Huck Finn And A Walk Through The Park

We took advantage of the warm day today and headed out to Rocks State Park for a little "hike"...which was more of a quick walk for Mr. Mountain Man here... We had to cross this river to get to the water fall and didn't want to risk slipping on the rocks with Victoria in our arms, so Shawn volunteered to walk across Huck Finn style. When we were trying to decide how to cross I questioned Shawn on why he was so hesitant to cross after he had just finished telling me (again) that we are moving to Montana (I laugh every time at the idea) and he responds with "I'd run across this thing if I didn't have Victoria"..we both laughed because really it was only a hop and a skip to the other side...

We met some friends on the way to the water fall, you can see him in the picture...his wife was still on the other side a bit nervous to cross.

Victoria was mesmerized by the water fall. I couldn't even get her to look at me for a picture.

This little girl loves to be outside.

Here I am... The Mom, who carries the baby, the camera, and the bag with everyone's stuff in it.

We had our trail buddies take a picture of our little family... we did look at the camera for a couple of them..but of course they didn't turn out all that great. I like the candid shots better anyway.

Here's the little one enjoying the outdoors.

Here's To Three Years!

Yesterday Shawn and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary...so here's to three years!

The Courtship

{January 2005-April 2006}

The Engagement {January 23. 2006}

The preparations began...

The Dress

The Shoes

The Bouquet 

The Cake

The Reception {Berch Creek Golf Course-Logan, Ut}

The First Dance

The Bride & Groom

The Perfect Day

{April 15, 2006} 

Dear Shawn-                                                                                                                4/15/2009

   We've had an exciting 3 years of marriage, and we have a lot to show for it! Last night I was remembering 3 years ago...

I was lying in bed the night before we got married and was thinking "I can't believer I'm getting married tomorrow!" I couldn't wait to begin our life together. Then our wedding came, it was the best day of my life marrying you in the Temple. Nothing felt more right, or more perfect kneeling across the alter from you-the man that swept me off my feet, the man that I longed to spend the eternities with! The rest of our wedding was pure bliss, you were the only thing that mattered, WE were the only thing that mattered. I remember thinking that life couldn't get any better...but it has! We've laughed and cried, and laughed until we've cried. We've celebrated our successes, worried about our troubles, and brought a beautiful baby girl to this earth...the best part about it all is that we've done it together! I love you so much. You've an amazing husband and most perfect Daddy! Thank you for 3 wonderful years and for taking hold of my hand on that New Years Eve which started it all!

                                                                   With Love- Your wife & "baby girl"

*Engagement picture and Wedding pictures taken by Candis Schow Photography 

*Bridal pictures ("the dress") taken by Amelia Lyon Photography

A Week In The Life Of A Tourist

Late Tuesday night (April 7) Shawn’s mom and little sis flew into DC to spend a week with us! Carol and Brittany were so excited to see Victoria they forgot that Shawn and I were even there! We all spent that night at Shawn’s Cousin’s house (Thanks again Scott and Kate!) and the next morning we were off to Williamsburg Virginia and began our week as tourists!

{From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia. Here, Thomas Jefferson studied law, and later he, George Washington, Patrick Henry, and other patriot leaders plotted America’s freedom from Great Britain.} * Taken from website

It was an interesting trip…my mother-in-law was in Heaven the whole time as she was surrounded by history. And Brittany couldn’t handle all the shirtless men (a bit on the older side) jogging in Neon colored short shorts…I think she took pictures of every one of them! It was kind of hard for Shawn and I to really get into it having Victoria to entertain, but really the history is amazing! Sitting in original buildings where our founding fathers sat and walking paths that they walked was pretty incredible.

