Our Cute Dallin

Dallin sure is growing up and is so much fun! He has started to try to really speak. I love listening to him talk. I can't make out many words but that doesn't slow him down. The day after Christmas it snowed all day long. Dallin was very unsure of the snow and didn't really like it. The other pictures are of our fun these last few days with Dallin. I love the one where he picked up the shaker and was shaking it on the stove. He did that all by himself. He loves to help me cook as you can see. He is so much fun and I love when he comes up and snuggles right next to me. After a nap one day we were sitting on the couch. He was a little grumpy and I was trying to make him happy. I finally just sat right next to him and he leaned his head on my arm. That's all he wanted. He's so cute!!

This was the first time he walked in snow!

He loved the icicles on our house. Ryan always had to grab one when he passed them.

Of course, Dallin was helping to organize our stuff. I had just emptied the dishwasher.


Dallin loves to snuggle with us and watch his favorite show Caillou- that is the only show he will watch. He doesn't care about tv until that show is on.

I can do it Dad!!


I love my dad!

Christmas Time

I know I'm a day late but Merry Christmas! We decided to stay home this Christmas. We have had a busy month and were just in Mesa this last weekend. It was nice to be able to start a few of our own family traditions for Christmas. We still have a garage full of boxes so we didn't even put up any decorations. So to be honest, it didn't completely feel like Christmas but it was nice to have Ryan for a few days just to ourselves. Christmas Eve we made a yummy steak dinner and saw Christmas lights. It was so much fun to see Dallin love the lights. He would get so excited and keep looking from side to side- he didn't want to miss any. We were excited for Dallin to open his presents this year but he didn't care about opening them. Once we opened them, he thought the toys were pretty cool. On Christmas Day we had a yummy turkey dinner at Lyndsay's house. She can cook and we left so full. It has been snowing today so I will have to post pictures of our fun another day! We love you all!

St. Johns, Arizona

I never thought I would say this but we are moving to St. Johns. Poor Ryan has been commuting two hours to work each day. He is in a carpool and only has to drive 1 day a week. So, Dallin and I are exciting to be closer to Ryan and to see more of him. I can't complain with his schedule right now. He works 4 tens and has Fridays off. He will start shift work in March or April and that will be a bear. He won't be able to carpool then. We decided to bite the bullet and move now. We love Snowflake and our ward which is making this move hard. But we feel good about this move. As Ryan says though, we are farther from civilization. We are moving to an even smaller town. We are now an hour from Showlow and almost 4 hours from family in the valley. But, as I told Ryan we are doing this for our family and this is where we need to be. We found a 3 bedroom house to rent so I am excited to have more room. This little apartment is getting really small but we love our rent. We just got back last night from a week with family. We are moving next Friday. So we have lots to do. I told Ryan I hope our life slows down and we don't have to make anymore big decisions for awhile. We have had to make enough of those this last year. We love you all and hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We sure did!!!

Cute Stories

Dallin sure is growing up. We just love our little man so much. About a month ago or so, Dallin has started to wave and say bye bye when we go to put him down for bed. It is so cute. One night I was gone and as Ryan was putting Dallin down he was waving and saying bye bye and looking everywhere for me. It's moments like that that just melt my heart.
Another cute story- Ryan and I decided to read scriptures before we put Dallin to bed. One night we told Dallin to go get the scriptures. Of course he ran into our room and came back with them. I was impressed because I don't think I use the word scriptures that much. He then handed them to us and folded his arms. He knows what to do. Whenever he sees the scriptures he folds his arms. Then when he sees the book mark go in the book he folds his arms too. He also knows that we pray after the song at church. He's our smart boy.
Dallin also loves to give us open mouth kisses and his loves are leaning his head into you. He sometimes will wrap his arms around you if you are lucky. One night we got Dallin in his pjs. It was almost bedtime and I asked for kisses and hugs. I got them and told him to go give Ryan kisses and hugs. He went back and forth for a few minutes. He was giggling the whole time. Sometimes he does that even when Ryan and I are in different rooms. He will give me kisses and then run into the other room and give Ryan kisses. He runs back and forth. I wouldn't trade those kisses for anything even when they are really slobbery.


