Could it get any better?

Ok ok I know!

2011-12-02T07:26:00.000-08:00

So I have mentioned that I do not have access to a camera, and that is why I do not update. I am sorry. I have tried to upload pictures from my phone but cant seem to figure it out. I am lame I know....
But I emailed a couple pictures to my self and that seemed to work. So for now, this will have to do.

Yesterday Stellar wanted to put on my eyeshadow, so I let him. Did he not do a wonderful job???

In October we took him to Gardner Village and let him ride a Pony. He got on and owned it! He started screaming "Ye Haw" and it was adorable. Of course. Lets see if we can get him to visit Santa this year......

summer time

2011-07-20T17:27:00.001-07:00

This is my dog Angus. He is by far the coolest dog I have ever owned. He is living with my parents because we can only have 1 dog. He deserves a yard to run around in, so my parents took him instead of me bringing him to a townhome with no yard. I MISS HIM!!!
Stellar took his first solo shower the other night. He loves showers and can stay in there forever!
This is him all chilled out watching a movie or favorite show. I cant remember.
Grandpa Riley took the cousins for a ride in the tractor bucket. Bree on the left freaked out and bailed. Stellar wasnt even phased by it. As you can tell he is chillen.
Every morning I go walk with a friend and bring Tia and Stellar. This picture just shows how much he loves our little dog.

Zoo and Grandparents

2011-07-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

The first week of June I took Stellar up to Rexburg to stay with my parents for a week. It rained every day but Friday. So we took advantage and went to the Idaho Falls zoo. It was awesome. There were these HUGE turtles that were the coolest thing I have seen in person. Stellar got to feed some goats and ducks.

This is a picture my Dad took from my web cam. When my mom and dad came up in April mom bought me a web cam so we could skype. Love skyping. Its fun.

Sorry I this update stinks. I haven't had a camera around for months so I dont have anything top put on here! Things is Utah are great, and hot. We have a pool here at the townhouse and that helps with the heat. I make many cakes and should get pictures soon. I am making a 3 tiered super hero cake for my nephew this weekend so I will make sure to get a picture of that~! Oh also I saw Larry King today. ... yeah a celebrity. (my first one! ) I was taking Shelby my niece to volleyball camp at BYU today and apparently he was dropping off a grandkid at baseball camp. Who knew!? I got a kick out of it.

2 years old!

2011-04-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Stellar turned 2 on April 8th. Time sure has gone by pretty fast. I wanted to make him a Toy Story cake, because he is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear. He calls him "Buzz Year". We invited family to come and have some cake and ice cream and enjoy the cake I made. It was a lot of fun.

He thought it was pretty funny trying to blow out his candle.

He got quite the loot! Thanks everyone!

Lets just say he was tired by the end of the day.

West Jordan

2011-03-07T10:10:00.001-08:00

We have made the plunge and moved to Utah. Steve has been working in S.L.C since the beginning of October and we had some things that kept us in Idaho. BUT, We found a place in West Jordan and are happy to be here. Although, I was really getting used to having my mom around me all the time. I am very sad I can not see her and Dad as much as I did. Also, My big sister Amanda was a great friend and I loved to annoy her daily.

Since I have been here the last couple weeks, I have had a couple friend have babies and so it is nice to be able to zip on over to their houses and see the cute thangs. That's right.... thangs.

Stellar hasn't really skipped a beat. He has his cars and movies and his dad so he is happy as a clam. Oh and his favorite foods..... Corn and Lipton noodle soup. What a weirdo.

He did benefit from the move though. He isnt even two and he has his own big queen bed and of course Disney Cars curtains! We also got him his own chair. Spoiled and loved.

blerg blah blee blew Cars

2011-01-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, So if you have spent any time with Stellar you know that his most favorite thing in the whole world (besides his mom) is Cars. His love started at his Nana's house. My mom has a box of micro machines, and when we was walking at 9 months old he would stand at the window and play cars. He discovered the movie Cars when the snow started falling here in Idaho. Due to the lack of ANYTHING to do, he quickly became obsessed. Sometimes when we are having a conversation the only word I can make out is dor deh blam herm Cars. Its great. Here is a list of words he can say at 21 months old.

