SPRING photo session - Micah Folsom Photography!

You have got to check this out...AWESOME photographer with an amazing deal! My friend Micah is offering a FREE photo session so go on over to her blog to check out all the details!

http://micahfolsomphotography.blogspot.com/2011/02/hoping-for-spring-time-giveaway-one.html

Valentines Day

So I am a little behind in the blogging world so this post is to catch up on all that we have been doing! On wednesdays we try to make it to the NOVA library where they have story time, but more often than not we don't make it. But the wed before Valentines day we did! And the Story Time Fairy was there...she was AWESOME!

The Thurs before 'heart' day we were invited over to Taija's friend Blakeney's house to frost cookies and make cards...it was so much FUN! It seemed like EVERYONE was there and Taija and Luke loved it!


Luke was so good, this is how he spent the morning at the party!

On Friday we had Taija's friends MJ and Sophie over to frost cookies and make cards...we haven't seen them in awhile and it was FUN to catch up and see how all 3 kids have grown! I made the mistake of putting out scissors so rather than 'making' it was more so just cutting up paper, but the kids had fun so no matter!



This is Taija being my super helper - you notice we put Luke up in the pack-in-play in his bouncer seat so that Taija can't bother him, but she always finds a way!

FINALLY...a day at the beach!

It has been a long time since we were able to go to the beach...a whole MONTH! Well, today Justin was done with class at 11 so we decided to go to the beach. The weather was PERFECT and we had a BLAST! Taija loved playing in the water, Luke and I hung out in the shade, and Daddy enjoyed some time away from the books! All tuckered out after the beach!

Week of SUCCESS!

This past week I started potty training yet AGAIN with Taija, but I am happy to say she has finally got it down! Hooray! She even goes in the BIG girl potty (no more little potties, or potty seats)! I am so proud of my little girl and love this whole panties thing (although Sunday we took her to the bathroom a record number of eight times - oh yes it was EIGHT). Also, we pulled out the jumperoo for Luke and he LOVES it. He turned 3 months this past week and is getting bigger by the second. I give him 6 more months til he outweighs his sister!

We got a NEW car!

We traded in our 2003 Sentra for a NEW 2011 Sentra...okay so it wasn't a straight-across trade, but you know what I mean!

Dressed in our Sunday Best

These kids just looked too cute this morning not to take their picture! ENJOY!

This one's for you UNC!

So before Taija was even born my brother bought her a Florida Gators outfit...his favorite team since he was a kid. And since it was 2008 it was fitting! This is Taija watching the BIG GAME with her Unc

I pulled out the same outfits for Luke and this is him rockin the Gator wear! We live a little closer to Gator country now! Love you UNC!

Little Work-out Buddy

This past week has been one from you-know-where! It started off with Luke and I getting sick - runny nose and just not feeling the greatest. Well, of course then Taija gets it and much worse! Poor thing has not been feeling well at all. Worst of all she hasn't been eating much and throwing up what little she did eat so she lost 2 lbs. And if any of you know my daughter she doesn't have 2 pounds to lose! I put her on the scale today and she weighs all of 22 and 1/2 pounds! Good news is that she is starting to feel better and kept all of her food down today! Yay for small victories. On another note I haven't been to the gym in over a week as a result and it is driving me nuts...more so my waistline is driving me nuts. But these cute pics were taken before all the madness with my little buddy that loves going to the gym with me!



Luke in his little Bumbo seat he got for Christmas!

New Year Goals!

So after reading a few friends' goals I decided that I might just be more motivated if I record my goals somewhere so I can't back out of them! So here goes...

*Potty Training - need I say more? My goal is to have Taija potty trained before spring break...
*Get to the GYM! This has been a bit of a challenge since Luke can't go til he is 6 months and now that Justin is back in school I have to go in the evenings since there is no way I am getting up before the sun!
*Cooking - I don't think I will ever truly enjoy cooking, but I hope to be better at planning and even branching out with new recipes. I am such a chicken (no pun intended) when it comes to experimenting!
*Temple Trips - I was extremely spoiled in UT in that I could go to the temple on whim with so many close by and babysitters all around. I was totally disgusted with myself when reflecting on the past year...I only went TWICE! Pathetic I know. So this year the goal is to double that (not too adventurous, but the temple is 3 hours away and I have 2 kids to arrange for)!
*PATIENCE! With my kids, my husband, myself...I don't know how many times I would drive Justin insane coming home from a doctor's appt absolutely furious because of wait-times and it all boils down to the fact that I have ZERO patience. So this is a BIG goal for me. No promises, but I hope to be a little better by next year.

These are my goals for 2011 so hopefully by laying them all out here I will stick to them a bit better than those of 2010! Wish me luck!

