Visit To Utah

We made a visit to Utah over Memorial Day weekend and Derrick got to come with us, so we blessed Ainsley while we were there.  Here are some pictures:

She's such a sweet, happy baby!

Here she is just chillin' with Daddy:

How on Earth did we create these darling kids???

Anyway, I think some of you have already heard the news that we are moving back to Utah.  We got connected with a guy from Costa's corporate who was looking to run some restaurants, so we decided to bring him on so that Derrick could move on to what he's wanting to do next.  It seems like the timing was perfect.  We were getting frustrated that our home in Utah had not sold yet, and now we are going back and have a beautiful home to live in!  I'm going to really miss the wonderful friendships we have made here.  I've been a little emotional about it this week.  I can't even tell you how good it has been for us to live down here.  It really opened our eyes and taught us a lot.  We will visit Farmington often, as we still own the restaurant, so hopefully we will be able to keep these friendships we have here.

So packing... here I come (again)!

Still Homeless!

We were supposed to head out to NM this last weekend, but our house is STILL not completed! Two more days...Two more days...Two more days! I've been hearing this for the last two weeks! I understand that there are a lot of little details when it comes to finishing a home, but I am SO READY!! Poor Cecily needs to get back into her routine. I packed up most of her toys away since I didn't think we'd be staying at my mom's for more than a week, so she will probably go crazy when she sees her fun things again (and they will actually be fun again to her)!

Since we were unable to go down there this weekend, we took the opportunity to go down to Scofield and stay at Derrick's Grandpa's cabin. I've never been down there, and can I just say "WOW?" It was SO gorgeous there! Grandpa Tony has been collecting land there for several years, and I think he has some of the most amazing property! His cabin overlooks the reservoir. It is such an ideal setting! Until two weeks ago, Derrick had not been there in about 12 years, and he says they've done a lot of work to the land in the meantime. Cecily came with us, and we were also there with Grandpa Tony, his girlfriend Noni, and Derrick's parents, Scott and Shonnie. Cecily got to pet the horses and ride on the 4-wheelers. But I think her favorite thing was running around the property and seeing all of the cows! She went absolutely nuts over the cows! It was nice to let her just run and run. I swear there is no end to her energy! But as soon as we put her down for a nap, she was out! So, although we weren't able to get settled in our new home this weekend, we sure had a great little break! It was so nice to just relax and appreciate the fresh air and calm setting. Thanks Tony!

Cecily continued to be "stylish" even at the cabin. Her Princess purse didn't leave her side the entire weekend. She even slept with it. She loved picking the "flowers" in the grass and putting them behind her ear. And, yes, she's wearing a skirt. I can't imagine how high maintenance she's going to be when she finally gets some hair!

At the pond.

Lucky girl on her Daddy's shoulders.

A view of the 80.

Up on the mountain.

We're going to have to buy some 4 wheelers. They are so fun!

Quick Trip

Well, we did it. We moved out of our house. And I am NEVER DOING IT AGAIN!! Yes, I say this every time we move. And yes, I am already planning our next move. But can I just say I'm tired? We loaded up on Friday, took off Saturday and were back by early afternoon Sunday. A VERY quick trip! This move has been a lot more emotionally straining on me than I thought it would be. However, it didn't even hit me until we were moving our things into the garage of our new home (the house isn't quite finished yet, so we were only able to move our things into the garage). Don't get me wrong--I am VERY excited about this move, and I know it is the right thing for our family, but it finally hit me this weekend that this IS a big deal! As we ran a few errands while we were there this weekend, all I could do is just look around and wonder if I would ever think of this place as home. The people seem nice enough, and they seem to really enjoy living there. I don't know...I just came back this weekend wondering what the heck I was doing!




Anyway, Cecily was a great help as we moved. She just hung out while we packed the truck--actually, TWO trucks. She is so good. I never really have to worry about her. But I can tell she misses her bed in her old room. She doesn't want to go to bed or take her naps as well as she was before we uprooted her.

This is a shout out to my awesome brother-in-law Kimball who stepped up at the last minute to drive the second truck that we didn't think we'd need. We were moving from a 3600 sqft home to a 2600 sqft home. I totally thought we had downsized enough on all of our belongings, but man, we have a ton of stuff. And that is exactly what it is...STUFF! Nothing real exciting, but things we apparently need! But to any of you who need to get rid of any of your stuff, we had great luck with Craigslist.com. We sold a ton of stuff in the last few weeks, which we advertised on Craigslist. It is better than a garage sale because you make a lot more than you would at a garage sale, and people schedule a time with you to come pick up the stuff. No sitting outside in the sun all day long!

So for now, we are back in Utah, staying with Janice Kay (my mom) until our house in NM is complete. I'm hoping this won't be too long because, no offense Mom, but I think we will drive one another nuts if this becomes long term. I love you!

Where did all this crap come from?

Derrick and I spent all morning packing up our house and trying to move as much as we could to the garage so that we will be prepared for moving day, which is this coming Friday. I have no idea how we have managed to accumulate so much stuff! It's ridiculous! The worst part about it is that I cannot get myself to get rid of things that I know I will absolutely NEVER need or use! I will just continue seeing it and making the decision to keep it every single time we move. I went through a box today that I actually remember packing up in my old bedroom at my mom's house before I got married. Apparently, an autographed poster of Duncan Sheik is not something you keep taped to your wall when you are married.
Anyway, once early afternoon came by, Derrick and I were both "done" with the packing thing. We took our present load of boxes to the garage and decided that our workout equipment looked pretty good on the front porch and could stay there until we got the energy and desire to move it later! Poor Derrick. Reading the above, you would think that I did some heavy lifting today. But I actually had the conversation with Derrick that I hadn't had to lift more than 10 pounds since I met him. He's one of those naturally strong men who is also a gentleman, and I have REALLY taken advantage of that over the years! If something even looks awkward or heavy, my voice immediately turns to sugar as I call my sweetie over to help me. Man, how did I ever fool this guy into marrying ME?
Cecily got to go play at Grandma Thomas' tonight as Derrick and I had a date night. We went to see some of the Parade of Homes, then out to Bombay House for dinner. We weren't all that impressed with the homes we have seen so far this year. The St. George Parade, which we went to in February, was much more fun. A lot of new, fun ideas. But we still had a good time. We rarely go out together without Cec, so it was a nice little escape. Not that she cared--She has such a good time with other people, I'm surprised she will even come home with us! We are so lucky to have such a good-natured little girl. I am scared to see what our next kid will be like!

This is Us!

Derrick and I were married September 5, 2003. We have a daughter, Cecily, who was born July 16, 2005 (see picture). We currently live in Pleasant Grove, UT, but are just about to start our newest adventure in New Mexico. Derrick has been in the real estate business for the last several years, and is ready to move on to something new. He will be opening Costa Vida franchises in New Mexico. This is a fresh-mex restaurant. He is having a lot of fun with his training and getting things all prepared. We will be moving down to New Mexico in a week and a half, but will be back and forth for the next few months until the first restaurant is opened. We hope that this blog will be a good way for our wonderful family and friends to be able to keep up with what is going on with us, as we will miss being away from them so much!