Our new bathroom

Ever since we moved in we have not liked our bathroom, so for our 4th of July we bribed Tyler with a steak Bar-b-que and had him and Shannon come help us remodel our bathroom. We disliked the maroon counter top, wallpaper border and the rusted sink, and Tim really didn't like the shower doors. So out they all came and in came a new vanity, sink, counter top, medicene cabinet, low-flow efficient toilet, and shower rod.

We forgot the camera before we started tearing stuff out, so this is actually from last year before we moved in.
So you really can't see much in this pic, just that there are 2 doors and it was painted an off white and that the shower doors were framed in gold.

Ta da!!!! Here it is now! We ended up getting a white vanity, countertop/sink combo, and painted the trim white. We also added nickle brushed towel rods and already had the shower curtain that goes with the brushed look.

We are loving it 10 times more than before, and are so grateful for the Read's for their help with our project.

Not much is going on with our family. Shyler got to play with her cousin on the 4th of July when they came over for dinner and she has been getting used to the idea of her little swimming pool in the backyard. She really loves putting her suit on but is still getting used to the idea of swimming.






Tommorow is Tim's parents anniversary and we want to let them know how happy we are for them. They have been married for 30 years and we look up to them so much for the great example they are to us. They are enjoying a long weekend spending time together and doing stuff in Denver they don't normally do. On Sat they took Shyer and Calvin to the zoo!!! They all had a blast!

After a long morning at the zoo then we took Shyler to a wedding. She wasn't really into the whole ceremony, she thought playing in the trees and grass was more exciting, she liked the food at the reception, and she loved playing with the other little ones on the dance floor, but we are going to try harder to find her a babysitter for the next wedding we go to! We did think she looked pretty cute in her dress she finally got to wear that she got for her birthday from Great Uncle Bob and Great Aunt Karen.

Home again, Home again

Finally we are home again from our fantastic vacation to California!!! We had a great time! To sum it up we visited lots of family and drove a lot, good thing we had unlimited miles in our rental car. Shyler was so good and Tim gives her a gold star for the trip. We took her from place to place and most of her naps were taken in the car, not normally a good idea for her. Her are some pictures and more details of the trip...


Stop one... Amanda's brother Matt and his family in Lompoc, CA, Vandenburg Air Force Base, Pismo Beach, and Solvang

She loved the swings!! She insisted on trying out all 4!

Walking on the pier in Pismo Beach, we even got to see dolphins, and try some world famous santa maria style barbecue

We stopped at The La Purisima de Consepcion Mission just outside of Lompoc

The beach on base was COLD!!!

Amanda's brother Matt and his son Conner, showing us around the base

Shyler and her cousin Jordan swinging at a park, they had so much fun playing together!

The 3 little cousins

Stop 2... Amanda's sister Debbie and family, Reagan Presidential Library- Simi Valley, CA, Amanda's home town of Moorpark, Burbank, CA and the Griffith Observatory, and Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena

A section of the Berlin wall at the Reagan Library

The Air Force President Reagan flew on

Shyler's thoughts on the Moorpark tour... and also the start of her fever

We stopped by all of Amanda's old houses and schools and this was her Grandma Allie's house. Looks the same as she remembered, some of the others had been remodeled

Shyler at dinner. She sat there with her hands at her side and we had to feed her, she didn't feel good

When we got back to the hotel she went straight for our bed and curled up

The BEST sandwiches!!! A little hole in the wall Amanda's mom used to go to. Tim got a meatball sub and Amanda got a hot pastrami, the part that makes it so good is the chopped up pickles, tomatoes, and onions you can get scooped on top. Not a relish, just little chunks of each!

We stopped at the Griffith Observatory and got a good view of the city and learned a little about space and such. The most recent movie filmed here was, Yes Man with Jim Carrey.

Amanda and the Hollywood sign in the background

Shyler giving a speech... not really but she loved the little podium placard in front of the statue out front of samous astonomers throughout time

We went to this cool garden and library with Amanda's Sister Debbie and son Shane

One of Amanda's favorites, the rose garden with this statue thing devoted to love, or something like that

Tim ws excited to see some of the cool books they had on display like an original Guttenburg Bible (One of the people who invented the printing press) But another reason was to see the Corpse Flower. It was supposed to bloom and smell like dead flesh and attract flies. Well we missed the bloom by one day, too bad! Maybe in another 7 years, because that is how often it blooms.

Stop 3... Amanda's sort of adopted brother and his family in Carlsbad, CA

Shyler at the beach. Not a fan of the water, even when it's warmer out

We picked our own fresh strawberries

Stop 4... Amanda's friend Kat, The San Diego Temple, The San Diego Zoo

So breath taking, this temple is so pretty. We didn't get to go inside, but we had fun walking around the grounds with Shyler. It is a huge attraction to people because it is right on a major freeway driving into San Diego. We are pretty much standing at the end of the grounds with the freeway to our backs taking this picture.

