the FOX family

CaLiFoRnIa

2012-01-26T00:50:00.000-07:00

we had a quick week trip out to california, it was super fun to just hang out & relax with my family! there was LOTS of sleeping in, i won't tell you till what time but it was overdue & much needed that's for sure! i am always so surprised every time we go home because kruz acts like he just saw my family the day before...it is so nice! he just loves them! here are a few pictures, i was terrible with my camera this trip. next time, i will be taking more! :)

{just woke up}

{walking all around grandpa's furniture}

{all of kruz's new toys from my dad's side of the family}

{he loved the jets in grandpa's tub!}

{first time eating frozen yogurt from the best yogurt shop in roseville}

{kruz's first time eating licorice, he actually liked it!}

{full after dinner with uncle brandon}

kruz can say, "mama"

2012-01-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

he started saying, "mama" on the way home from california and it made my day!! he has the sweetest little voice i've ever heard!

my 9 month old

2012-01-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

kruzy, oh kruzy seriously kid you keep me busy! :) he is the most active 9 month old i've ever seen! he can already balance standing up on his own for a few seconds(he did it several times today), he holds himself up against the couch and walks down it, he pulls himself up on EVERYTHING (steps, chairs, his bouncer, highchair, anyone near him), yesterday when we were in the car we turn around to see kruz out of his carseat standing up, facing us. we were DYING & a little freaked out that our son could get out of a buckled car seat while we were driving. i later found out from my mom that i used to crawl out of my seat 3 to 4 times on the way to town when i was his age...i guess i'm just getting my payback?? ;) haha. he is hilarious he is now saying, "ma-ma" it is the cutest thing i've ever heard! when he says it he repeats it like 10 times! he drinks juice, chews on string cheese, loves crackers, cereal & oranges. we gave him a few spoonfuls of frozen yogurt while we were in california and he just ate them right up! kruz loves looking out the window at the lake and watches all of the geese. he is for sure a van dyke, i think he is already wanting to go hunting. kruz, is also attached to his grandpa brian... everytime we go to california it only takes kruz a few minutes to remember who he is and after that he is playing with his mustache and smiling at him! it's the cutest thing. he is also still a daddy's boy, which i know nick just LOVES. the second he gets home kruz cannot wipe the smile off of his face. nick was helping me bring in groceries the other night and kruz was watching him and when nick walked out of the door kruz started crying! attached, much??? anyways, we are so lucky to have a sweet & healthy baby! we love you kruzy!

happy NEW year

2012-01-01T01:44:00.000-07:00

l♥ve

nick, kaysi & kruz

we had a great new years, kruz just BARELY missed the count by maybe 10 minutes...oh well we will see him in the morning & it was probably better that he got his rest!! ;) haha. we spent new years at nick's friend mike's house with all of his friends! it was really fun. mike's family had dinner for everyone! it was a great night! i cannot even imagine what is to come this year in 2012, so much has happened in 2011! it will be interesting! happy new year everyone!!

christmas 2011 {kruz's first}

2011-12-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

we had a wonderful christmas this year! we spent it for the third year in a row in utah because of nick's job & because nick's brother rob & his wife were getting sealed! here's to hoping next year we will go home and there isn't anything big going on during the holidays! ;) haha. anyways, we still managed to see my mom, cousin renee & brother foryst on their way to california for christmas. they SPOILED kruz!! my mom got kruz a new high chair, lots of toys, new gates so he isn't falling down our long stairs, lots & LOTS of clothes (picked out by renee) & the CUTEST bear chair EVER for the harvester(family joke). oh & i got my first & probably my last sewing machine! it is so nice, it's a viking and my mom said it's a really good one so i have of course been using that like none other! :) this year for christmas from me & kruzy nick got a trip to go to new york/new jersey where he went on his mission! we are excited to go! :) & mine was a trip to california in a few weeks!! i'm excited to see my family...we will be missing seth though because he will be in arizona for flight school! all in all we had a wonderful first christmas with kruz, he loved opening presents! which was so much fun to watch, he was obsessed with the wrapping paper! i cannot even tell you how many times i had to pull wrapping paper out of his mouth, little stinker!! here are a few of the pictures from christmas this year!

{all christmas-ed out}

{terry got the boys matching outfits}

{megan & rob's sealing on the 21st}

{loving his new high chair & bib from grandma ginny}

{kruz's first christmas ornament from grandma ginny}

8 months

2011-12-30T18:54:00.001-07:00

yayyy for 8 months old! kruzer is now crawling officially! he only takes about 4 steps until he goes onto his head! he is hilarious & loves to put his head in the carpet & his butt high up in the air! haha. he has also learned quickly to hold his head-up when he crawls because of our hard floors...poor guy! every morning he is standing up in the crib waiting for us to grab him & it's the cutest thing ever!! the other side of that is he loves to pull himself up on EVERYTHING, cabinets, dressers, mirrors, his carseat when its sitting in the front room, his bouncer, high chair...EVERYTHING! i have to watch him like a hawk or else he starts screaming like, "oh crap mom, i cant pull myself up anymore & i might fall!" thats pretty funny though because i know exactly what he is doing even if i don't see him! haha. he is such a baby now! he is super fun right now! he loves strawberries (like his mommy), sweet potatoes & fruit juice! he loves looking out the window at the lake & cars going by, he always loves looking at himself in the mirror! i was at the nike store the other day & i sat him on the floor by me when i was trying shoes on and he caught a glance of himself in the mirror & started giggling and smiling! it was so cute! this month he has became a little chatterbox, talking non-stop! we love it...well, except when you are screaming/talking in the grocery store and people are looking at me like you're fussing or something, but your not! :) you just talk REALLY loud!! haha. we love you baby kruz, happy 8 months!!! :)

meeting santa claus

2011-12-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

we took kruz to see santa today, he was so cute!! he was totally good with santa & even started playing with the fur on his sleeves!

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

2011-12-12T01:57:00.000-07:00

last week we put up our christmas tree, i was so excited because last year after christmas i decided wanted to do a "glam" christmas tree so i went to tai pan after christmas and bought a few tub fulls of ornaments for like less than $200.00! i was pretty excited about everything i had got and have been waiting all year to put the tree up! anyways here is our tree! i love it! i think i'm going to leave it up until new years because we got such a late start this year! kruz is loving the tree, when we first put it up he would just stare at it. i put him in his bouncer and he head straight for the tree and grabbed one of the bulbs, luckily it was one of the shatterproof bulbs!! haha

rip katie...we will miss you!

2011-12-11T02:43:00.001-07:00

i was talking to my dad today on the phone & he told me that our family dog katie was dead...it was the saddest thing ever! we will miss that sweet dog!! i just loves katie!! here are some pictures of her.

katie going on a walk with me in california, right after i had kruz.

katie just sleeping...haha

katie in our family picture back in high school

oh kruzer.....

