Family Pictures

Don't you just LOVE fall!? It is such a beautiful time of year and the weather has been perfect. With all the changing colors and brilliant scenery I'm sure everyone would agree that it is the perfect time of year to have family pictures done. Lucky for me I know a great photographer who always exceeds my expectations and I'm not just saying that because she is my sister. I'm grateful that she is always so willing to capture some of our family's treasured moments. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

And you may have noticed my new hairstyle...bangs! I have felt rather drab lately and finally just decided I was going to be daring and try something new. So I had my friend Leah cut me some bangs and I do not regret it one bit. It is funny how sometimes a new hairstyle can completely liven up your world! I guess you also noticed Collin's new "hairstyle" for that matter too...his mountain man beard. I can't say much towards Addie's hair situation because she still doesn't have much, but she is still adorable nonetheless! We just love her and her many facial expressions!

5 Months

Addie is growing so fast I feel I can barely keep up! She continues to be a very happy girl (for the majority of the time anyway) and keeps up smiling everyday. At her four month appointment she weighed in at 15.5 lbs and measured 26.5 inches (99th percentile for height). She is healthy and growing strong. She is almost able to sit up by herself but is still a little tipsy at times. We also started her on rice cereal about a week ago which she has done pretty well with. She is our little bundle of joy and we love her more and more with every passing day. And even though some days are a struggle it always seems like one big smile from Addie can make my frustrations disappear. 

Travel Marathon

I figure I have neglected this blog long enough that is time for an update. Sadly when life begins to pick up pace I become rather pathetic at writing; however, since I made it a goal not too long ago to be better at keeping a journal (which in this case is my blog) I will try to be more consistent. 

The end of the summer for us was full of what seemed like endless traveling. While we had fun visiting family and friends it was nice to finally be home for a couple of weeks. Our marathon of trips started with Collin's trip to Boston. For both his and his brother's graduation, their mom bought them tickets to a Boston Red Sox game-- a dream come true for both of them. Collin spent two days in Boston where he got the chance to go to two games at Fenway Park and tour the city a bit. With so much to see and do in Boston two days was just not enough time to really tour the city, so we have plans to go back someday.

While Collin was in Boston I went up to stay at my sister's house for a couple of days. We had a blast as usual and spent way too much money shopping (birthday shopping that is, so I guess that justifies it). Our husbands joke that they are not going to let us get together any more because we always end up spending money shopping or doing crazy intensive projects. Once Collin was back from Boston we were only home for a day or two before we made our way out to Ely for a little reunion with some of my good friends from high school. We only spent the weekend, but I had a great time catching up with old friends and seeing my family for a short while. Several days after our trip to Ely we flew up to Oregon to see Collin's grandma. Our flight out of Salt Lake left at six in the morning and we had a short lay-over in Long Beach before landing in Portland. Collin's uncle picked us up from the airport and drove us out to Tillamook where Grandma Dean lives, an hour and a half drive. All-in-all Addie was a trooper and did great on her first airplane ride!

Oregon was truly the highlight of my summer. It is such a beautiful place with tons of thing to do that I can't wait till we go back. Our first day there Grandma Dean took us to lunch at the Tillamook Cheese Factory where we loaded up on cheese, jerky, and lots and lots of ice cream. After lunch we drove to Oceanside where we walked on the beach and got a beautiful view of one of Oregon's lighthouses.

 We spent most of the second day at the Tillamook County Fair. While at the fair we came across a concession stand that sold German Duners (Collin's favorite food on the mission). This place even cooked the meat like they do in Germany! Needless to say Collin was in heaven.

Our last day in Oregon we went and toured the Air Museum located in an hugh ex-WW2 blimp hanger. The hanger now houses many different kinds of aircraft but what really struck me was the size and craftsmanship of this massive structure. Later that day Collin's grandma took us all up the coast for lunch. It was a beautiful drive that I honestly don't think I'd ever get sick of.

Overall it was a great family vacation. Our flight home was not as great but we eventually made it home safe and sound... oh the joy of flying on standby.

Entertainment

This is how we entertain Addie on family walks...

And this is Addie's reaction...

Service

Friday I was asked by a young mother I visit teach if I would come help clean her house. She had been struggling with postpartum depression and was falling behind in her house work. So me and Addie went over to visit with her for a bit and help her do some chores around the house. After leaving her house that day all I could think about was how impressed I was that she was brave enough to ask for help when she needed it. I, like many other people, consider myself to be very independent and rarely ask for help-- I honestly think that that way of thinking is just the culture that we live in. I think we feel like we have to do it all on our own and that asking for help would show our weaknesses. I marvel at this young mother's courage to ask for help and am grateful for the opportunity she gave me to serve her and receive the blessing from serving her. I think it is a trait we all need to have a little more of. Heavenly Father set up various programs and calling in the church for a reason that we may receive help and gain support when needed. I know that everything in this life has a purpose and is divinely inspired. I'm grateful for the church and for it's constant reminder that I don't have to go through the trials of this life alone.

I made that!

Remember how I said I was on a big sewing craze not too long ago?... Well here is a little taste of what I've been working on. My sister took these stunning pictures and my sister-in-law modeled this cute pin-tuck shirt I made from scratch! I was so pleased with the final product although it turned out to be a bit too small for me so I'll have to make myself another one that fits better. My mom and sister have already put in requests for me to make them one too. I've also completed a darling maxi skirt and am currently working on a pencil skirt with an exposed zipper. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

To see the tutorial I use click here.

Also to see more great pictures by Hanna Caldwell visit her blog. She has become my personal go-to photographer for everything. I love her work and so does everyone that has their pictures done by her, check it out!

Motherhood

   After a particularly long and tiresome day I happened upon this talk from Elder Holland on motherhood. I was feeling like such a horrible mother because of how frustrated a had become with Addie and I think my Heavenly Father knew I needed a little buoying up.

   Before I knew I was pregnant with Addie I knew I wanted to be a mother someday but at the time felt too young, too ill prepared, and still had many more things I wanted to do before I had a baby. Now having what I have and knowing what I now know, I wouldn't change a thing. While motherhood is a huge responsibility, I cherish it and know I am not alone in it. Motherhood has changed my life in making me more than I am, better than I am, and better than I've ever been. I feel so overwhelmed and honored (and frankly a little terrified) that Heavenly Father places His trust in me to care for some of His precious children to help them someday return to live with Him again. There has been nothing thus far in my life that has brought me more joy and humility then being a mother. Each and every day with Addie is a blessing.

   If any of you mothers out there are experiencing one of those difficult days, read this talk! It is truly a great reminder of the sacred work we have been sent here to do and because it is God's work we will be strengthened, motivated, compensated, and blessed.