Monday, May 03, 2010

18 months old

I can never get enough of this adorable toddler. Bella Blu Photography (aka the beautiful and talented Denise) is remarkable with her camera ALTHOUGH I have a very uncooperative little girl when it comes to getting her portrait taken. I just wish I had a picture with her sweet smile and maybe even some teeth to show off. Maybe next time Denise!! AND seriously you MUST check out Denise's photography blog. This past weekend she shot a wedding and her pictures are literally breathtaking. If anyone needs their family photo updated or anything else...CALL HER!

BELLA BLU PHOTOGRAPHY
Denise Harkey
801-361-2498

This picture was edited so nicely. I love the antique look.
And again...the "closed mouth" tactic!! Although I love love those little pigtails. :)
I love how sweet this picture is.
OH YES! Finally a smiling picture....but not at the camera.
And last but not least - a wardrobe change. I loved this little outfit but unfortunately Grace was DONE and not having anymore pictures. So this was the best we could do. BUMMER!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Loving the sun...and the slide!

Grace is always on the go-go-go! She is still not talking much but she sure has a lot to say - I just wish they were things I could understand. I would love to know what she is thinking. Most moms are cursing me b/c they are complaining that their kid won't shut up...I, on the other hand, can't wait for this little one to start talking in FULL sentences or maybe even a few words other than uh oh and DOG! :)


Grace goes down this slide over and over and over and over...get the idea??! The other day she did it for 35 minutes straight. I was getting so dizzy just watching her.


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

My Easter Dress

I fell in love with this Easter dress for Gracie. Doesn't she look precious??! These pictures are for you mom and dad. We miss you and love you!



Easter Egg Hunt

For some reason Grace enjoyed throwing her eggs like they were balls rather than checking for a sweet surprise inside. Needless to say we didn't come home with very many "sweet surprises" - thanks heavens!! Easter was spent at my sisters home. We enjoyed dinner, the egg hunt and two puppies snarling and fighting with one another....actually it was just my puppy doing the snarling.




I found one!




Here is Easton looking for the eggs that Uncle Mike "hid just for him."

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Growing Like a Weed

The sun is finally out (well depending on the day) so we are taking advantage of it! Gracie is now 16 months old. She loves going outside, green beans, dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba, saying "dog", her dad (& mom too BUT mostly her dad), talking on any telephone, did I mention dancing??!!, and all kinds of berries!!

Our first attempt at pigtails and it just barely worked.


Best buddies! Grace is now at the age where she loves to play with our dog. Throwing the ball, tugging on a sock and chase are their favorite games!

BUBBLES!!

We love our shoppin' cart!!



Thursday, January 14, 2010

Hawaii

**Be prepared for a lot of pictures. Mike and I were very lucky to have planned and prepared for this trip since February 09. For those of you who don't know, Mike lost his job a few months ago and this Hawaii trip was somewhat on the rocks...thankfully we worked hard to be able to still head on our trip and enjoy every second of it.
This fountain was easily an hours worth of fun for Grace.
This is our resort, Marriott's Ko'Olina Beach Club Resort, on the island of Oahu.
I really wish Mike and I would have taken pictures of our room on the first day but we slacked and snapped shots on the last day while we were trying to pack up...soooo please excuse the mess. The picture was taken right as you walk through the door.

Bathroom vanity
Tub looking into the bedroom


This living area is right off the kitchen
She wasn't a fan of the sand at first but tolerated it thereafter. I don't think she ever really "enjoyed" the sand. The feeling of being dirty or having things on her fingers doesn't appeal to Grace much. LOL



Just soakin' in some rays but of course she was lathered up with sunscreen and I don't think there was anyway the sun could break through that barrier! Translation: mom put A LOT on.
This resort had the neatest pools. Here is a picture of Grace and I under a little cave and you can see the water slide in the background. I can't wait to take my children when they are older and can truly appreciate all of the man-made waterfalls, slides and caves this beach club offers.
"Give me 5!"

Grace and I on the rocks with some beautiful scenery. It was a little overcast outside on this particular day. The perfect day for a walk on the beach...so that's what we did!



Precious!
It's "the" face again.........after thinking about it, I think Grace gets this from her dad! :)
This is a must see! Mike and I enjoyed everything about the PCC.
This is Gracie anxiously awaiting for the water parade to begin.

Each water float had dancers from the different islands of Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and Hawaii.




We also made a stop at the Laie Hawaii Temple. The temple is closed due to some remodeling for the next 18 months but the grounds have been kept up impeccably.


We actually ate cooked shrimp scampi from this rundown RV that has been ravaged with graffiti by tourists from around the world (we received rave reviews from the hotel staff on Giovanni's Shrimp Truck). I must admit it was delicious, although I did sanitize after. Ewww!!

Our resort hosted a Luau called the Fia Fia Polynesian Dinner Show. Mike and I sat by a bankruptcy attorney from Washington who bragged about how well business has been this year (in light of the failing economy). That guy wasn't the greatest company to have while eating dinner and "trying" to enjoy a fun show.






While in Honolulu we felt the need to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial and indeed it was very special. Grace was a pure gem which also made our visit extremely memorable.


Part of the USS Arizona.

These monuments (behind Mike) post information about the fallen boats, submarines, planes and soldiers who died not only in the Pearl Harbor attack but also during the World War.
I love this picture.

And lastly, we visited the Dole (pineapple) Plantation.

We paid $15.00 for a 10 minute ride on this train. Was it worth it?? Come on we're on vacation..of course it was!
MAHALO!!!