Pictures at the Park

Last weekend we had a great time with Steph and her friends for the batchlorette weekend. Friday night we had some good friends let us put the kids to bed at their house at 8pm so that John and I could go out dancing with the girls. We had a GREAT time (though John felt a little awkward being the only guy with five girls). It was fun to get to dance again. I don't remember the last time we did.

I love the back ground in these pictures. And do you notice the rock on my sister's hand? Her wedding ring is gorgeous!
Then Saturday morning we got Steph all arrayed and beautified and went to Aliante Park to take bridal pictures. It was fun, especially when all the little kids kept pointing and saying "look Mom, a princess!"

It was a little cloudy & actually rained (which in Vegas is rare) but it made good lighting for the pictures. I think they turned out really good.

I love this picture, it's just Steph all the way.

John also got a few good shots of Mason, Elise and I...

This is my favorite (though we couldn't get Elise to look at the camera.) John does such an amazing job. He took these just making sure that the lighting and settings were right.

You would never believe that I had just curled my hair, but the rain always messes up my hair.

I love this picture of Mason-Isn't he so handsome?? I can't believe how big he is getting. And we already worry about him being a heart breaker. His new thing this week is to call mommie "his princess". And he wants mommie to call him her "prince". So I can't just respond now, I have to say, "Yes, my prince." It's pretty adorable. We also caught him kissing the neighbor girl and when Mommie asked him about it he said that he had to wake the princess with a kiss (Yes I believe he watches too many Princess Disney movies like 'Snow White' and 'Sleeping Beauty'.)

I love it when Lissy rests her head on me like this, it's so sweet. She was getting tired after taking pictures for a couple of hours.

I think this one of Elise is so funny-she's squinting because we are looking into the sun-but she looks like an elf to me. Anybody else agree? She should be a baby elf on 'Lord of the Rings'.

Tagged by Anna

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes, My Great-Grandmother Annie Christina-I was born on her birthday
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Last week
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR OWN HANDWRITING?
No
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
2
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Sometimes
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I want to think I would, but I am scared of heights so I don't know
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cinnimon Life
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
yes-I like tennis shoes tight
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Emotionally yes, physically no
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Vanilla bean or sherbert
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
personality
15. RED OR PINK?
pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
self-doubt
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
my best friend
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Yes
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
blue pants-no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
chocolate
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Mason playing cars
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
aquamarine
23. FAVORITE SMELL?
rain, roses, John, new baby
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Stephanie
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS?
Yes very much
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Ice Skating
27. HAIR COLOR?
Blond
28. EYE COLOR?
Green
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope
30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Chocolate
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Absolutely Happy Endings!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Girls Just Wanta Have Fun
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Pink
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Chocolate covered Strawberries
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
I don't know
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Women of the Renaissance
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
It's plain blue
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Nothing we don't have TV
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
rain, a child's laugh
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Argentina
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
If I focus I can see auoras
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Utah.
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Everybodies
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
2:45 pm

Our July 4th Weekend

Thursday Night we went to a wonderful Stake Patriotic Fireside. I love that they have started doing these. Because our stake has Nellis Air Force Base as well as a small Army base in it we have A LOT of Millitary personal. We also have a full stake orchestra, which was fantastic. We sang and listened to the patriotic songs including my favorite "I'm Proud To Be An American". Which is the song I heard on the radio when I was five that inspired my first feelings of Patriotism and of gratitude for our forefathers. They sacrificed so much for our freedoms. I love this country and all that we enjoy because of inspired documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill Of Rights. I am grateful to the men who have and continue to fight for those freedom both on the battlefield as well as those at home. We then watched a video that showed the pictures and dates of service of each of the men and women within our stake who serve/served in the military. One gentlemen present, who was in his 90's, was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed in WWII. I am amazed by the great sacrifices that these soldiers make as well as their families. I wish that I knew a way to better serve my country. But as the Prophets and many great philosophers have stated, the greatest good we can do is in our homes by teaching the next generation. I pray that I can do that better each day. I adore my children and hope that I am instilling in them my awe and gratitude for this great nation. May God Bless it Forever.


We ate Watermelon! What is the 4th of July without watermelon? It was Lissy's second time eating it-as you can see both Mas & Lissy love it! (Mason's hair is messy because we also spend the day in our little pool-which I know I have yet to take any pictures of.)

















