Who does she look like?

Kindergarten Pictures

Okay, so we never get the comment, "your child looks just like you guys". It is always,"she looks just like her mommy", or "just like her daddy". Kids come in all shapes and sizes. Some look more like one parent than the other. In our case I think it is 50/50. This picture confirms my suspicions. I look at this picture and totally see both of us. What do you think?

Steven's 30!!!

This is when I wish that Steve would blog so he can tell you what an amazing wife I am! So on the 21st of December Steve will be 30! He kind of gets jipped on his birthday because it is so close to Christmas. I surprised him and threw a guys weekend/birthday the 1st weekend of December.

Pictured above: Scott (brother), Curt (dad), Matt (brother-in-law), Steve, Tann (friend) and Charlie (dog)!

They all got in Friday night, ate pizza, and went to a movie. The next morning they started the day off watching a football game, (that was the beginning of football for the day!!!) ate fabulous, perfectly cooked pancakes and eggs and played cards.

Went out to play some baseball and play with Charlie (Curt was all about giving Charlie treats!). They went paint balling that morning came home changed and had a tee time that afternoon. They made it home just before dark to shoot the gun. They were pretty good with the gun but lets just say if there was a burglar in the house I would hope that Matt was around!!!

Scott, you're welcome to come out and practice anytime . . .if you know what I mean!

When is was dark and there was nothing more they could do outside they came in to: ribs, chicken wings, stuffed mushrooms, dips and Henry Weinhardt's root beer. Thanks to my awesome dad who manned the BBQ the whole day for those boys! They had taped the 7 hours of football during the day and watched it until 11 that night!

Addyson wanted to be with the boys all day so when it was time for the cake she was front and center.

Over all it was a ton of fun. Seeing those boys playing around like kids was so much fun to watch. Thank you to the wives that shared their husbands with Steve.

Getting the Tree

Well this is a Christmas season that I will never forget. Steven and I have been married for 7 years and it was the first Christmas we bought and decorated a tree. I know you all must be thinking what a scrooge! Until this year we had always gone home for Christmas. I just couldn't justify decorating for a week.

I have lugged 4 Christmas boxes around for the last 7 years thinking that I had a ton of decoration . . . boy was I wrong. I have a beautiful Nativity and dang cute stockings but other than that everything is from the $1 store! After we were done putting everything out Addyson asked, "can we decorate tomorrow?". Thats when I had to break the news that this was all we had!!!

Finding the perfect tree is hard work . . . do you know how expensive they are?

If you look close at Steve's finger he is pointing at his empty pockets. Yeah I got the tree I wanted!

We made my parents get out of bed to help us out. It is more than a 2 man job!

It looks great and there is nothing like the feel of the Christmas season. We feel that we have so much to be thankful for.

Christmas Parade

It has been too long since the last time I was at the Candy Cane Lane Parade. For those of you that have never experienced a small town (not that small) Christmas parade you really need to. The parade is always the Monday after Thanksgiving (don't say you were never invited)! We had a great time and Addyson thought that it was the best thing ever.

We met up with friends to watch this miraculous parade!!!

Picture above: Marcie, Kristen, Molly and me. Addyson and Brookly (Marcie's daughter)

Thanksgiving

It was a bitter sweet Thanksgiving this year. When we moved 4 years ago to Virginia I really didn't know what I was going to do without our family over Thanksgiving. That changed pretty quickly when we got there and met the people we did. Every year we had an awesome Thanksgiving as we all brought our own family traditions. We miss you guys!

But there really is nothing like family. We were so happy to be with our family over this Thanksgiving holiday. The things that we are most grateful for are our Savior Jesus Christ and family. The list goes on and on but to have both of those things in our lives is what keeps us going daily.

We spent the day with Steve's family out at Uncle John and Aunt Gabbie's house. There was so many fun people to see and things to do. Addyson had a "hay day" with the animals but barely touching the chickens was as far as she was willing to go!

30 already . . .

It's true I am 30 as of November 20th. I know that I don't look it!!!

It was a crazy but FUN weekend. Friday morning Molly (friend), Brenda (Molly's sister and my friend), Pat (Molly's mom and my friend) and I took off for San Francisco for the weekend. We shopped, ate and went to a little broadway show called WICKED!!! It was seriously one of the best shows ever. I enjoyed every single thing about it and just can't wait until I get to go again.

We got back in town that Sunday and then the next Tuesday went to "So You Think You Can Dance" tour in Fresno. It was awesome!!! Some of my family and Steve's family were a little confused about what I was doing. We got a lot of calls saying, "you know your pregnant right?". Thanks for all of you who think, that I think, that I can dance like them. I didn't try out for the show, I just went to see the Season 5 tour. You were probably thinking that I was one of those people that go on the show to make a complete dork of themselves and you didn't want that to happen to me. So if that was the case . . . thank you.

