Balloon fun

Last night Chris and Richard were playing with balloons Chris had blown up. Richard popped his and looked around for it. When he found the pieces lying in the floor he asked if he could hold Daddy's. Richard grabbed the balloon and said to Chris in an empathetic voice, "Oh! Your balloon popped." Chris and I laughed so hard. Richard is the funniest kid! We have a lot of fun with him.

General YW Broadcast

Tonight the stake YW met before the broadcast an had a nice dinner. It was really nice to be together and not have to plan an activity. We were able to just relax and enjoy each other's company.

The broadcast was very nice. The first counselor shared something that just clicked with me today. She was talking about Satan and the temptations that are prevalent in society right now: tattoos, pornography, drugs, alcohol, immodesty, etc. One thing these temptations all have in common is that they not only affect our spirits, but our bodies. Satan is attacking our bodies, sacred temples, because he will never have one. Wow! That just made perfect sense to me tonight.

I love the Spirit the leaders of the Church share their testimonies with. I'm grateful for their guidance and love for the people of the world.

As of this coming Tuesday Chris and I met 4 years ago. I knew I felt a deep connection that night, but I couldn't have told you I would have married him, especially as quickly as I had. But I would never change it for anything. Our first phone conversation lasted at least 2 hours. We just immediately got along and understood each other's sense of humor. Then the next night, April 1, I met him face to face at the Smith's parking lot in Farmington.

He must have really liked me because he wanted to see me again despite how my 2 friends had treated him. We had some really fun times together. I love him more now than I did 4 years ago and I'm so thankful for him in my life. I'm grateful for the 2 amazing children he has given me. I love being his wife! :)

The librarian...

Hannah loves to crawl to our book shelf and takes books off. Usually they just end up in a pile on the ground, but sometimes she enjoys flipping through them to look at the pictures. Both of the kids do enjoy stories and I love to read to them in our rocking chair. I hope they will always enjoy reading!

And the Celebrity Apprentice is....

Piers Morgan! Well, I was right about the top 2. I always knew Piers would win, but last night I really wanted Trace Adkins to. He was so funny talking about the "BSB" Backstreet Boys and getting the black nail polish for them and wheat grass juice. But Piers, way to be a ruthless, $$$ producing business man!

Spring Days

The weather has been so beautiful. I can't keep Richard inside. He is having so much fun playing outside. We have been walking and throwing balls and all kinds of fun stuff. Hannah loves it too. She is crawling all over the lawn and squeals just to be out playing. Here are some of my favorite photos I've taken the last few days.

We had an interesting weekend. Chris was on Spring break from the college so he had Thurs-Mon off. In addition to the wonderful Easter party at Lani's on Saturday we had two others that we didn't make it to. Friday afternoon I was at Mom's with the kids. She had a heart proceedure Wednesday and I just wanted to make sure she was taken care of. She has wonderful brothers, sisters-in-law, and friends that have brought her food, took her to and from the hospital, and that just came to make sure she was doing well. Thank you to all of you for your love and support.

Chris went in Friday afternoon to prep food for the Ward Easter breakfast, he is on the activities committee. He works with a guy named Gus on the food. I think they have way too much fun to call it work, or service. :)

We ended up in Evanston for part of the weekend. We took some tires up to a lady there and went to look at a truck. We saw a lot of deer on the way up, but almost twice as many dead as alive. I couldn't believe it! Usually we would expect to see one or two but there were at least 50 dead off the side of the road. There was even a small elk at the mouth of the canyon. It was really sad to see. I ate the worst burger and fries I've ever had at Wally's Burgers. The fries weren't fully cooked and were dripping with grease. The burger just wasn't flavorful. But the onion rings were great. I'm glad we got the sides to all share, that would have been an even bigger waste of money if we had ordered our own! So if you are going through Evanston any time soon, DO NOT stop at Wally's!

