The Hahn Family

Just getting started

2011-03-23T13:25:00.005-07:00

Ok, so I've wanted to do this for a very long time, start my own little hair accessory business. I've been making things for friends and family for a few years now and Marlee has a whole bathroom full of things to match every outfit she owns. But I finally decided to just do it....with much help from my husband I have a website bought and it's coming together and I ordered business cards :) I can't show any of it to anyone yet though becuase I don't want you guys to see it until it's ready. Heres a few pictures of the flower clips I've made, these will all be for sale very shortly :) Yippy!

the pictures below are the large flowers I've made (3-4 inches across). Any advice, suggestions, anything, would be loved!

A Very Challenging Photo Shoot

2010-12-12T17:52:00.004-07:00

Our family hasn't taken pictures together in a very very long time! So we decided to try out taking our own pictures...it turned out to be a little more challenging than I would have guessed. But my thought is that if you turn a picture black and white that it almost always looks good HAHA!! So here are our favorites...

The short version of June, July, August and September

2010-10-11T20:46:00.008-07:00

Welcome to Sahuarita!!! Don't you just love it? Look how there is a big empty road ahead! It just makes me so happy!!

Here is little Miss Marlee, decorating her room with Hello Kitty. This is one happy little girl, with grandparents about 30 steps away and great grandparents about 15 steps away! She has no shortage of attention being poured upon her!

Playing in the pool in great grandma's yard

I love sitting outside here...you can't even see the neighbors!!!

Just another view from grandma's yard

One morning Marlee and I were outside and we found this adorable little puppy. Marlee named her Rose. We couldn't keep her though, so my mom took her to a no kill shelter. And guess who was there, the puppies family...her mommy and all 10 of her brothers and sisters. So it turned out to be a sweet story after all.

Some weekends Marlee and I go visit daddy at the hotel. Her favorite thing about the hotel: jumping on the bed!

The pool at hotel

Very sleepy girl. On the way home from a fun packed weekend at hotel

This is Marlee in her truest form. Loving to look at beautiful flowers. Always in a dress or skirt. Had to have something pretty in her hair. Always has her kitty in her arms.

Out for a walk around the lake...she got tired and took a rest.

Cute prairie dog we saw out on a walk. He was so funny, kept peeking out at us and then darting back in the ground.

Mommy humming bird on her nest in our back yard. She had 2 eggs, they both hatched and we got to see tiny baby humming birds! They are sooooo small!

There are 4 mini cows now. Mommy had a new little baby girl. They love to walk in the car port. Sometimes they even poop in there...lucky US!

Marlee always feeds the horses with great grandma in the mornings.

This is our Honey toad friend. I love him. Look how cute he is! I would like to catch him and keep him. We have seen in ever night while walking home from grammy and grampy's house.

My little girl started PRESCHOOL this year. I can't believe it still! She loves school very very much! She's learning so many things really quickly.

She has also started Ballet classes. Her teacher told me after the first class, "Marlee is such a joy to have in class! She runs around and giggles the whole time".

I just had to throw this one in...This is how every picture is colored these days. Rainbow colored, as Marlee says. I love it!

Good Bye Phoenix

2010-06-11T14:12:00.007-07:00

In less than 2 weeks we will be saying good bye to Phoenix!

A few facts about my life in Phoenix:
1. I have lived here my entire adult life, a whole 12 years.
2. That is longer than I have lived in any town or city.
3. I have moved on average once per year, (One year I moved 4 times).
4. My favorite thing about city life, everything you need is at your finger tips.
5. My least favorite thing...traffic...

So now I need to tell you all where we are going...Sahuarita, AZ. It's south of Tucson...
It's the town my parents and grandparents moved to when they left my hometown of Duncan. They have been there for almost 5 years. It's a small town, which I have always wanted to raise kids in a small place. The thing I'm most excited about is that Marlee will get to live next door to grandparents and great grandparents. I know how wonderful that can be becuase I was raise as neighbors with my grandparenst! I'm so happy for my little girl! I'm also excited about being able to see STARS at night...

So good bye Phoenix, I have loved you but I'm very happy to start a new life for our little family in Sahuarita...

Dancin to Lady Gaga

2010-05-28T17:54:00.004-07:00

First of all let me just say that I DO love the show "Glee"..it has all my favorite things in a show: romance, drama, singing, dancing, and tons of cheesy moments...could there by anything better in the world to watch? I don't think so!

I have my little Marlee started on watching shows that have dancing and singing, don't worry though, I don't let her watch the whole show...just the parts where they are performing. She loved this Lady Gaga song and dance so much that was watched it at least 10 times. She said her favorite costume was the girl in the pink dress so then she put her pink dress on too so she could look like that girl. So funny!!

Here are a few pics...

You know you want to watch the video now...go look at it :)
Glee's "Bad Romance" Video - Video - Glee

Stuck at home and sick with strep

2010-05-13T13:47:00.006-07:00

This week has been very different for Marlee and I, usually we are out everyday with friends or family, playing and having fun. Not this week...Monday after her nap she had a fever and by Tuesday night it was so bad and I took her to Urgent Care. Found out she has strep throat. Poor thing, I feel so bad for her!

So we have been HOME...doing tons of games Marlee made up...such as: dog talent contest, following the leader, hide and seek from Mazy (the cat), ice skating, tight rope walking, dog races. This list would go on forever...I'll stop now! We have read nearly every book in the house, done every craft I can think of and watched every movie we own. SO I'm looking forward to her being well! Dr. said that within 48 hours of antibiotic she won't be contagious anymore. So that means Friday (tomorrow) we will be able to go play with friends again! YIPPY!!!

Here are a few crafts we did:

Proud to be a mommy!!

2010-05-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have had the most happiest Mother's Day EVER today! First of all, I got to sleep in! Then when I did wake up it was from kisses, Travis on one side and Marlee kissing my cheek on the other side. THEN the first thing I smelled was BACON!!!! Now if this is not the best start to a day, then I don't know what is.

I came downstairs and my little family had cooked me french toast, eggs, bacon and orange juice. There were little presents on the table and a beautiful vase full of flowers. My eyes filled with tears, I felt so special and so loved!

Then it was off to church. Marlee sang with the other primary kids, her tiny little face could hardly be seen. I could see her little lips moving to the words of the song and it looked like she even knew most of the words. The closing song was "Love at Home", which is my theme song for our home, I sing it so often that Mar knows all the words. She sat on my lap and sang every word to the song and I cried happy tears again! This is turning out to be a very emotional day for me!!

For dinner I was treated to prime rib, salad, baked potato and carrot cake, perfect end to a perfect day!

My presents that Marlee picked for me.

Daddy took Mar to the Dollar store and she wanted me to have this pear because it's red and sparkly and I'd think it was pretty.

Little cups on a necklace. She thought it would be fun to have parties and we could drink out of these together.

Smelling the roses! Marlee doesn't look like she's enjoying it as much as me! haha

Ready for church. Big hugs from my sweet girl!

