. . . I hope you have about an hour!! . . .

Is it just me or does blogger organize everything in backwards order??? Is there a little secret that I don't know because I struggle with this every time and it takes me forever to post things! If you know how I gladly welcome your suggestions!!!

Well, we have been living in Odessa, TX for about a week now. I admit, I expected it to be much worse... so you can imagine my delight when I was pleasantly surprised. I won't go as far as to say it is somewhere I would permanently want to live, but it is not so bad for a summer home. I forget how friendly these Texans are...they really are so kind, and the ward is wonderful. Think we lucked out! We are out here with some great friends, and we have quite a few family members out here with us as well....so we're living good! Here's to our last summer of moving!!
Oh. I forgot to mention Chris & I celebrated our 2 year anniversary April 4. He is the best husband & father, and I'm a lucky gal. I love you, Chris!

. . .{ Kam } . . .

Kamryn turned ONE a few weeks ago. Where is my baby going? I'd really like to know. She becomes more and more like a toddler every day and I'm not so sure how I feel about this 'getting older' business! I absolutely LOVE spending my day with her, even if it means RE-cleaning my house 10 times a day... and believe me I am--every mom knows this. She manages to find her way into everything....despite the baby locks. The other day, I was on the phone in my living room while I thought she was in her room playing with toys only to find her come strutting down the hallway sporting a nice EMPTY {travel size} bottle of Scope mouthwash in her hand. Awesome. A- How does a one year old open that bottle...even I struggle with those tricky ones, and B- that cannot have tasted pleasant. Genius. She started walking on her 11 month mark and hasn't stopped since. We are waiting on a check up, but she is weighing in at about 23 lbs (?), has 6 full teeth, and a head of BLONDE, blonde hair. Blonde hair, blue eyes----definitely NOT my child. I am so stoked to spend lots of time outside with her this summer. Anyways, here are a few of Kamryn's favorite things...

• other kiddos...she loves to give hugs to them...most the time they push her away and reject her! haha!

• the swimming pool...or maybe just doing laps around it.

• running

• copying everything you do. Sounds, movements, anything...

• being scared.... there is no better way to get this little one in hysterics than jumping out to scare her.... not kidding. I don't understand. She throws her hands up in the air, screams, then busts up laughing. Talk about cuteness.

• Her baby doll who she refers to as "bee-bee"

• Whenever she drops something she says "ooots - a - day-dee" (oops-a-daisy)

• Saying "hi" and waving to everybody

• The backyardigans....when I need a good 20 minutes to get it together Backyardigans never disappoints.
  

• Chasing the vacuum around the house as if it is a game. I've often thought of teaching her how to use it.
  

• Ejecting DVD's from the player and then carrying them around as a mirror

• monkeys

• ALL FOOD

• straws! mommy's drinks....mommy doesn't like this one...
  

• cell phones....and talking on them...again, not my child.

These are just a few things Kamryn loves. I know there are about a billion other silly things she does and says, but that is all I can come up with right now. She is ALL girl and ALL personality. A little chatterbox---wonder where she got that from?? She is a happy, happy little goofball! The most friendly, energetic, busy little cutie pie! We love her lots!










So, back in March (over Spring Break) Chris & his cousin Sam had to spend some time in Texas for some work stuff so Steph & I decided to tag along with our girlfriends on a little road trip to San Diego. My parents live down there so we stayed with them, enjoyed the beach, celebrated Steph's 27th birthday (she is gonna kill me for revealing her age...but yet she is still young---and HOT, I don't get it!)had some crazy fun girls nights out--and they WERE crazy, little dance parties, and ate like Kings. It was so much fun--I mean, it's San Diego--of course...that place is the best little vacation spot! I just love these girls. You can always count on peeing your pants from laughing so hard with them. We are aware that the pictures you are about to see are really immature and crazy, but we had a good time--just consider yourself warned. Anyways, Thanks girls...maybe we should make this an annual tradition...yeah???

Girls will be girls!

Gettin' our New Moon fix!

We're just as bad as those crazy teen Twilight fanatics!

. . . Headed out to the Gas Lamp district . . .

This girl was doing casting calls for the next reality show on VH1 to win the love of Cincinnati Bengals Chad Ochocinco.

{ Kamryn's first birthday }

These were actually a few weeks before. We had a little birthday party a few weeks early when my parents were in town. We also had one on her actual birthday, though I don't know if I even have pics of those! As I am now looking at these I realize Kam even looks so much older now--only like a month later. That really is NUTS. But you get the idea. Yay, for first birthday's and one year on this Earth!!!! Love you Munch!

{My Aunt Holly & Kam }

Poor little girl has had a runny nose for a few weeks now and her nose was a little sore this day.

Let's ditch this party and play outside!

I just want to squeeze that chunk....

{ Kam & Grandpa Olson }

{ Great Grandma Welch & Kam }

These will probably be in backwards order, bare with me...
In early Feb. Chris's Granddad Brian (who lives in England) passed away suddenly. My husband and his family were all very close to him so as you can imagine it was very difficult for all of them. I was lucky enough to have been able to meet him several times. I loved him! Quite often he would ask how his great granddaughter "Kemlyn" was doing... so funny. Only a week and a half later Chris's Granddad Jimmy passed away unexpectedly as well. I definitely remember him for his strong Scottish accent. Both leave behind wives and lots of grandchildren. They both lived in England so fortunately the funerals were only a day apart, and we were able to go to England a few weeks later to make arrangements, see family, and attend the funerals---both of which were beautiful. I wish I had more pictures...

Kamryn was better than I ever expected on both the flights. She never cried once. As you can see she is relaxing and enjoying a nice movie on the portable DVD player....thank you Sony.

{ Chris & two of his brothers Benj & Josh }
At Granddad Brian's funeral...

{ Kam & Uncle Benj }
Kam is obsessed with the Piano. I think we have a child prodigy on our hands here....

I wish I had the motivation to blog more often. No doubt my blog is like the most boring to read!