It's Family Time in Utah!

We have had a wonderful few weeks! Lily and I braved a flight to UT alone together and lucky for me, she was a champ. It was so fun getting together with friends and family, and especially watching how everyone just loves our little Lily. After a weekend in Utah, we had a great afternoon at the This Is the Place Monument with the Roberts. We loved seeing all the animals, and loved being with our family. The next day it was off to Sun Valley, Idaho with the Nielsen clan. Sun Valley is probably one of my most favorite places on this earth! The scenery is so beautiful, and I have such special memories of family vacations in Sun Valley. Lily had a great time and gave lots and lots of kisses to her cousins! We spent one morning up at Red Fish Lake, and it was so peaceful and rejuvenating! Lily played in the sand, but only if she had her shoes on. Once we took them off, she was glued to the beach towel! We had such an amazing time and want to thank both of our families and all of our cute friends for making this trip just what mommy and Lily needed. Cute little Ryan stayed behind and worked his tail off, but loved every minute of it! We sure don't see him much these days, but he is learning and loving his work. We'll be in touch!

Happy Fourth!

Well, Ryan started his residency this week, and yes, it is true, he is gone quite a bit! He is loving every minute of it though and is so happy. So to kick off Ryan's residency, Ron and Debbie came and visited for his last weekend of freedom! Lily loves her grandparents and loved playing with Grandpa Ron and loved Grandma Debbie's company in the backseat of the car! We can't wait to see you and the rest of our family again in just a few days!

So the fourth was a little different this year, and was a foreshadowing of holidays to come we think...Ryan was on call, so we made the most of it and went to see him for lunch and dinner! Lily loved the resident room and made herself at home quickly. It is so neat to see Ryan in his scrubs and his physician's coat! He really is a doctor, it's crazy!

So Lily's newest trick...she folds her arms for prayers. She often does it on cue, but yesterday at church she looked around at everyone praying during Sunday school and stopped what she was doing to fold her arms and bow her head. How cute is that! She also has become quite interested in books, and sitting on big people chairs to read them. She is talking, well jabbering so much these days...I'm just waiting for that first real word to eek its way out! Come on Lily, put those final consonants on your words (sorry, its a Speech Pathologist thing!).

New York New York!!!!

I love New York City! We had the greatest weekend in the Big Apple! The best part about this trip was the opportunity to stay with Stacey and Mark and their little kiddies. Stace and I have been friends now for about 15 years (holy cow!) and even though we live far away from each Swirl and talking with Steph, Kel, and Josette for hours into the night! I am so blessed to have such amazing friends. I love you all!

So, back to the weekend...what a blast! New York is probably one of my favorite cities. I love the sights, and yes the smells, and just all the crazy things that you would only see in New York. Like the drummer in Central Park singing about hula hoops! We had adventure after adventure and captured it all on film. Thank you for making this possible Stace and Mark! So enjoy! Until next week.....

I'm tired of doing stuff....

So before I go into our weekend, I had to include this great quote from my sweet husband. Over the last few weeks he has been home, getting our basement completely organized, helping out so much with Lily, doing yardwork, etc. etc. So, last night after a long Sunday managing our sweet Lily at church, getting home, getting bath time and bed time taken care of, and making dinner Ryan was done. He was rushing to get dinner on his plate, and I looked at him and said, "What's the deal? Why are you hurrying?" He quickly said, "I'm tired of doing stuff!" I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing. I think Ryan has realized what it is like to be a wife and mommy! We are always doing "stuff." Isn't it great?

On a different note....this is what I did this weekend. If you can't tell what is happening, I experienced what is called a "Fish Pedicure" with a group of friends. Yes, you heard me right! You put your feet in this little pool, and these special fish come and nibble at your feet to make them silky smooth! I think you can tell by my expression, and by my death grip on my cute friend Jennifer's hand how I felt about it! Also notice that at this point there are no fish on my feet, I was just freaked out! I finally was able to relax a bit, and I will say that my feet were so smooth after these 15 minutes of craziness! I would recommend it, although you would have to come visit me to get one. This is the only place in the US that it is being done. Nibble, nibble, nibble.....

To the Beach!

We have had such a wonderful past few weeks filled with family and amazing achievements. We loved being with our supportive families, and enjoyed spending time with everyone! Lily especially loved the butterfly exhibit at the Natural History Museum! Look at that friend on Daddy's head!


So after the hoopla of birthdays, graduation, and visitors, we took our own little vacation! This was Lily's second time to the beach. The first time she was only 3 months old and was just along for the ride. This time it was a different story! She was very interested in all the happenings! She was a trooper in the car , she slept like a champ, and her eating...well, we'll just say that she ate vacation style - lots of fishy crackers, bananas, and bits and pieces of Mom and Dad's food! The ocean was a little intimidating, and cold! Lily didn't really like the sand and stayed well protected on her little towel. It was a great way to keep her stationary for a few minutes! She attended her very first concert and we thought it only appropriate to break her in to the absolute best, Mr James Taylor of course! She clapped and danced throughout the first half of the concert, then she was out cold after a short stroll around the grassy hill. The concert was so great...it made us really miss our home and our family. Memories of hiking in the Uintah mountains were swimming through my mind!

So it's back home and back to real life! Just eating fishy crackers and hanging out with Dad. Real life is pretty dang good.

You say it's your birthday....and a graduation?

Yes folks, that's right....two momentous occasions occurring in one week! Lily turned one last week and we were lucky enough to celebrate her birthday with Ryan's whole family and my Mom and Dad. It was a blast and she was a trooper. Opening gifts, hitting a pinata, eating a beautiful ladybug cake :), and eating pizza can be very exhausting! Overall, she won't remember a thing, but we had fun and the cake was a blast to make and even more fun to just look at! Maybe I'll switch professions...ha ha!

Occassion number two....drumroll please.....Ryan officially became a doctor on Saturday! Graduation was so wonderful, and again we were so blessed to have so many family members here with us to celebrate. The ceremony was so incredible, and it was quite emotional thinking about everything Ryan has accomplished, and all that is ahead! We will be staying put for the next seven years as he begins to really live his dream! He will begin his residency in July, so it will be good-bye Sweetie for a while. I'm kidding, I don't think it will be that bad! We are so proud of you Ryan and wish to thank you for taking us along for the ride! It's off to bigger and better things now, Dr. Roberts! Yeah!

Happy Mother'sDay....Lily is almost one!

Officially my first Mother's Day was last year when Lily was one day old, but this year I feel a little more like I know what it means to be a Mommy and boy did we celebrate today! Cute Ryan spent all morning preparing an incredible dinner. We had chilled strawberry soup, a wonderful spinach salad, and grilled salmon with potatoes and creamed corn. Hello!!! I have the greatest husband ever.

Tomorrow is the day! Lily's first birthday. We can not believe that this day is here. Especially since this time also marks Ryan's graduation from medical school. These past four years have flown by! We can't believe how fast things have gone. We have had so many memorable highlights these past four years, Amy's first "real world" job, the Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade, surviving Lyme Disease buying our first home, taking a trip to Hawaii, and of course bringing Lily into this world! We wanted to share a few pictures of some of our memories over the last four years, so enjoy!