4 Year Anniversary

Vic and I have been married 4 years now! Our first year of marriage was so special so it is crazy to realize that every year has just gotten better and better! Our trip was actually a couple of weeks ago before my Grandpa passed, but I still wanted to make sure and share our joy! Vic planned a trip to Costa Rica, but with him having no job... Boise sounded like a good replacement. He did great booking the hotel and planning the trip by himself.

Here we are by the Boise river. I wish upon wish that we had something like that here in Twin!

This picture we took at sunset so it's a little dark, but I still really like it.

Vic started the trip off with the BEST dinner we've had in a LONG time: 

I'd say this is a must experience for everyone. My only regret is that I didn't starve all day for it! Plus I fell in LOVE with the Filet Mignon, I've never even been a fan before this trip, and then I saw this post on their site saying it is only for a limited time.... WAH :(

I've been dying to go the beach so leave it to Vic to find me a beach in Idaho! We went to Sandy Beach by Lucky Point. It was a cute man made beach with a giant fountain in the middle of the lake. Tommy loved experimenting with the feel of the sand between his fingers.

Both times Vic has planned a trip, he's booked the "Themed Suites" Last time he picked Egypt & Romeo & Juliet, this year..... Romeo & Juliet! Haha, at least it was a different place so it was still a different fun experience, especially trying to sneak our baby in :)

We also went to Roaring Springs Water Park. Tommy loved having his own little fountain to play with.

This ride was by far the best, it made me scream EVERY time!

This is Vic going on it, but let's take a close up look of this picture....
This is the BEST

part about the  ride! ...

HAHAHHAHAHAHA! Look at that absolute look of terror!

The next day we went to Boise's botanical garden. It was great to try out our new BOB outback stroller. (Totally worth the money). Plus I got to practice taking flower shots with my camera which is always a plus for me :)

I couldn't resist a phot shot of Tommy.

That concluded our little anniversary getaway :)

Then started one of the longest weeks of my life. It was very stressful, but my Grandpa's funeral was very uplifting and everything a funeral should be, remembering what a great guy he was.

We couldn't resist a matchy matchy family picture.

Me, Katie, Ben, and Mom

We saw a lot of family in one week cuz as they say you only see some people at weddings and funerals and well, we had both in one week. (Thank goodness on opposite sides of the family.)

Here is Vic's neice Tausha & her bridesmaids outside the temple. She was so beautifully in love :)

And to save the best for last... I got to meet my newest niece, Evie. SO precious and tiny :)

Also, Tommy started waving yesterday, cutest thing in the world.

He grins and gets so excited every time :)

Dear Grandpa

Dear Grandpa,
I MISS you.

It's only been 48 hours since your death and I miss you already. My mind is filled with thoughts of why I love you so much and how you've formed my life. I can't stop shedding tears in your memory & that is why I am up at 2 am when I am exhausted & desperately need some sleep. I figure if I wrote you a letter & straighten out my thoughts then maybe it'll help give me some closure.

You know my own Dad hurt me dearly in my youth so you were there for me. You are the father-figure that I looked up to. You made sure I knew how important it was to always get the most education I could, get straight A's and that it wasn't good enough until I strived to be the best I could be and then as a sweet reward you would slip me $20-$100 for my reward. It was always a surprise and it made me feel special because I knew you didn't always do it for my brothers & sisters as you did for me, especially when I was in college. Every girl wants to be "Daddy's little girl" and since I wasn't my Dad's, I was yours.

I knew I was because you always told me how proud you were of me. Every time I came to visit I was always welcomed with a smile & a hug. Even when you got old & it was hard for you to stand up, you still always insisted on standing up & giving me a hug, even when you got so old I had to help pull you up. Every time I visited you, you never missed the opportunity to tell me how beautiful you thought I was and that I was making the perfect decisions in life. I loved that you were so proud of my biggest decision, Vic, we both agreed that he was the best thing that ever happened to me & I couldn't have done better than finding such a "fine" man. Thank you for always letting me know that you approved of who I was & what I was doing, that probably means the most to me.

