All grown up

Everytime Courtney does some new thing or gets to a new milestone, I feel like I have lost my little baby, but this one is a big one! Courtney has a favorite blanket that is basically in shambles. I have know we need to get rid of it but am terrified that she will go to pieces. So yesterday Dave says, "Courtney, we need to cut this up and throw it away." Courtney starts to scream, "No, no, no." Then she decides that she wants to throw it out. She gets the scissors and Dave cuts the blanket in half, giving her the worst side to throw out. After she throws it away, Dave gives her the other half and says, "Now you can have that until it's old." She just takes it and throws it away too. Are you kidding me? Of course, I saved the good piece in case she needs it but it's been a day now and she hasn't even asked for it. I knew this day would come, just not so soon. Ok, so she is almost four, but still. I am very proud of her for becoming such a big girl.

First Time Sledding

About Me

Thanks a lot Jenni, for tagging me. I'm sure people don't need to know what I'm really like, but I'll post it anyway because I sure had fun reading Jenni's.

Ten years ago:
I was just ending my junior year of high school. I know this may be a shock to some but I guess I'm younger than I think.

Five places I have lived:
I was born in American Fork, Utah. I then moved to St. Charles, Missouri. When I was eight we moved 45 minutes away from San Fransico, California to a little town called Petaluma. When I was in seventh grade we moved back to American Fork, Utah, where I stayed until going to college in Cedar City, Utah. I got engaged and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Then we moved to Lehi, Utah and now are in Riverton, Utah. Ok, more than five places, but now you know. I don't plan on moving anytime soon from here.

Five things on my to do list:
Send an email about Bunco, scrap my trip to the Dominican Republic, clean my house and wash the sheets for my company coming, laundry, and finish reading all of the Harry Potter books.

I enjoy:
Spending time with my family, going out with my girlfriends, serving others, teaching young children, scrapbooking, quilting, writing, and reading.

Three bad habits:
I check my email at least ten times a day, I am a yeller and have been trying to do less of it, I used to bite my nails but hopefully won't do that anymore.

Five things you might not know about me:
I want to write a novel and have it published, I like to work because it makes me feel productive, I love to shop for food, I like to make homemade bread and lastly, I love cotton candy ice cream(although some people tell me to be a grown up and get something real!)

Five jobs that I've had:
I have always loved to baby sit, so I did that and also nannied. I worked at McDonald's for 2 miserable weeks. I have worked in many daycare centers, mostly teaching preschool age kids but I also once did the tiny babies. I taught preschool in my home for years. I am currently a Realtor.

What will be going on in ten years:
This is a hard one for me because Dave and I often discuss how plans never work out but here goes anyway...
Courtney will be 14, Dave will be 42(ouch), and I will be 37. Hopefully I will have some more children too. We will hopefully still be here in this wonderful neighborhood. I would like to be working, doing something I love and am passionate about. I hope I'm still in touch with all of my good friends. I would like to have seen more of the world and have taken Courtney on some pretty amazing trips.

That's it for me. Now the fun part, I tag Audra, Mindy, Tori, Jamie Benich, Jamie Young, Angie, Heidi, Danielle, Lindsay, Brittany and Tara.

Happy Late Valentine's Day

So I know I'm totally late but I had to post these pics. Courtney's wonderful grandparents got her a build a bear for Christmas and it' her absolute favorite. That is why I had to get the bear(whose name is Baby Courtney) a valentine's outfit. They look so cute together.
Courtney was so excited for Valentine's Day. She couldn't wait to go to school and loved getting all of her Valentine's ready to give her friends. I love this age. She is really starting to understand holidays and it just makes them all the greater. I hope everyone had a good one!

Our trip to the Dominican Republic

Dave and I just got back from our first trip together, just the two of us. I can't go any further without thanking Dave's mom for coming to Utah to watch Courtney. We had such a good time. It was hot and humid in the Dominican Republic but we were happy to be out of the snow. We relaxed mostly but did go into the city a few times. We were able to go to the temple there and also see some historic sights. Then we had one night in New York City. It was so much fun to see everything and our hotel was right in the middle of Times Square. It was freezing there though. We were so cold that we didn't get to walk around much. We had the best time and I need to tell Dave how much I love him. Thank you for the wonderful trip!

Church Cancelled?