Momma
Daddy
Shoes
Juice
Apple
Cracker
Movie
Fries
Cookie
NO... NO Mama!!!!
Did I mention he likes to say No.
Elmo
Jesus
Roo Roo (one of our dogs names)
Nana (my mom)
Bompa (my dad)
Wawa (water)

Ummm Thats all I can think of now. Its fun to watch him turn into a little boy. Watching his imagination while he plays and laughs and dreams. Its the best thing anyone can do in life.

Thank goodness

2010-11-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

This year has been quite a year. Steve was unemployed for most of it. He found a job in Utah and started working there, Oct 4th. Stellar and I have been living here in Idaho while he works down there.... It stinks. We have someone who wants to buy our home, but we are waiting on the bank of course. Meanwhile, Stellar and I get tons of quality time. I just love that little bugger. The other day he got a flu shot and he screamed of course and I got to see that he is getting a molar. The reason he has been kinda cranky lately. Other then that, He and I just hang out and we play cars on the floor and eat mac and cheese and watch the movie Cars. Here is a pic of him in his Great Grandpa Smiths old hat that was given to us when he passed away.

Stellar Manellar

2010-10-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Stellar's favorite food of choice is grapes. His favorite words are NO and STOP. He enjoys running behind his Nana 's house in the potato fields. Although it looks fun, being a parent of an 18 month old is the most challenging thing I have ever done hands down!

Discovering Summer!

2010-07-01T20:19:00.001-07:00

Stellar hasn't been a huge fan of water. Tonight I was watering some dry spots and he came over to see what was up. He then saw Roo and Angus drinking from the hose, so he thought that was a good idea. Then he quickly discovered what we all have discovered when we were little.... the joy of the hose on a hot summers eve. Good times. Oh and a random picture of my dog Tia. For some reason Tia has a terrified look on her face.

Great Grandpa Rydalch

2010-06-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken by my friend Malinda. She is a self taught photographer. She is super awesome and I love her and she is way talented at this stuff. Oh, and my son is super cute and photogenic so that helps.

There is a picture of Steve and his twin brother on this tractor with their grandpa. We went to Utah a couple of weeks ago for a baby blessing and wanted to get a picture with Great Grandpa on the old tractor. Precious.

Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground...

2010-05-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

So I was making cupcakes for my mothers class party and Stellar thought he would take it upon himself to lick the batter off of the beater. It was red velvet cake, and it stains.... of course it was so cute I had to take a picture.

Steve has been doing some side jobs because he is currently unemployed. After walking through the door looking like this, I couldn't help but to laugh and grab the camera. It looked a lot worse in person. It had look liked he worked in a coal mine all day.
This is me at the computer trying to get something done, and he can not stand to be anywhere but on my lap. So I took the time for a photo shoot. Well, not really. He has pudding on his face.

The other morning he wanted his shoes on and so I put the shoes on that he brought to me. Notice the painted toenails? He was wearing his lumberjack jacket because it was cold and he was eating chips. He was happy! He looked a little trash but who cares.....
Notice the dogs anxiously awaiting for his chips to fall to the ground.

Bear World and Birthdays Party !

2010-04-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

MMMMMM Chocolate Cake...

Once Stellar figured out that he could eat the cake, he ate ALOT of cake. It was a blast to watch him tear into it.

He really likes texture so he has fun squishing it to death. Thank you Nana for allowing us to make such a mess!

This is my sister Amanda's youngest, Rachel. Rachel just LOOOOOVESS "Stellah". She is hilarious! Although sometimes a little over whelming for Stellar.

Took me a while to make this cake, but it was worth it in the end. We had fun eating it and watching the top tier get destroyed.

This is Stellar at the petting zoo at Bear World. He loved it. He got to pet a baby bear, and that was sooo cool to see. I wanted to take one home. I think he really enjoyed himself. I know Steve loved it. We got to see some really big bears driving around and some rare white Elk.

MY BABY IS ONE!!!

2010-04-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today one year ago, my baby boy was born. Boy has he changed our lives. For the better! I just love his special spirit. He has an old soul. What a blessing!