Mar made this pretty flower for me at church.

My silly love bugs! My reasons for living! I adore them!!!

Beginning our summer

2010-04-16T19:49:00.003-07:00

April in AZ is wonderful. I think April and October are my 2 favorite months! Marlee and I have already started our water play for the summer. The pool water is still too cold but the sprinkler is perfect!

Easter

2010-04-16T19:39:00.006-07:00

Getting ready to color the eggs

Daddy and Mar, hard at work

Adding stickers

Getting food ready for the Easter bunny

Easter Bunny's food

Easter Morning, hunting for eggs

Love her big smile

Counting Eggs

Silly faces

Hugs with daddy

Disney on Ice

2010-04-12T19:20:00.002-07:00

This is one of the best days we have had in a very long time!! We didn't tell Mar we were taking her to Disney on Ice until a few hours before the show. We bought her a new dress and a flower to wear in her hair and when she opened the present we told her where she was going. She was so excited (she has seen the commercials for the show). We rode the light rail to downtown Phoenix and she loved that too! We were in the 9th row, so we could see everything really well. Marlee was SO MESMERIZED by the whole thing! It was just the BEST day ever. I would re-live this day over and over and over again!

Marlee's hair and new flower

Mar and daddy on the light rail

Mar and mommy before the show started.

I thought the ice looked so pretty. We only took this one picture.

First three months of 2010

2010-04-03T15:20:00.017-07:00

This year is going by too fast! I'm very behind on the blog thing so I'm just going to put in a few pics of Jan, Feb and March...the quick version of our beginning to 2010!

Jan. 2nd - We visited a special place for Travis and I...it was where we went on our first date 10 years ago! Hole in the rock. We had a good little time there looking out over the city with Marlee and telling her how mommy and daddy went there a long time ago :)

Jan. 9th - Mazy kitty's first Birthday! Marlee made her a toy out of a paper towel roll and Mazy got a bowl of milk to celebrate. And although Travis will not admit this, he did sing along to "Happy Birthday" when Marlee and I sang it!

Jan 26th - Marlee moved into a "Big-Big-Girl-Bed" (as she calls it). Out of the toddler bed and into a double bed. She also got new bedding. She looks so tiny in that bed!

Jan 30th - We took Marlee to the train park in Scottsdale. She loved riding the trains.

Feb 8th - Daddy turned 35!!! Mar helped bake a cake and we had a fun party when daddy got home from work.

Feb 23rd - We spent a week at Grammy and Grampy's house. Mar and my mom played and played together one day with these cars that have tracks...We were all laughing so hard. I also got a few cute pics of Marlee on the swing set in their backyard. She calls it a "Tea Set" for some reason that I can't figure out...

March 6th - I curled marlee's hair for the first time with a curling iron. I have to say that I LOVE having a girly girl. She loved getting her hair done, nails painted, wearing dresses...all things girly...she loves!

March 13th - We got to be at my mom's house for her birthday party! Mandy, Ty and their kids were there also and we all had so much fun together! We played bingo and pin the tail on the donkey. The best part...we got b-day plates with Edward from Twilight on them. HAHA! So funny!

March 15th - Took a drive up Madera Canyon for a picnic and hike. We saw turkeys and marlee still tells EVERYONE about the Turkeys and how they hiss!

March 16th - Our 8 year Wedding Anniversary. I went to my new favorite mexican food place (Valle Luna) and picked up dinner for us to eat at home. Warning: horrible pic of me!

Enjoying December

2009-12-22T13:03:00.004-07:00

Our family has been enjoying December very much this year. We've been watching Christmas movies, taking drives to look at Christmas lights, drinking hot chocolate each night, reading Christmas stories next to the light of the Christmas tree, doing Christmas crafts..and the list goes on, you get the idea!

This Christmas has been extra special to Travis and I as parents, to see Marlee start to understand that this time of year is to remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. She's still thrilled with the idea of Santa and presents!!! But at least she does know that Jesus was born and we are celebrating that. To hear her talk about Jesus as a baby and tell us how much she loves him is so touching to us. It brings tears to my eyes!

Here are a few pics from different things this month (so far).

Going out to play in the rain

stomping and splashing in the puddles

She dressed up this bear and told me he is "decorated because he's on the GOOD LIST".

Marlee and Mommy at the Temple

Daddy and Marlee at the Temple

Dressed in her Christmas dress for church

Making sugar cookies together.

A Visit from Santa's Elves

2009-12-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

We have a fun tradition in our family of the Elves coming sometime before Christmas and leaving presents on the door step. My parents did this for us when we were kids too...I never realized how hard it is to get that present out there and ring the door bell without the child noticing that something is going on!! We pulled it off though, it did take alot of planning and code words between Travis and I and creating distractions so Marlee wouldn't notice things. But what fun it was when she heard the door bell and we all ran to the door and there were presents. Kids just bring such Magic into Christmas!!! I love it!!!

The present outside the door

Opening it

It's a Melissa and Doug cake toy. I love Melissa and Doug toys...they are our favorite!

Decorating the cake

She made a cake for mommy!

Mazy needs a stocking

2009-12-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Although the whole house is decorated it did take me a little while to get the stockings hung. When we got them out Marlee noticed right away that Mazy (the cat) didn't have one. We had an old one that wasn't being used so I let Marlee decorate it for the cat. Now EVERYONE in the family has a stocking hung!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T20:00:00.002-07:00

We had a very wonderful Thanksgiving this year with lots of family and food and fun! I don’t know why but I didn’t pick up my camera and take pictures. Well I did get 2 from the whole weekend…but that’s all! Here are my two pics.

One of Marlee and Travis riding

And a blurry one of Marlee and Jenna

Starting Christmas Early

2009-11-21T20:00:00.003-07:00

This year I decided that we needed to be able to celebrate Christmas for more than a month. So before Thanksgiving even got here we got out all our decorations and transformed our home into Christmas Village!! Marlee is SO FUN this year, she understands much more this year than she did last. I think I will always decorate in the middle of November from now on, I'm loving this!!!

Showing Mar my favorite Christmas decoration. This is a snow globe that my mom had when I was little and she gave it to me.

Mar checking out all the goodies

The little tree in Marlee's room

She's starting to decorate.

I'm getting the branches "puffed" out

Now we decorate the big tree in the living room.

All done

Marlee and daddy

Mar and mommy. Marlee being silly as usual :)

Halloween

2009-10-31T19:31:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Beauty

Here she is again.

First time I've used a curling iron on her hair. She was pretty scared of it!

Mommy and Marlee

Mar picked this mask for daddy.

Getting ready for our party. Daddy and Marlee making witches brew

bread stick bones

carved oranges stuffed with grapes. Thanks to travis for carving all these for me!

witches brew
Someone got a worm in their drink

Mandy looks so pretty

Ty, as creative as they come. He's a ceiling fan. As in a person cheering on the ceiling. Fun play on words.

