Ice Castles

I have been wanting to go up to the Midway Ice Castles for a while now

T took me as part of our week long anniversary celebration

(the best part comes this Friday)

We had a blast- he was so good

I would suggest NOT going on a Saturday like we did

 This was my view the whole time

love these two

 The outside of the ice castles

it really is amazing

 Our family picture- not the coolest structure in there but it lit up

 In the ice slot canyon

 The ice was so amazing

and terrifying at the same time when you looked up!

8 months

This little guy is just the light of our lives

- He is 29.25 inches long

- Weighs 19.6 lbs

- is so social and smiley

- loves his solid foods

- started sitting up around Christmas

- not interested in crawling. He just loves to stand and roll (not at the same time)

-likes to growl and blow spit bubbles

- Loves reading time, especially pop up books 

- Favorite songs are patty cake and twinkle twinkle

Christmas

 We did lots of swinging- it felt so nice outside

 Hung out on Nana and Grandpa's soft carpet lots and lots

 Spent time with this crazy before he moved to Arkansas

 Santa visited- Navy was not quite sure. E just stared 

 Then they switched roles

 Mom had surgery- so I made the famous morning scones 

Not sure what Brandon is doing

 Christmas Morning picture

 E loved his rocking horse from Russia

 We  were spoiled

 E loved sitting in the middle and watching everyone

 Threw a baby shower

 Went to the cactus garden lights

Vegas tried so hard

not sure why we bundled E up so much- it was warm

 Container Park

 Loved seeing my sister and her little one, Navy. So cute!

 Proof Paige came and visited- they got engaged Friday

Yay for new sisters

It was so nice being in the warm weather!!!

3 years

Whew- we made it :)

This year threw us for a loop

Baby 

Me working after baby

T working on a thesis

T's trip to London and Russia

PhD apps

but I have a feeling things will just get crazier from here

I am so grateful for our eternal marriage

that even when I feel like we are standing in a cloud of stuff we have that light ahead of us 

T is a very good husband.

Patient

Goofy

Handsome

Does Laundry and Dishes

He gets up with E since I work early in the morning

He is supportive of my dreams

                             

(still obsessed with my dress and bouquet)

Love you T

2014 Goals started early

My sister in law was in town a few weeks ago and we got to talking

She said something that has been on my mind ever since

She was talking about her desire to be thougtful

It got me thinking

Would people think of me as a thoughtful person

I would like to believe I am to a small extent

but what I do find is I over exert myself and I get upset with people who I think are receiving my thoughtfulness do not reciprocate or are ungrateful

Follow that?

I feel like that has happened recently to me with two people I tried to be really thoughtful to and they totally overlooked it.

or so I thought they did

So here is my goal for 2014

Be thoughtful and don't expect anything in return

Serve, give compliments, be thankful, give

FREELY

with zero expectations

I think I have always expected too much out of people in my life

It's not fair

So here is to lower expectations (in a good way)

I'm quite excited for 2014 

2013 has been a blur

(Why is it when you have a baby the months feel like they never happened?)

so 2014

I am going to be thoughtful....

a low expectation thoughtful person

PERIOD

Carbs

Tis the season of Carbs

I went on a low carb diet

and then T made his amazing home made bread

so way to start the season of eating off right

ugh

North Carolina

We headed to North Carolina Oct 30- Nov 3

It was our first big trip with E

He was FANTASTIC

Was a dream baby on the flight

And really went with the flow of the weekend

 Mister Smarty was the reason we went out

First big time conference presentation: Check!

Next stop: England

 The colors were incredible

I never complained driving those highways

 We had a little pumpkin on Halloween

 Celebrated with Dame's Chicken and Waffles

If you are in Durham- GO!

We did get some funny looks taking a baby out to eat at 8:30pm

we wanted to keep him on Utah time

 Lunch break with Dad

Love those mustard pants

 Exploring Duke Gardens

 Are you kidding me? 

Can we go here!?

Headed to the cathedral after- pictures to come

 View from our hotel room

 Taking a break in the hotel- love this guy

At the most fantastic park in Raleigh-