2011-12-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

i just had to write this story down because i have been cracking up just thinking about it all day! as you may or might not know kruz still doesn't sleep through the night...kind of annoying, but i just need to let him cry it out (thats a whole other tangent i could go off on...) anyways, this friday & saturday i had a show for london raquel and so i was pretty exhausted. i pretty much was running off of maybe a combine of 10 hours of sleep for the ENTIRE week! yeah, not good! so on friday night after i got home from the show and we got into bed pretty early. so kruz woke about 3 or 4 am so i went and got him put him in bed with us because i was way too tired to take him back. so were just sleeping and kruz starts fussing a little bit again, i feel his diaper and it feels wet so i decide i should probably take it off and change him. i was literally taking off his diaper like half asleep & delusional, i was so exhausted and nick could sleep through world war 2...so he didn't even hear kruz wakeup or at least pretended not too! ;) hahaha. anyways, somehow i fall back asleep during the process of taking his diaper off. so about 7 am i hear nick go, "oh crap...KRUZ, KRUZZZZZZ...omgosh, kaysi!!! kruz just peed on me!! he doesn't have a diaper on!!!" so in a half sleep i wake up in a panic, "omgosh, the DIAPER, i totally forgot to put it on!!!" once i realized i passed out in the process of changing his diaper i just started laughing! seriously one of the funniest things that has ever happened... especially because i don't think i have ever been that exhausted to the point i could just pass out and go back to sleep!!! haha. anyways, we love kruz even when he pees on us!

let the festivities begin...

2011-12-01T23:57:00.000-07:00

the start of our holiday festivities began at the play, "the savior of the world." terry & alan got everyone tickets, it was a really great play! ahhh, this year has seriously went by so fast! how is it christmas already???

my 7 month old

2011-11-30T18:40:00.002-07:00

{his shoe kept falling off...haha}

ahhh, i love my little animal! he has got sooooo much energy! he is a little "wiggle monster"...that's what i like to call him! he is also the sweetest little guy ever. the other day i was playing with him on the ground and he grabbed my face really hard {hes a baby and doesn't even realize what he's doing} and just out of a normal reaction i said, "ouuuchhh!!!" and he instantly let go and gave me the sweetest, kindest look i've ever seen in my life! it was the look like, "mommy are you ok??" ahhh, he melts my heart! i don't even understand how i can love any of my other kids this much! he is the most amazing kid! i'm so thankful he is here & in our lives! i know my monthly update posts lately have been a little sporadic, but i just want to make sure i remember these little things because they are so precious to me! at 7 months kruz has his first ear infection, it was actually right during thanksgiving. i had no idea, i just thought ohh he's just got more teeth coming in, but i was so wrong! i felt like the worst mommy when i took him in! i will never make that mistake again! funny story when we were at the pediatrician's office kruz was just sitting on my lap and he was just staring down this little 8 month old and i look over and she was doing the same thing...her mom, the receptionists and i were laughing so hard! kruz's is already into the ladies...i am SO in trouble! still isn't crawling at 7 months 1 week...he is so close! he gets his whole body in the air except for his head. kruz loves the remote, keys, my blackberry (he ruined it & turned it white for a few days), the keyboard, the wipes package, hair (always pulling my hair out...i swear i'm going to be bald in a month!), he loves watching me & nick cook (he loves my kitchen aid mixer when it's spinning), he holds his own bottle (has since about 5 months), he claps when he's really excited, he pulls him self up to stand(no walking or crawling yet). every time i go to get him out of his crib in the morning he is either standing in it or sitting up playing with is toys. its the cutest thing ever!! he is still scooting his way under the couch just to get stuck and freak himself out, he is walking all over in his bouncer, he's started opening cupboards, almost outgrown his bumbo, loves loves lovesss fruit, hates mashed potatoes. anyways, i just love you baby kruzy & am so happy you are my little man!

stats:

weight: 18 pounds 3 ounces

{my amazing friend steph took all of these pictures of kruz, she is seriously soooo talented & is super reasonable! you need to check her out!}
go here!

thanksgiving {2011}

2011-11-28T02:28:00.000-07:00

it's crazy to think that last year i had just found out i was having a baby boy, my gma donna came out to utah for a few days & it was SNOWING like crazy! this year, we had thanksgiving at my house again, which was a blast! i love that my family is nice enough to come all the way out to spend thanksgiving with us because nick has work the day before & the day after! they really are the best! every time i see them it makes me realize how much i HATE living away from them, they are so much fun! anyways, it was the "off year" for nick's side of the family so we wanted to invite alan, terry & nick's gma judy to dinner! it was so nice to have both sides of the family for dinner! we had a feast! last year i got the 28 lb turkey (the biggest one i could find) and we still didn't a lot of leftovers so this year i got two turkeys...smartest idea EVER! obviously, im pretty new at thanksgiving dinners! haha. a little side note, kruz changed a total of THREE times, in the morning he must of decided he didnt want to wear the cute thanksgiving bow tie, plaid shirt, etc and so he decided to blow out oh his shirt as nick was changing him...good job kruz!! haha. anyways, it was a wonderful day and were so thankful for our awesome family! we love you all so much!

{we celebrated my dad's 55th birthday a little late because we were all together...oh & we gave him the "senior edition sack" for his golf bag! haha}

{dad got stuck on dish duty this year}

(kruz zonked out on the pillow while foryst was holding him!)

the last night the kids all hoped in bed with my mom, it was pretty funny! i took a video and it had us cracking up the next day! they really know how to annoy my mom! ;)

6 months

2011-11-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

ok, come on... 6 MONTHS??? i really never imagined having a 6 month old this quickly...i thought it would be forever away...this is that time where you have to start planning their bday party, they are learning how to crawl....ahhh, 6 MONTHS!!! seriously kruz is SUCH a wiggler right now at this age, he is starting to not like snuggling...he would rather try and scoot himself towards something on the floor! ha ha. he makes the CUTEST faces. my favorite is the one where he scrunches his nose and his top lip gets really high...it is HILARIOUS! so kruz now has teeth!!! not one, but TWO & he is getting more!!!! btw, teething is so hard! i feel so bad for him, he just has those little "im in pain" whines & it KILLS ME! i wish i could teeth for him! his favorite foods are pears, apples & strawberries. i bought him some turkey & mashed potatoes for him for thanksgiving & i wanted to try it out to see is he liked them...no WAY, he hated it! he is a fruit man, just like his mama! kruz loves to look around and be in the action. if there is a crowd around he is good to go & will be perfect! me & the fox ladies went to time out for women & i brought kruz along. he was such a little angel...didn't fuss ONCE from 9 am to 4 pm. he is SO close to crawling he scoots and scoots his little body around the whole floor, i will have him on his blanket in the living room & if i leave for not even a minute he is underneath the couch (its raised). he would for sure be crawling if he has a smaller head, poor guy cannot even lift up his head! ha ha. also, when i hold him in my arms he starts to crawl up my chest, he just puts one foot in front of the other. he is our little "monkey" kruz also loves to chit chat and laugh. he is still obsessed with his dad...he can make him laugh like no one else! its so sweet, kruz just adores him! anyways, those are the latest updates on our sweet little 6 month old man!