Business Stuff

2010-03-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

I sat Stellar down at the computer desk and he knew just what to do! Mind you, he is just to smart for his age. He isnt even one years old yet !

1 year old very soon,......

2010-02-18T17:58:00.001-08:00

So I am planning on making an Elmo cake for Stellar. He loves Elmo. Every time Elmos world comes on he smiles and watches. He loves his Elmo toys. Anyway, he is growing up so fast. He has a little buddy Lucas that he sees now and again. It is the classic bath tub picture.

Cookie Time

2010-02-10T15:13:00.001-08:00

Many cake decorators like to decorate cookies. Same satisfaction I think. I used a mini fondant cut out of a heart for a cookie cutter and this is what it turned out to look like~ I love it! Bite size beauties is what I say....

I have been tagged ...

2010-02-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

4 shows I like to watch:
1. The Office
2. The Biggest Loser
3. Community
4. Seinfeld

4 things I am passionate about:
1. Cake Decorating
2. Dogs/Pets
3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
4. Vacations!

4 phrases I say a lot:
1. Shut your stupid face
2. Shut the font door
3. Whhhhaatt thhheee?
4.Why I aughta!

4 things I have learned, or am learning:
1. Cake Decorating
2. Patience
3. How to eat right
4. How to raise a baby

4 places I would like to go:
1. Jamaica
2. Australia
3. Back to Hawaii
4. Heaven (when the time comes)

4 things I did yesterday:
1. Church
2. Super Bowl
3. Molded a fondant nun (weird I know)
4. Hung with friends

4 things I am looking forward to:
1. Seeing Chalae tomorrow
2. Going to bed tonight
3. Biggest loser this week
4. losing my weight!

4 things on my wish list:
1. Healthy husband
2.more cake decorating supplies
3. New car
4. Bigger kitchen

4 people I tag:
1. You
2. You
3. You
4. You

No words necessary.......

2010-02-07T20:23:00.001-08:00

Holy Cow

2010-01-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

Ok so I just made my first tiered, fondant covered cake. Love it! It was fun, and I learned ALOT and I got paid for it. So there. Ok now that I have bragged....
Steve worked for a couple weeks down in Las Vegas on the temple. He now has 4 temples under his belt. Its been a real fun thing to have. Rerxburg, Logan, Idaho Falls and Las Vegas. I hope he gets to add to the list.

First Christmas`

2009-12-30T12:42:00.000-08:00

This is Steve putting together Stellars toys. Steve and I had so much fun. Stellar probably could not have cared less. We filmed and took pictures and had a blast. Memories! Cant wait till he becomes a Christmas beast!

Flour Power

2009-12-12T21:06:00.000-08:00

So I let Stellar play by the lazy suzan and I came back in the kitchen and he had the flour lid off and was playing....

Oh and a piece of cake...

2009-12-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

California!

2009-12-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a week with my sister Bridget in California. I drove back with her after Thanksgiving and then flew home. Sadly Stellar had caught a cold and gave it to me. So this week has been recovery week. Thats ok. Its like -15 outside. Another thing was that Steve and I had some computer problems and they had to wipe our hard drive and so my picture editor program was gone and so these pictures are not going to be great. Sorry!
These pictures arent in order either. This is Eliza and Stellar in their strollers at the San Diego zoo. We had a great time. As we were walking up to the gates to buy tickets a lady handed me a free ticket. Score! Then no one was there and we got to see everything with out being bugged by lots of people.

I am a HUGE Conan O'Brien fan and well.... I just went to his show is all. It was a really weird experience. Very fun. Me and my sister Megan went and had a blast. William Shatner was the guest... (what a weirdo) and the Mary Poppins broadway show preformed. Not a great line up but we still had fun seeing how it all goes down.
Stellar usually bathes in a sink. This is his first bath time special in his cousin Martha's bath. THANKS MARTHA for letting us stay in your room for a week.
Stellar did soo good traveling 8 hours one day and about 8 the next. I was nervous but it turned out well.
Stellar and Eliza. She calls him "Baby Stellar". I had so much fun with Bridget. I miss her! Love you sis!

