Elai's First Sledding Trip!

For FHE on Monday we thought we would try putting Elai in his snowsuit for the first time.

Though to big, I do think he looks pretty cute.

He had a great time going down the hill with dad!

And he espeically loved the snow!

Lots to to..

Watches to make

Cookies to Bake

Presents to Wrap

Dinners to plan

Bathroom to Clean

But instead I'm playing with my baby and singing Christmas songs.

Two Teeth and Counting!

Yesterday I woke up to find two teeth in Elai's mouth. This was such an excitement for me. I have been waiting weeks for his two bottom teeth to actually come through. Over the last week Elai has decided that he no longer likes baby food but prefers to have big people food. We have discovered his favorite is biscuits. Here are a couple of pictures of him enjoying one!

Yesterday I walked out of the bedroom to find this...

Elai had figured out how to climb in the toys basket. He loved it in there. In fact when I took him out he was not happy at all!

I'm sitting here watching my little boy pull himself up to stand. I watch him grow and learn new things everyday and wonder how in the world did heavenly father know that we needed 10 little toes in order to have perfect balance. How did he know that without a tongue we wouldn't be able to taste. The body really does amaze me. It is such a wonderful peace of art. But as I sit here watching my little boy grow up I'm thankful for a health little boy. I'm thankful that he has two legs to stand. I'm thankful that he has to eyes to see and that he can crawl to his mom. I'm thankful that my heavenly father gave me the experience of motherhood and the joy that comes with it.

Elai's first Halloween!

Elai's first Halloween was great! He was the cutest pirate ever, if I do say so myself. Zech had to work a half day so we decided to surprise him in costume. The nursing home residents loved seeing Elai and we came home with a huge bag of candy. We kept telling them Elai was to young but then insisted so Zech gladly accepted the candy! Here are a few photos.

And More!

Here are a few more of Elai's six month pictures~!~

Better late then never!

Here are a few of Elai's six month pictures! He is getting so big, it just amazes me. He is sitting up by himself, crawling, and holding his own bottle. He would rather play with his toys then have me hold him, which breaks my heart! I hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!

What would fall be without pumpkin! For the past month I have been making anything pumpkin: waffles, bread, cookies, cake, and course my favorite muffins. They turned out so great that I have to share! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 (16 oz.) can pureed pumpkin
1 1/2 cups oil
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 package chocolate chips (I like the mini)
In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil until smooth. Add in dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 16-20 minutes at 400 degrees. Makes 24-30 muffins.

Times like this...

After a very long day yesterday, Zech insisted that I should go to my enrichment and that he would watch Elai. After about 20 mins of telling Zech I didn't want to go I finally agreed. And it was great. But the best part of it was when I got home. When Elai crawled over to me and said "MAMA!" Oh how it made my heart melt. It's times like these that help me know everything will be okay.

When to give up...

Seven years ago my family was told my grandma had 6 months to live and today as she lies on her death bed I can't help but wonder when is it time to give up? She has been fighting for so long to stay here on this earth but for what? So she wouldn't leave her companion alone. Last May my grandparents celebrated their 54th anniversary. Reflecting on my childhood memories I can't ever recall hearing either of them ever saying anything negative about the other. Though I didn't marry my high school sweetheart like my grandmother did, I hope that I can someday too celebrate 54 years of marriage to my best friend. And I hope that when people remember Zech and I that they only remember us sharing the good things about each other.

Our Trip!

Elai and I had a great time in Libby. We got to see our family and Elai even got to attend his first soccor game. Here are some of the photos I took.

Watch Bands~!!!~

I have learned how to make cute watch bands and who knew beading could be so cute. Check them out. They are super fun!

Great Company

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Great Food

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General Authorities

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4 Sessions

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A Great Conference Weekend

Elai turns 6 months!

Six months ago our Heavenly Father blessed our lives with Elai Carter Rios. And everyday since has brought us great joy. I can't believe how fast he is growing, it makes me both happy and sad. I love that he is so little and just wants his mama but at the same time I enjoy watching him learn new things. After having experienced the joy that Elai has brought into our lives I couldn't imagine one day without him.

Here are a few pictures we took this summer but didn't have time to blog about. Enjoy.

Elai's first trip to Yellowstone!

It was very cold so he just wanted to snuggle, and I didn't mind at all!

He loves his jumperoo and often cries when I take him out.

This little boy makes me smile!

Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend! I talked Zech into taking Friday off so we could attend our ward camp out. It was great fun and we got to meet tons of new people. We came home Saturday so Zech could go to work but he was sent home as the extra. So we enjoyed a nice dinner with some friends, put Elai to bed and rented a video. On Sunday we had church, then I got addicted to the new family search. After Zech had to take the computer away we went to some friends house for game night. Of course once again, I forgot my camera. I really have to do better at this camera thing. Overall a great weekend!

Cold butts and beer!

Another semester started for Zechary yesterday. And he is already eager to finish it. Since we are pretty much just homebodies we decided to try and make a point to go to some of the activities around campus. So last night we attended one of the biggest back to school events, Cold Butts and Beer but before going we had a great time visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Turley, followed by a great fondue dinner by the Rankins! Zechary had a great time ice blocking while I sat and watched while drinking the home made root beer. We had a great time and I somehow managed to forget my camera!

