Our Happily Ever After

Our Elizabeth

2011-01-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile since I posted anything here on my blog. So I'm trying to catch it up. So I'm just going to post a bunch of pictures and explain what was going on. Hopefully that will be the best way to catch everyone up on what we've been up to the last 2 years!

Her outfit says, "What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's!

Elizabeth was and has been the dream child! We're scared to have another one because she is so good! She struggled sleeping through the night until we got her on a schedule and then total perfect baby again! The pregnancy was a dream, and after she joined us she's been the perfect baby.

She loves her Grandpa!

Watching football with Daddy!

Hanging out at the Zoo with the whole family!

Getting ready for church! And just learning to sit up by herself!

Our beautiful Baby and her Baby Blues!

Our little Elizabeth Jean has always been one that poses for the camera!

And Daddy loves using her for his model!

She loves her Grandma's & Grandpa's!

We love this Sweet Beautiful Girl, and she has blessed our lives in so many ways!

Camping in Idaho Summer '10

2010-09-20T13:01:00.001-06:00

During our trip home to Idaho a couple summer's ago we had the fun opportunity to go camping with Grandma and Grandpa Atwood. We also had Rhett & Elizabeth's cousin Alexia with us too. It was so fun to camp out in Grandma & Grandpa's camper, to go fishing, and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows around the fire. There really is nothing better than spending these wonderful times with family!

Grandpa rowing his crew around the lake!

Here fishy fishy fishy!

It was a little cold during our camping trip, but we didn't let that stop us from having fun!

Napping in the Camper!

Keeping warm in the camper.

Hanging out by the fire!

Just Goofing around!

Cousins are so much fun! We love spending time and being silly with them!

These will make great blackmail pictures one day!!

We really love our cousins, and our family members! They are such a great blessing to our us!

We also love being able to go to amazing places like this beautiful little lake. This place always takes my breath away and makes me stand in awe of the beauty of this wonderful earth we are blessed to live upon! I always feel the Spirit in places like these, and the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I always feel so small and insignificant, but knowing even as small and insignificant as I am, God knows me, He loves me, and He considers me, and all His other children, more beautiful and more important that all His other creations!

We are so grateful for our little family, and the chances we have to get out into nature and go camping as a family!

Visiting the Atwood's in Florida

2010-03-04T13:51:00.041-07:00

Earlier this year, a couple months after finding out we were pregnant, Matt and I took a vacation down to Ft Lauderdale, Florida to see Brodie, Jess, and their family. We got to stay for 10 days, and as always we had so much fun with them! We got to go to the movie "Up" in the theater. This was not such a good idea as I was overrun with extra hormones being pregnant, and I cried through a lot of the movie. We also went fishing in the rain, and we went to some great restaurants! One of our more memorable experiences was taking a "grown-up" trip down to the Keys.

As soon as we arrived in Key West we jumped on a boat and went out snorkeling, which was a first for Matt. I'd been wanting to take him snorkeling for the longest time and he loved it! After snorkeling we went and checked into our military motel, and got cleaned up, and then headed out to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

This is us in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. We ate outside and enjoyed the food and the evening.

And while we were there we did some people watching, and saw some interesting characters! Yes that would be a blowfish hat! It reminds me of the SNL skit "Making a hat out of a lobster and a stick!"

After dinner we wandered around a bit, watched the sunset into the ocean, and watched the street performers in action! It was fun to take in the feel, the atmosphere, and the culture of Key West.

Brodie & Jess enjoying the sunset and the beautiful evening.

Matt and I enjoying the sunset and the beautiful evening in Key West.

This is a picture Matt took while we were out and about that night!

After we had our fill of the Key West night life, we went back to the hotel for a much needed good nights sleep! The next morning we got up, got some breakfast, and then headed out to rent some scooters.We had so much fun driving around the island. It made the island seem so much bigger, and it was so fun stopping in at a yummy key lime shop for key lime pie!

Matt and I cruising the coast of Key West, it was sunny and beautiful all day!