I had a fabulous Birthday and I decided that if I get a new computer, go to a broadway show, and a dance tour every year, then I will be okay with aging.

2 new additions!

It's a Girl!!!

We are having another girl and are very excited. We found out at 14 weeks and I am now 19 weeks. Sorry it has taken me so long but our computer was broken. I have had 2 ultrasound's and it is for sure a girl. She is growing wonderfully and so am I!!! I am so happy that Addyson will have a sister (there is nothing like it). My mom and I went to Utah to visit my sister (she had her 6th boy) and my brother-in-law Nick(OB-GYN) took me into his office and that is where I had my ultrasound. Steve wasn't there but, he was on the phone. When I got back he had tied pink bows on the trees leading up to our house with a big sign that said, "It's a Girl". It was a very fun surprise. He has been so good through all the sick and fun stuff that comes with pregnancy (I love that boy so much)! He is happy and proud to have a house full of girls. We both are excited to hold and kiss on our two girls!!!

Second addition...

Computer! Not only a computer but a Mac. I have been dreading my 30th birthday on the 20th of this month but I am okay with it now because of my early and fabulous present! It's a beautiful machine but it will take me a bit of time to get use to. Its a long story so I won't bore you with it but it was a HUGE surprise that made me cry. I know that sounds lame but Steven had been planning it for awhile and had me convinced that we weren't getting a Mac. It was a real shocker!

Miracle #2

Yes it is true we are really having a baby, and it is in my stomach! After almost 5 years of trying, 3 IUI's, IVF, living at the doctors being a lab rat, and being told that Addyson is a walking miracle and that we would not be able to have another. For the last few months we have been blessed to be on the adoption wait list. Who would of thought the birth mothers we had been praying for would turn out to be ME?! (We still hope to adopt so please keep your eyes and ears open for us). The baby is growing wonderfully and we know how blessed we are. We moved to Caly 4 months ago and I am 3 months pregant so I guess we just needed the good old California air! We have always had faith in the Lord's plan for us but we are overwhelmed with gratitude for this miracle and answer to our prayers and the prayers of many of you. I can honesty say that miracles are real. Thank all you for your prayers on our behalf. The baby's profile. You can see the head, body, 2 little legs, and that thing coming out from the head is really the arm. During the ultrasound the baby was going crazy. He/She would not stop moving so that was the best they could get. I have been very sick and just keep telling myself that this is a good thing and that I wanted it!!! I am 11 weeks so I am really banking that next week I will be feeling a lot better since I will be in my 2nd trimester.

Graduation

May 15, 2009

VCU Dentistry Graduation

1. The "gang" I know it is hard to see but we are all there. Matt, Amy, Scott, (Katie was out looking for Steve to video him...she is awesome), Curt, Martie, Richard and Linda.
2. Me and Addyson enjoying the moment.
3. Steve with some of his classmates. If you ask me he looks pretty dang happy.
4. I had to show that I was there and sat and watched the whole thing!!!

The graduation was LONG so everybody started to do their own thing. But don't worry when Steve got up he had one of the loudest crowds!

I can't explain the emotion I felt watching Steve get Hooded. He deserved every second of it.

It was a lot of fun to have so much family there. I know that Steve felt very special that day. It meant a lot to know that so many family members came to support him. Thank you.

The kids! Thats not all of them but when we started there were only three of them and know... Coleman, Ashlyn and Landon Guenter. Samantha, Payton and Landon(not in the picture) Jones. Addyson, Sadie (sister on the way) Olsen. Down on the bottom Addyson and Janie.

The Ladies!!! Some of the best ladies I will ever know.

The Boys!!! Yes they are all still boys but they are some really good ones.

After a long but wonderful graduation we went to one of our favorite places to eat... oh I wish I could have Brio again I really miss that place.

I say we got married in California, had Addyson in Utah, but we became a family in Virginia. Dental school was an amazing 4 years. We met some of our best friends, got the education Steve desired, and fell in love with Virginia and the people. So many people told us to enjoy school because it would go by so fast...and it did! When it was all over I told Steve that I think he should do a specialty because I was not ready to give it all up yet! Through school I realized what an incredible man I really did marry. His dedication to school was an example to me, yet I never felt 2nd to school. He always put the Lord and his family 1st even when things were crazy with school. He will be a wonderful dentist and I am just so proud to call him mine.

Party, party, party

May 10-17, 2009

We had such a fun week! We all visited the famous Virginia sites... Monticello, Mt. Vernon, DC, and and hanging in Richmond. To top off the awesome week Saturday morning before the BBQ we went on a family run!!! Steve, Scott, Matt & Curt took off then Amy wanted to go so I went with her to get out of making all that yumy food and let me tell you it was good!

