Kirkland Family Reunion

Last weekend we has two family reunions for Chris' family. On Saturday we got together with Chris' birth dad's family. We haven't been that close to the Kirklands until last year when they started getting together themselves. It was so fun to meet and get to know the cousins better. Some live right near by us and we plan on getting together again soon!

The Aunts and Uncles. Mark was killed on assignment while working for the FBI back in 1977. His uncle Jay brought a box full of pictures of Mark for Chris and his brother Ken. It's amazing how much they both look like Mark. I will post some of the pics later, Ken has them to scan.

Alex with her second cousins. I think they kinda look alike. And her hair color is from the Kirkland side, a few of the cousins had the same color!

All the second cousins, they had so much fun playing in the water, dirt and getting prizes!

Aunt Mary Kay with Samantha. Uncle Brent and Mary Kay planned the whole thing, thank you so much for getting us all together!!

Andrus Family Reunion

Friday night we went up to Heber Valley Camp for the Andrus reunion (Monty's side). We had such a great time, except on the way up Alex was complaining of an owie and then threw-up all over herself and her carseat! Even though we were not planning on sleeping over, I luckily brought pajamas for thr girls. Chris lost his appetite while cleaning things up! Anyway, enough about the barfing.

Alex with her dinner.

Daddy and Samantha.

Cutest baby face!!

Chris' aunt and uncle planned the reunion and the activities for the kids. They had a treasure hunt and found a pinata at the end of it. All the kids got a chance to whack the dragon, youngest to oldest, even Sam! We had a great time until we had to leave and go home and get in our car which smelled like barf!! Good times.

Neighborhood Party

A few of us in our neighborhood planned a pretty kick-A party for Pioneer Day. Since we are all new to our development, I figured we needed to start a new tradition. So, we had a parade, a raffle, games, BBQ, fireworks and an award for the "Friendliest Neighbor". As the 3 of us were setting up in my yard, it was 5:55 and the parade was starting at 6:00. There was nobody at my house dropping off food etc. We were wondering where everyone was and worried that we wouldn't have the turn-out we had hoped for. One of my friends called her husband and he said there were 50 + people waiting at the designated parade start. As I started walking over and rounded the corner, this is what I saw! Such excitement.

Chris and Alex, with her sweet ride that I decorated.

The host and hostess with the mostest?

The view of about 1/3 of the people and kids watching the fireworks show that Chris put on. Next year, we going illegal!

This is how you can tell a girl has had partied her heart out! Let's just say the tub water was brown.

We had tons of fun and were so pleased that so many neighbors showed up, I counted about 250. Everyone seemed to have had a great time, it went so smooth. I think the tradition has begun!

Happy Birthday Babe!

Today is Christopher's birthday, he's 32 but only got to blow out one candle! I think he had a great one - although we celebrated it yesterday too and he told me in church today that I should give him "something" everyday this week for his birthday. (hahaha) So, I think this one is going to be a week long event!
Alex wanted to blow out a candle too. She' s been singing 'Happy Birthday' the last couple of days. I don't know if she knows that it's Daddy's birthday and not hers.

Last night we had a few friends over for a BBQ and games, I only got 2 pictures of the whole night. I think I have forgotten that I have a blog. The whole night was so much fun from the guys playing Bocci Ball and Badmitton and the girls taking the golf cart to see the horses to roasting marshmellows! We have such great friends. We also went and saw 'The Dark Knight' yesterday afternoon. Great movie although long and NOT for kids.

Some of the girls rallying on the golf cart! Reminds me of my younger years golfing at Willow Creek with my dad and thinking I was SO cool driving the cart!

Chris is such a wonderful person, I know I listed some of the reasons I love him on our Anniversary post but I'll mention some more here.

He has such a great sense of humor, he's not moody and I know I can always have a good laugh with him (just like we did today while we were napping)! He's smart and very passionate about his thoughts and opinions, I like that about him. He's easy to please, I bought him a push broom for his b-day and he was so excited he cleaned the garage yesterday! Ok, I'm sure he was just a little disappointed so I told him next year I'd really treat him well and buy him something cool or fun - like a lawnmower! He is such a wonderful father, when Alex gets hurt she wants her daddy because Chris is so focused on her and her owie and wants her to tell him all about it. Me, I kiss it better and tell her she's ok. When he comes home from work she runs to him with her arms open and crashes into him with a big hug. It's the cutest thing. Chris has alot of intergrity and has been so shocked in the business world that so many people lack honesty and integrity. I know he'll always treat people honestly. I love you Chris!

