Ellie's Little Peanut Baby Shower

To top off our very eventful week we had a baby shower down in California for Jamie and her baby to be, Ellie.  I seriously couldn't be happier for her and her baby girl on the way.  Jamie is one of the most kind, considerate, and generous people I know and she is going to make the most amazing mother!  I love talking to her on the phone everyday and hearing about her pregnancy, baby preparations, and excitement.  Ellie is going to be one lucky little girl!  This is the third grandchild born this year for my parents and it is going to be so fun having them all grow up together!

The shower turned out perfect thanks to a lot of helping hands (Jamie, Mom, Lara, Courtney, Ashley, Kim, and Katie).  I honestly couldn't have done it without this dream team (I know I'm evil for letting the mom to be do so much, but she was a huge help)!  It was so fun getting to throw a girl baby shower since I have such a love for pink, polka dots, ribbons, bows, ruffles, and glitter!  The "Little Peanut" theme was really fun to implement and perfect for our little Ellie girl.  It was so great visiting with friends and family who came to support Jamie.  It was a wonderful shower for a wonderful person!

Blake's Birthday Bash

Well I must say that I am pretty proud of myself.  Last week Blake had his birthday and I successfully threw him a surprise party with our families and some close friends!  It was kind of a last minute idea, but turned out great!  I love that we live so close to so many family members (however, we definitely missed all of you loved ones that live far away).  Growing up my family always lived far away from our extended family, while Blake on the other hand got to live close to many of his extended family members.  I love how close he was to his grandparents and other extended family members.  It is something that I definitely missed as a child and feel is so important for Tyler to have.  Thanks to everyone that came to show your love and support for Blake!!!

That day I went to the store and saw the huge luau section and figured why not (cheesy yes, but fun and silly also ha).  We went to town buying Hawaiian decorations.  I have to give a huge shout out to my mom, Jamie, Courtney, and Lara!  They ran around with me all day from store to store helping me get supplies, decorate, cook, and take care of Tyler.  I wish I would've taken more pictures, but here is what I have...

Handsome birthday boy with his apple fritter before work.

There is something wrong when the candles get blown out on the donut and not the cake!

Can't get enough of his Daddy's glasses

Our little family (minus Elby)

It was such a perfect night at the park.  Great idea Dad!

Worker bees.

This picture makes me laugh (Check out Tyler's adorable swim trunks and rash guard that his Grandma Torgerson gave him. Thanks Cindy!).

He loved all the attention he was getting from everyone, including Ash!

It's so fun seeing where Cody is and knowing that it's where Ty will be in three months.  It makes me happy to live so close to Kristi and Blake!

Blake was a good sport about putting on the skirt so I wouldn't be lame all by myself

My little sister is the comedian of the family (thanks Jer Jer for letting her spend your anniversary with us)!

Awesome fruit shark made by Courtney!

The food turned out great (thanks Brian and Dave for doing the BBQ)!

It's so fun having Tasha, Brian, and the boys so close!  We are also so excited that Paige is home for the summer! 

Brynley is about three months younger than Ty. He will have so many cousins his age from both sides!

Blowing out the matches.

We don't settle with just one birthday song, but have to go with two!

I loved when Blake was opening the gifts and all the kids were shouting OPEN IT, OPEN IT!!

It was so nice of Mike, Kim, and their kids to come out after Brielle's pre-school graduation.  Way to Go Brielle!

It was a perfect day to celebrate Blake's birthday.  Words can't even express how grateful I am to have him in my life.  Blake always puts others before himself, will do anything to make those around him smile, and is the hardest worker I know.  Not a day goes by that I don't find myself laughing out loud because of something he said or did.  I often think back to the day we first met and how my life changed forever.  It's not like I knew he was the person I'd marry right away or anything, but I did know that there was something special about him.  It brings a smile to my face knowing that I am married to the perfect person for me.  Everyday I find myself falling more and more in love with him.  Not only is he the most amazing husband, but he is the most amazing father as well.  I love you Blake!!!

Six AMAZING Months

I can't believe that it's already been six months since Tyler was born.  I mean seriously, I feel like I was pregnant yesterday.  I can honestly say that it has been the most amazing six months of my life.  I'm not saying it has been a piece of cake or anything, but I would say that good day or bad I have felt blessed to have this baby boy in my life.  It truly is amazing to watch how he grows everyday.  I am absolutely undeniably in love with that little boy.  I have to admit that I might be one of those crazy moms that thinks every single thing their child does is adorable and worth stopping what you're doing and looking at.  I really can't imagine what life was like before we had him.

I just wanted to share some of the things that I love most about him (I could go on for days but I thought I would just share some of the favorites)...

I love how I wake up to cute little baby noises every morning and that when I go to get him from his crib his face lights up when he sees me.

