Moving Day

I really should have taken some pictures so I could prove it ... but all our belongings just barely fit into the 26' U-haul we rented. I also should have taken a pic of Mitch driving the 26' beast — hilarious!

Moving day was successful, and tiring. So glad it's over!

To be honest, I highly doubted that everything would fit in the U-haul. But I was proven wrong by the professional moving company we hired. Just kidding, we didn't really hire anyone, but it felt like they were professionals! I guess that's what happens when you help people move all the time; you get really good at it! We had lots of family members, friends, and neighbors come help us load all our crap, and I was so impressed that not only did they make it all fit, but they had it loaded in only 2 hours!

It took about that long to unload it into the storage unit, and again, it barely fit. But we made it. And we don't have to deal with it for 5 to 6 more months. Uggh. It will be worth it though!

We are so thankful to everyone who came and helped us. We couldn't have done it without you all! It took us all day to load it up, unload it in the storage unit, and take the crap we will need for the next 6 months to my parents'. My dad said we brought way too much, but I say we'll use it all. I don't want to feel like I'm camping while we stay here! I already miss being close to our friends, but I have no doubt we'll keep in touch over the summer. And our new house is just a 10 minute drive away from our old neighborhood.

Our little apartment, while smaller than our old house, is really nice and doesn't feel too cramped. We have our own large, super nice kitchen, a washer and dryer, etc. My parents did a nice job with this apartment down here. I keep telling them they should get some renters down here; I bet they could make some good income off it — after we move out though. Ha, ha. But seriously, we are SO grateful to my parents for letting us crash here for a while!!!

It's nice to have our own space, but to also know that we can go upstairs and hang out if we want to. Layla has her own room, which is my old room, and she seems to really like it. She LOVES that she can go upstairs and visit everyone, and especially to see Uncle Jordan. Watch out Brock — Jordan taught her that when he asks, "Who's your favorite Uncle?" she says, "Uncle Jordan!" It's hilarious! We're sad that Jordan is moving soon! But can you blame him? We totally kicked him out of the basement apartment. Sorry, Dude! (He was moving out anyways, don't worry.) We are very happy for him and Tenley though!

Mitch's commute isn't too bad, at least he's going against traffic. He has finals next week and I'm so excited for him to have some free time! There's lots to do in Salt Lake and I plan to take advantage!

I took Layla to the Gateway Discovery Museum today. Man, she LOVES that place! It's nice to be living closer to downtown now. It only took me 15 minutes to drive there and park (may have sped just a little).

Welp, off to put Layla down for a nap. She's getting her bottom 2 year old molars right now, not so fun. Hopefully she'll nap well! I'll have to take some pics soon to put on here.

Birthday Bash

We celebrated the little girl's birthday with the family today. It was great fun! We had a Sesame Street birthday party, which was great except that Layla was a little upset that I used her Ernie and Elmo doll as decor. Ha, ha. Luckily we were able to distract her with all of her presents. Great-grandpa Kermit came all the way from St. George just for her party. It helped make up for my dad having to miss it because he's working in Idaho. We missed him today, but he did call on Layla's birthday to wish her a happy birthday. (I should have been better about taking pics at the party, but hopefully my mom and MIL will email the ones they took.)

Speaking of presents, I don't know if Layla is ridiculously spoiled, incredibly loved, or both, but she got so many nice gifts and she loves them all! She got a new bike, a Disney princess kitchen, a water table, sidewalk chalk, a pair of Tom's (that match Mommy's but her are pink and mine are silver, so cute!), a Dora baby doll (that she is OBSESSED with!), new cute clothes, and a swim suit with a built in life jacket (that will be oh so handy this summer). All of her gifts are perfect and we will have so much fun with them over the coming months! I'm even excited to play her Sesame Street memory game with her!

Pink, glittery Tom's. So cute! From Aunt Katie.

We had soup, bread bowls, fruit salad, and yummy punch for lunch. We had a chocolate Elmo cake, courtesy of Sam's Club, with ice cream for dessert. Layla tried really hard to blow out her candles, but she just didn't have enough air in her little lungs, so Daddy had to help.

After the party we all drove out to see our new lot. It was nice to have our families see it and have them be excited for us. We have great families.