Discovering Leaves

It's back to school time which means a week full of fun activities! Since we attend the university ward it wouldn't be appropriate to not have a back to school shindig. Therefore Monday night we had the annual group FHE. This year was even better then last! It consisted of a variety show in which all of the bishopric members from the stake participated in. What great fun! And of course it wouldn't be a Mormon activity without food! So we had dinner as well. But the best part of all was when Elai noticed the leaves. He was fascinated by them. It was fun to watch him pick them, and difficult to try and keep them out of his mouth. Everyday seems to be a new adventure with this little one.

It came!

There is no time for blogging right now, my circut machine arrived!

Cheese Please

After doing some allergy testing on Elai last Friday, we have found out he is allergic to dairy. So what does that mean? No dairy for me. I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal but let me explain my daily meal plan.

Breakfast- Yogurt Smoothie
Snack-Cheese Stick
Lunch-Whatever I decide to make
Snack-Cheese and crackers, or cottage cheese and fruit
Dinner-Whatever I decide to make and a big glass of milk
Snack-Chocolate Milkshake

Now you see my problem? While I decided since breast milk is still best for my baby I would give up dairy completely. It has been hard but I'm doing it. I have however decided that as soon as I'm done nursing we are going to Farr's for a double scoop ice cream cone.

My Birthday!

So far today I have had a great birthday. It included spending time with my mom and brother. Eating a fabulous lunch and coming home to a great surprise! Zech got off work early so we could spend the evening together. As I was driving home from lunch with my mom it really got me to thinking about where Zech and I were at a year ago today. I recall going to work and coming home to a special birthday dinner Zech had made for me, only to not be able to eat it. I was sick! We had just got home from our Honey moon and I thought I had caught a bug in Mexico. Then after going to the doctor the next day I found out we were having a bug named Elai! We lived in a tiny one bedroom apt and I was working full time at Wells while Zech was doing a summer internship. Wow that seems like forever ago. Since then many exciting things have happened; moving not once but twice, we got sealed in the Rexburg temple, I quit my job, and of course WE HAD ELAI! Over all I would have to say, I had a great year!

Day One~!~

It's day one of our new diet. Zechary and I have started weight watchers. I'm wanting to loose the rest of my baby weight plus an extra 10lbs and Zech wants to get back into shape. So how are we doing? I'm fabulous, due to the fact that I'm nursing I get 10 extra points per day which is more then enough. How about Zechary? He thinks he is dying. He is really trying hard, but he has such a sweet tooth. I think he will be just fine after the first few days are over but for now he is already talking quits.

Summer is Here!

Zech is finally finished with summer school which means we can start to enjoy our summer. We have tons planned. Next week is camping in Yellowstone, followed by a baby blessing. After that on to Montana to visit our families. I love that they live in the same town, it makes it easier. Even though Zech has been going to school this summer, we have made the most out of our rainy summer. We have taken advantage of they park that is only half a block a way and had a great 4th with our family and friends here. It's even okay that we got rained out. Another exciting thing is that Elai has started to eat baby food! Just cerial and peas so far. I was so worried he wouldn't like peas because they are my favorite but he loves them just as much as I do. Here are some random pictures I was able to catch seeing that I always seem to forget my camera!

It's offical...

I'm a mom. I know all of you already know that because you have seem pictures of our little guy. But yesterday Zech bought me a mini-van. Before we got married I told him I would never drive one, but our Escape has been giving us nothing but problems. So we were on the look for a new car. After looking at a few different vehicles I decided I needed a van. Elai just has too many things to pack around. It's amazing how your view on things change as you get older and start your own family; I'm not just thinking about the van but many things. Like when I see someone smoking on the sidewalk or cursing up a storm. I know I am far from perfect but it helps remind me of how good I need to be so I can set a good example for Elai.

Our Favorite Dad

I know that everyone thinks they have the World's Greatest Dad and that is a matter of opinion. With that being said I wont place that title, however I can say Zech is Elai's and my favorite dad. He works so hard to make it possible for me to stay home with Elai. I feel like Zech is everything I was missing in a father growing up and I'm so thankful that after a log day he just wants to come home and play with us. We had a great day yesterday celebrating it started out with sleeping in late and just going to sacrament meeting since Elai is so sick. Then we came home and has some of Zech's Favorites! It started with sweet and sour chicken, which is so easy to make I might add. Then we proceeded to having pineapple upside down cake. I have to admit that I didn't think I would like pineapple on my cake, but it was amazing.

Then we did our favorite Sunday activity, family nap time! And when we woke up it was time for me to finish making Zech's favorite dinner, BBQ Ribs. Then we ate more cake.

We spent the rest of the evening watching "My Best Two Years" and once again eating, this time ice cream.

I had a shirt for Elai made that said World's Greatest Dad! Zechary really like it.


Then I surprised him with one that was in my size too.

Overall we had a great day. And I'm so glad that we were able to celebrate Zech's first Father's Day!

Elai's First Bike Ride

This year we bought me a new bike complete with a basket and a bell. I love it so very much. It is the funnest exercise I have ever gotten. We love to go on family bike rides but because Elai is to small for a bike trailer we have to put him in his backpack. All my life I have wanted a bike like this, I couldn't believe Zech agreed to let me buy one.

We had to stop and get Zech's tire fixed.

Elai loves bike rides, he usually falls asleep.

Dinner with the Rankins!

Tonight we were able to have dinner with our very good friends Mike, Bryton and Maeli Rankin. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing how big Maeli has now gotten. Here are a few pictures from tonight.

We feel so blessed to be here in Pocatello and to have established such wonderful friendships.

What a talker!

Elai is getting so big! He now weighs 12lbs and doing many fun things. My favorite of all is that he talks so much along with rolling over. He has discovered he has a voice and puts it to use very often.