My dynamic duo

Now that I live away from my family and friends, I figured I better post updates on these two little bundles of energy! They sure keep me on my feet all day long, and now that I stay home with them I am getting a hang of the stay at home mom role! I sure love getting to spend every day with them!

Miss Claire:
She is now 16 months old (where has the time gone). She is busy busy busy and climbs on everything. We spend lots of time at the park and people often ask me how old she is because they cant believe how well she manuevers around on the playground! She is talking more and more each day, my favorite saying of hers is "bless you". It just sounds so cute coming from someone so little. She also says, "touchdown" whenever she sees football, and "goal" when she sees soccer. Andy is so proud! We recently introduced her to an Elmo DVD that Dallin loved as a baby and now she is addicted. I just took her bottle away a few days ago, and she had no trouble at all (why does stuff like that always seem harder in my mind). She still absolutely LOVES her baths and now loves showers too! She is seriously the cutest, funniest, sweetest thing ever, and I just love every bit of her.







Dallin:
He has handled the move so well, way better than I thought! He started preschool just days after we moved here and he loves it! He goes to a Montessori school, which I hear offers such a great learning style! He is still incredibly busy, and always wants me to play with him. I have really struggled with this because it's hard for me to give him the attention he wants, give Claire some time and still try to manage the household duties. I have really been trying to encourage him to use his imagination more, and he is getting better. He loves dressing up like superheroes and watching superhero shows, of course. Soccer is still a daily activity around here, and he just started in a new soccer program here in Noblesville! We have been trying really hard to make friends, and spend every day at the park socializing! It's a great way for hime to get to play with other kids and gives mom a much needed break from playing spiderman all day! We took him to another ENT who told us we definitely need to get Dallin's tonsils/adenoids removed. I was relieved in a sense, because I know it is finally going to allow Dallin to get some restful sleep! No more 2-3 night wakings every night! The doctor said that the surgery should also help with some behavioral issues we have been dealing with too, so that is also a plus! Of course, he is still my sweet little boy who is SOOOOO loving, and so complimentary. He has such a big heart, and is so passionate about everything. Even though he tests my patience daily, I sure love this kid!

Newport, Kentucky Aquarium

One benefit to living in Indy is we are just a few hours away from many nearby cities with great attractions! We wanted to drive in to Cincinnati and Kentucky so we found this great aquarium that is located right on the levy in Newport, Ky which is just across the Ohio River. We ate lunch at a great pizza place and then spent the afternoon at the aquarium. It was awesome and there were some really great exhibits! After the aquarium, we spent some time driving around Cincinnati and Andy showed me some of the places he lived when he was serving his Mission! He lived right downtown in a couple different apartments, and I tell ya, I wouldnt want to be caught walking around those streets. Pretty scary stuff. Then we headed to a city called Batesville, In which is another area he served. We found his old apartment there too! That sure was a cute little town, located just an hour from Indy! Crazy how life has brought us back to this area! Here are some pics from that day!



The view into downtown Cincinnati from Kentucky


The highlight of the day was when I got attacked by a bunch of Parrots! We entered a part of the aquarium where they let the birds fly around freely in the atrium. We were allowed to feed the birds with these tiny little cups full of some sort of liquid. I held mine up towards a tree when suddenly the bird I was trying to feed jumped right onto my arm. It was pretty cool until the other few birds came flocking over and landed right on my head! It was HILARIOUS! I was dying, and total strangers were taking my picture! To make it even worse, the birds were pooping all over me, it was quite disgusting, but seriously funny. Dallin and Andy sure got a kick out of it. Not sure why I became the landing pad for the birds, but it made for a good story!




Claire LOVES fish! It was one of her first words, so you can only imagine the joy she experienced walking through this aquarium. Love her!

Fall Festival

Since moving to Indiana we have been fortunate to fill our weekends with fun activities as we explore this new state! We spent one Saturday at one of the many farms here called Stony Creek Farm. They hold an annual fall festival full of fun activities for the kids, including a giant bounce pillow (Dallin was in heaven), haunted house, corn maze, mini train ride, and a hayride to a secluded pumpkin patch where the kids got to pick out their own pumpkin (my camera died at this point in the day, boo.) Anyway, it was a great day, and we had a ball!

Welcome to Indy!