Marlee is getting tired after alot of walking

The kids checking out their loot

Officially 30

2009-10-30T21:00:00.002-07:00

Well, I'm officially 30 years old now. I had a wonderful day!!!

First, Marlee made me a surprise party! She set her little table up with ALL of her play food and we ate it all. She's so sweet!

I had many different kinds of decorations for cakes: flowers, pumpkins, dora. I let Marlee pick what to use, since she is the one making my cake for my party. She picked DORA!!

Here is my cake completed. Marlee put most of the candles in herself. Not too bad a job for her first cake!

All of us together

My two cuties! She can hardly stand it, she wants to eat it so bad

They are getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to me.

Travis is going to cut the cake with a cleaver. He didn't really use that.

Yum!

Here we are together after a nap, Marlee loves to crawl in bed with me when she wakes up. I love it too!!

After our nice nap, we took Marlee to Mandy and Ty's house and they watched her while Travis took me out to Outback for some yummy steak! We had a wonderful time eating a quiet dinner! Thank you so much to Mandy and Ty for taking care of Marlee for a few hours!!!

The last day in my 20s

2009-10-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am, almost 30 years old...DANG IT...I wanted to stay in my 20s forever. Maybe I'll be one of those people that lie for the rest of their birthdays and even try to pull off being 29 at age 49.

To be honest, I'm not happy about being 30. I don't know why I even care, it's just a number. But maybe it's the fact that I'm half way to 60. Or maybe it's the way I see myself aging more. Or the way that it doesn't seem like I have done much in my 30 years. Whatever my reason is for not feeling happy about it, it's time to let go and embrace this thing called "THIRTY YEARS OLD."

Here are some random pictures, just can't post something without pics :)

I have NO IDEA why I'm making that face. Ok, who am I kidding, I was making a motorcycle noise and pretending to be a hot biker chick!

One of the first times Marlee got all dressed up in play clothes. I loved it!

When Mar was 8 months old. She had the cutest bald head.

My first Mother's Day!

This was when Marlee was 1 week old. I just have always loved this one.

Pumpkin carving

2009-10-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

We had a good time tonight carving a pumpkin. Actually, Marlee was pretty grossed out by the inside of the thing then only a few minutes into it she started asking for an ice cream cone. But once it was done she was excited! Here are a few pics.

Why we LOVE October in AZ....

2009-10-26T21:18:00.001-07:00

Could I be any happier? No, I don't think so. AZ is perfect this time of year!!!! I try to stay outside as much as I can. We go to the park, have picnics, take walks, ride bikes...pretty much all the things we haven't been able to do since April!

Today we had a little picnic in our back yard, we ate our lunch then blew bubbles then played bouncy ball then read books on the blanket in the sun. What a perfect day!!

Here are a few pics from a picnic we went on earlier in the month:

A few horses walking by, Marlee loves horses!

This is her favorite face to give me...usually she will also stick her tongue out as well.

sliding

climbing

We also love October because of Halloween! She's really into it this year. Here is a pumpkin with mrs. potato head parts in it. I got this kit after halloween last year and only paid $3 for it...and look how cute it is!

coloring a pumpkin with markers.

She's part of the family

2009-10-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

You know those crazy people that treat their animals as if they are part of the family? Well...we ARE those people!!! Thankfully we have a kitty that plays right along.

Mazy giving herself a bath while I blog

Watching TV and then trying to "catch" what ever was moving around

Marlee was feeling sick, had a fever, Mazy just stayed with her right there for a long time.

Laying in the sink while Marlee takes a bath. She stays here every night waiting for us to leave the bathroom.

She also loves to drink from the sink, so much better than a cat bowl!

Sometimes Mazy has to pretand to be a baby doll. In this picture she is a baby in a playpin. This is not one of the kitty's favorite games, but it's one of Marlee's!

My hair model

2009-10-25T21:01:00.004-07:00

One thing I love about little girls is doing their hair cute. Marlee is usually pretty good while I do her hair...until something I'm doing turns out bad and I have to take it all out and start over! She has fun with picking out the colors of rubber bands and the flowers I'm going to put it. She's a girly girl at heart!!

daddy and daughter

2009-10-25T20:52:00.004-07:00

There is something SO SWEET about seeing my little daughter with her daddy. I was in my room getting ready and looked down stairs and they were sleeping like this on the couch. I love it!!!

A girl and her makeup

2009-08-13T19:15:00.004-07:00

Marlee got her first little makeup kit!

Just starting out in the process

Still looks pretty good

Getting a little more makeup, but still not too much

I stepped away for just a minute and come back to this!! I love the huge glob abover her eyebrow

And my favorite picture of all!!!! Everytime I look at this I laugh SO HARD!!!

Tractor ride

2009-08-13T19:13:00.002-07:00

When I was a little girl I spent ALL of my time outside. I don't remember spending much time watching TV or playing inside with dolls or toys. I loved more than anything to take a tractor ride with my grandpa. I thought I was so special when he'd let me take the wheel. It was really special to me when I got to see Marlee riding with my grandpa on the tractor. I was taken back all those years, to when I was a little girl myself. There is something so amazing and heart warming about seeing Marlee living her life that was also part of my life so long ago and meant the world to me.

Day with the Lopez Family

2009-08-12T19:56:00.008-07:00

A few weeks ago Marlee and I took a little trip to Kearny to see some of my favorite people in the world!! We had a WONDERFUL time! I think I could spend everyday with this little family and love it lots and lots.

This is Lexie. She is the most amazing little girl! She was so kind to Marlee and took great care of her. Marlee talks about Lexie everyday and how she showed her how to use the computer and she knows how to play the violin. I love to see Marlee looking up to such a wonderful kid. I wish I would have taken another pic of her, she was being silly in this one and I caught her off guard.

Mathew and Nathan. Sweet little boys! I just love this picture of their funny faces!

Now they are done with the funny faces and back to playing Wii! These little boys are so sweet and beautiful too. I am so impressed with Matt, he's the oldest little boy and the man of the house while daddy is away fighting for freedom. At family prayer time he calls on a person to say prayer, I was so impressed with that, what a strong little boy!

Now, Bry, don't get mad...I promised I would not post this picture...but I AM ANYWAY! haha! I love this picture, you have the most beautiful smile and look at all that yummy fruit and veggies on the counter! I have the most amazing and inspiring times with you...you truly are a precious treasure in my life and I adore you. We stayed up until 3 a.m. and never ran out of things to say, matter of fact we had to make ourselves go to bed!

Here is the youngest, little William. Talk about a SWEET little boy! At one point I saw him come up to Marlee and rub her arm so sweetly, then say, "you are so beautiful, I really love you". Awww, he just melts my heart! And look at those eyes, and that pretty smile, I just want to kiss him all over his face!

This is Phoebe the kitty, named after Phoebe on Friends. Marlee tried so hard to make this kitty love her. I'm not sure the poor kitty ever loved her as much as Marlee thought she did...but at least the kitty tolerated it pretty well.

Here is Marlee and Will together, they became such good little friends!

