life...update

Alright, so life as I knew it is over, I never realized how much one person affected your life and just removing my Daddy from my everyday life alters everything. One positive is we get to see my mom a lot more, and it has been really fun, I must admit the shopping sprees, with her, have been therapeutic and although no amount of spending will ever bring him back it still feels good. Our life the past few months has been crazy with so many ups and downs, yes I admit I had many "couldn't get out of bed" days, but now it's back to real life and thankfully its summer and the sun helps a lot.

We had 2 amazing vacations, I really needed to go to Disneyland, Yes it was me, as much as I know the girls loved going it was really me who wanted to go. We went down to California for a week and went to Disneyland for 3 days then down to San Diego to Sea world and the Wild Adventure Park. My mom came in for the last 3 days. It was such a nice trip, we all needed it so bad. Most of the trip was spent trying not to be sad that Poppy wasn't there but I loved it because I felt like a little kid again and the first thing I thought of when I was told my dad was killed was, "I wished I was a little kid again" so I could go back and do it again and have 30 years with him again. Disneyland just holds so many memories and such a feeling of magic that I wish I could live there and have my life inside this little bubble of happiness. After all it is "the happiest place on earth" Bryan loved the wild park, he took a 3 hour photo tour and got amazing pictures. I'm so proud of him he is turning into an amazing photographer. Izzy loved meeting all of the princesses and getting her picture with them. She was tall enough to go on fun rides with Dad, thunder mountain and splash mountain are her favorite. We went to Disneyland one day with Bryan's brother Matt and his family. It was so much fun to see them and Izzy just loves her cousins so much. We miss them a lot.

We went down to Arches National Park and Moab so we could get pictures of the red rocks, it was amazing. I can't believe how much fun it was, we took the girls but we counted it as a our 8 year anniversary trip. It was so nice to hike and enjoy the pool, it was so cute to see Izzy hiking and seriously thinking she was awesome because she learned how to hike without tripping, you could hear her talking to herself "heel,toe Heel,toe" She really is at such a fun stage in life. Her new thing is learning to read, she things she can already with is great because she is so willing right now to practice. She has her moments but really she is just my little buddy and we have so much fun together. She is also the greatest big sister and very protective of her little gigi.

Gigi is doing amazing, her health issues are improving and she is starting to talk so much and imitate everything she sees. I am amazed at her ability to follow orders, I only have to say something once and she will do it, and her memory is perfect, almost scary, I have to be careful what she sees. She is my little joy in life, you can not look at her and not smile, and her laugh is the greatest sound on earth which we are lucky enough to hear all day.

Byran has a new job and is doing so good I am so proud of him. He is now a Sales Rep/ Account manager for a Marketing/promo products company. He has found the perfect job for him and I can't be happier. We have been so blessed, I can't believe how lucky we have been to find this great job (thank you Paul and Blaine)

Our family is being extremely blessed all the time and I can feel all of the love being offered from all our friends and family, I would like to thank all of you for the support we couldn't have done this without you.

In Memory of Poppy

My dad had a photography business, named Willow Walk Photography,that he had started about 1 1/2 years ago, and last summer he just showed up at my house with an amazing gift. He gave me my own camera so we could have a hobby to do together, and have something that I could fall back on if I ever needed something. So for his birthday this year I took these pictures of his granddaughters, unfortunately he never got to see them. I had planned to give them to him at his birthday lunch. Cody and I took him out for sushi every year. He passed away the day before. So in memory of my Dad and my girls Poppy. Dad here you go.

so so so so sad

I never thought I could ever be so sad. At my Dad's funeral Elder F. Howard Burton talked about how you never know just how deep your love is for someone until they are gone, wow, I can tell you this is true. I always knew I loved my Daddy but I never realized how deep it went and how much I relied on him. He really was my go to guy (after Bryan of course) Last night Bryan and I bought more eqipment for our camera and about every 5 min or so either one of us would say " i just wish we could ask Dad he would know the best one" I know it is something so simple yet it stings so bad.

Izzy saw a picture of him last night and just started to cry, so I told her if you pray for strength then you will always feel better. So she started her prayer and then just pleaded for Poppy to come home. She just keept saying Please Please bring him back. It was so pure and heartfelt. I know she is hurting but I didn't realize how much until then. She is old enough to know but not old enough to understand. I don't think seeing me cry all the time helps any.

I know time heals but time is our enemy right now. It seems like so long until we will get to see him again. I really miss his smile and his calming presense. He really was the rock of our family and now I feel like we could crumble. I know we won't but he can never be replaced and is so needed. He really was our Superhero.

Poppy, My Superhero Boy. I miss you with all of my heart. Happy birthday from your girls.

Pictures of my girls

Gabby all dressed up for daddy.

Summer Pictures!

Here are some pictures of the last few months, life is just way too busy right now. This one is Gabby on Easter Sunday. She is just the best baby and we are having way too much fun with her.

Bryan's girls. It's a good thing Scruffy is a boy or Bry would really go crazy with a house full of girls.

Izzy had surgery on her Trigger Thumb. We have known for a long time that she would need this done but we put it off for as long as possible and I'm glad we did, she did so good and was so brave. We are so proud of her.This next picture was right after they gave her some really strong medicine to help calm her. wow did it ever work. I have not laughed that hard in a long time, she was cracking us up.She thought she was on a magic carpet ride when they rolled her down the hall, she was loving life. She was so confused but really brave after it was all over. The first couple of weeks of summer was really hard with a cast on. Now that it's off i'm really grateful it was only a short time and now she can enjoy water again. Every time we eat we put Gabby in her Bumbo in the middle of the table and we call her our centerpiece. She loves it because she gets so much attention. I think she is the cutest little thing ever, we love her so much.

We took the girls up to Idaho to visit Gabby's birthmom and to watch her in a Rodeo. I can't believe how much fun it was. Plus Izzy got to have her first horse ride, she was only going to do it if she could do it all by herself. This little one really likes to be in control.
Notice this is no small horse. Izzy was not even scared and wanted to go faster.

Thanks Sage for the wonderful time. We really love you and appreciate you.