Semester Summary

First and foremost, Sadie said Megan's name perfectly a few weeks ago. (There you go Megan.) It is amazing how much one little person can develop in just a few short months. Not only has Sadie taken her first steps, she can really move. She walks everywhere and has even attempted running. Here's a clip of her walking a few weeks ago. Sadie is an even better walker now. Amazing!



Sadie is finally sleeping well. There was a while where she would always cry for a few minutes before going to sleep. However, it was fun to see which position she fell asleep in. I took a few pictures of my favorites!



I'll do a quick highlight of the major events from the past four months.

Halloween was a lot of fun. We went to our ward's trunk-or-treat (so many children) and then out to dinner with Megan and Brian. Alex and I dressed up as Jack and Sally from "The Nightmare before Christmas" and Sadie went as an angel/fairy. We couldn't find her a ghost dog costume so she could be Zero, Jack's pet.




I am lucky enough to have a great friend from high school move into my building. Sadie and I "play" with Ayden and Angie all the time. Ayden has become one of Sadie's best buddies.



The weekend before my birthday, we took a trip to Park City and shopped at the outlets. We (Alex, my Mom, Sadie, and I) ate at a GREAT place called the Butcher Block Chop House. On my birthday, Alex put together a small party. It was lots of fun.

Thanksgiving we a blast. We went out to Massachusetts and stayed for ten days with Alex's family. I love spending time with them! The only down part of the trip was that Alex, Sadie and I were sick the entire time. But the food was amazing and we cannot wait to go back.

Sadie's birthday was a bit crazy. She was a little overwhelmed and really did not want to try her cake. I made a bunny cake for everyone else and a cake for her in the shape of a carrot. We were expecting Sadie to dive right into her cake. Instead, she cried when frosting got on her hand. Afterwords, she tried some with a spoon, but still just wanted ice cream. She's her Grandpa's girl! During presents, I opened them while Sadie played with the paper. I think I played with them more than she did. Now that things have wound down again, she is really enjoying her new toys. Thank you to all who had a part in her special day.



For Christmas, we went to my parents' house and had a great time. The biggest accomplishment was how much Sadie warmed up to my Dad! Alex, my Dad, and Brian all got new drills. I received lots of cake decorating items. I am very excited to really get into decorating cakes. Best of all, we got to talk to Derrick (my brother who is on a mission). He is doing so well. I knew he would be a great missionary. He has such a great spirit and strong testimony.

Over the Christmas break, we played lots of games (Christmas Eve bingo). We especially liked playing bridge with Megan and Brian and a new Egyptian game with my folks. I wish we lived closer to them. It was great to spend a whole week there.



Alex has finished another semester towards his Masters. It won't be long until he can focus on his PHd, which he is really excited about. Honestly! He is researching something to do with aviation (you'll have to ask him about it). For those of you who know Alex, he loves everything to do with flying. I'm glad he will enjoy the next few years of school.

I am still at home, playing with our little girl all day. She is so much fun. Sadie is definitely my little girl, she LOVES to read books. I can't believe how quickly she learns. Her vocabulary is growing everyday and she does the cutest actions (like tickling her own feet as she says "tittl, tittl, tittl"). I am starting cake decoration classes next week (thanks Sara and Ken) and am really excited about learning how to make really yummy cakes. Life is great!

Summer Review

Now that the summer is over, I thought I'd give a few highlights. I apologize in advance; there are going to be a lot of photos.

If you ask Alex, the best thing that happened this summer was that he got his wings. He wasted no time taking advantage of his new certification. We (Sadie too) flew to Maine to visit Granny and Baba and eat some dinner. Alex and I flew to New York to see Wicked. That was amazing! If you have not seen it, go. It is my favorite Broadway show. If you are not able to see it, listen to the soundtrack. The songs are fun and impressive.

A group of women and I decided to learn something new each week of the summer. We had a birthday party themed day where we learned how to make pinatas, decorate cakes, and tie balloon animals. One day was card making and another was garnishing. Here is a rose carved from a beet. Afterwords, we had a feast with all the aesthetically appealing food we made.


One of the activities I really wanted to do this summer was to eat on a train. The whole family drove to New Port, RI where we not only had lunch on a train, we also received a narrated boat ride. This was also the first time Sadie sat by herself, successfully, in a high chair.


Sadie had lots of firsts this summer. She said "mama," "dada," "hi," and "Em." Sadie waves now, walks in her walker, went swimming in the pool, and had her first ER experience (false alarm, she's very healthy).

Most of the pictures of Sadie from the summer were taken in the car by her Aunt Emily. Here are a few that really make me smile.



For the fourth of July, everyone went into Cambridge (across the river from Boston) and watched the fireworks. Amazingly, Sadie slept through the booming fireworks.

We went to a Paw Sox game (the farmer's league for the Red Sox). Sadie was more interested in the crowd than she was in the game.


Our last weekend in New England, everyone went to America's stonehenge in New Hampshire. It was pretty interesting, but wet and buggy.


Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the two photo shoots we had during the summer.


This summer was lots of fun. It was great to be able to see Alex's family everyday and for them to get to know Sadie better.

We are back in Utah and Alex is working on his Masters at the Y. I get to stay home with Sadie and read children's books all day. Now that I have more time, I've been able to personalize our house more. I've painted a red accent wall in my kitchen and brown on the bottom half of our living room (everything below the chair rail). I'll have to post pictures of all the changes.

Megan and Brian's Wedding

As promised, here is a picture of the cake I made for Megan's wedding. Remember, this was my first wedding cake ever, so be kind.


Here's a picture of the happy couple.


Megan had four maids, Haley, Jacee, Shanae, and me.


This next picture is of Megan's side of the family, well those that went to the temple.

And last, but not least, here's a picture of my small family.


The wedding was beautiful!

Say cheese!

Last week Sadie had her first photo shoot experience! I just had to share a few of my favorite pictures.

And breath...

The semester is finally over! I hardly know what to do with myself now. I was running in overdrive all day, everyday. As of May, everything just stopped. What a weird feeling. It is wonderful to just spend time with Sadie and get chores around the house taken care of.

Graduation went very well. Here are a few pictures.






My mommy.


So Make Way for Ducklings!




The stole of gratitude went to Alex, who sacrificed lots of time and energy in helping me make it through my last semester.



From left to right, Brian (Megan's then fiance and now husband), Megan (my sister), me, my daddy, Derrick (my brother), and little Mercedes.




Since graduation, my sister Megan and Alex's sister Emily have both gotten married. I actually made Megan's wedding cake! I will post pictures of the weddings soon (I promise I will actually do it).