5 months

2011-11-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

kruz is a sitter, he is so balanced & loves playing with his toys. he rolls over like none other & has started scooting across the room. he is the smiliest little baby & just loves everyone! he chews on everything & loves to grab your face! he also has learned to spit...it was the funniest thing the other day nick's dad was laying down and holding kruz by his legs (kind of pushing him up), somehow alan didn't have a hold on him & kruz fell on his poor little head (luckily alan was laying down on the ground when he fell), but kruz started crying right after that & stopped, looked at alan & spit at him. haha. it was soo funny, he was like don't do that to me grandpa fox! he is sooo getting a personality now! he knows what he likes & doesn't! we are so grateful for a healthy little guy! we love you kruzy, happy 5 months! :)

time out for women

2011-11-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

my sweet m.i.l. bought all of the girls in the fox family tickets(we missed ryan's wife megan!!) to time out for women last weekend! it was a fun day, filled with amazing speakers including stephanie nielson from the blog "nie nie." such a great day. terry took all of us for an amazing lunch at the blue lemon that afternoon, it was my first time & wont be my last! ;) since all of my babysitters were at the show i took kruz with us & he was SOOO great! i was really worried he would be fussy because he just got TWO teeth, but nope! NOT A PEEP! seriously he amazes me sometimes! such a trooper!

{photos via my s.i.l. megan!}

quick trip to california

2011-11-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

we had a fun little trip in sacramento for 6 days! it was so nice to go home & just hang out with my family & go to ally's wedding! i also, had my first show for london raquel, i did the best out of all of the vendors! so exciting! i was so nervous to see if kruz would remember my brothers & dad, but of course he had no problem! he just loves his grandpa & uncles!! they are so sweet with him! he rode on the harvester & bankout with my dad! nick took a video, ill post it on here soon!

happy BIRTHDAY dad!!! ;)

2011-11-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

today is my sweet dad's birthday, we're SO sad we can't be there to celebrate with him!! however, we will be there to celebrate every year with him soon enough! :) & we will make sure to celebrate next week when we see him! i hope you know how much we love you & appreciate ALL of the things you do...i promise you they DONT go unnoticed!!! my dad is really one of the best!! & kruz is obviously obsessed with his grandpa brian!! :) anyways, we love you SO much!! happy 55th!! xoxo

ally + david's wedding

2011-11-15T19:21:00.001-07:00

we had so much fun going home for ally & david's wedding at the oakland temple! it was so nice to go back there! i still call the oakland temple my "home temple" because i grew up going there all my life. they built the sacramento temple the year i graduated from high school & moved to utah so i never got to go there for sessions or anything before i got married in the sacramento. anyways, it was just awesome to go back after such a long time & go with nick & take kruz for his first visit! ally & david's wedding was so beautiful, it was at a house in elk grove she knows the owners of. seriously ally's mom did such an amazing job with every little detail, it was to die for...my favorite part was for sure the tea cups filled with flowers & the shepard's hooks with flowers!! good job kath! ;) CONGRATS ally & david LINK!!!!! so happy & excited for you two, it was a long time coming!!

kruz's very FIRST halloween

2011-10-31T23:31:00.000-06:00

kruzer, was a puppy for his very first halloween {6 months old}! & he was the most adorable little puppy, might i add! i am just so in love with this little squirmy munchkin! when we first tried on his costume, he was hating the puppy ears and kept pulling it off of his head, it was hilarious! he tipped over trying to pull it off while we were at the allen's. we had a perfect little halloween, with our friends. we went out to eat with todd, christine, zach & tiff. it was fun because we all had the babies! of course, zach & my husband both showed up wearing mullets, seriously i don't think mullets will ever get old to these two!

sego homes interview

2011-10-20T19:23:00.000-06:00

a few months ago, we did an interview for our home builder, SEGO homes. here is the video. we really LOVE our home builder & are so happy we decided to buy a home with them instead of the other builders in daybreak! they have went above & beyond for us!! they have been amazing!!

our 3rd anniversary

2011-10-18T03:35:00.001-06:00

the view from our hotel room

i seriously feel like we were married yesterday, it's crazy how much we have done together in such a short time!! i am so lucky to have such a wonderful man to call my husband!! he is such a hard worker, amazing dad & the best husband EVER! i am sure glad i picked him! ;) for our anniversary this year, nick booked a room up in park city for us at the newpark hotel! it was so nice! our room was amazing & full equipped! it even had a hot tub on the balcony! (we def got our money worth just from the hot tub...note i havent been in a hot tub since before i found out i was preggo so i was taking my time and relaxing in it as long as i could!) it was fun to hot tub at night! kruz stayed with nick's mom & dad...it was our first overnight away from him! we were missing him so much! during the day we went to lunch, the movie abduction, went to some shops & went to the olympic jump...it was so neat! i want to take kruz back there when he is a little older for a tour! it's one of those you just have to go to! the view was amazing up there! the next day we slept in, which was so needed, went to the yummy main street pizza, walked around main street & found the cutest baby boutique ever and then we headed home! it was a wonderful trip, except for the sushi restaurant nick had been dying to go to was CLOSED, yes they closed their doors!! he was a little annoyed! anyways, thanks babe for the best anniversary! i can't wait to spend another 60 more with you! xoxo

kruz swinging himself

2011-10-15T23:38:00.001-06:00

kruz swinging himself- 5 1/2 months from kaysi fox on Vimeo.

i was babysitting kruz's girlfriend joslyn a few days ago & i brought up one of kruz's old swings because it would fit joslyn! i was sitting and playing with them both, but kruz kept rolling over onto joslyn so i put kruz in his old swing just to sit up in & i look over and he's got both of his hands on the swing pushing himself back & forth!!! i was amazed!!! it was the funniest thing ever, he is constantly cracking me up!! this boy already has a little personality!!!

nick's 25 birthday

2011-10-14T14:16:00.000-06:00

nick had a great 25th birthday! i made him the usual breakfast in the morning & he got to sleep in for once!!! we did a little shopping, he got some jamba juice & then we met up with everyone at tucano's at the gateway...it was so much fun to have all of his friends & most of his family there!!! it was a wonderful day!!!

hApPy 25th BiRtHdAy SwEeThEaRt

2011-10-13T03:45:00.000-06:00

HAPPPPY BIRTHDAY to the sweetest, sexiest dad & husband i know!! i love you do much hun!!! you're getting SO old!! ;)

ally's bridal shower

2011-10-01T17:07:00.000-06:00

last night i threw a bridal shower for ally, it was so fun! & it was fun to meet all of her cute family!!! i cannot wait for her and david!! they are the cutest couple ever!!!

be original, don't die a copy cat

2011-09-29T11:58:00.000-06:00

the quote above has really helped me the past 3 years. i know everyone has those friends in your life. {i don't know if you should call them your friends, but they're still there.} you know those ones that like to do everything you're doing. for example...here is part of my frustration... remember when i started my wedding & events company a few years ago?? literally within two months after launching my site, investing lots of money for marketing & logos i come to find TWO of my so called friends thought it would be a good idea to start a wedding/party company & blog. when i found out, i'm not going to lie i was devastated, i thought seriously? why can't they get their own ideas. i called my mom because i talk to her about everything & she couldn't believe it either! i could go on forever about how betrayed i felt from it. just so you know both of those people "event business's" are no more as of today, figures right?? & both of them swore it had nothing to do with me starting one, they had been wanting to do it for a long time before i had started it. it was just funny timing! i'm going to stop boring you with this story because this blog is not intended to be negative at all. OK, so the reason i brought up this story is because of the new launch of wedding & children accessories line i just opened on etsy, which is supposed to be a branch off of my wedding & event's inspiration blog! i have been VERY VERY hesitant to tell everyone about it. i shouldn't be, right?? imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right?? WHO EVEN BELIEVES that statement, anyways?? haha. ok, but seriously! i'm completely over all of that now, but always starting a new venture scares me that someone will. & to be honest i'm sure "those" friends will, but that's ok!