Took this pic at the park. She got right in this little boy's face (we don't know him) and kept saying, "Hi!" over and over again until he said it back. She does this all the time to people - random strangers. Gets right in their faces. I hope she doesn't annoy people, but honestly, I think it's hilarious.

Oh yeah, yesterday Mitch and I picked out our exterior doors, garage doors, and a few other things for the new house. We are SO excited, beyond excited really, and can't wait for it to be done!

With two of her best friends, Elmo and Ernie, wearing the skirt I made her.

Layla had her two year old check up yesterday. It went really well. She now weighs 30 lbs, (80th percentile) and dropped down to the 75th percentile for height. The doctor said her height will most likely go back up. We'll see I guess.

With her real-life bestie, Parker. Thanks to Parker's Mommy for helping me take these pics!

She gained 6 pounds in the last 6 months, but they say from age 2 to 3 they only gain three to four pounds, so it will be interesting to see how she grows over the next year. We're so thankful she is healthy and doing so well.

The great-grandparents who were able to attend her party today.

At the beginning of the year I set some New Year's goals for Layla: learn the alphabet, count to 10, and be potty trained. She has done the first two, and we're still working on the potty training. She goes pee and poo in the potty at least once a day. We just haven't reached the point where she's telling us she needs to go before she actually goes. Sometimes she tells us as she's going. But we'll get there eventually.

I put her booster chair on top of this box and she insisted on sitting in it to eat an orange.
She had taken her shirt off, but still wanted to wear a bib. It was hilarious.

We're not pushing the potty training, partly because we're moving and she'll need time to adjust, and partly because I honestly believe her little body needs to develop to the point where she can recognize it. Once that happens, I think she will catch on super fast.

I hope Layla had a great birthday! We love her so much! She is hilarious, smart, beautiful, loving, forgiving, spunky, oh, and did I mention hilarious? She definitely has her moments as a two year old - we've had our share of meltdowns - but overall she is a pretty even-tempered little girl with a lot of energy. Love you to pieces, Bug!

2

I can't believe we have a 2 year old! Cliche, I know, but they grow up SO fast!

Layla woke up on her birthday to find lots of balloons in her bedroom. She also got her birthday present from Momma and Daddy ... a new bike! (and helmet, of course.)

She insisted on being surrounded by balloons while she watched Sesame Street.

She looks so hilarious in the helmet, which is actually a gift from her great-grandpa Kermit.

Have you heard of a balance bike? Check it out here. (We got a Giant make though.) The idea behind them is for kids to learn to balance while they still have that natural instinct, and before they are too scared of falling. It also means the kid never needs training wheels.

At first they learn to walk with it, and eventually they learn to pick up their feet and glide.

So, Layla is not too sure about it right now. But we took her out on it just one time, and by the end she was walking with it all by herself! I have a hunch she'll have the hang of it in no time, and love it!

We will be having a Sesame Street themed party with the fam on Saturday. I am sure Layla will be spoiled rotten by her fan club. I can't wait to see her reaction to her gifts and the candles on her Elmo cake.

Happy 2nd Birthday,  Layla! We love you!

Easter Sunday

The rest of our Easter weekend was nice. Mitch has been so busy with work and school lately, but on Saturday night he had enough free time to sit down and watch a movie! We watched "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," which we had mixed feelings on. It was an artsy sort of movie, and kind of depressing, but it did have a good ending.

Sunday morning Layla got her Easter basket from the Easter bunny. She got Sesame Street and Dora plates, books, coloring books, and a book bag. Oh, and animal crackers. Yeah, we're not too into candy around here ... maybe next year.

Then the dread set in. I don't know why, but I was SO nervous to speak in church. Two weeks ago, the bishopric asked if Mitch and I would both speak for 10 minutes each, the topic being "He is Risen" for Easter Sunday. I don't normally get nervous to speak in church; I had plenty of time to prepare and it shouldn't have been a big deal. But for whatever reason, I was super nervous. The hymns we sang before we spoke calmed me down a lot and I think I did alright. I was just relieved that it was over!

Easter Sunday. Don't mind the million boxes stacked all around.

I was released from my calling on Sunday, too. I loved my calling in the Primary Presidency, and I was really sad to be released. I love working with the kids and the other women in the presidency. I will miss it.

After church we went to Mitch's grandma's house for some good food. My in-laws had an Easter egg hunt all ready for Layla when we got there. I think Bug had fun and liked finding snacks and money in her eggs. We were able to relax Sunday evening and pack a few more boxes. I am so sick of packing! I cannot wait to be done. 

