Gracie Love...

It's the World's Greatest Blessing - The privilege of being a Mother. Lately I have been so overwhelmed with gratitude for this little girl in my life.


Prior to moving to Utah, I worked part-time at a CBS affiliate station. It was roughly 20 hours a week, and we worked it out so that Gracie didn't have to be in daycare during that time. She came with me to work more than a number of times when she was quite little...and then wonderful friends provided the care we needed to fill in the gaps.

However, since we have moved - it's been Gracie and Mom - 24/7. I'm the one who gets to see her make all of her new discoveries. We do everything together, and with the exception of her 2 hour nap each day - life revolves completely around this little girl.

I had someone ask me recently, "What are your hobbies?" I paused. "Hmmm..", I thought. "Let's see. I'm really good at getting Gracie to eat her vegetables, and you should hear me read 'Mr. Brown can Moo'...and I enjoy coloring with Gracie."

It occurred to me that I really couldn't remember what it was that I used to spend my time doing before she was born. (I'm sure all you other moms can relate. There comes a time when you have a bit of an identity crisis because how could changing diapers, running errands, preparing bottles, dealing with tantrums, making a dinner your child WILL eat and cleaning up messes really be so time consuming...so hard some days...and YET so worth it?!)

Being a mom is amazing. I feel completely blessed!! I look at Gracie, and I'm overcome with a type of love I didn't think existed. I'm so thankful Heavenly Father has trusted me and Jody to be her parents. She teaches me everyday to find joy in the simple things.


And on a side note....Gracie's hair is getting longer and therefore giving me wings to be a little more creative.

XOXOX Love you Baby Girl!

Day at the Farm...

Before the most recent snowstorm here in Utah, the weather looked as if SPRING may have arrived. So we made use of the sunshine and visited our four-legged friends at the Thanksgiving Point Farm. Gracie loves animals. She enjoyed every minute of our visit.


Our tickets included a pony ride. So this Cowgirl went ridin' with her hands in the air. Yee Haa!


Saddle up Cowgirl!


Look at these poor animals. They are practically choking themselves all for some stale corn kernels.


We also took a very exciting ride on the horse-drawn wagon. Could this farm experience get any better? Really.


It just got better...the goat is licking my child's hand. We used a large amount of Purell after this visit. (Gracie looks very serious...I'm guessing the idea of feeding the goat had her mind going...since she is usually the one getting fed!)

Swimming with Sting-rays...Laundry...a Trip Down South...and SNUGGIES!

Gracie encountered all the fish at the "Living Planet Aquarium" in Sandy. We went with our wonderful friends Tracy & her little boy Kaleb, and Melissa & her little girl Savannah. Gracie and Savannah mostly ran through the exhibit without noticing the fish on display. Gracie did attempt to jump into the petting pool with the Southern Stingray. Ahhh...Brand New Baby Nikes full of Stinky Seawater. I can understand her reasoning...she probably thought it was a gigantic bathtub.

Also recently, we took Gracie on her first trip down to Escalante where Gwama Tait grew up. We visited (Great) Grandma Alvey, and she left us smiling with her energy and songs! Grandma Alvey is 82, and she is still the life of the party! We had a great time visiting and watching the Jazz play on TV.


We really enjoyed our visit. Grandma Alvey has so much to share.


Visiting the Horse by Grandma's House.


And here's some RANDOM PICTURES. We do lots of laundry at our house. Gracie really likes to be involved!


She likes to play on the stairs...It's a good gathering place.


And Happy Birthday Mom! Today's your big day. And can I just say tonight was an absolute "Snuggie Miracle"?! Earlier tonight, at the Red Lobster, my mom opened a gift from my Aunt and Uncle. It was a Snuggie. You know...the blanket with over sized sleeves. (You've seen the commercial with the people wearing these humongous fleece backwards robes. Without their Snuggies, they are truly not happy and might I add...Freezing!) I was shocked because the Snuggie I ordered for my mom's Birthday had not come in the mail yet. So she really received TWO SNUGGIES for her birthday. Most Definitely a Snuggie Miracle.

It's a gift she was way too embarrassed to ask for...but obviously we all knew she secretly wanted one (or two) because we all got her one! So here she is with her Snuggie. (And she really did almost bust it open and put it on in the Red Lobster because she was cold.) This just cracks me up. They are so ridiculous looking - and yet I love them.