Never in my life have I gotten to miss church because of snow. That all changed this past Sunday. I was joking with Dave and my brother-in-law, Brian, about how they should cancel church because of all the snow. Brian looked at me and said,"They don't cancel church for snow." Was he ever wrong!
Courtney started off strong, shoveling the snow. After about 5 minutes she was cold and ready to go back in. We were happy that Brian was there to help shovel. Our entire neighborhood was outside shoveling at the same time. I think it took a good 45 minutes to get all the snow shoveled(and that didn't even include our third car garage driveway).

Brian wanted to get home but he was basically stuck at our house until later in the afternoon. It cleared up for a few hours and he was able to make it to his Super Bowl party.
It did turn out to be a very fun day. After shoveling, we had a lesson from Brian, from the Ensign. It was kind of fun to be snowed in with the family.
Once it stopped snowing, Dave and Courtney couldn't help but build a snowman. It turned out great and was actually Courtney's first snowman, if you can believe that. She is looking forward to many more. Happy Snow Day!

Baby Braces

We had the unfortunate experience last week of getting "baby braces" put on Courtney's top four teeth. Never have we had an emergency situation with her(which to those of you who know her, is amazing). She left to play at a friend's house and they ended up playing out in the snow(we got about 2 feet in less than 24 hours). The next thing I know, my neighbor(thanks Dave) brings her to my door and she is bleeding and crying. She hit her top teeth on the edge of a power converter box. One tooth was barely hanging there, so I pushed it back up into her gums. Dave was able to come home and take us to the dentist. Luckily for us, she was able to keep all of her teeth. They were very loose, so the dentist said it would be best to put a wire on the teeth to strengthen them. We have come to call them "baby braces". She will have them on for six weeks, then they will come off. I'm sure this will the first of many times, but we are grateful it all turned out alright.

Where's my baby?

As I was at the dentist with Courtney today, I started to think back. Here she was, being so brave, while the dentist was drilling in her mouth and I was thinking back to when she was a baby.
Was she really ever so small that she didn't fit in her car seat? I honestly cannot remember her being so tiny. She was almost eight pounds when she was born. She was a big baby compared to most in my family.
I remember her first smiles and her taking every second of my day. Dave would ask what I got done in a day and I would say, "Nothing. I don't know what I did all day but she took up all my time."
She is so independent now. She thinks she needs to do everything herself. She answers the phone, gets herself dressed, plays with friends all the time, and even has a chore chart to earn allowance.
So I seriously ask you, where did my baby go? How did she go from this tiny, sweet, perfect little newborn, to an independent, adorable, stubborn, bossy, and wonderful child?

Gotta love TV!

Christmas finally came!

We had a very Merry Christmas. We were so blessed to have my entire family here this year! It got a little crazy at times, but it was wonderful. I am so thankful for my family. I love spending time with everyone. Then we were blessed to have Grandma Bollard come for a few days after Christmas. Courntey thought that Christmas would never come, but was so happy when it finally did. We had a very Princess Christmas this year.

Let the baking begin

I was delighted to learn that this year I wouldn't have to do all the baking myself. Dave and Courtney were so excited to help me. I thought I had struck the lottery. I mean, for 5 years I have done everything on my own.
I thought it was going to be so great. Then Dave told my he just wanted to make cinnamon rolls for everyone. The best part about holiday baking is that you get to make such a wide variety of everything. Then I got to thinking, it will be much easier to stick with one item. Cinnamon rolls are soooo good anyway, people would love it.
Then we started the whole 4 hour process. At first the two were so excited to do whatever I asked, but I realized it was just faster to do it all myself. Then they got specific assignments, rolling the dough and adding the cinnamon and sugar.

Then they started to want to do other things, because it was taking forever. By that time, I desperately needed their help. It all came together though and our friends were able to enjoy a delicious treat. I had to put this picture up to remind anyone not living close enough to receive some, move closer! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.

Snow much fun!

We have actually been enjoying the snow this season. I usually dread it and wish I lived somewhere warmer when we get snow, but this year has been different. Maybe it's because I have a daughter now old enough to enjoy the wonder of it. Maybe it's because my nieces and nephew were here and loved it.
I would have to say that it is probably because it has snowed on the weekends, when we can just stay inside by the fire, drinking hot chocolate, and spend time together as a family. I don't know who gets more excited to go out into the snow, Dave or Courtney.
Dave finds shoveling the snow relaxing. Relaxing? That would be the last word on the planet I would use for the task. Another great reason to snow on the weekend, Dave goes out to shovel. I remember endlessly shoveling snow last year and how much it hurt my back.
We do have some pretty high tech neighbors. Some have snowblowers and some even have four wheelers with plows on the front. It's pretty fun to wake up to them plowing the roads and sidewalks in the morning. Courtney also likes to help. Since she couldn't find another shovel, she used one of our spades to help her dad shovel. She likes to think she does more of the shoveling than Dave. Cute, isn't it?
All in all, it has really put us in the Christmas mood to have so much snow this time of year. We usually have to wait for it and don't end up getting any until January or February. It makes the streets and houses look pretty and bright.