Anyway, we are back to our routines today, I hope! It was fun to have Chris off work all that time, but I think we always like to get back to "normal". We did have a lot of fun this Easter weekend. And most importantly, we were able to remember the sacrifice of our Savior. I am so grateful for Him and His atonement for each of us. I know that He lives and loves us. I'm thankful for family, both mine and Chris's and for the family we have together. I know that it is fun to go to these family gatherings, but more importantly, it is important to be together as family. To build our bonds and friendships with one another. We strengthen each other and I'm so grateful for the people in our families. I love you all!

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

Aunt Lani's Easter Party

Every year for the the last 13 years Chris's aunt and uncle, Lani and Jan, have had a huge Easter party and egg hunt. They live in Morgan and it is beautiful! We look forward to it each year. Chris sees family he hasn't seen for many years and the kids have so much fun!

There were some nice people there from Guatamala that shared a tradition with us. We all cracked confetti eggs over each others heads in a good luck wish. That was pretty fun.

The previous is a slide show from the festivities. I took so many pictures and it took forever to make this slide show, but I think it was worth it. Thank you to all that were there and for Jan and Lani and all their hard work to keep the family getting together each year!

My new project

I just received the next 2 Stephenie Meyer books in her Twilight series. I'm looking forward to reading them and getting the 4th book when it comes out. They came at a perfect time, Mom is going in for surgery tomorrow and I will be alone at the hospital so it will be nice to have something to distract me!

My future's so bright, I have to wear shades...

We stopped by Donette's home last night and Hannah found these sunglasses so I put them on. The blog freak in me said, "Take a picture." So I did, and I'm glad. Hannah was reaching to find the glasses and take them off but she just ended up waving her hand in front of her face. What a beautiful baby! :)

My little gentleman...

Richard is such a good, fun boy. Today I was Easter dress shopping for myself. While in the dressing room Richard told me, "Mom, you look so pretty. Do you want to dance?" He stood up from the bench and danced with me. I have no idea where he got that from, but I thought it was the sweetest thing! He makes me laugh!

Family Dinner/Easter Egg Hunt

My family has begun having dinner every 3rd Sunday of the month. And we alternate homes. This month was Chris and my turn. We also had Easter egg hunts for the kids since we are not going to be able to get together next week. Here are some photos of the kids doing their hunts and playing around.

Richard stood on the back of the couch and told Brady and Bo, "Hey boys, boys!" Hannah got a hold of the kids' chocolate. The mess, and her face, were a LOT worse than they look. But they all had a lot of fun!

Thank you Mom, Heidi, and Lisa for helping put the Easter egg hunt together! You all ROCK!

Reality Update

It's been a boring few days for us with the colder weather and rain. Not to mention, my little Hannah has been sick. It started out with the runny nose and pain teething brings, but now she has a cold and is so miserable. She slept most the day yesterday and didn't want to eat until Daddy got home from work. Suddenly she perked up. Hannah loves her Daddy!

She has started mimicing sounds. Richard was sing Row, row your boat and Hannah kept saying, "Ro ro ro" in her little baby way. And I've started to tell her "No, no, no" when she is getting into things she shouldn't and she will copy that, "No, no, no, no..." The kids are growing up so fast!

Since it was so laid back, I'm going to add my brief thoughts from my Thursday night programming:

I was so worried Trace was gone from Celebrity Apprentice. I thought his sandwich was a brilliant idea. "Cowboy club". Too bad to see him lose. I did like Stephen, but I wanted Trace to stay and win $$ for his charity.

And on Survivor, I thought Ozzy was a goner, but I'm so glad to see CHET gone. He was such a lazy bugger! Chris really likes Jonathan, but I've never liked him so I was happy to see him go, although it was for an injury.

Twilight--Stephenie Meyer

Ok, here are my thoughts on this book. I took about 5 chapters to really get into it. Everyone I talked to about had great things to say so I was expecting a lot. I almost felt let down but I persisted. There were parts I got so into that I felt like I was watching an intense movie and I'd jump out of my seat. Others that I was reminded of the fresh new romance of meeting Chris (I know, sappy. Whatever!)