3 months old

Samantha is 3 months old already! She is at such a cute stage (what stage isn't?), she's been cooing and almost giggling and really interacting with us and that makes being a parent so FUN! I want to squeeze her so hard sometimes because I can't get enough. She has a very sweet and happy personality, a little angel.




This is my sister Di and her baby Reese who is 5 weeks older than Sam and my cousin Amiee with her son Nolan who is 10 days older than Reese. He's a big boy, and so cute!



Random, but cute of Alex and some of her friends in our neighborhood on the 4th of July. She loves playing alot lately - every morning she tells me "I go", I ask where and she usually says 'Tate's house". Her and Tate are such good friends, they play so well together...hardly any fights over toys and things. It's nice.

She doesn't usually respond to 'Sam', but you call her 'Mantha' and she looks right at you.

I found her asleep like this in her crib, she probably fought with it for a while and then gave up!

True confessions of a postpartum girl!

Ok, I am in DESPERATE need of some major weight loss MIRACLE! I know, I know, I just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago, be easy on myself, right? But, hello...look at my muffin top!!!! Well, I am officially done breast feeding as of yesterday and of course it's sad but now I'm reved up and ready to go. I've lost my Samantha weight, but now have my Alexandra weight to lose. I tried South Beach a few weeks ago, I lost 10 lbs in the first week and nothing for the following 3 weeks. I chalked it up to nursing. I'd like to try it again, but if any of you reading this has had some personal success PLEASE share. I'm up for anything, especially if it's FREE. I'm sending out this SOS tonight because today I just felt really unhappy about my body and I'm tired of feeling like that - it shouldn't control my emotions like it does. I really want to have a healthy body image for myself but also for my girls. Oh, and I'd like to fit back into my skinny clothes!

This is the Place Park

Today a group of us went up to This Is The Place park for a neighborhood fieldtrip that my friend organized. We had a great time. Alex LOVED the petting zoo - in fact, she was the first kid to go up to the lambies and pet them. She was feeding them and wouldn't take her hands off of them. I was suprised at how much she loved it!


She went on a pony ride and loved that too! Although, by her stoic expression you cannot tell. She wouldn't smile for me, she's a little stubborn at times.

Here she is with her cute friend Tate, he loves to feed her and she loves it when he does! They are cute little buddies. I told Tate to help her eat since she was too distracted, he then was telling her to sit down, come back to her seat, eat her 'sanich' . Too cute!

Our little 'Mantha girl. I think she enjoyed herself too!

Blessing Day

We blessed Samantha last Sunday, it was such a spiritual day for Chris and I. The blessing Chris gave Sam was so heartfelt and special. Chris really put alot of thought into it which means so much to me. It was so great to have all our family come out and support our newest addition.

Samantha Kate or 'mantha as Alex calls her.
Great Granpa and Grandma Searle, Grandma Julia, Grandpa Mont, Great Grandma and Grandpa Andrus. A four generation picture for Chris, on both sides! (How lucky he is.)
Big sister making sure the binky doesn't fall out during the picture.
Grandma Sue.
Hanging out with Grandpa Bob after an eventful day.

My heart and mind

About a week or so ago I was doing some pondering about my life and the things that influence me and my attitude. I really wanted to improve some things and especially my thoughts. For the most part I am a pretty optimistic and happy person, but negative thoughts enter my mind and I find myself gossiping from time to time. I know it's wrong, but sometimes it feels good - like in a venting way. I don't want to be like that and I don't want my kids to ever hear me saying something bad about someone else. They might think it's ok to do the same. My desire for change isn't just about saying things about others, but just my thoughts period about situations and circumstances. So, my new attitude is working so far and it's come from the heart. I know it won't be easy and it will take a lifetime and beyond to change. I said something about someone 8 years ago that wasn't very nice. That person has held a grudge against me for that long and I didn't know until last year. Well, I wasn't going to apologize because I thought my comment was true. This last week there was an opportunity for me to say sorry - I hesitated and justified my actions to myself. Then I thought, what's it going to hurt for me to swallow my pride. I thought it would be hard. Surprisingly, it was EASY and it felt good! I wished I had done that 8 years ago. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Alexandra May

