Christmas Eve

Ella and mommy are discussin what she would like Santa to bring her tonight. I asked her questions, and she responded with a "ya", or a "no."

Our little family wearing our festive green

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. We switch off every other year with our families since my family lives in Salt Lake, and Zach's family lives in St. George. This year we are in Salt Lake with my family. On Christmas eve all of my sisters go to their in-laws because my family does their big thing on Christmas afternoon and night. So this year we came and hung out with my parents on Christmas Eve since we didn't have anything to do. We sure miss Zach's family around the holidays, and wish that we could live by them. They do their fun family traditions on Christmas Eve, last year was my first year experiencing their fun games. I loved it, it was so much fun!

I just want to tell the Randall family how much we love them, and wish we could be with them around the holidays. We are so greatful for all of the things they do for us, and don't know where we would be without them. They are so great with Ella and love her so much. I know she loves you guys, and misses you too. We can't wait to see you on Saturday, and spend four days with you guys. WE LOVE YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Pig Tails!

I have been able to do Ella's hair in pig tails for a while, but keep forgetting to take a picture and post about it. She looks like such a big girl whenever I do it, that it makes me realize how fast my little girl is growing up. She is so good whenever I do her hair. I just sit her on my bathroom counter, and do her hair. It is so much fun to have a little girl to dress up. She even likes mommy to pretend and put make up on her. She is definitly a girly girl which I love, because I totally was all growing up!

Ella looking so pretty

Here are some pictures of cute little Ella in her pretty Christmas dress, and meeting Santa Clause. My family always have a big Christmas party the Sunday before Christmas and Santa Clause always comes. She wasn't too sure about him, that is why mommy is holding her.


Ella and daddy hanging out at the party

We caught Ella by herself sitting on a present, and reading a book. It reminded me of myself when I was little. I used to do the same things.

Ella with Santa not too sure about him

Ella looking pretty in her Christmas dress

Mommy just can't get enough of Ella in her dress

15 Months old

Ella is already 15 months old. I can't believe how fast they grow up. She is getting so big, and way smart. We took her to the doctor on Friday for her 15 month check up. She now weighs 20 pounds 9 ounces so she is in the 20 percentile for weight. She is 31.2 inches tall so she is in the 75 percentile for height. The doctor said she is long and lean definitely. She is getting more and more of her personality everyday. She also talks a lot and loves to sing a couple of songs. Her doctor said she is way ahead on her speaking which makes me proud as a mom. She can now say mama, dada, Dora, uh-oh, grandpa, grandma, ya, hi, shoes, two, four, ball, thank you, dog, kitty, and lolo (yes she calls me lolo sometimes it is funny, for those of you who don't know that has been my nickname since I was born, and all my neices and nephews still call me lolo so I think she picked it up from them.) She tries to copy the tone and words I say to her. She does pretty well considering how old she is. Ella's favorite things now are anything Dora (she would probably watch Dora cartoons all day long), dancing, playing peek-a-boo, counting from one to four (she can only say two and four), playing with Mowglie or even kissing Mowglie a lot, purses (she wears her purse on her arm around the house it is so funny), mommy and daddy, making messes, climbing all over, and her Dora ball. I think her most favorite thing is hair, ever since she was little she has held onto my hair whenever I hold her or she is going to sleep. She will come up behind me now if I set on the floor, and play with my hair. I love it! She also just started to do the "Swiper no swiping" hand out in front of her. If any of you have seen Dora you no what I am talking about. She is so silly! We are so blessed to have her in our lives, and love every minute with her. She gets more and more fun everyday! Sorry enough bragging, but you can't help it when your kids are just so cute!

Mr. UHP

Zach has been so busy with his new job. He comes home everyday with a new story for me to hear. He has had to work a lot of the snow days, and deal with accident after accident. But it makes his day go by fast. The other day they put in an 11 and 1/2 hour shift. Then last weekend he did a DUI shift from 8:00 P.M. until 1:30 A.M. after working already that day from 6 to 4. Then he woke up the next morning to be to work again at 6. He was way tired, but it was all worth it. One day he was on the news in the background, he looked so professional with his whole uniform on and hat. Then last Saturday he got to meet the Governer while he was covering an accident. I guess Gov. Huntsman is really involved with the Highway Patrol, and will go out and do ride alongs all the time. Zach has experienced so much in just a short amount of time, that I am way excited for the future. It is so nice to have him come home happy and excited about his job. Sometimes I think I am way more excited then he is, but oh well.

