Okie Dokie: 2009

Halloween Party

Each year Steve and I have a Halloween party with lots of games and food. Here are a few pictures of some of the games we played this year.

Fall Festival Night

She loves the pony rides.
Round 1 with mom
Round 2 with dad

She did awesome at air baseball. This was a super cool game.

The pumpkin patch did not disappoint again this year. We have so many options around us but we had such a great time last year that we went to the same one. The kids had a great time and we came away with some good pumpkins. I love this time of year with the crisp cool air, yet the sun's beautiful shine that warms you right up.

Baby girl is TWO

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
I read this statement and I couldn't agree more. My little princess is growing up so quickly. We have been having so much fun together maybe even too much because she has a serious case of separation anxiety. We went to visit my family in Utah for a couple of weeks and I couldn't leave her side without a serious meltdown. Just to come and get her out of the car seat she would repeat several times, "Come get me mom, come get me mom," in a partial plea and crying. Not that it made me to sad to have her dote on her mom but I think the cousins were about fed up by the time we left.
She was very excited for her birthday. She would tell everyone, "My birthday is coming up!" On the day of her birthday we sang to her in bed and her first response to us was, "can I open my presents from Grandma and Grandpa." She had a perfect princess, pink, eat as much sugar as I can, sing, dance, presents, birthday day!!! Now we are moving on to the I"m two year!!

BYU vs OU

Rise and Shout the COUGARS were Out!!! Ohhhhh yes, thanks to Todd Groberg, Steve and I not only were able to go to the BYU vs OU game but we had INCREDIBLE seats. For me the game was awesome for Steve... not so much!!! Why you might ask after all my husband did play for BYU on their volleyball team and won them a National Championship. Oh no he was cheering for OU. I fear saying this for the kickback I might receive but he claims it is his growing up pride that kept him cheering for OU. I just think he felt bad for them and was cheering on the underdog like the kind hearted person he is. The Cougs did not disappoint! I was extremely nervous for them expecially in the AMAZING stadium they were playing in. Jerry Jones definitely did it right in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. As a mentioned we had great seats but even so we had a hard time not watching from the gigantic HD screen in front of us. It was a great game and BYU played great!! It was such a treat to enjoy even afterwards with the big WIN, maybe next time Steve!!!

Uncle Ty Leaving

Steve's younger brother Tyler left for his new adventure in the Navy. He is on the track to become a Navy Seal and we are very proud of him. Here are some photos we took with him before he left.

Nauvoo #2

Isabella and I had the opportunity to visit Grandma and Grandpa again in Nauvoo for about 10 days. This was awesome because the first time was a whirlwind trip and this time we really got to enjoy the entire area. We visited the Amish country, Iowa German colonies, Melissa, Lucas, Roman and her family, and all of the sights and sounds of Nauvoo. I LOVE NAUVOO!! I was also able to go to the beautiful Nauvoo temple. Grandma and Grandpa always spoil us and it was no different this time. I also have grown leaps and bounds with my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the saints who sacrificed so much when the church was restored to the earth. I am so grateful for my parents serving a mission in the Nauvoo temple that allowed me to have the amazing experiences I had with them and myself in Nauvoo. The only tragedy was not being able to share it all with Steve. Hopefully another time we can do it together. It is so incredible how you feel the Spirit all over the place.

Private Ride

In route to Nauvoo Isabella and I had a plane to ourselves. Cool? Scary? I thought both. My initial feelings were do I not know something I should about this airline and the place we were going. Then I thought I can't believe they are still going to fly with just myself and my lap child. A plane that sat 16 was filled with myself, Isabella, the co-pilot and the pilot. We not only had a wonderful flight but I was so spoiled that I can see why some people only travel in their own private jet. This was my second private jet experience, the first being on Dick Marriott's private plane, but Isabella's first so I definitely had to document it for history.

Our Young Picasso

Isabella came in to Steve and said, "Hurry daddy I want to show you something." Off they went... and on the wall was this. She said, "Daddy isn't it pretty!" Impossible to get mad at something like this. After all it was only chalk as well. I might not feel the same with permanent markers.

4th of July

Sacrifice

This is one of the plaques at Carthage Jail. I loved what it said so I had to take a picture to remember. How true these sentiments should resound in our own lives. It should be our daily goal/task to try to live and sacrifice on a daily basis for the Lord. I know my task is not as the Prophet Joseph Smith's or other Saints who lost so much at that time for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However these thoughts gave me an extra umph on how I need to refocus my priorities and faith. It also made me so grateful for these individuals who are such an inspiration and example to me.

Exercise anywhere

Who says you need a gym to exercise... Not Steve!! After all what are nieces, nephews, and your daughter for but to help out in anyway possible.

Carthage Jail

Thank goodness for my parents serving missions or I wouldn't have as much urge to see half of the places I have. They are now serving in the Nauvoo temple and so we went to visit them this last weekend. What an awesome place. It is amazing how such a little town can carry so much of the Spirit as it does. This entry highlights Carthage Jail where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred. It was so awesome to hear about all of the history behind this event and then to feel the Spirit of the room and the testimonies of those who were there.
Carthage Jail
Bean holding on to the statues of Hyrum and Joseph
Bullet holes in the door of their room at the jail
My brother Lorin and his family
Steve and I at the window from inside the room at Carthage Jail
Window the Prophet Joseph fell from after being shot by the mob
Our family at Carthage Jail
Grandma and Grandpa with grandkids at Carthage Jail
Lorin smelling Bean's flower

For Him -OR- For Her

A couple of weeks ago we were with some friends and one of the kids had a small jeep for kids to ride in. Isabella was a little apprehensive about the whole thing but Steve became dead set on getting her one. I thought it might be a good idea to wait until she was a little bigger but the decision of dad was already made. So, then came the research of all the little cars out there. We settled on the Jeep for Steve, pink for Isabella, and the barbie one for me because we didn't have to put the barbie stickers on. I am not a fan of barbie. Next we took about 1 1/2 hours putting it together and then the long hard wait for Steve on the battery charging 24 to 36 hours. Steve could hardly stand waiting for the exciting moment of putting Isabella in her Jeep and hopefully watching her smile from ear to ear all over the yard, and wanting more and more of this fun car.
Well the time came and Isabella like getting in the Jeep but not going anywhere in fact the motion scared her to death. It wasn't until we got her cousin Kelsey to drive the Jeep would she even get anywhere near the thought of sitting in it as it ran. Steve's hopes were dashed. "How could she not love this thing?" is what he kept saying over and over again.
The funniest thing about it all was as Kelsey and Isabella were riding around the front wheel feel off. Phewwwwweeee!! We can take this thing back and not even feel the least bad about it. So back to the store are Non-Barbie pink Jeep went and I think it will be a while before Steve gets the bug to try again. Gotta Love it!!
Bean fixing it

Broken down