how come you are getting so big

I looked at Lyza the other day and thought...when did this happen? When did she get to be so grown up? I know this is a problem that all mothers face. We all blink and our kids are all grown up on us. I wish I could just stop the clock and take everything in slow motion.

I have been thinking a lot the past couple of days about life and what is really important. I truly feel that life is so precious and that things can happen in a blink of an eye that change your life forever.

I want to take a step back and really take in my life. I want to make sure that I say "i love you" to my husband everyday. I want to make sure my children know that they are the most precious things in life to me. I want to notice the little miracles that happen to me daily.

So as I looked at these cute little random pic's of Lyza, this was my moment today to pause. To be grateful for this little "toe head" girl that brightens our life. To be grateful for my husband who kisses me 5 times every morning before he leaves for work. And just to be grateful for all the little mundane "miracles" that happened to me today.

i want to take a picture

"I want to take a picture of you guys."

These are the words our 2 year old Lyza told us the other day. She figured it was now her turn to go behind the camera. I am sure she wanted to give us a taste of our own medicine. She kept saying..."just one more picture" "say cheese" "good job guys."

Above is an sampling of her best work of the day. Don't worry that at the start of this picture we were in the standing position. We had to try and stay within the camera lens as Lyza began to shoot. I mean, not bad for a beginner right? We had such a great time and laughed a lot as well.

Lyza, keep practicing and maybe we will get you your own camera in about 10 years.

deck the halls

If I haven't mentioned it before....I absolutely love the holidays. There is something about having your Christmas Tree up, your house strung with lights, and oh yes...the excitement of a young child around.

This is what our house looked liked only minutes after Thanksgiving. The tree went up (thanks Mom, Dad, and Ly Ly), Christmas music was playing throughout the house, and instantly my mood lifted about 10 degrees.

It isn't even about the presents. I love the anticipation of visiting family members, the endless parties, and just the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Here are our stocking hanging over our unfinished fireplace???? Check out the little white stocking attached to Lyza's stocking in the middle. We couldn't forget about our little bundle that will be with us next Christmas.

I have to admit that having Lyza around for Christmas makes everything 100 times better. I love that when you ask her about Christmas she say, "That is baby Jesus' birthday." And when I ask her what she wants Santa to bring her she replies, "Just one gift." I am enjoying this selflessness now, for I know it won't last for too may more Holiday's to come.

So to you all I wish you a fun and exciting holiday season. May your hot chocolate be warm, your wallets be full, but most of all may you still BELIEVE in the spirit of Christmas!

our little power shopper!

So the day after Thanksgiving we finally got out to do a bit of shopping. We didn't go out early like all of the crazy people. We chose to go out a bit later in the day to avoid some of the chaos.

This is how our shopping excursion started out, take a look....



Don't worry that Lyza stayed asleep for the next 2 hours. We took her through stores, in and out of her car seat, and even ate dinner in a restaurant before she finally woke up. Talk about a Thanksgiving hangover. She must have had way too much turkey.

he did it

He did it again, and again, and again!

Steven completed his 3rd marathon this year. On October 6th Steven ran the St. George Marathon. He makes us so proud!

Lyza gets so excited waiting for her dad to round the corner to the finish line. She claps her hands and says "good job" to pretty much everyone that passes by.

Steven's sister Brittany and her family came down to St. George. They were able to see him finish the race.

Steven ran the race with 2 of his good friends. They all ran to help raise money for The Eagle Condor Foundation. What a great experience had by all.

dance, dance, dance

I am a bit behind on post...but none the less better late than never!!!

Lyza started her second year of dance class in September. Actually I am not quite sure you can count last year since she was only 1? Lyza loves class. Well actually she loves the first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes. Her attention span seems to get the better of her during the middle of class. I guess we can't blame her since she is only 2 and the other kids in her class are 4.


This is Lyza with her teacher Miss Shalice. Otherwise known as "Aunt Shaleece" to Lyza. Lyza loves Shalice. Every night before Lyza goes to bed we talk in the dark. And every night I ask Lyza what she wants to talk about? Usually about 75 % of the time she says "Mom I want to talk about Shaleece." She is quite infatuated.

With that blonde hair, Lyza looks like she could be Shalice's daughter instead of mine?


This is Lyza standing on her "spot." This is one thing that Lyza has dialed! She can find her spot and stand on it like nobodies business. This December Lyza will be doing her Christmas Dance Concert. By far this is Lyza's favorite part of dance...Dancing on the BIG STAGE!! Didn't we all think that was the best part of dance?

i love that she looks like him

I love that she looks like him!

I love that when Lyza laughs or has a concerned look on her face...it completely looks like Steven. I love that she is a "Blondie" just like he was when he was little. But most of all I love that she is ours!

I remember wondering (and stressing out) while I was pregnant with Lyza..."What would she look like?" I would go through a list of things that I wanted her to have or not have. "I hope she gets my height, but not my hands." "I hope she gets Steven's lips, but not his pinkie finger." (Take a look at Steven's pinkie fingers the next time you see him.)

I couldn't be happier with the results...Lyza is darling inside and out. But every time I look at this picture I am reminded how much they look like each other.

So I will say it again...I love that she looks like him!