Gage tagged Kendall

Kendall is now 13 1/2 months old. She has been walking for three months now. She definitely has a lot to keep up with. She doesn't want to miss a beat with Krissy. She is a very busy girl. She is really into the stuff under the kitchen sink...she loves to carry around the dishwasher tablets, the dish soap and the Clorox Anywhere spray. Sounds like a call to Poison Control waiting to happen, I know. Her latest thing this week is putting her hand into the toilet. Thankfully (so far) it has only been water and I have been close by to wash her off. This girl loves to take a bath and gets so giddy when her daddy comes home from work! She has become quite the pill when it comes to getting dressed. It is a full-on workout for me most days. She has the most mischievous laugh and she knows when to use it. The biggest milestone ahead is to learn how to go down the stairs the right way. She has her own idea of how it should happen, trouble is, it just won't work for me.
Kendall spent the first 7 months of her life miserable. She was so fussy and did not sleep well. At about 7 months we put her on Prevacid & changed her formula. About the same time she finally decided to take a pacifier. Now it is like she is a completely different child. She takes a 3 hour nap and sleeps a good 11 or so hours every night. She is the delight and joy of our lives. It is amazing what good buddies she and Krissy are already. I am such a lucky mommy! I love you Kendall.

The Gardens

Tonight for FHE we went to the Thanksgiving Point Gardens with our friends from the neighborhood. It was so fun to see the flowers and watch the kiddos run around and have a good time together. We are so thankful for our great friends!
I have been so excited to get to the gardens this year. Right now the tulips are looking especially beautiful. If you ever want to go, give me a call... (I would be so sad if you went without me). This is one place I will never get tired of.

I must be insane!

So, it's official...I am in. I have been thinking about doing this race for a couple of months now. I wasn't sure I would have the time (or should I say WANT to make the time) to properly train for this race. I have decided to go for it. I will be running with Brittany, Shaunee & maybe Joanie. I am still not even sure the race will be fun (Brittany assures me it will be a fun, bonding experience), but I am looking forward to the process of getting ready for it. I am dying to get in shape and this just might be the motivation I need. Saturday I ran 4 miles, and yes, I am very sore today. I don't even like to run, but I do LOVE how it makes me feel afterwards.
I decided if I announced this on my blog it would seal the deal. How could I quit or back out now? That would be way too embarassing! Wish me luck!

Gardner Village

Today we ventured to Gardner Village with Shaunee, Paige, Sydney & Zac. You can see the kids had a great time, which means the moms also had a great time. I am sooo loving this stage of life. With no school or lessons we are free to do what we want. Our biggest time constraint seems to be getting home in time for Kendall's nap. We went to one of my favorite home stores, Down To Earth. We didn't get to spend nearly enough time there (of course the kiddos were anxious to get to the candy store). I found a chair that I am seriously considering for my front room. It is white and seems very frivolous, but ohhh, so cute....I wish I had taken a picture to show you.
Thanks for the fun outing Shaunee & kids!

Garden girl

We are all doing so much better today! Thank goodness. Kyle is back at work, us girls went to the grocery store and our house has been disinfected...just one more batch of towels to throw in the washer. Oh, happy day! Thanks for all the concern and well wishes.

Stephenie Meyer

I was just reading one of my favorite blogs (Karen's Tips) and got this info:
"For all you Twilight fans, Stephanie Meyer is coming on Good Things Utah on May 16th. Their audience is already full that day. She will be talking about her new book "The Host" that will come out May 6th."
I guess Krissy will have to give up Playhouse Disney that morning so I can get the scoop! If you haven't seen this blog yet, you really should check it out here.

In the last 24...

Every single one of us has had a bad throw-up bug. It seems to be pretty catchy, so I am going to apologize to anyone who may have breathed the same air this weekend. And if that alone is not enough...Kendall's poop splatted out of her diaper right onto the kitchen floor (thank goodness it was not the carpet). Krissy pulled the curtain rod out of the wall in Kendall's room, but she was just trying to be like Giselle (from Enchanted), so who could get mad at that? Kendall took off her own diaper and peed in her bed. I found the diaper wedged between her crib and the wall.
I am only sharing this so you can laugh will me. I am not in the complaining mindset after having seen the Emma movie last weekend. I guess the timing was just right for me. I guess we can all be grateful I didn't include any photos with this post, right? We all seem to be on the mend at this point. Hopefully I will have better news to report tomorrow!

Grandma's birthday

My Grandma Nielsen turns 78 today. She is such a loving person. I have never met anyone who cares & worries so much. (In fact, if worrying is genetic, I am sure I get it from her.) For her birthday she wanted to see the new Emma Smith: My Story movie. Yesterday all of us girls met at Jordan Commons to see the show (which, BTW, was fantastic, just be ready to cry.) Afterward my parents came to meet us at Mimi's Cafe. It was so fun to sit down together and chat. Of course we wandered down memory lane. We ended up laughing so hard that Hollie spit water out of her mouth and nose at the same time. (Sorry Hollie, I had to share!) It couldn't have felt good, but it only made us laugh harder. We had a fantastic time, celebrating the life of one special lady! We love you Grandma!

