Getting Out

I went out for the first time with 2 kids last week- to Costco because they have the carts that fit a toddler AND a car seat. I cannot believe how much longer everything takes with 2 kids! But, it felt good to get out and it definitely gets easier. Since then, we've been to the aquarium, the park almost every day, out to ice cream, and even to the grocery store (OK, I had Jacob and Christian with me). Amelia is really becoming very sweet and a close second to Oliver as far as easy goes. She started sleeping through the night 3 nights ago, which has dramatically improved my sanity. Oliver is head over heels in love with Amelia. He loves to give her kisses, hugs, hold her, do baby talk with her, and even burp her (which if she spits up, he is quick to say, "Look, Mom, she spilled!").

Oliver loves Amelia's papasan (bouncer). Can we get one of these made for adults please???

Does Amelia look scared? Yes, very.

Christian showed Oliver the wonders of sprinklers.

Albuquerque Aquarium

Oliver trying to convince me that Amelia wants to play with his car. At least he's sharing, right?

Shady's back

We're back, and so is highfashionandsharks.blogspot.com
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Life doesn’t have many perfect things in it. A lot of good and great things, but few perfect ones. You might have an awesome job, great marriage, good health, and radical friends, but none of those things are perfect. But once in a while the good Lord gives you a little gift, something that's perfect for you in good times and bad. I have a great life with a lot of awesome things in it, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately how grateful I am for one thing I have that couldn't possibly be any better:



























I guess I should say that he’s not perfect, but that he makes me perfectly happy. It’s like Christmas morning every day I get to come home to him. I’m not exaggerating. He just makes so incredibly happy. He’s so funny and fun and adorable to me, and even his naughty and obnoxious moments are usually funny and endearing to his papa. I know this won’t last forever. Someday he’ll have braces, pubescent angst, and read fantasy novels. And we'll send him to live his grandma for those years. But for now, here’s to Oliver, the very best guy I know.


Christian

2 Weddings and a Blessing

We're alive! I know some of you might have been wondering if we dropped of the face of the earth, but we've just been in Utah for about 2 weeks. I think I might have willed Amelia to come 10 days early just so that I could attend my brother-in-law, Davis's wedding on April 3rd in Salt Lake. It was such a beautiful wedding. Other than the freezing temperatures and cloudy day, everything seemed to turn out perfectly. The reception was at the University of Utah Museum of Art and it was the coolest venue. The high ceilings, lighting, gorgeous tables and decorations made it all so beautiful. We had dinner and then a program which included some singing, storytelling, tributes, and then some dancing. It really was such a fun night and it was all topped off with a candy bar with green, white, and pink candies to take home. Congrats Davis and Melissa! We love you!

Davis and Melissa

Brrr.... it was so cold outside the temple.

All the nieces and nephews. Aren't the girls dresses so cute?? Melissa's Mom made them, as well as the boys ties and the sisters and sisters-in-law's skirts.

The cake was so pretty and so yummy. Such a fun night!

On Sunday, we blessed Amelia at the Bell's home. Christian gave a beautiful blessing and Amelia was perfect through it all. My brother and sister, Beau and Julie, and his girlfriend, Amy came up to spend the day with us and it was so fun to see them and get to know Amy. She seems like such a fun, sweet, neat girl. Christian's friend Derek and his fiance, Becky also came to the blessing and it was good to catch up with them.

Becky, Derek, Christian and me.

This was the only picture we took of Amelia that day where she was awake and didn't look like her neck was broken.

Julie and Beau with the fam.

This was actually the same blessing dress that I was blessed in. I was 6 months old when I was blessed (that's the way it works when you have 11 kids, I guess) but it seemed to fit her perfectly.

Our Little Angel.

Christian went home to Albuquerque during the next week and I stayed with his parents in Utah. JoLynn took such good care of me and Oliver- I was totally spoiled (again). I seriously think I have the best in-laws in the whole world. Christian came back to Utah for his friend, Dallin's wedding to Alicia the next weekend. Again, another beautiful wedding and Christian was actually the best man so he got to MC the reception. Oliver and Christian danced it up together and it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen- everyone loved it. The next morning, they had a luncheon at the Grand America Hotel with some of the fanciest and best food I have had in a long time, not to mention the "grand" setting. They were such a cute couple and so totally in love. It was so neat to share the day with them.

Oliver's two most important things in life: desserts and cars. Notice the bow tie- cute, huh???

Doing the infamous robot dance with Daddy.