We went on a hike to Red Rock Canyon. We really like it there because it's clean, quite, beautiful and free! Mason loves running up this bridge-mommie sometimes chases him. We will probably come back here this weekend to take bridal pictures of Aunt Stephy. Lissy loved riding on Dad's shoulders-free access to his hair! Needless to say that didn't last very long.
Lissy is such a somber child. Not much bothers or intrigues her-Mason loved hiking while we carried him in this-Elise seems indifferent to it.

I added this picture because I've heard compliants that I don't add enough pictures of myself. John took this to see how/where he wants to take some shots of Steph for her bridal's.


And I love this shot of Lissy riding on Dad's shoulder holding her little hand out. She's always doing funney things with her hands.


Lissy is also our very pensive girl, she thinks and watches everything.Friday night we watched the fireworks go off all over the city. Living on the outskirts of town on a hill maked watching fireworks fun. We watched hundreds of fireworks going constantly. In Nevada they also allow individuals to buy the big fireworks-which was great! Many of our neighbors bought lots. We failed in the personal fireworks department. We bought what we thought were fireworks-cones, spinners, etc-but they turned out to be all poppers (ie you pull a string and confetii and strings come out....Mason was Disappointed...we'll have to make up for it on the 24th.

Lissy couldn't decide where she wanted to be...it was past her bedtime was all that she knew. She sat in her stroller, then with Daddy and later with Mommie. The fireworks didn't scare her at all, she was nonchalant about the whole affair.

Saturday we went to a little water park. Lissy wasn't sure about the cold water until daddy showed her that she could splash in it like she does in the bath tub, then it was okay. At least for a little while.

Mason on the other hand loved it all!! He is also a watcher, he stands back and sees what the other kids are doing then follows them. He REALLY stood out-the little white boy. He loved going down this kid slide by himself and playing on the man-made beach. Mas wanted to go down the BIG slide, but they wouldn't let him until he can swim by himself. We'll have to get him into swimming lessons soon.

Mommie was so proud of how well he did going up and down the slide by himself. Daddy thinks that our pool at home is better though...not so many kids running, splashing and yelling and baby agreed with him. It was quite busy being a holiday weekend. Mommie liked the big slide.

Sunday we also got to celebrate with Grandpa and Grandma Hill. They ate a nice dinner with us-we even used the china they gave us. Then we ate the flag butter cookies we made together. They were GOOD and so much fun to make (flag cookies show at the top).

Elise got her first tooth!

Elise got her first tooth June 25th. She had been somewhat grumpy for the past week and now we know why. Then the next day she got another coming up next to it. She has also been waking up a lot at night, crying for a few minutes then going back to sleep-we think she must be growing.

Lissy also broke out with a horrible rash two week ago, but the 26th she woke up and it was really bad. The doctor took some blood to run test to see if she is allergic to the normal things like milk, eggs, etc. But all of the tests came back normal (which is a huge relief, but we would still like to know what we can do to make the rash go away). It seems to be getting better, but then it will break out again.

Do you ever feel like you take your toddlers to church every Sunday only to get nothing out of it for you or them??? We do sometimes, with both kids crying, fussing, and paying no attention to us or the speakers. While there is hope!! A couple of weeks ago Mason was playing with some toy cars, driving them on the seats, the people in front of us, etc. We were trying to get baby to go to sleep because she was cranky and to control Mason so we weren't really listening to the speaker. All of a sudden Mason stopped playing, holding his car in mid air (it was flying across the seats) looked at John and said, "that's what Jesus said on my movie." At first both John and I were totally confused. Mason said it again, "that's what Jesus said on my movie, the one with Jesus." John turned his attention to the speaker just as he finished quoting the scripture in Matt when Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. We bought some of those cartoon scripture movies for Mason and he watches them every Sunday. He had watched the new testament one about Jesus teaching his disciples only a couple of times. Both John and I were shocked. Mason didn't seem like he was paying ANY attention at all, yet he still pick up on the main point of both the Speaker's talk and the Jesus movie! Moments like these make it all worth it.

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Another Crazy Week at the Hill's

Will and Anna came to visit us last weekend and we had a good time hanging out with them again-we really miss them. When we lived in Vernal we would play games and get together at least twice a month, sometimes twice and three times a week.

They had a timeshare at the Wyndam Hotel, so they invited us to play in the pool with them-which was GREAT! The funney thing was we spend at least half an hour lathering sunscreen on both kids and us, only to find the pool was COMPLETELY shaded by the building! Oh, well, next time

we'll put the sunscreen on at the pool if we need to.

