Recent Happenings

Elena has continued to take swim lessons since last fall and has loved it so much. I'm amazed at how much she has learned, I can guarantee she is a way better swimmer than I am:)                                                                               

One of Elena's assignments in school was that she was able to bring home a bear to keep for a week, and then we had to document everything bear did while he stayed with us in the "Bear Book". First thing, Elena had to show bear our UTE Pride by letting him wear daddy's Ute hat. Bear ate with us, went to Bug's swim lessons with us, story time, everything... The girls love having bear around for the week.



One of the first warm days of spring, Chanel couldn't wait to get outside to play. She had to try on Elena's roller skates, and with some help, she loved every minute of it:)

We planted a new tree in our backyard. It's a fruit salad tree! It will grow peaches, nectarines, and plums and we cannot WAIT for it to start to produce fresh fruit for us (which won't happen for a few years... oh well, we're still excited!)

Catching Up: Chanel Turns 2!!!

Our Chanely turned 2 in March and I can't believe how much she has grown in the last year. She is so smart and it amazes me everyday how much she knows and is learning. For her birthday this year, we took her to the zoo. It was cold and wet, but it was worth not having to battle the crowd.

Just seconds after taking this picture, the tiger lept up onto the glass at Austin. I don't think I've ever screamed so loud...



 The coolest part was how active the tigers were. I think this was everyone's favorite, especially Elena, can you tell?

We were happy that Aunt Natalie could spend the day with us. We were able to see the baby elephant, Zuri, who doesn't really seem like a baby anymore. I guess that's because she isn't:) Chanel does the best impression of an elephant sound, it definately beats mine. You should have her do it for you;)

Later, we had dinner and opened presents. We gave her a cheap dress hat and wicker purse (which she actually picked out herself) books, and some stylin' sunglasses. She couldn't wait to wear everything. She also got more books, clothes, and really cute shoes, which she also had to wear right away:)

Chanely, I can't believe you are two! You definately hit the terrible two's way before this, but your personality shows more and more everyday and we just love the little angel you try to be are!:) We love you so much, and thank Heavenly Father everyday for sending you to our family.

Catching up: VEGAS!!!

Back in Feb., Aus and I had the chance to go with some great friends on a weekend couples getaway to St. George/Vegas. Our first adventure was a bright and early breakfast at the Bear Claw (yummy!) then headed out to hike Angel's Landing in Zions.

Here we are at the trailhead... This picture was NOT edited in photoshop:o)

Mr. Mountain Man...this is how steep it got going up the ledge of the mountain with cliffs on either side. It was INTENSE, but we loved every minute of it!

Our group at the top of the landing. Everyone was relieved to make it to the top since we braved slick, icy conditions the last half mile of the hike (which was literally straight up!)

The men with their celebratory jerky, courtesy of Boompa:)

The ladies of the group:) Brita was booking it the whole time and beat all of us to the top. Some by just a minute or two, me- by about 10 minutes....Hahaha!

Our gaaazorgeous view! I totally want to frame this picture. The wind was really strong and the landing wasn't very big, but the view was to die for! I don't know why we don't do this sort of thing more often. Definately planning on more hikes like this in the future!

After the hike we got all cleaned up and headed into Vegas. We met up with more friends and had dinner together before we went to see Jabbawockeez (which was such a fun show! No pictures though, darn it!)

This was seriously such a fun group to go with...

The following day, some of us attended the World Wide Leadership Training at the local Stake Center while our spouses slept in and had breakfast. We met up later for a session at the Vegas Temple, but for the ride there of course we had plenty of entertainment. The guys stuck Big Red gum wrappers t their faces to see who could keep it there the longest. I'm not sure who won but they all had red forehead entering the temple. Haha!

The guys kept us entertained the whole trip, especially with their rendition of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" moves.

We had dinner at a tapas bar in Henderson called FireFly. It was amazingly good! Everyone just orders appetizers and shares with the table. We were passing food like crazy to try a little bit of everything. Soooo Yummmy! Then we headed in to see Phantom, which I was so impressed with. I had never seen a show in Vegas before, and the both shows we saw were so fun and entertaining.

We're definately planning another trip like this in the future. It was so much fun to get to know some of our friends a little better and to have some grown up time:) Thanks everyone!

Catching up: Elena's 6th Birthday!

Wow- this whole blogging thing has really been on the back burner...Back in January my beautiful bug turned 6! She woke up that morning to a room full of balloons, then that night we had cake and ice cream with presents! That weekend we had a family party for her at Classic. It was so fun to rollerskate/blade that even most of the adults did it too:) Elena chose a song for her party group to skate to, her choice was "Good Life" by OneRepublic, it's pretty much been our family theme lately. We have jam sessions all the time where we turn the song up early in the morning while we're all still in our pj's and just dance like crazy...good times, I mean Good Life! Haha:)

Even C got out in her own skates to see what the fuss was about, but eventually chose to ride around in her stroller, then puckered out:)

The birthday girl got to spin the prize wheel and stand in the money blast machine. It really was a great day!

