Warning-

I know it is a pain when someone posts multiple things in one day, but that is just the way it had to be today! I will be posting more frequently since my friend Kalie introduced me to www.blurb.com. It is a website that helps you download software to create photobooks, and you can download your entire blog and create a book out of it! The prices are very reasonable. I just finished the 2008 year and can't wait to get it uploaded and printed. So, check it out if you are interested! I apologize for the frequent posting, but in all honesty, this blog is more for me than anything! Thanks for understanding.

There are 3 new posts from today not including this one!

I see a recurring theme going on here....

The poor guy is going to hate these photos one day.

I just can't get enough!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Last Friday I helped throw a surprise birthday party for my friend Katie Nelson. She loves the 80's and loves to dance, so we thought we'd throw a "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Dance Party". All of our sneaking around paid off when we saw Katie's face... or maybe her shock was because she walked into her house and we all looked like this:

L to R: Brooke Moss, Hailey Cox, Samantha Wynne, Audra Thomas, Sariah Perkins, Jill Tuttle, Katie Nelson, Marissa Thompson, Laura Arnold, Carissa Pugmire, Amylee Nicoll, Cindy Judd, Darcy Haas

Either way, we all had a blast! I don't think I've had a workout like that since high school dances with my drama buds. Tracie Garcia proved that she is, once again, the Party Queen with incredible decor, and I had my first attempt at making a real decorative cake. It wasn't too shabby, but next time will be better. The DJ equipment really put the finishing touches on everything. It was such a fun night. Happy 30th Birthday, Katie!!!

Party Diva, Tracie Garcia

The Infamous Cake

Always Growing!

Annie had her 2 month check-up today; I can't believe she is already that old, but at the same time it feels like she has been in our family forever. She is growing like crazy, that's for sure!

Length: 24 in, 95%

Weight: 11 lbs 7.5 oz, 75%

Annie isn't quite as heavy as her brother was at this age, (she weighs more than a pound less than he did) but she is already longer! Maybe she'll be tall like her Mama and Aunt Cami. She loves to coo and tell us all sorts of stories. She smiles and giggles and makes us love her more and more every minute. Just before she was getting her shots she was cooing and started to giggle right when the nurse stuck her. It was so sad! I felt like I betrayed her or something. She calmed down quickly though and is already back to her happy self.

Will has also reached a new milestone: He slept downstairs in his new big boy room last night! He did much better than I did. He slept soundly all night while I tossed and turned and woke up to check on him 3 times. He loves his new room, and I love that my kids will be able to have their own room. (Mostly for the decor... I know, I'm vain). Pictures of Will's room will be posted shortly.

Dallas also started school today. He will be heading to Provo every morning at 7AM to be to his Calculus class. He is also taking Intro to Engineering, Intro to Theater :o), Biology, and Chemistry. He is going to be so busy! I hope we get to see him for more than lunch and dinner. He will do great though; he is so smart.

Regrets

Sometimes I buy things thinking they will be such a great idea. For instance, I purchased this fabulous craft caddy at Wal-Mart for a mere $3. Not too shabby, right?

WRONG.

I'm sure you get the picture.

I know a girl, and she puts the color inside of my world.

After weeks of getting up at 3AM, we are reaping our reward: Annie's first smiles. I haven't really been able to capture it on camera yet- the first picture is the best we've been able to do so far.

Taking A Break

After Annie's blessing last weekend, my mother-in-law Kristie was kind enough to take Will up to Afton, WY for the week. He spent lots of time with his Aunt Abby, playing with Beau's hot wheels, jumping on the tramp, and chasing the chickens. His Grandpa Mark now has over 60 chickens (which might as well be a million when you are 2). Will loves them! I think we might have a future chicken farmer on our hands.
He said some funny things while he was up there. He knew we were coming up on Friday. When Kristie tried to convince him to use the potty, he said he would just wait until his Mom came. Luckily she convinced him otherwise. He also wanted Annie to come visit Wyoming.

While we missed him when he was away, it was a very nice break. I spent a lot of time, well, sleeping. The earliest I got out of bed was 9:30 AM, and it was bliss! I was also able to finally figure out how to clean my house and get dinner on the table at a decent hour- this has rarely happened since Annie was born and I am grateful it has finally come back to me. The rest of my time was mostly spent cuddling with my girl.

Dallas had his Trigonometry final, and I am so happy to report that not only is the class over, but that he also got an A!!! He is such a hard worker and I am so proud of him for going back to school.

Annie had her first friend come over for a play date; Miss Kyla Jayne Atwood came to visit. Kyla is only 8 days older than Annie, but you would never know that since Annie is big for her age and Kyla is little. I just know they are going to be fast friends.

I like to talk about babies; having them, naming them, etc. Dallas hates to talk about babies. (Especially when you already have one that isn't even 2 months old). Last night in bed, our conversation went like this:

Me: Do you think when we are in heaven that we will be able to have lots and lots of babies?

Dallas: (Insert stunned, long silence here) Let's not talk about it until we get there.

Boys.

Annie's Blessing

Annie's blessing was on Sunday, and we were so pleased our families could be there. Dallas did a wonderful job with the blessing. He blessed our

Annie Kate Nicoll

with health so she might serve those around her,

a loving family that she can look to in times of trial,

and that she would be a beacon of hope to others.

We are so blessed to have her in our family forever.

From L to R: Phyllis and Lyman Nicoll, Mark and Kristie Nicoll, Amy, Dallas, Annie, Jim and Carolyn Kaiserman, Craig and Sandy Wilson

The priesthood holders in Annie's circle from L to R: Lyman Nicoll, Mark Nicoll, Craig Wilson, Dallas, Annie, Clayton Wilson, Jim Kaiserman, Nate Hansen, Sam Wilson, Jordan Steele, Seth Schvanaveldt, James Wilson.

Let's hear it for the GIRLS!

Every so often in my ward we have a girl's night. Now, this is not your ordinary girl's night. We don't go out to dinner while the husbands watch the kids (although the latter part is true); instead, we come out when it gets dark outside... and consequently some of us don't get home until it is almost light outside. Last night we stayed up talking (way too loud), and giggling (way to often) until 4:15 AM. Are we crazy? Yes. Do our husbands get mad at us? Well, mine gets annoyed- I guess I wouldn't call it mad. Do we regret staying out that late while we are lying incapacitated on the couch trying to entertain our toddlers with mindless cartoons while we attempt to catch just 5 more minutes of shut-eye? NEVER.

I am so blessed to live among some of the most amazing women! They can cook, clean, shovel gravel, throw incredible parties, mow lawns with children strapped to their chests in a baby bjorn, serve their neighbors without being asked, teach life skills, sing, and play the guitar (and some of them can do all of these at the same time- you know who you are!) Not only this, but they are all amazing friends and examples of Jesus Christ.

I love you girls! Thanks for making my life so rich.
(Not to mention FUN).

A little brotherly love.