Update... I had to do it in 2 posts to keep reading when it looks like it's all done!!!

So over the last few weeks we've been up to a lot. Paul just finished one of his first jobs with the business making some fliers for his dad's and brother's new company. He did a great job and it was fun watching him put his creative talents to work. He spent a lot of time learning some new programs too so I know he's really put a lot of effort into to getting everything off the ground. He's really working hard.

I've been picking up extra hours at work, working 10 hour days. Our company just expanded our production to take on another wedding line and because our plant had the space to take on the extra orders they transitioned everything here to Idaho. With the move they've been asking people to work as much as possible so I've picked up time so I can help out there and here at the house. I really hope it's worth it.

Riann has been doing great!!! She is now eating solid food about once or twice a day. She's a hoot!!! It's hard to feed her because she's already eager to hold her own spoon. We have a really hard time getting the food to her mouth because it's typically knocked off by the time we get it there. If one of us is feeding her we have to hold down one hand and try to bypass the reach on her other. It's a process but we're learning to get by just like she is. She's been getting TONS better at rolling onto her tummy and she's even been getting a little better at getting back to her back. We still don't think she does it on purpose but it's becoming more frequent so I'm wondering if she's about there. Paul also says she's even been working on getting up to her knees so we might have a crawler before we have a real head of real hair and a few teeth... Not that I'm hoping for her to become that active anytime soon. I want her to stay my baby for a little longer. She's been growing so fast it's amazing to see the changes even each day when I get home from work. I thought I would add some pictures and video of the fun things she's been up to lately. I've finally got the patients to wait for a video to load so I hope this works!!!

This is her newer trick where she "blows bubbles". Most of the time she just drools EVERYWHERE and makes a mess but she got some good ones in this day. I love the shape her mouth makes!!!



Here are a few pictures of us all just hanging out as well...

She had just gotten her 4 month shots. She did really good this time and she got matching band-aids. We were both really proud of her!!!

She some how always manages to cover her self up completely while she sleeps. We came in the other day and this was all we could see of her. Often it wakes her up and she has a certain grunt/cry that we know by heart so we know when she's frustrated and can't seem to get the blanket off of her face.

She loves this toy... Yes, she has a favorite toy already. His name is Alex and I think they secretly talk to each other. He has to be with her everywhere we go. He hangs off of her car seat and she plays with him ALL the time!!!

Riann and Dad making faces at the camera. I can't tell who's having more fun here... I love them both so much!!!

This is the story of my life... all in one photo. I've got a husband who works very hard and deserves all the rest he can get, a baby who likes to play when everyone else wants to sleep, and a cat who's trying to take my place as the woman of the house. I was getting ready for work the other day and when I came into say goodbye this is what my bed looked like. These guys make me happy!!!




Keep reading for more pictures and a video of Riann's adventures with cereal!!!!

The site wouldn't let me put 2 video's on one post so here is the video of Riann trying to eat some cereal. Like I said in my first post she's a bit of a hand full but we love every moment of it. I also wanted to add some photo's of her in her highchair. I think she really likes it because it puts her up to our level and it's a new place where she gets to practice her sitting skills.

I hope you guys enjoy!!!

Riann Eating


This is the first time she sat in it... I think... She looks so small!!!

She's upset with me because I'm taking pictures when she wants more to eat... Not good.

Hanging out waiting to get cleaned up on the first night we tried out the cereal. I don't know why but any time she sits up she has to be leaning forward if she can manage it. She hates to be leaning back or reclining. She's peculiar.

Messy kid!!!

Enjoying the moment!!!


Love you all!!!

The 4th of July

So this was our first real holiday with Riann... excluding Easter which I don't really count because we really didn't know about it coming up and all... and I have to admit it was pretty fun!!! I totally think I'm going to be one of those mom's who dresses up their kids in all of the holiday attire until the last possible year when they can finally say no and I'll have to listen.

We had a pretty relaxing morning. It was wonderful to not have to worry about work. It's really been killing me going in lately, we're really going to have to figure out something new. I don't like being away, but it's what we need for now. After taking a while to wake up we got going on a window or two and really got them in. After that we all cleaned up and got ready to get down to Idaho Falls for the fire works. It was really a nice trip to be with Paul and Riann and not really need to think about life for a while. I was really at peace most of the day. We got into IF and Paul decided he needed to eat so we took some time and stopped at AppleBee's it was really fun. Riann was really good and just had a blast playing in her chair. The food there has gotten TONS better than when we first started eating there and we've started to have really good times when we go. After eating we walked over to the green belt which is right on the water in front of the temple and found some great seats... or what we thought were great seats. We didn't know that the show had been moved because of flooding and so we were actually sitting the wrong direction and missed part of the show behind some of the buildings we were trying to avoid. It ended up being a pretty good day though. It was nice to be out of the house and to just get to spend some time as just the 3 of us. We haven't done that lately and it was really refreshing. It was a blast to watch Riann and Paul play together and I had a lot of fun "people watching" with Paul as people passed us in our seats. I also REALLY enjoyed all of the complements people gave us about Riann as they walked bye. I'm a sucker for that stuff!!!

