Graduation

This past weekend, Steve graduated from College! I am so proud of what he has accomplished. This last year has been hectic to say the least. Steve somehow managed to finish his last year of school with the changes of a baby (Mikayla), while teaching seminary, working, being in a bishopric, and dealing with a pregnant wife. All of these things would be a full time job in and of themselves, so I don't know how he did it. But what amazes me is that not only was he able to do all these things, but he did all of it well. He succeeded in each area and that is an example to me. Congratulations Steve, I love you!

Dandelions

Whenever Mikayla sees a picture of a lion, she will roar at it as I usually say, "Lion." Well, the other day, Mikayla and I were sitting on the front lawn and she noticed the dandelions growing. She pointed at them and looking at me seemed to question, "What are those?" I told her, "Those are dandelions. Pretty huh?" About 10 minutes later, I noticed that Mikayla was roaring and I was looking around, trying to figure out what she could have possibly seen outside that resembled a lion. Nothing came to mind, so I thought she must have been day dreaming about a lion. Finally it dawned on me, she's roaring at the dandelions! That little girl associated the last part of the word dandelion, with the lion she normally sees and assumed it must be the same thing. Now whenever we go outside, she will always point and roar. Everyday that little girl puts a smile on my face.

Swimming

Steve and I took Mikayla swimming for the first time this week and it was so much fun. We went to the Legacy Center in Lehi and it was packed. Because it was so noisy and so much going on, Mikayla didn't like it at first. However, she quickly warmed up to the idea and was getting mad at us because we wouldn't let go of her in the water so she could go where she wanted to. Now that she's been swimming, she will grab her swimming suit, head to the bath tub and look at us like, ok guys, fill er up. She loves the water!

I love that her sandals match her bathing suit. I can't handle it, it's so cute!


So cute


She loved the water that sprayed up, she was trying to catch it.


Daddy Daughter


Sporting the Shades

1 year old pictures

We took pictures of Mikayla for her 1 year birthday (it was the first time since she was born), and we just got them today. I think they turned out pretty good. The one with the basketball kills me. The photographer had tons of stuffed animals and dolls, but the only thing that caught Mikayla's eye was the basketball. I love that she is in a fancy girly dress and holding a ball. Like Mother, Like Daughter





we took more pictures, but I need to scan them in still. When I do that I'll upload them

It's a baby...

So we finally had an ultrasound to find out what we are having. It's another girl! I'm so excited because Mikayla and this new little one will only be 17 months apart and they are going to be such good friends (until the teenage years when they will probably hate each other). Looking at the profile, I think she will look a little like Mikayla. Can't wait to meet her!

Look at how defined her leg is. I'd kill for legs like that!



I like that the ultrasound guy put the arrow in the picture so we could all be sure.

My 1 Year Old Baby!

Sunday was Mikayla's birthday, but we ended up having a party for her on Saturday. I never thought I would be the type to go all out on a birthday party, but somehow I found myself doing just that. Mikayla loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (mostly for the hot dog song), so I decided to do a Clubhouse themed party. I think it turned out pretty good, and there were over 30 kids there, so it was really fun. Here are some of the events we did:


We had the kids make Mickey ears and then they played pin the nose on Mickey and Minnie. Mikayla wouldn't keep her ears on, that's why they are on the ground.


For each activity, they kids had to pick a tool from Toodles. (If you haven't seen the show, that probably doesn't make much sense). Here Steve is asking the kids which tool to pick from Toodles in his Mickey Mouse voice.


Steve's brother had a bounce house, so we used that for the Clubhouse. The kids had to say the magic words to make it appear, "Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse!" If you look close at Mikayla, she did NOT like the bounce house.


I decided to try my hand at cake decorating and made this Mickey Mouse cake. I didn't think it would turn out, so I'm actually please with the final result.


Mikayla eating part of her cake. She's definitely my daughter, she loves Chocolate!


The kids making Mickey Mouse cupcakes


We had a bubble machine and Mikayla loved trying to catch them


Overall, it was a great party, and there were so many people who helped make it possible. Thanks everyone for coming and making it such a success!
Happy Birthday Mikayla, I'm so glad you are my little girl. We Love You!

11 months

I haven't posted any pictures lately of Mikayla and I haven't bragged about her in a little while so I thought I would gush about her for this blog. She is getting cuter and cuter everyday and becoming more independent. She drinks from a sippy cup by herself and has now move on to using a fork. She definitely likes feeding herself and if I do it, she will scream at me to let me know she is not happy. For the most part, she feeds herself, but I have to help with the really sticky foods like waffles, french toast and pancakes. That girl definitely has a sweet tooth.

I tried to capture Mikayla putting the fork in her month with the food, but she is too quick for me. If you look carefully, you can see on this mouthful, the piece of food fell off the fork and landed on her tray. That's why her face is the way it is, "Where's the food?"


Mikayla likes to first put the cup in her mouth...


And then tip her head back against the chair to get the milk out. She is so funny


Next blog, I'll have to put video on of her acting like a monkey, making elephant noises, saying her two syllable words and of her walking. She is definitely keeping me busy :)