i'm really really excited about it, it is the perfect thing for me to do right now in my life. especially being a full time stay at home mom & having a hair degree, it just makes sense. i cannot wait till my wedding collection is finished, it is going to be full of stunning sashes, hair pieces & brooches for everyone from the bride to the flower girls! i have some great stuff right now, but it is tailored more for girls. i have really shabby chic accessories, ruffle rompers & lace leggings for girls.

i am constantly updating it, so i will have to do a post when i have all of my wedding couture up! :) way way wayyyy excited! here is my site!

also, i am doing a giveaway on my wedding blog right now for a pottery barn cupcake stand, you wont want to miss it!! go here to enter!

how to make an envelope pillow {d.i.y.}

2011-09-27T15:13:00.000-06:00

first you need to know how big your pillow form is. mine was 14 by 20.

to make an envelope pillow you:

add 1 inch to each side for the front piece {mine would be 15 by 15}

& for the back you need to add four inches to one side & add just 1 inch to the other side {mine would be 15 by 24}

cut out your pieces of fabric using a ruler to the size that your pillow will be

{mine was 15 by 15 & 15 by 24}

now you need to cut back piece in half {the bigger piece} so for mine i would cut it at 12 inches

iron over sides in the middle of the pillow like above

now, sew a hem line where you ironed

now you will place the front side of your pillow up...

& put the back two facing down {like above}

it should look like the picture above. make sure everything is centered & pin the edges down {about 2 inches from pin to pin}

sew a hem line along the entire pillow

after sewing, cut all of the corners & excess fabric...be careful not to cut your hem line!

flip inside out...

now, just put your pillow form in & you've got a beautiful pillow!!

pretty easy, even kruz was good while i did this. it honestly only took like 20 minutes! easiest pillow cover EVER & trust me i'm not a sewer!!

september {sacramento trip}

2011-09-24T20:56:00.001-06:00

we had a really great six days home. my dad flew me & kruz out for my grandma donna's viewing and funeral, it was pretty emotional. i'm still trying to recover from everything...it's pretty draining! my mom was so sweet! every morning when she heard kruz start to cry she would sneak into my room & grab him. it was SOOO nice to get to sleep in! i had to speak at my grandma's funeral, which was SO nerve wracking! i was just afraid i would cry the whole time, thankfully, i didn't! i could really feel all of the prayers just guiding me through my talk! it was really special to be home, but at the same time so strange! my gma was always one of the first people i saw when i went home & was always at every function. the viewing was sunday night & we literally landed like 30 minutes before the viewing was over. being in a different state i don't think it really hit me that my gma had gone so as soon as i got to her viewing i went in & signed the guest book & tears just started rolling, i could not contain myself! {i am going to post the eulogy that my dad read & then my talk just for my journal purposes...& for when i print out my blog, so feel free to skip it.}

{my talk}

the world has lost a very special person, i am so lucky to have known such a wonderful lady & to be able to call her my grandma! she was such a sweet and supportive grandma, i dont remember a time where she wasn't there for us! i'm not sure if any of the grandkids could count the amount of little league games she has been too! i can just remember her saying throughout my years, "oh, kaysi that is wonderful" or "im so proud of you!"

grandma, was a total perfectionist. her house was always immaculate, she was always on time, the laundry & dishes were always done & she always had a delicious dinner on the table at 6! she was amazing, i think my dad had a hard time adjusting to married life because his "underwear wasn't ironed!" we always loved when grandma would come over to the house before school because by the time we got back all of our rooms would be spotless & there would be a plate of brownies on the table!

poor grandma always had a hard time remembering my name, i always remember being called, "stacie, macy or lacy until she finally realized my name was kaysi! i always gave her a hard time about that!

she really did everything for her family, if any of us ever needed anything she was always there to help! she taught us the importance of school, having a savings and polite manners!

i will never forget going over to her house playing with her green tub full of all of our toys, looking at all of her souviners that her & my grandpa got from different places around the world, making peanut butter cookies with her, looking at the jc pennys magazine, playing in the sprinklers in her yard with my brother, flying up to lake almanor with her & my gpa dean, fourth of julys at the cabin, christmas dinners, going shopping & her tuna fish sandwiches{they were always the best}.

grandma was always such a fashionista & was always so put together. she was always the person you wanted with you to pick out an outfit because not only would she give you an honest opinion {even if it hurt a little} she would have you out of the store with the dress that complimented you the most! i always used to say at christmas when i would open a box and it had "macys" on it {or whatever store it was} "ohhh, grandma's favorite store." she definetly loved to shop! i really think she is the reason my cousins & i have our eye for style!

i am really going to miss talking with her on the phone! i know how much she enjoyed talking to her grandkids and hearing all of the new things going on! she was always so supportive & enthusiastic about everything in our lives!

i was talking to my mom the day she passed about how sad i was that she only got to know one of my kids & that she won't get to meet the rest of them, but then i realized that my grandma is spending time with them right now & that really comforted me! i'm just thankful that i got to see her last month and visit with her! i can only imagine how happy she is to be back with her sweetheart smiling down on all of us!!! we love you GG!!

{my dad's ulogy for gma}

Well, as you can probably tell, the short people in the family lost the bet on who gives the eulogy!

But anyway, Kaysi, my daughter, and I, on behalf of the family would like to extend a thank you to all of you, for the prayers, friendship and love shown throughout mom's journey, which has brought us all here today.

Donna Maxine Battenberg, mom, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on November 25th, 1927 to the parents of Frank and Pearl Battenberg.

She was the youngest of five children, Lester, Russell, Della, Robert, who passed away at the age of two from Teberculosis, and mom!

They lived on a small farm 20 miles outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana in Woodburn. Grandpa Battenberg had a bread route and worked the farm. Milked cows, chickens, raised corn and a truck garden, which kept them all busy. Mom told me that she remembered having no electricity in the house as a young girl, along with an outhouse, for a bathroom. Typical to her nature, it wasn't a complaint, more a fond memory.

Grandpa and Grandma Battenberg expected mom to help with the chores of milking cows, feeding and butchering chickens and housework. She learned to work hard and save money early in her life, a gift she tried to give to all of us.

She had a dog named "SHEP" that walked with her about a mile to the bus for school. During those cold Indiana winters, it "PROBABLY" was "UPHILL" both ways!!

She attended Harlan High School and graduated in 1945. Mom, then went to business school to become a legal secretary for the law firm of Barrett, Barrett & Mcnagney.

Up to this point, it was pretty much typical life of an Indiana girl; High school, proms, dances, movies, sunday dinners with her family, brothers, sister and cousins.