Our little Performer

2009-07-24T18:58:00.003-07:00

Marlee has a new favorite thing to do...put on performances! We do this at least 10 times a day! In these pictures she really put on a great show for some of her baby dolls and toys. She pulled all the chairs together and lined them up nice and straight then put the "audience" on the chairs. Once the audience was ready she got dressed in her "Most Beautiful Dress" (that's exactly what she calls this play dress). Then the show began! She starts the show by introducing herself: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to me being Bolt". Bolt is that movie with the super hero dog, she loves that movie.

Here are the pictures

The one up above is my favorite!

Before I could get a picture of the "audience", she look of her dress and jumped on the chairs. So excuse my little girl and her panty picture!

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena

2009-07-24T07:50:00.003-07:00

I'm writing this blog entry to enter a contest to win this book, not only to win, but also to share with others what a wonderful person this author is. If you'd like to enter the contest here is a link:

http://queenoftheclan.blogspot.com/2009/07/summer-time-give-away-autographed-copy.html

Here is a link her to website also: http://www.joyce-dipastena.com

The author, Joyce DiPastena, has been a person I've known all my life. From the stories I've heard my mom and Joyce were best friends when they were young and growing up together in Kearny. My first memories of Joyce start when I was in Primary, I would see her each and every week and she'd play the piano in Primary. She was one of those people that made you feel happy just being around her. As a child I looked up to her so much, I thought she was the most beautiful lady and she had long hair that I always wished I had and she could play the piano and I wished I knew how to do that!

Now as an adult, although I haven't seen Joyce in years, she's still an example to me in a different way. My memories of her have matured, I realize now that all that beauty I saw is because she is not only beautiful outside but one of the most beautiful inside! She was faithful and righteous, being at church each week and making all us kids feel happy to sing. She also has a gift for making people feel special, loved and happy! I'm thankful for her in my life as a child! I always pray for people just like her to be in Marlee's life, to teach her and love her!

Congrats Joyce on becoming a published author, I'm so happy for you!!!!

Marlee's First movie

2009-07-02T08:45:00.003-07:00

Yesterday Marlee and I went to her first movie. At AMC they have these $1 movies on Wednesdays all summer long. Mar was so excited all morning about going and I was excited too. I'll leave out all the details of what happened about half way through the movie...things went from good to bad to badder to even more badder (haha). We ended up leaving early and coming home for a good nap!!! But I'll still try to remember the day as an exciting fun one.

Mommy and Marlee

Marlee dressed herself...she never really does that. I tried to get these ugly shoes off her feet but she would NOT let me. These shoes are cute with jeans, but not so cute with her outfit she has on. But just look how proud she is with them on. That's pretty sweet.

Making faces before leaving. This is her scary face.

This is her "chubby" face. She does this one and says that little thing kids say, "HI, my name is chubby, my whole family is chubby..." I'm sure some of you remember saying that when you were a kid. We can thank her daddy for teaching her that!!! :)

A happy girl with her soda, popcorn and candy

bug hunting

2009-07-02T08:23:00.004-07:00

Grandma Jan sent Marlee a bug catching kit. We have been having such a good time with this!! Marlee loves it. She loves to go outside and look for bugs then put them in the container thing and look at them. Believe it or not, I think it's kinda fun too haha!

daddy got a mosquito.

Marlee takes an up close look at him.

If you look closely you can see the mosquito.

So all in all, you can see from this post, it doesn't take a whole lot to entertain us here!!

More birthday pictures

2009-07-02T07:45:00.007-07:00

Well, as you can see I'm rather behind...I said I'd put these pictures up the night of her birthday...and here I am into July and just getting around to it.

Birthday kisses from daddy. He's on his way to work.

more kisses

Marlee's cousins came over for a swim party. Here is Marlee.

Melia

Taylor

Jenna

Devin

Adam

Eden

Opening presents

more presents

Marlee reading a new book to Eden. Such sweet cousins!

Me with some silly girls!!

Marlee with her cousins and Aunts

After work daddy comes home for another birthday party! We get to have cake all over AGAIN!

Blowing out candles

Marlee gets to open her big present from mommy and daddy. An art Easel.

This is her first drawing she made on the easel.

My BABY is THREE today!

2009-06-18T13:35:00.004-07:00

Everyone always has to ask themselves..."where did the time go?". I have been asking that question all day long! It's true that they grow up fast, time flies, it seems like it was just yesterday...all those famous lines....they are all just TRUE!

So now my walk down memory lane.

Marlee's birthday. Wow what an amazing day. I'm so lucky to be a mommy and to such an amazing person. I still clearly remember seeing her for that very first moment, the overwhelming strength of love and peace that comes into your soul. I have never felt anything like it, it's one of the most amazing things I've ever live through!

Marlee Turns 1

2nd Birthday

Now today, her 3rd Birthday! She was so excited about this balloon! At the store this morning she picked this one and took it all through the store talking to it, "Come on sunshine, this way" haha...so cute! Then when we got home she walked in and the DUMB cat was on the washer and decided that she had to get that balloon right then. Well, she ended up jumping on Marlee's head with her DUMB claws out. There is a scratch from Mar's little eye all the way down to her chin. I was so mean to that DUMB cat after that, I even kicked her, and hit her. But once the bleeding stopped Marlee was back to being happy.

Cute cake Mar picked out.

There will be more pics later. We get to have another party when daddy gets home!!!

Our visit with Grandma Jan

2009-06-03T19:19:00.008-07:00

Trav's mom just flew home yesterday. She was able to stay here in our home with us for 2 weeks. Marlee was lucky to spend all that time with her Grandma Jan and get to know her and become friends with each other. We did fun things together everyday and took hundreds of pictures and videos. Here are a few of the pics of our fun times together.

Blowing bubbles with Grandma

Marlee making ice cream cones for Grandma Jan and Daddy at the Children's Museum

Marlee making tacos for Grandma Jan and Daddy at Museum

Travis and his mom racing, still at Museum

Bowling and eating dinner at Dave and Busters

Mar with Grandma and Daddy outside Dave and Busters

Marlee's early Birthday present from Grandma Jan....she LOVES this scooter!!

First night of our camping trip, well not REAL camping, we had a cabin with electricity and running water!

Playground by campsite

More playground fun

Grandma Jan likes the playground too

Trav, Mar and Jan in Jerome

Marlee making her first smores

Getting messy eating it

Marlee is looking for treasures for Grandma Jan

Grandma got Marlee a puppy in a purse. Mar loves this little dog, she takes it everywhere with her. She named it "feeko-faggo" and I have no idea how she came up with that name. It made us all laugh a lot though!

A statue in Sedona that Mar thought was real.

Very cold water at Slide Rock. If you have been there let me know. I was the most awful person on those rocks. I had to scoot around on my butt so I wouldn't fall. Even Marlee could keep her balance better than me.

Pretty mountains and very green for AZ. This was taken leaving Slide rock.

Early birthday party for Grandma Jan and Marlee. Their b-days are only a few days apart. We won't be together on the actual day, so we had a little party the night before Jan went home.

