Background

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Candids


This is Camilla at her very first movie.  Mike can barely keep a strait face as he is thinking about the folding up chair that she is sitting in! Looks comfy right?
 
She was absolutely loving it!! The HUGE screen the...er...comfy chair...You had to be there, it was pretty dang hilarious!!
 
This is miss CJ naked (well, almost).  Camilla loves being without clothing.
 
"Mum, do you like see-food?" She is making some crazy alien, shrieking sound in this pic. Also a new favorite thing to do.  It cracked me up, and pretty much made my day.  
 
 This is how she woke up one morning.  I just love those baby blues and crazy hair!
"Mum, why did you put me in Christmas Jammies, isn't it Summer?Oh, and I think you forgot to wash my face last night before bed..."
 
What are we celebrating you ask? Absolutely nothing! It's just fun.....
Oh how we love 
S
U
M
M
E
R

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Loves of My Life

EXHIBIT A: Mr. Stannix
Truly THE love of my life!!


EXHIBIT B: Camilla
My darling daughter who I love OH so much. ( How can you not love a sweet little face like that? ) I was thinking happily this morning of all the reasons I love my darling Camilla.  Here are a few that came to mind.

ONE: She's always happy to see me in the morning.  She greets me with her high pitched, baby voice, "HI" and tumbles over in her crib from trying to quickly coordinate blowing me a kiss before she is fully awake. Then she crawls over and grabs her teddy and quickly offers it to me.  Such a sweetheart.

TWO: She's ALWAYS happy! (minus a few sad cries here-and-there)
THREE: She is care free and embraces life.  From this young of an age, I can see her personality and excitement. She LOVES life and everything in it and is a busy little girl.
FOUR: She gives the best snuggles and smooches.
FIVE: She's soo stinkin' cute when she toddles around with her giant cloth-diaper bottom wagging behind her. (seriously, you gotta see it!)

EXHIBIT C: The Rocky Mountains
Isn't that breath-taking? I love the Rocky Mountains and I love camping in/driving through them! I don't think I could live anywhere else in the whole wide world.

EXHIBIT D: Being a Mother
This (being a mother) is one of my greatest loves!  I love every bit of it from being at home with my little girl to the late nights and daily duties.  Ever since I was a little girl, I've had a desire to be a mother.  I personally believe it is one of the best paying jobs around.  Being a mother is so rewarding and fulfilling.  I love every moment of it.  I loved watching Camilla sit on a 'big kid' theater seat last night.  Mike and I chuckled almost the entire movie just watching her sit, half folded up, on the giant seat.  I love her messy, sticky-outty, fly all over hair that she is sporting today in some Christmas patterned Jammies. (Yes, I know it's summer).  I love watching her shake her head as we go through all of her dresses and she decides which on to wear to church. And I especially love snuggling her off to dreamland at night. (Just to name a few...)
 *
"I take great delight in my role as a nurturer, which allows me to express my deepest identity as a woman.  I never fail to be struck by the way that women, young women, and even little girls seem to have an instinctive interest and ability in nurturing.  It is not only a mother's primary responsibility but also part of our 'individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose'.  To nurture is to teach, to foster development, to promote growth, to feed and to nourish.  Who would not shout for joy at being given such a blessed role?"
~Susan W. Tanner


I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to be a mother and to nurture children. It really is a blessing and I do 'shout for joy'.  And I am trying to be better, and more patient every day.

These really are just a few of "The Loves of My Life" as I have many, many, many loves.  But I am now going to indulge in my fourth love (which is eating) and fix me and miss CJ some lunch!

Happy blogging!!

Monday, June 21, 2010

It's official!!

I went to the store with Camilla today, and we started browsing the toy section. Mike and I have been thinking about getting her a dolly for her FIRST birthday, but now, it's official!


She loved this doll so much she wouldn't let me put it back!! She loved it and cuddled it for a long time! I can't wait to buy her her own little dolly for her birthday!!

In other news, we had a very enjoyable weekend! We spend most of Saturday afternoon enjoying the outdoors.  We went up to the spray park again and played and read Harry Potter out loud to each other. After that, we walked down to the Sev for a slurpee to cool off. It was a fabulous, fun filled afternoon.



 Cami and I checking out the water

Playing around in her stroller at 7-11

 My happy little shopper!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Father's Day

I Just wanted to take a few spare minutes this afternoon and wish my sweetheart an early Happy Father's Day! With both Mike and Camilla taking afternoon naps, I find myself alone with my thoughts in a very quiet (too quiet) home.  It's great though, because it has given me time to reflect and think about all the things I love and admire about my husband. 
He's patient.  I don't think I've ever met anyone as patient as Mike. And it's not just that he's patient, but he's patient with ME.  I believe it takes a special kinda person to live with me (haha) and Mike just happens to be it.  It doesn't seem to matter what I say/do, he's always patient with me.

