When you know your kid is growing up too fast...

This is how I found Keira this morning after her nap. This is the third time now that I've found her like this and the first time she's been totally awake and happy (I think she was trying so hard that her foot was pulling on her jammies). I love watching her grow, but can't believe how fast she is growing. What a big girl!

Thou Shalt Be Prepared

We have been working on building our food storage over the last few months and came to realize that we didn't have our 72 hour kits! Our focus was so much on our long-term food storage we forgot to start from the beginning. In Utah, there is a store called Emergency Essentials (there's a website, too) that sells all kinds of materials for emergency preparedness. It was fun to check out the items they had. They even consolidate items into smaller packages for better storage. It's pretty neat. Of course, putting the kits together made the perfect family night. Now we feel prepared!

Turkey Day!

We spent a few days at Grandma Judy's and Grandpa Steve's for Thanksgiving. Grandma Judy and I spent Wednesday and Thursday cooking yummy food while Rick, Dallin and Grandpa Steve played with the 4-wheeler, built an ATV trail, and went to the shooting range.

Friday morning, Grandma Judy and I got up at 4:30 am to do our crazy lady shopping! It's still a secret where we went because I actually get to surprise Rick this year for once! He somehow always knows what I'm getting him for Christmas. Grrrrrr! But, not this year. After our hunt for the perfect gifts, we enjoyed a yummy breakfast at IHOP.

Of course, Keira had a blast. She was the center of attention and loving it. She is such a sweetie.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There is such a contagious feeling of gratitude in the air that I can't help but count my blessings.
1. Keira - healthy, happy, and so fun
2. Rick - for always putting up with me and still loving me after 4 years of marriage
3. The gospel - without it, I would be lost and unhappy. With it, I have joy and peace.
4. Our Savior Jesus Christ
5. Family - they are always there for me
6. Friends - we always have a blast!
7. A home - where we can make a place our own and grow as a family

Shaka!!

Once again, Apx has treated us well. Rick had the top selling office in his region this year so he was one of the managers who earned a trip to the island of Kauai. We love this island. It is so beautiful. Did you know it's the wettest land on earth? That's why it is always so green and rains a lot! The first couple of days we were there, we got nothing but rain. It was hard to do much especially with 2 babies under 6 months of age and 2 prego momma's. Once the rain let up, the fun never ended. We enjoyed lots of beaches including Secret Beach and The Tunnels (where the best snorkeling on the island is...true that!), a hike to Queen's bath (lots of tidepools), spear-fishing (Rick and the boys, not me), shopping, and Quantum of Solace. We checked out Friday at 11 am from our condo so we had until 11 pm to fly out. Why not go to a movie, right? We thought Quantum of Solace was good, but still think Casino Royale is better. Both are great movies.

Keira loves water AND sand! So cute to watch her play in it and she only tried to eat it a couple of times. Pretty good!

Daddy and Daughter

Meditating

Me and my baby girl

The Tunnels Beach

Queen's Bath