Brodie and Jess cruising the coast of Key West! It was so fun to spend the weekend on a double date with them!

After a day of cruising the island of Key West, we needed to head back home to pick up Alexia & Audrey. And to get on with the rest of our vacation!

Its such a beautiful place!

Another fun and memorable part of our trip was canoeing we did on the Loxahatchee River. Brodie, Jess, Matt, and I took a peaceful trip up and down the river. We saw birds, turtles, and gators! It was perfect. We paddled down about 2 1/2 to 3 miles, and then back.

Brodie was trying to fish as we paddled down the river but we found out it was a little too difficult to fish and paddle at the same time! But we did get to stop later down the river.

Matt and I passed them because Brodie was fishing and we were just paddling! But it was incredibly peaceful, and serene!

The day was beautiful, and the weather was perfect until we got out! Then the thunder,lightning, wind, and rain began! It was a fun ride home.

Trying to take it all in! You couldn't hear anything except the wildlife and the paddles dipping into the water. If we ever get the chance we will do this again!

Love on the River!

We stopped here at this waterfall/ bridge to do some fishing, and to enjoy the beauty around us!

And this is where Matt lost his very expensive sunglasses!!

Here is some of the wildlife we saw while rollin on the river!

Here's a baby gator sunning on the log! We'll see if you can see him. Here's a hint, he's got a striped tail!

And of course you can't go to Florida without visiting the beach! So we did take an afternoon and went to enjoy the sand in our toes!

We did so many other fun things and had so many other fun times! We always have so much fun with Brodie, Jessica, Alexia, and Audrey! Wether we're going out and enjoying dinner on South Beach, or we're staying in and laughing till we cry while watching American Idol. The memories we've made with this amazing family are so priceless to us. And we've been so blessed to have the means that have allowed us to visit them! We love you guys and thanks for ALWAYS showing us a good time!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

This year for Christmas we went to Idaho. Elizabeth was only 2 months old but we made the 12 to 13 hour drive from Colorado Springs to Arco. Then Rhett joined us there from Spokane! We had so much fun with our family and friends!

Dressing Elizabeth up for the fun of it! She makes a cute Hawaiian girl!

We always have so much fun at Grandma & Grandpa's house! They gave Rhett a Webkins for Christmas. He named his webkin "Blizzard the Lizard"

Rhett was pretty excited to get Blizzard for Christmas!

Of course whats a Christmas vacation without a little relaxing and nap taking?!

And this sweet little girl is ready to play in the snow!

It turned out to be another wonderful Christmas!

Nov 19 2009 Elizabeth Jean joins us!

2009-11-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

November 19th 2009 was a wonderful day in our lives. Elizabeth Jean joined us and changed our lives forever. As I had been dilated to a 4 for 2 weeks & our Dr was leaving the next week for Thanksgiving, we decided to have my water broke. So we got to choose the day we wanted her to join our family, and we chose the 19th, which is also my Grandpa Atwood's birthday. So early the morning of the 19th we drove to the hospital, in a nice calm way, nervous but calm. My water was broken around 9:30am and contractions began and things were progressing just fine until the nurse came in and checked on me. As soon as she did everything stopped. So I began walking, and as long as I walked I'd have contractions but as soon as I stopped and sat down everything would quit. So after about 2 hours of this the nurse said they wanted to start me on petocin. They only gave me 4 cc's, a 1/5 of what they usually give women and that worked. Finally around 2:45 the nurse came in and checked me and said I was dilated to a 10 and should be ready to push soon. Fifteen minutes later we pushed the call button because I was ready. She came in and said that the baby was moving down and we were ready to go. For some reason the Dr was not available or was helping someone else, but I guess he didn't know or understand how quickly things were getting with me. Around 3ish the nurse said, "If he doesn't get in here soon I'll be delivering this baby, cause she's crowning!" Finally the Dr came in and within 15 minutes, at 3:21, Elizabeth was born.

This is them putting her on my chest for the first time!

She was 8lbs and 21 inches long.

She only cried for a short minute, and then was immediately interested in what was going on around her.

