XOXO...

I know Valentine's Day was like 2 years ago... But I found these pictures and couldn't not post them! 

I know a lot of people don't care for Valentine's Day. I've heard people say they think people should show their special person they care about them every single day of the year not just on one day. I couldn't agree more! 

But, that doesn't mean if we do show our special person we love and care about them every single day of the year that we can't go above and beyond to make our person feel special. I'm a strong believer in Valentine's Day. I believe in love. I believe it is important to make sure your significant other knows how much you adore them. They need to know that you love them, and couldn't imagine life without them. They need to know that you would do anything if it means making them happy because their happiness is that important to you. Valentine's Day is the perfect day to reaffirm this. 

Valentine's Day is not about you. 

Valentine's Day is about the other person. How can you make their heart happy? How can you brighten their day/week/year? 

The way to Drew's heart is a Little Caesars pizza and a Route 44 Peach Dr. Pepper from Sonic. He will forever be my favorite person to shop for because that and new socks, ties, or white shirts will always be his answer for "what do you want for your birthday?" or "what's on your Christmas list?"  It's the simple things that make him happy and I absolutely love that about him! 

Abbi and I had such a good time making cards for our special guy. Also, we discovered that Abbigail has a love for obsession with stickers! She couldn't get enough of them! Of course after we finished her card, she had to admire her work saying "wow" and "pretty!" She was pretty proud of herself. 

Then I remembered how I want to be successful in different photo shoots with Abbi and I thought I would take some pictures of her in her adorable Valentine's Day PJ's. I think it was pretty successful! When I told her to say "cheese" she fell to her knees and started pouting but that didn't last long. After her short pout session, she got on all fours and started growling at me. I guess my little pet lion didn't like the idea of a photo shoot after all. {surprise, surprise!}

Really, We just want Drew to know how much he means to us. He is so hardworking, committed, caring, loyal, loving, silly, energetic, thoughtful and I don't know where we would be if we didn't have him in our lives. Life definitely throws us curve balls, but I wouldn't want to take on this world with anyone else!

We sure love you Drew! Thanks for everything you do for us! 

XOXOXO

Kansas Trip {Part One}

One year ago, my sister gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Hailey Rae Simmons was born and there was nothing I wanted more than to pack my bags, fly on a plane and cuddle my new baby niece. My mom was flying out and she offered to let me and 6 months old Abbi tag along. We were so excited! But the day before we were supposed to leave, Abbi had a fever spike and she started coughing. I took her to the doctor the and she had an ear infection and he wanted us to go to the hospital and get tested for RSV. To the hospital we went and our poor baby did in fact have RSV. I called my Mom and canceled our trip... 

{We were SOOO disappointed}

fast forward a year...

My Mom was flying out to Kansas for Hailey's first birthday and invited us to come with her! YAY!
{We were stoked!}

I told Abbigail she wasn't allowed to get sick or else I would ground her for life! Luckily, she listened.

We packed our bags and even though we were a little nervous to leave Daddy and fly on a big airplane, we headed to the airport! Our flight from Twin Falls to Salt Lake City was only about a half an hour. Abbigail did SO well! We read books, said 'hi' to just about everyone on the plane twenty times and ate snacks. The only time she cried was on the descent. I was one proud Mama.

My Mom was waiting for us at the Salt Lake airport. We were so excited to see Grandma! It was so helpful to have her to help with Abbi while on the airplanes and throughout our vacation. Our flight from Salt Lake to Kansas was a little over two hours. I was nervous because Abbigail doesn't usually cuddle or fall asleep in my arms. Our flight was from 8:30-11:00 PM. She surprised me and after a 15 minute fight to stay awake she gave in and fell asleep. I just laid her down on the two seats next to me and she slept for the whole flight! I was so relieved. 

^^ Oh yeah, and as always, Bubble Guppies saved us during her fussy times! ^^

After a long, long evening of flying, we arrived in Kansas about 11:30, but after getting our luggage, waiting for a rental car, and driving to Lindsay's house, we didn't make it to bed until about 1:30 AM. We were exhausted and slept great!

TO BE CONTINUED....

Daniel Turns ONE!

I officially am declaring that time is passing too quickly and I demand that it slow down immediately! Can I get an Amen?! 

Our little not so little Daniel Grant Rackham turned one on March 1st! Hello! Wasn't he just barely born, like yesterday?!

Most of the family was able to get together to celebrate this cute dude's first year! We had so much fun! 

Also, I know he is one and one year olds are supposed to be learning how to walk, but it blows my mind that he is old enough! When did that happen?! 

Nana and Grandpa had the genius idea to fill up a plastic swimming pool with packing peanuts, hide Easter Eggs full of candy and fruit snacks, and let the littles go at it! They had so much fun! {and we had fun watching them!} There is just something about little kids going on Easter Egg hunts that makes me all kinds of happy inside! 

^^ Don't bug me, I'm trying to relax! ^^

Cake Time!! At first he really wasn't so sure about the whole "I'm supposed to touch/devour that whole piece of cake by myself?!" thing, but it didn't take him long before he figured out his true feelings. I think you can probably tell from the pictures... He absolutely LOVED LIKED TOLERATED okay, he HATED it!

He does make a pretty cute little tribal boy though. Wouldn't you agree?! 

Then it was time for presents. Daniel was kind enough to share and let Abbi and Ryker play with his presents as well! Okay, let's be real. He didn't have a choice. Abbi and Ryker very enthusiastically showed Daniel how his new toys worked and then never gave them back. {those sneaky toddlers} Luckily, Daniel was pretty entertained with the balloons that were on the ground or the situation could have been a lot more dramatic. 

^^ Ryker and Abbi thought the party would be more fun if they ditched their clothes, because clothes are overrated anyways! ^^

We had so much fun celebrating with this little dude! Even though I'm not 100% okay with the fact that he is growing up, I'm happy that I live close enough that I get to see it all happen! He is such a happy little guy, Abbi just adores "Bubba" and  he adds so much joy and personality to our family! 

Happy Birthday Daniel Grant! 

Welcome Spring!

We love spring! It seems like the perfect time of year. The flowers start blooming, the birds are singing and it's good weather to go on a nice family walk and enjoy each others company. We had a random few days back in Feburary that were very springy. {And I didn't complain one bit.} This particular day, we waited until Drew got home from work, played with Abbi's car, and went on a walk around our neighborhood. 

We LOVE where we live! After only having two weeks to find a place and move, we were really nervous about signing a lease and being "stuck" in a place we hated. But I am absolutely certain that God had a BIG part in us finding this house to rent. It is the perfect size, less than a mile from Drew's school, in a great ward and there are a ton of kids in the neighborhood. We feel so blessed. 

As we walked, we started dreaming. There are a couple houses for sale and a few lots as well. One day we will buy/build a home and we will make it our own and raise our family there. I think about it often. But for now, we are just enjoying life where we are at. We're grateful for a good job, house, ward, community and family. I couldn't help but smile as I was holding my sweetheart's hand, he was pushing Abbigail in the stroller, she was talking to herself, and we were just reflecting on our many blessings. 

I'm looking forward to many more family walks just like this one. We love spring! It seems like the perfect time of year. 

Once There Was a Snowman...

I know, I'm way behind on blogging... and I'm working on that! I Promise! But in the meantime, enjoy this cute video of Abbigail. I love that she is learning nursery songs! It's kind of my favorite!