Sunshine

Our family went on vacation to California. We had so much fun. My parents and my brother Scott also came with us. We stayed at the Newport Coast Marriott and it was great. We were sad that Kim, Josh, and Melissa couldn't make it. I've included a lot of pictures because I didn't want to leave anything out! Our little sweetie is getting big. She just turned 9 months old!

Allison hanging out at the Balboa pier. We ate lunch at Ruby's. She loved watching the water and the birds.

These are our friends the Haag's. Dave baptized Jenn and Robert on his mission. We have kept in touch and enjoy spending time with them and their adorable kids!

DISNEYLAND!!! This was such a fun day. The weather was fabulous and the longest we waited in line was 15 minutes. Perfect. Allison went on Pirates twice, Jungle Cruise, Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and Small World. Also Dave went on Space Mountain for the first time! He had only been to Disneyland once before and that ride was closed that day. He loved it! Space Mountain is my favorite ride.

Disneyland has a special spot in my heart and I am so happy we got to go. The first of many Disneyland adventures with our family!

Grandma and Allison at Hunington Beach. Not too many things are better than campfires and cookouts at the beach. Alli is watching Grandma as she picks her favorite sea shells out of the ones she collected.

We went to Shoreline Village. We looked in all the shops, saw the Queen Mary, and let Allison ride her first carousel! The zebra was the coolest.

Mom and Dad you are the best!

Thank you, Thank you!

a baby and a prophet

My sweet sister-in-law Jenn's mom passed away just over a week ago. She had cancer and twice gave a valiant fight but unfortunately it got the best of her. On Thursday, April 30th her family held a viewing for her. Dave and Allison were there along with Dave's family but I was at work. So Dave calls me and says, guess who we met, I said who? Oh President Monson! There they were and what do you know President Monson came walking in the room. He came because it turns out Jenn's grandfather is a member of the 70, Elder Mack Lawrence. Grandma Phillips was holding her and President Monson came and said hello and touched her cheek. Allison looked at him like he was crazy. Then later he came back again, this time Dave was holding her, and he tickled her cheeks and said how cute she was! This time Allison smiled at him. That a girl!
The next day at Debbie's funeral the Bishop read a letter written and signed by President Monson, President Eyring, and President Uchtdorf. It was very special.
So while we are all sad for Jenn and Steven's loss, our little family gained a memorable experience. We can forever tell Allison that she met and was tickled by our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.
**I asked Dave, "did you take a picture?", he said he thought about it but thought that under the circumstances it wasn't appropriate. I agree but dang it!

Here I come!

Allison has been "army" and "butterfly stroke" crawling for the past couple of months. But as of a couple days ago she can really crawl! Check it out...

4 years ago... April 22 was our first date and it was a blind date. A mutual friend had given Dave my number and thought we would be great together. She was right! He came to pick me up and took me to dinner at Ruby Tuesday. We clicked right away and the conversation flowed easily.After dinner we went and met up with two other couples at Boondocks. We played miniature golf. One of the other couples that was there on a first date ended up getting married too! And I'd gone to high school with the girl that was part of the third couple. It was a very fun night.I put this picture up because I am wearing the same outfit I wore on our first date. I remember because I love that pink top. Is it weird that I remember this, maybe. But I do. After this first date we continued to go out or talk everyday until I left for England. But it did not end there... We talked on the phone and emailed almost everyday for six weeks. I sent him a birthday package and he sent me a package. We are both grateful for this time we had to become really good friends. This is only the beginning of our story.....

Happy 4th Anniversary of our first date!

Happy Easter!

The Easter Bunny found his way to our house...

Allison with Mommy and Daddy

A few things we enjoyed about Easter this year were
picking out Allison's Easter dress, going to church, seeing our families, Easter baskets, and remembering our Savior.

What is Happiness...

