Showers

I've had 2 of the most wonderful showers. My sweet ward family spoiled me this past weekend, only to be followed by another shower thrown by my best friends. They did a mustache theme and it was evident in every detail. I have literally been "showered" with love and gifts. Thank you all!

How cool was this photo booth!? We didn't enjoy ourselves at all.

What a car represents

Today I am handing off my mini to it's new owner. I'm sad. Not in a vain, I like having a really cute car that's totally cool and made me the favorite young women's leader, kind of way. I'm sad because of what this car represents to me.

When I was on my mission I received a letter towards the end of the 18 mos. from my brother-in-law Nate. It was the first and only time he wrote me (which he joked about in the letter) and yet it's one of the few letters I've kept in my scriptures ever since. He talked about how proud my family was of me, in particular my sweet dad. He said every time my name is brought up, his face lights up and you could see the joy he felt for the work I was doing on his face. I remember receiving that letter (and bawling of course) but also feeling a sense of pride and joy in what I was doing that was new and unique. Knowing that my dad was proud of me made me feel like a 10 year old again. I craved it when I didn't even know how much I needed it. And then it made me think of my Heavenly Father and how he must be proud of me as well. It was something that I needed to know and believe at that particular time. I often re-read that letter. There is nothing quite as precious to me as hearing those words over and over again. I cherish the relationship I have with my dad in ways he'll never know. He's basically a superhero in my eyes.

When I got home he was so efficient at buying me a new car. (Yes he takes better care of us kids than we deserve!) I remember how eager he was to buy me a car that I would LOVE. (I'm sure part of this was due to the fact that I was the worlds biggest brat about the car I drove in High School. If I could go back in time and kick my teenage butt for acting that way I would in a heartbeat!!) He not only bought me a mini cooper, but insisted it be a convertible and even upgraded to a supercharged one (thanks to my mom for that!) I'm sure all my siblings were baffled at this car he bought me when he typically purchased a honda, or nissan type of car. Something totally practical and not at all flashy. But I knew that my dad wanted to show me how proud he was of me for serving a mission. That car represents to me my father's love for me. And these past couple of days I've been a basket case preparing to get rid of it. It's hard to give up something that reminds me of that daily. There's no monetary value you can put on that.

So farewell mini. I will miss you immensely. Oh and thanks for holding your value so well. It's really helping us out right now!

(Getting rid of boxes after moving into our condo. Things were often a bit more tricky with this little car, but we always seemed to manage just fine)

Catch Up

I'm mainly doing this post because I'm obsessed with some of the outfits I've already received for my babe and I wanted to share the beauty of them with the world. But a few other housekeeping items I must address first.

Our trip to Vegas....

Tyler and I had the pleasure of hanging out with Garth Brooks for a few minutes. One of the many perks of my job. He has to be one of the kindest celebrities in the world. Such a nice dude.

One of the many meals we ate. I had to take a picture because the quantity of these dishes was ABSURD. What a waste of food. Who wants to eat this much for breakfast? We asked them what they do with the remaining food and she said they donate all of it to a farm. I felt a little bit better after that.

A week or so after arriving home I woke up to the greatest surprise on earth -

Tyler with short hair!! HALLELUJAH. I was not shy about expressing my dislike for his long hair. I was a total brat about it. But he looks so handsome with his short hair.

Okay onto baby stuff -

Look at these outfits. I could die.

I'll bring him home in the gray outfit on left - copying maddie on that one.

Christmas outfit 2012

Blessing outfit

Lion Dream Ring to hang above the crib

Now onto my wish list -

Rhino Bust from Anthro - see here (inspired by the talented chelsea)

Blue Boudoir Pillow from Dwell Studios - found here

Tweet & baby elephant from Romp - found here and here

Wooden alphabet from Etsy - found here

Menagerie bookends from Serena and Lily - found here

(I know these may not look all that cute, but click onto the website and see how dang cute they are on that shelf with books. cheap too! :)

What I'm most excited for right now is to get our spare room cleaned out so I can finally start putting the nursery together and hang up these amazing little outfits to gawk at everyday. Then the decorating will come later.

