New Year

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to try and blog more often.  I've heard people call this their family journal and that's what I want to try and make ours.  Nathan started working as a salesman for Liberty GMC at the beginning of January and is doing really well.  He has health and dental insurance and we are grateful for that.  

I have been working as a report processor for a lady in my home ward.  It's nice because I can work from home for about 4 hours a day and we don't have to have another car.  

Shyanne is doing really well in 2nd grade.  Something new this year that she gets to experience is taking the school bus.  I've always been worried about the bus, because my experience from when I was younger was that the kids act dorky.  I am happy to say that so far everything is working out beautifully.  I walk her to the front of our apartments and stay with her until the bus picks her up and at the end of the day when the bus drops her off she simply walks home.  I honestly don't know why we didn't do this sooner, but I'm glad we did and that she loves riding the bus to school. 

We moved into our ward at the end of September and both of us have callings that we really enjoy.  Nathan was called as the Bear Cub Scout Den Leader.  Every Tuesday night he goes to the church around 6:30 and works with the Bears, which right now is only one boy.  That will be changing shortly I'm sure as upcoming boys turn 8.  I have been called as the Primary Pianist again.  I've had this calling before in our old ward and really love it.  There is just something about Primary songs that is so simple and sweet  and explains the gospel beautifully.  Well that is all for now I have to get dinner ready.

Quick Update

Just wanted to let everyone know we are still alive and well.  Nathan lost his job with Liberty Buick on July 5th of last year and was able to get another job with Berge Ford in May.  He is selling fleet vehicles and doing finance when they need him.  I got a job as an orthodontic assistant working for Western Dental.  Well after about 1 1/2 months I thankfully found another job with a private orthodontist working less hours, but making about the same amount as when I worked 5 days a week.  Shyanne turned 7 in April and about 2 weeks after summer break started to inform me that she was "bored" and ready to go back to school.  Yeah... it's been a long summer, but we are thankful for the blessings Heavenly Father has given us and the strength to get through the trials of this last year.

Birthday Interview

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was a cute idea. Shyanne turned 6 on April 21st and this is her birthday interview.

I WANT: to go to Hawaii & Red Lobster
I HAVE: toothless (from How to Train a Dragon- her favorite toy)
I WISH: I could have a barbershop toy (cute barbershop chair at Target)
I HATE: bees & mosquitos
I MISS: my friends
I HEAR: music from my movie
I WONDER: if my eyes are still "looking" when I sleep
I AM NOT: an animal
I SING: when I feel sad or want to sing
I NEED: perfume (the kind in a bottle with a squirter on it)
I SHOULD: do more chores

* How old are you? 6
* What is your favorite color? All the colors in the rainbow
* What is your favorite food? Fettuccini & crab legs
* What is your favorite beverage? Milk & water
* What is your favorite cereal? Cookie crisp
* What is your favorite smell? Smoke (from campfires, bbq)
* What is your favorite time of day? Nighttime
* What is your favorite game? Hide and go seek & tag
* What was the last movie you saw? Cars 2
* What if your favorite article of clothing? My parrot shirt
* What is your dream vacation? Disneyland
* What do you love most about daddy? He likes candy & our daddy daughter dates
* What do you love most about mommy? You cook good food
* What is your favorite "me-time" activity? Fingerpainting
* What are some of your talents? Drawing & building things
* What was your favorite thing about being 5 years old? Going to Kindergarten
* What are you most excited about being 6 years old? I'm older like my other friends.

We love you Shyanne and are grateful you are in our eternal family! Love Mom and Dad

Winter Concert

Shyanne w/ her teacher Mrs. Carr

Before the Christmas break last year the Kindergarteners had a concert. Shyanne was so excited to be up there with her friends and perform the songs she'd been singing for a couple of months.

Going Private

I've heard some things in the blogging world that are a little scary about who's looking at your pictures etc. so I've decided it's time to go private for real this time. If you want to keep up with what our family is doing give me your email and I'll add you to the list. Thanks!

October

Yes, our pumpkin really was that big!

Hay ride through the farm.

Shyanne eating some yummy fresh grilled corn.

Me being happy that Shyanne and I stayed dry on our first canoe ride!

At the entrance of the pumpkin patch.

We decided to go up north to pick our halloween pumpkins last year. We ended up finding Freeman Farms and it was such a cute place. We went through a corn maze, rode a canoe, rode a merry-go-round, Shyanne had her arm painted, went to their petting zoo, ate fresh grilled corn, went on a hay ride, and picked out our pumpkins. It was a long day, but well worth the time to just hang out as a family and make memories.

Costume Ideas

Well it's starting to get to that time of year again- yes I'm talking about Halloween. A friend of mine has created some adorable outfits for girls you have to check out her website. Here's the link http://www.baileysblossoms.com/ I can't wait for Halloween!

4th of July

Our 4th of July weekend was pretty quiet and relaxing. On Saturday, July 3rd, our ward had a breakfast followed by a primary bike parade. Actually I don't know if parade is the right word it was more like attending a PIR race with bikes zooming every which way avoiding the "slower drivers". Nathan came up with this idea for Shyanne's bike since the kids were asked to decorate them. I think it turned out pretty cute! Sunday we went to church and I loved singing the patriotic hymns (too bad we only sing them once a year). Shyanne also learned a new song called My Flag. Sometimes when she sees the flag now she'll call it the flag of liberty :)

*Above- her own personal float.