Singing in the Rain

2009-05-22T20:14:00.003-07:00

Seems like everywhere Jan goes the rain follows! Marlee's Grandma Jan is here visiting us, she's from Washington, and we've heard that the rain will follow her anywhere! And we found out that it's true, as soon as she came into Arizona the temps cooled by about 20 degrees and it's rained a nice amount.

I'm happy about it though, a nice little rain before the real heat of summer begins! Grandma Jan does think it's funny though how all of us here get very excited over rain. As soon as it started Marlee got out her umbrella and we all went outside to play. It's a nice treat for us here :)

Defense Against Sun

2009-05-22T19:49:00.003-07:00

Well, as many of you know, I LOVE the sun. I always have! I think laying in the sun is peaceful, I feel happy to see my skin tan, I just love being outside in the SUN!!! So, about 5 years ago my skin started tanning darker in these large spots about the size of a quarter under my eyes. I found out that it was sun damage and I needed to stay out of the sun...WHAT?! OUT OF THE SUN, is that possible? I know it's possible, but is it possible for ME? I hated those spots so I was out of the sun for a few summers, I'd only go out to play with Marlee in the pool for short amounts of time and would always wear a hat. Now this year we have a pool at the house, I can't resist that!

Well I bought this sun screen, it's SFP 100.

I didn't mistype that, it's one hundred!!! I didn't even know they made that, but I was so excited, like really really really excited!!!!!!!!!! And would you believe that I'm getting the spots anyway? What are the odds? I have SPF 100 on my face, how could I get sun spots?!

So now in extreme sun defense I have this most ridiculous hat in the entire world! The whole point of this blog is to show you how dumb in hat really is!
HAHAHAHAHAHHHHHAAA. Make sure to laugh at that, it's really ridiculous. If I get sun spots through that dumb thing then I don't know what to do next. lol..

Curious George hats

2009-05-06T08:34:00.004-07:00

Family Home Evening did start out as a spiritual lesson about animals and rain and boats and rainbows (Noah's ark). But after only 1 min doing our spiritual Noah activity Marlee decided she wanted to "make a hat like Curious George does!" There was a cartoon on months ago when Curious George made a hat out of paper and glue. So we made these very funny looking hats and had so much fun laughing about how funny all of us looked in the hats! Travis looked especially funny to me, because a tough guy (a.k.a. soft sweet daddy) just looks too funny in a silly looking glued and taped construction paper hat!

Marlee wanted a picture of Mazy, she didn't much care about our hats, as you can see!

How times have changed

2009-04-30T10:23:00.002-07:00

Travis was telling me stories from work a few days ago, and this particular one really surprised me. There was a man in the office that didn't have a working computer, it was completely dead so Travis couldn't fix it this time. So the man asked his assistant to look up a phone number in the yellow pages, then handed the assistant the phone book. Well this young assistant boy, about 21 years old, brought the phone book to Travis and asked him for help. He did not know how to use the phone book!! WHAT??!! Seriously? Maybe this guy just happened to be a little on the dumber side...

I laughed so hard about it so I thought I'd share.

Some firsts for Mar

2009-04-23T20:38:00.003-07:00

Just wanted to put up a few pics of some things Marlee is really enjoying right now....

Somersaults

Water color paint

Glue

Sidewalk paint

I'm even having fun doing these things...everything but the somersaults... They scare me now for some reason. It's pretty funny really but I will not do it. But I do love the painting and using glue. She is a crafty little thing, I hope she stays this way!

Driving car with Daddy

2009-04-23T20:24:00.003-07:00

Now, don't anyone worry about Marlee driving the car with Travis!! They are just right in front of our house in the cul-de-sac. This is one of her favorite things to do with daddy! Since that day they have driven out there tons of times and she always giggles and has the best time.

It's little things like this we do with her that makes her life seems a little "small town"! I want to give her those things in life, you know, all the things I had growing up in a small town. Most city kids never get to sit with their parents and drive a car. I'm so happy that we have found some little ways to bring these things to her right in the city.

In Loving Memory, Pearl May Ellsworth "NANA"

2009-04-06T19:24:00.003-07:00

Today the funeral was held for Nana. I reflected on many things during the day...the long life she lived as she was born in 1912, all that she must have been through and seen in those years, the many generations that were created through her, and the amount of love that fills a room when all those generations are together, and most of all the plan our Father in Heaven has for each of us to live again with him and all our loved ones.

Words fail me at this time, I can not speak of the love I have in my heart and soul for all of my family! The gratitude I feel is so strong that my heart is going to burst with it. To be able to gather today to honor the life of Nana was so special and beautiful...I can't explain it so I'm going to stop trying now!

Just a few pictures...

With Nana at my wedding

Nana and Papa

I love this picture! Nana looks so beautiful to me in it!

Saying good bye to Nana

2009-03-31T14:35:00.003-07:00

Today was a difficult day, I went to say good bye to my nana, my great grandma. A few days ago Nana fell and hit her head, she was taken to the emergency room and they did stitches. But they soon found out that her head did hit hard enough to cause bleeding around the brain. There is a medical term for this, some of you know it I'm sure, but I don't remember the name. Anyway, she is very old, into her 90's now. And she had elected in her will to not have any surgeries done to save her life. Since she was not conscious to talk with family, they had to go by her will for what she would have wanted.

She is now at a hospice house. It's an amazing place, walking in the doors brings peace over you and such a hushed, quiet within the walls. All the people there are terminal, they have all elected to leave this world and stop fighting fate. You would think such a place would make one feel depressed and dark, but it did not bring those feelings at all! The whole building is set up like a home, with furniture that you would find in an old Victorian home. The nurses are amazing, it takes a special person to work in a place like this, they give a bath to nana each day, they change her night gown and while they do this they talk to her as if she is fully awake and talking back with them.

I was able to sit next to Nana for a long time. I was filled with good, happy memories. My mind kept going back to the same image of nana and her husband (who died over 20 years ago). They were together and free from this world, a dream come true for them! So I couldn't be completely sad with this knowledge that they are together, or very soon will be.

Marlee wanted to know what was going on, I told her nana is going to live with Heavenly Father very soon. She told me, in an excited tone, "Oh, I want to go see Heavenly Father with nana!" I told her that someday all of us would be together with Heavenly Father and nana and all our family. I feel so blessed that I get to believe such a wonderful thing, I get to truly believe and KNOW that we will all be together forever!

When it was time to go, I got just a moment alone, when I could bend close to her and tell her that I would see her again and I got to give her a kiss. I guess I never did say the words "good bye". I'm glad I didn't have to! I'm glad I know it's just an "I'll see you later"!

Marlee's hard day

2009-03-31T14:17:00.004-07:00

Last week Marlee and I were in the kitchen getting lunch ready when she fell off the step stool and hit her chin on the tile floor on the way down. I am usually very good in these emergency type situations but for some reason I freaked out! I guess the more blood you see the more alarmed you become. Her little chin was split opened and was just dripping with blood. It scared me and then in turn scared poor Marlee even worse.

