I can't believe my little girl is already one. She is growing up so
fast! We are waiting to celebrate her birthday until we get down in Texas. I made her a cake, a crown, and wooden blocks with her name on them for her pictures. The cake didn't turn out quite right but the girls sure did love eating it :) Eva is such a sweet heart. She has been the most laid back and easy going baby. She is
really starting to figure out how to bug Phoenix though. I love
watching her try to sit on Phoenix's tummy or try sit as close as
possible to Phoenix on the Dora couch. She took her first steps at 9
months and hasn't stopped moving since! Her favorite thing to do right
now is to go down the slide. The only problem is that it isn't enough
to just slide down the slide, she has to find the biggest object she
possibly can and carry it with her. She is so funny. She loves saying
hi to everyone and everything. Even though she is small, she eats
everything in sight! She has turned into our little explorer baby. She
climbs on and in everything. Phoenix was never like that, but she has
started now. So now I have two children climbing and getting into
everything...so lovely :) I am so grateful for my little girls. They
mean everything to me!
This is usually what the photo shoots end up looking like :)
Fall Pictures
Hiking in the Gap
The Nashville Temple
Before Halloween we went up to Stone Door. We had an amazing chicken salad that Haley made for lunch and then we went hiking. The kids were so funny. I love seeing all of the cousins together. My favorite part is when Sampson stuck Eva in a hole in one of the trees. She didn't seem to care though. She is so good natured and easy going. I have been so blessed with her.
Halloween
This year for Halloween we to Sampson's parents for Halloween. Dan drove us around on the gator. Phoenix loved running from house to house and getting saying trick-o-treat. She looked like a glowing duck with glow sticks around her wrists, ankles, and neck. We always new where she was!
Sampson's Birthday
Not only did I plan a birthday party for Sampson this year, but I had almost 30 people waiting to surprise him at the house. I was unsure if he would like a surprise party or if I could even pull it off without him knowing. But it was awesome! Everything was perfect and he was totally surprised!! The theme was Chuck Testa. If anyone doesn't know what that is watch the video below :) I ordered him an authentic Chuck Testa t-shirt, had a cake decorated with a huge deer head, and bought these fake dove's for decorations. Sampson loved having everyone there to celebrate his birthday. It was an awesome night. My only regret is buying so many stupid birds!! Every time I turn around I am stepping on one!!
WABDL World Championships
My mom qualified back in May for this competition. I was so excited to go to Reno and see my mom lift. After seriously injuring her shoulder about 3 weeks ago we were unsure if she would even be able to compete for her team Texas Power Station. I was so nervous for her! My mom is amazing though and she never ceases to amaze me. She lifted 132.28 which gave her 3rd Place!!!!! Had she been healthy I know that she would have won. I had seen mom compete every time and it was awesome to be there to see her finish up her season with a World Medal. I couldn't be more proud.
Lake Tahoe
After we watched the World Champion Tiny Meeker set yet another World Record for the Bench Press, we headed up to Lake Tahoe. My mom and I had never been there before, but of course my dad had (he has been everywhere:) Lake Tahoe is amazing! It was so fun to see the snow and all the dark green pine trees. We definitely didn't dress for the weather (basketball shorts and a t-shirt), but it was still way fun! My favorite part was when the cabin I reserved was not available so they upgraded us to a Suite on the top floor. We stayed in the best room they had. The view on the balcony was breathtaking! While I relaxed watching football, Eva spent forever putting on and taking off a lid to a water bottle and Phoenix took turns pouring water into every cup in the room. They are so funny! Lake Tahoe was a great way to spend our last night celebrating how good my mom did!
Reno Temple
On our way back from Lake Tahoe we went by the Reno temple. The temple is beautiful!
The girls and I flew down to Houston for my mom's Power Lifting competition a few weeks ago. I am proud to say that my mom is the new Texas World Holder for Bench Press in her division. The girls and I had a great time jamming to music, watching world records be set, eating Chick-fil-A (my favorite!) and watching my mom lift. Phoenix and Eva even slept for about 2 hours through the blaring music! The highlight of the day was when my mom and I were literally a foot away when Tiny Meeker was benching to beat the world record at 1080 lbs. (my mom got to lay on the bench) It was incredible!
She has been training with Tiny Meeker who is a 16x World Champion in the bench press. He is an amazing coach. He has already increased her bench by almost 40 pounds in a few months. She has only lifted in one other competition and set the state record. She hasn't been able to even train that much with 2 torn meniscus and knee surgery! My mom was able to bounce back and compete again breaking her old record and setting two new ones! She has been invited to the World Championships in Reno this November.
My mom is amazing. I hope that when I am her age I can be as hot and tough as my mom!
Moving is definitely in the top 3 of the most stressful things in my life. Problems with moving = 1) I didn't realize how much stuff we had accumulated over 4 years of being married 2) I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get all that stuff boxed up 3) I seriously underestimated how big of a trailer we needed!! Advice: Always go bigger than what you think! With that being said I was thoroughly impressed with Russell and Sampson's packing skills. There was not one inch of space wasted in the trailer and I only had to leave a few things behind that were easily replaceable. It was really nice because Phoenix and Eva kept themselves occupied while I dealt with the stress of packing the trailer.
Phoenix is scratching her back
MOVING
We had 7 days to get to Tennessee, which is way more than enough time since Sampson and I have made that drive before in 24 hours. Driving with 2 kids at 55 mph is a different story. After 3 days and many episodes of Dora we made it to our new home in Tazewell, TN. Our house is perfect for our family and we couldn't be happier with our neighbors (7 donkeys, 8 sheep, many chickens and roosters, a pony, and a pig)! It is very different than Provo but the hills/mountains are beautiful and green.
Our poor car
Getting Settled
Even though we moved out in June we didn't really start living in our house till almost August. Sampson's family only lives 3 hours away so we have already visited them 3 times. We flew in a twin engine to Texas with Luke and my dad (Sampson flew all the way to San Diego with them) and then flew to San Diego for Houston and Nate's Wedding. It was so great to have a vacation with our whole family there!! I love being by the beach! Houston looked absolutely stunning in her dress and all my hard work sewing the 6 flower girl dresses paid off. Everyone looked great! We ended up having to drive back to TN because of airplane problems. So after A LOT of traveling we made it back just in time for Sampson to start Medical School. Life is crazy and I never see my husband any more, but I have found a new love....The Flea Market. Sampson hates when I go, but I find the funniest stuff there. It is definitely a cultural experience that I simply can't miss!
We had our 4 year anniversary and I can't believe how fast time is flying by. When time is so precious for Sampson I was shocked when he surprised me by taking the family to Gatlinburg for the day. It was so nice to be together as a family. You never realize how precious things are until they aren't around any more. And any time with Sampson right now is a blessing. I am so grateful to be married to such a hard working and dedicated man and have two beautiful children. I am one lucky girl.
Random
Compliments of Kenny
Not afraid of anything...
except Star Wars characters
Country Water Slide
P.F. Chang's
uhhh.....
I made this
Flea Market Find
The Aquarium in Gatlinburg
The Great Salt Lake
SAN DIEGO
The Farm
In case any one is wondering how Phoenix is coping with the move just watch this....