She was so brave during the pricking of her foot for blood test, and all the poking and prodding they need to do to all the new babies. She only whimpered a little. The one thing she really didn't like was her first bath! And she let us all know it!

But it always feels so much better to get all cleaned up!

And of course after such a long day what should any new little girl and her Daddy do?! Watch college football!!

We had to stay in the hospital for 3 days since her sugar levels were up and down. She was a great eater and had no problems with breast feeding. She was very healthy and has been such a good baby!

Her going home outfit!

We love this sweet precious gift so much and we're so grateful she came to join our family! Now we can't imagine life without her!!!

Belly Pictures

2009-11-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

About a week before our little Elizabeth Jean joined our family, Matt and I decided to go take some belly pictures so that we could look back and remember how big I was while pregnant with her. So here are some of our best shots.

These pictures were taken off a random dirt road in the middle of Colorado. It was right before the sun went down on the 2nd week in November, but was still beautiful enough to be outside with short sleeves.

Believe it or not Matt, with his incredible talents took all these pictures. Thank goodness for the remote for his camera. These are some of my favorite. Matt has always been so sweet and wonderful to me, and now to our daughter too. I knew he would be an incredible father, cause I got to see him in action with his son before we were married. That was one of those major things that really made me that much more attracted to this wonderful man.

This is something we have waited for for such a long time. We had tried for over a year to get pregnant, and finally it happend for us. We are so grateful and blessed to finally have this beautiful little girl come to our lives, our home, and our family!!

Our New Addition!

2009-05-17T15:12:00.008-06:00

Matt and I have been trying for children for about a year and a half now. I was told in January I had Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Meaning one of the hormones in my body was producing twice as much as what it was suppose to. This caused me not to ovulate or have a regular period, and so we were not able to conceive. But we were blessed to have a great Doctor that put me on some medication to help regulate those hormones, and don't ya know it, we are now pregnant! At first we really didn't know how far along I was because this medication had a side effect of making me feel sick. So since the end of January I've not felt well!

Around the end of April beginning of May I decided there were other things that just felt different and not normal so I went off the medicine to determine if it was the pills or something else... it was something else. So I took 2 at home tests, both came back (+), then I went to the clinic and they confirmed.

My first official Doctors appointment we told the nurse our story, she thought if we were as far along as she thought (18weeks) we would be able to hear the babies heart beat. So she pulled out the little monitor and went looking for it. It took her a moment and looking lower than she thought but she found it and it was amazing! It was the most incredible thing, and crazy all at the same time. Then the Doctor came in and met us, we told him the story and he said he thought we were about 5-6 weeks along! Quite the gap 5-6 weeks to 18weeks?! Hmmm, he hadn't talked to the nurse yet! So then he began to examine me, and measured my uterus. He quickly changed his mind and told us about 10 weeks along. After he left so I could change into my regular clothes, he must have talked to the nurse in the hall because he came back into the room saying 12 weeks along, but wasn't for sure until our ultrasound.

Six days later we went for our first ultra sound...Incredible!

The lady doing our ultrasound found the baby right away. The little guy was very active, and all over the place. She immediately said, you're about 13 weeks along, and the baby looks really good. She took about 20 minutes looking things over and took some pictures for us. It was amazing to look and see this 6 centimeter baby growing within me, and knowing after such a long wait I will finally get to be a Mother. What a beautiful calling, and position to hold in this life.

We met with the Doctor after the ultrasound, and he said again the baby is really healthy, developing well, and should be Due around November 22nd! He also said it will be about another 2 months before we find out if its a boy or a girl!

Matt too was and is really excited. To the point where when the lady handed him the ultrasound pictures, he had a death grip on them, and I had to pry them out of his hands just to get a peek! He is being very protective, and overly helpful! He is such a wonderful husband, and an amazing father. And I am so blessed to be married and sealed to someone who takes such great care of me and our little family!

We are excited and a little nervous about this wonderful new change coming to our lives! We are so grateful for all the wonderful family and friends we have and all their love and support! Thank you and we will be keeping you updated on all that is happening here!

