Thankful...

1. Baby swings - I dont know what I would do without it. Ella loves to take naps in her swing. It is the one place where she knocks out and gets a really good sleep. Thank you Graco.

2. The Twighlight series - I LOVE to read but havent much since having kids. I am having so much fun getting into books again and feeling like I am part of the story.

3. My sisters - I am VERY thankful that Stacey is able to watch Kaiya and Ella for me when I am working. I know that the girls are in good care with her here. It comforts me when I am away to know they are in such good hands. My other sister Kaylee is a ball of joy. We laugh so much together and I love hanging out with her. If she thinks something is dumb...she wont hesitate to tell me. She keeps me feeling young. Love ya Ursula and Kirby!

I didnt do it

Here is a video Stacey took yesterday while watching Ella. Its so funny because it looks like Ella is grabbing Casey and then he starts to cry and Ella acts like she didnt do anything. Her hand stays up in the air like, "what? my hand was right here the whole time." HA HA

Giggles

Ella has been laughing since July 3rd but until now I havent caught it on camera. As soon as I have the camera next to her she just stares at it. Thanks to Kaiya here are the giggles!

I am thankful for...

I am going to try something new. At least once a week I am going to blog about what I am thankful for. Here is my 1st one...

1. My husband - I have to start with Cirdan, my best friend. He is such a wonderful husband and dad. Watching him with Ella and Kaiya makes me the happiest woman alive.

2. My kids - Kaiya has been such a big help since Ella was born. She is the best oldest sister (besides me of course, ha ha). Ella is lucky to have an older sister that loves her so much. Ella brings a smile to my face all the time. Its amazing what babies can do to your life.

3. My camera - I LOVE taking pictures. I am so glad that I can capture those precious moments with my camera.
4. Girls night out - I went out with my friend this week for appetizers and it was so nice to get away! I am so glad that I met her and that she lives so close to me!
5. HD TV - We bought a new 61 inch tv this past week and of course had to get HD DVR satellite hooked up as well. HD tv is amazing.
6. Disposible diapers - I cant imagine changing cloth diapers. Seriously, I dont know how people did it.

Ella's 1st big girl meal

Ella has shown interest in eating for a couple of weeks. We decided to give her some rice cereal and see how she liked it. She LOVED it. Pretty much everytime we eat she opens her mouth wide and dodges for our spoon.

Visit from a long time friend

My friend Robin and her 2 kids were visiting from Utah and came over to visit with us for a while. I miss hanging out with her and wish we lived closer.



Ella and Landen




Marley

Lake Chelan

We went to Lake Chelan a few weeks ago and it was so nice and relaxing. Our little family got there on Friday and met up with the rest of my family that had been there since Thursday . We hung out, went to the lake, ate, played the wii, relaxed and visited. Our stay was short since we had to leave Sunday but we really had a nice weekend.

My mom makes some yummy homemade ice cream.

Welcome Nate and Amy!

So, it has been forever since I posted. Life has been crazy busy. I guess I will spend the next hour catching everyone up on our life (or until Ella wakes up)!

My brother Nathan and his new wife Amy moved up to Washington from Utah the middle of July. We are all excited to have them close. Nathan got a job at Boeing and Amy just got hired on at a bank. It is kind of strange since Nathan hasnt lived in Washington since...2000? It almost feels like he is on vacation and will be heading home soon. Amy is so good with the kids! Nathan is really lucky to have found such a great girl. You can tell she is going to be a great mom. Here are some pics of a party we threw for them when they drove into town.





Kaiya told my mom to write 'Have a Good Life' on the cake.

Best buds

Stac and Case came over today to visit. Here is a video of Ella and Casey. They already play so well together. :)
Notice their shirts - Sugar & Spice & Everything nice
Frogs & Snails & Puppy dog tails

New Callings

So the bishop called me a couple weeks ago and wanted to stop by with his wife. I said no problem. I told Cirdan that they were coming over and the first thing out of his mouth was...callings. I told him, no way, they just want to come and visit. WELL, we both got callings. I am on the Enrichment Board representing the young couples in the ward and Cirdan is the Secretary in the Young Mens. Cirdan was quite shocked and still is. He will also teach the Priests one Sunday a month. Since he never really went to Priesthood growing up he is a little overwhelmed.
If any one has any fun enrichment ideas PLEASE send them my way. I dont think I have been to an activity for at least 4 years??

Gross!!

OH MY GOODNESS. Kaiya, Ella and I went to my Grandma's house the other day. My dad was there to do some yard work and found a snake. I hate snakes. I have nightmares about those slimy, yucky gross things. I was in my car so I instantly locked all the doors and rolled up my windows. My dad convinced Kaiya to get out of the car (after I made him stand 20 feet away from the car) to hold the snake. She held it for a while and walked across the street to set him free. I was hoping my car was going to drive over it on the way out...hmmmm

Ella giggled!!

She did it!!! Last Tuesday I was playing with Ella, I kissed her neck and she laughed!!! Oh it was so cute. Last night Cirdan was rubbing Ella's cheeks and she laughed again! Today she did giggled 4 times in a row!! IT MAKES MY HEART MELT...

A tender heart

Last week I picked up Kaiya from her dad. When she got into the car she was so excited to see Ella. I started driving and this is the next thing that happend...

Kaiya - Oh Ella is sooo cute I just want to cry!

Me - Why do you want to cry?

Kaiya - Because she is so cute! I love her!

At the stop light I turned around and Kaiya had these huge tears in her eyes. She has such a tender heart and she loves being a big sister so much. Ella could not have asked for a better big sis.

Finally! A sunny day!

Last Friday it was so nice outside. We were going to go to the zoo but my mom ended up having to work. We decided to just go into our backyard and sit in the sun on the trampoline.

Kaiya is one of those kids that is afraid of EVERYTHING. I had bought some pop its (the firework things) at Target a couple of weeks ago and it took 5 minutes trying to convince Kaiya that they were fun and that they wouldnt hurt her.

She wont get up on the ladder to the trampoline because there is a spider the size of a flea on it. I am trying to make her tougher but it just isnt working. It was getting hot outside and I decided to bring Ella inside. Kaiya was still on the trampoline and wanted help down. I told her that the spider was gone and I would go into the house and watch to make sure that no bugs got her. She still refused to get down from the trampoline by herself. She seriously stood there for 15 minutes trying to convince herself that she could do it. I walked away for a little bit and came back to her saying a prayer asking for someone to help her off the tramp. I felt bad and went to help...

Nap time

My little independent baby has been going to sleep on her own lately. I will lay her on the couch, bed or ground give her a blankie and her binkie and within 5 minutes she is out. Kaiya was a baby that always needed someone to put her to sleep so I am enjoying this!