Pizza Night

On Friday night we went over to Cam & Shaunee's new house for dinner. We let all the kids make their own pizzas, which actually turned out very well. They were all very tidy little chefs. We were excited to get to spend some time with Shane, Kristy & Emma as well!

Haircuts!

I have been needing to get my hair done for a while now. When Krissy heard I was going to get my hair cut she decided she wanted to get hers done too. I was all for it. I am hoping to reduce some of our daily hair drama by having less hair. It was so fun to have girls night out with Krissy. I think she looks darling and I feel like a new woman! Thanks April.

My guy

Kyle is definitely the man of the house...he is the only man in the house. He is such a great dad to Krissy and Kendall. I often say he is the perfect dad-of-girls...kind, gentle, patient, emotional... (just like my own daddy)! I feel so lucky to have him as my husband. Today before he left for work he took care of feeding the girls breakfast while I got in some time on the treadmill. If this keeps up I just might get in shape! Wow, and to not have to worry about one meal of the day. So refreshing. Just what I needed. Thanks honey. I love you.

Kiddie bedrooms

My kids spend so much time playing in their bedrooms. Today when I had the camera out I decided I wanted to capture their rooms as they are right now. I think they are such a snapshot of their lives and interests. It was really fun for me to do and I think someday I will be glad I have these photos. You should try it sometime...I would love to see YOUR photos.

My little turnips

Today I went in to get Kendall after she woke up from her nap. It reminded me of some pictures I had taken of Krissy around the same age, in the same outfit. Of course I grabbed my camera. I feel so lucky to be Mommy to these sweet, spunky & sassy girls!

I don't mean to brag...

I know I write all the time about how much Krissy loves art. I think she has a gift for it. Tonight she sat down and drew these figures. Kyle and I were in shock. It is amazing how much attention she pays to detail (you will have to notice Ariel's shells)! I am so proud of her.

A Tasty find

So you know when you go to a restaurant and the ranch tastes so good and the stuff at home in the bottle tastes so bad? Of course we (the Adams' & the Nielsen's) all love BYU ranch, but I don't get there very often to buy it. I found this at Macey's and it is awesome! You might want to try it if you are constantly disappointed by bottled ranch like me!

Nurse for hire

I specialize in the treatment of ear infections & diabetes. I give shots, check blood sugars, administer antibiotics, & take care of horrible diaper rash from all those *darn* antibiotics...
Since Feb. 24 I figure we have been to the doctor 5 times, in addition to our 3 1/2 day hospital stay. Krissy is doing well, but poor Kendall is on her third round of antibiotics (this is day #21 of 2 doses per day) for some ear infections that won't quit.
Wish us luck!

The lunch bunch

They are baaackk! Another play day, how fun! Here we are enjoying lunch. We were pretty successful today, they actually ate.

Conference tradition

I have officially been a part of the Adams family for almost 12 years now. Every conference we get together bright and early on Sunday morning for breakfast. Every year it gets a little crazier as we add more and more kids. It is a tradition we look forward to. So, meet the Adams family, au-natural, pre-showers, shaving and too much beautification...

Chaos, Disorder & Mayhem

(Otherwise known as Ty, Gage & Krissy)

Just wanted to share

I thought you might like to see some of my favorite pics from the wedding I shot last fall. Disclaimer: I don't claim to be professional...yet.

My little Van Gogh

Krissy loves to paint. Ever since we colored Easter eggs she has been really interested in combining colors to make new ones. I decided it was time for an official color lesson. I think she gets Primary colors, but I think I lost her with Secondary & Tertiary :) Oh well, we have plenty of time for that.
I am dying to go to Pottery Barn Kids to pick up this puzzle for her. I have been eyeing it for some time now. I think she is old enough to enjoy it. Yea!

100 Things About Me (& this is no joke!)

This is probably the longest list yet. I'm sure it is too wordy. If you didn't already know I am crazy, now you will.