Overall, I did really get into it and I'm looking forward to the next 3 in the series. I have 2 ordered and they should be here soon. I do have to admit that I don't think, so far, that it was better than any Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling has an incredible way of tying things together from book to book and I loved it. Maybe the next two books will change my mind, though. I think I equally like them, though for different reasons.

As for Edward, he has his romantic moments, but I didn't find myself falling in love with him as so many other females I've talked to. Maybe if I were not so happyily married. :)

American Idol

I kind of had a feeling David Hernandez was going to be gone. I a little bummed, but I do like my other 3 better. Hope David Archuleta does tons better next week!

Lunch time at the Taggarts

Richard set his animals up to the table because they were hungry this morning. Then I prepared lunch and he said the animals wanted to come, too. We gave them carrots and Richard fed them rice. We all had a nice lunch.

Maybe some of these bore all ya'll, but I find Richard so entertaining and it's fun to blog. I can do this a lot quicker, easier, and cheaper than scrapbooking. Besides, Richard loves to see himself on the computer. And this way I can document all the cute and fun things the kids do and not forget them.

American Idol

Ok, so my AI guys didn't do so hot last night, but they are still my top 2. The girls did great, though, the best of the night. I think next week the guys will do much better. Kristy Lee Cook should be outta there tonight. I hope! :)

Basketball boy

Even when I brought out the little hoop, he wanted to shoot in the big one. I know Richard is tiny in these, but that is part of the humor. He is such a go-getter. We had so much fun outside yesterday. We went for a walk and Richard was pushing an upright car and almost running. I called ahead to warn him there was a dog behind the fence he was coming up on. The dog walked toward him and barked. Richard jumped 2 feet and yelled, "Aaaaaah!" Then he was on his way as though nothing had happened. I laughed so hard, and am giggling while I type.

Swings!!!

We just got back from the park. Richard loves to swing and Hannah hasn't done it before so I thought we would have a little fun today. Richard wanted to be in the "baby" swing next to Hannah. Neither of them wanted to get out. I promised we would go another warm day.

Afterward Richard flew his Pooh Bear kite he got from Aunt Lani's Easter party 2 years ago. We have never opened it since he was so young but he got it flying today all by himself. I'm totally bummed, though, the pictures I took of him flying his kite didn't turn out. I'll get them another day.

Sleepy head

I had been taking a bath tonight while Chris watched a show in the family room (winding down from an extra long day at work). With daylight savings time Richard had a hard time going to bed on time so I let him stay up and watch a show on my bed. I came out of the bath to see if Richard was ready for bed but I didn't see him. I asked Chris if he had gone to bed but Chris shrugged and said that Richard had been sitting on the chair. I turned around and found him completely asleep in the rocker in the front room. This position doesn't look all that comfy, but he can fall asleep anywhere when he is really tired. His right hand is holding his blanket in his mouth.

Silly Faces

Daddy was a little better at this tonight, but they had fun none the less. The kids love their Dad and he loves them.

Chris was talking about going rabbit hunting and fishing this weekend with a friend. I asked if this was an outing Richard was going to be able to go with them. Chris said no since there were firearms involved. I didn't know Richard was listening and he responded, "Oh bummer! I don't get to go fishing." Chris and I had a good laugh.

Hannah is crawling all over the house now so I have to be on my toes and make sure we are baby-proofed again. Like closing the bathroom door, she loves to go in there and get into the cupboards, one of which in the laundry shoot. Richard is good to help me keep track of her. The other day she was eating a lid from a marker when Richard took it away from her and gently explained, "We eat food, Hannah. We eat food."

Mom's early Easter Basket!

I couldn't resist putting Hannah in the toy basket since the kids had dumped all the toys out. She was confused but once she saw her Care Bear nothing else mattered.

Our little Rock Star!

That's my boy. Richard was actually doing a bit of posing for these pictures, the real thing is even funnier when he thinks we aren't watching. At the end of the song he puts the guitar on the floor, takes a bow with hands on his stomach and says, "Thank you!" What a funny boy!