Ella loves her Trooper!

Doesn't Zach look so good in his uniform?

My Dad

I have been meaning to do this post for a while and thought I didn't have a picture of my dad, but realized I did. The last couple of months have been a scary one for my family. We have never had any issues with sickness or anything so it was a wake up call for us on how precious life really is. I will start from the beginning on me and my dad's birthday (both October 7th) my dad took me to lunch, and if any of you know my family we are kind of clumsy. We went to the garden on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. My dad went and parked the car and was running back when he tripped and fell and hit his head. He jumped up and didn't think anything of it. Then a couple of days later he started to slure his words and was feeling weird. So two days after that they went to the hospital to get checked. They did tons and tons of test and found out that my dad had, had a mini stroke. In fact it was his 5th one, but they think the fall may had made it worse. So he went to a specialist to get his heart checked to see if that was what was causing it, and they found a little hole in his heart. So they set up a surgery to fix the whole and see if that was the problem. My dad is the always on the go type nothing slows him down, but I think he realized that this is serious and needs to just take things easy. We were all very nervous about the surgery, but Zach, my brother-in-law James, and my dad's home teachers were able to give him a couple of priesthood blessings right before the surgery. My dad went into surgery with all of his daughters, grandkids, and my mom waiting. It took a little longer then they said so we were all nervous about what was going on. They brought him back out, and the doctor told us that the hole was gone. They went in 3 times to look for the hole, but it was completely gone. It was truly a miracle. Now he is on a bunch of medication and doing better.
I just wanted to let my dad know how grateful I am for him. He is the best dad and Grandpa in the world. Ella just adores him. He does so much for me and my family I just can't thank him enough. I love him so much and can't imagine what I would do without my dad. Thanks for everything dad, I love you!

Christmas Time

I love Christmas time, I think it is the best time of the year. I love decorating my house, Christmas lights, music, parties, shopping, and being with friends and family. I just love the whole spirit and meaning of Christmas. This year we put a little tree in Ella's room with little snowmen decorations. As you can tell she just loves it! Ha! Ha!

I think she was mad at mommy because I took her picture. Sorry Ella bug. I love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We were supposed to go to St. George and spend it with Zach's family, but he had to work. So we spent it with my parents, aunt, and cousins. We missed the Randalls and wished we could have been down there with them, but hopefully we will see them soon. We love you guys and missed you!

Then on Friday I woke up at 3:30 so I could go hit the stores with all of the other crazy people. I looked at the ads on Thursday and saw some really good deals. So I thought if I can save money to get more stuff that we need then why not go. It was actually pretty fun, and I didn't get too tired. Ellabug even came with me, (since Zach had to work) but she was such a good girl. She did get tired towards the end, but eventually fell asleep. It was funny to watch the people at Target when the doors opened. Everyone was running and pushing, I just walked found what I wanted and left. It was crazy though, and I think I might do it again next year. So if anyone wants to join me they are more then welcome!

Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving and Halloween. I know it is a little late for Halloween, but I couldn't get them to upload so I finally can now.

All of the cousins ready to go trick-or-treat


Our little family ready to go trick-or-treat!

Ella was the cutest kitty cat!

Ella is thankful for her daddy!

Zach and I are so thankful for our little Ellabug!

I've been tagged

8 Shows I Watch:
- The Office
- The Hills (I know so lame!)
- Seinfeld
- Dora (Ella's favorite)
- Dr. Phil
- The news
- Wife Swap
- Higglytown Heros

8 Restuarants That I like to eat at:
- Cafe Rio
- Texas Roadhouse
- Applebee's
- Paula's (only in St. George)
- Pei Wei
- Paradise Bakery
- Zupa's
- The Pizza Factory

8 Things I did today:
- Woke up
- Cleaned
- Played with Ella
- My sharing time lesson for Sunday
- Going to eat Thanksgiving dinner
- Take a shower
- Get dressed
- Hang out

8 Things I am looking forward to:
- Eating some good food today
- Christmas
- Christmas shopping
- Temple Square lights
- Zach finishing his FTO & being out on the road
- Snow (It's not Christmas time without snow)
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8 Things on my wish list:
- To be debt free
- To have a house in the near future
- For everything to work out how it is supposed to
- For Ella to continue growing big and healthy
- To have a great marriage forever
- To be financially secure forever
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8 People I Tag:
- Keri
- Kari
- Nichole
- Lexy
- Mandy
- Deidra
- Jen
- Lindsey

