Utah Trip Part 2!

We were able to see so many of our friends while we were in Utah, yet we were not able to see all of them. Maybe our next trip we can see more! These were the friends we were able to see in the Salt Lake Area.
These are the Ramos' we met them while we were in TX. They were stationed there as well. They are now at Hill and we just happened to be there for little Annabella's baptism.

We were also able to go see some of Chris' family. It was his nephew's birthday, so we got to go party!

Then we met up with my friend Crenda and her 3 adorable boys. She apologized for them before we got there, but I thought they were wonderful and Makena had a blast playing with them. We all got to ride the train at the South Towne Mall.

We then got to go see Chris' brother Cory and his family. Makena and Lily had so much fun!

Next, was our trip to go see some old neighbors of our, when we lived in Logan. Makena adored them as a little girl and had so much fun seeing them again.

I just threw this picture in cause I loved it!

Utah Trip Part 1 of Many!!

So July 5th, Makena and I headed to Utah with friends of ours. (Chris was in Alaska on a training so we thought we would get away) Their were 3 adults, 6 kids (the oldest was 5), and 2 cars in our party. I am sure we looked insane and I am even more sure that many times we felt that way. We ended the first day of driving in Gallup, NM. We now know that will not be on the list of stopping places again. We wanted Mexican food for dinner and asked a girl at the hotel where to eat. She told us the place of a cafe (should have been our first clue). We showed up at this place that was as big as an air liner with two rows of tables one on each side. The host looked at us in horror as we walked in with so many kids. We would have had to be split up in 2 to 3 tables to accommodate all of us. So Makena and one of her friends took off and ran under one of the tables. (Let me remind you they had been in the car for about 12 hours by this point) We decided to not stay and went to grab the kids and they got stuck on each other as they tried to climb out. The screaming began. We were so embarrassed and grabbed all the kids and ran out.
Day 2 in the car was much better and we made it into Utah. However the next morning my embarrassment would begin again. We were staying the first night with my friend and her parents in Spanish Fork. During breakfast, Makena was trying out her hand in chair leaning. Which I am sad to report, ended in disaster. Her and the chair ended up on the floor. Makena with a very large goose egg on her head and the back of the chair in many pieces. Luckily my friend went right to work with wood glue and put it back together and also, that her mom was much more worried about Makena than the chair(yes, I was worried about the chair)
NOW onto bigger and better memories. Day 4 we met up with friends we met in TX and went to the Hogle Zoo. We were both so excited to see our friends. They were having a big dinosaur exhibit. They were a lot of fun. Each dinosaur was animated in their own way. Some would roar, move, spit water, etc.

Here is the one that spit water. The kids loved it

Makena was so excited to see that their zoo had a baby elephant as well. She was missing ours.

Here is the gang. We had so much fun!!!! Thanks Dana for a great time! We loved seeing all of you!

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

Makena is loving having her daddy home. She wants him to be around all the time and wants him to help her with most everything. I am not complaining at all! I had bought her a kite so that they could go play. She loved it and was so excited to do this with him.

She of course had to have the princess kite. Daddy's little princess fits just right for her!

These are just a couple of shots of her trying to relish the time she now has with daddy.

Little twins with their jeans and T-shirt!

It's A Girl!

I know cruel joke! But I got you a little excited didn't I? No there is no baby news from our family so I thought I would share baby news from another family. We spend so much time at our zoo that I guess they are like family. Our elephant just gave birth to a very adorable 300lb (yes! also makes me glad ours are only about 6-9lbs) little girl. Her name is Maylee. Every time we go to the zoo we have to go and see her now. It will be fun to watch her grow up over the next few years!

Daddy's Home!

Daddy has been deployed for the last two months. It was really hard on Makena, for me it was a breeze (YEAH RIGHT). I do not make a good single mom. We were so excited to get him home. Makena helped me get the yard done. So I just thought I would get a few quick pics before we went to go get him. This ended up being a perfect ideas because as we loaded up the car with daddy it began to pour and pour and pour!!

As we waited for Chris to get back, we were in this small auditorium with the other wives and kids. Makena was having fun running around. She laid down next to another little girl. They were on their tummy's with their hands under their chins. It was the cutest picture! I ran to get the camera when all of a sudden Makena jumps up and runs for the door yelling daddy!!

She jumped into his arms and was so excited to see him and vice versa!

So because of the rain I did not get a picture of them outside until the next day when Chris got home from work. He brought home all kinds of goodies for Makena. Del Sol is huge there. So everything he got her changes color. She got shirts, sunglasses, flower clips, rings, and nail polish that all change color in the sun. We are so happy to have daddy home once again.

Hula Dances And More!

Makena was so excited when the trees started blooming. These were her favorites!!!! She called them Hula Dances!!!! And of course, these were popcorn trees. This is our front yard. She would get so excited to go outside so that she could see her popcorn tree. These trees are everywhere here and so you can guess how many times this spring we sang "Popcorn Popping"

Since Chris has been gone, I enlisted the sister missionaries help in painting. This is Makenas Tinkerbell room. This is only the start. Eventually I will get all the stenciling done I want. I just have to make them. Makena was thrilled to help paint.
They also helped me get the spare bathroom painted. Pictures to come on that one. Because it has just been Makena and I, we have had to figure out more things to do. I got really tired of cutting out the same shapes over and over again with Play-Doh so we went and found some more toys. We have been having a blast making all sorts of goodies! My friend Jamie came over with her kiddos and we got to color eggs. Didn't get pictures of the kids like I meant to, guess I was too worried trying to keep the kids from making to big a mess. After the kids dyed them, the moms got crafty with the glitter and the foil. I had a blast! My friend Melanie and her daughter Annabelle came to stay a night with us as they drove through. Makena was so excited when she saw that she had the same pj's as her. Thanks grandma!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter Everyone!! Here was her basket this year. Wal-Mart had these cute baskets to go with Easter dresses.
It rained all day on Easter so we ran out really quick to at least get a picture.
We did not do an Easter egg hunt because it rained all day.

For this one, we ran out took the picture then ran back in!

So I took a few inside just to have a couple.

(Besides her hair took a while to do and I wanted pictures.)

Check out these adorable bows my mom made to go with her dress!!

At least she was not completely deprived of egg hunting. Our playgroup got together and did a small one. It was to rain that day as well but ended up just being a bit chilly.

Overall it was a great Easter, even though we missed Daddy being with us!