Our little smarty pants

I came in to see her reading to herself... Talking out loud, turning the pages, and everything.

She likes it dark when she sleeps, so she gabbed her Froggy and put him on her head like this.

We got to have her picture taken for Pleasant Grove's "Strawberry Days".  She's out little "4th of July" girl.

Our big girl sitting in her big girl chair.  She is so proud of herself!

Okay... First off, I know I brag about her ALL the time and probably have a little too much pride in her but she is just so cute I can't help myself!  So, sorry to all those who may get a little sick of all my stories of her... I am amazed every day at how smart Alexa is and how quickly she catches onto things!!  Just thought I was share a few of her recent "cute moments"...
She's learned to crawl up the stairs by herself now.  We don't have stairs at our place so I haven't been able to teach her much, but the other day I held her hand as she walked up them.  Then, she just started crawling up them by herself without me really even teaching her. :)  I think about all the things this little girl has to learn and how she can just pick it up.  It completely amazes me!  One funny part of this little story... I had my hands about an inch from her waist as she was crawling up the stairs.  As soon as she noticed this she stopped crawling, turned her head, and sort of glared at me as if to say, "Mom, I can do it myself.  I don't need your help!"  She didn't start crawling up the stairs again until I took my hands away.  (I put them back around her once she started crawling again).  Do you think she's going to be independent?!!?
She also is NOT a huge fan of Church.  What 1 yr. old is, right?  She does okay during the first hour, then the other 2 hours she just gets so bored.  She is just a little busy body.  Yesterday during Sunday School, she crawled off a bit to the side of me.  Then, she found the emergency escape door and started banging on it.  Harrison and I could not help but laugh.  We could just imagine her saying, "Get me out of here!"  We are still trying to figure out how to get her to enjoy church, but not just go into the foyer so she can have "play-time" there.
Just one more story.... The other day I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast and Alexa was sharing it with me.  When I finished the cereal, I told her "All gone" and showed her the empty bowl.  She looked down inside it, then looked at me and said, "Uh-oh!"  It was pretty cute and, I thought, clever of her.
This little girl makes us laugh every day, we just love her!

Harrison's Birthday

Harrison's birthday was last Tuesday, June 26th.  The Saturday before we went out on a date to celebrate.  We went to one of his favorite restaurants, Ruby River, and then watched the new movie "Brave".  What a cute movie that is!  The date was so much fun too!  On Tuesday, his actual birthday, I made him breakfast in bed (this is a tradition of ours). Then, after he got home from work, we had his choice of dinner and invited my brother and sis-in-law, Scott and Traci, and his brother Morgan over for cake and ice cream.  The rest of his family was out of town and couldn't make it.  I made him a 2-layer cake for the very first time with homemade frosting.  It failed pretty miserably, but with much help from Traci, we made it doable! lol At least we can laugh about it now.  The back side of the cake was completely lopsided, but oh well... :)  It ended up being a fun night as we just ate cake and visited for a while.  Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

My Birthday

Harrison did a great job of spoiling me a ton on my birthday! He cooked and brought me breakfast in bed, and then we celebrated it again on Saturday by going out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants, Texas Road House.  After, we went shopping and out for ice cream.  (He really was a sport to go shopping with me!)  His family was nice enough to watch Alexa for us so we could go out on our fun little date!  On Friday, while Harrison was at work, a few of my friends from my ward threw me a birthday lunch and made me a cake.  It was so sweet and thoughtful of them and was fun to have something to do on my birthday! I thank everyone for the sweet birthday wishes and for making me feel loved!  Even Alexa gave me lots of loves! ;)

Scott and Traci's Wedding

My brother Scott and his wife, Traci got married in the San Diego Temple on April 28th.  Alexa and I went down to California for the wedding.  Unfortunately, Harrison couldn't go because of work and his sister was blessing her cute baby that Sunday as well, so we decided to divide and conquer to support both families.  It was such a neat experience to see them sealed together for time and eternity!  It was a beautiful sealing and the receptions, both in Utah and Idaho were wonderful and fun!  Congratulations you two love birds!
The Newlyweds with little Lexa.

Uh-Oh!

If "Uh-oh" counts as a word, then Alexa said her first word!  She first started saying it in April when she was 9 months old.  Anytime she drops something she says "uh-oh" over and over.  It is the cutest thing ever!  She now also says "Dad" or "Dada" ALL the time! This makes her Daddy very proud! (Whenever she sees her Dad or any Dad with his little boy or girl she points to them and says excitedly, "Dada! Dada!")  As well as Momma sometimes, Hi, and No on rare occasions.
The other day, Harrison got home before Alexa and I and, as we walked in the door, she heard a bowl and spoon clank as Harrison was in the kitchen.  As soon as she heard it, knowing it could't be me making the noise, she looked at me and asked, "Dada?"  Then Harrison walked into the living where we were.  When she saw him her face lit up immediately and she said, "Dada!!"  It was such a cute Daddy- Daughter moment!  We have so much fun watching her grow every day!

Easter

Easter was a lot of fun, we did a few things the weekend leading up to it to celebrate.  We invited my brother and his wife over to dye Easter eggs, and had three Easter egg hunts/ parties: one with the Black family, one with the Weber family during General Conference weekend, and (because Harrison says I am still 5 years old at heart, which is probably true ;) ) another one Sunday morning with just us.  Alexa also found her Easter basket.  She absolutely LOVED playing with the all the eggs.  She was surprisingly good at finding them too. :)  We then spent Easter Sunday in Nephi with Harrison's family after Church.  I am so grateful for my Savior and His atoning sacrifice.  Through his mercy, I know I can have the opportunity to repent and someday return to His and my Heavenly Father's presence!

Our Easter Eggs

Alexa and her cousin Mac swinging with Uncle Johnny.  You can see her two Easter eggs in her hand.  She would not let them go for anything! lol

Easter Sunday- Daddy and Alexa

They are so cute! :)

Our little family.

Mom and Alexa

General Conference Weekend

We had a great time for General Conference weekend.  We were able to go to Parma, Idaho, where I am originally from.  I have a lot of family that live there, so it was great to see everyone again.  The whole family ended up coming, and the grandparents had tons of fun with their two little grandbabies, Alexa and Ryker!  The conference talks were very good and, as usual, inspired and seemed to be exactly what I needed to hear.  I couldn't pick a favorite.  I love this gospel and the light and knowledge it brings to me! I don't know how I could ever raise a family on my own without the constant guide of the Holy Ghost and the love and mercy of my Heavenly Father and Savior!