Up!

Last week I had heard that someone had built a replica of the house in the Pixar movie Up.  It was built about 20 minutes or so from my house, so I decided we would take the kids to go and see it.  It was so fun other than the fact Tali was a little grumpy and I couldn't really get many photos because there was always someone there trying to take photos too.  These pictures were the best I could get.

Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of the house, but for an actual functional house that someone lives in, I'm not so sure.  I would love to see the inside of it and think it would be better served as an amusement/museum type house.  They would also make more money.

 I absolutely love this movie!  I was excited they even put in the mailbox. 

 I'm just glad we were able to see this house...well at least on the outside.

How Can I Keep From Singing?

Last week our stake choir started practicing for Stake Conference which is coming up in August.  I heard it announced over the pulpit and in Relief Society, but decided it would be too difficult to do since Brian is usually asleep at that time and it's right between dinner time and bed time.  I figured "Oh, I'll just sit this one out."  HA HA! 

Today when I was in Relief Society, our second councilor came in for an announcement.  He started talking about stake choir and how they were very much in need of people.  I felt really bad mainly because 1) the stake choir conductor is a good friend of mine and 2) because I thought I had valid reasons why I couldn't do it this time....that is until my lovely and totally awesome friend/visiting teachee offered to watch my kids while I went to choir.  Our second councilor also threatened that he had a list of people who could sing and if he had to, he would personally call them by name to go be in the choir.  Hahaha.  So I decided to go.  :)

When I got there, I was very surprised and so excited to see my good friend Laura.  Then, as we got practicing, I just fell in love with the arrangements of the songs (Lead Kindly Light & The Spirit of God)!  WOW!  WOW!  WOW!  The harmonies and arrangements were so beautifully written!  I got so excited to be a part of that.  I had not been that excited about music since I sang in choir in high school.  My high school choir teacher was pretty amazing too!

On my way home from practice, after the commercials on the radio were over, there was a song that came on the radio that described perfectly how I felt at that moment.  "How Can I Keep From Singing."  I am so happy that I decided to go to choir tonight.  I felt something that I hadn't felt in what seemed like a long time.  The music just spoke to me and touched me.  I'm so thankful to my mother-in-law and also good friends who are willing to help me with my kids so I can participate in something I love.  And also a big thank you to Jason who is such a fantastic musician and choir conductor.  I wish I had just a sliver of your musical talent. 

I Am A Child of God

Every night as part of our nightly routine, I sing I Am A Child of God to Tali.  If I forget to sing it to her, she'll ask me to sing it to her even if it is late.  How could I possibly tell her no...especially to that song?

This past Sunday after dinner, I hear this cute, sweet little voice singing.  As I listen, I hear Tali singing I Am A Child of God.  The WHOLE first verse by herself!  It was the sweetest thing ever!  I LOVE hearing her sing!  When she sang that song, it just sounded so innocent and so full of meaning.  It just about brought me to tears.  

I love my sweet baby girl.  She has such a sweet spirit.  It's nice to have little reminders of what's really important.  I love hearing her sing the primary songs.  It really makes my day.  We are so proud of her! 

1 Year Photos

 I absolutely LOVE how happy and good natured he is!

  Haha!  This picture on the left, he was so happy, he was squealing.  He's so funny!

 Even though he has a serious face in this picture, I still like it.

 Did I mention how much we love this little man?

 These last two pictures are some of my favorite.  

We can't help but love our little buddy!

1st Birthday Party

We had a family birthday party for our little Jairus on Saturday.  It still is weird to think that our little man is 1 year old now.  He is such a sweet and happy boy! 

What kind of post would this be if I didn't post photos of our little man's big day?

The cake.  I actually started making a real cake and accidentally put in too much flour, so I had to use the only other thing I had...brownies.  I ended up making cake like brownies.  I thought they turned out okay.

 "Blowing" out the candles.

 Eating the cake/brownie.  He just delved right in!

 He knew exactly what to do.

 Pucker up!

 This is my oldest brother who was in town.  Jairus really took to him.  It was really cute to see them interact with each other.

 ICE CREAM!  

I could see the little wheels in his head turning.  He was probably wondering if he'd get into trouble for eating it with his hands.

 It's amazing how quickly it came to him though.

 Hahaha!  He's really enjoying himself.

 Look at that little messy face!  

Love him!

The gifts:

  Most of the cousins on my side of the family.  This little man sure is loved!

 I really loved how much our little guy took to my brother.

  It ended up to be a pretty good day.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

I can't believe our little buddy turns one today!  It seems like the time has just flown by.  I remember the day he was born. We were so full of and excitement and a little fear. Excitement because we couldn't wait to meet him and fear because of the fact he was so purple and had to be rushed to get his nose clear and get oxygen.  We later found out that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice.  We're so thrilled though that everything was turned out okay.

Our little man has certainly kept us on our toes.  From his first ultrasound 'till the time he was born, it seemed like our worries never ended.  Our little man is a fighter though.  We're so happy that our little man is a part of our family!

 Our precious little guy.

 Has has brought so much joy to our lives.  He is such a happy little guy.  His smile and laughter always brighten our days.

Our family wouldn't be complete without him!  

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Finally Finished!

Here is my update with my project!  It's FINISHED!!!  Now I can finally finish the project we started on.   

The mudding process.

 Priming!  YAY!

 One step closer to finishing.

 Since we had so much dust from mudding on our counters, my hunny left me a cute little love note on the counter.  I have the best hubby!

Before the remodeling:

This was the best picture I could find a before picture.

The finished product:

YAY!  We got it done!

Independence Day Festivities

For the past few years, we've been going to a flag raising ceremony at Brian's parent's ward building.  It's awesome, they do a program, have donuts and milk for breakfast, and then do a candy cannon.  Here are some of the highlights from our 4th of July.

 This was on the way to the flag raising ceremony.  Their faces crack me up!

 The flag raising ceremony:

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Tali.

She's my sweet little princess!

 This little man would not look at me and smile which is unlike him, but at least he's smiling eventhough he isn't looking at me.  He sure does love his daddy though!

 I just love this little girl|!

 This is my pappy.  He served in the Special Forces.  Thanks for serving Pappy!  We love you!

I love seeing this flag!   I'm so thankful for the freedoms I enjoy.  Thanks to all who serve or who have served to protect our lives and liberties.

"Grandpa's lil' angel." 

 At first Tali was a little apprehensive to hold the sparklers, but after a few minutes she warmed up to it.

  Love this picture of Tali and her daddy!

 My happy baby girl.

 She makes me so happy!

 He loved seeing fireworks for the first time.

 My man lighting fireworks.

 She was so excited with all the fireworks in the sky, she didn't want to go to bed.

 I thought this was a sweet picture of her and her daddy.

 I don't know if you can see this or not, but it was so windy Brian had a hard time lighting the fireworks.  That's when he went for his blowtorch.

 Me and my little man.

 Our pride and joy!

It was so nice to see them enjoying the fireworks.

 I love his facial expression.

 She didn't want her picture taken anymore, it was getting late and she was so tired.

 Awww.  My sad little girl.

 Haha!  I love my hubby.  He cracks me up!

 I have the best little family ever!