1. I am a chronic worrier. Even as a child I had terrible anxiety.
2. Being married to Kyle has helped me chill out.
3. Kyle has been my best friend for something like the last 16 years, half of my life now. Crazy, huh?
4. I love butter. Margarine and other substitutes scare me. If they don’t scare you, read the label sometime.
5. I love my Mac computer. It’s too bad I don’t know how to use it better.
6. I would love to get a PC laptop.
7. I would love to take a Photoshop & Illustrator class.
8. I am saving my money for 2 new lenses for my camera.
9. Someday I would love to charge for photography.
10. I photographed a wedding last fall & it was one of the funnest things I have ever done.
11. Since we have been married I have been to Scotland (x2), Ireland, England (x3), Wales, France (x3), Belgium, & Denmark.
12. I love Europe.
13. My travels in Europe changed my life and the way I view the world.
14. I can’t wait to be able to take my kids to Europe.
15. I want to go back to all the same places, but would also like to see Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain…the list goes on & on.
16. The thought of going to Asia scares me.
17. I love to travel in the U.S. I would love to take a year off and travel the states in an RV.
18. Our favorite family vacation (right now) is Disneyland. It is so fun to take the girls. We really could go every 6 months and not get sick of it. As they get older we will venture out more.
19. I would rather give my children experiences than things.
20. I love cleaning my house. If I were rich I wouldn’t hire a maid, but I would hire someone to pay my bills and do the paperwork.
21. I love trying new products and giving reviews.
22. I would love to be a restaurant critic.
23. I love a brand new box of Crayola crayons. Inspiring!
24. I don’t like animals. Never have, never will.
25. I have issues with beef. I haven’t eaten a hamburger since Jr. High. I love my mom’s crock-pot roast and I love a filet mignon, well-done, of course. (I know some people don’t even consider it to be a steak at that point.) Lastly, I would rather eat a hot dog than a cheap steak. See, I told you I had issues.
26. If we go to a burger joint I order a cheeseburger, without meat.
27. I wish I liked fish and asparagus. I have tried, really.
28. My favorite treat is a frosted sugar cookie with milk.
29. When I worked at the mall I developed a love for See’s candies. My favorites are the truffles…lemon, raspberry, key-lime, blueberry! Yum!
30. I can’t type very well. I have never had issues with dyslexia & reading, but I think I have dyslexia with typing. Sometime I am going to leave a post exactly as I type it the first time. It will crack you up!
31. I love blogging!
32. I am horrible at keeping in touch and blogs have changed my life that way. I just wish everyone blogged!
33. Since I have been blogging, I have noticed that I use the word “definitely” a lot.
34. When my sister moved to Montana 3 years ago I decided the best thing I could do for her would be to call her every day. Well, 3 years…vacations, sick days, having babies, work trips, hospital stays, just crazy-everyday-life…later, we have only missed 1 or 2 days of talking to each other (even if it was a call at 11:55pm, just so we could say we did). Had she never moved we wouldn’t have done this. Our relationship is so much better for it!
35. In the last year I had a baby, had my gallbladder removed, completed (well, mostly) a pretty extensive remodeling project on our house, had our car window shot out, repaired Mikey’s car that Kyle backed into, had Krissy diagnosed with diabetes…It has been crazy to say the least.
36. I have the best job in the world. I work part-time from home on mostly hobby-related stuff. I oversee the design of products for QuicKutz. Check us out if you haven’t already.
37. I work with some amazing people, who have become some of my best friends.
38. I also work with my husband & my brother-in-law. Amazingly, we all still really like each other after all these years.
39. I went to England to do a live TV sales pitch for QuicKutz (similar to QVC and Home Shopping Network). Scary. At the time I was just barely pregnant with Krissy (in fact, I didn’t even know it) and I had the worst zit of my entire life. How is that for a confidence builder? Thankfully the tape they gave us wasn’t in VHS format so no one has been able to watch it. Hopefully by now it is lost.
40. I have incredibly sensitive skin. I often get itchy red splotches and have to figure out what I am using that I am allergic to. Most recently it was our laundry detergent, before that it was lip gloss. I should get tested so I can finally know what ingredients to avoid.
41. When I was 16 I got my first & last flu shot. I had huge, itchy hives for the next 6 months. I missed yearbook pictures for the Dance Company because one morning I woke up with a hive in my lip. It wasn’t pretty.
42. I worked for Bath & Body Works for 6 years. I loved it.
43. I won a few contests and got to go to Columbus, Ohio to the company headquarters. It is still one of the highlights of my life.
44. Some day I want to go back to Columbus just to shop at Easton Town Center.
45. I also won a trip to a spa in Palm Springs, CA. The place we stayed was incredible & the spa was awesome (not your average day spa). We played golf cart polo & had a Jeep tour through the desert. Amazing experience! I would love to take Kyle and go back.
46. I love to watch the news. One of my favorites shows is Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN. As far as local news, I like channel 2 @ 10 p.m.
47. I love musicals: Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Hairspray are some of our favorites.
48. I love Ikea, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn Kids, Target & Costco.
