Ms. Layla

This little girl is growing up WAY to fast!

She's made so many accomplishments lately.

-She's riding her bike with out training wheels! (2/13/14)

-She's tying her shoes!

-She can say Articles of Faith 1-5, all by herself.

-She can sing all the songs on the "Frozen" soundtrack.

-We just recently bought a piano, and she can play quite a few songs by ear. 

ex. Mary Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Called to Serve, Away 

in a Manger, and Book of Mormon Stories.

We're anxiously waiting for a spot to open up for piano lessons!

She's such an intelligent little gem. I can't believe she'll be starting Kindergarten this fall.

I don't know what I'm going to do without my little helper around the house all day long! :(

She is so excited to ride the bus, but I have forbidden that.

I'm not ready for her to experience the terrible things that happen on buses.

She'll probably never ride a bus. Am I a crazy mother?!

She's a social butterfly and does not meet a stranger. She's just like her daddy with

the trait. She can talk to anyone, like she's known them her whole life. And she

can make you laugh and laugh. Again, gets it from her daddy.

She is such a great example to me. I wish I could freeze time where it's at with her.

All I know is that we're going to really enjoy our summer, before she starts yet another

new chapter in her life.

She's my favorite first offspring ever.

Christmas Instagrams

I am finally able to put our Instagrams on our blog from Christmas.

Someday I'll catch up!

Headed to the airport! So so excited!

Phoenix airport. This little germy play area was a lifesaver for us!

Beautiful snow covered trees at Trolley Square.

Squishy hated being all bundled up, and especially hated that 

she had to wear socks! But she sure looked adorable.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning!

Nerf guns have been a HUGE hit!

Christmas Day.

Feeling incredibly blessed.

My dad took Lance ice fishing for his first time. 

He really enjoyed it.

And looked good in the carharts!

Squishy had her first ER visit.

And our first ER visit ever with a child.

It was scary, but no worries, she's healthy as a horse now!

Taking the kids sledding!

Papa rigged up an old knee board for the kids and pulled them behind the razor.

Layla could have done this for hours.

Ice Skating!

Kids loved it!

Celebrated Ms Layla's 5th birthday!

Can you even believe she's 5!!

Visiting sweet Great-Grandma Vida.

Our kiddlets Great-Great Grandma.

Goodbyes at the airport.

Sister love :)

The greatest man I know.

I love my father so much.

Airplane ride home was a total success!

They looked like this until we landed, then slept till 10am the next morning!

We feel so blessed that we were able to go home for Christmas and give

our children the white Christmas they had been dreaming of.

It was such a wonderful holiday.

Fall Family Pictures 2013

 

Annual Utah Trip 2013

Goodness, I love my home state.

I miss it so much, and every time we go back to visit, I want to move back.

I pretty much drive Lance crazy about it.

I do love Mississippi. It's beautiful here.

But Utah will always be my home.

 

We had THE time of our lives. As usual.

All except for the 2 weeks we all passed around pink eye.

Worst.Illness.Ever!

Like EVER!

 

But we won't dwell on that.

We had plenty of Café Rio. Went to the lake as often as possible, roasted marshmallows and ever starbursts (yummy!), played with cousins and had numerous sleepovers. Papa and Grandma even slept on the trampoline with all the grandkids.

Talk about some pretty awesome grandparents.

My children will always remember such precious memories.

We went to Lagoon for a weekend with the whole family, and when we went swimming in the hotel swimming pool, we filled up that whole pool and hot tub.

It was awesome, having us all together.

 

Now the 30 hour drive there and back... that was another story.

Actually the drive there was tougher than the drive back.

Lance drove the majority of the way to Utah while I sat in the back entertaining, feeding, holding, and playing with the kids. Then on the way back, my mom and sister-in-law helped me drive back and it was much more peaceful...ONLY because we had Baby Einstein. Talk about a miracle DVD! Layla flew home with her Uncle Greg, and that was a HUGE help. Her and Marx in the back seat together just to go to Wal-Mart is treacherous.

So, in 30 hours, I'd hate to imagine what they'd do to each other.

 

Anyways... here are our memories via iPhone.

Sadly, I sold my camera...

 I'm ready to step up in the DSLR world, so I'm researching new

camera's. So for now, it's going to be pictures from my phone.

Which, btw, I'm pretty happy with.

 

Craft Area Makeover

So I have a HUGE love for IKEA.

But this is the thing, I have never even been in one!

Omg! I know!

The IKEA in Utah opened right after I moved away and the closest one to me

is 6 hours away, in Orlando, FL.

 

My dear friend, Elizabeth, has family that lives near IKEA, so whenever she goes,

I send her a list. And just recently, I sent her parents a list because I knew

they were coming to visit, and would be making a stop at IKEA for her.

Phew.. Got that?

 

So our previous craft area wasn't much of a craft area.

I kept all the supplies in a basket, put away.

Therefore, we didn't get it out very often.

Out of site our of mind, right.

 

But my children need entertainment. A LOT.

Is everybody else's kids like that?!

 I knew just what to do.

 

I'm pretty embarrassed to show the before.

I've been doing little projects at a time.

Trying to stay in budget.

Out with the old, in with the new.

 

BEFORE:

 

AFTER:

 

I  made all the art, and cut the vinyl myself!

All using my Silhouette Cameo.

Love that thing.

And the frames I got at Target, not IKEA.

 

 

Next up?!

Our Entry way.

Wish me luck!

Spiers Family Reunion 2013

 

We LOVE going to Uncle Troy and Aunt Charolette's homestead!

They have a beautiful house and property in the country

outside of Purvis.

And you know what we love even more?

Getting together with our family and eating some delicious food.

Then watching our kids run wild and enjoy their cousins.

It is the best! :)

 

 

Easter 2013

It's nearly impossible for me to blog nowadays!

So, the easiest thing for me right now is to just give a post a title and add pictures!

Anyhow...

Here's our Easter in pictures :)