ALL THAT 'WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

Her brother Lester married a girl named Hazel Bourey. Hazel had a brother named Bud, who was on the same Navy destroyer as our Dad, Dean Van Dyke. The USS Charley Lawarance has just come back from "Picket Duty" in Okinawa. That was where the Japanese has resorted to "Kamakazies" suicide missions in a last ditch effort to maintain control in the Pacific Theatre. The ship needed repairs so Dad & Bub sailed through the Panama Canal and on up to Norfolk, Virginia for dry dock repair. They were given a two week leave and Bud said, "Why don't you go up to Fort Wayne with me for Christmas?" And as any 19 year old would say, "SURE!"

Did you catch the part about christmas? December weather can be brutal for 2 guys in their light weight dress whites from the South Pacific.

They caught a train to Chicago, but then hitchhiked to Fort Wayne. Nobody wanted to pick them up, as Dad said and they about froze to death, but the two did make it to Fort Wayne.

While staying with the Bourney Family, mom was setup on a blind date with this guy from California. Mom told us that she didn't want to go because she was dating this attorney at the law firm, but her sister in law Hazel persuaded her. I have to laugh because when dad walked into the house, Mom ran up the stairs to hide! However, to quote my Dad, "she did come back down!"

Well, I am sure the sparks flew in that town during the two week leave. Mom and Dad continued to write each other during the next year! In 1946, mom rode the train out to California to meet dad's parents and check out the social life in Pleasant Grove. WOW!!!!

Dad was dischared from the Navy, in June of 47, proposed to mom and were married December 13th, 1947. Honeymooned to San Diego and out to Catalina Island with family friends dad knew while at sonar school for the Navy!

Mom and Dad, lived in Pleasant Grove in a house that Pop and Grandma Van Dyke moved out from a lot in North Sacramento, where dad's brother Dick had a fabrication and machine shop. Mom's best friend became Dorthy Van Dyke, who lived next door. She said to me many times that if it wasn't for Aunt Dorthy she wouldn't have known what to do. Imagine, 20 years old, 2000 miles from family and NO FACEBOOK! She always would look for the good, tuff it out and try to be happy! When the going got tuff, our little energizer bunny kept going!

Mom and Dad, raised three sons, Robert, Gary and myself in that home. Yes, it was remodeled a couple of times, but it was never a house mom always made it a home! She was a homemaker. Snacks after getting off the school bus, ironed laundry, 3 meals a day, and it was always picked up! Dad said he tried to hire a cleaning lady, but mom picked up the house before she got there!

Pleasant Grove parents club, 4-H community leader, 10 + years, cub scout den mother and a member of st johns lutheran church to name a few!

Bob and Gary remember mom bringing cookies to class, but mom would rotate which class got the cookies and Gary said he was mad when Bob's class got the cookies! We all remember some Friday nights as kids when mom would make pizza dough and we would have homemade pizza! Other times, we would go for a 19 cent hamburger at Harvey's Drive-In on Fulton Avenue and go to see a movie at the 49er Drive-In.

Mom loved to travel. Her and Dad saw all lower 48, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, and even square danced with a group from Yuba City on the Great Wall of China! Mom liked to have fun and was usually up for anything!

In 1978, they purchased a lot at Lake Almanor, California with some persuasion and guidance from dear friends, Bob and Maryann Gallagher. Our Family, got involved in turning a garage into a cabin. Bob, Karen, Gary, Mary and their kids and myself all pitched in! Mom loved that place, however, it was a comprimise. Yes, she wanted the ocean and dad wanted the mountains! So he got her a LAKEFRONT LOT!!!!

In 1984, the big cabin was finished, which some of you here have been! Mom was so happy at the lake, she loved to entertain her family and friends there. Time with her for me was truly precious.

Mom, had a great journey through her mortal life here on earth. Filled with joy, laughter, a loving husband, family and friends. She was so proud of all of her sons, daughter in laws, grandkids and great grandkids. It is our wish that she knew how proud we were of her.

In closing, I would like to add, even though she was short in stature, she had a big personality. She could light up a room with it! She would never stop loving you, in good times or bad. Was friendly to everyone and was my BEST FRIEND! Even though her journey on earth has ended, her eternal life has begun. I know she is in a wonderful place, probably saying, "NOW DEAN!!" She truly did accomplish the greatest work on earth which is inside the "Four walls of your home."

Thank you all again for attending mom's service.

brennen + tessa {rehearsal & wedding}

2011-09-17T23:28:00.000-06:00

{rehearsal dinner}

brennen & tessa have been together for 10 years & they finally tied the knot today! it was so exciting!! they are two of the SWEETEST people we both know!! everything from their rehearsal dinner to the big day was perfect & so special! you could just feel the love they have for each other!! we're so happy for them!!!

locked into the game

2011-09-17T22:53:00.000-06:00

these boys love their sports!! go UTES!! ;)

london raquel

2011-09-15T17:11:00.001-06:00

check out London Raquel for beautiful headbands filled with lace, feathers & pearls. the ultimate shabby chic girls go to site! the site is not filled yet, but i wanted to give you a preview of some of the fun things we have so far!

my sweet grandma donna

2011-09-14T15:30:00.001-06:00

today the world lost a very special person, i am so lucky to have known such a wonderful lady & to call her my grandma!! i really cannot express the amount of love i have for her without writing a novel all i can say is it is going to be hard to not call her and just talk to her about everything going on in my life!! i will forever treasure the conversations we have had! i think i've already called her cell phone like 15 times today, just wanting to hear her voice! i will never forget going over to her house playing with her green tub full of all of my toys, looking at all of her souviners that her & my grandpa got from different places around the world, making peanut butter cookies with her, playing in the sprinklers in her yard with my brother, flying up to lake almanor with her & my gpa dean, fourth of julys every year at the cabin, crab leg christmas dinners, going shopping with her, her tuna fish sandwiches{they were always the best}, and so many more things! she is the reason me & my cousin stacie & laura have our eye for style, she taught us everything we know!! ;) i always used to say at christmas when i would open a box and it had "macys" on it {or whatever store it was} "ohhh, grandma's favorite store." haha. she really was such a classy lady, over the last few years we have gotten extra close & i am going to miss that!! she was always someone i could talk to and give my honest opinion too and she would listen! i got to go with her to the lutheran church which was really fun!! nick will forever think of my grandma when he sees a mimi's cafe, she loved going there after her church got out for brunch! we went there with her numerous times! she was such a fireball too, i know thats where i get my strong opinions from! just thinking about that makes me laugh!! i was talking to my mom earlier today about how sad i was that she only got to know one of my kids & that she won't get to meet the rest of them, but then i realized that my grandma is spending time with them right now! that really comforted me! i'm just thankful that i got to see her last month and visit with her! i talked to her the day before she died just for a few minutes and told her i loved her! i am just happy she is not in any pain now & she is back with her sweetheart smiling down on all of us!!! we love you GG!!