Today our sweet little girl turned 2! Time flies. She has been such a delighful child to raise, always so happy and pretty obedient. Her smile and laugh are infectious! She is very aware of other people's feelings and observant of her surroundings. Right out of the womb she was staring at everyone that held her - like a deep soul stare! This picture is of her handing me my Mother's Day gift, beautiful flowers. She won't pose for the camera. Stinker.

Yesterday we celebrated her b-day with our familes at a combined Mother's Day dinner at Chris' parent's house. She loved her gifts, a tutu from Grandma Sue and a trike from G & G Andrus, just to name a couple.
The gluten-free cupcakes were a hit!

Today we had a little cupcake party with some of her neighborhood friends. We love cupcakes. Who doesn't? We ended up stripping the girls down so they wouldn't get their shirts dirty. I love this picture, Bentley eating her cupcake like a dog, Alex happy to be eating cupcakes again, Helen and Mayet focused on the task at hand. So cute.

Alex likes to act silly and rough house withe boys, older ones especially! She is curious and observant - when I get off the phone she asks, "whad say?" She minds pretty well and is very helpful with baby sister. She is independent and such a joy to have in our family. I look forward to the future with her but for now, I love all her precious moments. I'm lucky to be her mother! Happy Birthday Ally Magoo!

Archuleta and the Jazz

Posting from Chris.

So last night my dad gives me call, letting me know that he has some row 1 seats for game three. Of course I rescheduled my night. It was worth it, big time.

David Archuleta from American Idol sang the national anthem (If you watch the show, you'll see it Wednesday I'm sure. He was way good!) Here's some pics of him on the court, before and during his performance:
Then he went and sat just a few rows behind us, behind the press tables. So, I went and asked him to sign my Jazz shirt. Everyone in the arena got one. Think I can sell it on EBay?

Basically, I said, "You're awesome bro." His response: "Oh my gosh - you're so nice! Thank you so much!"

We sat just behind the team. The Jazz played well, and I think the final score was 104 Jazz, 99 Lakers. We booed Kobe all night. Senator Hatch sat by us. Kind of a snoozer fan.

My brother-in-law Jeff was at the game too and came and said hi to us during half time. Afterwards as we were going to our car, I heard someone yell out "I didn't see the stairs!" and I heard a crunching sound. I turned around to see a guy in a big powered wheel chair just completing a summersault and settling in right on his face at the bottom of a flight of terrace steps on the Jazz plaza. I ran back and within 3 seconds a dozen other people showed up as well. We all heaved him upright (that thing weighted more than you would think) and brought him down the stairs. He had really thick glasses, and was moaning in pain. I flagged down someone with a walkie-talkie and they got the medics on the way. Poor guy. All in all it was a very memorable night. Thanks Dad!

Too Many Time-outs

Chris and I were talking last night about the amount of time-outs we've been giving Alexandra. I was thinking back over the day and wondering if her punishments had been a little harsh for her actions. I expressed how I want to be a really good mom and be patient and loving AS much as I can - I know there are moments when I lose it and will be more in the future. It's the facts.

He told me something he heard on the radio about parenting toddlers, that there is a differen between willful disobedience and just exploring their curiosity. We know that Alex needs boundaries and we also know that we need to follow through and be consistent. The psychologist said that you need to look at your child's heart and know their intent. Alex has a good heart. She is really good natured and isn't destructive. Today both Chris and I were a little more patient and understanding with her and she didn't have to go in any time-outs. Perhaps the lack of sleep has made me irritable because since Samantha was born, Alex has seen the corner atleast once a day, if not more.

Each day is a learning process as a parent, I realize that I won't be who I want to be as a mother overnight. I will try each day to be more patient and remember that my sweet kids are children of God, that I've been entrusted to teach them and love them here on earth. How lucky am I!