Grandma and Grandpa in Muskogee

Grandma and Grandpa made a trip to Oklahoma once they completed their service in the Idaho Falls Temple Presidency. It was awesome for me to have them here but much to short of a trip. Isabella enjoyed spending time with them and asked where "Grandma and Grandpa were" when she woke up from her naps. We mostly hung around the house which meant they found many projects to work on to prepare our house for the winter and the holidays. I loved having my parents here and hope they come back very, very soon!!


Wearing Grandma's shoes!

Playing with the window decorations Grandma brought.

Grandpa's attire for one of many projects around the house. You could assume it was cold here at the time.

Our temporary bed. Isabella enjoyed laying on it only when it was deflated.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins has definitely been a "Spoon full of Sugar" for Isabella! It is a good thing that it is a great movie because we have sure seen it a lot lately. She gets mesmerized by the singing and dancing and tries to dance along. I love to watch her enjoy such a classic. This photo of her is in the mesmerized state not the dancing.

Fairy - Poodle

This Halloween we were given a few costumes for Isabella. Instead of choosing between them all we decided to have her be them all or rather at least two of them; the white fairy and a pink poodle. Of course we thought she was adorable in both but you can be the judge. Happy Halloween!!

Quick Trip Home

Since I was able to go home for Evelyn's funeral I was able to spend some quick time with family and friends. My parents were so great and came down to Utah to hang out with Isabella and I. We were able to meet up with Melissa and Lucas for an afternoon at the Discovery Center. An afternoon only brushed the surface of all that the Discovery Center has to offer. It was wonderful and Isabella loved all of it. We went to the water tunnels, the horse, and the blocks; only a few of the many activities.

I was also able to see all of my siblings and some of their families. It was awesome to be with them all. Then we headed up to Idaho for a couple of days. I was able to see friends that I haven't seen since I was pregnant. It was great to be able to reconnect with them. I can't wait to see them again when I come home before Christmas. My parents have also purchased some new horses and so we were able to ride them while I was home. Isabella was in heaven and screamed when we took her off. She could have hugged and talked to them for hours. It was so fun to watch!

Being home for such an event and having my family and friends around reminded me how grateful I am to have been born in the DeMordaunt family and raised in Idaho with such awesome friends.

Evelyn Yancey (DeMordaunt)

We had the awesome opportunity to celebrate Evelyn's life a week ago with her sad passing (sad for us but not for her). However her life typified a Christlike woman in every way. She was faultless. This amazing woman helped raise three generations; my father, my siblings and I, and my neices and nephews. She was selfless in every way! She was so patient with the Lord desiring things in this life like a spouse, her own born children and a normal functioning body but wasn't yet time. She patiently waited for the Lord to except her from this life until she was 97 years old, without complaints. Evelyn was obedient, faithful, and serving her entire life. Some might think I am exaggerating but truly I am not.

I feel the Lord blessed me not only by having this amazing relationship with Evelyn but by living by her so that I could help and spend some quality one on one time with her. He also blessed me by allowing her to be alive when I had my daughter Isabella Eve. "Eve" is the namesake of Evelyn and I wanted Evelyn to know how special she has always been in my life by naming Isabella Eve after her. I'm grateful that Isabella will always know of Evelyn Yancey and I pray that she will emulate her.

There are so many great memories to treasure of Evelyn... The faithful letter writer even though you were not faithful at writing back. Her homemade cookies. Sleepovers at Evelyn's house with her special squash for dinner. Family home evenings decorating Evelyn's tree. 4th of July on Evelyn's front lawn. Evelyn the first one in the kitchen cooking and the last one in the kitchen cleaning up. Evelyn shoveling and sweeping her own home and every one else's. Evelyn shaking her head when the name was said of a new child born in the DeMordaunt family. Evelyn's soft, soft hands. Evelyn's long goodbye's because she hated to leave. Evelyn always asking me, how is Kyle. Her special and unforgettable wave. Evelyn loved watching Lawrence Wilk and musicals. Her scriptures always out and open. Evelyn being there for all events in the DeMordaunt family. The list could go on and on but Evelyn is/was our family!!

It is incredibly sad for me to know that Evelyn is not there anymore to see when I come home to visit. I will miss her soooo much but I have been blessed and inspired to have her in my life with hopes of hugging her again in paradise.

Pumpkin Patch

MY PUMPKIN!!!

Simple Joys

The quickest way to entertain and excite Isabella is to let her play in the sink. It also gives me time to clean the kitchen. I remember her cousin Lucas loving the sink at our family reunion so I gave it a shot with her and Chaaaa Chinggg!!

GiGi and the Duck

Isabella's quacking duck has now become GiGi's "special" duck. She licks it, nuzzles it, paws it, protects it and sleeps with it. There is a dark ring around the ducks neck where she has licked it repeatedly. GiGi LOVES this duck!! So I captured this special moment with The Duck.

Cowgirl starting with the pony

Anxiously Waiting


One of the nice things about Oklahoma are the many different religious affiliations hosting fun events. Since they are all trying to get as many as they can to attend their services it is one church trying to out do the other. I am just loving the Free food, games and everything else you can think of, especially this time of year. This week Isabella loved the pony rides. We spent almost our entire time here.

My Beautiful Girl

I just wanted to add these photos of Isabella because I think she rocks and is so cute. Yes I am bragging but I think I can do that as her mom.

Swim Lessons

We are taking swimming lessons. It really is just a great time for Isabella to splash around in the water and Mom and Dad receiving some great tips for later. Bella is starting to get a little bit of our instruction but for the most part it is all about chasing the balls. The pool is awesome it is bath water temp and 1 to 2 feet deep. So, she loves to feel so big walking around in the water by herself. The most important part of swim class is the chlorine. Thank heaven for this!! Isabella drinks about 2 cups of water each class in attempt to blow bubbles.

GiGi - Our new family member

GiGi has become Isabella's best friend and foe. They look for each other all day long. Bella just wants to hold her anyway she can. Needless-to-say GiGi receives a lot of torture from Bella but the amazing thing is she comes back for more over and over again. They feed off each other with energy and hardly ever stop. It has been fun reliving my childhood having a kitten around and even greater to see Isabella enjoy her so much.


GiGi thinking she has a hiding place from Isabella where she can't get her.



Play Pals

Styx

Steve and I had the awesome opportunity to see Styx in concert in Muskogee, OK VIP. It was INCREDIBLE!! We were in a smaller auditorium with only about 300 people and about 20 feet away was Styx. And did I mention that it was all free... yes I said free. Steve and I "Sailed Away" to this non - "Grand Illusion" for two awesome full hours. I could have stroked Tommy Shaw over and over but I just watched other women do so and held on tight to Steve. It was such a treat and I loved every single minute.

It's Bella Bean's 1st Birthday Party

Back in the Saddle Again...and time has flown by

Here is an overview of the past several months via pictures.

Harper - Fast Friends

Proud Pops!

Harper Finn Ellison came into the world 7 weeks after Isabella. This was our first opportunity to meet him. He is not only so cute but Isabella's future body guard. She was so mesmerized and wanted to hug, kiss, touch, and talk to him. It was so fun to finally meet him and catch up with Brian and Suzzette. Our social outings together have definitely changed it is take out now and discussions on feeding, sleeping, and shooting poop! We are so glad that they have joined the baby world with us. Many more exciting stories and events still to come. Yahoo for Harper!!