my 26th birthday

For my 26th birthday, I wanted to go to Chipotle.  (Are we surprised?  Really?)

The trip down was rough, because (spoiler alert, if you're not FB friends with me) I was in the early stages of morning sickness.  Those first few weeks were kinder than the few that followed, however, because eating pretty much solved all of my issues in those days.  (It doesn't now.)  (Thank goodness for doctors and prescriptions.)  The forty minute drive to Chipotle meant that I'd gone too long without eating, which meant that by the time we got there, I was either going to hurl or feel instantly better once I got food in my stomach.

Mercifully, it was the latter.

(I really wanted that burrito bowl.)

See how happy this food makes me?  Do you see?

And I got to eat with my two favorite people on the planet.  It was basically the best day ever.

After we got through eating, I didn't quite want to head home yet, so we stopped by a local park.

 (I know, I know.  Picture overload.)  (Sorry not sorry.)

By some strange twist of fate, none of the parks where we live have swings, which made this park particularly special.  Ellie could not get enough.  Seeing her happy was pretty much the best birthday present ever.

That night, we ate angel food cake (one of my faves).

 Tim made me take a picture of the cake (with the ghetto birthday candle) "for the blog."  That man gets me.

The night concluded with making Ellie a blanket fort (her #1 favorite activity) and letting her watch movies on the tablet.

I love my little family more than I can adequately describe, and I just couldn't be happier with where my life is now.

Here's to another great year!

SLC zoo day

One day in March (exactly which day, I can't be sure), Ellie and I met up with two of my cousins and their kids at the zoo in Salt Lake City.  My cousins are fantastic people, and I love watching their examples of motherhood.  They teach me so much without even trying.

It was the first sunny, warm day in quite some time, which made it perfectly perfect for walking around the zoo.  First, we stopped by the carousel.

I think Ellie could have spent allll day on that thing.  And let me tell you, she was very particular about which animal she rode.  (I love that she has opinions now.)

Then we saw an elephant statue.  In theory, it seemed like a really good idea.  Right up until she got close.

(Then she came runnin' back to Mama.)

I guess it was just too big for comfort.

We saw all kinds of cool animals, and the part that sticks out in my mind the most was the tiger that just kept roaring.  It was awesome.  And loud.  (And awesome.)

We tried to get a group shot with all the kiddos.

(It didn't work.  These are just a few of them.)

It was an awesome day!  Thanks for inviting me, Meghan and Tracie. :)