A little bit o' life

I'm just in the mood to blog tonight...so luckily I have a bunch of pictures for the occasion. On Saturday, we went out to lunch for birthdays, i guess you could say, since Darrell, Steven, and I all had our birthdays this month. We went to Tucano's with my sister, Sheri, and Grandma and Grandpa Cropper. (darrell's parents). So, this first picture is Steven playing in the water with Aunt Sheri after we gorged ourselves full! Our cute lil' family Steven dancing with dad Aunt Sheri gave Steven an awesome BYU Shirt for his birthday. Now he and dad can match! Go cougars! (now ranked #8, wahoo!) Steven does the cheer. I will try to get it on a video for all to see. It's definitely SOO cute! Sheri sharing some raspberry lemonade at Tucano's. Steven was a HUGE fan! Playing some more in the water

This video is from a month ago, but I just watched it again, and wanted to share it with you all!! Have a great day, and remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!

I like my birthday!

I love birthdays. If anybody knows me really well, they know I think everybody's birthday is their own personal holiday and it should be treated as such. Steven was a kind soul and slept in until 10:00 a.m. today. He's so great. He's been happy for my birthday week. The earliest he has awaken this week was 8:00 a.m.

All week Darrell has been nervous, because he ordered my birthday present, and it wasn't supposed to be here until Sept. 29 but he really wanted me to have it for my birthday. (he's so cute.) Anyway, a package for Darrell came today, and it of course was my present. I literally had no idea what it was, and the box was really light. So, I just put the box on the table and left it till he got home. When he got home, he got all sneaky and took off for the bedroom. I sent Steven after him to see if I could find out anything, and all I could hear was Steven jabbering away to his dad. Anyway, present time came, and I opened it....and walaa! It was Photoshop Elements! I've been wanting this for a while, but I had told myself we could wait till we got a new camera or Christmas came along. I was and still am super excited!!! Cute husband of mine surprised me! I've only been playing with it for a few minutes, but I think I'm going to LOVE this! Just playing with some wedding photos... My mom and dad gave me some lovely sweaters and some jewelery. Thanks parents! I love you! And here are some pictures of last night of us being silly outside on the grass! :) A great big thank you to everyone who left me a birthday message via text, facebook, phone, and thoughts! I love you all, and thanks for your well wishes on my holiday! :)

Happy First Birthday Steven!!!

I cannot believe my baby is a year old today!! It's absolutely crazy how fast time has flown and how much has happened in the past year. A year ago, I couldn't believe I actually went through labor and delivered my first son. I was all sorts of nervous, excited, and tired! :) Now as I look back, it has been such a glorious road. Steven is such a good little guy, and is so much fun. Each day his personality pops out a little bit more and more, and he is just a mellow, yet funny kid. Seeing his face light up when I walk into a room, or hearing him follow me into different rooms when he can't see me is so much fun. When I went to get him up this morning, I sang happy birthday to him, and he just looked at me all confused...but he still has had a good day! Oh, and he officially cut his first tooth today. (Meaning it actually came through the gum). What a good birthday present! I'm sure that's why he was such a happy guy most of the day. I'm glad I decided to make his year pediatrician appointment for tomorrow, so he didn't have to get shots on his birthday!

Birthday Party!!

On Saturday, the 6th, we had a birthday party for Steven!! We first set out to the zoo with the grand-parents for fun in the sun! Steven loved the ducks. We were glad we went there first before everything else.The white alligator...looked fake...although it did move its arm

In front of two elephants, we weren't sure where the third one was... (read on KSL Today that the third elephant at the zoo died today. sniffle)

Steven loved the zoo!

After the bird show with the bald eagle. (My facial expression looks retarded, but it's still a cool picture)

Getting ready to ride the Zoofari Express!

After the zoo, we had a picnic/barbecue with our families. It was super windy...that's what this picture is depicting :)And my cute decorations

This is the cake I made for Steven. He loves duckies. The white is supposed to be bubbles like in a bubble bath...