Update #2 For NOVEMBER- Here ya go Mom.

2009-11-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

Here is the cute little man. 7 Months old November 8th. He has been crawling since he was 6 months old and now I swear he could walk any day. .. TO SOON!
This was Halloween this year. I had a bumblebee costume for him and I couldnt find it. Among my search for his costume I found a dress, So Stellar was a girl for Halloween. Probably the only Halloween I could get away with dressing him as such. .. .
So I learned a really cool basket weave method at my cake decorating class. I love it! This is the cutest baby shower cake Idea. Good thing my sister in-law Melissa is gonna have a baby boy! I wanna make a cake for her now. This weekend I am going to make a Dora the Explorer cake, Teenage mutant ninja turtle cake, a Dinosaur and a basketball. Then its my sister Amanda's birthday next week (Wednesday) and I think I know what I will do for her cake. Its to much fun. Thanks to my adorable Husband he is allowing me to be Cake Crazed!

My top two obsessions......

2009-11-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

So there are two things I am in mad love with right now....... Stellar and CAKE! I dont eat the cake, I just decorate cakes. I look for every excuse to make a cake. Steve bought me a bunch of cake decorating supplies for my birthday and its been obsession ever since. I recently bought some Wilton brand character shaped pans off of craigslist for cheap and its sooooo FUN!!!! I made my nephew a hamburger cake yesterday for his birthday. Bridget my sister bought me some cake decorating classes for my birthday. My last class is tomorrow and I am soo sad. There are other continuing classes starting this spring. (I wont panic) Can ya see the fries in the back of the photo? They are sugar cookies cut into frie shapes and rolled in sugar. Rice krispies for the sesame seeds. Anyway.....Stellar is growing by leaps and bounds. He will be 7 months old on the 8th of this month~! Incredible. He starting scooting at about 5 1/2 months. Then started full on crawling about a month later. Well just in the past week or so he is pulling himself up on things and scurrying along the couch. The downside to that is that he has some new bruises on his 7head7bujuybhh8ihyhj. Ok he just got a hold o fthth mnmhn hkneh of the keyboard.. sheesh. He will be walking soon. To soon. :0 ) He is such a funny personality to have in our home. It is so fun and we just cant seem to kiss him or hug him enough. Now if he would just sleep all the way through the night.

Gap Casting Call - VOTE FOR STELLAR

2009-10-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/kater82/683025409/

Ok so far I have put two pictures of Stellar on the Gap Kids Casting call competition. Copy the link and paste and go vote. It is that easy. So support your fellow friend Katy and VOTE FOR STELLAR. I need a shirt that says that....

Here is a second link.

http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/kater82/783025571/

Thanks! Love you all!!

These are a few of my favorite things.... 5 months old

2009-09-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Boy

2009-08-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

I was mowing the lawn and he was happy as a tick in his little saucer (thanks to my neighbor) and protected from the sun with his hat (thanks Andrew and Jen) and some sunscreen. I just love this kid.

Catching up a bit....

2009-08-01T19:53:00.001-07:00

Today is a big day for Stellar. He had his first solids. Rice cereal mixed with banana and he LOVED it! This picture is his messy face before his bath. He actually is a very neat eater.

Naked Bath time! I love his bath time he is so cute I want to bite his face....heheheh
Steve will sit and watch tv and prop Stellar up beside him and it is so funny cause Stellar will watch tv with his daddy. So cute. Love it so I had to of course take a picture!
This year we went on a week long trip up north to Ferragut State Park. It was Steve's step mothers family reuinon they have every year and they invited us. Stellar was great as always. It was a 8 hour trip up there... sheesh. It was beautiful.
This is Uncle Dan and Stellar. Everyone loved him and passed him around like the flu.

This is Steve's dad, Sam his cousin, and Brooklyn his niece. Obviously not ready for a picture :)
This is Steve's step mother Lynda, Savannah and his sister Ashley. We all spent a lot of time just hanging around and enjoying eachothers company.
This is Stellar at about 13 weeks old. Sitting in his high chair for the first time. Its nice to have when I am cooking. Slap a few toys on it and he can bat at them for hours.
So the Riley's have a tradition they do every year on the 4th of July. They go up to Oakley, Utah to their parade and give out free chilli verde breakfast burritos. They usually give out around 300 every year footing the cost them selves. It was fun to go this year and see the action. This is Steve and his cousin Trevor in the action.

