didn't do as well as they wanted! But, it was still great to watch!

And..... here are some random pics! LOVE the wrinkly feet after a long FUN bath!

Mom doesn't get much homework done because this little mess-maker think she needs to be right in the middle of all the attention! How can I resist!??

15 Months

2011-07-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

(excuse the quality of photos this post- I may or may not have left my camera up in Spanish Fork yesterday at my aunt's house- so these are via my phone!)

Well- yesterday my little one turned fifteen months old- I know it is ridiculous to celebrate each and every month but she changes every month- week- and even day! I love the stage she is at!

15 Month Stuff!

We flipped her forward facing- making car ride naps very interesting! The movie Tangled is my best friend- During- a three hour drive on Friday then another on Saturday she was better in the car than she was playing around!! I didn't hardly hear a peep from her either day! (Princess and the Frog and Happy Feet are close runners up for entertainment)

This little lady is growing out of her clothes- everything is too short for her! I'm taking her to the Doc for a checkup next week so we'll have to see what her stats are then.

Millie has become a little mean- she hits her dad- pulls my hair- and she slapped my aunt Jody!! I really don't know what to do to get her to stop! It's not her playing around- she does it when she is MAD!! I tell her NO NO! and squeeze her hand but I don't know what else to do!

She is now running! It's so funny to see her try to run away- it is more of a fast walk-run!!

She crashes on her butt a thousand times a day!! She usually just hops up and is off again! Other times she pulls out her inner drama queen and wails!! Ha ha

She still only has the four teeth- two on the top and two on bottom- however, she has been working on the two top side teeth for the passed couple of weeks. Believe me- this kid knows how to use her teeth! Every once in a while she will scare the bejeezies out of us and chomp down on an unexpecting toe or something causing us to jump!

Her words this month haven't changed much- dog- ball- no no- uh oh- I think that's pretty much it!!

She kinda likes being thrown around- Colby with throw her on the bed (in a loving way) and throw pillows at her and she thinks its hilarious!!

We think she responds more when we call her Millie instead of Hayden- but we'll probably keep calling her both! I LOVE both names so much for so many different reasons! Maybe I should have just named another girl one of them! Ha ha- oh well- what's done is done!

Her hair is getting longer- when I pull her back curls down- her hair goes about an inch passed her shoulders. But I suck horribly at doing her hair! I really wish I could french braid it like Jaime would be able to do but I just can't grip it cause it's still too thin for my fat fingers!

She still isn't all that scared of strangers- she'll pretty much go to anyone. I assume this will be changing within the next few months!

She is still taking those two blessed naps- USUALLY they are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours- but that varies depending on the week and the location- this last week she has been cutting them shorter than I like!

I have gone down to part-time at work for a little while to be able to spend more time with her and have time to do my homework- I'm going to try to not go full-time again for as long as I can but we'll see how long our funds last!! haha

I love this little lady so much and can't even begin to explain how blessed we are to have this spirited little soul in our lives!

15 Month Stats from the Doc's Office

30 1/2 inches tall - 80th Percentile

20 lbs 10 oz - 16th Percentile

She got two shots :-(

(on the drive to Spanish Fork for Tricia and Marley's baby shower)

(Colby thinks it's funny to snap pictures on my phone during mine and Charlie's Sunday morning nap- we do look pretty ridiculous)

Loving life!

Let Freedom Ring

2011-07-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun this Independence Day weekend! We started it off by going camping with the Bliss bunch!! I loved making memories by the campfire and I definitely got to scratch my camping itch up there! Hayden ate AT LEAST a two pounds of dirt and rubbed every bit that she could on me!

(Here's the whole bunch- minus Russ and Oakley- Ronnie and Chelise's dog)

Here are some of my FAVORITES from the weekend! I hope their parents don't get too mad about posting some of these pics- but they are just so darn CUTE!!

CUTE BUTTS!!

It was only day #1 and things were already not looking very pretty!! Me included!! Ha ha

Colby was the camp's Paul Bunyon- he kept the fire wood ready and a waiting! Brody is obviously tough enough to wear pink!! He rocked the butterfly hoodie!

These hands are PERFECT for eating a muffin!

The parade in Delta this year had AMAZING weather! Overcast with a slight breeze! The humidity was unusual for our dry desert but oh so welcome!

Hey Dad- let me steer you with your ears!

Mom and Millie at the parade! I had to keep grabbing her cause she wanted to run out to the horses!

Baby Shayda playing in the grass at Grandma Joyce's luncheon!

Despite little sleep on the 4th- we made it through and are so excited for next years traditions! I love spending time with family over the holidays- our little family is so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives!

Ah- the sanctuary of sUmMeR!!!!

2011-06-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, my friend Karen and I took our girls to Cedar's new Aquatic Center. The girls had so much fun and I hope to be able to go A LOT this summer!

Lainey wasn't quite sure what to think of the whole situation at first- however, after some coaxing, she warmed right up and had a blast!

(Lainey- Hayden- and some random little girl- he he)

Have I mentioned how much I am LOVING that summer is here!

A little summer sun ray! I think the swimsuit is going to be a required uniform for the next three months! Maybe I should invest in another one because it seems that we will have a lot of pictures with this pink-black-white beauty!

'Hey Dad- let me make a cute wet bum print on your lap! You know you'd like it'

Let us all drink up the fun of summer!! I really wish it would never end!

p.s. How do you like the new photo uploading! I love how big it makes them!

We enjoy the simple things 'round here!

2011-06-21T19:51:00.001-07:00

We, including family and friends, have spent a lot of money on our little Hayden. I have gotten her the FUNNEST toys and other activities. However, she finds the most enjoyment out of the most RANDOM things including......

...being outside until the bitter end....

(i know its summer and we are still sporting the penguin winter jammies- it works for us!)

...amidst the bath toys- three washcloths and a cup are her favorite playthings..

...a hose that provides little drips of cool water...

...a pitcher used to water the tomatoes in the topsy turvy...

...sunburnt feet from a day outside with friends- and an old pedicure that I got with a friend....

(this is what i enjoy)

...a beautiful face....

If you look really closely at this next picture, you'll see that Millie is sitting on Charlie's ball. It is driving Charlie CRAZY and Millie is loving the attention from her!

She enjoys putting on my old headbands- she gets so excited when she can make it stay on her head.

...carrying around this roll of tape like a purse...

...and one of her most favorite things- her bottle just after she wakes up from her nap! She pretty much rips it out of my hands!

And what do mom and dad enjoy- a night away from our princess to celebrate 4 marvelous years together! We did sealings at the temple, went and got new phones (which was long overdue) and topped it off with dinner at Texas Roadhouse! Thanks mom for watching our munchkin for us!!

Yes.. around here we find enjoyment in the little things.....but life wouldn't be happy if we didn't enjoy the everyday basics. I am glad that my child will look for fun in unconventional ways! I hope to follow her innocent example!

14 months! (well almost)

2011-06-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

I know it is still over a week away until she is officially 14 months old. However, I didn't do a 13 month post so I'll just hit this a little early!

At 14 months......

It has been so fun watching her master (almost) walking over the last two months!

She still isn't completely confident using her feet instead of her knees as her main mode of movement; but she gets better and better and more confident each and every day as she ventures more and more! Yesterday she tried walking down our front lawn (which has a pretty steep slope) and she turfed it on her nose and did kind of a slow motion tumble down the little hill! She was mildly stunned-

The two words that she uses appropriately are 'uh oh' and 'ball.' She will say mama and dada but it's definitely not in the appropriate context!

She is becoming quite the hugger! She was NOT a cuddly baby at all and she still doesn't cuddle much but she will give a great hug a few times a day! Her kisses are few and far between and they are on her terms, not ours!

This passed week we have been experiencing her first actual temper tantrums! She has always let us know when she doesn't feel good or is tired but these tantrums are definitely different and HILARIOUS!!! She flings herself around, won't let you hug her, and you can hear her screaming from the street! I'm sure our neighbors love it! We have always known that we have a very expressive one! I am wondering what raising this one has in store for us! Oh- but I wouldn't change having her for the whole entire world!

I love her beaming eyes and huge smile! She is so funny and laughs at herself, I love it! She loves to read (or try to read) her books! She points at the words and jabbers. Balls are her favorite toys. A dog can change her mood in an instant. She can be so cranky and the sight of a dog lights her up!

She is very determined- ie. she is certain she can get up on the big chairs that we have out on our patio and she tries and tries until she finally makes it. The picture below is her triumphant accomplishment- getting up on the chair.

cute feet....

I think it's absolutely adorable that amidst her playing outside she always takes a few seconds to come and sit on my lap!

Model shot....

Loving me a toothy gap...

Waiting, ever-so impatiently, for dinner. This kid is a BOTTOMLESS pit! She would constantly eat if I let her!