Ashleigh comes to visit

2009-02-18T18:07:00.007-07:00

Well we had our first visitors here in Colorado Springs! Ashleigh and Jaxon came and stayed with us over the Valentines Day & Presidents Day weekend! We had so much fun, and did some relaxing too! Of course we had to check out The Garden of the Gods!

This place is just beautiful! But it was cold so we just drove around it, no hiking this time. But we couldn't resist snapping a couple pictures before leaving!For the rest of the time Ash & Jaxon where here we played the Wii, went to church, and went to the Aquarium in Denver! We had so much fun! Thanks Ash for coming we had so much fun, and we miss you already!!

Matt came along as our driver! This was our Happy Valentines Day!! Pretty romantic! But no worries, we celebrated our Valentines Day the weekend before! Anyway we are so glad Ashleigh and Jaxon could come, and we're hoping more friends and family will come too!

Christmas in Idaho

2009-01-18T18:53:00.010-07:00

Christmas time in Idaho!! We were so blessed to both get the time off to go spend a late Christmas in Idaho with my family! We also got to have Matt's wonderful little boy, Rhett, with us! We drove up to Idaho the whole 15 hours in one night! Matt drove the first 4 hours and then I drove the other 11 while he slept here and there in the back of our Xterra. After we got there of course we had Christmas, and opened some presents!

Someone was pretty excited to be opening presents with his Dad, and with Grandma & Grandpa Atwood! And Grandma & Grandpa Atwood made Christmas and opening presents so much fun!!! Rhett even got a stocking of his very own with his name on it, and lots of goodies inside. Thanks Mom & Dad...

Alexia & Audrey really wanted to help out, they were so cute to watch. They were just so excited. The look on Rhett's face says it all! This is what he really wanted for Christmas! (Joshua's pretty excited too! Its a good thing Rachel is holding him back!)

That is one happy little boy! He's so cute and such a sweetheart!

Even Dad got some good stuff for Christmas!

The kids got along really good, they were laughing and playing almost immediately once we got there! Rhett loves his cousins Alexia & Audrey! They were so fun to listen to laughing and playing!

Between the snowball fights, feeding the chickens, ice fishing, playing pool, riding Grandpa's 4-wheeler, the great food, the wonderful presents, and the incredible company its pretty safe to say Everyone had a great time. It was hard to return to Colorado Springs, but we know there will be many more oppertunities to go play at Grandma and Grandpa's house! Thanks again Mom & Dad for making it so much fun!! We love you!

Fun with Guns

2008-07-18T21:22:00.013-06:00

To begin this entry let me start by saying Matt loves taking pictures, its one of his favorite hobbies, and he's pretty good at it! Well one thing Matt has always wanted to do was to get pictures of things while they are being shot and exploding! So now you'll understand.

We had all sorts of bottles filled with liquid. From vegetable oil, to shaving cream, to lotion, and shampoo. And this is how they all started out!
We asked my Dad to help us out with our experiment, and he was pretty excited to help! Who wouldn't be, we were blowing things up with guns!

We drove the pickup down to the gravel pit near my parents house. I held up the black sheet you see in the pictures and Matt stood across from me with the camera. Dad had the honors of shooting the bottles that were placed on a table and a block of wood between us! And with the shooting, came the exploding...

So needless to say as all these things would explode I would get showered with whatever was inside the container. By the end of the day I smelt like shampoo, lotion, vinegar, body wash, and oil! But it was so much fun, and totally worth it!

Some things exploded better than others, and some happend fast and we were not able to capture it as well, but as you can see we got some pretty good pictures too!

At this time we were getting ready to move to Colorado Springs, and the items we were shooting were bottles of liquids we decided would be too hard to take with us, or they just weren't worth taking with us. So instead of just throwing them away we disposed of them in a funner way...

One of these days we want to do this again! We just need more things to take with us to shoot! As you can imagine my Dad had so much fun, and so did we!

Anyone wanna come help next time?