Our Trip to Disneyland

We had a great Thanksgiving. We were able to go to Disneyland with Dave's family. It was so much fun!

My Six

I have been tagged by Lindsay and must do this, otherwise the tagging will all end and she will feel like a complete failure. Just kidding Linds! I doubt that I could say much that people already don't know about me but I'll try.

1. I always wanted to be a doctor. I even started out college with a pre-med major. After failing chemistry and many guys telling me that I couldn't do that and be a mother, I changed majors.

2. I love to sleep in. Nothing makes me happier than waiting to wake up until I'm ready to get up for the day.

3. I love decorating for holidays. It doesnt' matter what holiday it is, I want something up to celebrate it.

4. I absolutely love my girlfriends! I could not live without them. I have no sisters, so my girlfriends are like my family.

5. I have road rage. I knew it was getting bad when I heard Courtney in the back seat yelling, "Go guy. What's your deal? Move it."

6. I like to give 110% to everything I do. Whether it's being the achievement days leader or Nursery leader, I do more than what is asked of me. I love to be sure everything is fun and right for everyone.

Lauryn's Luau

Courtney's cousin, Lauryn, turned 7 last week. Courtney went to the "luau" and had lots of fun! They started with a relay race, then tried to stomp out each other's balloons. After that they played pin the petal on the flower and of course, there was a pinata(the real reason Courtney loves parties). They had cake and ice cream and opened presents. It was a lot of fun for everyone. Thanks Shannon, for such a great party!

A Day at the Zoo

Dave thought a day at the zoo would be fun for the family last Saturday. Boy was he right! The weather was perfect and most of the animals were out. We had lots of fun!

The Jazz Bear

Although Courtney loves going to the Jazz games, they usually go something like this: "Can those guys get off the court so that the Jazz bear can come out!" Needless to say, we never actually get up close and personal with the Jazz bear. When we saw him on a street corner meeting fans Courtney ordered, "Turn the car around Mom. We have to see him." So this is her, meeting her favorite bear.

Jazz Game

Our first Jazz game of the season ended up being a lot of fun. We love to go to the games and even have a jersey for Courtney. She had so much fun.
The really fun part was that the Jazz killed the Kings. We got to see some great steals, dunks, and just great ball. We can't wait to go to more. Brian, Dave's brother, came with us and brought a date, Amy. We're glad they came with us.

New Scooter

We went to Classic skating with some friends this summer and in case you didn't know, kids can now bring scooters and things, instead of just roller skating. Ever since then Courtney has adamantly wanted a scooter of her own. It was kind of sad. She was the only kid without one.
We decided that we shouldn't just buy her one, but that she should earn it. She worked so hard to get her scooter. The first day I introduced it to her, she wanted to do whatever she could to earn stickers. She cleaned three bathrooms, dusted, did laundry, and made beds. She really earned her money for it.
She kept with it and got a scooter much earlier than Dave had anticipated. She was so happy when she was able to pick it out and help Dave put it together. I guess the world really is a better place when you have a scooter.

Haunted Houses and Pumpkin Carving

We almost carved pumpkins this year but this is as far as we got. We kept waiting to do it with Dave but by the time he gets home at night, Courtney is beside herself with tiredness. Maybe next year we will have to do it during the day without Dad. She really did enjoy just sticking face pieces on though. She especially loved the stickers. It's probably too small to tell but she loved the ones that looked like blood.

What Halloween celebration would be complete with a gingerbread haunted house. Ours would have been except Grandma came to Courtney's rescue. It turned into a family project and was alot of fun. It did end up turning out pretty cute. The funniest part was that my niece, Ali, would only eat the candy and not put it on the house. She's 18 months old. I think that is to be expected. Courtney was very concerned about it, however, so we finally got her to put a few pieces on.


We had a very Happy Halloween. Although I didn't know that Halloween was such an exhausting holiday, it was so much fun. I don't think holidays are much fun without a child to help you remember how special they really are. Courtney and Dave went out trick-or-treating while I passed out the goods. We figure we had close to 100 kids come by, which is an all time record for us. Hope everyone else had an equally as enjoyable Halloween!