She loves to swing her little legs when I sit her in her chair! I love this chair because she is right up with us for dinner- being an active participant!

And Charlie is in the background scavenging for any small morsel that Hayden might drop down to her.

mmmm mmmmm mm!! Love corn on the cob!

We love our little squirt sooo much! She brings so much joy into our lives!

Silver Lining

2011-06-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

This week I was so lucky to witness my cousin getting married!! At the luncheon, it was so sweet to hear her siblings talk so lovingly of her. One thing that rang true from all of them is how happy Dannielle always is! She finds the silver lining in all situations. It was such a good reminder for me to look for the best. Sometimes it is so hard to remember that REALLY we have it GOOD!!

For example- on our way home from Salt Lake- it was just me and Hayden for the last two hours and this poor kid had absolutely had it with traveling (Delta, Marbleton Wy, back to Delta, then Cedar, then back to Delta then Salt Lake then home- all in one week!) She really had done pretty good- but by the time we hit Parawan on our way home Wednesday night- she was DONE! Anybody who knows us knows that we have a very expressive little one! When she is happy- she is SSOOO happy; but when she is mad- WATCH OUT!!! My little Millie has the most piercing, shrill, scream I have ever heard. Well this was a time when she really let me know that she was NOT happy! I tried handing her teddy grahams- failed. I handed her books- failed- I handed her old fries from earlier- failed. Now, there are only so many things you can do for a kid while driving. Singing didn't work- pleading with her to just hang in there for a few more minutes didn't work. So- I cranked my right arm around to put my palm against her cheek. BINGO!!! The only problem with this scenario is that every time I would try to give my arm a break- she resumed her unhappy scream!! So- are ya ready for the silver lining?? How freaking awesome is it that this little human being loved me touching her cheek so much that nothing else would settle her! Over the next twenty minutes of the drive my arm went numb and I was sure that I was going to need my shoulder replaced but I could not have been happy. My baby loves me THAT much! I would have kept my arm there for DAYS if it would make her happy! In that moment I thought back about all the times that I have gotten so frustrated with her because it seems that everyone else's babies are content and happy when mine gets cranky so much. I had to tell myself- Megan, really, you do not have it THAT bad!! She is healthy, she is spunky and so full of life! How could I trade that for ANYTHING else in the whole entire world??!! I am so completely in love with my life- I love it when we have an extra $10- this spare tire around my waist drives me nuts- my front driver side fender is crunched in as a result of the last snow storm and an un-expecting reflector pole- we are so ready to be done with school- and life in general keeps us on our toes- however, we are so completely blessed to be where we are right now! We have a roof over our heads- a wonderful gospel to rely on- a bEaUtIfUl little girl and a love between husband and wife that can't be matched (at least in my eyes)- seriously- what can be better than that!???? The silver lining is beautiful- we just need to keeping looking for it!

Salt Lake Temple grounds

Playing with Grandma and Grandpa

This is for Cic- here are the curtains I made last weekend- picture via ipod so its not great quality!

May-

2011-05-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a little catch up over the last month!! I have been slacking the blogging for a few weeks!!! Lots of pics!!

Hugs from her pup!

This is how we roll at our dinner table!! Check out her bib- they are the best!!!! They cover EVERYTHING!!! I got two of them from Ikea for like $3!!!

We finally got her little wading pool set up and she thought she needed to crawl in with her clothes on and her dad let her!!

So we get her swim suit on her and put her in it and she wanted OUT!!!!

Love our summer sundresses!!

I went in to check on her before bed the other night and this is what I found- the full moon!!! Ha ha

No worries- got one bink for the mouth and one for the hand! Can't get much better than that riding in the car!

Happy Mother's Day!!!! This is a little late but we stopped through Delta on our way back from Wyoming on Mother's Day so that we could say hi to the moms that mean so much to us!

I feel so incredibly lucky to be a mom to this little rugrat!! I love her so much!

Now the Wyoming getaway!!!

A few weeks ago, we decided to finally take a weekend and go visit Chelise and Ronnie! Despite having a cranky, whiny, teething kid- we had a great time! Chelise is a marvelous hostess and Ronnie makes a great tour guide! Here are some pics of our time there...

This was about the only time she smiled the whole weekend.... see how close that top left tooth is to popping through!

Pull Brod pull!!!!

These are the delicious strawberry drinks that Chelise made for us! YUM!!

Cute lil turd!!!

Sunshine!!!

2011-04-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

Again- I really can't believe she is a year old!!!

To celebrate- again- I took her out to a pretty little clearing with some spring wild flowers and snapped some pics! I should have probably waited until Colby could have gone with me because she wasn't too happy about the whole situation. We stayed for a total of ten minutes because she had had ENOUGH!!! But I think we got some kinda cute ones!!!

(Despite the fact that she wouldn't smile!)

"Mom- seriously!! I don't like this!!"

I have to say- I know I'm biased but- her lips are so gorgeous!!

The only time she was happy was when she picked the flower- ha ha!!

I love all the different baby shoes!!! Even though she can't really maneuver in these- I still love them!!

Things she is doing at ONE!!!

She has walked a total of 10 steps by herself but she's definitely not WALKING yet!

She is eating EVERYTHING!

She just cut her third tooth yesterday- the top right one-

She gives Charlie hugs-

Instead of giving high fives- she likes to touch pointer fingers.

Her hair is constantly in her eyes when I don't have it pulled back.

She pulls everything out of her cupboard- the one with all of her dishes, bottles, and food.

She loves books.

We have been struggling with a sore bum for weeks now- it comes on fast when we have fed her green food like her beloved green beans.

She'll drink from a sippy cup if it's chocolate milk-

She still scrunches her nose and breathes really fast- I need to video it! It's so funny!

She is definitely a Daddy's girl.

There is so much more that I think about- then I can't remember them when I sit down to blog- I need to start writing them down RIGHT when I think of them!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

It was a little weird having Easter so late this year- so she didn't even have an Easter within her first year! It's so fun having a little one to celebrate with!

Colby made smoothies yesterday and she LOVED them!!!

Here's the evidence....

Sportin her new shades!

Love her cute lil Easter dress!

Her dad put the floppy hat on wrong so she kinda resembles Gilligan in this pic!

Now Charlie gets to sport the floppy hat!

It's so hard not to go overboard for every holiday!! Especially when there are so many cute things out there!

Happy Easter to all!

oNe.

2011-04-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Wait what???

Will you please repeat that?? ONE??!!

YES it's true! This year FLEW by! We decided to celebrate..

.....with cupcakes....

....and cake....

{the crazy fool didn't want to eat it}

{so dad helped her}

...and presents....

{can you see her feet going so fast?}

....and family....

{more family}

{and more family}

[get out of my face mom]

and there is Kys- cute frostinged face!

yes frostinged is in MY dictionary

Then we ventured out into the back yard to visit the other birthday girl!

story- read here.

Whew- I need a drink Dad!

and it was a day. quite a day. oh the things i would do for this lil girl!

Spring- please come so we can play outside??!!

2011-04-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Yeah I'm a little late on the whole "11 months" post seeing how my munchkin will be 1 YEAR old next weekend! CRAZY!! We are having so much fun with her spunky lil attitude!

Things she can do at 11 Months:

*motors around the furniture

~throws temper tantrums! haha

*opens EVERY cupboard she can

~she runs (crawls) really fast away from me

*loves her big people food! All of it- we haven't found anything she doesn't love

~she is obsessed with animals! She loves the horses at my mom and dad's- any dog- and she really wanted to pet the full-body mount of the giant grizzly in Ace

*she jabber jabber jabbers constantly! I swear she thinks she is telling the greatest stories!

~she is so independent- she loves to just play by herself- especially outside- she cries when we try to bring her back inside because her hands are cold and her nose is dripping (ew)!

*she loves balls- she plays her kind of soccer with her hands- she'll swat it away and chase after it

~she loves having AT LEAST 3 binkies in her crib- one for the mouth and one for each hand- just so she can swap them out every now and again- after she wakes up in the morning or after her nap she throws them all out!

*as of this week- she is officially on whole milk all the time- i had been mixing it with the breastmilk to get her used to it- but she took right to it!

~we have loved the time change because she will still go to be around 8 but she sleeps till somewhere between 8 and 9! She is still taking two naps (thank goodness)

----------------------

One of mine and Colby's favorite things to do before we go to bed is we go check on her and see what crazy position she has fallen asleep in- this one was last night!

She is the QUEEN of crazy hairdos!

Last week while I was at work, I called to check on my two favorite people and Colby told me it was an especially rough night- she was MAD! This is a pic he snapped that depicts her attitude! I think its HILARIOUS!!

Oh the bink- what would we do without it!

