Ooohh La La!

This would be my homeade French Bread - this was an experiment - and they turned out delicious - we had French Dip Sandwiches and they were wonderful! All I have to say is - Oooohhh La La!

And I guess - oohh la la to the chef and her masterpiece too!

We decided to take Alayna swimming last week and so we squeezed her into her swimming suit from last summer and she loved it!!

When we finally left - she was devastated!

Coby and Alayna playing in the tent - she loves to have someone in their with her and as you can see - there is not much room for that - I fit a little better than Coby. This last week our poor family was pretty sick, Coby and Alayna got a virus - that made for lots of vomitting and diarrhea and even a trip to the hospital- and I feel so aweful that almost everyone that came in contact with them has had it too! No worries though - they are both feeling much better, but Alayna just started cutting her canine teeth - I think these have been the worst so far because she wasn't feeling good on top of it. So cheers to good health now!

Because My Life Revolves Around Her!

I don't know why I think messy faces are so cute, but they are - maybe because they clean up pretty easy. It seems like not much has been going on for us - but Alayna and I are always having a great time - even if Coby is studying!

I am so excited that I can get her to smile - every once in awhile - and catch it on camera - even if her face is messy.

This is on top of the mountain of snow in front of Grandpa Brad's house - Alayna thought she was on top of the world.

It will probably never melt!

On Saturday - Coby, Alayna, and I went to the Draper Temple Open House - the temple is so beautiful. It was very busy and took us over three hours to get through, but it was well worth it. We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the Celestial Room and the whole temple and the Spirit that was there. Alayna was so excited to go to the temple and had to point out every picture of Jesus that we passed. She also loved the chandeliers and continually said, "Pretty, pretty." I wanted a picture of all of us by the temple, but they actually don't let you wander the grounds during your tour - so we went back the next day and Alayna was asleep by the time we got there so we didn't get out of the car. Coby and I are excited because the Draper Temple will be the temple we are supposed get to attend. Next week I am excited and privileged to get to volunteer a couple of times - I get to do some Hosting and I also get to play the piano. Yeahh - I've been practicing every day.

This house is right above the temple - and Coby and I thought that it was really neat and castlelike - it is huge - from the back it is even bigger - and off to the left - you can see a bridge that leads to a huge garage and probably guest house.

Here Kali and Alayna are having a picnic! Thanks Kali for babysitting so Coby and I could go on a date! Now - Alayna always asks if we are going on a "date". This cute little table is were I spend half of my day - having tea parties, picnics, and making soup.

Alayna has a huge sticker fetish - and found a page of stickers I must have not put away and they were everywhere - a few ended up on her belly.

Here is a cute little video of Alayna showing her support for Obama on Inauguration Day, while we watched the parade. Someday she will look back and know that she was a part of history - even if she can't remember it.

A Very Late Happy Holidays Post!

We had a great Christmas vacation spent with our families. Alayna was spoiled really bad and was so cute. She loved opening presents and playing with her new toys. Alayna loves her princess tent and we have to have a picnic and a tea party everyday and sometimes more than a couple of times. She is growing up so fast - I really can't even believe it!

My sister Tifani, her husband Josh, and Madeline(above) also came to visit us from Indiana - we loved having them here and wish we could see them more often. I made Madeline some hairclips for Christmas - here she is with all of them in her hair!

Alayna wanted to unwrap presents all by herself - of course!

Santa brought Alayna a Hannah Montana bean bag - which she loves!!

Checking out her new Christmas pajamas!

I almost died - when I saw Alayna sharing her Chicken Noodle Soup with Snickers - bite for Alayna.

Bite for Snickers -ugh!

Uncle Preston and Alayna playing in the snow - have I mentioned how much Alayna loves the snow? Let me tell you again - she loves playing in the snow! Preston was so good to her - he played with her forever and took her for rides in the tube around the lawn until he couldn't walk anymore and Alayna was blue in the face - from saying "Ride, Ride!" and maybe she was a little bit cold.

The girls left and the boys were in charge of babysitting - so while the boys played pool - Madeline and Alayna were glued to "Barney" - yikes! When I came to take the picture - they were both sitting on the bean bag - completely enthralled.

I ran to the grocery store with my mom - to come home to a not very happy Alayna - why?! Because a handful of the balls from the ball pit were shoved into her pajamas.

Just For Fun!