{a month ago when we went to visit her}

viva las vegas

2011-09-12T02:38:00.001-06:00

we went down to vegas on thursday & got back late sunday night! it was such a fun trip, all of the family was there except for ryan {monica's husband--he's doing his residency in kansas right now}. we all went down for ryan & megan's son mason's baby blessing! we had fun letting the boys interact, even if mason was just sitting there patiently just taking kruz's kicks and punches! haha. they are the cutest little cousins! we did lots of fun things while we were there, we went to the strip a few times, did lots of eating at the green valley buffet {nick was really disappointed because he wanted the unlimited crab legs and come to find out they stopped their seafood buffet, he was a little upset} did lots of shopping! gotta LOVE the 3 story h&m & of course my husband was in heaven when he got to the nike store! he was like a kid in a candy store!!

kruzer on the move!

2011-09-08T15:53:00.001-06:00

kruz is moving like none other these days!!! he is constantly kicking anyone that is in his reach, he loves to roll over when im changing a messy diaper, hes starting to move his fingers a lot & hes starting to throw toys across the floor! he is out of CONTROL!!! haha, ok not really, but its so funny to us to watch him move so much!! we love our little man!!

rolling over

2011-09-06T23:22:00.000-06:00

my sweet little angel started rolling at 3 months & 2 weeks! his first time he rolled over was at the cabin at lake almanor...he rolled over TWICE!! me & my mom were just sitting talking and he rolled over right in between us!! it was so crazy!! haha, now he does it regularly!! so fun seeing all of these changes, he's growing up so fast! my dad & brother stayed with us a few nights ago and they couldnt believe how big he has got just since when we went to california!!

usa

2011-09-06T20:16:00.000-06:00

soo true!! haha, i loved looking at this!

happy boy

2011-09-03T11:38:00.000-06:00

kruz, is such a happy little boy & he has the cutest little laugh ever!! we were just hanging out the other day & i had to get my camera to record kruz! he was cracking up! it was the funniest thing ever!! i just love him so much!!

i think it's time

2011-09-01T23:42:00.000-06:00

so the other day i look over at kruz while i'm in the kitchen because it was all of a sudden very very quiet!! i knew something was going on...i look over to see my little man inching his way out of his swing, not even making a single noise!!! i was dying it was so funny, i guess it's time for him to be in his bouncer now!! i cant believe he's already grown out of both of his swings!! this is a sad day!!

LOVE this

2011-08-31T13:00:00.001-06:00

i just loved this video & i had to share!!

my little chatter box

2011-08-29T22:35:00.000-06:00

i cannot even get over how BIG kruz is now, he is constantly amazing us with new things he does!! he is such a daddy's boy! when nick gets home kruz always gets the biggest smile and gets all excited!! he loves getting nick's attention!! he is at the most fun age! he is always talking to us!! we love his little noises and screams! haha. kruz was sitting under his play gym and me and nick were in the kitchen and we both heard his say, "i love you!" seriously it was crazy, me and nick were both like, "did you hear that" and he has totally said, "ma-ma" twice now!! im sure it wasn't on purpose and its just baby cooing and gooing, but i will take it!!! nick has already came to terms that its his first word! haha. he's doing so many new things i want to make sure i'm writing them all down so i dont forget!!

sunday walks

2011-08-26T00:29:00.001-06:00

one thing we love to do as a family is walk around the lake! especially on sundays, its the one day we get to spend all day together! i just love summertime!!

4 {months}

2011-08-22T22:03:00.021-06:00

what's new with kruz now that he is four months?? well, he rolls over all of the time {he started rolling over right after he turned 3 months and hasn't stopped since!!}, i will go grab something in the kitchen & just leave him on his blanket in the living room...i'll literally be gone barely a minute and i come back and he is all the way on the other side of the room!! he is a little mover! he is also, the biggest chatterbox!! he is constantly talking to himself or to anyone that is around him! he goes crazy when he's really excited, i love it!! he is my little buddy, we love him more than anything!! he is also starting to recognize faces!! he def knows who his mommy & daddy are! he's totally a guys guy!! when we went back to california he was just smitten with his grandpa brian and all of his uncles!! its so fun to watch him with people!

monica & ryan's {taylor} wedding!

2011-08-19T20:34:00.000-06:00

monica & ryan are finally MARRIED!! we have been anxiously awaiting this & we can't believe it has finally came & gone! they were married in the salt lake temple on august 18, 2011 and it was such a wonderful day! monica was a beautiful bride & her dress was probably the most stunning dress i have ever seen! for all of you utah locals, penelope was the designer & made it custom for her! they had their reception at the memorial house later that night, it was a lot of fun & of course had awesome food courtesy of lori tolbert! she is one of the best! they had a smoker making pizza's for everyone! they were way good! all in all it was a beautiful day and we couldn't be happier that ryan is apart of our family! he is the perfect addition!! we love you both so much!!

sister/friend dinner

2011-08-16T16:38:00.000-06:00

monica, had a sister/friend dinner last night at the cheesecake factory! it was super fun to all get together before her wedding! we gave her lots of fun tips!! haha.

california getaway

2011-08-16T02:57:00.000-06:00

my dad flew kruz & i home for two weeks to be with family & for my best friend's wedding! it was such a blast, we went to the mall like four times while i was there. haha. they have an h&m so when i get to go home it is like HEAVEN!! i love that store {i cant wait for fashion place mall to get one in the fall!!} we also, got to go up to the cabin at lake almanor & spend 3 days up there!! it was a really nice little getaway, nick was missing us like crazy! thank goodness for bbm & picture messaging! i think nick was getting a little depressed not being able to see his little boy for so long!!

{kruz's first plane ride}

{kruz just loves his grandpa, i can tell he is going to be following him around everywhere when he starts to walk!! my dad would take him out to hit gold balls with him in the mornings so i could sleep in a little! it was fun to see them interact! they're so cute together, best buds!}

{eating lunch with grandpa}

{renee's 14th birthday}

{dinner at grandma & gpa ken's house}

grandma maryann always makes the BEST dinners!! we were so happy she had us all over for dinner/fhe at her house, she even made blackberry cobbler, one of our family favorites!!

{lake almanor}

{first time in the high chair--such a big boy}

{kruz's first time eating applesauce}

{kruz found his nose...haha}

{dinner with rachel & janay...rachel had only been home 13 days from her mission in china, it was so good to see her!}

{aubree & josh's wedding-august 13th 2011}

i was so excited to go back to a sealing in sacramento!! it was the first time i had been back to the sealing room nick & i were married in! aubree & josh has such a beautiful ceremony! everything that was said was so perfect for them & their family! it was also kruz's first time at the sacramento temple!

vacation, staycation??