Oh my- I love this lil lady!

weekend warriors

2011-03-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

Well- this last weekend- we took that loved-but-hated trip HOME! Loved because we love going and spending time with family and hated because it is 2 hours away- i know i know- two hours really isn't that big of a deal- but it kind of gets to be a big deal once you put and dog in the mix- and then to top it off- a kid! We load up the lil ole Cobalt clear to the brim- with everything but the kitchen sink and take the desolate highway to D-town!

Here are the kids watching Princess and The Frog on the way there.....

Grandma Cyn and baby Shayda....

Dylan and grandpa love to watch The Incredibles together! Two peas in a pod.....

These two play so good together....

the girls getting the food ready after the blessing.

{I can't believe I didn't snag a picture of the star of the weekend- Brooklyn}

Aunt Karlee and Brody!!

We had a great weekend and hate it when Sunday afternoon comes around and we have to head back to Cedar!
All tuckered out on our way home---they both crashed!

Random pic of Charlie---- she's a pretty tall puppy!

So- one day- we were starting to wonder because she had been asleep for over 2 1/2 hours- I sent Colby in to wake her up and this is how he found her......... no wonder she was sleeping so good!! haha

Mohawk!!!

......just a pretty picture of the St. George sunrise.

*Randomness~

2011-03-02T00:07:00.001-08:00

We haven't been up to much lately! Just keeping busy with Colby's school and my work-

Millie is really starting to be quite mobile! She is getting up and around everything now! She'll push her little bike for a few steps but she still isn't very coordinated with the whole walking motions! But she loves pushing and pulling the barstools around!

I find her in the most random poses!

She loves her bathtime!!!

*Hey look- there is a pretty cute girl in there!*

*I think I'll give that cute girl a kiss!!!*

Little did I know that this little stinker is peeing in her towel!!! AAHHHH

So I had the camera all ready for her first try of a lime!! Lo and behold- this lil critter LOVED them!! Ha ha! No sour face at all:-( I was kinda hoping for one!! Colby even said that that lime was kinda a tart one!

Check out the hair after a long day of church!!

This is the lil dress I made her! I think it turned out A-okay!!! ha ha!!

*AHHHH- Let's just relax Charlie!*

CRAZY eyes!!!

*Hey Dad- I think I'll chill right here and watch some TV with ya!*

~~ tEn MoNtHs ~~

2011-02-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

I seriously cannot believe that she is ten months old!! I am totally loving her! We have been so lucky to not have to deal with major sickness or problems- she has had a little bit of a runny nose and she has been cranky for a few days but other than that she is a happy healthy little angel!

10 Month Stats

Weight 18 1/2 lbs- 26th Percentile

Height 28 1/4 Inches- 55th Percentile

Things she can do at 10 months!

She is totally motoring around the house EVERYWHERE!! She can really cruise on those hands and knees!

She is pulling up to things*

She is little miss jAbBeR jaws~

She tries to escape everytime we change her butt!

Still no signs of any teeth in the forseeable future- I'm totally okay with that-

She has learned how to put her tongue in the way of the spoon to COMPLETELY refuse her food*

She LOVES icecream~ even Uncle Brad with his cowboy hat and mustache can win her over with a little icecream!

She is very very ticklish- especially on her collar bones!

Her and Charlie like to touch noses through the glass on the french doors while Charlie is outside.

She combs her fingers through my hair while I'm feeding her her bottle-

There is so much more that she does I just can't think of any more right now- but of course- they will come to me right when I hit post!

I hEaRt Heart Day

2011-02-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

I love Valentines Day~ even more this year since I am SSOOO in lOvE with this little sweet thing!

OOHH OOHH AAHH AHH!! My little mOnKeY Millie!!

We spent our Valentines Day a little unconventially this year~ good babysitters are few and far between- especially when there aren't any Grandma's in town!! So we toted our little Valentine to NINJA'S for a little Japanese food! She loved watching the fire and tried her best to poke her eyes out with the chopsticks*

Hayden and Dad all ready for DATE NIGHT!!

Love the grin......and the messy hair!!

Crawling butts drive me nuts!

Hey Charlie- let me check your teeth!!!

Momma- I need it to be summer so I can go out to THAT forbidden territory.

Dad- I'm stuck- why are you laughing at me???

Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Valentines Day!

Embrace the Opposition!

2011-02-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

We are now on day #2 of having FROZEN pipes in our bathrooms! We have full-functioning-faucets in our kitchen and the washing machine works-but, we have to fill up the back of the toilet with water using big bowls before we are able to go to the bathroom and flush the toilet! It's definately not your ideal situation- just imagine- you have to pee sooooo bad but first you have to fill up the bowls- running water and a full bladder don't mix! Ha ha

We are hoping that the situation gets resolved SOON!! We are starting to stink! ha ha! No showers for us yesterday! Hayden is lucky she still fits in the sink (kinda)!

So- please- no one come visit cause our house is a wreck, the heater is cranked, and we smell homeless!

Amidst the chaos of a home in shambles- there is peace- nothing is better than having a sleeping baby on your chest! I don't do this often because I don't want to create bad habits and I don't have a cuddly baby; but, I cherish every moment when we do this!

It is so very amazing how I have spent a small fortune on baby items/toys to keep her entertained and she gets the MOST entertainment out of cords! She loves them- this particular one she played with for a good 45 minutes!

Oh how I love her long eyelashes!
The other day we had a pajama day- yes I am guilty of staying in mine a lot of the time but I USUALLY get her dressed at least! But, the other day- we both sported the jammies and crazy hair all day long! I love this gummy grin!!

sAn FrAn!!!!!

2011-01-31T12:14:00.001-08:00

Yes- Megan went on a VACATION for once in her life!! I mean- it's not like I haven't had a great life- I went to every singe rodeo arena in the state of Utah and have gone to Lagoon and Seven Peaks a lot!! Colby and I went to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole for our honeymoon which was so relaxing and fun! Then there was my attempted trip to Paraguay-

But it has been a long time since I have attempted to go somewhere! So when Mish told me that her and a bunch of friends were going to San Francisco- I totally invited myself!!! Luckily Mish is a gracious and accepting human being with the attitude 'the more the merrier'! Ten of us girls decided to take this adventure!

So we left bright and early on a Thursday morning!

That day we didn't have a whole lot on our agenda besides just getting there, checking in, and eating some good food! Ha ha-

So we arrived to San Fran and rode the BART system to Union Square where our hotel was and we got checked in and headed to Blondies to get a slice of pizza. Little did we know- poor Kim had been pick-pocketed at the Hotel! The stupid criminal went straight to Barney's (after a change of clothes) and tried to charge $2000 in gift cards there along with his female accomplice! The staff at Barney's rejected their attempts because the stupid lady wouldn't take the card or ID out of the wallet- she said the wallet was 'childproof' so she couldn't- how ridiculous is that??? So- we spen the afternoon in the slums of San Fran at the Tenderloin Police Station- I can't believe I didn't get a pic of the sign! Lo and behold- the cops said that they ultimately couldn't do anything about it even though Barney's had the guy on serveillance!

We spent the rest of that evening wandering around Peir 39 and ate us some scrumptious Island food!

Friday- we woke started off the morning by riding the F-Line down by the Peir and hopped on the good ole SEGWAYS for a tour of the city!! They were 'pee your pants fun' (as Misha would say)! After that, we roamed around Ghiradelli Square and saw how all of the lucious chocolate is made and we ate lunch at a quaint little pub! Our journey next took us through little Italy until we hit China Town- can I say- I didn't think it would be all that China-ish- but WOW!! Chinese people EVERYWHERE!! Some of the ladies ran into some elders there and one was from Bejing China and he barely spoke any English because literally everyone there was Chinese so he didn't have to learn much English!! We finished off the night eating Tia food!

Saturday started off by once again taking the F-Line down by the Peir to catch the ferry to ALCATRAZ!!! Misha had a private tour set up for us with Walter- oh Walter! He definately liked being with 8 ladies! He ended up taking us on like a six hour tour! We took the first ferry out and the last ferry back! We went into every little nook and cranny of Alcatraz! It was SSOOO interesting!

After Alcatraz, we ate clam chowder at the Peir and went through the psycadelic mirror maze! That night we went and ate some crazy Indian food! I have never had food so spicey!!!! It was great for me to try it- but I don't think I'll be craving is any time soon!

Sunday was filled with brunch at the Cheesecake Factory and some shopping!! Then our journey had to come to an end- a couple of the girls ran into one of the actors from Lost at the airport! Crazy- they got pictures of it but I didn't! Apparently it was the nerdy looking bad guy- I didn't watch Lost so I don't know the characters!

Now for the onslaught of pictures! I took over 200 so it was hard to narrow down to even this many!

