The Simple Pleasures

Sophie definitely knows how to find pleasure in the simple things in life. She loves to wear her swimsuit (as you will see in this post and probably many others. Often we make her wear it beneath her clothes) and she loves to play with boxes. Most especially she loves to ride in boxes...
Don't you just love our home made rope...

By the way I had my hair cut short. I love how light it is and how easy it is to do!

When both Justin and I were literally too exhausted to pull any longer, Sophie started pulling her stuffed animals around. She loved it! I wish we would have let her do that way before; it would have saved us a lot of energy.

Mommy Sophie Time

Now that Justin has started school, Sophie and I have A LOT of time together. I worried that I would go crazy without Justin's help, and I admit, sometimes I'm close, but I have decided to take advantage of the time I have to spend with my little girl.

I have created a schedule for Sophie that we follow pretty closely, I don't let Sophie watch any TV because she was becoming a total addict off her 40 min a day(If any of you have come to my house lately, you may have noticed the sheet we have over the TV. Out of sight, out of mind works for Sophie.), and we look for plenty of outings to do together. I also have my cousin Megs close by for outings as well.

Here is Sophie on an old fire engine.

She loved it! She just loves our adventures, and they are definitely helping me survive!

I'm Released

I have mixed emotions about being released as Relief Society President. I thought I would just be happy, but I will really miss serving, and I will especially miss working with my fantastic Relief Society Presidency.

Justin and I have been called to the Spanish branch. This new calling makes me want my old one back! I'm sure I will love the Spanish people, and I really hope I'll be able to understand. I also hope they won't laugh at my Spanish skills too much...

Justin and I still plan to attend at least part of our old ward each Sunday since we'll be back in 6 months, and we can't bear to completely leave all our friends.

River Fun

A few weeks ago, Justin's aunt was in town, so Sophie and I joined a bunch of family at the river. Can I just say, Sophie is an absolute river rat! She loves it more than most things.

Just look at that happy face!

I got into it as well...

Until Sophie started splashing me...

Random Sophie Pictures

Sophie is such a little ball of energy! We love her so much! Motherhood has been extremely challenging for me, but it's not without its rewards!

One day, I came back from running to find this... Justin is such a fun Daddy!

Panguitch

My family reunion was so fun, as always! Sophie loved getting dirty! I think this picture explains that as well as anything! The kids made a sand castle, and Justin and I were their helpers.

This shot was so sad. Tucker fell off his truck just as Justin snapped the picture!

The after shot of the mud fiasco!

I had an accident with one of my contacts. It scratched my eye to pieces! There was even some blood coming out; I know, gruesome right! So I was stuck in these glasses for over a week. This was the first day my eye didn't look like a tomato!

We got Sophie all cleaned up and in her pajamas, and then we find her doing this...

Sophie all ready for church on Sunday. No, we didn't let her wear the hat.

Sophie pushed Tucker around in his little Tonka truck. They had a fantastic time!

Tucker absolutely loved Panguitch!

Will with his girlfriend Kourtney. Don't ask me how he got a girl that cute; it's a mystery to everyone, including Will.

Sophie loved playing with her cousin Katelyn.

Where there is water, there is sure to be a Sophie!

My mom probably sold her soul because she seems to be the only one who can consistently catch fish in Panguitch Lake!

On our way to the parade!

Sophie and Mommy!

All of us at the Panguitch parade!

Sophie absolutely loved picking up the candy!

The kids were obsessed with Jen's ipod games. They followed her around the entire time...

My eye is all better!

Sophie was very sad to leave all that dirt!

Thanks to the fam for another great year!

My New Dishwasher!

I mentioned in the previous post that I got a new dishwasher a few weeks ago. We actually went to a 4th of July sale to get it because I'll admit, it's one convenience I'm not willing to go without. After almost 6 months of washing dishes by hand, I couldn't be more thrilled for a new one!

Before, I had a difficult time keeping my house clean because I always got so discouraged by the amount of dishes I had to do, but now I'm able to keep the house looking presentable (I say presentable because anyone with a toddler knows that's all anyone can expect)!

Installing the dishwasher was quite the feat! We decided to save $100.00 and install it ourselves, and this would have worked had it not been for the fact that the dishwasher didn't fit into the hole!
Sophie and I did make a really fun fort with the dishwasher box!

And here are the dishes just waiting to go into the dishwasher! As soon as we bought it, I stopped doing dishes. It meant our kitchen was a complete disaster for a few days, but I was at my dish doing limit!

We ended up having to saw off some little plastic pieces, and then the dishwasher fit just fine.

This dishwasher is one of the best things that ever happened to me! I don't even have to rinse the dishes before putting them in! Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot!