Chillin in the Kitchen

One of our family's favorite things to do is to be in the kitchen cooking together. So DJ and I have come up with some creative ways of entertaining little MJ while in the kitchen. Here are just a few:

Yep, Cabbage!!

You guessed it, SNOW!! I wonder who had this idea!!

A few video updates

Here are a few videos for you viewing pleasure!!

An Old Talent Re-awakened

Recently I have started playing my flute again. I played flute not only in a band in middle school and in high school but I also played in a musical quartet and also solo. It was a hobby that I really enjoyed at the time. But as time continued after high school other things/hobbies filled my life. Recently I had been receiving much encouragement/push from those I love to pick up the hobby/talent again. DJ's Mom, Kathy, really wanted me to get into again, DJ was also a great support and continues to say he loves to hear me play in our home. My parents also showed much support as I mentioned starting again. Another individual who had given me a push was Holly M. in our ward. She did this mostly by volunteering me for musical numbers and such!! :) Well I had forgotten how much I really enjoy this hobby/talent!! In December I played in public for the first time in 10 years!! I played during our Ward Sunday Christmas program!! How nerve racking!! However, since then I have received a lot of positive feedback from ward members. Which has also served as great encouragement. I have a long way to go before I reach where I want to be as a flutist, but thanks to the great encouragement of others I have once again picked up this long lost hobby. It is amazing the confidence you gain as you do something you love. Well, in my pursuit of becomimg a better flutist, I am beginning to put together a list of songs that I could possibly play at wedding receptions. I am struggling a bit to think of possible song options. Thus far I have select songs from Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge to name a few. What song ideas do all of you have for me in my pursuit?? Thanks to all of those who have lent great support!!

Cache Valley Getaway!!

As a family we took a trip to Logan to spend some time with Sami, Amanda and Kade. We had such a great time going out to eat, shopping a bit, and going to the cheese factory. But we would say that the highlight of the trip was swimming at the motel that we stayed at. It was MJ's first time and we think that she handled it rather well!!! That makes DJ super happy being the swimmer that he is! Here are some pics of our swimming adventure:

This was a game of search and find on the bottom of the pool with coins, whoever found the most money won. (Look at Amanda's cute belly!!)


Thanks Sami, Amanda and Kade for the great time!!

Dinosaur at IKEA??

So I have received permission from DJ to tell this hilarious story. As you all know DJ is a very hardworking father and husband. Well New Year's Eve night we decided to go to bed around 11 o'clock. Okay, I know we are lame, who doesn't stay up on New Year's Eve?? Well, we had had a few rough nights with MJ and DJ had worked that morning super early and had to go back into work at 6 am. But our night didn't go without partying - We played some fun games together and had eaten some great food, including shrimp, wings and other yummy treats. So once DJ and I were in bed I was talking about how lame it was that we were in bed early on New Year's Eve, this was his response to my comments, and I quote "But don't worry Luce, we will get a dinosaur at IKEA in 3 weeks." After he said this I stared at him wondering what he was talking about and he himself had woken himself up with his crazy comment and asked me what he just said. We laughed for quite a while. Early the next morning when I was up feeding MJ at 4 am I thought of what he had said again and couldn't stop laughing!! So if any of you hear of IKEA selling dinosaurs let us know, cause apparently we are getting one!!

Our Christmas Trip

For Christmas this year we were able to spend it at my sister Erin's house in Idaho. My parents also came and my sister Megan from Texas. We were missing my sister Tory who was at her in-laws but we were happy that she also came to Erin's the day before we left. I love this time of year, the gift giving/receiving is great, but the most wonderful part is that we get to spend time together as a families. I love my family so much and I cherish the time I get to spend with them. We were sad not to spend time with DJ's family but we will travel to see them soon enough!!
MJ seemed to have enjoyed her first Christmas, we have discovered that she absolutely loves stuffed animals. My sister Erin gave her a stuffed bear for Christmas, when she first laid eyes on it she acted as if she couldn't contain her excitement, she wiggled her arms and legs so much and even today we can place it in front of her and she will have a conversation with it!! Christmas is such a joy with children!

A family tradition of acting out the manger scene on Christmas Eve.

A fun train from Nana and Grandaddy.

MJ with Brooke, her only girl cousin. She loves Brooke!!

Cute pic on Sunday morning.

Our Anniversary!!

Sunday was mine and DJ's 2nd Anniversary. And as you all might remember from my previous post, I was planning our anniversary this year. Well I planned to celebrate it on Monday rather than Sunday. What was funny was that on Sunday I had totally forgotten that it was our anniversary, I only remembered after DJ reminded me after Church!! Reason being is that Sundays are usually crazy for me but this last one was exceptionally so!! It started with Ward Council at 7:30, from there went to choir practice, then played my flute with the choir in Sacrament Meeting, during Sunday School fed MJ and put her to sleep, and in Young Women's taught part of the lesson!! DJ always is sweet to remember important dates and such and I am the one to sometimes forget!! Well on Monday DJ got off of work at 11 o'clock so we were able to spend most of the day together. We went to the Melting Pot for dinner and then we watched the newly released Narnia at home. We had always wanted to go to the Melting Pot, but we knew how expensive it was and could never talk ourselves into spending that much. Our anniversary was a good excuse! It was definitely a unique dining experience and the food was great. DJ and I now want to save up to buy the stuff to do fondue on our own!! The Narnia movies are some of our favorites, but of course we didn't make it through the movie without snoozing off due to DJ's crazy work schedule and MJ's crazy sleep habits!! But these 2 years have been some of the best of my life!! I love DJ so much and can't imagine my life without him. He takes such good care of me and is constantly showing me how much he loves me. I am so grateful to be living my life beside such a great man.


This pic was taken on the Oregon coast right after DJ proposed to me!!