We were the only two early birds in the family and that left a lot of time for us to talk alone before the rest of the family was up. I'm going to miss those talks. You always loved to tell me the stories of your life and now I desperately wish I would have been taking notes so I'll never forget your adventures, your hopes, your memories, the things you wished you could have changed, and your love for life. You were so proud of your accomplishments in this life & I hope that at the end of my life I will be able to feel the same. Life is good, enjoy it, live it to the fullest, that is what you taught me.

You had a passion for working in the garden and I'll never forget the summer I spent working with you. You taught me to work and to love it and be proud of my accomplishments at the end of the day. Luckily, I learned a thing or two from you so that I can work on making my garden just as beautiful. Again, I wish I would have been taking notes all of these years. I never did because I loved being able to just ask you.

The more I think about your personality, the more I realize where I got mine from. I took the good... and the bad from you! The only bad being that I somehow absorbed being stubborn and telling how it is, no white lies for us! haha :) But truthfully, the good.... You had class. I truly admire that about you & I hope that one day I'll be as classy as you. You loved your clothes & I remember you telling me one time that you took the time to count all of your shirts and you had 360 someodd shirts on hangers! Ha! I can only wish that someday I'll have that many shirts, shoes, & suits that I love. One day I'll hopefully have it together enough to always come to the breakfast table dressed without a hair out of place. I always loved that about you.

I love that we had silly similarities: like that we were both dental hygienists in our youth, that we loved the same colors, we loved admiring beautiful people, furniture, yards, and houses. We both love to dress up fancy & go out. We tend to be perfectionists and liked to spend hours organizing our stuff. We both love having company over and being tickled pink that our guests had a good time, even if we didn't because we were too busy running to the store or worrying what to do to make sure everyone else had a good time. You've given me so many books to pass on your passion of reading, hey I've watched enough golf with you that I can even see how such a boring sport could be interesting to watch. I don't mind watching westerns either. You were my perfect pal no matter what we watched or talked about.

Thank you for all of the financial advice you gave me. Vic is always asking me where I learned to be thrifty & good with money and I am just now realizing it is from you and your many "father talks" that you gave me. This has helped me already more than you know. Thank you for passing on your love of hiking and the outdoors. There is nothing more refreshing and replenishing to life than the natural outdoors God gave us.

So many memories & thoughts are running through my mind as I write this letter, but most of all I can't stop thinking about how proud of me you were. It hurts to know that one of my biggest fans is gone. I always feel inadequate, but you knew how to make me feel good enough. I'm going to miss your encouragement & love, but most of all I'm going to miss your smile.... and no, I'm still not wearing fake eyelashes.

Dearest Grandpa, you told me more than once that you wished you wouldn't have left the mormon church when you were a teenager. I wish so badly that you would have come back in this life, but I pray that in the next life you have accepted the truth and that I'll be able to live with you again... and make you dinner, your favorite :)

I hope your memory never fades. With your passing, it has made me realize that I need to get on the ball & start living more like one of my biggest heroes, you. If I wasn't up at 3:30am writing this I'd even get up early & go walking in your honor. I'll start exercising like you soon, I promise. I want to be like you in a million ways so please take that as life's greatest accomplishment. You did good Grandpa & I will always be proud to call you mine.I love you.

Love, your Fancy Nancy

Island Park

We are so lucky that my parents have such a gorgeous cabin on the lake to go to; it is the perfect vacation getaway. This year was the double the fun since we didn't go on the water while I was prego last year. Here is a picture of Tommy's first jet ski ride!

I was surprised that Tommy was okay with the cold lake water, he wanted to walk pretty deep in it.

This little tube is a mommy/baby double tube & was an afterthought on the way there, but Tommy sure loved it.

Tommy & "Daddy"

Tommy & my mom hanging out in the kitchen.

My mom wanted this pictures taken as evidence that she attempted to get up on waterskis! 

She did do great ont he tube though :)

I love this cute smile, I wish it showed his little tooth popping through.

Tommy loves to stand, here he is living life on the edge (literally!)

On the way to Island Park we stopped to have lunch with Heather, my college buddy, and here is Tommy with her adorable 2 kids. They loved Tommy, I love how kids love babies.

My niece went through the temple for the first time yesterday & while we were waiting for her to come out I snapped a picture of the flowers along the side of the temple. They are so bright & beautiful, I wished my flowers looked this good!