So to the emergency room we went. You would think that when a small child is brought in, with blood covering her shirt and she's still crying hard that they would take her in right away and help her. But nope, they were in no hurry! I hear from others that this is not unusual. So they put gel on her chin to numb it and give her medicine that is supposed to calm her to the almost asleep point. Then they come in to do the stitches, she was screaming so loud and hard that they had to wrap her in a sheet and then she was looking at me yelling for me and I couldn't reach her because of all the people that were around her to hold her down. This was breaking my heart in two! Finally they used glue to close the sore instead of stitches...thank goodness....we could leave for home now! NOPE...we had to wait another hour there while they did "paper work". Yeah right, I looked out the door and they were talking, laughing, drinking sodas, eating cake....I guess that's what they call "paper work" at this hospital! I was MAD now, I stomped out and told them I was leaving. So they hurried and sent someone in to have me sign the paper work, and it really was paper work, darn!!! I was excited thinking I was going to get some soda and cake hahahah!

Well, that was a week ago and now the horror is over with. Thank goodness! Marlee's chin is healing nicely. It does look worse today than it did the day it happened, but I guess that is due to the huge scab that is formed now.

Here is a pic, it doesn't look like a big deal in the pic. But before the glue, it was a really scary looking cut.

Crazy Mazy and her crazy mommy

2009-03-16T22:25:00.002-07:00

We have had our kitten for a month or so now. Shockingly the cat still loves her mommy, Marlee. I really can't tell you why the cat likes her, she's rough to that pooh thing, but still it comes to her over and over again and purrs the whole time. Some things I've caught Mar doing to the cat:

Shutting her up in her play kitchen, in the oven part
rolling her down the stairs
lifting her up by the tail or leg or neck
pushing her around the house in the stroller
rolling her up in blankets
holding her around the stomach and twirling around fast, "dancing" marlee says
jumping on the bed and the cat bounces around
holding the cat and jumping on the bed together, Marlee says "she likes jumping with me"

That's all I can think of right now. But you would think the cat would be SCARED of her. If I was a cat I'd run away from her and hide!!!!! But I'm so happy the kitty doesn't run away. Mar loves the thing and that makes me happy.

Now all you pet lovers...don't worry....I don't let her get away with these things. She has many times been in the corner for mean things. There was even 3 days straight that she was not allowed to even touch the cat!

Picture of Marlee and Mazy during family home evening tonight

Cheers to our seven years!

2009-03-16T21:53:00.002-07:00

Today is our seven year wedding anniversary. Isn't it so very odd that it can seem like seven LONG years just as well and seven SHORT years? hmmm... Well, either way, it's been wonderful but hard, there have been ups and downs, there has pretty much been every emotion imaginable in our marriage. I'm just so grateful that I can look back and honestly say that I'm happy with the life I chose, with the man I married, with the family we are creating! And I get to say "I'm SO lucky" and mean it!!!

Since tonight was also FHE night, we had a really neat chance to do a lesson on Temples and eternal families. Travis and I were able to tell Marlee about our wedding day and being in the temple together. She told us, "When I get married, I will go in the Temple with Heavenly Father". Isn't it so amazing when your own child seems to get it, these little moments when their future seems like it will never have challenges, it will just be perfect for them? Plus it really makes the mommy and daddy feel they are doing something right as parents!

I will have to scan in a few pics of our wedding day and post them...that will have to wait until tomorrow though!

Potty trained FINALLY!

2009-03-16T21:45:00.003-07:00

After ALOT of procrastination on my part, I have finally potty trained Marlee. I read a book called "Toilet Training in Less Than A Day" by Nathan Azrin. I would reccomend this book to anyone and everyone. Today was Marlee's second day and she can already go to the potty on her own, without saying a word to me, then after she's finished she comes to tell me she used her potty. I'm so proud of her!

I know she's going to want to kill me someday for these pics...but I just can't help it, she is just too cute on that potty to not take a picture of her!

Where we were a year ago

2009-03-02T13:46:00.003-07:00

I was just sitting here looking at all my pictures of Marlee and realized just how much she has changed in a year. I love looking back and remembering all our fun times together. Now I have to share with all of you!! I hope all the people that read this will do the same and give us a little glimpse into your lives a year ago! :)

Marlee and I had such a fun time outside in the yard this day. We ate lunch out on a blanket, we rolled around in the grass, we laughed. I thought it was one of the most beautiful days!

My mom turned 50!!! We had a big fun party with family. She didn't want the party to be sad so we got her a tinker bell cake. All the little girls loved that cake!

Marlee got her first suitcase. A bright green one with white polka dots (I actually wish it was mine!! ha ha). She got this to go visit her grandparents in Washington for the first time.

It was warm enough for playing in water outside. Which, by the way, seems like this year will be warm enough too this month! We filled up a storage box with water and she played in it for hours on our porch. We called this our red neck swimmin pool.

Easter time! Here is one little girl that loves an easter egg hunt! She also liked to wear the basket as a hat. Made for a very cute picture!

Introducing Crazy Mazy

2009-03-02T13:33:00.002-07:00

This is the newest addition to our family, MAZY. She is an adorable 6 week old kitten. Marlee is completely in love with this cat. The first few days were awful, Marlee was holding the cat by the neck or tail or leg, which ever she could get ahold of the quickest. The cat learned how to hiss that first day, poor thing! Marlee is doing so much better now though, and it's only been a week. Here are a few pics:

The scary face!!!!!!

2009-02-27T13:44:00.003-07:00

Marlee loves to make this very cute but also very SCARY face! She'll make the face at me and ask if I'm scared. So I pretend to be scared and run away from her, she thinks this is great fun!

The BIG three-four

2009-02-27T13:11:00.007-07:00

I'm behind...I know...my husband had his birthday at the beginning of Feb. He feels like he's getting SO OLD! He's only 34. But when I reach my mid-30's I may feel a little upset about it also. We had a very fun day. Here are some pics.

Marlee picked this gift out for daddy all by herself. She said she wanted to give him something so he could play with her. Then she picked out this T-ball set with a PINK bat! As some of you may know, Travis isn't exactly into pink...
Well, turns out Marlee thought this toy was a gift for HER. But daddy has been having fun playing t-bal with Marlee so I guess they both won in a way!

For dinner we went to Margaritaville. Travis and I both had the Cheeseburger in paradise. And just like the Jimmy Buffett song says, there was Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes!

Back at home Marlee helped me decorate the cake. And by that I mean hit the cake over and over again with the container of sprinkles and then lick the frosting off. What a fun time we had celebrating the birth of such a wonderful person. WE LOVE YOU TRAVIS/DADDY!!!

I'm Bella

2009-01-16T22:29:00.004-07:00

I saw this on Becca's Blog and just had to take the quiz too :) Can't help it if I'm a twilight lover...