Mason loved his freedom in his floaty and he chased everyone around pretending to be 'the shark' that was going to eat us.

Lissy on the other hand wasn't so sure of that cold water at first, but was okay as long as Mom was close by--Getting out was a completely different matter! As you can tell from the picture, she was NOT happy about being wet, cold, and she wanted her bed.
We had a good time. Even though the kids were a bit tired and cranky because we had dragged them around all day (Will helped us trade in our two SUV's for one nice one-an Escalade-which ALWAYS takes much longer than planned.)

This past week has been fun, but crazy. We had a least one thing to do every night and two and three things at times. We love it though! John and I are both people who like to be going and involved.

Monday we had Family Home Evening with some friends, Laurel and Peter. Mason adored having two boys to run around with, throw things into the pool with, and just do boy stuff.

Tuesday John had a priesthood meeting at 7pm and I had water aerobics at 8:30pm. John also started working out at the gym at work during his lunch breaks (which is starting to pay off!)

Wednesday we went to dinner with John parents and a work associate-which I had to leave early for a meeting and ministering visits. We always have a nice time with John's parents, though the visits are usually short, we're glad they work us into their schedule.

Thursday John had Ministering Visits at 6pm and again I had water aerobics at 8:30pm. Also, both Tuesday and Thursday Kassie (a friend) came with me to aerobics and her husband Joseph played games with John.

Saturday we also had a great day just hanging around the house and playing in our pool (though John tried to put more water in it, forgot about it while he took a two hour nap and came back to a slushing back yard-good thing it's Vegas and 110 degree dry heat evaporates water quickly).

Our little princess folds her hands for blessing the food at dinner,

she's so cute when she does it, so daintily (yes that's a word).

Lissy has also gotten Very mobile quickly. This past week she escaped from her room (with Mason's assistants) and rolled down the stairs. Mommie about had a heart attack, luckily she rolled sideways and was not hurt. Mason has received strick instructions that his job is to help and protect sister, which he does pretty good most of the time.

Lissy and Mason LOVE their bath time together (at what age does that become inappropriate???) They enjoy splashing each other and pushing the toys back and forth. With Lissy's newfound mobility Mommie also has to be on her toes to catch her slipping and slidding around in the tub-she thinks it's funney.

Catch up

ELISE IS CRAWLING!!! She finally decided that she wanted to get around herself (up to this point she has been our lil' princess and just wanted to be carried everywhere). She loves the little bit more freedom. And Lissy is so cute when she crawls, it is still very dainty and methodical. She only crawls to get a specific item that she wants (usually mom).

I know, I know many of you mom's out there are saying 'What, crawling, my baby is walking and is only six months.' Mason was walking by 10 months, but Lissy isn't in any hurry and honestly I'm happy about that. I've always been in too much of a hurry to get onto the next stage of life sometimes I miss what is happening now and I look back and wonder where it all went. I don't want to do that with my kids. I still can't believe Mason is going to be four next month--where did all that time go?

Elise has also had a bad ear infection the last week and has been extremely clingy to Mommie, she would scream at daddy any time he tried to hold her if mommie was in the room. All of this is somewhat satisfing as a Mommie. Mason was never very attacted to Mommie-even now as soon as Sacrament meeting is over he takes himself to primary with us trying to catch up to him just to kiss him goodbye. I love how different my kids are, they are so unique and wonderful in their own ways.

I also realized that I have never mentioned that John got Lasic on his eyes a few weeks ago. He is doing great and loving the fact that he never has to worry about finding or wearing glasses or contacts ever again. I wanted to do it too, but was informed that you can't if your nursing and for at least 3 months after you've stopped nursing. So maybe I will get to later this year.

My baby sister is getting married Aug 2nd! We are so happy and excited for her. She has found a wonderful man, Travis Partridge. And the REALLLY strange thing is Travis has the same birthday as my husband, John and my other sister's husband Brandon. So all three brother-in-laws have the same birthday. Also all of their last names are nouns: Hill, Furr, and Partridge.

I just started teaching a water aerobic class two nights a week, which is great! It's fun and makes me feel energized all week. Tuesday we had 20 ladies show up and we had a good workout. I'm hoping to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight by my sister's wedding.

Well, I think that's all the big news...more to come.