I love how Dallin will rest his head on you- he does that to me all the time.

Fall Fun

The Friend Who Just Stands By

The Friend Who Just Stands By by Author Unknown

When trouble comes your soul to try.
You love the friend who just "stands by".
Perhaps there's nothing he can do.
The thing is strictly up to you,
For there are troubles all you own.
And paths the soul must tread alone.
Times when love cannot smooth the road.
Nor friendship lift the heavy load,
But just to know you have a friend
Who will "stand by" until the end,
Whose sympathy through all endures.
Whose warm handclasp is always yours.
It helps, somehow, to pull you through.
Although there's nothing he can do.
And so with fervent heart you cry.
"God bless the friend who just stands by."

This past week has been full of ups and downs for me. I tried to not let the little things get to me. Yesterday I had a friend email me I haven't talked to in a few weeks. She was letting me know she was thinking of me. How perfect her timing was and how I needed that email. It reminded me of this poem and how grateful I am to have those friends that stand by me through it all. It also reminded me that I need to be that kind of friend too.

All I can say is THANK YOU!!! Your email lifted me up!

Daddy

Ryan usually doesn't work on Fidays. He had to go in to today and got home at 2:30. He made lots of noises and was throwing his big boots everywhere. Well of course he woke Dallin up after an hour and half nap. He always takes 2 and half to three hour naps. The funny part was all of a sudden we hear Dallin say daddy. Then he was quiet. Ryan went in to change and wanted to take a nap. Dallin started to make this certain noise that he and Ryan do back and forth. It was so cute. Ryan laid on the bed and would make this noise and then you would hear Dallin making the same noise back. They did it back and forth for about 5 minutes. Ryan and I were laughing at how cute it was. I tried to post a video of it but it didn't work twice. Sorry.


This is Dallin's new favorite way to sleep- with his blanket or anything else over his head. I can't sleep with a blanket covering my head but Dallin seems to love it.

I laughed watching Dallin get all of his shoes and then try to put them on. He didn't get any on but it's amazing how easy he gets them off.


Ryan was so cute when we decided to color pictures for our nieces. He was a good sport and Hadlee loved her picture from Uncle Ryan.

A First

Our Poor Dallin- he's pretty sick. He went from a little congested Sat morning when I got him up, to a runny nose Sun, to a horrible Sun night. Sat and Sun we had no signs of what a night we were in for. We knew he was getting a little cold but he was still happy and eating and taking good naps. We put him down Sun night at 7:45 and I checked on him at 8 and he was asleep. Ryan and I enjoyed our time together and we were just about to crawl into bed at 10 when Dallin started to cry. Let's just say that night Dallin woke up every 2 hours crying. It wasn't a big, let it all out cry- just a I don't feel good cry. At 3 AM, I went in to comfort him and he had a fever so I got him a drink. It was cold and I was tired from getting no sleep so I put him in bed with us. That's a first for us. I honestly would love to let him sleep with us but I don't want to start that pattern. My heart just went out to our little guy. When I first got into bed with him he didn't even move the first 20 min. But after an hour of him tossing and turning and kicking I knew he would sleep better and so would I if he was in his crib. He really didn't even cry just snuggled in his crib at 4:30 when I put him down. I hoped he would sleep in but just after 7 he was awake. The longest stretch he went last night was 2 and half hours before waking up. Our day has been full of Einstein dvds, snuggles, and Dallin just not looking like he feels good. I have a feeling Ryan is making dinner. It's always hard when little ones get sick.

I'm Doing Good

I've had a lot of people concerned with our family so I just wanted to update everyone on how we are doing. First, 3 weeks ago was one of the hardest experiences our family has gone through. If I had any pull in this world it would be that no one would have to go through that. But, it's all part of life. Coming out of that weekend I know that Ryan and I have a better appreciation for each other. I didn't think we could get closer but we have. As for me, I have to be honest it was hard. The first 2 weeks were the hardest. The first week there were lots of tears and I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything. That's how I deal with things. The best thing Ryan and I did was go to the temple the next Friday. I had a very special experience there and it was filled with lots of emotions but it really helped to be there. It took me just over 2 weeks and then the Sat of conference I put all my make up on and actually got dressed for a change and that was a new start for me. One thing many people have asked me is about my emotions and hormones being all out of whack. I'm really lucky it wasn't bad. I feel I am pretty in check with that and Ryan has to agree. I was never one of those pregnant women that Ryan thought would come out- you know what I mean. It still has it's hard moments but I have such an amazing, awesome, wonderful husband that just holds me and tells me that he loves me. Overall, we are all doing good. We love each other and love being a family. We know our little one just needed a body and we helped them on their way in this crazy journey of life. Thanks for all of those people that sent their love and hugs to our family. They really helped. These beautiful flowers are what my family sent to me. I loved them!!