So many pretty flowers on the temple grounds and all over CA

Our last night... Shyler got lucky and we were able to borrow a pack and play at every stop except the last one. So Shyler, Amanda and Oliver the cat shared the air mattress while Tim slept on the couch. This is how she woke up with her legs hanging over the edge!

Shyler seemed to like the elephants the best at the zoo. They also just opened a cool new area for the elephants that is ginormous!!

We thought it would be fun to turn our little one into a giraffe!

The famous Panda Bears, asleep of course!

We loved our cool rental car. We totally got hooked up and upgraded!! We were going for the cheaper level, but we couldn't pass up the brand new suv with only 142 miles on it!!! Plus it ended up being a great place to let shyler roam when we had to stop and to change her diaper! It's not so new anymore, we put 800 miles on it!!!!

We had so much fun and are so thankful to everyone who we saw and who took us in and took us out!!! We were able to have a fun, exciting, and affordable vacation!!!

Many adventures of a 1 year old

So it may be a Sat. night, but I am sitting at home by myself as Tim helps his mom rescue the family dog, Dotty. She decided to get into the garage and lick some De Con, rat poison, So off he went to help take her to the Doggy ER. She'll be ok, she does have an iron stomach and has definitely eaten her share of doggy no no's.

So I thought I would blog and show off some of the pictures we have, since I went a little camera crazy and took a lot of shots and even filled our memory card.

This past week Shyler has had many adventures and big moments. She's had to say a lot of goodbyes and also gone to new places while doing a lot of the same old same old.


Last week started with a goodbye to our good friends the Tucker's. Derek got a job with the Navy and they now live in Florida. We will miss them so much!! I really want to go visit, and maybe we will get to this fall to see their new little one!

A 7 month pregnant lady golfing. She still beat me too! No handicap needed. Then there is Derek and his dad in the background. Can you tell they are related?

I bet you could have guessed how mini golfing would be with a one year old. She stole all of the balls, put them in new places, and stood in the way, on purpose. Luckily everyone was very understanding of the inevitable and we all had fun!

Saying goodbye after a yummy dinner at BeauJo's The four of us


Then on Thursday Shyler had to say goodbye to her boyfriend! So sad!! One of my really good friends here in Thornton is moving. We are happy for them because they have a really great opportunity ahead of them and they can be near family, but we are still sad to see them leave. Shyler and I have been walking and running with them since she was born. Holli has been such a great person to talk to and get advice when it comes to being a mom and just a great person. Did I mention I'm going to miss them?

The 2 of them sitting in their joggers, such a great invention. I love having this!

Shyler now loves the swing at the park and the slide, sometimesHolli and Hyrum

Those other suitors for Shyler better watch out!

Last Sunday Shyler decided she needed to wake up screaming and wouldn't go back to sleep unless Tim stayed with her. So he did but then he came back to bed and left her on the floor. When I went in to check on her this is what we found


What was even funnier is what was underneath the pink blanket. Notice the duck and the baby and blanket all securely tucked under her and her little sleepy head and the boppy she insisted sleeping on

On this note. I have some super exciting news and one last goodbye for Shyler.....

She is WEANED!!!!!!!! On Monday and Tuesday night I had to work so we just decided we would do it now. She gave up the morning fairly easily the week before and this last week wasn't too bad. She's been a little fussy, but that's not new. We have other things we do at bedtime that help her get ready for bed so even when I put her to sleep on Wednesday she went pretty willingly. It was kind of sad for me but also really nice too. I know I'll have others and I don't miss the whole dependency part since she wouldn't take a bottle, but I do and will miss the bonding time. I am also grateful I got to do it for 14 1/2 months, I remember being pregnant and hoping for 6 months!

Fun hike and bike tour! Today Tim went on a bike ride with his friends from freshman year of college. They all bike to the brewery's in Fort Collins and tour them. He enjoyed the company and some root beer! We don't have any pictures, but he did get soaked as he rode out to Budweiser.

We on the other hand stayed dry as we opted to hike up to Horsetooth Falls with my mom.

Touching the tree
The pond, so tempting

So tempting in fact she dove right on in! Face first!
We had to take off the pants and outer jacket and wrap her in my sweatshirt for the hike back. Pretty funny, but poor baby!

I loved these flowers!! They are purple and I think they have such a cool shape!

Our fun week!

Our House

So we finally planted flowers and our garden and I took pictures and we have our finished product. We are pretty happy considering we don't really know what we are doing. Here are some before and after shots!

Our garden boxes

The Dirt

Our garden

The yard before with the hole

Boring dirt

The hole

The mostly dead tree from the hole

Our new peach tree! (the towel doesn't belong there)

Our new and improved yard!
My fault for taking it with the sun glare.