It was great having everyone there. All those who had been skating created a train, Chanel led us with Natalie pushing her and pretty much pulling the rest of us along.

We are so grateful to have Elena in our family. She truly blesses our lives everyday and is a constant reminder to me to always try to become better than I am. I love how gentle she is in everything and with everyone in her life. Friends and family mean a lot to her. Bug, you'll always be our little gem, keeping us in line and making every minute of my life even better and full of meaning and purpose. I love you so much!

Mom

A New Year, with New Resolutions!!!

I'm so grateful for the New Year. A chance to start fresh and to set goals to becoming a better person, perfecting our family life, and just taking the chance to always improve, making the new year better than the last one. I'll admit, this past year had it's ups and downs. But I'm always excited for this time of year to reflect on my blessings and to look forward to the future. I usually set a few goals each year but never usually write them down. This year I've decided to post a few, though not all for some are very personal...as they should be.
~I really want to do better at holding regular FHE. My children are so smart and I want to take advantage of this time to really enrich their knowledge of the gospel and the importance of Christ and His gospel in our lives, as well as use this time to really spend some good quality time together as a family.
~Organize, Organize, Organize!!! Enough said.
~ Work harder on having and using our yearly food storage. My parents are always so great to give us cool gadgets or unique and important things to have in our storage. Now I just need to get it all together and make sure we're completely prepared with what we need. I can't imaging coming upon some sort of disaster where my children would suffer because of my inadequate planning and procrastination. And, like I said, get it organized!
Well that should be a good enough start for now. Along with others I'm working on. I feel making resolutions is a great way for us to see how we can improve our lives. I know this new year is going to be great, 'cause we're going to make it AMAZING!!!!

Christmas Day 2011

Wahooo!!! We couldn't believe Christmas had finally come! We had been anxiously waiting this year and couldn't wait to see what Santa would bring. Austin took the girls out into the yard Christmas Eve and let them sprinkle reindeer dust on the grass. The dust was made of glitter so that Santa wouldn't miss our house, and oats for the deer to eat. Oops! I mean, for the reidneer to eat:o)

The bounty of gifts Santa left this year!

Chanel loved the new feeding/crying babydoll and buggie she recieved. The baby would drink her bottle but as soon as you took out the bottle, the baby would cry. Chanel's reaction was always first, a suprised face, then a sad face, saying "Ooohh, baby sad!" She has such good motherly instincts already and love to feed and snuggle her baby.

The girls and their goodies!!!

Poor Bug, she wasn't feeling so well on Christmas. When she saw her huge lion she said, without ANY enthusiasm, "Wow, that's a big lion" then went and laid on it for a while until she had more energy to open other presents.

We went to church where I participated in a musical number then we drove to Nephi to see the Brough family gang. I did take my camera but for some reason didn't get it out for a single picture...what!? I guess it was just that crazy/busy.


Elena's never been one for fancy dress-up unless it's an animal costume but Chanel has loved the Tinker Bell dress-up chest Santa brought. She even falls asleep in her costumes:o) Elena has even enjoyed dressing up as a fairy to play with C. They've been so cute together!

Austin bought me a Kindle Fire for Christmas and I have LOVED it!!! Sadly, Austins Christmas was quite mediocre this year. I just bought him a few things he needed and a DVD or two. What?! We had decided not to give major gifts to each other this year- Next year, Gust...next year you're really going to get it!!!

Daley Christmas Party 2011

We're always so excited for the Daley Christmas party, and especially this year since EVERYONE was going to be there. We spent the entire day together, eating, crafting, partying, eating, giving, going crazy, oh did I mention we ate really good food? My parents always now how to serve the best holiday comfort food. This year my dad made his special carmel potatoes and pickled cabbage. It's a traditional Danish dish from when he served his mission. I love it so much , Aus and I served it for our wedding dinner. I didn't get pictures cause I was too busy eating! When it was finally time to open presents, the kids about went crazy trying to wait patiently.

Rusty, Dallen, and Charity. Elena and Randy in the back, and only half of Ruger's face. Sorry dude...

Dad, Aus, Myself, and the newly engaged Andrea and Daric.

Natalie & Seth, Josh & Jess, and all the grandkids, minus Chanel since she was sleeping, and half of Dallen's face, ahem...Sorry dude.

Mom, Des, and Ryan

Elena and her jewelery making kit. Chanel had FINALLY fallen asleep for a nap so she wasn't present to open presents but she got a baby doll that she LOVED!



I love it when we all can get together. It really doesn't happen that often but it's always crazy and wonderful when it does.