Baby Bob Dole...

This morning, Addison was obsessed with this pen. It made me laugh because the way that she held it reminded me exactly of Bob Dole. (I'm not trying to make light of his handicap...He's a true American war hero!) I know, I know..this is by far not the safest thing my one-year-old could be carrying around, but it kept her happy for a bit, and it made me laugh! Silly Girl!

Memorial Day at the Park

Today was a fun family day. We went to Grandma Jer's house and had a pizza lunch, and then we went to the park. Addison and her cousin Ethan, love to go to the park. Luckily, Grandma Jer has one that is just a few houses away. They load up in the wagon, and Grandma Jer pulls them over. They have a blast. Addison especially loves the slide!



After the park, we went to Pace's for Rainbows. Then we headed up to Grandpa Greg, and Grandpa Marty's house for a fun BBQ. The weather was beautiful today, despite all of the weather reports, and we had a fun day in the sun. YEAH for Summer!!

Love the Little Things...

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will — to your surprise — miss them profoundly."

- President Thomas S. Monson

What a Pain!

When I was 18 yrs. old, I had my wisdom teeth out. The procedure wasn't too bad, just what you would normally expect, swollen cheeks, and liquid food. I had no issues healing, and I felt fine after just a week or so. Well, a few months after, I got on a plane to begin my foreign exchange student adventure in Costa Rica for six months. Once we landed in San Jose, I knew that very night that something was wrong. My face had swollen up again, and I was in tons of pain. I wasn't sure exactly what it was, and was unable to communicate to my host Mom what was going on, so I just let it fester. It took about two weeks for me to finally decide that something needed to be done. I didn't trust the dentists there, so I tried to fix the mess myself. Lots of pain, puss, and blood later, the swelling went down, and life was back to normal...or so I thought.

Eight years later, I am still dealing with the after effects of my infected wisdom teeth wounds. Because of the infection, a pocket formed up over the back of my molars. Yesterday, I went to the dentist for hopefully the last time (for this issue). They went in and did a horribly painful procedure, and burned the gums back down to where they are suppose to be. The dentist starting burning before I was totally numb, and so they did 6 more numbing shots, and I was still feeling the pain. The Dr. was unable to figure out why I was still feeling the pain, but continued with the procedure anyway. I thought after giving birth that nothing would compare, boy was I wrong! My knuckles have never been so white. I have never sweat so much, or shed as many tears in twenty minutes as I did yesterday. Hopefully, things will heal normally, and quickly so that this traumatic experience can finally come to an end!

Double Dad's Day

I am lucky enough to have two dads. We scored BIG when Marty came into our lives! He spoils us, and loves us as if we were his own! We love him!

My Dad, and Marty have a birthday a week apart, and Troy's is right in the middle of the two, so we had a big birthday bash for the three of them.

Addison and Ethan love the piano at the grandpas' house!


I was there, I promise! There are hardly ever pictures of me, so Madi was nice enough to take this one of us.


Grandpa Marty, just before we opened their gift.


Grandpa Greg, and the kiddies


We decided to give them a gift that would help make the best grandpas, even better..a new stock of toys for the grandkids.

Obviously, Addison loved the baseball bat the most!

Dad made his own YUMMY birthday cake, and Ethan helped blow out the candles.


Although it was Troy's birthday, too, he didn't want his picture taken.


Cute Janelle, and Tim


We love the grandpas!!

Sunny Afternoon Fun!

Saturday was a beautiful day! We spent the afternoon at Jo Jo's house playing outside in the sun. Gage and Addison were good buds, and played together so well. It was monumental for me, because I let Addison get dirty! She was covered in dirt, and grass, and I just let her play, although it was extremely hard for me! My little girl is a tom-boy. If given the choice between cars, and balls, or baby dolls, she will always go for the cars and balls. She loves to get down and play, and doesn't mind being dirty. She hates having bows in her hair, and much to my frustration, pulls them out. Luckily, I got some cute pictures of her new piggies before she destroyed them too badly!

Too Cute!

Although Addison preforms much better without the camera in her face, I still think this is pretty cute!




I can't believe how quickly Addi is growing up. She's so smart, and amazes me every day with the new things so knows. She's pretty cute too! Here are a few pictures from this morning.





Addison is a wild child, to say the least. She's always up and going, but as a result of being constantly on the run, her little body has taken it's fair share of hits. Addi loves the bathtub, but refuses to sit down. I have a mat that helps reduce slips, but as hard as I try to hang on to her, she falls, and hits her head. It's almost a daily occurance. You'd think she'd learn her lesson! Here's today's bathtub battle wound...right smack dab in the middle of her forehead!

Mom's Day...

"A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'"




My Mom is my angel. She's my greatest example of strength and wisdom, and the woman I aspire to be. I hope to be all that she is, and more for my sweet daughter!



There is no greater gift in this life than that of being a mother! I have been a Mom now for exactly thirteen months and six days, and it has been the best thirteen months and six days, in all my twenty-six years, two months, and twenty-five days!
I absolutely love Addison's slobbery kisses, leg-clinging hugs, and toothy grins, because through them, I know she loves me too!

13 Months

Life with a one-year old has been pretty interesting! I have complied a list of words to describe Addison...some of them aren't ideal, but they truthfully describe the phase we're in now!

ADDISON IS...
busy. into everything. a girl who knows what she wants. determined. strong-willed. rebellious. a tantrum queen. smart. funny. creative. a good eater. obsessed with shoes. a daddy's girl. a free spirit. darling. a contortionist. active. a talker. a screamer. impossible at church, and other sit still activities. a fan of Otter-Pops. cute. a walker. demanding. smiley. happy when she wants to be. always occupied. drawn to electronic gadgets. chubby. fun. tiring. turning into a big girl right before my eyes. a chocolate lover. strong. never without her binkie, and blanket. defiant. snuggly when she's sleepy. a fan of music, and singing. loud. hectic. strong. beautiful. energetic. ticklish. an explorer. my sweetie, even when she's less than sweet.


Things to Remember:

Addison has four teeth, top and bottom in front. She's slowly working on others.

Addison walks everywhere. She never crawls, and prefers not to be carried.

Addison can say/do: Hi, Uh-Oh, Bye-Bye, Momma, Dadda, Eddie, Ethan, Thank-You, Out, More, She can make the sound of a puppy, a dinosaur, and a fish, she claps her hands and says "Yeah", she dances when she hears music, she plays patty-cake with her feet instead of her hands, she waves hi, and bye-bye, and she blows kisses.

Addison still eats baby food, but also has to have whatever we are eating. She's not picky, and tries everything, but definitely has her favorites. She's happy mostly when she's eating!

Addison is still a great sleeper! Her naps have become shorter, but she still sleeps through the night.



Although this is by far the toughest stage we've been through so far, I love Addison, and I'm grateful to have her by my side every single day! She makes me so happy, and I'm proud to be her momma!