Who Did It?

Alright, who's the crazy who voted that our sweet little girl won't be here until AFTER January 20? Quit being ridiculous.

SNOW!!!

It's been snowing in Cedar City since last Friday night, and let's be honest, hasn't really stopped since! We bet we have gotten about 20 inches so far and it's still snowing! We love it! These pictures were taken this morning just before I left for work. It feels so much more like Christmas and it looks beautiful!

Most roads have been plowed just enough to let the cars through. Snow drifts appear on each side of the roads. Plus, you better bet that everyone is out on their 4-Wheelers with plows attached!

Once again, Bryan wins the award for best husband ever! Every single morning this week while I'm getting ready, he has woke up an hour before he really has to just to go outside and start my car, scrape the windows, shovel a path from our house to my car door, and shovel the entire driveway so I can get out safely. Thank you so much, Sweets! I LOVE YOU!

Christmas Cheer

Bryan and I spent Monday night playing "Santa's Helpers!" We spent the entire evening making 100 + chocolates! [Note: This chocolate is only available at Christmastime and is something that I look forward to each year.]

Me and Bryan were extra great elves!

See, look at our finished product! Pretzels, peanuts, coconut, and Rice Crispies!

I am happy to report that both elves successfully stayed away from the neighbor chocolates, however, an entire two pans were made just last night to eat all by ourselves. Merry Christmas!

The Big 5-0!

She may only look like she's 23, but my wonderful, beautiful, amazing Mom turned 50 this weekend!

For her birthday, we asked people that we knew to e-mail us a birthday tribute. Although we already knew all of these things about our Mom, it's was fun to see that everyone else knows too!

What Everyone Loves About Shelly:

"I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. You’ve been a great sister-in-law and I appreciate your friendship too."

"She is the perfect blend of strength and courage, compassion and hope, vulnerability and tenderness."

"Shelly is someone I wish I was more like. "

"I would like to say what a great listener your mom is. When I go in her office to chat with her, she is always so willing to just listen to whatever I have to say and she never makes me feel like she is in a hurry or doesn't have time to talk. I love that about her. She also has a great sense of humor! Thanks Shelly for being such a great person and friend!"

"What a wonderful daughter in law you are!! So thoughtful and always volunteering to do something and doing it perfect."

"We cannot begin to express in a brief letter how much we love you, Shelly, but to summarize our feelings – not only have we ever known a more wonderful lady and dear friend – it is difficult to even imagine one!"

"I also see her as a great role model and sister to all of us, who knows how to raise a family upright in the gospel, and I appreciate her stalwart example!"

"I am also thankful for the positive attitude that you have. You are always happy and always encouraging. There are times that your smile and your laugh are so infectious that I can’t help but feel happy."

"Shelly, you’re one in a ba-zillion!! You own my heart forever. You still take my breath away!! I Love you so much sweetie pie! Last but not least, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"

I love everything about my Mom, but most of all, I love that I am exactly like her, but 25 years later. That's the best compliment anyone could ever give me! Happy birthday, Mom! I'm so thankful that you are my Mommy! I can't wait to see you as a Granny! I love you clear to the sky!

Bryce Ran A Marathon!

He finished a marathon! That's 26.2 miles. That makes me puke a little in my mouth to even think about doing it. He set a goal to run a marathon on his own just because he wanted to. He trained himself with no help from others. He stuck to the training, even running in the bitter cold at midnight some days. And he ran a marathon!

Congratulations, Bryce! We're so proud of you!

Studly Student

Bryan finished another semester of college! Only one more to go until graduation!! He also landed a new Marketing internship! Click here to read all about it! Congrats, Bryan! I'm so proud of everything you are!

We Got Moves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Oh Baby!

Last time we went to the doctor, he said that I was "measuring a bit large" and had us get another ultrasound. Both Bryan and I instantly grinned from ear to ear when we got to see her! We learned a few things about our daughter this time around:

1. She is still a girl.
2. She has pouty, pretty lips.
3. She may have my nose.
4. She may have Bryan's chin.
5. Her profile is the most beautiful profile we have ever seen in our entire lives!
6. She is very curious. While the technician was looking around, we watched our daughter demonstrate her awesome rooting reflexes by finding the placenta, opening her mouth to it, and then. . .licking it. Yes, she licked her own placenta.

The first picture below is a picture of her lips and nose smooshed up against the uterus. Just imagine yourself smashing your face on the window of your car (I know you've done it). That's what she's doing in the first picture.

The second picture is a picture of her perfect profile! Isn't she gorgeous?

At our doctor's visit on Thursday, we learned that our baby girl may be a bit big, but she is happy and healthy! (Okay, so we don't know that she's happy, but she probably is since she's so pretty.)

Only six more weeks to go! 30 Weeks:

and, 34 Weeks!

She's definitely moving around a lot lately! Our favorite game is called "Set The Remote Control On Chandi's Belly And See How Long It Takes To Get Kicked Off!" She's also had the hiccups a lot lately. Her favorite things include: kicking Bryan's arm in the morning to wake him up, kicking my ribs all day, doing roundhouse kicks, licking her placenta, and getting the hiccups. It's such a miracle to be able to see and feel her moving around! We love every single thing about her and can't wait to meet our little sweetie pie! Oh ya, and I cut my hair off.

Firefighter

Yesterday, two businesses in Cedar City were completely burned in a huge fire. The buildings were just across the parking lot from my work. What a pleasant surprise to be greeted by my Daddy in his full firefighting gear at 8:15 on a Tuesday morning! He even had soot on his hands like in the movies! Obviously, I felt pretty cool that the real live fireman was talking to me. I'm so proud to be my Dad's daughter! Thank you, Dad, for the visit!

I took a picture as he walked away. I just couldn't help it. My daughter buttons were bursting with pride.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We celebrated Thanksgiving with my Dad's side of the family (aka The Goodwins) at the church in New Harmony.


And, this is why we celebrated at the church - - 72 people in attendance! And, yes, I know who they all are! We had a great time with everyone and shared a lot of laughter!

Bryan and I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are so grateful for our perfect families, for wonderful friends, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and so much more! This year, most of all, we are thankful every single day for our little girl and the blessing that she already is to us. We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be parents to such a sweetie!