First off, I'm sorry it's been so long! I'd like to say that it's because I've been so busy I couldn't bare one minute on the computer, but that hasn't been the case this week...
So, my mom flew to Utah to help me with the kids on the drive to Arizona (driving 10 hours with 2 kids alone... no thanks!) and to help unpack and organize all of our stuff in the new house. Wow, let me tell you, you never realize how much stuff you have and how long it takes to put it everywhere until you move!! And 70% off the "stuff" is kid stuff!! Kids clothes, kids toys, baby clothes and toys- which aren't even used anymore, but ya can't just get rid of them, right? It's crazy all the "stuff" you supposedly need. If we had the money I would've loved to just give everything away and buy new just so we didn't have to deal with all of our "stuff".
Anyway, my mom was here for a week and, let's be honest, can walk circles around me in the getting-things-done department. We unpacked and organized literally every box but 2 before she left, hung pictures, decorated the house, went shopping... you name it, it got done. Except for painting. And, believe me, I was shocked she didn't whip out the paint and redo my kitchen (it's awful to say the least, haha)! She's a crazy woman... but in a good way :) . So, that's why I haven't blogged yet. Because for the first week here, I literally was ridiculously busy- because of my mom, and for the second week, I've been too exhausted from the first to even think about lifting a finger! :) But seriously Mom, couldn't have done it without you!! Thanks again!!
So, I apologize if you've missed me :), or if you've been dying to know how Arizona is, or if you just want to see pictures of my kids, that's fine too. No one cares about you anymore after you have kids- they just want to see the kids. And... I'm ok with it.
A few things in case you're wondering:
*The kids were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. on the drive to AZ... thank goodness!!
*Dodger decided to stop teething for one week while me and my mom unpacked... thanks little guy :), but got right back to it before she left.
*The kids are LOVING it here. Mostly because of the weather and the house, of course.
*And yes, Taya misses everyone. She asks all the time about people, wondering who's going to come to the park with us, or if she can go see the neighbors by her "old house". It's hard and I feel bad, but we just talk about "when we go back to Utah in April we'll get to see everyone". She just nods :).
*NO, Dodger is NOT walking yet... BUT SO CLOSE!!! He takes 4 steps, then falls, gets back up and tries again. I think the most he's gotten is about 13. Progress people! Maybe before he hits 17 months. It's so cute though. He gets too excited, stands up and doesn't even give himself a chance to balance before he just starts walking, so he falls. Ha. I'll hafta post a video sometime.
*As for the Tayaisms... she's been hilarious here :) When she's outside she turns into a different person. She talks and talks and talks! Every day she asks me probably 20 times if we can go for a "iiiiiddle, tttiiinnnyyy walk". It's pretty cute, but after the 4th walk of the day it gets a "iddle" old!
*We like our house a lot. It's all one level so NO MORE STAIRS!!! YAY!!! I hate stairs, with a passion. The hallways are huge, the rooms are huge, I HAVE A PANTRY (I didn't in my "old" house- which I hated!), the kids rooms are away from the master bedroom and garage... so I can run on my treadmill and use my tools now while they're asleep- yay, it's a 3 car garage... You get the idea. For the most part, it's a great rental. Except for the kitchen walls :) ... They're salmon. And hideous. Salmon kitchen and an olive green family room. Don't get me wrong, we all know I love olive green, but when you put the two colors right up next to each other... sick. Maybe my mom actually will paint it when she comes back! We can only hope :)
*Cam and I are doing good. We haven't talked about it too much so I'm not sure how he feels, but so far I'm really liking Arizona. Everyone is SOO nice here, even drive-thru people (not that I eat out or anything ;) ). And of course, the weather is FANTASTIC! I won't go into too much detail because I know how cold everyone else is right now, but it really is great. The kids both wore shorts today, that's how nice it is. I miss lots of things about living in Utah and miss my family, friends, and neighbors so much, but try not to think of it too much!
One more side note, then on to the pictures... Cam's doing great with the business! It's a lot of work, basically starting over again, but he has a couple new employees and new agents so we're excited about the growth so far!
I haven't taken pictures of the house yet, but here's a few of the kids...
Taya with about 3 princess dresses on...
And yes, her bike was in the house! I'm a terrible parent, I know! It was cold and so windy for a few days here and I got so tired of her wanting to go outside, so we brought the outside inside :) Our halls are super big so I thought it'd be ok for one day...
ps this is the kids hallway. Guest bed/craft room to the left, Taya's bedroom is just behind her, Dodger's is next to it, and 2 bathrooms on the right. Dodger climbed in a box while we were packing at our "old" house and thought he was so cute...
Taya's make-shift baby bjorn :) ...
This face Taya's making won't surprise anyone :) ....
I LOVE these new chairs my mom got them from Ikea! ...
Please excuse Taya's un-lady like pose, I just thought Dodger was too funny.
They think their new office chair is the funnest thing ever...
That's the beautiful salmon color in the background :)
Taya pushing Dodger...
The park...
I had to add this one. We went to lunch with some friends before we left and took a few pictures of Taya with her little friends. This is Taya, Tessa and London "Yunyon". Aren't they so cute!? :)