My Hillbilly Baby

2009-07-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a 9 day adventure up state. We went to Farragut National Park in northern Idaho. Stellar was a dream. He is the best little child. He traveled 8 hours like a dream. While up there Ashley, Steve's sister like to take pictures. Well, she took the funniest picture ever and I have to share it. We can not stop laughing at it.

Blessing

2009-06-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend we blessed Stellar. We had friends and family come up from Utah and it was so good to see everyone. We got some sweet gifts from Andrew and Jen. We put Stellar in the swimsuit they bought him and robe and took the cutest pics!

Ahhhhh

2009-06-01T21:03:00.001-07:00

This is Stellar at 7 weeks old. He is just starting his first head cold in this picture but you could never tell. He is so sweet and good spirited. It is hard to describe being a parent to someone who is not. It is simply the best thing in the world. You finally get a glimpse of the love Heavenly Father has for you.

This is Uncle Dan (Steves sisters husband) He has two dirt bikes, so that is all him and Steve did while we were camping. Steve had alot of fun and we just love to hang out with Dan and Ashley.

Aunt Ashley was kind enough to give us the master suite in the camper. So it was nice to have the room and privacy! Yay for camp trailers!

Stellar hanging out with dad, dads twin Uncle Stewart and Aunt Mellissa. Memorial Day weekend was fun. We just laid back and hung out with family. I was nervous to take him on his first camping trip but he was a dream!

Stellars first camping trip and of course his bath in the camper trailer sink! I was editing his privates with my hand. I am such a good mom!

This is our friend Will. Will hates video games. Will despises any game console. We got Will to play guitar hero and I documented it for Amber!! We love them. They are so fun to have as friends.

Since we have brought Stellar home, Angus has been his guardian. He will lay on or near him when he is laying on the floor asleep or awake!

This is Stellar at 6 weeks old. He is wearing an outfit that Steve wore when he was a baby. We took this picture especially for Grandma Rydalch! (I will send you a copy) So cute!

Steve is accident prone. He chopped up his pinkie at work and got some stitches. The best part about it was three days earlier on the other hand he burned his whole palm and got a huge blister. Poor guy.

FIRST CAPTURED SMILES

2009-05-13T09:28:00.001-07:00

4 years and 4 weeks

2009-05-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

So Steve and I have been married 4 years today, and Stellar happens to be 4 weeks old today! This is my little man. He is so sweet and adorable. He had his first smiles a couple days ago and I cant wait till he can laugh. It has been hard adjusting to this so called motherhood but I know it is what my calling is in life. I am happy Heavenly Father trusted me with one of his spirits to raise here on earth. He was fussy and I turned on my old toy from when I was a child that sings Hickory Dickory Dock and he is happy as a tick now. Oh the joy! And the pain... hahah

pictures

2009-04-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Publish Post

Ahhhhhhh The Joy

2009-04-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

So Stellar is here and he is a real blessing. Everything about him is wonderful and he is such a sweet spirit. We are so blessed Heavenly Father has decided to trust us with such a kindred soul. I am recovering from my C-Section and it has been such a treat to have my mother and sister Bridget here to help me keep things clean and kept up. I will be very sad next week when I am on my own in some ways..... Anyway, The surgery went really well. I have some really cool pictures that I will not post, but those who want to see them can let me know and I can email them. They are not to gruesome, but they are really sweet. I had fun in the OR room. I had a really cool anesthesiologist who let Steve be in there the whole time. Usually they will not let the husband come in for the spinal, but he let Steve in and talked him through the whole thing. It was very comforting knowing Steve was there. All in all I had a great Doctor and team and it went very well. My computer is being lame and wont let me upload pics.... stay tuned.

