Growing up

My little Kylie...I can't believe how fast she is growing up! She took her first steps last Saturday, but she doesn't seem too fond of wanting to try anymore of that :) But she does do really well with standing up. She learned how to whistle and she's getting her 5th tooth. She loves to tell us stories that of course she can only understand, but it's so cute because she'll start jabbering and then laugh at herself and then jabber again and then laugh. Oh, it's too cute! She loves to be the center of attention. She loves dancing to music and reading her books. She's just so darn cute and perfect that it's hard to believe sometimes that she's mine :) Just thought I would give you a little update on our little Kylie bug. Anyway, this will be my last post for a while. Kylie and I are leaving for Illinois tomorrow because my brother Damian is getting married on the 22nd. We will see you 2 weeks!

A visit from cousin Cassie

My cousin Cassie and her family came by this morning to see us. It had been about 13 years we decided since we had seen each other. A lot happened in that time! I got to meet her 3 beautiful girls, Ava, Sophia, and Esme and her husband Dan. They were in Utah for a reunion and I was so glad she called and asked if they could stop by. They didn't get to stay long because they had to get back to their 20 hour drive to Texas, but it was so good to see her and finally meet her family. Cassie, you look gorgeous and your girls are so cute! Thanks again for taking time to come and see us!

Ava, Sophia, and Esme

Esme and Kylie
Me and Cassie

A camping we will go..

Friday night Austin and Kylie and I headed up American Fork Canyon to spend the night at Julie Andrew's meadow. Austin got off early and we went up around 3:00. It was sooo incredibly nice up in the canyon. Austins mom and dad and brother and wife joined us later on that night. It was so nice to be outdoors and enjoy the scenery. Wendy made some beef stroganoff and baked potatoes. That night we sat around the campfire and just talked. The next day we had pancakes and sausage and eggs...man I love breakfast when you're camping! It tastes so much better for some reason. Austin and I went on a really fun hike later on. We ended up going home around 4:00 that afternoon. Even though it was a short trip, it was still a lot of fun :)

Happy 28th Birthday Austin!

Yesterday was Austin's birthday and I decided that I would be different for a change and not do the same boring things I do everytime it's his birthday. After he went to work, I made some Key Lime bars that he really likes. Kylie and I went to his work to eat lunch with him, and I surprised him with balloons and the Key Lime Bars. When I got back home I started working on getting the living room decorated for him. I was hoping it wouldn't look too circus like :) Then I made home made strawberry ice-cream and Magic Cookie Bars, because that's what he wanted instead of a cake. When Austin got home for work he helped me make Coxinhas. They're this Brazilian food that are really good. You make this dough out of potatoes and chicken broth. Then you cut out a small circle of the dough and you put this chicken filling inside. The filling consists of shredded chicken, tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and seasoning. Then you shape the dough around the filling and they kind of end up looking like the shape of a Hershey kiss. Then you roll it in bread crumbs and deep fry it. We also made pork burritos. I put a pork roast in the crock pot and poured a bottle of Dr. Pepper and added some brown sugar and seasoning and let it cook for like 7 hours. Howard and Wendy and Jordan and Ashley came over to eat dinner with us. It was soo good! It was fun to be together and celebrate Austin's birthday. After dinner he opened his presents. I was so excited to give him one of my presents because he's been talking about wanting one for a long time. I got him a hand held GPS that he can use to find caves or hiking trails or whatever he may need to find. I also got him some pants that zip off into shorts for when we go hiking, and the Indiana Jones DVD's. Ryan and Tiffini got him a remote control for his camera (which he loves! Thanks guys!) and his mom and dad got him a book and some different colored filters for his camera. Jordan and Ashley also gave him a book. All in all I think he made out alright! Austin, I just want you to know how much I love you and how grateful I am that your my husband. You mean the world to me and I'm so grateful for all that you do for our family. Love you!!!

His spoils :)