4th of July

Here's a little snap shot of our 4th of July. Of course I had to make fun treats & decorations! I just think it makes the party that much more fun. Last year we did a bouncy house party, but I think this one topped that. We had water relay games, water gladiator games, & pool fun plus lots of good food. Then to end the night we had some HUGE fireworks. The kids went nuts & my biggest compliment was when I overheard: my niece's fiance saying that my spread should be on the front cover of Homemakers magazine & the kids saying in excitement that we have the coolest, funnest house ever :)

I thought it would be fun to make fruit arrangements, but I didn't think they would turn out this cute & fun. They were so easy, but gorgeous & festive.

This picture is up above too,but it's so cute I had to make it bigger. Tommy & his cousin sporting their 4th of July outfits. This is Tommy's second outfit as I forgot I bought a different one! We lit off a couple of sparklers the night before & Tommy loved it, but when we did it on the 4th he was absolutely terrified of them so we had to take him in. Hopefully he learns his mama's love of fireworks.

Here is the last half of the water relay. I knew it'd be fun, but the kids just had a hayday with it :)

Tommy's 6 month update

I keep meaning to update & just haven't because life has been a little cRaZy to say the least! Let me just drop the bomb first.... Vic lost his job :(  It is oh so stressful to feel that we are not worthy of Heavenly Father's blessings & to stress about trying to find a job & be more righteous.  I do have to say that it did strengthen my faith in prayer as a couple of months ago I was praying to decide if I should keep working full time or go down to only 2 days & I kept feeling like I should work full time.  I didn't understand it at the time as I know being a mother is the most important job & we didn't need the extra money so why did I not feel good about giving up my full time status.  Now I know!  Fortunately we won't be hurt financially as my job easily pays the bills for now. :) 

Okay, now on to Tommy's 6 month update:

Tommy is adorable as ever... and crawling! I took these today & I should have done them a couple of weeks ago because it is so hard to catch him before he decides to crawl off again! Plus he's always waving his arms all over the place so I get a lot of blurry arms & crazy faces. I got tons of good ones though cuz this little guy is just HAPPY as can be!

Here is Vic's favorite 3:

A few cute close ups of his silly happy smile

My personal favorite:

 One of his silly crazy grin!

Last, but not least, TOMMY CRAWLING!!!!

Happy Days & Hidden Smiles

Yesterday was one of those days when I went to bed with a literal smile on my face. When it came time to pray I couldn't think of anything to ask Heavenly Father for because I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and filled with thanks for our many blessings.

The day started off good because I got to sleep in an extra 30 minutes thanks to Vic dropping Tommy off at the sitter & work starting 10 minutes later today.  Then I woke up to Tommy smiling away with his Daddy. At work I started reading the ensign while I pump & today I was reading the General Conference addresses & they really uplifted me & aspired me to be a better person.

On top of that I got a long lunch with Vic since he is on jury duty this week so we relaxed in our backyard, soaked up the sun, & had a picnic out there w/ Tommy.  I had one of those moments that made me love being a mommy/wife serving on Vic when he layed back on the blanket and exclaimed "This is the LIFE!"

 As I was leaving work I spotted an old couple hobbling down the sidewalk & they were holding hands. CUTEST thing ever. It made me smile. It reminded me that the night before we were at the restaurant & Vic & I were play fighting over who got to hold Tommy (an ongoing battle!) ...and I looked up in time to see a middle aged couple sneaking a smile at us... which made me smile again because I wonder how often strangers make us smile & how often we get to put a smile on stranger's faces too.

Vic got off of jury duty early so once again I didn't have to pick up Tommy from daycare & I came home happy from having a easy day at work &I got to come home to Vic making Tommy laugh hysterically for a LONG time. It was so much fun!

That same night we went and played baseball which I love doing just because it is a slow paced sport that lets you soak up the good weather. Plus it's always fun chatting up my lady friends :)

I ended my perfect day by going to the gym at 9:30pm. I knew I should really just go to bed, but my triathlon is getting close & I hate to miss a workout. I have been struggling with doing the full workout, but last night it was a good feeling because I can feel my mind getting stronger & not giving in when I get tired. I proudly completed the entire workout & at a higher pace than I normally do. Another reason to pat myself on the back and smile :)  Very detailed day, but I just had to share one of those perfect days!