I am still breastfeeding so I had my dang pump with me the whole time and I felt like I fit in with this fountain mermaid at Ghiradelli Square! It totally looks like she is nursing- haha!!

Beautiful scenery from Alcatraz!

One of the intersections in downtown San Fran- I thought it was very elegant looking amidst the grundge!

Fun in the mirror maz!

China Town~

I love how the lamp posts in little Italy and China town distinguish the territory!

Any one who REALLY knows me knows that I am in love with cupcakes!!! These onse from this little shop were delectable!!!

And another cupcake shop filled to the brim with yummy cupcakes!

It's all in a name! I saw this and just had to have a picture with it!

Poor Kim talking with the police at the Tenderloin Police Station!

All ten of us in the elevator at the hotel getting ready to check into our rooms!

Me, Mish, Raelee, and Jody at the top of the lighthouse on Alcatraz! It was a beautiful view!

Little did we know- Kim's wallet had been stolen just minutes prior to this pic! She is the one looking at her phone- see her bag hanging off her hip!!

Me on the roof of the prison- the Golden Gate Bridge in the background-

Did you know that they constantly have a crew painting that red??? They start at one end and by the time they make it to the other end it's time to start all over again!

We called ourselves the Utah Seven!! Woot Woot!!! Jody, Tara and Tina sure missed out!

The hospital wing at Alcatraz

More sights of Alcatraz!

9 Months--- WHAT????

2011-01-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

Hayden is 9 MONTHS OLD!!!! It is so crazy! I really cannot believe how fast these last 9 months have gone- definately alot faster than the previous 9!!! She is so much fun and so challenging all at the same time!! We love her so much! I haven't taken her to the doc to get her 9 months stats- I have an appointment for Feb- so we'll see then!

9 Month Facts about Hayden:

She can finally crawl- (as of today)!!!

She started getting herself to the sitting position all alone about 3 weeks ago.

I think she is understanding the word NO!

She spent 4 days straight with dad and no mom! They both did great!

She fake coughs-

She loves to clap!

I have started doing Independent Playtime in the Pac-n-Play- she will only do about 10 minutes by herself right now- we're hoping to get that increased to at least 1/2 hour!

She does a wierd little breathing thing where she scruntches her nose and breaths hard and fast- with her puckered lips and scruntched nose she looks so funny-

She will sit there and just rock back and forth on her rocking horse and she just smiles!

She's super happy- except when she's not! Ha ha! Does that make sense?? It's either super happy or super ornery!

She is on a SOLIDS strike- even her beloved green beans she'll only take a few bits!

She loves cords- the computer cord- phone chargers- her DVD player charger- anything that she can wrap herself up in and worry mom a little more!

Her dad finally discontinued the swaddle sack=-) He went cold turkey one night while I was at work- she did better than we thought she would-

She goes 12-12 1/2 hours at night with no feedings!

If she does wake up, we just reinsert the bink she can't find on her own.

She's on a solid 4 hour schedule: (This is more for me to look back for future reference)

Wakes up between 7:45 and 8:30

Bottle right when she wakes up (around 5 oz)

Breakfast (Fruit &/or Oatmeal) about 15 min after the milk.

Get dressed

Independent playtime

Play with mom-

Watch her lil movie!

Nap time @ 10

Wakes up between 11:30 and12

Bottle-

Solids (Usually a veggie)

Free play

Nap @ 2:30

Wake up around 4

Bottle then Snack

Run errands or help mom cook.

Dinner @ 6 (a veggie and some of mom and dad's food mashed up)

Play

Watch movie

7:15 Bathtime!

Story time-

Bottle @7:45

8 O'clock bed time!

---------------

She loves playing with her dad!

She got ahold of a pen!!!

My little kitty!! haha
CRAWLING!!!

Kodak Moments!

2011-01-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Oh how I wish that I had a Canon Rebel or Nikon D- something built into my eyes!!! I swear there are so many moments as a mom that I would NEVER be able to catch a shot of! One reason I'd never be able to get these candid moments is because Hayden always seems to pull the same gaping mouth face everytime I bring the camera out!!! I try to get her to smile and she just stares!! Some things I know I'd never be able to capture: at a certain angle her eyelashes look like they are AT LEAST a mile long! Just before she falls asleep her eyes start to roll back in her head- then once she's asleep she has the most serene look on her face! Then there is the poop face- she grunts and strains and you know there will be a present when her bum gets changed! There are many more moments than these- I am constantly thinking- oh how I wish I could have just gotten a picture of that!
Here are a few of my candid camera moments!

She carried this headband around in her mouth for at least 20 min.

Oh how the decor of the home changes when you put a kid in the mix! We never are able to keep it clean! Ha ha!

Just hangin out!!! (Check out the left over sweet potatoes on her nose!)

Talk about candid moments!! I didn't have a onesie on her the other day- she was sitting on my lap and she leaned forward! I couldn't help but laugh!
(and yes I have a stupid Kodak that takes the worst pics EVER)

I'm headed to San Fran this week! First time away from the babe for more than a day!! So sad--- haha- but it'll be good!

New Year- New Goals-

2011-01-06T01:27:00.000-08:00

Every January I tell myself that this is MY year to get skinny!!! Of course, that would be nice. However, this year I have a more realistic outlook on my resolutions- I would like to lose this inner tube that has been strapped around my midsection for WAY too long! But I realize that between the combination of genetics, habits, and lifestyle, my dream of having those toned tanned six pack abs will remain a dream forever more! Looking like a Victoria's Secret super model is definately NOT a high priority for this year! This realization has helped to relieve so much stress and self ridicule! Now I'm not saying that I am going to totally let myself go- I am just simply not going to let my poor self image affect me the way it has in years passed!
I am going to look at every stretch mark and think of every little smile that my little angel has given me over the last nine months- I am sure that those gummy grins way out number those red streaks lining my abdomen. AND all of the fun mile stones like rolling over, eating solids, and clapping her hands are so worth the layer of adipose tissue beneath my belly button. Even though my body does not look like Heidi Klum's or Brooke Burke's 9 months out- I am going to try my best to embrace the body I have because it was a price that I had to pay to get the best thing that has happened to me- my daughter- guess what------ she was sssooooo worth it!
Therefore, this year- my resolution does not revolve around MY body- I pledge this year to try my hardest to be the best wife and mother that I am humanly capable of! Colby and Millie are THE most important things in my life and I owe the two of them my every ounce of try-
So- 2011 will be chuck full of learning for me! I will try my hardest to seek opportunities of growth within our little family unit- I hope to not become my usual selfish self along the way so I may need some friendly reminders!! Hint hint!
Here's to 2011- may this year be the best year yet!!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

We, as always, had a fabulous Christmas and was spoiled by all of our wonderful family members!!!

Millie got WAAAYYY to much stuff for an 8 month old!!! She got so much that we weren't even able to fit it into the car to get home-

She did better than I thought with her first encounter with Santa- she stared at him- then pulled his beard- then started to cry! Ha ha- it was so cute!
Here are the two little cousins riding their twinner ponies!! They actually do pretty good at balancing- Brody also has a fabulous dismount!

All the Bliss cousins- you can tell the ones who really didn't want to go back to Santa- their parents had to escort them!

Hayden meeting her new little cousin Shayda! She is SSOOOO pretty and has so much dark hair!

On Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Cox's house we took advantage of the situation to get a four generation photo- (ignore my lack of makeup and wet hair! I had just gotten my hair done and eyebrows waxed!)

We hope everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

My Dilinquent

2010-12-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

Quick post-
So we arrived to Delta this afternoon and ran over to my bro's house to see thier adorable new addition- Shayda Mae Moody- SSSOOOO cute. I cannot believe how small she is. She made Hayden look like a lil giant!!!
Then my fab mother-in-law made us some dinner so we hung out there for a bit-
Then we headed over to my parents where we are staying this week. I had Hayden on my lap and she was busy playing with the phone (hey- whatever entertains her right???) The phone then rings and my sister Maisa answers-
This is the conversation:

Maisa: Hello?

Other: Is this 435-864-4322?

Maisa: Yes it is.

Other: We just had someone from this number call 911 and hang up.

Maisa: Are you serious? (with a little chuckle)

Other: It is not funny mam. (very seriously)

Maisa: Oh sorry- my neice was playing with the phone!

Other: We will be sending a deputy by the location to check on the situation.

Maisa: Okay thank you!

Forty-five minutes later a deputy shows up at the house........ my dad apologizes for the inconvenience and assures him that everything is okay! Then he asks.... have you ever had one call that is this young??? The Deputy said that it is definately a first!
Ha ha-----so embarrassing and funny at the same time! We are hoping that run ins with the cops do not become a regular occurance in her life!

Catch Up!!!