I'm really grateful we get to take a day to celebrate the blessing it is to live in a free country. I am so grateful for the joys that I have in my life and for those who have allowed me the chance to experience them. My freedom is something I hold sacred and I will never be able to repay those who have given me that luxury. I will try my hardest to never take for granted what I've been given and the price that was paid for me to have it. I owe my freedom to the brave men and women who have given their lives to this country and I am truly grateful for that gift. Not only to I owe my freedom to them but to their families who have given the greatest sacrifice to this country and I hope that one day we will all find the courage to make their sacrifice worth while. I know my blessings don't come free and I am always honored to say "I'm proud to be an American!!!"

Although it will never be enough, Thank you to all who have fought and died and sacrificed on my behalf and so my children can have the opportunity to live a better life than I did. God bless the troops and their families who love them!!!

Here are some photo's from that day!!!

Getting ready to go out... Riann thought she'd do a little bow modeling before we got her dressed.

She kept trying to sit up at Applebee's but she kept getting distracted with her feet.

Riann loving loves from Daddy!!!

A beautiful smile in action!!!

She loves all of the attention he gives her.

Hanging out waiting for the show to start.

I love her so much!!!!!

Riann rolled over!!!!

(This post is a little old but I still wanted to tell you all a little about her progress!!!)

Riann rolled over last night for the first time. We're a little frustrated with her because she pretty much did the first one while we were both out of the room. She's becoming a master at it though. She did it 4 times all last night. We haven't given it another shot this morning but I'm excited to see if she'll keep trying. She really has to get a running start at it so it's pretty cute!!!

Life as we know it's certainly going to be over but she is so amazing to watch as she gets bigger!!! I still can't believe she is who she is most days. It's become such a joy to see her grow and develop. she's already changed so much. It's exciting to see what might be around the corner.

I tried to upload a video but I think it was too big to load... that's what caused the delay in posting. We're still working on getting it up. I hope I can soon!!!

My "Fathers"

So I'm totally lame and didn't get a chance to sit down and write a quick note for Father's Day because things got a little crazy this weekend but I wanted to sit down and do it now. I am so lucky to have a person like Paul in my life and I can't express how much joy he brings me. He is an amazing father and I grow each day because I get the chance to watch him interact with Riann. He's amazing!!!! He was such a strength to me the day she was born and he's worked so hard to take care of us each day after that. There were moments I couldn't believe the things he would do and it just showed what lengths he would go to care for us. He's an amazing father to Riann and it is such a joy to watch him get excited about things as she grows. I can tell how much she loves him and enjoys spending time with him. Some days I wonder if she likes him more than me. Her eyes light up when she sees him and it's a blessing for me to know that she feels complete in his arms, just like I do. I know they have a very special bond and I'm so grateful for that. I know that as she grows up she will be able to trust him with her heart and that comforts me every single day. I can't wait to see what the future holds for all of us and I'm grateful to be here in this moment now. Every day is a blessing with my family and I'm so thankful to get to experience it. I love you guys sooo much!!!


On another note I would like to talk about my other fathers. First my step-dad. It's been amazing to see the changes in him since my littlest brother was born. He's a great father and it's also nice to see him grow each and every day. His testimony has been strengthened by the birth of my brother and his faith in the Lord and family can be seen in how he treats and cares for my mother. I know that some days are hard for them but they are really doing well and I'm grateful for them in my life.


My father-in-law has been in my life for quite a while now. At times it seems like I've known him longer than I've known Paul. He's always been a role model for me and other members of my family and I've learned so many different thing from him. He's an amazing father and I'm so grateful I get to watch him and learn from his actions. He loves his family so much and he truly takes care of them in every way he can. I've been so blessed to be a part of their family and I'm so grateful that I can go to them when I'm struggling with something. I've found that there have been times when I've just needed someone to talk to and it's a comfort to know that I can just pick up the phone and call when I need to. It's a blessing to be part of such an amazing family and I'm go grateful they've accepted me with their whole hearts. Paul is so much more like his dad than I'm sure he'd like to admit but it sets my mind at ease to know that he resembles the best qualities of my father-in-law. I know each and every day that they love me and I'm so grateful for all they've given me.