Tommy's 4 Month Pictures

Okay, well more like 4 1/2 month pictures, but I am finally taking the time to play around with what my computer can do & I think these photo collages are so much fun!

This is my favorite picture of the day :)

April Update: SLC, Seattle, & Idaho Falls Visit

I feel like my head has been absolutely spinning the last month. Last month for Relief Society I organized a baby drive for the hospital. We all got together & learned how to make these adorable booties (plus another 2 baskets full!) I also made some for my sister-in-law's upcoming baby & some in bigger sizes for Tommy. They are so simple, quick, & cute. We made them to be given to every baby born in the Twin falls Hospital.

Then we had people sign up to bring stuff to donate. Each basket had at least 3 outfits, socks, pacifiers, wipes, diapers, & a receiving blanket. I guess because I am a perfectionist, it took me forever to get them all wrapped up cute in the baskets. I wanted to make sure each basket had the same amount of cute outfits, etc. Anyway, I could hardly walk through my kitchen for 2 weeks! These baskets are supposed to go the moms that come through the hospital and have absolutely nothing.

We drove down to SLC to visit my grandma. I love this lady more than any other. I look up to her in a million ways. What I love most about her is her ability to host & make everyone feel welcome & spoil them with love, games, & treats. Also, I think it is great that she respects mine & other religions so much when she doesn't go to church herself. It shows a lot of maturity & love for others when you can show admiration for the different beliefs. Here she is with little Tommy. I think they look alike. 

The next weekend my mom came here & then for Easter we drove to Seattle to visit my brother & his adorable family. Here is a picture of us getting ready to eat Easter dinner. It was of course yummy. I don't remember having twice baked potatoes before, but I loved them.

A bit blurry, but here is my egg from the egg dying. My brother was afraid we'd have too many eggs so he only let the girls dye 1 dozen.... so I only did two, one of which got covered in stickers by the girls :)

These flowers helped bring the Easter spirit. I love fresh flowers. I really should invest in buying them more often to have around the house. I always hope that Vic would just give them to me all the time, but after 4 years of marriage I guess I should figure that isn't about to happen!

Our family right before the big hunt!

Here is a sweet picture of Kara & Tommy in their Easter outfits. My brother's girls always have the most adorable dresses, hats, shoes, & matching gloves! Tommy's cute sweater came with blue pants, but looking back I guess I should have paired it with khaki pants to be snazzier.

Here are the girls doing their hunt.

Here is Tommy checking out his goods. He was very interested in his basket & the bunny sticking out the top. Also, he loves his new rattles the Easter bunny brought :)

It is always a big mess emptying out all of the eggs & baskets, but SO much fun!

...a cute picture of Tommy with his Uncle Ben & Aunt Becky (6 months prego with another girl!).

I didn't take specific 4 month pictures of Tommy, but I happened to take this right around it. I love his personalized towel that our neighbor made for him.

Vic was in Idaho Falls for business so we got to have a super short visit over there & cram in as many visits as we could!!! I started with lunch with my high school girly friends & their kids. Can you believe there are so many kids piled around us. We are getting OLD! ... but I must say I think all my girls are aging BEAUTIFULLY :)

Tommy got a new hat while waiting for Vic doing a business meeting in Pocatello. Isn't it cute?!

After lunch my mom made dinner for us & my step-sister's family. She has twin boys only 4 months older than Tommy. Here are the 3 of them smiling up at Vic. Her boys are rolling all over the place so I had to be quick to try to get this picture of them!

Next we visited my grandma Hill's house & my dad & step-mom met us over there for a quick hello. My dad LOVES grandkids, it's cute.

Then we raced home to see Vic's brother that hasn't been home for 2 years from the Navy. Here is my handsome boys on the way out the door. I love "little man" clothes for babies!

...and a final snapshot of us by the door. Tommy will stare at the camera almost every time, but if someone isn't behind it he won't smile. It's fun to see his wide eyes caught on camera though.

After all of that travel, working full time, doing spring clean up around the house & yard, & training for the triathlon next month, I am exhausted! Tommy goes to bed at 7pm every night & on Monday I just fell asleep with him & didn't wake up until 7am the next day! I wouldn't trade it though. Traveling, being with my sweet boys, playing games with family, & working out is the life for me :)