2010-12-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

We really haven't been up to much lately- workin- finals are over FINALLY!!!! Colby gets to relax his brain for a few weeks! We went to Delta for Thanksgiving (of course). We ate lots of great food and saw so many great family members! We are excited to go up for Christmas this next week! Boy how time flies!

Here are a ton of pics from the last month or so! I am awful about getting them from my camera to my computer so I have to just do a bunch at once!

I think she gets her crazy hair from her mama!

Here is a pic of everyone at the Bliss Thanksgiving! Nikki is such a wonderful cook- and made WAY too much fabulous food!

Playin with Grama Cyn after a long Thanksgiving day!

Last month we celebrated Charlie's first birthday and, of course, Colby came home with some presents for her. She was so excited! After way too many treats, she decided she didn't care for her actual food we are still struggling to get her to eat it!

I really should video these interactions- but I'll just narrate some pictures instead-

Hayden rolls over to where Charlie is playing with her toys.......

Hayden thinks she can just take the toy and play with is for a few minutes.........

Charlie begs to differ.......

After ten seconds or so, and Charlie looking to see if I was going to interevene... she decides to take manners into her own paws and reclaim her beloved toy (ever so gently)!! Ha hahahaha-

Week 6 Favorite super hero and why----

2010-12-15T23:41:00.000-08:00

How could I not say that this man is my super hero???? He died for me and payed for every wrong doing for me!! He literally has SAVED me! I am so very grateful for my Savior and the example he set for me! I am so grateful for this time of year to remember his life!!!

Then there is this man and little girl!!! They are my living super heros!! Colby is such a wonderful dad! He is ssoooo incredibly good with Hayden- not many women can say that their husbands do an equal- if not more- child care than her! If it wasn't for him- I would be a walking zombie! Thank you honey for all of your help- I would be a wreck without you!!!

Aren't I the luckiest person ever????!!!!

A Place Where I have Been.....

2010-12-02T07:10:00.000-08:00

This is Buenos Aires Argentina

I really do wish that I could say that the reason we went to and stayed in Buenos Aires was because we decided to go on a glamorous ski trip and stay in a gorgeous 5 star hotel. NOPE!!!! This was the instigator for a deep FEAR to travel in Colby and I (more so Colby I still want to travel I just don't have the money to do so). ANYWAYS-----for our year anniversary, I REALLY wanted to be able to go to Paraguay (where Colby served his mission). He had only been home for just over a year so the language and people were still so fresh in his mind----and oh how he missed them. So, I booked us tickets. We laid down a cool $2400 in airfare (which we had scrimped and saved for that whole first year)! No- we really couldn't afford it. However, I knew that if we didn't do it then- we never would! We boarded the plane with knots in our stomachs and started our adventure! When we got to Argentina we went to check in to board the flight to go to Paraguay and the person checking our passports told Colby in spanish that he was able to go but I wasn't because I didn't have a visa- we then ran around Buenos Aires for two days getting my visa from the Paraguayan embassy (which was a RAT race). That Friday- we went back to the airport to FINALLY go to Paraguay and the checker looked at our passports and told Colby in spanish that I could go but he couldn't- lo and behold- his visa had been dated wrong but the first checker never noticed!!!!!!

At that point in our trip- we were so exhausted that we decided to just head home. Had we decided to go get his visa- we would have had to wait till at least the next Monday to get it and we were headed home on Tuesday. So we boarded a crammed flight back to the US.

Needless to say- amidst the chaos- there was a ray of light- the Buenos Aires Temple is really close to the airport to we got to drive past it a few times- I wish we would have just stopped and gone through it!

So there ya go- I haven't been many places in my life but I do have stories! Hopefully someday we will make it to Paraguay!

A Habit I Wish I Didn't Have!

2010-11-27T09:07:00.001-08:00

Week #4 I am suppose to talk about a habit I wish I didn't have-

My habit is

DELICIOUS

*
*
*
*
DeLeCtAbLe

<
>
<
>
<
SCRUMPTOUS

~
~
~
~
~
~

dEvInE

mind blowing

Did I say DEVINE????

-
-

What is this habit????

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~
~
~
~
BAKED GOODS FILLED WITH YUMMY CARBS!!!!!!

You may ask why this is a BAD habit- if you just look at the innertube around my belly you would understand COMPLETELY!!! I CRAVE these on a daily basis and I am married to a man who doesn't help me eat what I bake! He may have one or two but his type of snack is a freakin carrot or a cucumber------COME ON!!!!!! What is up with that!??!?!?

As of right now- I cannot kick this habit- I wish they would come out with a CARB patch (kind of like a nicotine patch). Maybe then my cravings would subside!!!

So, toodles until next time!!!

ps. hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving!!!!

Family Pics (Finally!)

2010-11-23T03:28:00.000-08:00

Family pictures!!! How do you narrow them down!!! And this isn't even all of them!!!! LOOVVVEE them!!! So you get to look at a mILliOn!!! Do I not have THE most GORGEOUS daughter and the HOTTEST husband ever!!!! I seriously am SSSOOOO lucky! My life is perfect (minus the million dollars I know is waiting for me somewhere)!!! Enjoy the pics!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Friends* fRiEnDs* Friends

2010-11-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

So this is Week #3's post- it asked to post 'a picture of you and your friends.'

I had every intention of going through all of my printed photo's (from before the days of digital) and getting those priceless moments from yesteryears!! However, my ambitious intentions never came about!! Therefore, I am posting pictures that I have since 2006 (when I got my first digital camera)!

I have been SSSOOOOO very blessed in my life to have been surrounded by so many wonderful friends who have helped me shape my life- I am SSSOOOOO incredibly happy and that happiness has so much to do with the friends that I have met along the way!

This is McKet and I (taken last Feb when we were both expecting).

I met McKet my freshman year of highschool at one of my fall high school rodeos. We clicked IMMEDIATELY and have remained such good friends!!! We made our rodeo experiences the absolute BEST!! Her little boy was born just two weeks before Hayden. It is crazy the similarities we have had in our lives! I love and miss seeing her every single weekend!
(Feb 2010)

Then there are these girls!!!! WOW- I have probably never laughed so hard in my entire life as I have with Carolyn and Karen. When we were suppose to be listening during Med/Surg and our other nursing classes, we were busy laughing and talking! We still try to go to lunch every month- if possible!!

(May 2009)

And Allie- she was my first friend when I moved to Cedar knowing hardly anyone! She took me under her wing and showed me the ropes at Valley View! I wish that we got to see each other more than we do!
(Spring 2007)

My sista from another mista!!! Oh Mish- my favorite roomie!!! I owe so much to her! Right out of high school I moved in with her and her three kiddos while her hubby was in Iraq- we are kindred spirits! Ha ha! I really cannot even explain how grateful I am for her!
(Spring 2006)

This is, by far, my oldest friendship! Bree and I met in third grade- we grew up 'across the field' from each other. We have so many amazing adventures together!

(Dec 2006)

And now.......my absolute BESTEST friend! My wonderful hubby! I definately married my best friend and I am SSOOOO incredibly lucky to have him!

I have many more friends than these (I know- I'm lucky). These are just the pics that I could find right now on my computer! So to all of my friends- past and present- THANK YOU for all of the good times!!! My life is and has been so full of such wonderful people!

What's in a name????

2010-11-10T03:34:00.000-08:00

So---- for my WEEK #2- it asks the meaning behind my blog name????

4 words

My family members' names-

BORING!!!!!

There fore, I will post about something BETTER!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!!!!!

I cannot believe that she is ALREADY a year old! We were lucky enough to bring her home in February- it has been wonderful having her with us for these past 9 months! She is such an incredible dog and SOOOOO good with Hayden!

So how did we get her name????

Well we were thinking Molly or Lilly or something like that- then when we went to pick her up, we asked the little nine year old girl (the daughter of her original owner) what she had been calling her- she said "Charlie- like that youtube video 'Charlie- you bit my finger!"

(in that cute lil british accent)

We couldn't resist keeping her name just as they had it!!!

(Here is Charlie in the photo from the ad that we looked at before getting her!)

So irresistable!

And---- here is me and Charlie on my birthday in March- I was miserable from being WAY to pregnant- she was always there to comfort and cuddle with me!

This is just a few weeks ago~ my how she has grown!!!!

105 lbs 28 inches tall (when on all fours)

(She was helping us study our Statistics)

Of course- she and Hayden are best friends! I have posted pics of that in the past!

Thanks Charlie for coming into our lives- we love you and look forward to many more years with you sleeping in our bed!!! Hahahahaha (not my idea- it was Colby's fault)

-~HaPpY hAuNtInG~-

2010-11-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun for Halloween this year with our lil munchkin! She was the cutest little 'Delta Rabbit' (as grandpa Pace put it)! We were able to go see all of the grandma's and grandpa's , including the GREATS!!!!
We are so lucky to have so many loving family members!