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are observant, diplomatic and often aim to please. You are unaware of your
attractiveness and despite being uncomfortable with any form of attention, people enjoy your company. You can be impatient, stubborn and headstrong, but you are true to your word and mature for your age, often taking care of your family and enjoying a good book over chatting with girlfriends on the phone.

The perfect new couch

2009-01-16T22:08:00.003-07:00

Well, I have now bought my first couch. All we've ever had are couches that have been given to us and now we have a brand new one for the first time! When I found it in the store I was so excited, it's perfect I thought! Exactly what I wanted, AND it was on a big huge sale too! What luck!

Here is the old couch...UGLY!!! ha ha!

Here is the new perfect one! LOVE IT!

Marlee being so cute!

2009-01-16T21:55:00.003-07:00

Here are a few pics of Marlee that I just love!

She loves to take care of her little baby dolls. I found her with this baby in the high chair and she was up on a chair. She was just talking and talking to the baby asking her what she wanted for dinner and then she's answer her own questions as if the baby really had answered.

This picture was just a few days after we moved into our new house. Marlee, always dressed as a fairy or princess and loving to help me clean. So now I have a little fairy that cleans also.

This little horse is actually a christmas ornament and music box. But to Marlee is a "horsey ride", as she told me!

This is my favorite! I was cleaning in the kitchen and when I came in she had her babies all lined up on the floor with her and they were watching TV. She told me that she had fed them their bottles and they were ready for a nap...how sweet! I have such a good little mommy!

Twilight AGAIN!!!!!

2008-12-01T19:29:00.004-07:00

So....I went to twilight for the 2nd time with my mommy and sister Mandy. And guess what, it's BETTER the second time around!!! To tell you the truth I was a little disappointed the first time I watched it...maybe the anticipation had gotten to me too much. But the second time I got to just go and enjoy! A huge thanks to Travis for watching Marlee for me so I could go watch AGAIN!!!!!

Letters to Santa

2008-12-01T14:11:00.004-07:00

My mom got the kids these cute little mail boxes to mail their letters to Santa. This was Marlee's first year to write a letter. Although she still didn't understand everything, she still had a good time scribbling all over the paper with markers. She did say at the end she had drawn a picture of Santa! Adam and Eden were there too, Adam was so cute because he is old enough to be into the whole Santa thing. He had to think hard and make sure his letter was written right so that Santa would know exactly what to bring him!

Marlee was so excited about the mail box

Still excited

Daddy helped write to Santa

Doesn't she look so happy...well she was pulling the hair out so I had to fake a smile!!!

Eden working hard on her letter

Adam thinking hard to make sure he wrote it right

Marlee has had enough fun!

Thanksgiving - Hillbilly style

2008-12-01T13:41:00.006-07:00

We have a new tradition in our family, we eat our Thanksgiving dinner outside in the workshop. My grandparents started the tradition 3 years ago and I can't think of a happier place to spend a Thanksgiving!

This is our fancy table setting! Notice all the mismatched chairs, that is where the hillbilly style comes into play! I love sitting there with all the people I love at this big old table, nothing fancy, nothing to brag about...but to me a true treasure.

Here are my grandparents, they put the feast together each year. I have felt lucky my entire life for Grandparents like these! My childhood was spent living next door to them, I can't even talk about them now without getting choked up. I have spent almost every Thanksgiving with them and these last few years have been so memorable to me. Just look behind them, there is dust and tools and old tables, projects my Grandpa is in the middle of. To most this may seem like a real hillbilly place to eat, but to me it's perfect!

Here is how my little Marlee spent the end of her Thanksgiving day...taking rides with daddy. Actually she spent most of her 5 days while there outside riding that thing! She's starting to be called a tom-boy...not my princess...lol, OK OK, she's pretty rough! But all girl deep down :)

Twilight Movie

2008-11-23T21:22:00.005-07:00

I had such a wonderful time on Saturday...I got to see the Twilight movie...and I got to go with Bry and Albert! Bry and I had so much fun but poor Albert, he's such a trooper of a man, he sat through that movie and never complained! But Bry and I did catch him having a good time for a split second during the baseball part in the movie!

Anyway, Bry and I have been planning on going to this movie for such a long time. I just have to say Thank you to her and Albert for driving all the way to Mesa so we could go together. And now that it's been announced that NEW MOON is going to be made into a movie, we are already talking about going to that movie together also. I'm sure our husbands are going to LOVE hearing about that! HA HA! Here are a few pics...

Bry and Edward. We have no idea where Bella ran off to!
Me giving Edaward a kiss

Me and Bry
Albert SLEEPING! What is wrong with that boy...?

On the move again!

2008-11-15T23:35:00.002-07:00

I know that some of you want to run and hide when you hear me say it...we are moving again! My parents and sisters and their husbands have all been there for most of our moves to help us. But they don't have to worry this time, we are getting movers!!!!!!!

Travis and I were just sitting here talking about how much I've moved. I know there are people that have moved even more than me, but it was kinda fun to count up all the places, so now I'm going to bore all of you with that same information :) Aren't you glad you decided to read this blog entry??? HA HA

So this is my list, starting with moving away from Duncan.
1. To my Aunt and Uncle's house in Gilbert
2. Villa Fiesta with Missy and Mer
3. Apartment with Tori in Mesa
4. another apart. with Tori
5. Got married and moved into Travis' place
6. Apartment on Frank Lloyd Wright
7. a bigger apartment on Frank Lloyd Wright
8. One bedroom place in Mesa
9. two bedroom cute house in Phoenix with a big yard
10. two story condo in Mesa
And that's where we are now, I'll be making my 11th move.

I'm most excited about this though! This is a big house with a pool and 3 bedrooms and a loft. Our friends that moved to Washington didn't get the house sold so they are renting it to us for an amazing good price. We feel so blessed that they thought of us to live there, and for the wonderful low rent! So I'll get pics up when we get there. Not till the end of December/beginning of Jan.

My new hobby

2008-11-13T21:30:00.002-07:00

So...after doing all those little girls hair a few days ago...I decided that I like that better than doing adults hair!!! Adults suck HA HA! Little girls are just happy with whatever and however the hair turns out, the most important thing to them is that they got the glitter sprayed in at the end! It's true, that really is the most important thing to them :)

So now my newest hobby is hair for kids. I think I'm going to make a business out of it! And I have Monica to thank for my new business :) If she hadn't have forced me to do all that hair a few days ago I may never have realized how much I love it :)

Here are pictures of Marlee from today. Her hair is still too thin for all my ideas for hair, I'll have to get creative and think of some new things for younger girls with shorter, thinner hair.

Doing little girls hair

2008-11-11T19:32:00.005-07:00

Today my sister Monica had a "makeover birthday party" for her little girl, Taylor. I went to the party to be the hair part of the makeovers. Monica did all the girls nails and makeup (I'm sure I'll see a blog about this from Monica too!!). Let me tell you, I have never been with this many little girls that were so excited and GIRLY! They were so cute, all of them, and I had a really good time! I was very tired and ready to be done when it was over though!