This is the cake I made for everyone else. :) Thank you to my mom for saving the frosting. I felt pretty proud of myself for my cake skills.

At first, Steven wasn't sure what to think of cake

He just kind of touched the frosting...

Once I cut him his own little piece, he decided to give it a try

making sure he got all the stuff off his hands. yum!

Here's a little clip for ya...he was super tired by this point in the day, but it was still very cute!

Steven's Birthday Pics!

Anniversary Time!

Yesterday (the 19th) was our second anniversary! It was such a wonderful day! Celebrating our anniversary wasn't quite as fun last year, because I was 8 and a half months pregnant, so it was really really nice to be able to get out and just enjoy the evening. Sheri was so great to come and tend Steven while we went to dinner at Wingers, and then we went to the movie "Prince Caspian." It was so much fun! Darrell and I had a wonderful date, and it was so great! It's been a wonderful two years honey, and I love you so so so much!! And you're right, the best is yet to come!

Here is one of our engagement pictures. Ah, we look so young! ;)August 19, 2006 - Manti Temple August 19, 2008! Darrell gave me some beautiful flowers and a gorgeous pearl necklace, and I felt so very beautiful! Still do, actually! I think he did a fabulous job on the selection! All of my favorites!

Just bein' Steven!

Just thought I'd share some of the fun moments we have with this kid!

Getting ready for a bath is one of Steven's favorite things! He loves having his clothes off. After the bath, having fun with dad! (when does he not have fun with dad!:)) What happens while mom is gone visiting teaching :) Eating watermelon for the first time at Tucanos. It was a BIG hit! On the swings at the park for the first time. Also a big hit! Story time!

I love the olympics!

So, the summer olympics are better than the superbowl for me. I'm sure a lot of it comes from my swimming days (way back when). But I have enjoyed gymnastics as well. Ah, I love the games!

It was great watching the women's gymnastics last night. I wanted to give Alecia (middle girl) a great bit hug after the night was over.Michael Phelps is basically amazing. He's not super attractive, but the way he swims the butterfly is absolutely incredible. And he does everything else great too! Go. U.S.A.!!

I like free stuff

We went up to Logan this weekend, because...HOORAY!!! We sold our trailer. It was kind of sad to know it's no longer our trailer, but seeing as we no longer live there....it's good to not have to worry about it anymore. Anyway, while we were caruising the mall, I purposely had us walk past Kiddie Kandids, because I happen to know a secret. At Kiddid Kandids, if the photographers don't have anything to do, they will stand outside the store, and offer to take pictures of your child, and in return give you a free picture. No gimmicks, no requirements to buy anything. I had a friend that worked there, and said it helps them get practice, and keep them from being bored. So, yeah, my plan was to walk past at an "unbusy" time so I could get a free picture of Steven. Of course, they were unbusy, so the lady asked if she could take some pictures of our cute little man. Of course, this was just before lunch time, with our son desperately needing a nap...but alas we got a couple good shots. : ) It was worth it for free, and spur of the moment!

Playing with the ladder. (Before he tried to eat it. He didn't like the fact that we said no) This is the picture we ended up getting, because it was the biggest smile we could get out of him. It's quite tender, too, because you can see the glisten of the tear in his eye from a slight crying bout. Trying to make friends with Mr. Frog. Now that I look at it...I think this one is my favorite.

24th and then some....:)

Since Darrell had to work on the 24th of July, I headed down to Santaquin/Nephi to spend some time with my family. My brothers have a boat that they just got a new motor for, so we headed to Mona Reservoir to play in the water. Steven loved splashing in the water! Since Darrell missed the fun, we headed back down to Santaquin and Mona Reservoir on Saturday for a day of boating and swimming. Steven was so glad I actually brought his swimsuit this time! Steven trying to decide if he liked the life jacket. Getting ready to hit the boat! My first time tubing! WAHOO!!! Darrell on the tube Saturday night we stayed at my brothers house to help get his daughters ready for church on Sunday, while his wife was on a trip with his sons. Brian and the girls dressed Steven up like a ladybug on Sunday morning. It was just too cute!