So this is kind of a funny story. In June my friend Ashley Poole moved to Richmond. I was planning Addysons 4th birthday party and she offered to make her cake. Well if you know me I love to throw parties and I like it done my way. I had just met Ashley so I said I will have to pass. Come to find out she became one of my very best friends and she also makes professional cakes. I learned a little something that day. We moved the next May and Addyson Birthday is in June so I asked her to make Steves graduation cake. Not only is it the cutest thing ever it was so good.

As you can imagine, Dental School is a pretty penny so when it came to a graduation present for Steve I didn't know what to do. So I asked all of our family to write Steve a letter and then I put it into a book. The family really came through; not only were there some of the best letters, I only gave them a week to do it. I guess when there is a little pressure we produce good things.

Gala

May 12, 2009

Ok, so here goes the 2nd part of my attempt to catch up. The last 4 to 5 months have been pretty crazy for me but are worth blogging so just bare with me and hopefully soon I will be caught up.

Since our 1st year of Denial School we have heard about "The Gala". It is dinner and dancing for the graduating class. Well after 4 year we went. I think we all thought that is was going to be the most fabulous thing ever and we built it up a little too much. Thank goodness for good friends because they all made it a fun night!

I miss this group so much. They are truly some of the best people I know.

There was so much dessert and it was good! They even had brownie sundays in little wine glasses (that really makes the dessert taste better when it comes in a fancy glass). There was this cream brule that I loved! As you can see I have like 3 in front of me because everyone was giving theirs to me (I have such good friends)!

More pictures!!! Yeah we got a little bored so Tyler and Tann started being dorks.

We all had our own little place card. I love little details like that. Steves even said Doctor Steven Chandler on his...that is so awesome. We had a good time with fun people.

Easter

April 12, 2009

Addyson loves Easter (but really, what kid doesn't- you get candy and toys)! This Easter was better than the rest because Addyson wasn't alone. The Radmacher's were here and we had good food and a lot of fun.

Easter baskets! All Addyson wanted was a kite, that was all she could talk about. So, in her basket she got one. The Easter bunny is so cheap that the kite flew maybe once but then it was done for. Maybe next year she will ask for another one but this time it will be a little nicer. (Yes, I know I spelled Dylan's name wrong)

Hunting for eggs, and posing for pics!

We tried to get pictures of the kids but all they wanted to do was eat their candy.

I think they had a good time... what do you think?

A week of fun!

April 8-14, 2009

Radmacher's in Virginia

It is so much fun to have family and friends come out to visit us in VA. It really made us feel special and it is a pretty cool place to visit. The first part of the trip we stayed at VA Beach and had a blast. It was kind of chilly but the kids didn't care the just had to go to the beach.

Then we rented bikes and rode around town. It was very hard and Rachel and I did all the work while the daddy's just sat there. These kids get together twice a year and yet they acted like they see each other every day. There really is nothing like family.

The rest of the week was so much fun, we made it to Monticello, Mount Vernon, DC, and to some cool places in Richmond.

1. This is a beautiful view from Monticello

2. Steve thought he should play Dr. Dentist with poor Dylan.

3. Steve was working really hard to make Dylan like him and by the middle to end of the trip he had him.

4. DJ and Dylan at Monticello

5. Dylan and Steve.

Thank you Radmacher's we had a fabulous time.

Sprint Triathlon

April 14, 2009

I will make this short and sweet because there is too much to blog about and the Triathlon is kind of boring. I just have to document it- so I don't forget it!

Steven and I did a Sprint Tri in April. It was my first and, to be honest, it was a fun day. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done but so worth it.

1. Yeah, that's me coming from the swim. Don't look too close or you might go blind (my stomach hasn't seen the sun for awhile). It was a pool swim and Steve and I started together. So for the first few min. I was beating him.

2. Steve coming from the swim.

3. Steve and I in the transition area. It was cool being with him. He has been a great support and I was a little scared so it was fun to be together.

4. Steve coming in from the bike.

5. Me coming in from the bike. Steve and I started the bike together and slowly Steve kept getting smaller and smaller until he was long gone. Then I knew I was all alone I wouldn't see him until the end of the race.

6. Steve leaving for the run.

7. Me leaving for the run. I was so fast the Ashley couldn't get me that good! So you get the back of me.

8. Steve coming through the finish.

9. Me coming through the finish. Don't hate on us coming through looking that "boody" it was hard.

This moment was worth every bit of the race. Seeing Addyson running up to me and the look on Steve's face was a good feeling.

We did the race with our good friends (Tann and Angela Jones). It was Ang and my first one so it was nice to have each other. We miss you guys so much.

The best part of the face as I said before was having my family there. It would not have happen if it wasn't for my awesome friend Ashley. She got up very early, drove 2 hours with us to sit in the HOT sun to support me and to watch Addyson. That is the kind of person she is. I am just so sad that she lives so far a way because I miss her a ton! Thanks again Ash.