If anyone is wondering what pure happiness looks like, here it is. Look at that face! :)

I couldn't resist putting both of these pictures up. She brings us such joy and just exudes happiness! Notice the three teeth all on the bottom. We love this little munchkin so much!!!

Aunt Jenn and Alli have matching hair! Too cute!

Busted! Guess who is getting too big/mobile for her vibrating chair... If only my mom wouldn't buckle me in.

Allison is on the verge of crawling! She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth. She also gets into the push up position. We are amazed how well she can move around. Her techniques mostly consist of the army crawl and getting up on her hands and knees, falling forward, and repeating until she gets to where she wants to go.

Old Man Winter has gone away...for now

We went to the park the other day. The weather has been so nice lately. I am ready for spring! This was Alli's first trip to the park. She enjoyed it. She was looking at everything-the trees, water, fountain, ducks. She saw ducks for the first time. I love thinking about the world as she sees it. Everything she sees is new and exciting and a learning opportunity. We look forward to many more days spent at the park.These ducks walked with us for a long time. Luke named them Jack and Mack. We said they were our bodyguards. :) I am a biased mother but my goodness I think she is pretty.We had a little six months old birthday party for her. She is growing up so quickly. Look out dad, she's already getting kisses!

Husband Tag...

I was tagged by Shalise so here I go.
Just a little info about the man I love!

-Where we met: We met on a blind date after Shauna gave Dave my number. So we first met at the front porch of my parents house.
-How long we dated before we were married: We dated for 8 months before we were married.
-How long have we been married: 3 years, 2 months, 7 days. Don’t worry, I honestly did not know that off the top of my head.
-What's my favorite feature about him: His eyes. They are gorgeous blue and he has the best eyebrows. His eyebrows are great. I tell him I hope Allison gets his eyebrows. I have struggled with my brows for a long time. Hence, I notice these things. ;)
-What's my favorite quality about him: I can’t pick just one. He is loyal, loving, funny, charming, and he "gets" me. I am one lucky girl!
-What's his nickname for me: Antelope and mama. Thinking about it...I may have to encourage some new nicknames for me. Maybe sweetheart or honey would be nice.
-His favorite color: Blue? or Red?
-His favorite food: I don't know. He has a lot. Some are chicken divan, terriyaki steak, blueberry yogurt, peanut butter cookies.
-His favorite sport: ALL!
-Who said the L word first: Well mostly Dave did. But once Before we had "said" it, I slipped and instead of saying like you I said love but I just brushed it off and continued to talk as if I hadn't said it. He didn't hear it so it didn't happen. Then later on he said it for real.
-First kiss when and where: It was in my basement the morning I left for London. It had been after a week of hanging out everyday and I wanted to kiss him but at the same time I didn't because I was leaving and who knew if anything would come of this. But finally we kissed. The rest is history.... ahhhh, how romantic.
-Favorite couple thing to do: Just spending time together, cooking, walking, hot tubbing.
-How many kids: 1 cute baby girl.
-His age: 26
-His favorite music: Rockish stuff.
-What I admire most about him: Everything.
-His favorite pastimes: Playing basketball, watching sports or a couple favortire tv shows, and lately, reading-which I find soooo attractive!
-Will he read his: Probably

Tag: Megan, Paula, Julia

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

I am at my parents house so I don't have my regular pictures to post for Christmas, New Year, Blessing... you know all the ones I have yet to post :) But I just wanted to give a quick update. The reason it has been extra long is because I have become addicted to Facebook. I really admire all of you who regularly maintain both. Good for you. I am working on finding a balance. I love snow and rain but I am getting anxious for spring to come. Now an Allison update: she is the best baby ever. She is 5 1/2 months, she has her two bottom teeth, she eats rice cereal and rice cereal mixed with veggies. So far she likes peas, squash, and carrots, but she did not like green beans. We tried green beans first so now that she's tried the others we will give them another try. We will see if she likes it now. We are head over heels in love with her. She gives the best smiles. Ok, that is enough. Hope you all are well.