In this first picture- my original idea was to carve out the pumpkin and put her down inside and have the green lil bow be like the stem- so we got the biggest pumpkin we could find and carved it out and Colby went to stuff her in it and she wouldn't fit! Ha ha- she's growing like a weed!

I am skipping this week's post because of the Halloween one! I'll resume next week when there is nothing going on!!!

Week oNe!!!

2010-10-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

....if you are confused about this title- see previous post.....

This picture was just taken last week- I don't like to get behind the camera much. I'd much rather take pictures of that CUTE lil girl next to me! However, I was doing my blog stalking and read one blogger say-

"Do you have pictures of yourself, with your little people? In this day and age of the "momarazzi," may of us are always behind the lens....rather in front of it. Some of you feel much more comfy behind the lens, and I get that. Look, you think I want pictures of myself in the same velour jogging suit for the 3rd day in a row? How many of you LOVE looking at pictures of your parents, when they were young{er}? I'm raising my hand! Sadly, I don't have a lot of pictures with me and my mom from when I was younger. I am off to change this for my kids. I want them to have an abundance of pictures....to remind them of these days that we spent at home together. The days may seem to drag...but honestly, the years fly." - theandersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com

Amen to everything she said! I love looking at pictures of when my parents were my age, starting their family! I hate seeing every little zit I have or fat roll or hair out of place, ect..... the list goes on of imperfections that I notice that I'm sure others could care less about! So, hand over the camera and let someone take a picture of you with or without your little ones!

15 Interesting Facts About Me

I was scared to death to become a mom.
I absolutely LOVE being a mom.
I love my dishes to be organized in the cupboards (wierd right??)
One of my favorite things in the world is a clean house- but I am so not a neat freak!
I love being a nurse- (I just wish it were part-time :( )
I sometimes resent hunting season- it steals my hubby away!!!
I love the joy that hunting season brings to my man! (Catch 22)
I miss my horses! Wish I could ride more often!
I love to sew!! Ha ha!
I think I may be addicted to school :( But I love my life when I'm not in school!
This one is obvious- my little girl is the absolute joy of my life!
I have a hard time choking down veggies-
I never really cared to eat icecream much until I gave birth- now it calls to me!
I think there should be more hours in a day- that would = more sleep and time slowing down (my baby is growing to fast).
I am SUPER defensive! (Ask Colb- he'll tell ya!)

Well, there ya go! A little about me! I'm sure I'll think of other- better- things that I should have put later but- oh well- I'm comitted- in 2 seconds I'm going to hit PUBLISH POST!!!

Big Undertaking!!!

2010-10-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

So, while I was blog stalking today- I saw that several of my fellow casual bloggers were doing this 'challenge.' I need something to keep me motivated and to give me ideas on what to blog about since I am not a creative thinker at all!
This little 'challenge' asks you to post every single day for 30 days- well, I am going to tweak that a little and do it WEEKLY!!! That doesn't sound as overwhelming to me as DAILY- and that way I can still post little updates and tidbits throughout the other days! So here is my little schedule that I copyed from a fellow blogger- however, turn mine into Week 1, Week 2, ect......

I'll start today- maybe tomorrow- depending on how much energy I have later today!

Day 1 Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself~
Day 2 The meaning behind your blog name*
Day 3 A picture of you and your friends-
Day 4 A habit you wish you didn't have~
Day 5 A picture of somewhere you've been to*
Day 6 Favorite super hero and why-
Day 7 A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you~
Day 8 Short term goals for this month and why*
Day 9 Something you're proud of in the past few days-
Day 10 Songs you listen to when you are happy sad bored hyped mad~
Day 11 Another picture of you and your friends*
Day 12 How you found out about blogger and why you have one-
Day 13 A letter to someone who has hurt you recently~
Day 14 A picture of you and your family*
Day 15 Put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play-
Day 16 Another picture of yourself~
Day 17 Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why*
Day 18 Plans/ dreams/ goals you have-
Day 19 Nicknames you have and why you have them~
Day 20 Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future*
Day 21 A picture of something that makes you happy-
Day 22 What makes you different from everyone else~
Day 23 Something you crave for a lot*
Day 24 A letter to your parents-
Day 25 What would I find in your bag?
Day 26 What do you think about your friends?
Day 27 Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
Day 28 A picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then~
Day 29 In this past month, what have you learned?
Day 30 Your favorite song*

sNaPPeD!!

2010-10-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some random pics I've sNaPPeD over the last little while! I finally uploaded them off my camera!

First attempt at carrots were a HIT!! Although- guess what- she loves the green beans more! Ha!! she can't be my daughter!

Loving her Charlie!

I'm a THUG!! haha- (sorry about the cell pics- my camera on my phone sucks!)

Cuddle time with Dad and Charlie!

She loves to pet Charlie!

I'll post more of these ones soon- we did a little photo shoot in this adorable outfit!!! But- I have to get ready for work now- as much as I would love to stay at home with her!

Where did half a year go???

2010-10-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is getting to be not so much a baby anymore!!! She is 6 months old today- CRAZY!!! I don't have any pics yet but we are getting some done on Wednesday so when I get those back I'll post them! I'm so excited to get them- Therfore, this post will be a boring, picture-less one! I'll get them up soon though- with Halloween and everything coming up I'll have to dust off the ole camera again!

Little Tidbits About Hayden at 6 Months

She is finally eating solids!
She LOVES her green veggies! (She can't be related to her mom)
She can roll over- she just chooses not too~ the lil turd~
She can sit up on her own for a little bit but then she 'topples.' It doesn't seem to bother her much though!
We have a three nap schedule going- her morning one is 2-2 1/2 hours- her aftern noon one is 1 1/3-2 hours- and her early evening one is 45-60 min.
She sleeps from about 8:30 pm-8 am with a feeding at 5am-ish and we are weaning her "dreamfeed" at 10:30.
She still will only drink about 4-5oz at a time- sometimes less-
She LOVES her "movies" Your Baby Can Read- we'll see if they actually work!
We are going through another cranky stage- I've been researching on the internet at it appears she is suffering from a "wonder week" she is about 26 weeks old and that is one of them! So maybe.........
We are SSOOO looking forward to a bunch of firsts- Halloween- Thanksgiving- Christmas!!!

FREE STUFF!!!!

2010-09-24T00:43:00.000-07:00

So I absolutely LOVE free stuff!!! I have a few tips for you few that actually look at this lil blog!!

Go to uddercovers.com and with the promo code: Family2010 you can get a free one of these (you have to pay shipping).

Then

They will automatically direct you to a page that will have a promo code for one of these (mine was my email address).

Tip: You can order as many of the uddercovers as you want to using that promo code- you just can't do them in the same transaction. AND....if you use a different email address each time- you can get multiple sling promo codes (I have three different emails so I did it three different times)!!!

These are fabulous baby gifts for friends or just to keep for yourself! I love my uddercover! Use it all the time!!! And I am so excited to try the sling out when it gets here (although I am VERY VERY fond of my homemade Moby wrap!

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Also----- if you go to this website http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/scrapbook/ you can download a free digital scrapbooking program (where I got the stuff to do my last post- I'm such a novice with it though)!

Have fun with the free stuff! Hurry because these promo codes don't last long!!

5 mONthS!!!!

2010-09-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Where did another month go???? It's so sad~crazy~exciting~and nerve racking all at the same time!!!! Hayden is getting to be so much fun and I love this stage (but I'm sure I'll say that with every stage)!!
Things she is doing now:
~She can FINALLY roll over (only from her belly-to-back)!
*She tries really hard to sit up by herself.
-She sleeps through the night every so often.
~She hates solid food! It's so funny to watch her face!
*She has quite the vocal cords (maybe we have a singer on our hands?)
-Still loving the cute giggles-

~She is still loving her puppy!

Having some tummy time under her play gym!

Well, she pooped in the bath for the first time the other night! It was so gross and hilarious!! She thought it was so funny!

Since Cedar is windy 95% of the time! We resort to an indoor pool! She loves it! We put her in her lil floaty and she puts her arms up and relaxes back! She loves the water!

Bestest Friends!!!

2010-08-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

~It all started when Charlie met Hayden~

{here}

Now, Charlie has officially claimed her as her own!

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Lo and behold- the feelings are reciprocated!

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I had just put her in her 'straight-jacket' AKA swaddler- and LOOK- no screaming!

.....and Charlie moves!

(as does Hayden's focus)

LOVE IT!

My Baby Is ~4~ Months Old!!!

2010-08-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my little Millie turned 4 months old. I cannot believe how fast the last four months have flown by!! Hayden is getting to be so much fun- We absolutely love being her parents.

