San Francisco

We recently went on a trip to San Francisco with the Bollard family. We were able to meet Dave's parents there and visited Dave's brothers who are there selling security systems. The cousins had such a good time together. It was so much fun.

A Very Pirate Birthday

A pirate ship that she plays with all the time. They attack her My Little Ponies.
She broke the pinata open and said it was her favorite part of the party.
Matthew taking a swing.
Picking up all the candy.
Do we look like pirates yet?

The great cake topper Dave made.
Making pirate swords and hats.
My little pirate.
Cousin, Brayden, as a pirate.
Opening presents.

Courtney was adamant about having a pirate birthday this year. I kept telling her no. I was dreaming of her friends coming dressed up like little princesses and giving jewelry out as party favors. I finally realized that she should have what she wants and I agreed to the pirate party. I got into after that. I made invitations for all of her friends and started buying everything pirate. The party really came together when I decided to go for a red and black theme. I got a treasure chest and filled it with everything pirate and had a treasure hunt. They also made pirate hats and swords. Of course, we had to have a pinata, which was a big hit. They also had hot dogs, strawberries, tator tots, cake and ice cream. Dave made the awesome treasure map to put on top of her cake. We also have to thank Grandma Bollard for coming and helping with the party and keeping Courtney entertained while I got everything ready. I think it was a great party but I can't believe my baby is four. I know that sounds so lame to say, but it's so true. When did she become this independent, opinionated little girl. She is already so giving and loving and I know she will only continue to become better and better and she grows up.

Preschool Graduation

Courtney had such a great year of preschool. She was definitely a crier for most of the year but she loved her teacher, Miss Heidi so much. She had such a good time making friends and learning this year. Her end of year program was so cute. They all sang about 15 songs and it was as cute as ever. If you notice the band-aid on her chin it's because she had a horrible experience right before we left for graduation. It was 15 minutes until we had to leave and we were right on schedule, something I have to do. As Courtney was sitting down to eat before we left, she fell and hit her chin on a chair. I thought it was going to be split open but when I looked at it, it was only bleeding but she was pretty upset. We barely made it to the graduation before it started and she was so upset that she didn't want to stay with her class. Luckily, she changed her mind. She had definitely been looking forward to this program. She had the chance to go to Las Vegas with Grandma Johnson, spend some time with her cousins and come back to Utah with Grandma Bollard but she turned it all down to get to be there for the program. We are so proud of her!

A Family Party

Courtney had a birthday party with the Johnson family before her actual birthday and thought it was just great. She was so excited to be able to blow out her candles all by herself. She considers herself extremely old because she is now four. She loved all of her presents but especially her new Kung Fu Panda. We had just seen the movie the day before. She also loved getting her fishing pole and loves going fishing with Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Kip.

A Very Happy Mother's Day

This has been probably my best Mother's Day thus far. I love Courtney getting older and getting so excited about things. She started making a card and handprints for me at school a few weeks ago and told me that she was making something secret for me for Mother's Day. When she finally brought it home, she hid it under her bed. She couldn't wait for Mother's Day to come. She and Dave got me a card, roses, a mini flower pot to grow sunflowers, and an alarm clock with a cd player and speakers. She kept hugging me all day saying, "Happy Mother's Day"! It was also the very first time she got to get up with the primary kids to sing a song to all the mothers. She is getting so big! I have to express how much I love being a mother. Most days seem hard and like I have not accomplished anything but I love Courtney so much. She is the light and joy in my life and I couldn't ask for more than to be a mother. Happy Mother's Day everyone!

March 2008

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Change is in the air

I decided to finally cut my hair! Dave really doesn't like short hair, so I have kept it long for most of our marriage but I was getting so sick of it that I just chopped it off. I thought it would be easier to do but it actually takes me more time than before. I like it and it has been good on warm days(today not included, since it is SNOWING!) but I may just stick to long hair in the future.

Also, Dave changed jobs! Although we are pretty sad that we no longer get free movie tickets :( we are happy that he is doing something new and challenging. The company is called No More Mortgage, and he is the marketing director there. I am so proud of him for getting this job and making a difficult change. He has enjoyed it so far, and hopefully will continue to.

A Very Late Happy Easter

I know I have been totally slacking but I wanted to post our pics of Easter. After 5 Easter Egg Hunts, I was done this year. Courtney had such a blast though. Our great neighborhood did an Easter Party and hunt for the kids that was really fun. Then my aunt Elaine did one at Poppy's for the kids. She also went to a city hunt, which was a total bust. Then, of course, the Easter bunny hid eggs, along with bringing her basket. Last but not least, the hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's. It was a great holiday and we also liked being able to teach Courtney this year. She is finally old enough to be taught some of these wonderful gospel principles and she understands them mostly. We hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

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.