Staying Busy

Our family has been staying busy lately. We love being outside and enjoying the nice weather. One of Dallin's favorite things to do is grab his shoes and pull my hand to the door. He loves to go for walks outside. He usually wins and we go outside!!


Dallin has learned to open drawers while helping me in the kitchen. I thought it was so nice of him to help wash the clean dishes from the drawer.

I was trying to teach Dallin to sign but haven't done it in awhile. He knew what I was signing but never did it back. One day he started to sign "more." He does more lots now. It's so cute!! That's what he's doing in the picture.

Dallin loves the computer. He was trying to climb the chair but figured to just reach for it.

Last Sat we drove up to the mountains to listen to conference and enjoy the morning. It was really cold but was lots of fun.

I love this picture. Dallin loves his dad (so do I)!!

Poor guy- Dallin was playing with a ball and fell and his face hit the dirt. He got a bump on his forehead and was bleeding under his mouth. He didn't want any loves, just his ball to keep playing.

Our Strong Family

So, I can't sleep and I can't believe I am sitting in front of the computer at 1:30 am. Here goes.. we had a doctors appt this mrng and we found out our precious, little one will not be joining our family at this time. After many tears, we decided to go to the hospital and we had a DNC done tonight. Both Ryan and I felt good with that decision. We have felt so much love and support from so many people. THANK YOU!! Thank you for the flowers, tears with me, and just loving our family. We know we can make it through this and we will!! I have to thank Ryan. He is my rock, my best friend, and cried with me today. I am so blessed to have him in my life. My Dallin... he makes me want to get up every morning and be the best mom I can. I didn't think I had any tears left inside me today but they keep coming. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and that keeps me strong. I know our family is eternal and that makes me smile at times like this. I just wanted to share and let you know that I love you!!

Please don't leave a comment. We have already felt so much love. Instead, please say a prayer for our family.

On a lighter side, Grandpa Great I didn't get to ride the train while I was out like you. Ryan and I talked about that before I left. We love you so much and hope you are feeling better!!!

YES

We are so excited to share that we are PREGNANT!! I am 15 weeks along and we are due March 10th. I am so glad to be done with the first trimester. I was really sick at the beginning but am feeling like myself these days. I have to thank Ryan for all of his help. He knew what I needed and did what he could to make my life easier. Dallin sure was a trooper too. I have been feeling flutters these last couple of weeks which has made it fun. The flutters are getting stronger and stronger.

We made this bear from build a bear to tell our family we were pregnant. We were able to customize a button inside the bear. When you pushed the button Ryan said "Dallin's going to be a big brother" and I then said "We are pregnant." It was fun to see all of the expressions when our family pushed the button.
We feel truly blessed in the month of March. We have our anniversary and probably 2 children's birthday in March. We also feel so blessed to be able to add another precious, little one to our family. We can't wait for this one to join our family!!

Our Dallin

We have had so much fun with Dallin. He sure is growing up!! A cute Dallin story- the other day I was making goulash for dinner. Dallin loves to be my helper in the kitchen so I usually pull up a chair next to me for him. He knows what is hot and will say it over and over. I was cutting up onions and green peppers. Towards the end, Dallin started to whine and I tried to hurry. As I put the vegetables in the pan my eyes started to burn from the onions. I looked down at Dallin who was still whining. His eyes were red and a little runny. He was rubbing them. Poor guy- his first experience with onions.


We love Dallin's cute smile!!

Dallin wasn't excited to get dressed for church but I think he looks cute. I got the top for $1.80.