He's hard working, and determined.  He's always willing to go the extra mile and become the best that he can be.  I admire that about him!
He still gives me those little butterflies of excitement that I would get when we were dating. With a simple look, or when he grabs my hand. 

(Top Left: Engagement photo, Top Right: Wedding Pic, Bottom Left: First Family pic, Bottom Right: Proud daddy and his very first little girl! ) 
 He loves me for who I am.  I sometimes ask him "If you could change anything about me, what would it be?" And his reply is always, "Nothing, I love you just the way you are".  It makes me feel super special to have someone who loves me for me.  
He loves to laugh!! Even when I am in the grumpiest mood EVER, Mike can crack a smile or a giggle out of me.  He's amazing at making me feel better when I'm feeling down. 

He is amazing with Camilla.  From when I first met Mike, I knew he was great with kids (which is one reason why I married him).  He plays so well with his little girl and she absolutely ADORES her daddy.  
He Loves the Lord.  Ever since I was little I've wanted to marry my prince charming who could take me to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. Well, I found him!! Mike's love for the gospel is contagious and makes me want to be a better person and learn as much as I can. 

The list could go on and on!! There is so much that I love and admire about Mike.  He is an amazing man, and I couldn't have asked for anyone better to spend eternity with!!

You!!






xoxox
A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. 
~Unknown

Friday, June 18, 2010

Blowing Kisses



While we 
try 
to teach 
our 
children 
all 
ABOUT life,
Our 
children 
teach  
us 
what life 
is all 
about.
~Angela Schwindt

                                      LOVE

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Climbing

Today is a cloudy day. We've spent most of the day inside playing, cleaning and organizing. Camilla was starting to get bored with her toys, so we pulled the couch cushions off and build a tent, then when that fell down, she enjoyed climbing all over the cushions. She then discovered that she can get onto the couch with the help of the cushions and enjoyed running from one side to the other of the couch. She was loving the new "toys" and independence. She is such a little joy to have in our lives. Every little smile, giggle and kiss is the best thing in the world. She is a little bundle of energy and definitely lives life to the fullest!! Here are a few pics of our crazy girl!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Fun in the Sun!

We had beautiful weather this weekend!! Saturday morning, Mike, Camilla and I went up to the spray park to cool off! The water was COLD, but Camilla still enjoyed playing with daddy. It was a lot of fun!


She was a little hesitant at first, but it was fun watching her walk around and check things out.


I just love this pose, with the finger sticking out. She always walks around like this!! It's pretty funny because Mike has baby pictures with this exact same pose.



Camilla gearing up to soak daddy!! She lost (but it's a little unfair when your fingers aren't long enough to reach the trigger (hehe) ) but had fun playing with it lol.



This pic was taken at our Ward picnic. She waited patiently while the other kids played with the parachute and then when they all left, she went crazy with it!!


Camilla wearing Daddy's shoes on Sunday and sporting the dress Jenny made for her!!

She has also learned how to blow kisses recently. Yesterday when Mike got home from work, the first thing she did was blow him a kiss. It's so fun watching her show affection to others. She is such a loving little girl!!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Sweet Little Bed Time Moments

As I snuggled my little girl to sleep tonight, I decided to take my time and enjoy the quiet moment with her. As she is walking and toddling around the house now, it's not often that I get the chance to really snuggle with her anymore. Usually bed times are quick (story, prayers, bottle, bed) and I leave little time for cuddling. But with the stillness of the house tonight, I took a few moments to snuggle with my little girl. I soaked up every detail of the moment. As I counted all ten of her chubby little fingers, ran my fingers through her white blond hair, and touched her soft, sweet face, I realized that my baby girl is not a baby anymore. I thought about all of the night time feedings, just the two of us snuggled up in that green chair, and began to miss them. I realized that these moments are becoming fewer and that I need to enjoy her while I can. I left her room with a tear running down my cheek trying to remember every detail of that moment so I could keep it forever! (I know, I'm a sap). As I thought more and more about time, and how important it is, my thoughts were then turned to President Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey". He says a quote that I love that goes like this “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.” I want so much more now to take time for TODAY'S and enjoy every moment I have with not just Camilla, but my family. And take President Monson's counsel to heart.

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family."
-President Monson-



A sweet little pic of her zonked out before church!

The Cracker Monster!!

The other day, I was getting out some crackers for myself. As I pulled the bag out of the box (they were Breton's) the bag ripped and crackers fell all over!!! By the time I got back with the broom.......

I saw Camilla with her mouth full of crackers (and both hands full too!). She had beaten me to them!! Gosh, you'd think we didn't feed the kid!! (I promise we do...)

Anyways, it was too cute, and I had to pause and take some pics of Camilla getting into trouble...and enjoying crackers!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Fair Weather Fun!


We bought a new tent this weekend!! We had to set it up the other night and check it out. When it was time to take it down again, Camilla was having so much fun she didn't want to get out! I guess it's good practise for our camping trip at the end of the summer! :) These past few days have been beautiful and Camilla has enjoyed being outside!