Friday morning Shawn, Carol, and Brittany headed off to Jamestown, while I stayed back at the hotel to give Victoria a chance to take a good nap and give her a break from being in the stroller. We headed back up to our house…Saturday those three took a mega bus up to New York City…I stayed home. Taking a baby to NY on a bus when it was our first time up there would have been a stressed out disaster! So Shawn, Carol, and Brittany walked around as much of NY as they could in the cold and rain! Then on Monday we were back in Washington DC to see the monuments (third time for Shawn and I now…although Shawn spent the whole time circling to find a new parking spot). We also saw a little of the American History Museum…we would have liked to see more but Shawn and I drove around for an hour looking for a place to park…then when we found someone who was leaving we had to wait behind them 10 minutes while they ate Sushi in their mini van…I was tempted to ask If I could join them! The American History museum had some amazing stuff…the original flag that flew which inspired the writing of our Star Spangled Banner, the original Ruby Slippers that Judy Garland wore in Wizard of Oz (I’m a fan of both, so for me that was one of the highlights of the trip)! Later that evening we enjoyed dinner with Shawn’s cousins at Five Guys…a burger place that people love around here…yeah it’s good, but I still think Inn-N-Out is better! Tuesday morning Carol and Brittany boarded their plane and we returned to our normal life, and I feel like I’ve been doing laundry for four days straight! …and it’s still not done!

{click to see larger view} While in Williamsburg we ate lunch at King's Arms Tavern... Best Salad I have EVER had. I still can't get over how delicious it was! 

Shawn and I - Williamsburg

Victoria checking out Alex...and picking on him ha ha!

Thanks for a fun week!

Some Bunny Loves Me

We had a beautiful Easter! It was a bit chilly but the sun was shining and the smell of spring was in the air! The Easter Bunny paid Victoria a little visit and left her a basket full of goodies…I think she was more interested in the ribbon around the basket than what was inside…we dressed ourselves in our Sunday best and headed to church, where I was reminded of why this day is so special with a very touching talk of our Savior’s sacrifices and resurrection.

Shawn’s mom and little sister Brittney were here visiting and we all enjoyed a home cooked meal of Chicken Cordon Blu, Roasted Asparagus, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls… okay, it was semi homemade. We had been out of town all week so when Shawn went to Walmart Saturday at midnight he came home with instant potatoes and Pillsbury rolls. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing…it was a good day.

Victoria not wanting to share with Trixie! I love this picture!

Notice how she is pointing to her basket!

I had seen Victoria’s dress at Baby Gap a little while before Easter and fell in love with it…wanted to make one similar to it, I even found a pattern and some cute fabric, but I just ran out of time…So we bought it and I snapped a few (when I say few I mean 70 ) pics the week before Easter so we could send them to the Grandparents. We got a lot of cute ones! Here’s our little cupcake in her first Easter dress… 

A Mini Journal Entry

 I’m Tired. It’s just one of those days where I can’t think straight because my brain is so tired! Victoria is not sleeping well at night and it’s driving me a bit crazy! Not to mention Shawn is now working overtime…which is a blessing really because of the extra money it will bring in…but it means less time spent with him…and then all these week to two week trainings he goes on…usually on Fridays I would be singing our “Happy for the Weekend” song, not today though because Shawn will be working tomorrow…but I am counting my blessings, and there are far too many to count! Aw well, life is full of sacrifices…we give a little to get a little, or sometimes give a lot to get a little, and even give a little to get a lot…so I guess it all balances out in the end!

We are still house hunting (that’s TOWNhouse hunting around here). We haven’t walked into a place that has felt like “home” yet, but are still hoping to land a good deal, put a little money into it, and settle in for the rest of the time that we will be here in Maryland.

Victoria had her 6 month wellness checkup this morning, shots included of course! She handled them really well…If she was a little older she would have gotten to pick out a treat, but instead she got some juice…a little boring I know but still pretty yummy to a 6 month old! She weighed in at 16 Lbs 7 oz (a little above average percentile) and measured 27 3/4 inches! She is off the charts for her height!

I’m such a thinker…more like a dreamer, an observer. I keep a lot of who I am inside my head…but lately it’s been itching to get out. My brain is stuffed full of all these things I’d love to do and be…ideas for our house, sewing, learning how to play the piano and violin, becoming a ballerina, a photographer, running a marathon…even doing an Iron Man someday, finishing school…really the list goes on, and a lot of it makes some people laugh, well…some of my thoughts make me laugh! I’ve been sitting on some of my “dreams” since I was a little girl. I recently found out that one of my Mother’s biggest regrets is that she never pursued her dream to become a ballerina. No regrets…I’ve decided I’m going to start knocking stuff of my list…

 

{Added a little while later}

Of course being a mother (and wife) was my number one dream…and it’s been a dream come true. There is nothing that could replace being a mother to a beautiful daughter and wife to a wonderful, handsome husband. Victoria and Shawn come first and top any list that I may have. But what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t show my Children how to dream!