A walk.

It was warm and sunny enough to go on a walk today. 

 It made my heart soar! 

Also it was Sam's first walk... he loved it. 

Good or Bad?

Does taking our kids to Toys "R" Us for family night, because we didn't plan anything, make us good parents?  Or bad? 

I say good!!!

Tulips

I bought myself tulips. So what?!  They make me feel "springish".  ♥

First smiles and an awesome date!

It's a two picture day!

Sam started really smiling consistently this morning.  Baby smiles are so joyful!

For Christmas we got tickets to see Brian Reagan (We have wanted to see him live for years!) and a gift card to Ruth's Chris.  So not only was it an awesome date... it was free! (For us anyway.)

My first favorite food is...

PIZZA! 

That is what he tells me.

His second favorite food... MEAT BALLS!

Look at that cute face.  I adore it.

This is it.

This is all I took pictures of today.

Kissing a baby.

It is the best!

No, scratch that... Sam's expressions are the best!

Peace!

My darling family helped me clean the disaster area that was my room.

It is so much more peaceful when it is clean.

Gettin' my hair did.

For the first time since the end of August!

HAPPY DAY! 

Great Grandmas...

Are the best!!!

My grandma also told me that my Dad was born with hair just like Sam's.  Lots of it and dark... even darker than Sam's.  Mystery solved!

Sling

This baby insists on being held at all times... so I bought a sling.  He loves it and I can get a bit done. 

Date night!

I like going on dates...

and making out with my date! 

Sweet girl.

We picked Dave up from the airport and Ella wanted to hide and surprise him while we were waiting. She is so cute.

It doesn't get any better than...

this.

My funny little guy.

James totally cracks me up.  I had to leave him and Sam at my sweet neighbors for 10 minutes while I went to get Ella from a late play practice at the school tonight.  When I got back to pick the boys up this is how I found James.  I teased him and said "Why don't you make yourself at home!" 

I adore this boy!

He adores his 3DS that Santa brought. 

Darn that Santa!

Bun-Bun

Have you ever seen anything so cute?!

Me either.

The only person James is willing to share his precious Bun-Bun with is his baby brother.  More Bun-Bun posts HERE and HERE.

Mahla.

Here is my awesome Mother-in-law Leslie, or as we call her "Mahla" (That is how Ella said Grandma when she was little... it stuck for Leslie).  She came to my house today and cleaned with/for me for like 5 hours.  I cried I was so grateful.  Dave then took us all to Outback. 

Hurah for Mahla!!! 

Hurah for Dave!!!  

Cute cousins!

 

K has been DYING to hold "Baby Sammy" (as she calls him).  I wasn't letting any kids hold him for the first few weeks but on Sunday I decided to let her.  She kept saying "Baby Sammy SO cute!" and "What baby Sammy doing?" over and over.  Most 2 year olds would only last a few seconds holding a baby.  She lasted like 5 minutes and could have kept going.

P.S. How hilarious is Sam's expression!?  LOL

Diaper Bag



My cute BFF/Ex-roommates gave me the most beautiful diaper bag.  I LOVE IT!  One of my favorite features is the little straps meant specifically to hang it from a stroller or shopping cart. (I left the baby in this picture because lets face it... cute babies ALWAYS improve any picture.)

Girls day out.



One of Ella's birthday gifts was a card from me with a coupon for a Mommy/daughter date to get her ears pierced.  She wanted to wear this dress (I love it... it is so sweet, even though it looks like a pioneer or polygamist dress).  She was super brave and only teared up a little during the piercing.  After she wanted to go to Olive Garden for lunch.  It was a perfect date. 

Gadgets

Thank goodness for the awesome gadgets that my husband owns.

Especially when I am dumb and leave the lights on in my car.

No words.

There are no words adequate enough to describe the joy that the first social smiles of a baby brings.

Patate.

If you ever get a chance to eat at Vinto in SLC please order the Patate Pizza.

It has Yukon gold potatoes, arugula and goat cheese to name a few of the yummy toppings.  It may sound weird but believe me... it is AWESOME

(Even Dave loves it... he introduced us in fact.)

I like leftover...

Birthday cake!!!

Playdough colors none the less.

Peanut Butter Bars!

We had a family birthday dinner for Ella at one of her Grandmas houses tonight.  Ella wanted peanut butter bars instead of cake... my kind of girl!

Finally!

The stuff we've been waiting for!!!

Helper

While I was frantically running around trying to get things ready for this girls party tonight the baby started crying.  I came to check and found that his big sister had already picked him up and was comforting him.  A new baby with older kids is so different... in a good way!  I love the sweet helpers they are.

My 8 year old birthday girl.

8 years ago this amazing little girl was born and placed in my arms...

and I became a mother. 

What a miracle she is! 

Happy birthday to my sweet girl!  I hope she loves her new bike and scriptures.  She also got a "coupon" for a lunch date with Mom (me!) to go to lunch and get her ears pierced.  I am probably more excited about our girl date than she is. 

Boy Rooms.

There are few choices it seems when choosing a theme for a boy nursery.  Your choices are usually; animals, automobiles or generic sports themes.  I don't like any of those.  So with my kids nurseries I just did generic bright colors... no real theme.  But with Sam I decided I wanted to do something different.  Dave and I love super heroes.  I found these super awesome vintage looking tin wall hangings and made this mural with them above his crib.  I love it.  The rest of his room is just generic bright colors again (with a few Boston Red Sox and Utah Utes things thrown in the mix!)

First day on our own...

Today real life started again. 

Kids back to school. 

Dave off to work. 

It was the first day on our own for me and Sam...
and we rocked it. 
We went to the Dr. (2 week check up a week late... he is doing great!) and then Sam curled up by me in a little nest I made while I blogged.
Babies are so delicious!

Teeny Tiny fingers.

Why are tiny things SO much cuter than the bigger versions?...

I don't know but they sure are! 



My Family

I am starting the year out with my absolute favorite people.