The I HAVE tag! Bold the things that you HAVE done!!! (So I am leaving the original list -but my comments are in parentheses - if I didn't do something, I will tell you something I have done that reminds me of it!)
1. Started my own own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band (in middle school I played the Clarinet - that was the first time I noticed Coby, he was one of three clarinet players that were boys.)
4. Visited Hawaii (it was a surprise right before I left on my mission - it was a blast.)
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland (and I am going again this summer!)
8. Climbed a mountain (or a cliff is more like it).
9. Held a Praying Mantis.
10. Sang a solo. (I'm sure it was hard on everyones ears)
11. Bungee jumped. (I've been on some of the scariest roller coasters in the world!)
12. Visited Paris. (I've been to Amsterdam and Brussels - which are pretty close)
13. Watched a lightening storm at sea. (I think being on the mountain during a thunderstorm is almost as scary - it freaked me out.)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child. (I birthed my own beautiful baby girl)
16. Had food poisoning. (Several times -ugh!)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables. (I've helped grow vegetables, but they weren't my own I guess - but someday I will have my own garden)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France. (I've seen lots of other famous artists work such as Van Gogh, Vermeer, Picasso, Rembrandt, Cassatt, Monet...)
20. Slept over night on a train. (I've slept on a train and over night in an airport.)
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill. (Its pretty pathetic I've never done this -would feel too guilty.)
24. Built a snow fort and slept in it. (I have made a fort and slept in it, just not in the snow)
25. Held a lamb. (I've held lots of puppies)
26. Gone skinny dipping. (Only in the bathtub!)
27. Run a Marathon. (The closest I've come to that is a 10K)
28. Ridden a Gondola. (I've been on a canoe before)
29. Watched a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. (Both!)
31. Hit a home run. (I can't remember for sure, but I know I've hit a triple!)
32. Been on a cruise. (Not yet, but I've been on a ferry- thats a big boat too)
33. Been to Niagara Falls. (I've seen Shoshone Falls and Idaho Falls - they are beautiful)
34. Visited the birthplaces of your ancestors. (I've been in the England airport)
35. Seen Amish country. (I think some parts of Idaho kind of have that feel)
36. Taught yourself a new language. (I did have some help - but I speak Dutch)
37. Had enough money to feel totally satisfied. (I don't have a lot, but I couldn't be happier)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person. (I have seen an original Dutch Windmill)
39. Gone rock climbing. (Repelling is better!)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David. (Seen the one at Caesar's Palace!)
41. Sang Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant. (I've never done it, but its a good idea)
44. Visited Africa. (I've met a lot of people from Africa that I love dearly!)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. (My husband isn't that romantic)
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing. (Does the Kiddie Pond count?)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (I have been to the top of the Empire State Building and the World Trade Centers)
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. (Nothing big screen though)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. (Tifani & I sold candy in middle school so the family could go to Disneyland)
58. Taken a martial arts class. (Learned some stuff at Enrichment and Young Women's)
59. Visited New York City.
60. Served at a soup kitchen. (But I have served food at fundraising events)
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies. (I should sell them, we seem to buy and eat enough of them)
62. Gone Whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. ( I could never do it -sadly enough)
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (I have been to Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam - that was a really neat experience and I've been to the Holocause Museum in D.C.)
67. Bounced a check (I hope that never happens!)
68. Flown in a helicopter. (Been in lots of airplanes)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial. (and the Washington Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial...)
71. Eaten Caviar. (I have eaten Escargot - it wasn't that great)
72. Pieced a quilt. (I have helped tie lots of quilts)
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades. (I have been to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon)
75. Been fired from a job. (I'm proud to say I've let all my jobs being begged to stay)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone. (Pretty sure I broke my toe once)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican. (I've seen lots of neat really old cathedrals)
82. Bought a brand new car. (It was new to us!)
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (lots of times and I've written for the newspaper too!)
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House. (Just been outside)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved somebody's life. (Maybe not physically, but definitely spiritually)
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. (I live by it - I should)
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. One cavity or less. (Yeah right - I have a mouthful)
So anyone who wants to do this can do it too - it was kind of fun, I usually don't do things like this.

Christmas Vacation

On Christmas Day - we decided to venture into the wild world of tubing via the church parking lot behind my dad's truck. We all had a great time especially Alayna who just kept yelling, "Ride! Ride!" Every time the truck would stop and we would get up - she would throw a fit and insist that we keep riding. It was cold, but we kept going until her face was super cold and my motherly insticts took over and I drug her inside kicking and screaming and on the verge of hypothermia. I got Photoshop for Christmas and this collage was me - experimenting and trying to figure things out. I'll finish my Christmas update later!