*Left- taken before we left for church. She HAD to wear the necklace her friend Maddux gave to her the day before.

7 Years

Today is our 7th anniversary so I decided to do a little something different.

7 years ago I was...

*single
*playing volleyball late into the night
*working at Bath & Body Works
*going to school
*sleeping in
*going on a mission

Now I am...

*married
*playing church volleyball on Tues. nights
*laid off, but looking
*still haven't finished school
*Sleeps in if Shyanne lets me :)
*Didn't go on a mission, but instead is going on an eternal one with my hubby :)

I love you Nathan here's to many more anniversaries!

Finally an update

I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything, but I haven't really been in a blogging mood. So I'll jump right in and let everyone know what's been going on. For starters I was laid off from my job almost 2 weeks ago HALLELUJAH! Normally this would be a bad thing, but I've only been getting about 2 hrs. a night for the last couple of months and they're closing in a couple of weeks anyway. I'm also in the middle of taking an x-ray certification class at Phoenix College so I can be more marketable in the dental field. The next big thing is that Shyanne turned 5 on April 21st! We celebrated that day and then had her party on Saturday, the 24th, complete with a Strawberry Shortcake bounce house and snow cone machine FUN! She loved all of her presents and is excited for next year's party already. She will be starting Kindergarten this coming school year and is on a couple of waiting lists so we'll see which school she goes to. Finally our last big thing is that we are going to be featured in the June edition of B magazine (for Buick owners). There was a question on Facebook about younger people buying a Buick and Nathan answered it then a couple of days later he got a call from their marketing dept. asking if they could feature us and our story in their magazine! Yesterday we went out and did the photo shoot and I'm so excited to see what the finished product will look like. Other than that things are pretty normal around here.

New Name

Shyanne and I were looking at something on the computer today and she saw a picture of Buzz Lightyear and said "that's Buzz off light beard". Ha ha I love the things that kids say.

A Phoenix Snow Day

Sunday afternoon I layed down to take a nap when Shyanne bursts into the room and tells me that it's "snowing" outside. So we got our shoes on and went outside and found that it was hailing! I explained to Shyanne that it wasn't snow it was hail and that hail was ice. She said oh well can we just call it snow for today. So here's a picture taken by Nathan of our snow day in Phoenix.

One Year Ago

One year ago today my mom passed away. I think this time of year will always be a little sad, but I love the sweet peace that the story of Jesus' birth brings. What a wonderful blessing the world was given and with that birth, and later death, came the promise of a resurrection. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father who loved us enough to send his Son and give us the opportunity to be resurrected and be with our families forever. I love my family, I love the gospel, I know without a shadow of a doubt that it's true. I know that if I live righteously that I will one day be reunited with my mom and loved ones. I hope that this season we will be able to feel the Spirit and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Rainy Day

I woke up this morning to some nice rain as I was taking Shyanne to preschool. On the way home from picking her up she asked me how Heavenly Father made it rain. I gave her the best answer I could and she said "well I think Heavenly Father has a hose and can turn it on and off to make it rain". Ah the mind of a child :)

From the mouth of babe's

I was just sitting here at the computer playing some games when Shyanne gets up on my chair and while standing behind me says "oh mom you have some white hair". Gee thanks!

Halloween

Shyanne's costume for Halloween

Costume for the Fall Festival

One of the perks of being married to a photographer is getting some pretty amazing pictures. I liked so many that Nathan took but picked out my two favorite ones to share with you. Shyanne had so much fun this year and is already asking about Halloween next year :)

Our costumes

Dr. Mayo

His lovely nurse

For Halloween this year we decided to go a little traditional and do the doctor and nurse costumes. These pics were taken at our ward's Fall Festival and I have to say it was pretty fun! Shyanne had such a blast playing games, eating cotton candy, going trick-or-treating to different classrooms that she fell asleep in the car on the way home.

As Promised

It's taken me awhile, but I finally have a few pictures of Shyanne's first soccer practice. She had her first game this last Sat. which they won wahoo!

Playing Catch Up

Well it's been awhile since my last post and since I know everyone is dying to know what we've been up to (wink wink) I'll fill you in. At the beginning of Sept. Shyanne finished her ballet/tap class and absolutely loved it! She wanted to try soccer next so we signed her up and it's official I am now a soccer mom. Never thought I would be, but I'm sure it'll be fun. On Sept. 9th Shyanne started preschool with Miss Monica and loves being in school again and loves her new teacher and friends. I'm looking for a new job. The job I have now is going to be non-existent come next May and they're having us leave a couple nights each week after only working 2 hrs. UGH! So I'm updating the resume and trying to find a part-time Orthodontic Assisting job. Other than that things have been pretty normal and I'm excited for the cooler weather that will be coming soon hopefully!

*Pictures will be posted soon

Getting crafty

I've been really getting into making bows and flower clips so I thought I'd share some of what I've done. I'm debating on whether or not my stuff is good enough to sell so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!