All Day Birthday

Bella got a gift card to Target from her Grandpa Randy and her Grandma Michelle, so we paid a little visit there to find something fun!

We spent about an hour just roaming the store, trying on hats, glasses, and playing with all of the toys. It was fun to let her do what she wanted in the toy section, since usually I just rush through with my shopping...but now she'll never want to sit in the cart again!!!

We ended up going with a Thomas the Train set and a huge pink ball. Lucky girl! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

And of course, she's already had too much birthday!!! Nap Time!!

Playin'round

My fellow photographer friend Nicole Anderson let me pick her brain about cameras last week, and on Bella's birthday she let me play around with her lenses.

Nicole's darling girls came along to play, too!

We went to a nearby cherry orchard and clicked away. So fun!

I was a little slow on the learning curve, so by the time I figured out all the new tricks with each lens, it was time to go. I definitely learned a ton though, so next time I'll get some better shots.

Thank you so much Nicole for playing with us and for your wisdom! Bella and I had a blast!

A Two Year Old Surprise

The night before...

Filling balloons...

Following the streamer path...

Unveiling the closet surprise...

Where she discovered her new bike!

And chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

Bella has been practicing her blow-out-the-candles skills!!

Neola Reception

Upon arrival in Neola, we promptly paid the cows a visit.

Cows have a special place in my life, as well as Ty's - they both remind us of our childhood.

So visiting them, especially with Bella, is exciting. Our instincts say to chase them, try to pet them, and of course, torment them in any way.

We resisted the urge. :0)

Bella seemed to enjoy the cows, especially the cute baby ones!

My was it windy! Just look at that hair!!!!

Ty showed the family his game-in-progress, and let some of the nephews test it out.

Matt, Jake (the groom), and Ty being their usual goofy selves.

Beautiful Kim and Jake - congrats you two!!!

These five went to high school together. Bart, Matt, Jake, Cory and Ty. We had a fun little reunion.

They never really grow up - all kids at heart!!!

Mother's Day in Neola

It was a regular day, really...spent with wonderful people!

For some reason every mother's day I let myself think Ty will secretly do some wildly creative romantic thoughtful something-or-other for me without me knowing.... only to be disappointed each year.

This is really unfair, not to mention unrealistic.

He gave me a card that he purchased the day before at the store while driving out to Neola. He said he tried to hide it, but I actually stumbled upon it in the car the day before and figured it was mine.

He wrote a sweet message inside and had Bella scribble in it a little bit.

Really, that's all I can ask for. To be thought of.

This is the Uintah Basin - Ty's childhood stompin' grounds. It's not much on the eyes, but it's all a kid needs - a giant playground!

Why then do I let my expectations inflate so much? I think it might be best for me to focus less on what I deserve and more on what I can give. I mean, I only do a card for Ty on Father's day, too...so how can I expect more than what I give? Doesn't seem fair.

A few times on Mother's Day I thought about how I "didn't get enough", but that entitled attitude dissipated when I looked at Bella. Or while we were at church and Gavin (my nephew) shared his thoughts on the kindness of his mother during sacrament. I cried and realized our greatest reward as mothers are our children - it's a silent every day gift.

Bella is my greatest gift, and I have been blessed immensely by her love.

Bev is Ty's wonderful mother, to whom I owe great gratitude. The example a son is given and the love that he feels from his mother reflects the man he will become...and I can say with all my heart that Bev did a wonderful job, especially with having so many! She gave them each the greatest gift a child could ask for..the gift of love.

Thank you for raising confident, loving sons and for trusting me to take care of and love one of them!

Being silly is what we do best!

Oh how I love this face.

The drive home...

Laughing at her daddy.

My overall feeling on Mother's Day was gratitude...with a mix of entitlement...which I'm working on.

I want to be more creative for Father's Day this year. I think this will help me focus more on being grateful.

Here's to another amazing year of being mother - not the perfect kind, but the best I know how to be.