I went with all these ideas for all kinds of styles, thinking that each girl would want something different...but as soon as I did Taylor's hair (the birthday girl)...all the other girls were yelling, "I want my hair like the Brithday Girls!!!!" So I ended up doing the same do about 7 times I think. And now I'm a pro at that do! Here are a few pics of the kids..

And here is a picture of Monica and Devin that I just love. Isn't my sister so so so beautiful??!!!

The rest of my Happy Birthday Day

2008-10-30T20:00:00.006-07:00

After my great morning I went to see my sisters. We all met up and Mandy's house and just sat around and talked for a long time. The kids played and made a huge mess! My sisters gave me earings that I love, and I meant to tell them that they don't hurt my ears like every pair of earings that I own..I love them!!! Then we all went out to lunch together. I love getting together with my sister, and I'm so lucky, like maybe the luckiest person that I know, we all live in the same city! We get to see each other often!!! I love that so much!

After lunch I came home and Marlee took a nap and then we waited for daddy to come home. He finally got here and then I got to eat my b-day dinner! Macayos...YUMMY! Then my favorite part of any birthday...the CAKE...

Marlee picked out the cake plates. She was very excited to use them. I thought that was cute! Then I got one last picture of Travis and I. He's such a sweet husband and daddy!

My Happy Birthday Morning

2008-10-30T19:44:00.006-07:00

This morning I woke up to a very happy, loving little girl! I asked her if she knew what today is and all she said is that the cake is in the fridge and we have mickey mouse plates...so she really doesn't care that it's my Birthday! Here is a picture of us first thing in the morning

Then my very wonderful friend, Mariela came over and suprised me with a home cooked breakfast!

The egg burro she made was seriously the best, with green chili, potatoes, salsa and cheese. YUMMY! She really made my morning so special and I'm thankful for a very loved friend that is alot more like family than a friend!

At the Temple

2008-10-28T20:32:00.005-07:00

Marlee and I went to the Temple this morning for a walk around. I love taking her there, we go at least once a week and she always says such cute things that are touching to me as her mommy. Today as we walked by the doors and there were so many people there going in and out, Marlee wanted to go in so bad, matter of fact we almost has a huge fit right in front of the doors becaues she wanted to go in so bad. I told her that she'd get to someday and she said, "like the temple song mommy?" and I said yes just like the temple song says! Then she sang the entire primary song "I love to see the temple". After that we came around by the visitors center and Marlee took off running for the doors and yelled to me, "hurry mom, Jesus is inside there!" I hurried along and went in with her and she ran all the way over to the statue of Jesus, so sweet! Then my favorite part of the whole day...she looked at me so sweet and asked, "mommy where does Jesus live? He lives here at the temple!" I nearly cried, it was just so touching to me that such a young child could already have all this love for the Temple and for Jesus! Now here are a few pictures from the day...

Getting Daddy dressed up

2008-10-22T12:52:00.005-07:00

Marlee loves to pile all of her dress up clothes on people. She usually just does this to me, probably because I'm the one at home with her all day. Today though, she got DADDY dressed up! I was up stairs and when I started coming down Marlee yelled to me, "look at daddy, he's pretty!" I wanted to laugh so hard but I tried to stay quiet so that I could get a camera!

After taking the first 2 pictures I went in the bathroom and did my hair. When I came back out I found Daddy like this...

(yes, Travis really is under there, although you can't tell)

Marlee had put each and every little piece of dress up stuff she owns on top of him! And she thought he looked very pretty, she told me, and smiled very big at herself!

Photo Tag

2008-10-15T13:02:00.004-07:00

To anyone that reads this, you have to play along! You are supposed to open your photos and pick the fourth folder and then choose the fourth picture and post it!
This is a picture of Marlee from March 2008. She got a new tent and it was a little staticy inside!!!

New Car

2008-10-07T12:06:00.003-07:00

Marlee got a NEW CAR...well new to her! Trav's boss gave it to her, it had been through his 3 kids but is still in pretty good shape. She loves the thing! She sits in it to watch TV, read books and drive from one side of the living room to the other. Sometimes she fills it with every single toy she has and then opens the little door and watches everything spill out then she'll drive over the toys...WHAT FUN!!!!

I've been tagged!

2008-10-02T13:18:00.005-07:00

I've Been tagged
Marc tagged me, so here goes. I am supposed to list 6 quirks about myself.

1) I'm obsessed with checking the doors at night. I check to make sure they are locked at least 3 times, but usually 5 or more. Then after all that checking I will still ask Travis while I'm falling asleep if I checked the doors.

2) I hate the park.

3) I love the drivethru. I've been going to McDonalds almost everyday and getting a large diet coke for me (they are only $1 right now!) and an ice water for Mar.

4) I miss small town life.

5) I have to do something or have plans everyday. I can't stay home and relax!

6) I love checking the mail.
(ok Monica, Sarah, Tori -- you are tagged (your turn))

First Brownies

2008-09-28T19:51:00.005-07:00

Marlee made her first brownies tonight! Having a child help in the kitchen is very difficult, but so much fun that it's worth it!

Thank goodness for a wonderful "hair-girl"

2008-09-26T19:43:00.003-07:00

So...yesterday I got so mad at my hair...I put it in a pony and was heading out to the park. Well because it's been growing out for a long time now since my last cut, there was this funny little piece that was longer than the rest of the hair in the pony tial. So I took matters into my own hands. I got the scissors and chopped that longer piece right off!!!!!!!!!! But then it still didn't look right, I cut more, and more and...well you get the idea. Soon I had cut it all the way up to the pony tail thingy. My "hair-girl" was very mad at me, but maybe that was because I called her really early in the morning and when she picked up I just yelled "EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!!" Into the phone. :) I went right over to her house and she fixed it! Oh how I love my very most wonderful hair girl...THANKS MER...you are my favorite! I love you!

Marlee turns 2 years and 3 months old

2008-09-19T10:33:00.001-07:00

This is my attempt at making semi-professional looking pictures of Marlee. I really need to get her into a place to get nice pics done. But for now this is what we have of her. I think they turned out a little better than I expected. We had a good time taking them anyway, well she did, we were at the park and she just ran around and played while I worked to get pics.

All Aboard the Choo-Choo Train

2008-09-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

We had a fun day on Saturday at the train park in Scottsdale. Marlee loved the little train, we rode it twice but she would have liked to ride more than that!

Mel and Mar
Travis and Mar
Travis and Mar again
The Choo-Choo Train

First EVER blog

2008-09-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Seems like everyone has a blog now, so here I am too! Travis actually set this up for me about 3 years ago and I never used it...but I'm going to try to keep up with it now. Sad to say that I don't have much to say on this very first EVER blog of mine! I have to put a picture up though, my page looks sad without pictures. So here is one of Marlee in her brand new "BIG GIRL BED!!!" Which she now sleeps in without a problem! 3 cheers for Marlee..hip hip hooray...hip hip hooray...hip hip hooray!!