Here are a few pictures from our plane ride to Indianapolis

Me and Dallin


Mom and Sarah (definitely a huge help having them come along)


Claire, definitely enjoying herself! Luckily the flights weren't full so I was able to bring her car seat on board. A total LIFESAVER!


I know this picture is blurry, but it was the only documentation we got of us entering our new lives in Indy!

Sunday Blues

Just missing my girlies back home... LOVE YOU ALL!

We are here!!!

Just a quick update to let everyone know we have safely made the move to Indianapolis! Andy drove our van and we hired a company that drove the moving truck for us! I had the luxury of flying out with my kids after Andy and the truck arrived! My mom and sister came out with me on the flight, which was a huge help. They also stayed a few days to help unpack and wrangle the kids while we got settled. I was able to finally see my house in person, which was so much fun! We absolutely LOVE IT! The town we are living in is called Noblesville, which is a suburb of Indianapolis. It is about 20 minutes north of the City. Our house is right on a golf course, in fact our backyard is the Golf course! It is so beautiful here, green and lots of trees. We are so close to many of the ammenities we are used to in Utah, shops restaraunts, etc.

Dallin was able to start preschool right away, which is great for him. He goes 3 times a week, twice for 4 hours and the other day for 2.5 hours. He loves it already and I am glad he has something to keep him busy! I met a girl from the ward who already invited me to a weekly "potluck" for stay at home mom's. I am so excited, it is tomorrow and I will get to meet some new friends! The kids have adjusted so well, they are already totally used to Eastern Time, which I was totally nervous about.

Andy hasn't really started work yet. He should be getting his new laptop with all the programs he needs on Thursday, and then he can dive into work!

Overall we have been loving it! It still feels like a bit of a vacation, but I think I can get used to it here! We cant wait until Sunday when Andy's parents come out (they drove our other car). It will be fun to spend some time with them! I will post some pictures of our house shortly!

Movin' TIme

The time has arrived for us to move. We spent an exhausting weekend loading up the moviing truck and cleaning our apartment. Oh boy was that a task. It is so much different moving across the country vs. across the city. We litereally had to put EVERY SINGLE THING WE OWN in a box. Craziness. We basically played one giant game of tetris trying to get everything into the moving truck, and in the least amount of space possible (they charge per foot used). But we made it out alive, barely, so it's time to say our goodbyes and start our new journey. Andy leaves bright and early tomorrow morning to drive to Indiana. His buddy Chris is tagging along to keep him company during the drive. Of course, they had to squeeze in some sort of sporting event into the trip so they are going to a Chicago White Sox game on Thursday night. Then they will head over to Indiana. I get to stay here for a few more days and then fly out with the kids Friday! My amazing mom and sister get to join me on the plane and come hang out with us for the first few days in our new place!!! After they leave, Andy's parents will be coming a few days later. They are driving our other car out, and then flying home a few days later! I actuallly cannot believe it is all happening. It still seems a bit surreal in my mind. I am however, very excited. I cant wait to get settled and start a new chapter in our lives!

Cabin Fever

We decided to have a last shin dig with our friends up at Jenny's cabin! It was a great little getaway and we were all able to find babysitters for our kids! We stayed up till almost 3 am and slept in till 9:00! Wow, that's unheard of once kids enter the equation! We spend the evening barbequeing and goofing off. We played some games, but mainly just talked and talked and laughed (a lot). We only stayed one night, but it was much needed! We are very sad to leave all of our amazing friends, but know we will always stay in touch!

The girls (minus Christa who came up later that night)


Kate and Me. My bestie for life!


My SIL Lacy and Me. We have become such great friends over the years. Sure going to be sad to leave


Jen (iffer) and me (shlee) Love this girl. Go Red!


Couldn't resist acting like we were 12 again!


I love this picture of Andy and me but the lighting was strange. Oh well, it's still cute!


The Girls.


The boys. these guys (minus travis) all grew up together!

Extendend Family Pictures... The Sylvia Clan

We decided to get some family pictures with the whole Sylvia Family. We were in need of a good couple of shots, and with us leaving it seemed like a great time! We headed out to the ever so popular Wheeler Farm on a HOT HOT HOT August afternoon. We ended up getting some good pictures, but the kids weren't always looking or smiling! Oh well, what do you expect!!

Here is the whole Clan.


The Grandkids
L-R Dallin, Claire, Ellie, Grey and Lyla


The only decent family picture of us... oh well it's not too bad


The Sylvia Brothers. Aren't they a handsome little trio?