2011-08-08T04:14:00.000-06:00

i really don't know if we are coming back home to utah... juuuustttt kidding!!! ;) but we sure are enjoying being back here! MISSING nick of course, but kruzy is loving being with all of his uncles & grandparents! he has been having lots of "guy time" with his gpa! this morning gpa took him and put him in his stroller and he watched gpa hit golf balls they have also been watching lots of golf! he loved it! we've gotta start em young!! my brother brandon is going to take him for his first flight in the super cub tomorrow, we will see how he does! & my cousin renee can get him to giggle like no one i have ever seen!! she knows all of his ticklish spots, its the funniest thing!!! haha. so anyways, we should be back next monday so get ready for lots & lots of pictures!

monica's bridal shower

2011-07-31T12:15:00.000-06:00

i threw monica a bridal shower on friday & it was so fun! she has the cutest friends ever, all of them are so sweet!! it was a fun evening, we had lots of desserts & yummy cupcakes from swirly girls bakery in daybreak, lemon bits & macaroons from the sweet tooth fairy! everything was so good, we all definitely filled up! ;) anyways, me & nick are so happy for monica & ryan! they are the perfect couple, you can just tell see how much they love each other when they are around each other! me & nick's story is really similar to theirs in the way that they knew really fast they were supposed to be together & so i think thats why we have a special little place in our heart for them!! i cannot wait for the wedding...august 18th is going to be such a wonderful day!! love you moni & ry! we cant wait for ry to be apart of the family!! oh & click here for a video that i made that we played as a game that night.

sneak peak of the shower

2011-07-30T00:57:00.000-06:00

i went with a shabby chic meets marie antoinette theme! & i loved how it turned out! i'm heading to california & i don't know how long i will be there, so i wanted to give ya a little teaser!!

hanging with the boys. ♥

2011-07-29T00:53:00.000-06:00

nick & kruz had a major bonding day today! i am throwing a shower for monica tomorrow and so i need time to get everything ready & prepped and so nick was amazing and watched kruz pretty much the whole day!!! he took kruz with him to lunch & he came back passed out!! it was hilarious!!

steph & nick came over later & i HAD to take a picture of this! the boys put kruz in the middle of them while they were playing x box!! i thought it was so funny!!

i SWARE my kid is not going to be one of the kids that plays video games all day!! we just had to capture this, it was a classic!!

kruz & his girlfriend joslyn. ♥

2011-07-27T01:12:00.000-06:00

so christine & baby j came over today for a little bit & kruz was in heaven!! he was talking and making noises the whole time, i think someone wanted some attention! haha. then we took some pictures of them! i am so in love with them!! they are hilarious, just snuggling! and in the second picture kruz has his arm around her & look at baby j's hand--just on his sitting on his knee! & the so sweet!! i love those two so much!! :) & then the last picture kruz took off j's headband!

cousinly love. ♥

2011-07-25T00:08:00.000-06:00

ryan, megan & mason came out from vegas for monica's bridal shower & pioneer day {a utah holiday}. it was SOO fun having all of them in town!! it was our first time meeting sweet little baby mason!! he is only one month old, & you can sure see the size difference between them! haha. mase, is such a little angel & was always so content! we love him so much! i can tell they are going to be up to no good together sooner than we think!! it's fun having them so close in age!!

the dole {pineapple} whip

2011-07-24T11:11:00.000-06:00

so if you have ever been to the amazing island of oahu, you have probably tried the pineapple ice cream from the dole plantation! it really is in my top 5 reasons of why i go to hawaii! haha. it's like heaven on earth!! so here is my point i have been CRAVING it like mad & of course i cant find pineapple ice cream or gelato or ANYTHING anywhere!! & it kind of upsets me, if you know where to get some let me know! so i found this recipe for the next best thing, a "dole whip." the only other place you can get pineapple ice cream or the whips is at the disney parks (which i have had there & they taste just the same!) did you know that?? you bet i googled it looking for it looking for a place to buy it!! haha. anyways, the dole whip is the next best thing and is sooo yummy!! :) i cannot wait to make this!! here is the recipe!!

what you will need:

2 cans (20 oz. each) DOLE crushed pineapple
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. lime juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

how to make it:

Drain pineapple: reserve 2 tbsp. juice. Set aside.
Place pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender. Cover and blend until smooth.
Pour into two 1-quart freezer zipped bags. Store bags flat in freezer. Freeze 1 1/2 hours or until slushy.
Stir pineapple slush gently into whipped cream until slightly blended in large bowl.
Return to freezer until completely frozen, about 1 hour and serve.

monica + bailee's family bridal shower

2011-07-23T00:23:00.003-06:00

{thanks to tammy for letting me steal pictures}

tammy, amy & jeanette threw such a fun shower for monica & bailee on friday! all of the fox family was there, even the boys!! they went golfing during the shower & came after they were done and ate! it was so great to have most of the girls there & catch up!! we also had the new babies {kruz, mason & maylee} they are all within 3 months of each other! & we have another one coming any day now from chelsea & ammon! we cannot wait to meet their precious little baby girl! :) so many fun things happening in the fox family these days!! life doesn't slow down these days!!

fabric rosette tutorial. ♥

2011-07-20T01:29:00.001-06:00

"the animal"

2011-07-19T23:08:00.000-06:00

we just love this little animal! even on nights like above, after his bath where all he wants is FOOD & he wants it NOW!! haha. he is so much like his dad in that way! this boy can EAT!! haha. & if i don't feed him immediately after he starts whining he is hilarious to watch! he literally looks like an animal trying to get food! he grunts & like rubs his face all over me! me & nick laugh so hard when he does that! another funny thing he does is when he's not starving & the t.v. is on he will suck for like 5 seconds, stop and see what's on the t.v. & repeat until i just give up and let him watch t.v.! he is so fascinated by it! haha.

utah baby blog

2011-07-17T12:31:00.000-06:00

kruz's nursery is featured on utah baby blog! it's an awesome blog about all things baby! from clothes to food! go check it out their site, you will love it!!

3 {months}

2011-07-15T18:01:00.003-06:00

kruz is 3 MONTHS today!! & it has been the best 3 months of my life! he is such a little angel, this month has been really fun! he talks all of the time & has started laughing as you can see here & here! when he gets excited he kicks his legs and moves his arms so fast!! it's the cutest thing in the world!! he's such a little cheeser, whenever we say his name he instantly smiles! don't get me wrong kruz has his moments where he is a little fussy gus, but it is SO SO rare! i am waiting for the day he turns into a little terror and then i will feel like he is normal! me & my mom were talking about what a good baby he is & how is so content & chill all of the time and i guess my mom said i was like that! i was a super mild baby! that made me super happy!! :) i'm still doing tummy time with him everyday & he wants to roll over sooo bad, but the farthest he gets is to his side, not a complete roll yet! me & nick joke and call him "the animal" because when he is hungry and i start to feed him he goes crazy, he moves his head a bunch and grunts! it is hilarious!! we don't have a checkup until four months so i don't know how much he weighs, but i am betting it is a lot! he has grown so much this last month!! we love you kruzy!!

bath time with the kruzer

2011-07-14T18:01:00.000-06:00

the best part of the day is bathtime, kruz is always just so happy kicking his legs around in the water and playing with us. it is like our little family bonding time, i always wait for nick to do it with me!! we love it! nick is such a good daddy! the second he gets home from work he just goes and grabs kruz out of my arms and loves on him for the rest of the night! & kruz is already starting to be a daddy's boy!! he loves nick, it's darling! i can tell he is going to follow him everywhere when he starts walking!! :) check out kruz playing in his bath here & here.

my phone just threw up a little...