TWILIGHT

Okay so I finally joined all of the other Twilight lovers. Better late then never! My friend from work let me borrow the book on Tuesday and I finished reading it on Friday. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next book. All the girls from my work are going to the movie on Tuesday and I can hardly wait. I wanted to go see it this weekend, but it was all sold out. If you haven't read the book you really should it is so good! Can you tell I am excited! Don't worry I am not obsessed and won't show up to the movie dressed like the characters like a lot of people did. I just haven't read a good book in a long time, and can't wait to read the other books to find out what hapens!!!

Forever...

Once again it has been forever since I have posted. Not much has been going on. Zach has started his FTO and loves it. He had to get pepper sprayed and get shot with the taser. He recorded the tasing and it was pretty funny seeing all the big guys scream. Ella has been busy as ever. She figured out how to climb on the coffee table and loves to dance to Dora. She is into everything even more, and is in total control. She loves bananas, dancing, dora, babies, mommy, daddy, and Mowglie. She is talking more and more everyday. Still a lot of jibberish but she can say dog and kitty now. So now all the words she says are mama, dada, dora, uh-oh, ball, bah bah, dog, kitty, no, two, ya, hi, grandma, grandpa. She even tries to sing a little song that we sing to her it is cute. When she sings the high notes she raises her eyebrows. I am still busy being a mom and working three days a week. I am loving every minute that I get to be home with Ella and feel so blessed to stay home with her more. I think she is enjoying being home more too.

I was going to show some pictures from Halloween, but I can't get them to load so I will try again tomorrow.

Graduation!

Zach officially graduated the POST Academy and was sworn in as a State Trooper for the Utah Highway Patrol! Ella and I are so proud of him. He has worked so hard the last 16 weeks in the Academy, and even before that during the 6 month hiring process. Even though he had long days from early morning until late at night, or hard physical training, he always came home so happy and excited to tell me about it. I love having him come home happy from work instead having a job he hated. The graduation was for his whole class, which had officers from all different departments and agencies from around the state. After that the 11 Troopers who graduated went up to the State Capital building to be sworn in. It was an all day event, but so worth it. He also got his car which is so weird to see parked outside. Even to see him driving in it is weird, but we will get used to it fast. He has mostly classroom training with just the Highway Patrol for the next 3 weeks then he will be out on the roads, of course with a trainer for a while, then he will be by himself. I can't ride with him or he can't use it for personal use until he is all the way done with training. I can't wait to see all the looks we'll get or how people drive when a cop is around. It will be funny!
I am excited to see how this whole new life style is going to be for us. Of course it is one of the harder jobs to have because you deal with alot of stuff most people wouldn't want to see or deal with, but I know Zach will do great and we will be behind him 100% to support him. We love you and you are the best! Oh yeah he also got an award for Outstanding Physical Achievement!


Here I am officially pinning his badge on him

Here is our little family in front of his new cruiser

Doesn't he look so good in a uniform?

This is the whole entire graduation class from academy

Here is a close look to see Zach

One last post

I have lots to post about this month. First on the 7th I had my 26th birthday and my dad had his 60th birthday. We had a big surprise party for my dad since he is getting so old! Just Kidding! I hope I am as active and in good health when I am my dad's age. Zach of course just kept telling me "I can't believe how old my wife is getting" just because he is still such a young one at the age of 23! I know, for half of the year we are three years apart and the other half we are only two and a half years apart. I did have a wonderful birthday and Zach and Ella made it wonderful for me too. They took me out to dinner, then we went and ordered me new phone since mine has been broken for a while. I also got some cash and other cute presents from everyone. Thanks so much everyone for making it a good birthday.

Also in about two weeks Zach is going to graduate from the Academy! I can't believe he is almost done. He has learned so much and been so busy. I am excited and also a little nervous for him to get out on the roads. I know he will do awesome, but it still can be a little nervous for me. I know his mom is nervous, but we are so proud of him! I will keep everyone updated when everything is done.