We love you Mom, and we're so glad this year we could spend the day with you...now that we're back in the state! Thanks for being an outstanding example. You've been handed enough lemons to make anyone sour, yet you continue to push along with an amazing perspective and love for life. Thanks for making us laugh and for reminding us what life really is all about.

FIRST HAIRCUT!!!

On March 5th, we took Gracie to Cookie Cutters to give those locks a trim!

*BEFORE*


*DURING*


*AFTER*


Cookie Cutters was so cute! Gracie sat in an airplane, and she got to choose a movie that she would be viewing during the cut. The cut consisted mostly of cutting off the tail she was sporting in the back. So we said goodbye to the mullet, and there were no tears.

I think she held as still as a 15-month-old can! My favorite part of the cut was when the stylist went to blow dry her hair. She thought the hot air in her face was funny. That, combined with the Dancing Elmo movie, had her moving all over the place. You can see her go wild in the video below! (And they finished her "new-do" off with some glitter hairspray.)



And...TOUCHDOWN! Jody taught Gracie when you yell "Touchdown" - your arms go up!

Birds of a Feather....Stick Together...

Just Talking About The Weather....


While in California, we took in the sights at Santa Monica Pier! Sally took some pictures of Gracie that I absolutely love. Gracie was enthralled with the pigeons! She followed them around, squealing the entire time. She was getting so excited, that others started taking pictures of her too, and she gathered quite the crowd.


...Stopping to Find Joy in the Simple Things of Life!

First Visit to the "Happiest Place on Earth!"

While in California, we visited Mickey and his friends at Disneyland! It was a little soggy (and freezing) due to the rain for part of the day. However, the weather didn't affect our magical day! I had forgotten HOW FUN Space Mountain is! Gracie loved Small World. I'd say her First Visit was a success! We can't wait to take her back when she gets a little bit older.


Riding the Jungle Cruise!


It was really fun to watch Gracie interact with the Characters, although she kept wiggling her hand out of mine and butting in line....She was really excited....


Gracie ran right up to Tigger and gave him a Huge Hug!


And Pooh Bear Too!




Shooting bad guys on the Buzz Lightyear Ride!


Gracie and Maycee checking out the ducks!


Really...who needs Donald anyway? Gracie was so excited about the real ducks!




Getting Ready for "Honey, I shrunk the Audience."


KC and Jody by Disney's Main Street.


Thanks KC and Sally for a super magical day! We had a blast.

Beach Baby!

Earlier this month we traveled to California for some fun in the sun with our friends KC & Sally and their little girl Maycee. KC and Sally made sure we didn't miss a thing! We visited a number of beaches, and we discovered Gracie LOVES the beach and the ocean.

It was her first trip to the ocean, and I'd say she looked like a California Girl with those blue eyes and blonde BLONDE hair! She ran right up to the ocean at Newport Beach and sat down. Whoops!



I tried my first "Cheese on a Stick" on the Santa Monica Pier and my first "Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana" at Balboa Village.


Playing on the Beach!


So I had to take this picture because "Fun Zone" is a bit of joke in our family. Back when Jody and I were at BYU, we were selected to travel to Peru with the Broadcasting department to help film a series of documentaries. On the overnight flight to South America, I was sitting next to Jody rocking out to my headphones. I turned to Jody, who looked bored, and said (in what I thought was a normal speaking voice.) "It's the FUN ZONE over here in seat 26 B!" Turns out I YELLED that...overcompensating for my loud music. People on the plane woke up to see what the Fun Zone was all about....and it was quite embarrassing. It was funny at the time. Maybe you had to be there! :)


Thanks California...we'll be back to visit soon!

So Much Personality at 15 Months!

Gracie is 15 Months TODAY! She's moving and running all over the place. She makes me laugh everyday. Here's what's new with her at 15 Months...

Taller Pigtails. Her Hair is growing more and more everyday.


Playing at the park! (She loves the wood chips!)


Longing for the wood chips!


Necklaces! She puts them on...takes them off. She even wears them during her bath. Why sacrifice fashion during bath time...right?


Sometimes it gets complicated....


We love you Gracie.
Or as Jody calls you..."Grace-Of-Base"!