Potty Trained Ella

Our sweet little Ellabug is Potty Trained!!!!

She has been ready for a couple of weeks, but since we were on a cruise for 7 days we had to put potty training on hold for a week. But as soon as we got home and all organized again we started. She loves wearing big girl underwear and seeing how happy we are when she goes. I am glad we got it done because I did not want 2 kids in diapers. Plus she is such a big girl it was time.

Good Job Ella Ann!!

Trooper of the Month

Zach was named as Trooper of the Month for December. Zach's Sgt. wrote the following to nominate him:
"Trooper Randall continually shows his willingness to be a team player, assisting his fellow troopers on crashes and arrests, as well as by performing blood draws and using his photogrammetry training and skills. Trooper Randall has proven himself to be both self-motivated and task oriented. In the month of December, Trooper Randall stopped 148 cars, arrested 7 impaired drivers, wrote 22 speed contacts, investigated 17 crashes, had 3 drug arrests, and assisted 48 motorists. As a young trooper, Trooper Randall is exhibiting both the drive and mindset to be well on his way to a successful career with the Utah Highway Patrol."

Ella and I are so proud of Zach. If you ask Zach, he'll tell you he has the best job in the world (except on snow days). Haha. Zach is one of the top performers in Salt Lake for DUI arrests, which is why he loves working nights. After we get back from our cruise I'll finally be able to go on a ride-along with him, which I can't wait to do!

It's A...

We are having a baby BOY!!! We can't wait for him to join our little family. He is very healthy and everything is going well so far. They moved my due date by one day so instead of May 30 it is May 31st. We found out first thing that the baby had "outdoor plumbing" but Ella kept saying, "No it's baby sister." She is getting it, but every once in a while she tells us baby sister. Zach can't wait to have a little boy around the house. We are all so excited and already love this little guy so much!

Tired Ella

Ella and I were watching Madagascar, and she wanted to go grab something out of her room. I just went to check on her because she was being quiet so I wanted to make sure she wasn't getting into anything. I found her sleeping on her blankets by her closet. She was so tired, but usually fights it. I guess she had to finally give in. She is so cute!

Also little update on the baby. It has been moving so much the last couple of days. I have been able to feel it for a couple of weeks, but the last two days it won't stop. It is definitely active. Also we have our big ultrasound this Thursday. We can't wait! We are not sure what it could be, but will be happy with whatever. I will post and let everyone know what it is!

Christmas 2009

Christmas morning, Ella was mad.

Ella after finding her present from Santa!

We had a great Christmas and were definitely spoiled by both of our families. We spent Christmas in St. George this year with Zach's family. We start out with a big family dinner on Christmas Eve, then played some fun games, then Santa drops off all of the kids pajamas outside on the grass. He wraps presents and puts balloons around them since he is in such a hurry. Then Zach's parents decided for Christmas this year that they would surprise us with a trip. We were all anxious to find out where we were going, and woke up early to find out. Of course Keri had a crafty way for us to find out, so she sent us on a little scavenger hunt. We were way excited to find out we are going on a cruise to the MEXICAN RIVERIA for seven nights. We leave in a couple of weeks, and are so excited to go!

We had to get back to Salt Lake so Zach could work, and Keri talked us into leaving Ella until New Year's Eve. It definitely was a boring week without Ellabug around, but we were glad she could enjoy some time with her grandma, grandpa, and aunts. She definitely had lots of fun, and was spoiled the whole time. We were ready for her to get home, and she was excited to see us.

Then on New Year's Day we celebrated Christmas with my parents. Every year my parents give us money, and always do a little scavenger hunt. This year they were kind and gave all of us a lot of money. We were so greatful, and couldn't have asked for a better Christmas from both of our parents. The best thing about the whole season was spending time with family. We are so thankful to both of our families for everything they do for us. We love you guys!

(Had more pictures, but the computer is having some issues.)

Christmas Princess Ella

I can't believe how grown up she looks!

My mom got all the girls in the family the same dress for Christmas. I asked my mom if Ella could get it before so she could wear it to church today. Ella was so excited and kept telling me to do her hair like Princess Belle. So we curled her hair in wringlets and put on her sparkly black dancing shoes. She was so excited to go to church and show all of her friends in nursery her new Christmas dress. The only way we got her to take a picture with her actually smiling we had to tell her that we were sending the picture to Belle. She couldn't wait to smile, and show Belle how pretty she was. I hope everyone has a wonderful week this week, and enjoys Christmas!

First Time Sledding

Enjoying the snow with no glovers!

Daddy pushing her down all by herself!

Look no hands! So brave!

Snow tastes so much better when you are playing in it!

We took Ella sledding for her first time a couple of Saturdays ago. We have a little park by our house, and they have the perfect little hills for her to go on. She went with Zach and me the first couple of times, but then got brave enough to go by herself. She even went down without holding on. She took her glovers off (in the words of Ella they are glovers not gloves) then put her hands in her pocket and went down the hill. She even ate the snow and thought it was so good. She had so much fun, and can't wait to go back!

I am finally posting again. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We spent Thanksgiving with my family here in Salt Lake, and will be in St. George for Christmas with our other family. We haven't been up too much just working and getting ready for the holidays. I love this time of year, amd everything that goes along with it. Zach's mom and Chanlie came up one weekend and we ate lots of food, went and saw the lights at Temple Square, and watched lots of movies. It was a fun and relaxing weekend. I had my second appointment last week, and we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. It was strong, and Ella was so excited. I think she got excited because we were excited. She keeps telling me that she is pregnant with baby sister and I am pregnant with baby brother. We will find out if she is right on January 7th. We are so excited! It is amazing how much faster the second one has been. I swear with Ella we were waiting forever for that big ultrasound, and with this one it is almost here. I can't wait to find out so we can get everything prepared. I hope everyone is doing well, and I will post soon with some more pictures of Ella bug!