I love how his favorite chew toys are his big toes.

I love how he smiles from ear to ear when his Daddy gets home from work.

I love how much he loves to take baths.  He could play in their all day long if I let him.

I love how curious he is.  He wants to look at, touch, and put in his mouth every single thing he sees.

I love how he stretches out on the changing table for a good 5 seconds whenever he gets his diaper changed.

I love when he laughs hysterically when we make silly noises.

I love his chunky baby thighs.

I love how he sits on people's laps and looks up at them every few seconds as if to double check who is holding him (I especially love it when he does it to Blake).

I love how his eyebrows get red whenever he gets worked up.

I love how he screams at the top of his lungs when he gets shots but stops the instant I pick him up and give him a hug.

I love how he points his toe when he rolls over.

I love how much he enjoys music.  Whenever I sing to him or turn on the radio he gets a smile on his face.

I love when he stares up at me with his big blue eyes while I'm feeding him.

I love when he nuzzles into the nook of my neck when he is tired.

I love how he babbles mamamama and dadadada

I love how he loves to rough house with his Dad.  I have a feeling he is going to have the same sense of humor as Blake (good thing or bad? haha)

I love how much he loves our pets.  He is so in love with Tullie and Elby.

I love how he pouts out his bottom lip when he is sad (he gets that from me).

I love how he sleeps with his arms extended above his head.

I love when he hums while he is sleeping.

I love how relaxed he gets when I give him tingles.  It puts him to sleep every time.

I love going in to check on him at night and know he is okay when I see his little pacifier twitching.

I love to hear his laugh when I tickle him.

Lastly, I love how he gets a huge smile on his face whenever I say I love you.  I feel like he really knows what I am saying.

Rockin the baseball cap

Go Angels!

Can't get enough of those dimples

Chewing on the big toe while sharing his Tigger rattle with Tullie

Don't mind the drool

So happy to finally be eating solids

YUMMY!!

I love those little muscles

He can't wait to get to the good stuff

One happy boy

Tyler's First Trip to Utah

          Last week Tyler and I got to make a trip up to Utah!  I was so excited to go visit since I hadn't been up there since before Tyler was born.  I must admit I had some anxiety about the ten hour drive up there with a six month old, but I must say that he did an amazing job (on the way up at least).  My parents and cousin Katie were such great sports with him while traveling (and I mean GREAT sports, as in singing The Wheels On The Bus one hundred plus times haha).

         There definitely is something special about Utah.  I don't know if it's my fond memories of visiting as a little girl, all my extended family living there, my many wonderful college memories, or maybe the fact that it is where I met and fell in love with Blake but there is something about it that just makes me happy inside.  Blake will laugh when he reads this because I was so insistent on moving away, but I must admit that there are so many things about Utah that I miss.  It was so neat getting to go and visit places in which I have so many memories and getting to share them with Tyler.  Anyways, here are just some highlights of the weekend...

Stop 1: Baker

Stop 2: St. George (He loves Grandpa's chocolate shakes)

Stop 3: Nephi (please don't mind the sun in my eyes ha)

Tulip did such a great job on the drive too!  It was her first time to Utah also, and she loved it!

Last Stop: Provo..WE MADE IT!!!

We went and visited City Creek in Salt Lake with my parents and sisters.  It was absolutely gorgeous weather!  Tyler is so excited for little Ellie to come!  He loves talking to his Aunt Jamie's belly.

He loved the fountains everywhere.  Next year we will have to let him go in his swimsuit to play in the water.

Grandpa was a great babysitter while all us girls shopped.

Multi-tasking haha

The main reason we went to Utah was for my sister Jamie's baby shower.  It was up Provo Canyon at Timpanogos Park.  The venue, decorations, food, company, etc. were all absolutely wonderful!  I can't even tell you how amazing my Aunt Alice is.  She made every aspect of the shower perfect!

Adorable egg in nest soap gifts.

My sister Jamie and Aunt Alice.  Love them both to death!

The Dream Team

Tyler and his cousin Kennedy got to meet for the first time!

Can't wait for baby Ellie to come!

One of the best parts of the weekend was getting to meet up with Jen and Kristin.  I have to say that these two girls are some of my favorite people in the world.  I have missed them so much since moving away, but love that we have been able to have little vacations to see each other.  I can't imagine ever working with two people that I could get along with more.  Thanks for watching Tyler that night Jamie!

The drive home was not as pleasant, but I don't blame him.  Even as an adult the drive is long, so I can't imagine being trapped in a car seat the whole time.

Grandpa "taking care of this" hahaha

The weekend was absolutely perfect!  I loved getting to spend time with friends and family.  It was so great having Tyler meet so many people for the first time.  The only thing that would've made it better would have been to have Blake there!  I can't wait until the next time we get to go and visit!