baby Kate at 1

It was so fun to take pictures of this little lady for her first birthday. It is so hard to believe she is one already... We love you baby cakes!

announcing: twins!

Born to my sister Tiffany...my she has been busy these past two weeks, hasn't she???

Appendix & Gallbladder

(No. She didn't have a two headed turtle.)

born late Monday night

Poor girl. Get some rest Tiffy. Hope you are feeling better soon.

yellow party

My little Kendall has been obsessed with the color yellow for a while now and so we decided we would have a Yellow Party to celebrate her 4th birthday. We had so much fun with her little friends.

I am LOVING this yellow stuff. I feel like it has breathed a breath of fresh, spring air into our home. There is just something so happy and cheerful about yellow...just like my Kendall.

Happy birthday baby!

Julie B. Beck

On Saturday morning Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President of the Church, came to speak to 6 stakes in American Fork. What a treat that was. I was amazed by her once again. Her husband started by introducing her and bearing his testimony. You can tell that he is a real character. He said that he had been to most every speech she has given...except one time he missed because it was in the middle of the Superbowl.

She began by talking to us about the craziness of life and our priorities. She said that we are ordinary people who have been given monstrous responsibilities. She said that we can all think of someone else more qualified, but that is why we must pray and when we do Heavenly Father "illuminates our path". She also talked about the purpose of Relief Society...it is to: increase our faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and seek out those in need. She later went on to take questions from the audience. I was amazed at her ease and grace and kindness and boldness in answering those questions. She was able to turn to the scriptures to answer each one. Truly an amazing example.

Here are a few of my favorite bits from her talk:

"Relief Society is a way of life, the way the Lord determined to organize his daughters."

"We are not in the entertainment business, we are in the business of salvation."

"Blogs weren't created to waste time or neglect children. Use them to lead and influence for good."

"Little things we do to build the kingdom are big things."

"My biggest concern for the women of the Church is that our priorities are not always aligned with the Lord."

"We must guard against anger, apathy and entitlement."

"We must focus on the essential things everyday for us to gain eternal life: covenants, serving, scriptures, prayer, revelation. I had one woman ask me, 'Do you really expect me to read my scriptures every day?' I responded, 'I expect nothing, that is what the Lord expects."

"We must become self-reliant spiritually and temporally so we can build the kingdom of God."

"Moms must provide the spirit, order and preparation of the home. We must know what the most important time of the day is in our home so we can be prepared to be at our best when our children need it most."

"We must live with intention and precision."

in a nutshell

How fun is this? I spotted this on my friend Karyn's blog...it is a website that pulls commonly used words from your blog to make a collage. Right up my alley!

Ryan & Mya

These darling girls belong to Kirk and April...some of our friends from our QuicKutz days. Aren't they so cute??? Later this week they are moving to Texas! I was thankful for the opportunity to catch up before they leave town.

We wish you all the best! We will sure miss you.

Sweet Sophie Smith

Sophie Kaye Smith

March 4, 2011

3:30am

5 lbs. 11 oz.

19"

Tiff was such a trooper. We called this arm "The Claw".

Fresh from the oven.

One delighted momma.

One sweet baby.

One happy daddy...and one tiny bundle of joy!

Hollie surprised us all and flew down from Boise, which made it even more special. And, of course, she made us laugh. I will never forget the game she insisted we play... guess the cafeteria meal. Our hint...it is in the shape of something else you would eat...and mom would like it. ;)

You guessed it...a delightful cross between a fish and pork chop. Bleh.

Krissy and Kendall couldn't be more delighted. In fact, they have decided that this year they are asking Santa for a new baby for our house. :)

Welcome baby Sophie...we love you already.

(And, no, that is not an announcement...sorry to generate any unnecessary excitement ;)

baby sister

I still can't believe it. My baby sister is having a baby.

Tomorrow.

I am so excited to even think about this little one who will be rejoining our family. I am so proud of Tiff...she has taken such great care of herself during her pregnancy and avoided many of the common complications due to diabetes. I am grateful for the example she is to Krissy.

I can't wait to watch you be a mom Tiffy. This little lady is lucky to have found her way to your home. I will be there tomorrow with camera in tow and I am sure we will have a slew of pictures to share.

XOXO

Tiff's baby shower

A few weeks ago we had a baby shower for my sister Tiff. I always love an occasion...it is so fun to see so many loved ones, eat good food and dream about this little baby girl who is on her way.

sick day

A few weeks ago Kendall was sick and had been stuck inside for days. Krissy came home from school and the sun was shining and they couldn't resist a good opportunity to play on the sheet of ice on the north side of our house. Kendall loved every minute that she was dragged across the ice.

"Hang on tight Tiny!"

That was me hollering from the kitchen window...