everywhere and everything

                

                          

                                     

9 months old today and she finally went to the zoo this weekend and got her first pair of shoes. I didn't think I would love shoe shopping for her as much as I love to go shoe shopping for myself. What is it about shoes? The zoo was a great outing on Friday - we went with a friend and her two kids. What made me love the zoo even more - it was free! Tomorrow I have Darla's well check and I'm excited to see all the numbers. Strangely, seeing those numbers (weight, height etc) is rewarding. After that fabulous General Relief Society Meeting last night I am rejuvenated for another week. President Uchtdorf was incredible. What resonated to me more than ever was the truthfulness of this gospel. How blessed I feel to be part of it all. 

Just crawling around

Just a little bit proud - just a little bit.

I won't grow up!

Darla is growing up. I had the experience of going into her room this morning to get her our of her crib and she wasn't laying down waiting - she had pulled herself up with the railing so she was standing there waiting for me.  It's amazing to me how she literally grows up over night. She didn't do that yesterday, but she did it this morning and has continued to stand up with the help of objects all day long. She holds toys next to her ear and acts like it's a phone, she knows what the fish says, can wave bye-bye, finds every little piece of whatever on the carpet and somehow gets it into her mouth, crawls over to the books and brings you which one she wants to read etc. I need to send this girl to Neverland. 

why not?

Well we are about to paint a few walls in our apartment. It's the first place we've lived in where we can actually paint! I'm excited and I believe Erik is excited to have a project. Not much is happening today, just errands, U of U game, and eating goldfish - "I love fishes cause they're so delicious - must be Goldfishes!"

No words - Just pics

                     

                      

                            

Silly Girl

We've had  another great weekend. We had stake conference today and Bishop Edgley spoke. He is a powerful speaker. I was grateful to be able to hear and see him. Yesterday we went to Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. We were in the mood for a good burger, so we thought we'd try it out. Hard Rock always has such a fun atmosphere. So let me explain that first picture of Darla. She likes to suck on just the top of this sippy cup we have and I think it's hilarious because of how it makes her mouth/nose look. She's crazy. We love her - what more can I say.

beautiful teeny

Stopped by Old Navy the other day and couldn't resist this shirt (which was 40% off I might add).  I don't know why I go into clothing stores. I don't really need anything and I'll just end up wanting everything. I admit I am faithful follower of the TV show "What Not To Wear." I feel like it is my one hope to keep me informed on fashion since I'm pretty much home with Darla everyday. The hilarious thing though is that most of the time while watching it I'm chilln' in my outdated jeans and a t-shirt that has spit-up on it. Let's just say Stacy would not approve. I would like to say though that it would be a thrill to have $5,000.00 to go shopping in New York. Not to mention having stylists with you to tell you love it or hate it - so in other words: Feel free to nominate me.

Splits and Spits

Don't you love how she is standing next to the table? She seriously can almost stand there all by herself. I wouldn't be surprised if she stood up before she crawls. She is rather close to crawling. The video below is of her making her new funny sound. When she is just sitting there playing, or whatever her little mouth is making some kind of sound. Why is she growing up?

"Our house, in the middle of the street"

Some have been asking for pictures of our place here in MN. I haven't taken pictures of the upstairs, just the main living area and kitchen. This set up is really working for us. Even though we are all unpacked I am still keeping myself busy as I figure where things work best. It's starting to get cooler here. I'm kind of excited to experience one of these winters for myself instead of just listening to people talk about what they are like. All I know is that "it's going to be cold, and it's going to last us the rest of our lives" (Groundhog Day)

same old, same old

I felt so bad for Darla today when I set her down on the same blanket, with the same basket that has all of her same toys she plays with every single day, day in and day out. I can't even imagine what that must be like. Yet, it is incredible that she really will sit there and play with them even though she has been playing with these same toys since she was able to hold on to something.  She has had a few new additions like the few I bought for the plane ride. But for the most part it's about the same 15-20 items.  Do I need to get her something new? Is she still being mentally, and physically simulated enough even though she has seen them all before hundreds of times?

Bread Bread and more Bread

Ok, so when I was in St. Louis for my senior year, there was this place called the St. Louis Bread Co. For those of you who know me well and my love for Rio, it was basically my Rio for that school year. Everywhere else St. Louis Bread Co is known as Panera. I have NO IDEA why there isn't one of these in Utah. But, lucky me there is one here in Minneapolis. This truly has to be one of my most favorite restaurants in the world. If you come visit I almost guarantee that we will take you to eat at Panera. I mean come on - who doesn't like bread?

Balance

Yesterday was a great sunday. I had been thinking all week about how I needed to prepare myself better for the Sabbath Day. As I thought, prayed, studied and discussed how I could do this, I learned. The spirit was so strong in every meeting yesterday. The topic of Sacrament meeting and joint RS/Priesthood meeting was "How to find balance in life." Going into those meetings I didn't realize how much I needed those messages. More than anything I feel like I was given a perspective on time that I have never really had before. The rest of the day I found myself a little more patient with all that was going on around me. I was grateful for the situations of time that I was in. Even last night when I had to get up with Darla, I couldn't believe how much I loved her, and how blessed I felt for this season with her. It is amazing to me how much I need to learn. It is amazing to me the ways that I am taught. It is amazing to me that God always helps us. I am thankful for simply. . . life.