24 Weeks this week!

(I'd normally never post a picture like this, but I took it more for my own record and then thought, "wow, I look so much skinnier than I really am". So I look at it and tell myself I look this way. It's all smoke and mirrors people.)

Cool Shiz

i'm horrible at taking pictures lately -- i'm sure that will change when the baby comes and you'll all get sick of me posting pictures -- but for now i only have 2 really awesome pictures to post.

this first one encompasses one of the best nights i've had in a long time. pat, eve and i went to dinner at porcupine and came out to find our car nearly blocked in. this note explains it all (and yes we left it on their car) -

sadly, this is the only picture i have from christmas. regardless, it's definitely worth posting. i woke up christmas morning to find these fabulously wrapped presents under the tree. tyler was so proud of his work, he jumped out of bed when i did just to see my reaction.

Thankful

there is nothing i love more than this holiday. family gatherings, delicious food, eating until i'm going to pop and then stuffing in just a bit more. what is there not to love?!

this year i especially have a lot to be grateful for.

my husband who works tirelessly in school and work to ensure that we will have a successful future. it's a lot to shoulder and he does it entirely on his own.

parents who truly are the greatest 2 humans on this earth. they do everything imaginable for us and then some. we are all eternally indebted to them. and on top of that, they are COOL. we would all choose to hang out with them over anyone else any day. not many people can say that.

siblings (including in-laws!) who, quite frankly, i'm obsessed with. they're my best friends. life wouldn't be the same without anyone of them.

friends who keep my life fun and exciting! i have the greatest group of friends that date back to high school. pretty lucky.

my pup who is literally glued to my hip. i'm basically in love with him in every way.

my membership in the LDS church. often times i wonder why i was one of the lucky ones to be born into the church. to always have the goodness of the gospel in my life. i cherish it above all else.

i'm thankful for the life i've been so blessed to live. the places i've traveled, the delicious food i'm constantly fed, the warm home i get to go home to, a job that i actually love, and so much more.

and lastly, the BABE that is growing in my belly. tears immediately spring to my eyes as i think of the little spirit that is waiting to join our family. i've wanted this for so long and i couldn't be more grateful that our time has finally come.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

FREE PICTURE!!

Who wouldn't want a free drawing of your favorite picture from the talented Andrea? YES PLEASE! I can think of several.......Don't miss out! Check out this great offer here.

Some of her drawings --

wowza.

Not a pretty picture

Note to self -- Next time you want to jump a chain barrier on a dirt path covered in rocks after running several miles, think twice.

*please forgive the hairy legs

It's safe to say I'm in a small amount of pain today. Not the best start to my day.

Got this beaut a week or so ago after my bike fell on me. What is the universe trying to tell me?

I guess Ty's not far off when he jokes about my need to wear a helmet...at all times.

Spudman 2011

Tyler and I completed our first triathlon this past weekend and I really hope it's not our last. We had a great time (well until the last 2 miles of the run when Tyler started dying a slow death). But we finished it together and feel great about our time. The amazing Horsley family drove all the way up to Burley Idaho to support us and I don't even have a picture with them. Bummer. We were way too out of it at the end and just wanted to sit down. I'll be better about documenting it next time.

This is the only pre-race picture we took. We were just a tad anxious here (and when I say "tad" I mean completely terrified.) The swim was by far the hardest for me even though I trained for months. Ty did just as well as I did without ever training. Don't you just hate men for that reason!? Although he has definitely paid for it the past couple of days.

After crossing the finish line and feeling the relief that it was over.

Showing off our cool new hat. I think the highlight of the experience for Ty may have been finding these hats at a Flying J on the way up.

Sunday night - Pat, the coolest mom in the world, made us a little congratulations dessert. Our little family had a great time blowing out the candles. Doesn't Tate look like she could be our child? We wish. Finn had a ball as well.

In Love

with 4 little guys. it's no wonder i'm baby hungry.

good job family. you made 4 of the most adorable little boys i've ever laid eyes on.

good thing i have this little stink to keep me occupied

when ♥'s used to replace an O

when tyler got out to his car the other night after class this is what he found on his windshield. could this possibly be real people? thank you "c" for providing us with hours of laughter.