Tim and Shyler playing out front

New rock, tree, and flowers!

Fun stepping stones to the water spigot

Flowers in the front planter

The whiskey barrel with flowers

Our new yard!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

We're trying to teach Shyler to tell us that she is one year old

After a bad experience on her birthday of NOT touching her cupcake, she got another chance and really does like them, who wouldn't it's a bunch of yummy sweetness!

Today has been a great day. I have the best husband who totally let me slack off today and do nothing!!! He slaved in the kitchen to make me homemade cinnamon rolls and tonight he is making me my favorite parma rosa pasta! He also let me sleep in!!! I didn't even wake up to nurse Shyler! (We're trying to get rid of that one) It's a great day to be a mom!!!

I am also so thankful for all of the other mother's in my life. My own mom is so great. She is so helpful and loving and caring. She tried so hard to teach me and give me all that I would need when I was growing up all without the help of a husband. Even today she is there for me whenever I need her help. She is always there to lend a helping hand!! I Love you Mom!!!

My other mom, Tim's mom is also so wonderful. I couldn't have asked for a better mother-in-law! She also has many of the qualities my mom has, but she raised Tim to be a worthy priesthood holder and encouraged him to follow his dreams to be the man he is today! Thanks, we love you!

I also am so thankful for all of my sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends who are mom's or who will be a mom one day. You are all such inspirations and truely amazing daughters of God. Thank you so much!!!

We did get new rock and a new tree put in our front yard, I did not take any after shots yet. I also need to plant some flowers and then I'll be proud of our work!! So we will keep you in suspense a little longer.

Pigtails and bruises

So here I was bragging about my non swollen face after I got my wisdom teeth out, well I may not have swelled up, but I got a funny bruise!! Other than that i'm doing fine, minus the little bit of tooth that is poking out of my gums that he must have forgotten. (I'm going back on Friday to have it taken out.)

Looking like I colored my face with a highlighter last Tuesday, 5 days after they came out

Shyler and I on Sunday before church, a little more purple

Today, a week and a half later, still purple and yellow

Shyler is doing great and becoming quite the temper tantrum throwing little one. We're working on it, and most of the time she is pretty good.She just doesn't like people to leave or for you to take something away from her. She LOVES to wear things she finds around the house. On Sunday she decided she should wear this Kentucky beanie Tim got on his mission. Today it was a lai or how ever you spell that. She likes headbands and she even was good last week and let me try pigtails!!! Silly girl!

She wasn't big on looking at the camera

Our little thug

Tim is also doing good if anyone wonders. He still has and likes his job and is super excited to landscape our front yard this weekend. We are putting in rock and a new tree!!! We'll have to do some before and after shots. Also we are so excited to try a garden for the first time!!!

A wisdomless Amanda and a Happy Easter!

Shlyer and our family had a great Easter. Of course we had to take part in as many Easter egg hunts as we could and we also got the spend the day with our friends Tyler and Shannon as they also got to bless their baby Travis.

On Sat. we took Shyler to the City of Thornton's egg hunt. Unfortunately it was like 40 degrees and she was more interested in all the other little kids than the stuff in the grass. That's OK she'll rock the 0-2 year old age group next year.

After the egg hunt we tried to dye eggs. Well, Amanda is forgetful and never remembers how to cook eggs right so they were more like soft boiled eggs, solid whites, but soft yolks, that shyler had fun throwing in the cups and then trying to drink. We almost let her try some but didn't think the vinegar dye wayer it would go over too well.

Shyler LOVED her Easter basket and all of the goodies she got!

SO excited!
We tried an egg hunt again on Easter morning and she did much better. She found the eggs all over the living room and then brought them to me and put them on my lap. She was also so excited when she got one opened and there were goldfish and cheerios in the eggs.

All pretty in her dress! Not only did she have to wear a long sleeved onsie under dress there was also a sweater and pink tights, because when we got to Colorado Springs it was SNOWING!!! We felt babd that she was wearing cute little sandals, but she survived. Only in CO do you get 6 inches of snow on Easter Sunday in the middle of April.

After a great baby blessing we got to spend the day with some of our good friends from college. All of their families were there too so there were lots of little ones for Shyler's 3rd egg hunt! She actually put eggs in her bucket and found a corner where she scored big time! It was so fun! Thanks again to Tyler and Shannon for letting us be apart of the family and spending Easter with you!

And to finish out this week, I got my wisdom teeth out yesterday!


I was so nervous all week and I didn't know what to expect. Well let me just say, I am woman, hear me roar! I gave birth to Shyler and compared to that, this was nothing!!! I am a little sore still, but I slept so much yesterday that I woke up at 4 in the morning wide awake!!! Even by 5 last night I was doing ok. I still have the gauze in the mouth in these pictures, so I really didn't even swell up that much. Funny that Shyler is passed out and not me, but we'll take it!