Melia's Birthday

It was a Happy 3rd Birthday for our darling Melia! The day started out interesting and fun...just like her. She woke up and opened a few presents of just clothes, which my mom always did for us, I loved having a present right when I would wake up and it made the whole day feel special. After she opened her presents she blew out candles on pancakes( just for practice:) Then she informed me that it wasn't her birthday and she didn't want to have a birthday! Seriously what 3 year old doesn't want to turn 3? I was shocked and kept trying to convince her it would be fun. When we went to the store to get the cake she finally turned around when I said it wasn't anyone's birthday she wispered "but mom it's my birthday." Then she told me she was just kidding with me earlier and she wanted a birthday. THank goodness I thought! So we had a golden birthday party since she was turning 3 on the 3rd of January. It was complete with a treasure hunt, cake and presents. I

I am so happy to have Melia in my life. She is so silly and I love her fun personality. She brings a smile and laughs to me every day. SO.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELIA!!!

Sugar Bowl!!!

All I can say is WOW!!! what a trip. This will go down as probably the best sporting event I will ever attend. It was amazing from start to finish. I got there new years eve and headed out to the infamous bourbon street. I was decked out from head to toe in ute garb, and the Alabama fans let me have it from the start. I cant tell you how many times I have heard "roll tide''. Most of them would ask me if I really thought we had a chance, or if I understood that they play in the sec which is far superior. I tried to tell them that it was a going to be a game but know one believed me. My prediction was 30-17 no really it was and it was documented my neighbors runs a family blog like this one and they are all huge cougar fans so we predicted the scores to all the MWC bowl games and this was mine for the utes

"You give Whitt & the team 6 weeks to prepare and watch film, we will hold are own. Alabama will come in thinking we are not worthy & the utes will go up 17-0, & Alabama will spend the rest of the game trying toget back in it. Utah 30-AL17"

Most of there fans did give us props after the game conceding we were a power and could compete with any team.

My seats were incredible I got them through Kjzz and they were front row on the 5 yard line right behind the Utah band. It was just incredible Jamal anderson & Steve Smith came over and got the crowd rowdy up. After the game was over the players came over to our section to sing the fight song. Paul Kruger gave me his Sugar bowl hat & I got some other player Garb that they threw into the crowd. We walked back to the city after the game with all the other 20k Ute fans, It was a sight to see! Click here to see my online Pictures of the trip

"This is not baby Tigger!"

Well...Chirstmas was a lot of fun! It was Cooper's 1st of course and Melia made it interesting as always. We had fun Christmas Eve at the VanOrden's side and sang some songs and opened bunches of presents. They are so nice to give us all a cruise that we will be going on in a while...Can't wait for the warm weather and beach! Then Christmas morning we had to beg Melia to wake up at 8:00 she asked if santa could come later.... What almost 3 year old doesn't want to wake up early to open presents? Well around 9:00 am we finally got her up and ate some yummy breakfast. Then started opening presents....they started with the stockings and I just love this picture of cooper "HEy what did you get?" (At least thats' what I imagine he was saying.) And then the funniest story of the day goes to Melia. She has been asking for a baby tigger and I guess Santa got the wrong one, this picture says it all. Luckiliy Aunt Julie found the right one for her birthday so all is well. Later that afternoon we went to Baker side and opened more gifts and just relaxed. My parents gave us a new microwave very much needed and Melia enjoyed the box for a house. WEll Merry Late Christmas and I hope you all enjoyed this long veiw of our days. Sorry, just wanted to write all this down somewhere!

Happy Birthday PAUL!!!!

Yes, on top of being Christmas Eve, today is Paul's Birthday here are a few things that we love about him....Happy Birthday!

Melia said she loves....

"When we go get slurpies"

" When he throws me up high"

" Hugs"

" When we go to Disneyland"

Cooper loves( trust me I just know he does)....

When daddy makes him giggle with crazy sounds

When he says I'm the cutest little boy

When he plays with me

Lauren loves

When I get to fall asleep in his arms

When he makes me laugh because of some crazy story(and he always has them)]

How he loves sports so much(it's just a part of him)

That half of his clothes are "go utes"

How hard he works always( even on his Birthday to get people there furniture before Christmas)

I love how I feel like I'm one of the only people who get to see his really sweet side.

When he plays with Melia and Cooper and I know that he is the best dad to them

That he gave me a gift when we were celebrating his Birthday last night( p.s. It was a T-shirt that says, "I love Paul."

When he drives me crazy and I just know that I will always love him

SOooo.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL....WE LOVE YOU!!

Chirstmas Tree

Yesterday we went out and got a real fresh tree! I haven't had one since I was little and I love it! It smells so good. Although our tree is pretty cute I have to say Melia made an adorable little Christmas tree. She put on all the "colory lights," and wanted to be a tree. Now it feels like Christmas at our house.

Festival of the Trees

This week we went to Festival of Trees with Michelle and Grandma Sheila. It's fun to look at some of the trees, but there was just so many, there is no way we could see them all. This one was Melia's favorite and she kept saying, " The grinch is going to get us!" She also got to see santa, she wouldn't sit on his lap but stood and talked with him for a while. She told him what she wanted for Christmas and he was the cutest! After meeting him, I surely believe! They also had a kid corner full of fun things to do and Melia picked out a face paint and manicure( she is such a girl!)

Thanksgiving, Birthdays and Toothaches!!!

Well this was an eventfull Thanksgiving weekend. We did have a great time with everyone on my Mom's side at dinner and a very full house. The kids had crafts thanks to Aunt Julie and they all made great turkey hats and much more! I ate as much as possible it was so yummy my favorite!

Paul had horrible tooth pain all weekend and finally went to the dentist on friday, but they gave him antibiotics and hoped that it would get better. Turns out he had an infection in his tooth and went today to get that taken care of. Hopefully in a day the pain will be gone. Having him down and out these past few days has made me realize how grateful I am for his help. I just want to thank everyone who helped this weekend. On a happier note....

Happy Birthday to My Dad and Holland Utley! ( my sweet little neice)
We celebrated both their Birthday's on Saturday, but they are actually both today! Holland is such a cutie and has the best little laugh and smile! We love you, she just learned how to say cooper's name I love her interpretation: "baby pooper!" Makes me laugh every time~!
I want my dad to know I love him and he is such a great example to me of strength in every aspect of his life! I'm glad we got to have him here this weekend and can't wait to see you again for Christmas!