I love Easter and am glad we were able to celebrate with family, and at church. Most of all, I am thankful for my knowledge of the resurrection, and for my Savior. Happy Easter!

Easter Eggs

We took Layla to her first Easter egg hunt this morning. I remember going to this same exact Easter egg hunt when I was younger; it's put on by the Utah Lions Club, of which my grandma Miles is a member. It was fun seeing her there today in her Lions Club visor and all (tried to get a pic of her in the visor, but she took it off. She really did look cute in it though!).

While Layla was not nearly as excited about it as I thought she'd be, she did have fun and got a good amount of eggs. She proves to take after her Mamma on the egg-finding abilities (from what I hear, Mitch pretty much sucked at finding Easter eggs. Ha, ha. Poor Mitch, it's probably because he's so colorblind?)

Anyways, Layla liked carrying her little basket around and during the car ride to the hunt said, "Easter eggs, where aaarrree yooooouuuu???" which we thought was hilarious.

After that we went to lunch with most of my fam at Cheesecake Factory, yum! (I should have taken some pictures!) My grandma made everyone some cute, delicious cupcakes and my mom gave us some candy and Layla too many cute clothes. It was fun and we love seeing everyone.

My dad also hung this swing from a tree in their backyard and Layla tried it out for the first time today.

I have no doubt that I will spend lots of time pushing her in it this summer.

I'll post on the rest of our Easter festivities later ...

Make Believe

Lately Layla has started playing make believe. She will have short conversations with her My Little Ponies, stuffed animals, or lately, the bunny Easter decoration. She doesn't often do this on her own; usually she will ask someone else to play the part of the "friend" who talks to her and she answers back. The hilarious part is that she tells you what to have the "friend" say.

It usually goes something like this:

Layla hands me the bunny/pony/stuffed animal.

Layla: "Hewwo Yay-yuh."

Me, in a funny, made-up voice: "Hello, Layla."

Layla:  "How you?"

Me, still in character: "How are you?"

Layla: "Good."

And then I think of things to say depending on my character and what's going on. I love seeing her pretend and use her little imagination. It's so cute and I like that she's starting to develop her creativity.

Last Sunday. She looked like a little missionary.

Another good part of this is that Layla now truly believes that we can kiss her owies "all better." Whenever she gets hurt she runs to me, usually crying, holds out the injured body part, and says, "Kiss all better!" After I kiss her finger/leg/head/arm/etc. she instantly stops crying and says, "All better!" and runs away. It's awesome! 

Yesterday she and Harvey got into it and he simultaneously scratched her arm, leg, and lip — at least according to Layla that's what happened. He must be some sort of ninja. Ha, ha. I had to kiss her arm, head, lip, and leg better! It made me laugh so hard when she was instantly healed. Silly girl. But I am glad that I have superhero healing powers!

We switched her car seat around .
She's not two yet, but will be very soon and she's the definitely the size of a two year old.
She doesn't look very happy in this pic, but I promise she was.

She also loves to draw lately. Any times she sees a writing utensil, she says, "Baby, draw?" She's pretty good at keeping it on the paper, but just pretty good. Ha, ha. We have our moments. Yesterday she drew a few scribbles on some paper and then told me it was a dolphin. Maybe we have a little artist on our hands? Two of my mom's siblings are very talented artists, so you never know, right?

Our Pile of Dirt

Between sessions of General Conference, we went for a drive to take pics of our lot and some of the pretty views that our new home will have. (It was really windy, so don't mind that our hair is a mess!)

Our house will be right about here.

Our pile of dirt.

The view of the elementary school from our back porch.

The view from our front porch.

We also played on the playground of the elementary school that is near our new home.

Those metal slides are FAST, btw!

So fast Layla couldn't keep herself in an upright position!

And while Daddy was at Priesthood session, Layla and I filmed her singing some of her favorite songs. I realize that these videos are kind of crappy, but it is nearly impossible to get a practically two year old to hold still, and she likes to watch herself on the little screen, so I literally have no idea what I'm filming since I can't see it. Regardless, the videos are still pretty endearing. I love hearing her little voice. And she looks so proud of herself in the first video.

The ABCs

"The Duck Song" (condensed version)

"Three Little Monkeys" (condensed version)