Things she is doing now:

-She found her HANDS- she sat there looking at them and turning them over and over~

~Charlie is her FAVORITE- the only time she doesn't get MAD while I'm swaddling her is when Charlie is in the room distracting her!

-She has slept through the night twice- I woke up panicked and thought I was going to run in her room and find a blue baby:-(

~She is doing SOOOOOO much better at napping- She takes two two hour naps and a one hour nap in the evening.

-We think the colic is FINALLY gone!!!! WAHOO!

~She gets so smiley and flirty when her daddy is talking to her! She almost acts a little embarrassed! Ha Ha!!

-She isn't rolling over yet :-( maybe soon.

I swear every time I turn around- either her bow or flower is in her eyes!

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gotta love the lil' wedgie!!!

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~i love my lil' girl~

3 1/2 Months Old!!! (Already)

2010-07-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

We cannot believe how time has flown since our little angel came to us! She is so much fun and her little DRAMA QUEEN personality is already showing! I can just imagine in two years being in the middle of the grocery store and having the happiest little girl say, "Mama, can I have some candy?" I say, "Honey, we have some snacks at home and you can have one when we get there! Okay?" Then, the adorable happy little girl immediately transforms into a holy terror with a shrill scream because she is not getting her way!

Seriously, I can see it now! Ha Ha! No, but really- she is the highlight of our lives and we are so grateful to have a healthy and (for the most part) happy girl!

Things she does at 3 1/2 months:

She loves loves loves her fists! She chomps away on them!
She is cooing herself to sleep at night! I go put her to bed and can hear her on the monitor for about ten minutes before she falls asleep.
Her bath is her favorite thing to do during the day! She splashes like crazy.
She will only eat from one bottle nipple. (And of course a cannot find anymore like them ANYWHERE!)
She likes watching The Bachelorette and Wipeout!
She is finally noticing that there is a really BIG dog wandering around her house.
She thinks its really fun to pull my hair!
She bats her eyelashes and wrinkles her nose like a little bunny while she is eating.
She loves sitting up on the couch like a big girl! (1st photo)

All bundled up after her daddy gave her a bath!

The End of an Era:(

2010-07-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Well, the time has come- my 12 weeks are nearly up. In two days, I have to part ways with my little girl and go back to work:( I am going to spend Sunday night bawling my eyes out while trying to remember how to take care of patients! I never thought I would have this hard of a time going back to work. I have been having emotional breakdowns for the past two weeks! My poor husband! I have truely loved being a stay-at-home-mom for these three months- the time since my little Hayden was born has absolutely flown by!

12 Weeks Today! This picture makes her nose look kinda big! Ha Ha

Her very first swim! She is a fish! She loved it!

Blessing Day

2010-06-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we were able to go to my home ward in Deseret and bless our little girl. Colby did such an amazing job on her blessing- I am so lucky to be able to have a husband who can give our family blessings!

Now the story about the dress- I am forgetful and didn't think about getting a blessing dress for her until just a couple weeks before her blessing. My mom was able to find one but then I heard her say how beautiful she thought mine and Maisa's dresses were. So I asked my mom if she would get mine out so I could see it and maybe I'd put Hayden in mine! So we had the two dresses and I could not decide which one to use- it got down to the night before and a few try-ons before we decided. I hope when she is older that she doesn't think that her mom is such a nerd for putting her in my dress. I just kind of like the sentimental value of passing it down to her!

Colby thinks she looks so grumpy in this pic but it shows the whole dress so I had to post it! (At least she's a cute grump!)

Twinners!

2010-06-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

So here is the story- on the day Hayden was born, my parents and in-laws were sitting in the room with us and I asked my mom if Diamond (the horse I rodeoed on all through high school) had had her baby yet. She hadn't and my mom wasn't expecting it any time soon. Diamond normally is way over due when she delivers (like two weeks OUCH). On April 16th, Diamond still had two weeks until her delivery date. Well just two hours after having that conversation, Maisa called and let us know that we had a baby horse! So, this is Hayden's first horse Millie! Most of our families call Hayden, Millie (because it is just so cute). So here we have Millie and Millie on their very first horse ride!

Colby and I went up to Heber on Saturday to watch Maisa in the short-go. It was so rainy! So she got to attend her very first rodeo! She was such a good girl during it! (Thanks Jaime for the pic!)

A Good Three Years

2010-06-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, I was so fortunate enough to marry my best friend! It all started the summer of 2003. At the beginning, neither of us knew the impact that this high school fling would have on our lives. We dated for two years then Colby left on his mission for two years and shortly after that- we decided to take that plunge and be together for time and all eternity! I am so grateful for such a wonderful husband and all that he does for me and I am SOOOO grateful for the beautiful little girl that he gave me!

I woke up this morning to a wonderful breakfast of waffles and bacon! Like I said, I am a lucky gal! Although these last three years have been amazing- I am so excited to see what the next fifty (and more) bring for us! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Colby- I love you!

My Little Sunshine!

2010-06-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hayden is going to be a whopping 8 weeks old tomorrow! She has grown so much in such a little amount of time. From our measurements- she is 23 inches long and somewhere around 11 pounds. She smiles on purpose and is trying so hard to use her cute little voice! She is the best little baby all night and all day; but when evening hits she gets so cranky for a couple hours before bed. She never even cries during the day or at night but from about 7pm till around 9pm we can tell she just doesn’t feel good. Gotta love that stupid colic~
This last Sunday we were able to go to Delta and bless her in my home ward in Deseret. Colby gave such an amazing blessing and she looked so pretty. We had a fun little dinner afterward with a whole slew of family members. We are really blessed to have such great families! I am such a bad mom and forgot to take my camera up to Delta. Thankfully- my wonderful mother-in-law let me use her fabulous new camera to get us some pictures in her dress! So as soon as I get those from her I’ll post them.

She loves her little swing!!

Her eyes looked such a pretty deep blue this morning. I had to get my camera out and try to get the right lighting to really highlight them in a black and whit picture! She's so adorable!

During her cranky time of day- sometimes we go to extreme measures to make her happy! She loves to dangle her head off of our knees! She looks so funny but she loves it so we'll let her; as long as she takes some breaks to redistribute the blood in her body!

Oh How Fast They Grow!

2010-05-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

This is my little chubber cheek girl! I can't believe she is already four weeks old! She's really growing so fast! I love her little personality that she is getting and the funny faces that she pulls. Sorry this is a crappy picture- its from my cell phone!

Colby thinks he's hilarious by letting Charlie babysit!

Since I finally have my own place- for my birthday I had Colby build me these garden boxes so that I could get a little garden planted and not rip up the landscaping in my backyard (even though it isn't the greatest landscape). We planted tomatoes, carrots, red and green and jalepeno peppers, radishes, cucumbers and pickling cucumbers, as well as some lettuce and spinach! We'll see what actually turns out! We're hoping for some good salsa here in a couple months!!

The Start of a Modeling Career!

2010-04-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Newborn Photo Shoot!!!

I know there are alot of pictures here but I just have the hardest time deciding which ones are the cutest! Abbey Kyhl was the photographer- you can visit her website at abbeykyhl.com. She did a wonderful job!

Our little lady is doing great- she has a little squeal that could pierce your ears! Ha Ha! You can definately tell she is a girl! We love her and her little faces that she pulls at us! Isn't she beautiful?! Or am I just a biased mother!? Ha Ha! She has Colby's big lips and olive skin tone- she looks alot like her daddy but she definately got my ears and toes!

First Comes Love~ Then Comes Marriage~ Then Comes The Baby In The Baby Carriage!

2010-04-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

She has finally arrived! Hayden Millie Bliss was born on 1 day before her due date! She kept trickin me into thinking she was coming a little earlier- but she decided to let me wait till the bitter end! Towards the end I thought, for sure, that I would have to be induced.

The Story:
I woke up at 1 o'clock in the morning on Friday with MASSIVE contractions! They were so much worse than my little ones that I had since January. I got out of bed because I figured it was the real thing- and tried to do the dishes and straighten my hair before going to the hospital but Colby ended up finishing the dishes and I got to the point where I did not care how I looked in the slightest!
We showed up at the hospital at 3 and I was dilated to a 5 with a "bulging bag." Luckily the Nurse Anesthetist was already there doing another epidural so I got mine within 45 min. My water broke at 6 and I was at an 8- at about 7:20 I got the go-ahead to start pushing and at 7:37 am my little angel made her arrival!! The cord was around her neck and she wouldn't cry at first but they took her and gave her oxygen and she started to pink up a little better.
All in all~ we had a wonderful experience with the whole delivery process. The nurses and other staff were fabulous to us and we cannot thank our family and friends enough for all the love and support!
She had to be under bili lights the next day and then we got to go home later that evening!
We love her so much and cannot believe that she is finally here!