On Saturday we went to the St. John's fair. We had lots of fun. When Ryan was in high school he entered several pigs into the fair. We came home with homemade bread, salsa, and peanut brittle.

Dallin loved all the animals but especially the horses. Whenever they made noise he would get so excited.

These pigs were so huge. Dallin wouldn't stand too close to them. He would just laugh and try to get away.

Of course he had to get a balloon and carried it everywhere.

Dallin Loves To Play

Dallin is our busy boy who loves to play!!

There's something about playing on the bed that Dallin thinks is so much fun!

He always will do this but usually he looks through his legs.

Whenever we say the word vacuum Dallin gets so excited and runs to grab this toy. He pushes it around as we vacuum. He doesn't like when we are done and put it away. Hopefully that means he will love to vacuum when he gets older.

I was doing laundry the other day- yes that was a neat pile till Dallin found it!!

What color was Dallin's sucker??

Dallin was having fun in the bathroom with his toys!!

Dallin loves to help Ryan especially when it is with his tools. Ryan told me he took his sharp tools away- don't worry!

We Have a Softy

I have been working really hard with Dallin on what's right and wrong these last couple of months. I don't like the word no. I feel it is so negative. Instead, I just say to Dallin to "make a good choice" and give him a little look. He used to love to push buttons on our tv (whoever created tv stands with tv low never had kids) and little things testing his limits. I started telling him to make a good choice. I was amazed at how well he responded to that. He no longer wants to push buttons but if he does go up to the tv I tell him that and he turns around. After he makes a good choice I always tell him I love him and I'm proud of him. Well, Dallin has a little harder time when Ryan comes home. Ryan is the one he plays with and gets confused when he needs to make a good choice. I was enjoying watching my 2 boys play when Dallin started acting out. Ryan tried to be firm but Dallin didn't listen. Ryan told him he would put him in timeout but then smiled at me when Dallin kept doing it. Ryan couldn't be the bad guy. I tried to explain that Dallin needs consistent reinforcement. Ryan is the BEST dad and loves Dallin so much. He knows he needs to be firm. I know he can do it. It was just cute the look Ryan gave me when I knew Dallin was going to get away with things. I love you Honey!!


I love this picture. Dallin was playing with his shoes and wanted his sippy cup. I never thought he would drink with his shoes on his hands- guess it's better this way!!

Fun With Dallin

Our Dallin

We love Dallin so much! He is our joy and makes us smile everyday. Some of these are back in Mesa. Don't ask me how he fit between the fridge and counter. In the second one, he loves to play with Ryan's lunchbox when he gets home. Dallin has a new love- slides. He loves going to the park. The last one is my favorite. We love you all!

We Are Alive!!

I know it has been awhile. I got frustrated with not being able to post pictures so I stopped blogging. Life is good here in Snowflake for our little family. I am so proud of Ryan and all of his hard work with training. He has one more week with school and then more training. He is an awesome husband and father. Even after being at school for 10 hours he still likes to help with the dishes and Dallin loves to play with him. Dallin just survived a rough week. Last week, he got a very bad sore throat. I felt so bad for the guy because you could see his glands were so swollen. On top of that, he got a molar in and another one this last day or two. But, he was a trooper and is back to being our happy little man. As for me, I just love being a wife and mother to the most amzing boys I know.