2011-07-13T14:14:00.000-06:00

so a few weeks ago when i went to the gym i thought i lost my blackberry & i had a break down thinking about all of the precious photos i had taken of kruz! thankfully, i still had a slight case of pregnancy brains and it was in my car! so i decided i needed to save everything an here is probably 1/4 of all of my pictures!! haha, yes im one of those moms!!

oreo truffles

2011-07-12T13:08:00.000-06:00

i just had to share the recipe for these amazing oreo truffles. they are so yummy, definitely a must try! the first time i tried them was at my baby shower in california, my aunt mary is an amazing cook and gave me the recipe! so i had to for sure make them for kruz's blessing! i think they were a hit and super EASY! :)

what you need:

1 pkg of oreos

1 pkg of cream cheese {softened}

8 ounces of semi sweet bakers chocolate

all you do is crush up the oreos & put them in the food processor until they are completely broke down. then, you add the cream cheese and mix it all together. next, you shape into 1 inch balls & dip them in the melted chocolate. put them all on wax paper & refrigerate them for 1 hour! & walaaa they are done! that was all of the steps!! easy right, & even more delicious! beware they are SUPER rich so have a glass of water close by! :)

kruz's baby blessing

2011-07-11T00:00:00.004-06:00

kruz was blessed today & it was such a special day! we had lots of family & friends there & nick did such a good job on his blessing! i was worried that kruz might fuss or something, but he was so perfect the entire first hour of church! he's always so content, we are so lucky!! he honestly only fusses if he has a dirty diaper or is hungry! he is one happy little baby!! after his blessing we had everyone over for brunch! it was yummy!! thanks to everyone who came out & shared his special day with us!! {including my grandma & gpa hutchinson that came all the way from california!!} :) we were so excited to have them here! we were sad my dad couldn't make it, but my grandma donna has been in the hospital with heart problems since july 3rd so there was no way he could come out!! we missed you dad!! anyways enjoy some of the pictures! :)

kruz's first laugh

2011-07-10T23:55:00.000-06:00

i just caught the very end of him laughing a bunch!! it was the cutest thing i had ever heard! my cousin renee was holding him in front of the mirror & kind of bouncing him up & down and he just started giggling!! so cute!! you can hear him laugh at the very beginning of the video! i wish i could have got my camera sooner!! it was adorable!

party in the USA. ♥

2011-07-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

we spent a wonderful five days in bear lake with nick's family for the fourth of july! we had a blast just hanging out with everyone, getting in water balloon fights, shooting off fireworks, lots of laying out, bonfires & smores and so much more!! kruz was loving all of the attention he was getting and was such a good boy!! we are so lucky to have such a chill baby, i don't know what we would do if he wasn't! he just comes along with us everywhere and loves it!!

The Basketball Workout

2011-07-03T07:40:00.001-06:00

Great Basketball drills and workouts here!

i love my son

2011-06-29T18:10:00.003-06:00

I love my son and I am extremely exited for his future. I feel like he will be a leader and someone his brothers and sisters will eventually look up to. I love him

my {summer} must haves

2011-06-29T06:18:00.000-06:00

i haven't done my, "must have" posts in a while & since summer is FINALLY here in good ole utah i figured i would!! :)

i LOVE this dress with these shoes.

i will def be getting this swimsuit & this swimsuit this year...gotta love a good one piece! :)

this shirt with these pants & shoes.

some of these for baby kruz.

this adorable bow tie for kruz to wear to some of the weddings we have coming up this year.

i will be using this AMAZING protein treatment on my hair every few weeks to keep it from breaking
off from all of the sun & lack of moisture!

i am obsessed with rose gold this season & especially this watch!

this is another fabulous hair mask you can use, you will feel your hair change the first time you use it!

i love this top with these skinnys.

oh & this bag is t.d.f.

Best B-Ball Shoe

2011-06-28T18:30:00.007-06:00

I have found it really is tough to shop for Basketball shoes, but Im glad you know me and I can guide you in a good direction. I play basketball a lot and have played in a lot of shoes. If you foot is narrow or more skinny like mine go with a Hyperfuse or Adi-Zero. I play in the Hyperfuse and absolutely love them, but If you have a more wide foot definitely go with a Lebron or Jordan. Or if you simply don't care and just want the lightest shoe The D-Rose Adi-Zero is 9.8 oz. aka the lightest basketball shoe ever. The Hyperfuse and Kobe come in a close tie around about 12 oz and the Jordan is getting better. Generally Jordan's run heavy but this one is relatively light compared to others. And the Lebron is extremely comfy but weighs nearly 15 oz. Lebron is just simply too strong... he doesn't need a light shoe. But the Hyperfuse that I wear is tough to come by in stores due to the release of the new one which I am very exited for in July.

some quality time with my little man. ♥

2011-06-28T15:39:00.000-06:00

everyday, i take kruz in his stroller for a walk around the lake! it's so fun to just go outside with him!! he loves looking around and being in the sun!! it's also an amazing way to work on my tan/workout!! its like the perfect double whammy!! haha. it's just a little bit under 4 miles so if any of you want to come walk with me, i usually go around 11!

Great workout to gain weight

2011-06-27T23:09:00.004-06:00

So as my wife knows I can eat almost anything without gaining weight. Just about ever since I can remember I have just had about anything to eat. Now while girls want to lose weight... Men typically want to gain muscle or in my case, just put on some LBS! I have a buddy that works at GNC and he told me its all about my calorie intake. He told me for as much as I play basketball and workout I would have to consume at least 4500 calories per day and eat my body weight in protein, about 160 grams. So I went to this website and found a lot of tools to track what I eat and workouts I can do.

circle of moms

2011-06-27T00:03:00.000-06:00

ok friends, family & lovely followers! help show us some love by voting for us on the top 25 family blogs!! we were considered to be one of the top family blogs on the circle of mom's website and we're pretty excited about it!! vote for us here, you can do it everyday! :) & you can see how we are doing compared to all of the other blogs here! all you have to do is click on the thumbs up! we really appreciate all of you that could take a second to vote for our blog!! :) thanks everyone!!

& remember you can vote once every 24 hours!! ;) vote here

dinner with the barney girls ♥

2011-06-26T16:01:00.000-06:00

my best friend's sister kaitlyn was in town for the weekend with her boyfriend & so we all go together for dinner! it was so fun to see her & for kait to meet baby kruz!! he loved her & was being a little cheeser!! haha.

christian and jessica's wedding

2011-06-25T15:39:00.002-06:00

{this image by the amazing blush photography}

jessica & christian got married on friday at the gorgeous private golf club glenwild! it was so so beautiful, probably the nicest wedding i've been to since i've lived in utah!! anyways, they really were the most gorgeous couple ever & we are so happy for them!! we can't wait for lots of triple dates with them & the allens!! :) as you can see the boys are the cutest dads ever, they are both so good with the babies! i had to snap a million pictures of them...i realize how crazy i am with all of the pictures i take! im just afraid i'm going to miss something that kruz does!! haha. i love him so much!! after the wedding we went up to bear lake for the night and then we got back today! it was another short trip, were excited to spend the fourth up there for a little bit longer!! although, im really going to miss not being with my family this year!! the fourth of july is like my dad's christmas! he loves going up to the cabin, bbqing, the parade & boating!! & im not going to lie so do i!! :)