Dad giving her her very first bath!

Eviction Notice!

2010-04-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

My Dearest Baby Hayden,

Your current eviction date of April 17th, 2010 has been set for the past 38+ weeks. In the past few months, I understand that you have become extrememly comfortable in your current dwelling. Unfortunately, I need to discuss some of the key points of your lease with you.

The 0430 dance parties were not discussed in your lease, and they've been doing damage to the walls (ribs, bladder, stomach).

The blockage of a numerous amount of pipes and the leaking of others has to be put to an end!

Also, as far as adding square footage to the dwelling, we discussed a reasonable addition. You have surpassed that by much more than we discussed.

I have prepared another home for you to reside, so don't let house hunting be the reason you stay. Should your eviction date come and pass, please not that I will use forceful measure measures to remove you. I would like for this transition to be as painless and quick as possible. Please don't make this any harder than it has to be.

Love,
Mommy

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If any of you are private and haven't added me to view your profile my email is blissful61507@yahoo.com. I love to look at everyones' updates!!

I'd like to congratulate Chelise and Ronnie on the birth of their little guy Brody! He is absolutely adorable and has set the 'cute' bar way high for our little one!!!

Our New Addition!! And baby shower~

2010-03-01T20:55:00.001-08:00

No- our little Hayden hasn't made an early debut! Everyone meet Charlie!!! This is our beautiful 14 week old English Mastiff! She moved in last weekend and has made a speedy adjustment- she hasn't had an accident in the house for almost a week and she is such a cuddly dog! She snores, drools, dreams, and is just the funnest puppy ever! We are so happy to welcome her into our family!

Now on to baby shower #1! I want to thank my wonderful family for the great support that they give to me~ They are always there when you need them! As my mother frantically cleaned her house to get ready, Misha was putting the final touches on the baby shower details! They did a fabulous job! It was more than I could have every asked for! And a special thanx to Trish! She drove all the way from Logan and hopped in with the rest of the Cox girls in Spanish Fork and brought all the tools to do the cute little onsies!!!

Thanks to everyone who came and everything that you brought with you and most of all, thanx for the wonderful support! I am very blessed!

Everyone had so much fun making the onsies! Such a good idea!

I think we are set with blankets and burp rags for quite a while!

And here I am- 33 1/2 weeks~ very large and in charge! Notice that the wedding rings won't fit! And yes my shoe selection has greatly decreased as a result of my fat feet! I'll post a pic of them once I get a pedicure! Ha Ha!

After TWO LONG years, McKet and I were finally able to meet up (due to unfortunate circumstances- Taylon in the hospital and one of her family's friends there as well). It is pretty crazy that we are only about a week and a half apart in our due dates!! It was so wonderful to see her and her mom Dana!

31 WEEKS! 9-2-GO!

2010-02-12T01:37:00.000-08:00

I got the baby bedding finished! Our crib arrived yesterday so we need to find time to set it up then I can put the bedding on and take pics and post them! They turned out alright- defintately NOT professional but I'm hoping that the fact that it was cute material will cover up my novice mistakes!
Our maternity pics are up!! Love them- it was fun to be able to get some done finally!!! Abbey Kyhl here in Cedar is the one that took them and her website is akstudiodesign.com. She did such a fabulous job! She is so cute!

bRaVe......

2010-02-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

Brave thing #1: Well tonight I FORCED Colby to go with me to get maternity pictures done. I wanted to do them for a few different reasons. For example, Colb and I have been married for almost 3 years now and have yet to have any pictures taken of us since our wedding! Also, I was referred to Abbey Kyhl for a photo shoot and she does some amazing work. Plus- it gave me a reason to get out of my FRUMPY maternity clothes and get ready for the first time in MONTHS! Hopefully I will be getting the disc with all the pics the first of next week so that I can post them and show ya'll how big my gut is at 30 weeks~

Brave thing #2: So I have decided that since I have a couple days off work, I am going to become very brave and attempt to make bedding for the nursery! I have also bought material to make a little dress for her! Here is a pic of the little dress that I have the pattern for but I am using a different fabric sheme.

This is kind of what I am hoping the bedding looks like~ We'll see how it turns out! I'm gonna bust out my amature sewing skills!

Crazy Couple of Weeks!

2010-01-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

Well- starting the day of my last post- Colby and Ronnie were lion hunting and Chelise and I went to dinner then watched a movie and we kept wondering if we should start to worry because we hadn't heard from them and we always do at least an hour or so after dark!!! 9:00 pm came- still no word- 10 came- still no word- midnight- nothing- then finally at 2 am I had had enough of waiting and worrying- so I called search and rescue! Yes- I am the freakout wife! They told me they couldn't start searching till the morning- so they took some information from me. Well- lo and behold- at 3:30 am I FINALLY got a call from Colby. It turns out that the guy that they had been hunting with had gotten both of his trucks stuck in the snow so he could not get to where they were at to pick them up. They built a fire and took out their emergency blanket and snuggled in with the dogs! They were wet up to their waists and it was a cold cold night. Finally at 3- Jeff was able to get some snow mobiles up to where they were at!

Next crazy thing- did all you Cedar-ites feel the earthquake???? Well we did and it broke our back fence! Ugh!!!! It was a 4.1 magnum earthquake- so not huge (nothing compared to poor Haiti) -but it rattled us! We also felt an after-shock later that night-

Next crazy thing- my cousin Taylon Moody got in a horrible car accident on Tuesday the 12th. He's still in the ICU up at Utah Valley- he has had many complications, some sticky situations, back surgery and more surgery to come. He seems to be having a little improvment. We are praying for him and asking that he be in all of your prayers!

Colby has started his spring semester of school and it seems to be going good! He'll be glad when he gets through these pre-requisite courses and can HOPEFULLY have the summer off!

Prego update- little Hayden Millie is getting bigger and stronger- I'm at 27 weeks and counting! Next week is the lovely glucose screening and Rhogam shot ugh:( We still have so much to do to get ready it seems like!

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T03:20:00.000-08:00

It's 2010!! Can you believe it?? Its crazy! I'm at work and I can't get used to writing 01/01/10~ I'ts totally throwing me off! What have we been up to lately? Well.......we went to good ole D-town for Christmas and made off with WAY too much stuff (Don't know where we'll put it all)! We had tons of fun hanging out with the fam's. Then Colby wisked himself away Sunday to go try and catch mountain kitties (no luck yet :( unfortunately for him and Ronnie)! I stayed home and taught primary and made my house the cleanest it has ever been- minus the kitchen floor- I can't bend over to clean it! I've got a growing obstacle in the way!

Speaking of the baby bump- Hayden is growing and getting stronger and stronger and Colby was finally able to feel her kick again on Christmas Eve. I told him that was her way of saying Merry Christmas Dad!

A little bit of discouraging information though- while taking care of one of my patients tonight his sweet little wife asked me when I was due. I am now getting used to everyone's startled reactions when I tell them, "Oh, not till the middle of April!" Needless to say, this sweet little lady had the exact same reaction that I have now become accustomed to- however, she tacked on, "Oh my dear, you still have a while-are you having twins?" Yes I know that my abdominal region looks as if I am about to explode; but, I do still have 3 1/2 months left to go!!!

I thought this cartoon was pretty funny because sometimes you just wanna blurt out that you just plain aren't feeling good while you're pregnant but in order to make the conversation go faster and to avoid sounding like a whiner- you just simply say everything is going good!!!

So here is my vent- I started the whole throwing up thing again after a five week break (thank goodness for that!) Every day when I get off work I want to cry because my back feels like it is breaking. Then, I can't peel myself off the couch for two days because I'm tired (and lazy). I have been wearing ted hose to- hopefully- help prevent the varicose veins but they annoy the heck out of me!!! Sleeping has become next to impossible. Bladder control is steadily declining. Stretch marks have appeared where I least expected them to (none yet on the belly, I stress yet, they will come). And last but not least- my poor husband gets to deal with my emotions. I think, for the most part, I have been emotionally somewhat stable however, I had a minor breakdown on Christmas Eve and my sister's rodeo horse had to be put down because of a broken shoulder and even though I didn't know this horse very well- I had a minor breakdown over that!

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel- 3 1/2 months and she's here! And to help me get to the finish line- Colby, very thoughtfully, bought me a pregnancy massage gift certificate! Wahoo! I'm so excited!! But I think I'm going to wait till I'm farther along and in more pain to take advantage of it!!

I promise that I do have a camera- I just forget to take it out of it's case except for on very rare occaisions- I hope that once our little one is here, I'll become a better historian, photographer, crafter, cook and everything else that it takes to be a mom!! I do admit that I am scared to death- but here we go!

Yay for 2010 and all the exciting and challenging things that come my way!