Lastly my father. I'm so grateful for all he's done for me. There have been times when I haven't been very appreciative of his kindness and struggle and there have been times when things have just been hard but I truly am grateful for the example he set for my life. He is a great man and is always trying to give his best in every situation. He has taught me many things and in many ways has molded who I am today. I take after him in so many ways and I'm grateful to have him in my life. I'm glad that I'm his daughter and I know I don't say it enough but I love him so much and can't thank him enough for all that he's done to provide me with the life I have.


I love all of the great men in my life and I'm so grateful that Riann gets to grow up with such wonderful grandfathers and such an amazing dad. The love her so much and it's a joy to see each of them fall in love with her!!!

Happy (late) Father's day!!!

Just a quick update...

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. This post isn't going to be much of one either. I've been kind of bummed lately because I haven't felt like many people are reading this stuff so I've been less motivated to update. I'll get better and stop feeling sorry for myself. I've got a few pictures I want to get up so I'll get working on that stuff.

I just wanted to write a quick note because I'm also using this space as a journal and I need to write this down before I forget how I felt when it happened...

Thursday I got my first laugh out of Riann. It was adorable!!! I was pretending to eat her cheeks and she was trying to eat mine so it was a little muffled so I wasn't even sure if it was a real laugh but I really think it was and I was so proud of her. It's been a while since we've seen her do something new and when this started I was really excited. I'm sure it was a laugh now because I was laying with my head "on" her stomach and was pretending to eat her stomach and she did it again!!! I love it. I was sooo incredibly proud of her and I don't know why but I think I can honestly say my heart was filled with joy. I think it's because for the first time I really new she was enjoying my company. I know when she smiles she's really happy but I don't know if she is really reacting to the moment. When she started laughing I really knew she was and it made me feel connected to her in a new way.

So far I haven't gotten her to do it again. It seems like the thing that gets her going the first time wont work again a second time so I'll just have to keep playing with her to see what I can get... This must be a part of her plan. She makes me so happy and I'm so grateful to really get an opportunity to understand this new level of excitement and joy. She is the pride of my life and I can't wait to see what she'll become!!!

Ogden Utah - Our first road trip

So this last weekend we went to Ogden to visit my brother Jacob and his wife Amanda. It was our first road tip with Riann and we did pretty darn well. We had a few more cranky moments than normal but I'm pretty sure that's just because her schedule got a little off track while we were there. We left Friday mid-afternoon and Riann slept pretty much the whole way there. When we got there we stopped off at Costco and picked up a 6 month supply of toilet paper and hopefully a good month or two stock of diapers and wipes. We're keeping our fingers crossed that the baby stuff will last that long. After that we played around at their mall and saw some skydiving demo's at an indoor skydiving place. It was pretty impressive.

Saturday we got to go to SLC and walk around temple square and see the new Joseph Smith movie. It was a pretty great day. It was so refreshing to be on temple grounds and it surprised me how excited I was to be there. We got a couple of family pictures while we were there and it's nice to have some updated pictures of the 3 of us. After that we went and hung out at the Gateway and did some shopping. There we met up with my old roommate and her husband who are expecting their first baby in the next week or two... hopefully this Thursday! It was soooo great to see them and we can't wait for them to have their little girl.

Sunday we got to go visit my Aunt and cousins who live around West Jordan and that was great too. It had been about a year since I had last seen them and it makes me so happy to get to be around family. It's really refreshing!!! We spent a few hours there talking and catching up on the season finale of the office... they are the shows biggest fans!!!

Monday we got up with the intention of going hiking but the weather wasn't really cooperating so we killed some time around town and tried to do some bargain shopping but didn't find any deals that we worth jumping on. It was really nice to just have a lazy day and not have to plan on doing a ton and it was great to just get a chance to relax and enjoy being together with my family.

We really enjoyed being together this weekend. It was great to get a break from Rexburg and a chance to spend some much needed time with family. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

All buckled in and ready to go.... She thankfully slept the whole way there!!!

Paul and Riann crashed out at Jake and Amanda's.

The Frontrunner Train we rode to SLC.

All of us on the train to SLC.

This has got to be one of her cutest smiles EVER!!!

Family shot in front of the Temple.

Family shot on the Temple stairs.

Cheesin' it in Temple Square.

Riann getting ready to drive all of us to Aunt Cindy's.