HE IS HERE

2009-04-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

8 LBS 14 OZ SORRY ITS WEIRD I DONT KNOW HOW TO MOVE IT!

~~~~~~~~~

2009-04-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

So the Baby ticker on my blog is off. I am technically due on Thursday. I am currently still with child............ oi.......... I have a Dr. Appointment tomorrow, so I guess we will see if anything is going on and if the little man wants to come into this world. I do not blame him for taking so long. This world is a mess and I would not be in any hurry to get here either..
Time is a ticken

Bound and determined

2009-03-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

So my child is bound to come on his due date or past. I have been to the doctor and not a thing is going on. Oh well. I have alot to do this week anyway :)

Baby Shower ...

2009-03-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

My mother threw me a great baby shower. Malinda and Amber came up and so did Kim and Rheanna. It was so fun to see people I havent in a while. I got a lot of really awesome gifts and couldnt be more thankful. Thank you everyone!

Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!

2009-03-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, so if you are like me, I can not bake. BUT, I have this FABULOUS web page that teaches people like me to make the most yummy chewy awesome Chocolate chip cookie ever in your life. Check it out and share it with your friends! www.choc-chip-cookie-recipe.com

33 Days!?

2009-03-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

So according to my baby ticker I have 33 days left. Where has the time gone? Or... Why isnt it over yet. I am a little bit of both. I can not do anything with out my hands falling asleep and hurting so I am MORE then ready for that to go away. Steve's family and My Grandma gave us money and we were able to go out this last weekend and we bought a Pack N' Play and a travel system stroller. This weekend is my Baby Shower my mother is throwing me. I have some friends coming for the day from Utah (Malinda and Amber) and some staying the weekend (Rheanna and Kim). Im sorry they have to see me in my fattest but Im sooo happy to see their faces! Its really weird when people make a fuss over me, like a baby shower, but at the same time I am really excited. Stay tuned for pictures~!

Blog Schmog

2009-02-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

As you can see, Even my hands are fat. Therefore I am not going to post my fat face or butt. Just the belly, that is all you get. I am 33 weeks and counting. So far its been a really healthy pregnancy as far as blood work, blood pressure ect.. The time is ticking and not fast enough. I am quitting work as of the 27th of this month. Parts of me want to keep working and parts of me do not. Mainly my back and feet tell me not to, oh and my hormones. (They cant put up with my boss :) Mom is throwing me a shower at her brand new house on the 7th of March. My dearest friend Rheanna and Kim are planning on coming from Utah! They are my only friends that have made the drive to see me since I have moved here over three years ago. I LOVE YOU TWO! This seems more like a journal entry. As time grows near I keep wondering how my 3 dogs will fare with the bambino. I think it will be ok. They are my family too! Here is a picture of the two that will be most jelouse. Man is our life gonna change.......

IM SO SORRY!

2009-01-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

So..... I have not posted a blog in centuries! Lets see..... I have been growing a huge belly filled with kicking baby. Woah is he a little kicker. I have been working and that is about it. I need to put a recent belly picture up here. Last night a lady was looking at me and said "Dang! When is your due date you are HUGE" I said "Thank you" . I guess there was not much else to say to her. I am thinking if she only knew I had 10 more weeks! Other then that, Grandma fell down and broke her femur, Steve took a wild ride to the ER and Mom and Dads house is almost ready to move into! Mom is going to throw me a baby shower in March. That should be fun. I will have to throw some pictures up here tomorrow cause I just noticed I cant find my camera!

What the new year will bring.....

2008-12-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened for Steve and I in 2008. We are ready to bid it farewell and start the New Year. We are expecting a little boy the first week of April and could not be more excited. What a life changing experience! We were so happy to have found out and are sure we can handle what is to come. Here's to a GREAT and Exciting New Year for everyone! May God bless your families and hope that it only gets better!

Yes we need a little Christmas.....

2008-12-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

Last year I threw a l ittle Christmas party with my siblings and it was a lot of fun. This year, my parents and Grandma live here so it added more fun! The thing I required for entrance was that they wear a turtle neck and/or some form of obnoxious Christmas attire. It was funny to see what my brother showed up in. We had tons of finger foods and games and of course white elephant. Loved it! Thanks for coming and being a good sport about the Christmas attire~!

Refining Fire

2008-12-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

