Oh so beautiful bridesmaids!

This was too funny not to share! My friend Cydni (the sexy bride in the middle of the picture) is getting married in August. She photo-shopped all of her bridesmaids into this card. As you can see, there is some high fashion here but we wouldn't expect anything less from Cyd. My favorite bridesmaid is Suzanne. She is in the upper right corner with the red Ronald McDonald wig, blue dress and sassy heels! Love you Suz! Can you recognize me?! I have man arms and a fat lip. This is sure to be the wedding of the century!

Christmas 2009

Christmas is totally different (and so much better!) once you have children. Even though Mia doesn't really understand what Christmas is all about, she was still so interested and curious about everything- the presents, the lights, the Christmas tree! We had a really good Christmas and I loved just being home with my family and relaxing. We spent Christmas eve baking cookies and watching Christmas movies. Once it got dark, we took Mia to Christmas Street to see the lights. On Christmas day we had a nice leisurely time opening presents while sipping on coffee and Baileys (yum!). I am sure the years to follow will not be so relaxing!

Tyson, Mia and my sister getting ready to go look at lights on Christmas Eve

This was my favorite!! She would look down in her stocking and then reach her little hand in to get the presents. It was precious!

Opening presents

Christmas breakfast with Tyson's parents.

Mia's dressed in her Christmas best on her favorite new toy

All of the girls

Cousin Nigel

Mia has the cutest cousins. Jake, aside from being more hansome than most grown men, is so protective of Mia. He is always looking out for her and making sure she is taken care of. Tyson and I hope he does this when Mia is in high-school and starts dating! :)

Mia's Big Birthday Day

Mia's actual birthday was on December 22nd. I am a little late posting this, but that is the way my life goes! Tyson, Mia and I spent the day finishing up Christmas shopping and then went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Mia dined on bananas and bread and loved it. When our cute waitress found out it was Mia's birthday, she brought out a little Mia-sized sundae and a group of people to sing her happy birthday. It was so cute!! I forgot the camera but we captured the moment on Tyson's phone. Thank goodness for technology.

She ended up with a whip cream mustache :)

One year ago. Oh, how much she has grown!

Girls Christmas Party

Every year my best girl friends get together for a Christmas party. This year we wanted to remember all of the funny and often embarrassing things that we have done (and worn!) over the years.  My friends brought old clothes, emails, pictures and cards from our years together.  I tried to find my denim overalls that I thought were so cool back in the day and some of my "going out" clothes. I have gotten rid of all of them, thank God!

The best part of the night is when Diana popped out of a big Christmas present to surprise us all! We thought that she wouldn't make the long trip from Connecticut this year but she decided to come last minute. It was so fun to remember all of the things we have done together over the years. I love you girls and I don't know what I would do without all of you!!!

Our cute hostess Cassi got us all reindeer noses and antlers

Poor pregnant Emily nursed her very small glass of wine all night

 The big surprise!

Remembering the good 'ole days.....

Brandee had the same fashion sense as me- HOT!

High wasted jeans and a baby tee. Why did it ever go out of style?

The whole crew

Mia at one year

We got Mia's one year pictures done at Sprout photo in Sugarhouse. They did such a good job and captured Mia's spirit so well. This is one of our favorites.

Birthday Party!

I can't believe that our little girl is almost one! We had her birthday a little early on December 13th. It was so fun to celebrate Mia's birthday with friends and family. She had a great time eating her cake and playing with her cousins. She (of course) didn't know that the whole celebration was for her! We love you little Mia Lou!!

My friend Mary made Mia's own special cake. It matched the invitations perfectly and Mia LOVED it! I think she would have eaten the whole thing if we would have let her. She loves sugar just like her momma!

Digging in....

Mary the cake chef with Mia as a new baby

Mia's birthday throne

My mom and sister made an incredible birthday food spread. They were in the kitchen all day. It was amazing!

Grandpa (my Dad) and Mia

She was so patient and attentive when we were opening her presents.

The party peeps

Halloween!

Mia spent her first Halloween as a U cheerleader. We thought this was appropriate since there was a U game the same night....Plus she isn't old enough to care or object to what we dress her in! She got to spend the evening with Nannie and Poppie (Tyson's parents) while we went to the game. She didn't mind the dress but as you can see, she did not like the hair accessory.

When can I take this off Mom?

Help... my eyes!!

Mia with her pom-pom

The "black out" U game

Four years and Counting

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. Last year we didn't have much of a celebration because we were deep in "get-the-basement-finished" mode. This year we had a little more time to breathe. Tyson bought himself a gun for hunting season and called it his anniversary gift. Romantic, isn't he?! But that is what he wanted and he was so proud of it. Yesterday he treated me to an hour long facial followed by a 2 hour massage!!! It was so nice! I think it was his way of telling me I need to relax. :)

Happily ever after!!

So much to do, so little time!

There are not enough hours in the day to do everything that I want to do! I have not had time to update this for a month now. What has happened in a month.....

My sister Kate and I ran our first half marathon. She has kept in shape since then, I have not.

I am now back in school. When I took time off school and work after I had Mia, I remember sitting home and being just a little bored but at the same time thinking "I need to enjoy this because it is not going to last". Now I am missing those lazy days! I am back in school now and working as well which means my sweet husband has become Mr. Mom. He cooks, cleans and takes Mia to the park.

Tyson roasted this chicken on the grill! I came home from a long day at work to this wonderful dinner. I told him I would post pictures of it on our blog because I was so proud of him!!
Mia is into EVERYTHING! I have had to let go of my neat-freakness and let her destroy the house. She loves the tupperware cupboard in the kitchen as you can see.

She is crawling and standing every chance she can get.

We have season tickets to the U games with some good friends. This is Mia and her Dad on the first U game day.

She is so big at the park. She can go down the slide all by herself!