Birthday Dinner with Friends

Tonight, some of my cute friends treated me to dinner at Chick-fil-A for my birthday. It was so nice to be able to sneak away for a night out. We ate yummy food and talked our little heads off.

Sarah, Teri, Lisa, and Mandi...Thanks for a great night!

Eclipse

My mother-in-law, Karla was able to get tickets to a preview showing of Eclipse. It worked out perfectly as a great way to spend my birthday. We ate dinner and then watched the show. I am grateful for the night out, and for the opportunity to spend my birthday with Matt, Karla, Kelly, Adam and Tifani!

Thanks everyone, for making my birthday so great!

Two Month Portraits

I cannot believe that my sweet little Zachary is already two months old. He has been such an fun little baby. He brings us so much joy and makes a perfect addition to our family.

Matt captured the most amazing photographs of Zachary. I am truly blessed to have a darling little boy and such a talented husband.


Look at those chubby cheeks! I just wanna squeeze 'em.


Zachary is doing so well with holding up his head. He can push up with his arms and stay up tall for quite a while. Good job buddy!


Too sweet for words. Zachary is seriously such a little sweetheart.


This photograph is absolutely adorable. I love it when Zachary sleeps with this hands behind his head. My mom says that this is how I use to sleep when I was a baby. The little smile on his face is so cute. Sweet dreams, little man!


Words cannot even describe how much I love this photograph. To me, it is the definition of innocence.


All I can say is...what a little cutie! I love his chubby arms and his little pinkie. If you look really close, you can even see a dimple on his left cheek.

It's My Party...

Today we celebrated my birthday with my parents, my grandma, and my Uncle Bill. We all met at my parent's house for a good meal and some fun in their backyard. The weather was so beautiful. It was great to sit and chat with everyone, while Elizabeth ran wild in the yard.


Look at my cute boys!


Elizabeth was being her sassy self. She saw me take out my camera and said, "Oh great. If you are taking pictures...then I'm leaving!". Needless to say, we don't have any photographs of Elizabeth playing outside.

Zachary was just fine with me taking his picture, though. What a little sweetie!


After playing outside for a while, we headed inside for presents and cake. I got some really gifts. My family always treat me so well. I received a gift certificate for the California Pizza Kitchen and a purse from my mom and dad, a Willow Tree statue from my grandma, and spending money from my uncle.


Every time I go to Costco, I see this huge chocolate cake and I always want to get it. However, it is so huge and way too much for Matt and I to eat by ourselves. So you don't know how happy I was when I saw my mom pull out this ginormous cake. It was so good!


Thanks everyone.

WestFest Parade 2010

Each year, at the end of June, West Valley City celebrates WestFest. There are all kinds of activities throughout the week, but Saturday morning is one of my favorites...a parade. My parents live right on the parade route, so we always have great seats outside mixed with all of the comforts of home just a few steps away!

Meme, Elizabeth, my Mom, Zachary, and my Dad wait for the fun to begin.


Elizabeth was so excited. My parents made the mistake of telling her about the parade about two weeks ago, so Elizabeth has been asking about it and has been getting excited about it for quite some time. She was so happy when grandma mentioned that the people in the parade would be throwing candy!


This was Zachary's first WestFest Parade. It was nostalgic for me because almost three years ago to the day, Elizabeth was enjoying her first WestFest Parade on Grandma's knee.


The parade began with the West Valley Police Department leading the way.


They were followed by bands, floats, dance crews, classic cars, and my dad's favorite...Big Budha.


Elizabeth made out like a bandit. She sat in her cushy lawn chair in the shade, while Papa and I ran around in the street collecting candy for her. Is she spoiled or what? Here she sits unwrapping her candy and enjoying the parade.


I look forward to the parade each year because it is fun to get together with my family and celebrate a fun tradition. Now that Elizabeth and Zachary are here to enjoy it...it is even better!


Zachary did great at his first parade. He slept through the beginning, until he got sprayed in the face with a super-soaker, then that was the end of his nap. I thought he would cry when the fire engines went by with their sirens blazing but he did not even flinch. He must feel very secure in grandma's arms.


Thanks Mom, Dad, and MeMe for sharing this fun tradition with me and my children. I cannot wait until next year.

Signing at the Zoo

Today, Elizabeth and I enjoyed a field trip with the Signing Times Academy. We took a trip to the Hogle Zoo to learn the signs for over 30 animals. It was such a fun experience and our teacher Adrienne was absolutely adorable. We were so glad that Elizabeth's friend Hailee, and her mom Melissa were able to come too. We also got to meet a new friend named Bella and Bella's mom, Erin. It was nice to be able to walk around and enjoy the fresh air with my little girl and my sweet baby boy.

As we walked with the group, our teacher would show each of the children how to sign each of the names of the animals as we saw them. Elizabeth did a great job of listening and attempting each of the signs. Her favorite signs were giraffe and bird.

For bird, you pinch your fingers together, place them in front of your mouth, and then open and shut your fingers.


For giraffe, you make a "C" shape with your hand, place it at the base of your neck, and then stretch your arm out as high as you can go.


It was so cute to see Hailee, Bella, and Elizabeth running around together. I know that Elizabeth had much more fun with her friends than she would have had with only me. They had a great time looking at all of the animals.


Even though, I had the double stroller, Elizabeth wanted to walk next to Bella and Hailee's wagon. It was so cute to see her holding Hailee's hand as we strolled along.


After walking the entire zoo, we stopped by the carousel for a picnic lunch. The girls were so cute and shared their food with each other. They even got a little crazy and decided to make some funny faces. I am so glad that Elizabeth has such nice friends!


After a trip on the carousel, Bella and Hailee headed home.


Elizabeth, Zachary, and I decided to stay a little longer though. It was such a nice day and we were having such a great time. We decided to walk the entire Zoo one more time.


At the Asian Highlands, Elizabeth got to feel a real animal fur and sit on the Lion statue.


Elizabeth loves the elephants, so we definitely had to stop to see the mommy elephant and Zuri again.


I had such a great time with my kids. Zachary was an absolute doll and slept in the stroller for almost the entire zoo visit. Elizabeth was a great listener and was so sweet. She was constantly saying "Thank you" and was such a big helper when I needed anything for Zachary.

Today, I made memories that I will cherish forever.