The Beginning

Yesterday was the beginning of a long day! Daddy woke us at 3:30AM, we left the house by 4:30AM, arrived at the airport at 5:30AM, and caught our flight by 6:25AM.

Wheww..

We landed in Salt Lake City at 9:05AM and were greeted by Grandma Chivers and Aunt Kennedy!

Then it began!

We shopped ALL day for Aunt Catlin's wedding this weekend. And no, I'm not complaining. Layla and I both love to shop, but when you've only had 4 hours of sleep it's a little exhausting.

We literally shopped till we dropped...

and finally made it to hometown around 9:30PM.

So far so good.

Layla slept great last night and has adjusted to everything perfectly. But we both miss daddy so so much. She'll wonder around the house saying, "Daaa, Daaa..?" Poor thing.

Thank goodness for Skype!

We miss you Daddy!

XoXo

Pensacola

On Thursday we packed up and headed east to Pensacola, Flordia. Our friends, Anthony and Jenny, were getting married and we just couldn't miss out on that special time in their lives. And since Lance was in the wedding, we really couldn't miss it. It made for a great get away together before Layla and I head out west for a month.

This little girl was an angel on the trip there and back.

As for the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and wedding, well...

I could just kick myself, here's why:

I packed my big nice camera, thinking, "I'm going to get some wonderful pictures of this wedding and everything else that we do in Florida!" But no! That was not the case. Have you ever taken a 14 month old to a rehearsal dinner and a wedding? There was absolutely no time for picture taking. And there was no way I could haul that thing around along with my purse and her gigantic diaper bag that had everything in it that you can think of. Which by the way, items did not entertain her at all!

So no, I didn't get ANY pictures of how beautiful Jenny looked and how proud Anthony looked as she walked down the isle. Or pictures of the great time at the reception... oh wait, I ran after Layla the whole time with the most uncomfortable heels on. What was I thinking wearing those heels? Oh, that's right, they were so dang cute with my dress...

{Sigh...}

I really do love my child but,

note to self: a rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding, and wedding reception is no place for a 14 month old, that wants to get into anything and EVERYTHING!

On a much happier memory..

Her and her daddy loved the pool at our hotel!

I forgot swim suits, hence the reason for just her little swimmer.

Really? What was I thinking? We were in Florida!

We all know what this face is!

I love how she's resting her arm on his shoulder and letting her hand hang there. She really does think she's all grown up...

...But really, she's still her daddy's little girl.

And of course she had an appetite after all the swimming. The fruit loops were her favorite! Probably since it was her first time having them.

She loves to share.

We are not taking it for granted.

Lance's Day

For Lance's Birthday we had planned on waking up that morning and going to Hattiesburg to spend the day there. But, Layla woke up with an abnormally high fever and didn't feel well, so Lance, being the unselfish Daddy that he is, said it was best if we stayed home. Plus, the weather was awful and rainy..

It was a perfect morning for a fire. Sooo, that's what we did. Lance built a fire, we got Layla's fever under control, and we lounged until lunch time.

This is what he woke up too...

His favorite breakfast for the time being. Chocolate chip pancakes w/ coolwhip and strawberries, sausage, and scrambled eggs.Oh, and we can't forget that big glass of milk!

We couldn't wait to dig into his cake!!

 

For Lunch we went to Diamondhead and ate at Uncle Joe's Pizza and Wings. I'm not a huge "wings" fan because of the bones. If it's boneless, I'll eat it anyday. But I have to say, these were the best wings I've ever ate. MmmMmm.. makes my mouth water just thinking about it...

 {waiting patiently to open all his gifts}

Later that night we had all of our friends and family over for cake and ice cream. He recieved some really wonderful gifts!

This is right up his alley.. A gun book from my mom and dad.

Yes...another gun.

{his gift from me}

Gun case from Greg and Amanda

This gift was from Layla....

make a wish...!!!

27 candles blown out with one breath! My man's got alot of hot air!

Happy Birthday To My Man!

Today my handsome husband is turning the big 2-7! He hates the sound of it, but I'm just thankful for another wonderful year that I've had to spend with such a great guy. He's such a blessing in my life.

L-oving and Kind

A-dorable and Patient

N-ever thinks about himself

C-arismatic and charming

E-asy going, a great listener, and a hard working daddy.

I often wonder how Layla and I have become so blessed. As each day passes, Lance ceases to amaze me and I fall more deeply in love with him. He is the most unselfish person that you'll ever meet and he's always wanting to become better. Because of him, I am who I am. And I have him to thank for it. I find myself worrying about the silliest things, and he always brings me back to what is really important in our lives.

We love to talk about how "US" came to be. And no matter how often it comes up, we are still in awe of how it all worked out. I was a 15 year old little girl, so intimidated my this 18 year old "man" (ha, he was so much bigger than me, but really a boy at heart). He cornered me in my Grandma's kitchen and asked if I was ever going to talk to him..

I said, "No!" and got out of there as quick as possible.

Sigh...

I can't believe we're together today. Husband and Wife. A Family.

Life is so good. We are so happy. So in Love.

I LOVE you sugar! Happy Birthday!

Mardi Gras Parade

Last weekend, Layla and I attended our FIRST Mardi Gras Parade, with a couple of our friends. No, not the one on Bourbon Street. In fact, it wasn't even in Louisiana. It was at a little down called Diamondhead, MS. Somewhere where we didn't have to worry about a bunch of drunks and women showing body parts for beads! We loved every bit of it!

{patiently waiting for the parade to start}

{her first, few, beads}

and she didn't even have to flash anyone

These parades make my home town parades seem pathetic. (Sorry Vernal) There was music, candy, beads, stuffed animals, balls, and toys being thrown in every direction. I had to really pay attention so we wouldn't get pegged. Did I mention it was 2 hours long?!

{just a few of the floats}

My beads, which were infact quite heavy...

..and her beads, along with stuffed toys and animals. She was quite excited.

No More Bottles - Nights 3 & 4

Night 3:

Sadly, I missed it. I was in Gulfport at a dance for the youth in our ward. But grandma and papa took great care of her and she went down with no problems.

Slept the whole night through.

Night 4:

loved.Loved.LOVED her sippy tonight.

Ah-Oh, am I starting something that I will have to battle with at a later time?

Mothers out there...help me out.

I think we've got it nailed [sigh].

Such a great baby girl!

Gets It From Papa Spiers...

A couple nights ago, as we were watching the Olympics, Uncle Greg said, "Look Layla! Papa's doing the funny face!" Poor Papa, he was just so tired that he feel asleep sitting up! It was so funny that we had to get a picture to compare. Because after all this time, we thought she got it from her Papa Toxie, but really, I think she gets it from her Papa Spiers!

We sure do love you Papa!