Happy Anniversary

I can't believe it has been 8 years since Kevin and I were married! I remember when I couldn't wait to say we had been married a year, and now I am not sure where the other seven have gone. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful husband who loves me for who I am. He knows how to love me, encourage me, and also knows when to put me back on track. Kevin is a wonder father. My favorite part of the day is when he gets home and seeing Spencer and Olivia get so excited when they hear the door open. He is always looking for activities to do as a family, but he also knows how important it is to have some time together just as a couple. I truly appreciate his hard work. He has gone above and beyond in trying to provide for our family. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile, and he even makes me mad at times, but all of those things just make me love him even more. I couldn't have asked for a better companion. I am so grateful for who he is, and that we in this for the eternities. Happy Anniversary Dude ;)

Quite the Fiesta

This last weekend our family, sans Kevin, went to Las Vegas for our cousin Chelsea's wedding to Mr. Nestor Ramirez. I drove down with Bree and Eric, bless their hearts, with my two crazy children. Long story short, Olivia never slept. AHHHH! We arrived safe, although we sadly saw a victim of a rollover, which then made us contemplate safe driving and all the horror stories we had ever seen.
ANYWAY, on Thursday, Lydia and I went to Chelsea's naughty shower where the both of us learned a thing or two! We had fun having dinner with the girls, and it was fun to see Chels before the wedding day.
The sealing was beautiful. It was so fun to watch Nestor's face. He has a really cute smile, which he doesn't show off near enough. I was so pleased with the two of them getting sealed in the temple. That is the best way to start of a marriage! The weather was amazing, and it was fun to visit with everyone outside. It was really fun to see my good friend Candace too. She was the photographer. You can see her site here. I never get to see her when I am down because she is always shooting, so that was really fun for me!

The reception that night was a blast! It was beautifully decorated, knowing of course that Jeanette cannot do anything simple! I was worried Olivia would be difficult because she started the night off with a fever from teething.

Luckily she felt better fast after a little Tylenol, and then we couldn't peel her off the dance floor! The kids had a blast gettin' down! I think every time a flash went off Olivia thought it was for her.

It has been said to "dance like no one is watching." Olivia was dancing and hoping everyone was watching! She was so funny. Spencer liked the dance floor, but he LOVED the chocolate fountain and the candy table. I cannot tell you how many people came up to me and said, "Have you seen Spencer's shirt?" Oh well. He came to party, and that he did! He loved playing with Alli and Jessi! They were nothing but T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the night was when the DJ was finished and the Mariachi band started to play. I swear, you had to be there to see it. ALL the white people backed away and ALL the Mexicans ran to the dance floor! Oh, I was dying! After a song or two, the whities weren't so afraid. It was so fun to have the live music there. It was even better to actually see people dancing.

Finally, a highlight of the night was Lydia catching the bouquet! Hooray for Lydia! Now all we have to do is find her a man! Here she is with Nestor's brother (I think). Doesn't she look pretty?!!

Oh, I guess I can't forget the shot of the bride! Chelsea looked so beautiful!!! I didn't get very many shots of them because I have a thing for taking shots the same time as the photographer, I think it is so tacky! So, here is one of my few pics of Chels. Sorry, it isn't very good!

The whole day was beautiful, and the night was quite a fiesta! I know for sure the party continued late into the night because they were moving the party to Nestor's parent's house after it was done at the Nelson's! I wish you could have been there to see it, but maybe some of you will be at Rachel and Miles' reception in a couple weeks. It is at Cal and Jeanette's too!

I just have to put this shot in because I think it is so cute. It is of Olivia Lauren and Lauren (Ryan's 'friend').

THE END.

My Preciousssssss

Here is Oli's new 'baby'! Can you believe it! I pulled out some Halloween stuff, and she attached herself right to this scary rat. She loves it just like all of her other babies, maybe more in fact. He has to sit next to her to eat, she lets him drink out of her sippies, and she carts him around all over. People have very adverse reactions to this rubbery rodent, and it is even more shocking when they see this sweet little girl loving it like a baby doll. Personally I love it! I don't know if it is because she has a slight sense of morbidity (like her mother) or if it is the undiscriminating love of a child. Lets go with the latter.

Elvira or Vixen?

So what do you think? It has been a couple of years since I have gone dark, and I thought with the season change it was a good time. I was in the mood, and I love it! I wish it was about 8" longer, then it would be fabuloso. OK, so do Lydia and I officially look like sisters now?!! I pulled an expression in the mirror after it was done and I was thinking, 'Holy crap, that is Lydia!' Spencer asked me why I turned my hair brown when I picked him up from school today, but he said he liked it. Few! All I need is a 4 year old telling me I am not cute! Hopefully the hubby likes it! He doesn't know I did it!

The Glories of Fall

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This last weekend I drove the kiddies down to good ol' Utah County to go for a ride up the ski lifts in Sundance with Nana, Papa, and Uncle Ryan. I was a little worried that the weather was going to turn on us, but it ended up being a spectacular fall day. It was overcast, a little breezy, but it felt just like fall. The leaves were so beautiful. If you are here and haven't been to see them, you must go soon! It seems they are gone before you know it.
The boys went up on a lift together with Spence, and the girls took Oli. I am sure my dad and Ry had a little easier time with Spencer, but we had nonstop action on our trip. Olivia almost lost a shoe in the first 30 seconds, she tried to throw her hat off at the half way point, and I swear that girl has a death wish. She would have jumped off if we let her (probably because it looked like the mountain bikers below were having so much fun). Even though she was a handful, Mom and I had fun kicking our legs and letting the breeze blow through our hair. It is amazing to look at the what Heavenly Father created for us, and that he did it to bring us joy.