Adri and Jared's Wedding!!!

May 31, 2013 finally came...it's only been like 6 years in the making...Adri and Jared are finally married!!!  I couldn't be happier for them.  It was such a perfect day.  Everything ran smoothly all day.  I would hope so when you've had 1 1/2 years to plan like Adri did :)  One of the benefits of Ellie taking a bottle was that I was able to attend their sealing (and when they went through the temple a few weeks earlier).  It was beautiful and simple.  That is what I love about sealings.  The sealer was such a nice man.  He said that today an eternal unit was being formed. How cool is that?  I'm so grateful for the priesthood that gives us the opportunity to be sealed to our families for time and all eternity.  Here's to a lifetime and eternity of happiness, Adri and Jared!  We love you!!! 

The Weather These Days...

The weather these days has been BEAUTIFUL!!!  I love Spring!  The flowers and skies have been fantastic.  A picture says 1,000 words, so I'll let them do the talking:

Ellie's First Bonfire

We love summer!  And we are so glad Brad and Emily just put in a new fire pit...and that we live so close now.  We went over for our first bon fire of the season and Ellie got to go to the first bon fire of her life.  I think she enjoyed it :)  Here's to many more to come!

Ellie's First Smiles :)

I'm so excited!  Ellie finally started smiling...real smiles!  It was such a fun surprise!  Yesterday was the first time she smiled at me, twice, but I didn't get any pictures.  Then today when we got home I went to get her out of her car seat and she starting smiling so much.  I'm so glad I got pictures!!!  I am thrilled that she is starting to recognize me and react, it makes me feel so loved :)  She's so darn cute.

Grandma and Grandpa Swinford Come Visit Ellie!

My parents were able to come out for 2 whole weeks at the beginning of May to visit and meet Ellie Beth.  It was so awesome to have them here for that long!!!  I don't think they've ever been out here for that long at one time.  Their visit couldn't have come at a better time either.  I was so grateful for the relief they provided in the baby department.  It was awesome having two extra people to help take care of Ellie.  I could shower when I wanted or take a nap or run to the store, etc.  It was great!!!  One night I laid down to take a nap and never got back up!  OOPS!  Mom and Dad ended up keeping Ellie all night.  Mom kept telling me she would keep her at night but I felt bad and wouldn't take her up on it...until my body gave out.  HA!  I got a glorious 9 hours of sleep.  Thanks, Mom and Dad! 

We had a lot of fun just hanging out and relaxing and talking and cuddling with Ellie.  We went on walks and drives to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery.  My parents LOVED Cache Valley...yea!  We've decided they'll move out here :)  I'll be keeping my eye open for houses for sale!  We had a pretty relaxed visit.  Oh, and we ate lots of good food thanks to my Dad!  I love his cooking :) He spoiled Landen with lots and lots of homemade rolls...he was one happy camper.  My Dad did a lot of little projects around our house which I am really grateful for.  Landen and Dad put in a new vanity and faucet in the bathroom!  Finally.  It was so wonderful to have so much time with them.  I definitely did NOT want them to leave...I hate it when they leave.  Blah.  I was pretty down for a few days after they left.  Anyway.  I am just so happy they got to come out!!! 

We took a drive up to Bear Lake one day and it was beautiful!  We took Ellie to her first parade here in Smithfield.  We also made a few trips down to Springville to visit Jared, Megan and the kids.  We went to the park and flew kites one day! They came up here one weekend too.  We went to the park and had a picnic, blew lots of bubbles, and watched the stream.  Nathan and Rylie loved our backyard!  They liked the swing set and the tree house.  We also went swimming at their hotel one night which was really fun.  We had so much awesome family time!!!  I love my family!  I'm so glad we were all able to get together :)  We took so many pictures...what a great 2 weeks!  I'm ready for them to come back...like NOW.