"The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process." James E. Faust

This year has been a real challenge to a lot of people I know including us. I can not help but to be grateful for what I have and know that the things that seem unbearable and horrid right now are to refine us and make us better.

Let it snow!

2008-12-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

Last year we had like 4 feet of snow all winter long in our back yard. We had our first snow storm Christmas Eve (and it was just magical) and it never stopped till may! Steve was working in Logan during the week all winter and that meant I had to shovel the walks. The worst part was the driveway, because the snow plow would come by and leave a huge wall of ice in front of your driveway two times a day. What a pain! I am glad it has not snowed yet. Last year was miserable. I am having a family Christmas party this saturday and I cant wait! I will post some pics cause I told everyone to wear a turtle neck and/or some funky Christmas attire.

I am thankful today...

2008-11-27T09:39:00.000-08:00

Today is the glorious day of Thanksgiving. I love this holiday. The food especially! But I wanted to list somethings I am thankful for lately.

1. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and his Gospel.
2. I am thankful I have a handsome hard working husband.
3. I am thankful my parents live here close by and are the most giving people I know.
4. I am thankful for my sisters and brother and their examples.
5. I am thankful for a warm home and food on the table.
6. I am thankful to live in America and have freedom,.

Those are only 6 but those 6 have been on my mind lately. Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Real Baby Boy

2008-11-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

So here is my baby boy. He is looking right at the camera.

Drum Roll....

2008-11-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

So the verdict is in... Its a baby boy! We are so excited we just could pee our pants. The look on Steve's face when the lady said baby boy was priceless. He would really like a son. It was so fun to see the ultrasound and hear the heartbeat. Now I can not wait to have him! The funny thing is.... we only have girl clothes and blankets so far. Hand-me-downs. Oh well, We will have fun shopping!

Any guesses??

2008-11-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

So we are getting our 21 week ultrasound tomorrow. Any guesses on what the sex might be?? Stay tuned.....

Husband Tag

2008-11-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

1.Where did you meet your husband? He was my district leaders companion. Modesto California!

2.How long did you date before you got married? We started dating in August 04 and got married in May of 05. We were engaged from December to May.

3. How long have you been married? A little over 3 years now..

4. What does he do that surprises you? He doesn't do alot that surprises me!

5. What is your favorite feature of his? Physical features? His face. The whole thing. Love it love it love it. He is a handsome man!

6. What is his best quality? He has several awesome qualities, the best one is he loves animals as much as I do. He has a tender heart.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Its actually Schnookie. Yes, Schnookie. Malinda mocked it on her blog, But that is the truth here!

8. What is his favorite food? NACHOS!

9. What is his favorite sport? He loves football and Basketball.

10. When and where did you first kiss? His mothers house in the driveway. He said I took off so fast he was sure it was the last he would see me.... THINK AGAIN!

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love to set up a bed in our living room and watch movies or play sing star and guitar Hero.

12. Do you have any children? We have 1 fetus on the way!

13.Does he have any hidden talents? He is the child whisperer. Children adore him! Thats a talent!

14. How old is he? 26

15. Who said 'I love you' first? It was him

16. What is his favorite music? 70's

17. What do you admire most about him? I admire how hard he works, how sincere he is and how he can make a room light up with his smile. He is such a caring man, and HILARIOUS!

18. What is his favorite color? He has never said. But he looks great in Blue.

19. Will he read this? If I show him...

20. Who will you tag about this? What?

My humps My humps my lovely Baby Bump..Check it out!

2008-10-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Maybe it looks like I ate a lot, I don't know. But its certainly starting to grow! A little baby bump. Its so weird. I love it. What I don't love is the transition between your regular clothes and the maternity clothes. YUCK! Im 4 months along and we get to see our little one on a 3-d ultrasound in 3 weeks. Thats nuts. I will attach a picture of someones random baby, but its a 3-d ultrasound just like the one we will see. Its actually kinda creepy looking...... sorry. But you get the idea.

Halloween

2008-10-29T19:38:00.001-07:00

Last year Steve and I were 80's butt rock band members. It was a blast. I cant get him to dress up this year so I thought I would post last years. I think he forgets how fun it was but Oh well! Arent we a cute couple!

Little Riley Baby

2008-10-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