New Life

I can't believe we have already been in Snowflake for 3 weeks. We have settled into our now home, new life, and new routines. Ryan is still adjusting to his new job. He will have about 4 months of training. These first 8 weeks will be the hardest. He sits inside for ten hours a day and listen to lectures or does modules on the computer. I just feel so bad for him because normally they do this training in 9 months and they are throwing it at him in 4 months. I keep telling him he can do it. He gets up at 4:30 in the morning and gets home from work around 5:30 pm. After Dallin goes to bed, he usually works for an hour or two on the computer. He tells me all the time he is sorry-he's so sweet. I'm so blessed I found him. I tell him I get him all weekend long- Fri, Sat, and Sun. I can't complain. I love to watch Ryan and Dallin play after Ryan gets home. I don't know who loves it more!!
Dallin has adjusted very well to the move. I was a little worried. Since being here, Dallin has gotten 2 molars. Those were fun days but we survived. He has really gotten to be fun with his little personality. His favorite thing to do is be outside. He likes to go outside and carry a toy or two with him. He will just carry them around. It's so cute. I've learned to not try to take them away. He is all boy!! He loves to eat rocks until Mom sees him, play in the dirt and water, and get dirty. He loves being really close to Tally and Colby. We play with them all the time. They take good care of Dallin.
As for me, I am still adjusting too but am getting settled. I really miss Ryan in the afternoon. He was usually home around noon during the summer. Now, 5:30 some days feels like an eternity. I am getting used to small town life. All of the people are so friendly and nice. I play softball with the women in our ward. It's a nice break one night a week. It's fun to watch Ryan chase Dallin around. I still am getting used to the Snowflake Wind. Man can it blow hard. It's killing my allergies. Overall, I feel blessed that I have an amazing husband that loves me so much and a son that makes me smile. I have learned that it doesn't matter where you are or where you live. It's the people that you love and that love you that really count.
PS I have tried to post pictures so many times and it won't work. Sorry hopefully it will work one day and I will post pictures.

Our Crazy Couple of Days

We made it to Snowflake!! Thanks to everyone that helped us this last week. We had dinners, people to help load a trailer, and to help us clean. We owe you all! We got up here Thurs around noon. As we driving, there was snow on the ground and slush on the road. We knew we were in for some change in weather. It was raining and cold all afternoon. Thanks to Ryan's cousin and brother who helped unload our trailer. I went to Ryan's sister's house so Dallin could take a good nap. Then came the fun part. When I got back I didn't know where to start. I took pictures and will have to post them later. Ryan and I got started in one room and just kept working. We aren't all the way there but our duplex is starting to feel like home. We are just having a little hard time going to a smaller house with no closet or storage space. We went to Showlow (about 20 min away) today to go to Lowes and Walmart. Yes, that's the closest Walmart. While we were in Walmart, the power surged and all the registers weren't working. We had a basket of food and shelving. We left disappointed but laughing. We were experiencing small town life. We are going back tomorrow. It has been snowing and cold all day long. I laughed because just this last Tues we were in 109 degree weather and today the high was around 50 but that was late in the afternoon when the sun finally came out. Poor Dallin came here with a cold so this weather hasn't helped. He is so congested. We love and miss you all. Ryan has only gotten tears once so far. I was so exhausted and had a disaster in my house last night. I felt better once I got it out. Ryan has been an awesome husband and dad through all of this. He has taken great care of us. He even slept on the floor Wed night before the move when we accidentally got a twin blow up mattress. I love you honey!!

Dallin's learning

I have been working with Dallin this last month on different things. It's been fun seeing things click and how he's becoming our little boy. First, I have been showing him how to get on his tummy and go feet first off our bed. He has been doing that now all by himself. That scared me the first time. I wasn't sure what he was doing. He will also get off our couch that same way too. He also likes to pick up each leg as I hold his shorts in front of him to get dressed. That has taken awhile. At first, he could barely pick up one leg- darn balance thing. But now, he knows to lift one leg up at a time. Our favorite thing now started while I would read to him he would sit in my lap. Now he always likes to sit in my lap whether I'm ready or not. One day I was cleaning up a spot on the floor and I look up and there's a cute tushie backing up in front of me. He's just so cute! We are also so proud of finally holding up his arms for his sippy cup. He figured that out a couple of weeks ago. He would hold his cup but didn't understand to lift his arms. That took a long time but he's gotten it. I could keep going but just a few things that make me a proud Mamma!!
In the picture above, Dallin has found our screen door. It amazes me how much fun he has closing and opening our door.

Snowflake, Az Here We Come!!

It's sad but true- we are moving. What a week it has been!! Last week Ryan interviewed for this job that's still with SRP. The next day they told him the job was his. We than had to decide what path we wanted to take. We feel good about moving and excited about the change. It will be hard financially for awhile but in the long run it will benefit our family. We are sad to leave our family and good friends. We will be back to visit. Yesterday Ryan got a phone call that his job starts a week earlier. So now we are moving May 22 and his job starts May 27. We are going up this weekend to find a place to live. We have lots of little details to take care of in 3 weeks but I'm not worried. It will all get done. We love you all!!

Fun Times