So Dinner Was Good?

Need a Bath???

Yeah, I think so!!!

Reminiscing About the Good 'Ol Days

What a great morning this turned out to be! Two of my close friends from my freshman year back at BYU, Susan Sharapata Biery and Leslie Lake Ashby, live relatively close and decided it was time we get together. I hadn't seen them in at least 10 years!

What fun we had looking at pictures and getting caught up with one another while our kids played! I'm so grateful we have been able to keep in touch and continue those friendships that made my freshman year wonderfully memorable. Thanks, Susan for getting us together! And good job, Julianne taking our picture!
Our attempt at pictures of the kiddos

Pre-Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Kicking off our "Dinner Group" with some families from church, Joe and I thought it'd be fun to have a Cinco de Mayo party in our backyard-- pinata and all for the kids. Who would have ever guessed that it would have POURED the first Friday in May?!
Joe Lotz, Ben and Nathan Merrill, and Kate

Bryce & Emily Despain--Ann and Jeff Merrill

Tom & Amanda Gibson, December & Cassidy Lotz, Joy & Jeff Carlton

Dillon, Kate and Ben giving hugs after destroying the pinata in our garage!

The 20 of us had an intimate and cozy experience in our house! A little loud and quite crazy at times, but I'm so glad you all came! We had a great time!

Double Trouble

The day I learned Jake could open the container I used for his formula...

was also the day I also relearned I will never again have a boring day in my life!

Tickling Her Heart One Chocolate at a Time

We spent Easter this year with my mom and dad, aka "Momo" and "BG" ("Big Guy"). When I mentioned to Dad that I had a few eggs I could fill and bring over, he said, "No way. I'm taking care of it!" Notice the huge basket my mom handed to Kate? Can you see her face?! I think she was tickled pink!

Whose going to help her find that one?

Momo is finally going wigless! Hooray! And that head of hers is soooo soft! You are beautiful, Mom. Love you!

Little Heavy Kate???

I think they had an absolute blast! I know we did watching them. Thanks so much, Mom and Dad! You know exactly what will make us smile. You always have.

Pucker UP!

We were working in the yard one day when I found Jake having a blast rolling this lemon around like it was the worlds greatest ball...little did I know he was using it as a teether too! If those lips aren't perfectly puckered... he obviously reached the middle!

Mental Block with Mama

Someday all I'll ever hear is "MAMA!!!" What's the rush?!

(You need to turn the music off to hear the little guy)

The Big Guy's Big Day

Jake turned 1 on March 22nd. I know that time goes by fast, but his first year has been a whirlwind for me. What a cutie. I've been asked quite a number of times if we are "done."
"You've got your girl and your boy, how perfect!" They say. And my response? If I knew all babies would be like Jake, I could have 10 more (minus the whole being pregnant thing). He has been happy from day one. I've loved every second with him.

We brought the Patterson clan over to our house on Jake's actual birthday. Here are a few of those moments...

The evening began with an intense race to the remotes at the end of the coffee table.

Jake eyes his competition... "I think I've got this one nailed... Of course, I am 3 months older than Brik and he's almost walking! I better step it up a notch!"

Way to go, Boys!


Kate and Gracie were getting things perfect at the princess table


And we were ready to enjoy the food

Jake's Cake...Let the Fun Begin

Happy Birthday, Jake!

So glad your mine!

Following in her BG's Footsteps

The other day I was taking some incredible footage of Kate "doing circles and leaps" in the dining area :) She'd have me video her and then she'd want to watch herself over and over again until finally that lost her interest and she wanted the camera. I put the strap around her neck and showed her how to look through the view finder and take a picture.

Well, I became distracted with trying to clean a pan that we had made potstickers in the night before (which by the way, Joe says even though the potstickers are delicious, the clean up is so awful, he doesn't want them any more! Anyone have any tips? They are the Costco ones...), and the next thing I know, there are 37 pictures that Kate has captured.

As I scrolled through all of them, I found pictures of my knees...my butt...Kate's chin...and and then some of Jake that made me laugh out loud. It's great to be able to see life through a 3 year old's eyes.

Kate's BG, my dad has an incredible talent when it comes to photography. He knows just how to capture people's personalities and those perfect moments...do you think his granddaughter will take after him? I LOVED this one she took of Jake. How can you not smile when you see that?!