So this week my child is five and a half inches tall and only six ounces . It can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault. Crazy. I find out the sex on November 20th~

Photo Tag

2008-10-15T20:06:00.001-07:00

My friend Rachel posted this tag on her blog. Go to your picture files...Open the 4th file and the 4th picture and post it.
Consider yourself tagged if you saw mine.
This is a picture of Steve's Heman figures from the 80's that we sold on Ebay. There you have i t.... 4th file and 4th picture.

Rheanna and Doug

2008-10-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

So we are having our friends Rheanna and Doug come up for a visit this weekend. Rheanna was my MTC companion and a companion in the field for like 6 months. She and Doug got married in July and are newly weds! We cant wait for some company and some fun. We get lonely up here people! Come and visit us!!

Life Experiences

2008-10-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

The things in bold are my life experiences .. got it from a friends blog

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4.Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee Jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Oregon Coast Baby

2008-10-07T18:51:00.001-07:00

Ok so this blog is backward cause I am totally dumb at blogging. But oh well people. Here are just some pictures of our trip. We had a great place to stay right on the beach. We just walked out the back door onto the beach. It was cold and rained the whole time but there was alot of pretty things to see. We went to the Tillamook cheese Factory, saw a light house built in 1877, saw some big old sea lions. Good times... good times. I was so sick the whole time and I learned I HATE traveling when with child. The funny part about our trip was our next door neighbors were from Rexburg. Its a small world.

2008-10-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

This is Steve getting excited to ride the very dangerous waves. Even though our neighbors told us that this time last year they lost two teenage boys to the riptide Steve still insisted on going out to swim. I sat on the side lines and cried. Im pregnant people! I have hormones! He had fun and came home alive.

2008-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

2008-10-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

2008-10-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

Oregon Coast

2008-10-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well, Steve and I went to Oregon last thursday. We flew into Portland and went 80 miles west to a beach called Glen Eden Beach. The flight over was really funny. We had a hilarious flight attendant. She was harassing Steve's grandpa the whole time. She even made him a crown of peanuts. I enjoyed it and the flight went fast. We got off the plane and went to Steve's step moms granpas house (did you follow that?) Well while we were there, there was a pretty water fall we hiked to. Also Steve got to pet a Jersey cow. I love jersey cows. They are so cute.

2008-09-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

1980's

2008-09-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is Steve and I's yearbook photos in 1986 or something like that. yearbookyourself.com

Baby Mama

2008-09-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

So here is what my bambino is supposed to look like about now. But it might be a little bigger. These pictures are just so cool. Steve and I just got back from visiting his sister in McCammon Idaho. We just hung out and watched Baby Mama with Tina Fey and Amy Pohler. I think they are funny, and I thought the movie was funny. I think I was the only one to think the movie was funny. Noone else was laughing. Anyway, Check it out if you like that kinda of humor of that duo. Other then that, the week was filled with nothing. My birthday is this week and I am going to take the day off. I don't want to spend it cleaning at work. Gag.

A.D.D

2008-09-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

Ok so last friday we got our first ultrasound of the baby. As soon as she started the ultra sound the baby was going nuts! She was laughing about how much the baby was moving. I was thinking... Great, it already has A.D.D. ! And its only the size of a cinnamon bear or something. It was really cute. You could see its heart beating. It was a lot of fun. There is this cool website called Iampregnant.com and they give you real pictures of what your baby looks like this week. Here is mine. Weird but cool.

We are pregnant!!

2008-09-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

Hello all! We are going to have a baby! We went for our first check up today and there is a little gummy bear in there they call a child! How fun!

2008-09-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

I like reading other peoples bloggs so I hope people actually care to look at mine. Steve just started school today. He is on his third year!! Thank goodness. He is a good man. He works hard and studies hard so he can support our family. I love that guy! Other then that, We are just taking care of our chickens and 3 doggies and a bun in the oven. Who would have thought. I think I might launch this page later, so I can actually let people know we are expecting and they dont read this and throw a fit cause we didnt tell them. Well for an opening letter this looks good~