2 Months

Luke is 2 months old...already! Time has sure flown by! Here are his stats and a few cute pics!

- 13 lbs. 4 oz.
- 23.5 inches long
- He is starting to smile
- Loves to 'talk' to anyone that will listen
- Sleeping between 5-6 hours at night


Seriously one of the cutest outfits...board shorts! Perfect for hangin out at the beach!

One of my little girl just cuz I think she's cute


*As a side note I went back to see Taija's stats at two months and she was only 10lbs!*

Christmas Break

At first we weren't going to, but then decided we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see all of our family and friends in Utah! It was a short trip of only a week, but we had a BLAST! We went to see the lights at Temple Square, we met baby Raegan who was only a few days old, we took cousin pictures, Luke met his BFF Johnny (Taija and Sophie are also BFFs), Luke was introduced to UNC and Auntie Tina, we played with Alex and Hannah, we had dinner at Benihanas, we were at the annual Smith Family breakfast on Christmas, and so much more! Thanks Pa and Grandma for flying us home!

Grandpa & Taija get in TROUBLE

My Mom was so nice and treated us to a trip to the 'Hot Dog' store (aka Sam's Club) and while we were picking out the necessities Grandpa and Taija were causing trouble. Taija ended up with an early Christmas gift - a NEW TRAMPOLINE!

Grandpa and Nana

This past week we were able to have Grandpa and Nana at our house! We LOVE when family comes to visit! It has been pretty cold (in the 60s) here so we were only able to go to the beach on Saturday.

Christmas on a Budget

When I think of our time here in South Florida the things I will remember about med school are long hours of study time, intense exams, and living on a budget. Although these are the downsides there is an upside to living on a buget...you find GREAT deals. This year Shutterfly has an amazing deal on Christmas cards. All you have to do is tell everyone how much you love Shutterfly products (not too hard to do) and voila you get 50 free holiday cards.

Looking at all of the many choices...this is just one of my favorites.

But you have to look for yourself they have so many CUTE cards! I love Shutterfly products and have ordered several photo books in the past - I can't wait to see how the Christmas cards turn out!

**Be sure to register to get your own 50 free cards with Shutterfly! Hurry the promotion ends on December 10th**

BLESSING Day

Today (Luke's one month 'birthday') we were able to bless Luke! We definitely missed our family in UT, but want to share with them this special day!

Things to be THANKFUL for....

We have so much to be thankful for! This week Justin's parents have been in town and we have APPRECIATED more than words can say - Pa just has a way of entertaining Taija and Grandma is always happy to help with Luke! Gotta love family!


Also, I received and early Christmas present from my parents - a Nikon S8100! Such an awesome camera. Taija and I have loved playing with it and as a result I have some pics of my cute little kids!





This year we indeed have a lot to be grateful for...first and foremost is our family! We couldn't ask for better loved ones who are always here to share in our joy! We are so thankful to have Luke here and for what a great big sister Taija has turned out to be...she is my 'little helper.' We are thankful to be here in South Florida so that Justin can go to school - he has loved the program and we have met such AMAZING people who have turned out to be some of our best friends! We are also grateful for the gospel and all that it represents. The peace that the knowledge of our Savior brings us is just wonderful and I am so glad that I am a member! There is so much to be thankful for I can't even begin to list everything so suffice it to say I am so BLESSED!

Last week I took Luke to his very first photo shoot! Our friend Katrina (katiejoyphoto.blogspot.com) who also took my maternity pics took these FABULOUS pics! enjoy!

Taija holds Luke

Since Luke has been home, Taija is not too fond of holding him. So, anytime she asks we let her (which isn't very often), but it doesn't last very long!

Luke and Taija at the BEACH

While Auntie Kate was still in town we decided to hit up the beach! We went to Hollywood beach one evening and played in the water and sand; then yesterday we went to Ft. Lauderdale beach so that Daddy and Auntie Kate could play some volleyball with friends. The water was really crazy and there was a Dangerous Marine Wildlife warning due to the Portugese Man-of-War so Taija and I stayed clear! Instead we played in the next best thing at the beach - the showers!

Luke Update

So...I am a little behind in blogging, but I do have a good excuse! Luke came home last Sunday and I have been adjusting to life at home with 2 little ones (although not really alone, my Auntie Janet and Taija's Auntie Kate have been here to help out)! These are the pics of Luke's last day in the NICU and his cute little Halloween outfit for the car ride home.





Also, the other day we decided to be adventurous and take the kids to the mall - why we went on a Saturday nobody knows!

Auntie Kate and Taija were being so silly waiting at the table for lunch - they were making funny faces and sounds!