Miss Claire strutting her stuff. Didn't get any great ones of her but that's okay, she had her own photo shoot just the month before (which I still need to post)


Big "D"


Grammie and Granddad. These kids A-D-O-R-E their grandparent's. My kids are absolutely going to miss these two when we move :(

And now for the big announcement....

(no I am not pregnant)

WE’RE MOVING TO INDIANAPOLIS


I know, it's a shock to most of you. I am still trying to absorb it all. Andy got a new job, his "dream" job basically. Although it will be sad to leave everyone, it is going to be a great opportunity for our family. I will be able to stay home full time with the kiddos, and am excited for this new journey. More to come.

The chillins...

Here are some recent pictures of the kids that I felt were too cute to not share!

So, this is Claire's typical hair-do after about 30 seconds of being anywhere. She will NOT keep any bow, elastic or head band on. I try every day, but to my dismay she continues to win that battle.

Big D at the zoo! So handsome, I know.

Claire also at the zoo looking cute as ever... yes I am bragging.

Lately Dallin hasn't been napping consistently, only when I know we need to stay out a bit later than usual. Lots of times though he ends up zonking out on the couch for a cat nap while watching TV. Hilarious!

Friends

I am loving that Dallin is old enough to have his own "friends". He is such a social kid as I have mentioned before, so any time we are able to get together with friends we are all over it!!

Dallin and Lyla- These two are cousins just a year apart! They are awfully fond of eachother, and I hope they grow up to be great friends!

Dallin and David- Our neighbor is just a few months older than Dallin. These two would play together every second of every day if we would let them. Dallin wakes up asking if he can "play with David". They play on the same soccer team and together they are one awesome duo!

Dallin and David again (pre-hair cut. Can you even stand those curls? Adorable)

Dallin and Kelan- My good friend Kristina's son (twin brother Kole not pictured) Last time we got these two together they were so cute together! It's funny how some kids just take to other kids!

Dallin and Miss Audrey- My bestest friend ever Katie's daughter has been in Dallin's life since the moment he was born. They love to play together, and although age and gender is causing a bit of challenge lately, they still have fun together!

Claire's 1st Birthday

It's time I finally got around to blogging about Claire's Birthday (in June). We had a fun pool party planned but the weather had something else in mind.. so at the last minute I had to move the party inside. It was still a great time, Claire was in heaven over her new toys, especially the pink car. Can I even tell you how excited she was when she saw that thing... seriously people. Pure joy. I themed her party with cupcakes, and had this cool cupcake cake made (wow that was a lot of use of the work "cake" just then) She got her own smash cake, which she was hesitant about at first. After a little coaxing from mom you can see she was able to partake plenty on her own!! I am so in love with this girl, she is sweet, funny, cuddly, smart, BUSY, and always smiling. Happy Birthday!

just talk

Hello! I feel like I haven't blogged forever (maybe because I haven't). Luckily my camera re-appeared so as soon as I get around to uploading the latest pictures you will get some recent updates from the last few months. A lot has been going on around here, we have kept busy this summer between parks, pools, splash parks, the zoo, soccer games, baseball games, and picnics! I love summertime, I just wish it weren't so flamin hot all the time. Being outside becomes almost unbearable, which makes for long days inside. Dallin needs to be entertained 24/7, which drains the heck out of me. I feel like his toys just sit on his toy box and he his nagging me all day to "play with him". I cant wait for school to start so he can have something to entertain him a few hours a week! Claire on the other hand is loving discovering everything, and she is FEARLESS. I thought girls were supposed to be less active, well she has proven me wrong. She is busy busy busy and climbs on absolutely everything. But, she is still the sweetest most easy going girl ever, and I love her. Not sure what I did to create such busy creatures, but man, they are sure cute!

So Dallin turns 4 on Monday, big kid. We are having an awesome birthday party for him, combined with my neice (and Dallin's sidekick) Lyla who will be turning 3. We rented out Murray Outdoor Pool, and the kids can just go crazy and have fun! It is going to be awesome! More details on that to come soon!

Lastly, for those who dont know, some big changes are potentially in store for our family. I will give more details when we get them next week so stay tuned to learn more (I know you are all intrigued).

I cant seem to find my camera... anyone know where it could be? Blogging is no fun without it.