12 months

I also forgot to post Ella's 12 month stats. We took her to the doctor a week after her birthday. She had to get lots of shots and her first flu shot. She was so sad. The doctor said that she looked good and wasn't concerned with her at all. He asked if she was saying anything and relating it to what it actually is. I told him all the words she is saying and he was impressed. Here are her stats:

Weight- 19 pounds 14 ounces, she is in the 30% for weight
Height- 29 and a half inches, she is in the 50% for height

She can now say Mama, Dada, No, Ya, Dora, Hi, Grandpa, she tries to say Zach after I say it, but it sounds more like Dac. She also loves having a conversations on the phone and screaming. She is also a big helper now. she loves to clean her drawer out by throwing everything on the ground, and help with the dishwasher by emptying it while you are trying to put the dishes in. She also doesn't like to sit in the shopping cart anymore or her stroller. Now that she can walk fast she thinks wherever we go she needs to walk by herself. She does have her difficult moments, but we love her more and more everyday. She is trying to type now so here is a little post from EllaBug!

m kl,.n vr xg9vv9i\]ihkbghgbvbnhknbtghghv,h tygjklktkf esds azzx. Love- Ella


Ella cleaning out her drawer

Being a big helper with the dishwasher

Helping some more by unloading the dishes

Slacker

I have been such a slacker on posting lately. I am finally getting to some posts I have been wanting to do for a while. The first one is Ella getting her ears pierced. I finally was brave enough to do it. She was so big and cried for two seconds after the second one was done because her sucker wasn't in her mouth, so she was mad. If you notice in the pictures I think I was more nervous then Ella. She was so brave! She also looks so cute.

Getting ready for the big moment!

You would have thought I was getting it done by my look!

One more ear!

Ella was so sad, but got her sucker back just in time

All done! I don't think Ella even knew what happened. She just
loved her sucker!

More pictures from Ella's birthday weekend

Everyone singing Happy Birthday! She kept looking at us like we were crazy!

Ella enjoying her bright pink cake

Ella looking so cute with frosting all over her mouth

Sharing with Daddy

After she was all done!

Ella's 1st birthday!!!

I know I am late posting about her birthday, but we finally slowed down. We had so much fun for Ella's 1st Birthday. I can't believe she is already 1! She grew up too fast. On her birthday, September 11th we took her to Build-A-Bear and let her pick out her very own bear. We held up four different bears, and she of course chose the pink and white one. She is so girly I love it. Then we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Then on Friday we had a big birthday party for her. Zach's family came up and then my whole family was there. It was so much fun. She loved eating the cake and getting all messy. She even had to put some frosting in Mommy's hair just to make sure I was getting messy too. She got lots and lots of presents from everyone. She got more then she did for Christmas. We took her to her 12 month appointment and she weighs 19 lbs. and 29.5 inches long. She is still in the 30% for her weight and average for height. The doctor was so impressed that she could say a lot of words, she now says mama, dada, grandpa, dora, hello, no, uh-oh, baba, and she tries to say a lot more. She is also walking a lot more. It's so fun when she holds onto my finger and wants to walk around. Then on Saturday we went up to Snowbird with Zach's mom, dad, and sisters. We went up on the tram and looked out over the city. We also went on the zipline and alpine slide. It was so much fun spending time with them and doing lots of fun stuff. We miss having them around and wish we could see them a lot more. Then after the long weekend of fun and everything Ella and I both got colds. I think we wore ourselves out with all of the party planning and everything. But her birthday was a success and lots of fun! Thanks everyone for coming and for all of the great presents! We love you!



Ella and Daddy picking out Dora Bear. That is what we named her.

Mommy and Ella giving Dora Bear a bath

Ella riding in her big girl car seat with Dora Bear

Ella in her pretty party dress with Aunt Chanlie

Ella and all of her cousins ready to open presents

New Car!!!

I have a lot to post about. The first exciting thing is we got a new car! Yes we did get another new car, but we are down to one car until October when Zach graduates and gets his Patrol car. We also leased it so we will have to keep it longer then 6 months, unlike our other cars. It's brand new which neither Zach and I have ever had. It is so nice and has so much space. We needed something with more room now that Ella is in a forward facing car seat. But here is a picture of the exact one we have, color and everything. It is a 2008 Subaru Outback fully loaded.

Ella looking so cute...

Here are some cute pictures I got taken of Ella. I am proud to say that I made the TUTU for Ella. I saw the cute ones at the mall for like $30.00, and thought I could make that. So I did and it cost me a total of $5.00. I have to brag because I am not very crafty even though I try to be. Also if you notice we got Ella's ears pierced finally. I will post pictures and tell more about it on the next post.