Riding Frontrunner

Every time I'm driving with Olivia and she sees a train, she asks if we can go on the "choo-choo train."  So, Brad and I decided to finally take her last Saturday.  We just rode North to Layton and back, but had a great time.  We sat on the upper deck.  It was actually mine and Brad's first time riding the front runner.  Olivia has already ridden on it once when she went with our friend Megan Kent and her daughter.  Funny that our two year old beat us to it, right?

Brad and Olivia waiting for the "choo choo train" to come.

Olivia entertaining herself in the rain during the wait.

She was so excited to be in her own seat and to be able to look out the windows.

I think the best part for her was when we were passed by the other train going South.

It really took her by surprise I think.  Wish I had that on video!

Happy Birthday Babe

Today is my Best Friend's birthday!  Happy Birthday Brad! 

Brad is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  As I look back over 

our time together, I thank the Lord daily for the blessing 

that he is in my life.  For the love he gives me, for the laughter, the joys, 

the trials we face together, and every other thing in our lives.  

I especially thank him for making me a mom!

Brad and me at the Real Soccer game last year.

The hottie himself...  talking Jeep parts with my brother.

Him and Olivia in the hospital right after she was born.  Precious, eh?

The MAN OF MY DREAMS!

He's so good to me.  Brad, I hope your day is perfect. 

 Thank you for being my soul-mate and lover.  

You are ALL I NEED in life.

I love you!  Happy Birthday!

Big Sister Countdown!

We have been trying to help Olivia be excited about being a BIG SISTER soon.  We've tried really hard to keep the focus on HER and the opportunity she's going to have to be a big sister. We reinforce daily what a great help she's going to be, how much fun she's going to have, the things she gets to teach Tagen and so on.  She's been really good so far and tells me how excited she is to meet Tagen.  Often she will tell me, "Mom, I want Tagen to come NOW.  I want to play with her."  Believe me, I feel the same way, kiddo!  

Today, I had the thought to make a countdown chain with her to help 

her mark the days until she's a BIG SISTER.  We had fun 

putting it together and deciding where she wanted to hang it in her room.

The countdown is on... and this is one of the cutest 

and most excited BIG SISTERS you'll ever see!

Wii've Entered The World of Wii.

Last night, the Morris family got introduced to the world of Wii.  Now... I know, it's been out for AGES, but we just have never gotten into it, or even played with one.  Our friend, Natalie, brought hers over last night for FHE.  We had a blast.  It's highly addicting and before we realized it, the clock said 1:00 a.m., and we were all exhausted.  Totally a great night, though!

Olivia getting ready to do Dance Dance Revolution.  She LOVED it!

Pure concentration needed... oh, and part of last year's Halloween costume.

She had a great time, and kept begging for 'one more dance!?'

Even Brad got into the action.  He proved white men CAN dance.

Natalie and Aaron enjoying the show Brad puts on.  

(No, I didn't dance... my balance is horrible enough when 

I'm NOT pregnant. I wasn't going to risk it.)

Olivia-isms

Today while I was helping Olivia get dressed, she looked at my shirt, which has 'Old Navy' written across the chest on it and asked, "Mom, what does that say?"  I told her it read, 'Old Navy.'  She looked at me, looked back at it and said, "No mom, it says Old Mama!"  She was completely serious faced the whole time.  Meant every word.  I tried to correct her, but she insisted it really said, "Old Mama."

While playing with her new kitchen set from Christmas, Olivia told me she was making 'treats'.  She gathered them (mini-marshmallows) all up in a tupperware bowl, and started to then knock on all my kitchen cupboard doors. She would go from one to another knocking, then saying, "Merry Christmas!  We bring you treats."  When no one would answer the door, she'd look downtrodden and say to me, "Mama, no one is home."  Then she'd move onto the next cupboard.

I now have a new way to wake up Olivia.  She has taking to falling asleep in the late afternoons which really messes up her bedtime schedule.  I try everything I can to keep her awake, but the minute she sits down, she's out.  One day I tried everything I could think of to wake her up. Tickling her, playing with her face, prompting her with food...  nothing worked. Then I sat down at the computer and turned on her favorite... Hannah Montana.  She sat up instantly and told me she needed to dance!  Worked like a charm.  Now whenever I need to wake her up, I just turn to good old Hannah, and the dancing bug kicks in.

We took Brad's lunch to his work today. Olivia is such a daddy's girl.  She was really excited to see him, and talked his ear off all during lunch.  I was afraid that when we left she'd be upset that he wasn't coming with us.  But, as we pulled out of the parking lot, she said, "Wow... that was really fun to see daddy.  He's so really nice.  I kissed him and hugged him."  It was really cute.  Then a little bit later down the road, she SQUEALED, "I'm so excited to see daddy tonight!"  She is COMPLETELY a devoted daddy's girl!

Five Years and counting...

Five years ago, Brad and I got married!  I can't believe it's been five years already.  So much of it has flown by!  However, when I sit back and look at everything we have been through together, it doesn't seem possible that it has ONLY been five years.  I guess that's how it goes, right?  I can honestly say that I LOVE THIS MAN more EVERY day!  He has taught me so much about how to LOVE, inspire, teach, forgive, encourage, support, befriend, CHERISH, TRUST and completely give oneself to another!  I don't know who I'd be or where I'd be without him in my life!

Brad, 'I love you truly' and I always will!  Thanks for choosing to spend your forever with me! 

It's pretty sad that I don't have any of our 'professional' pictures downloaded onto our computer.  This picture was taken at our luncheon at The Coppermill in Logan.  It was a complete blizzard that day, and we'd just come in from taking pictures in the snow. (nice wallpaper, eh?)

Now, just how many people do you know that get to have 'on-duty' firefighters 

show up at their wedding reception?  I had to document the occasion for posterity's sake.  

These are some of my favorite firefighters from Logan Fire Department.  

It was a great surprise to see them at my reception.

To celebrate today, Brad took me to the Body Worlds exhibit.  It was a pretty interesting.  The human body is amazing.  God definitely is an artist and an amazing creator.  After we left the exhibit, we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant of all time... Tepanyaki's.  We only get to go there about once a year.  (We save all our pennies it seems like and after a year we can afford it.)  It was yummy and well worth the wait!  I also received a surprise in the form of 5 red roses made out of wood!  By looking at them, you'd never know they aren't real.  Since the five year anniversary 'traditional' gift is wood, they are fitting.  AND, they won't die within a few days of receiving them! Perfect! 

Brad, thanks for a fantastic day and an even better FIVE years! 

 I LOVE YOU!