49. I love studying cookbooks, looking for our next favorite treat or meal.
50. I love to read travel books. Always dreaming & planning.
51. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Twilight series. I am definitely an “Edward” girl.
52. I have enough credits at BYU to have graduated, if only they could have all been toward the same major. At some point I majored in Nursing, Elementary Education, Design and Geography. I figure it has made me a more well-rounded person. ☺
53. I would really like to finish at BYU someday.
54. I would love to take piano lessons.
55. I think the perfect Church calling would be Primary Pianist.
56. My only callings have been in the Primary & Young Women. In our last ward in Orem I was the YW President and it was my most favorite calling ever.
57. If I had the cash, I could re-furnish my house every year, or so.
58. I love shopping for home furnishings & accessories.
59. I love to see other people’s homes and the way they live.
60. I think it is rude to be late. If I am kept waiting (without a phone call) I get so annoyed, if I am running late myself I get so stressed out.
61. I use a backpack instead of a handbag. I like to have my hands free to wrangle my kids.
62. I plan to be fashionable someday and use a cute handbag. Probably about the same time I start wearing designer jeans.
63. You should see my bag sometime. Between packing for a baby and a diabetic it gets pretty interesting.
64. I collect the Disney Cars cars. Sounds silly, but I can’t even say it is for my kids. It all started when I would look for them for my nephews. Now I can’t go to the store without make a quick trip down the Cars aisle.
65. I can’t live without Aquaphor. For dry skin and lips you can’t beat it!
66. I love all my in-laws. The one who married into my family & all of those in the family I married into. I feel lucky to have such a great family.
67. My parents gave me an incredible childhood. Thank you mom & dad.
68. My in-laws raised the perfect husband for me. Thanks Don & Dennae.
69. I think I am a very supportive wife. ☺ Kyle has many (expensive & time-consuming) talents and hobbies…golf, cycling, shooting, running, four-wheeling, hiking, snowshoeing, triathlons…I could go on, but this is 100 things about me, not him.
70. I was 11 when my baby sister was born. I feel like I raised her. I have a special bond with her because of that. Of course, she feels like she has 3 moms.
71. My mom is the best cook I know.
72. I know my dad would do anything for me.
73. My greatest fear as a kid was disappointing my parents. I gave them very little trouble. I am hoping I can recreate that with my kiddos! ☺
74. I have 1 out of 4 grandparents living. Oh, how thankful I am to still have my grandma. Oh, how I wish I could spend the day with my other 3 grandparents.
75. I have always lived in Utah.
76. I love color. As a kid I would go to the home-improvement store and pick up paint chips to arrange and study.
77. I love to study design and branding. Recently I watched the unveiling of Utah Valley University’s rebranding. I was curious to see why they made the choices they made…logos, fonts, colors, etc.
78. I love BYU football. The years that Mike played there were some of our favorites we will always cherish.
79. On one play Mike recovered a fumble and, randomly, me and Kyle were selected from the crowd (of 60,000) to receive the Outback Steakhouse Take-Away of the Game ($50 gift certificate) for the recovery of that fumble. At the same time our picture was on one jumbotron and Mikey’s was on the other. What are the chances of that? Of course we treated Mike and Hollie to dinner.
80. I get motion-sickness pretty bad.
81. I need to be better at writing thank-you cards.
82. My favorite magazines are Family Fun, Real Simple, anything scrapbook, Kraft’s Food & Family (which is free) & the Ensign.
83. I need to get in better shape.
84. I need more free time for myself.
85. I wish I had more time to spend on the computer. I always get interrupted with requests to look at the Disneyland website.
86. Big dogs terrify me.
87. I am in need of some dental work. I need a root canal and an implant. I am trying to get motivated to take care of it. Painful and expensive. Not fun.
88. I love to have the blinds open in the day. If I don’t close them myself they would stay open all night long as well.
89. What I love about my house: the carpet, the bedrooms are close together & it is bright. What I want in my next house: 3 car garage, granite countertops, & more space for entertaining.
90. I love a beautifully wrapped gift. You should see my stash of gift wrap.
91. I love paper, cards, invitations & stationary.
92. I love to cook & bake.
93. I am paranoid about dates on food. I am constantly on the lookout.
94. I don’t love loading or unloading the dishwasher. I usually call someone on the phone when it comes time to do that. It makes the job so much more pleasant.
95. I love a thoughtful gift.
96. One of my favorite scriptures stories is Joseph, who was sold into Egypt. What an amazing story of forgiveness and love. One all families can learn from…and set to such a catchy tune!
97. I feel so blessed to be a wife, mother, daughter, grand-daugher, sister, sister-in-law and aunt. I have such amazing people in my life.
98. My favorite time of the day is when Kyle comes home from work, having dinner together, reading stories and saying prayers at bedtime. I love to have snuggles with my girls before sending them off to bed. No matter how the day has been, everything feels okay.
99. I am grateful to have the Gospel in my life. How I would cope without it, I don’t know. What peace and joy it brings. I know that I am a daughter of God, that he has a plan for me & my family, and he wants us to have joy and be happy.
100. I love my life. It is not perfect, but it is mine & I am thankful for it.