Giving Thanks

This month of Thanksgiving I noticed nearly everyone I knew counting their blessings. It really helped me focus on the things that I am grateful for. Throughout the month I found myself thinking about things that I want (which I tend to do just before Christmas) and each time I did, I found myself recognizing more, the things I already have. For example, I look around my empty house, covered with boxes, longing for it to be finished; then I remember how grateful I am to have such a beautiful house at all. I often find myself coveting the talents of others and this month I tried to reflect on the talents the Lord has blessed me with instead. Lately as the weather has changed I thought about how we really lack seasons here, but this weekend I realized how grateful I am to be able to travel to places where my little boy can fully appreciate the meaning of FALL :)






Dallen had a BLAST playing in the leaves at Grandma's house!! I am so grateful for that smile and the ability to capture and share it. These are just a few pictures I took, there are more to come :)

SPONTANEOUS

Some of my favorite little things in life happen when I least expect them. Like Dallen voluntarily saying "i lub you mommy" or giving kisses and hugs just because he feels like it, morning cuddle time, and especially capturing sweet moments like these on a spontaneous and most perfect day at the park:

Picture this...

Dallen yelling: "Let's go guys" under the Friday night lights :) Yup that's just what you see, this kid LOVES football!!

Model Behavior

My favorite thing about my new iPhone is that Dallen loves to have his picture taken with it!! He smiles and poses and works the camera :) He's pretty good at it too, if I do say so myself.

One Good Reason

One Sunday morning Dallen was begging for a popsicle. It was so early still but he REALLY wanted one. I asked him, “do you want a popsicle cause you’re hungry, or cause your hot or what? Give me one good reason why you should get a popsicle” So he leaned in and puckered up and gave me a big, sweet kiss. You win!! You get a popsicle just for being cute, that is one good reason.

Fall Foto Frenzy

While in Flagstaff (where they actually have Fall weather), we got these adorable pictures of my little man and me that I will treasure forever!!

The Perfect Getaway

What do you do when your husband works late nights and one of your best friends also has a husband that works late? Get together!! Duh?!?! Dallen and I have had a lot of time together, just the two of us, since Mark has been gone, and we needed a little break. Luckily, our favoritest cousins offered us the perfect little getaway to Flagstaff. The weather could not have been more beautiful, the activites could not have been more fun and the company could not have been more perfect.The double trouble became a triple threat!!

We had a blast!! I was happy to see Dallen in his element so far from home. We will have to go back real soon!! Thank you McMullin family for having us, we love you :)

Happy Halloween

With love,

Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear

Entering my LATE twenties

I kinda freaked out about turning 26 this year!! It just seems like life is passing me by and it makes me afraid to blink. Little did I know my actual 26th birthday would be one of my least favorites, and not just cause I feel old. The day started out at what I thought would be a quick doctor appointment for Dallen to get him some different antibiotics for his cough, and turned into a 2 1/2 hour stay at the dr office, getting x-rays and ultimately a diagnosis of swollen lungs caused by allergy induced asthma. Poor little D has to start using an inhaler.

After that, the day got better when my sweet friend Shayla took me to lunch and got me a pazookie :)
When we got home it took me 2 1/2 difficult hours to get Dallen down for a nap :( By the time he woke up, it was time to go out for dinner. After the day Dallen and I had, I just didn't have to heart to leave him with a sitter. Instead Mark helped me wrangle him in at my favorite restaurant and we enjoyed a nice family dinner!!I felt so blessed to have family and friends call me (on my new iPhone, thanks Mark) all day and wish me a happy birthday, even though it kinda wasn't. It's a good thing I have another one next year, let's just hope it goes a little better!!

My Birthday Wish

The other day Dallen wiped his face after I kissed him. It only made me think of the day when I drop him off at kindergarten and he won’t let me kiss him in front of his friends. There will soon be a day when it’s no longer ok to hold his hand in public. I know I will see the day when it’s not cool anymore to have your Mom be your best friend. I can’t believe how fast this little boy is growing up and just for today, I’d like to hit pause and spend a day when no one gets older!!

Our Little Pumpkin

People comment on Dallen's walk all the time. He just struts his stuff with such confidence, and on the way into the pumpkin patch it was just the same, he knew where he was going and exactly what he wanted!!Choosing his very own pumpkin.Cheating his way through the hay maze.Family tractor hay ride.Enjoying the sunset, the most exciting part of the hay ride.Couldn't resist that backdrop.How tall is Dallen?As tall as a hay stack.
And a few days later...Don't be deceived by this picture, it took a lot of coaxing to get that 2 year old boys hand inside the "yucky" pumpkin.

One for Posterity

I LOVE this picture of my boys and Grandma!! She looks like a teenager under the Friday Night Lights :) We had a blast with all the cousins and crew, cheering along for the Tigers!! We love us some football.

A New Generation

Dallen loves his cell phone. The other day Dallen was pretending to text his Daddy at work. It was really cute, he was saying things like, I miss you and I love you. It went on for at least 10 minutes and the whole time I was just thinking, this is definitely a NEW generation!!Today Dallen handed me one phone and kept the other and said "text me" AHH...When did he turn into a teenager?!?!

Where We've Been

I have not posted since my last super fun weekend with family, and now this weekend yet again, we were with the family. This time we got to go to them. For those of you who have not been following, we went to support my sister in her Mormon Bachelorette experience and meet the man she chose. We were all so thrilled to meet Matt, all of our season favorite. If you haven't seen it, check it out!! We loved Aubrey and are so proud of her for doing this and feel lucky to be a part of it.

It didn't hurt that while we were there we got to be with family and see some friends and do some shopping too :)