Sydney's Baptism

Our little Sydney Rae was baptized two weeks ago on March 5th...exactly on her 8th b-day!!! We went up to Utah for the special day so as much family as possible could attend. It was a really amazing day and I'm really grateful for the Spirit we all felt. We love you tons and tons Sydney! And a huge thank you to everyone who drove clear out to the boonies of Spanish Fork to share this day with us (including those who tried and never found their way). We are so thankful for such wonderful family and friends!!







I feel really sad that I didn't gather everyone together for a group photo. I got pictures of a few of our lovely guests, but unfortunately I missed photos of a lot of people. Next time I'll be smarter! Chandee, Madelyn, Marcie and I.

Sydney with Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Patti.

Sydney with my uncle Glenn and aunto Colleen.

Sydney and her cousin Jourdyn.


Cousin Jocelynn...

Our terrific friends the Rideouts.

Just a few of the lovely kitchen helpers...

Our great friends from Henderson, the Wirick's.

Syd with Grandpa Lanny and Grandma Sherry.


And last of all a photo of me and my miracle belly (for Amy who couldn't make it to the baptism). 30 weeks exactly...last trimester yay! You would all laugh if you knew how many tries it took me to get this photo :) The two name finalists (today at least) are Avery and Lucy. Kallie and I want Avery and Dan and Syd want Lucy. Feel free to cast your vote or make a new suggestion!

Christmas Morning!

Christmas Eve...they finally realized that they get pajamas every year. How much longer will they let me buy matching ones? Here are the girlies modeling their 'I {heart} hot cocoa' jammies & toe socks! (Did you notice Kallie's new headgear?)

Christmas morning at Grandma's house (as always). All I can say is I wish I had invented Pillow Pets. They were definitely on their list (and a few of your kid's lists too I've notice).

Thank you hugs for the gifts they picked for each other.

My girls think Claire's is the best store in the whole wide world....$15 gift card yay!

Syd and Kallie both managed to convince Santa that they REALLY wanted an IPod shuffle...they came complete with carrying case and iTunes gift card.

Two bedhead beauties!

I like Syd's style...no matter how many purses you have, you always NEED one more!

Kallie was pretty happy about the sock monkey Syd picked out for her :) I love that even though her body is trying to grow up, she's just a little kid inside still!

Totally fake sleeping...but she begged for a picture!

Grandpa & Grandma took all the girls shopping for dresses this year for their Christmas gift. 3 stores, hundreds of dresses (it felt like it at least), and they all ended up picked ones from Jolene's. Will this shopping trip happen again next year? My girls hope so!

This one is NOT from Christmas morning...this one is from today. Me and my belly feeling great at exactly 20 weeks. The doctor confirmed yesterday that the baby is still a girl and things are looking good. He told me to come back in 4 weeks...I haven't heard those words this whole time. I've been to more Dr. apts in the last 3 months than I've been to in the last 4 years :) We're feeling very blessed and so happy to feel her moving all around!

Do you believe in miracles??

17 weeks...and it's a girl!!!

I'm not joking...I would not joke about something like this :)

We had a rough start (large yolk sac, small gestational sac, subchorionic hemmorage...) but this little one is a fighter and things are looking much better!

We took the girls to dinner tonight and told them and their reactions (both of them) were priceless. I was a little worried about what Syd would think, but she was just as excited as Kallie.

Is this a direct miracle from teaching seminary...we kinda think so. What are we going to do about the office...we have no idea. But the Lord is in charge (obviously) and he has always provided a way for us in the past and we have total faith that everything will fall into place.

Fortune cookie from Panda Express 4 days after I found out I was pregnant said, "Happy Events Will Take Place Shortly In Your Home". I saved it...I have it taped by the mirror in my bathroom.

Syd's first comment..."Can we go shopping for her tomorrow?"

54 days since my last post...

Does anybody check the blog of someone who only posts every 54 days? For the record...I read all of the 200+ blog posts I was behind on. I didn't leave comments because it's almost 1am, but I am caught up on all of my friends and family and missing everyone a lot right about now...

To begin...The Speedy Spaniard 10k race in Spanish Fork on the 24th of July. Probably the most fun, beautiful, pleasant race I've run. And the company was great too! Amanda Rand happened to be hanging out at her old stomping grounds and signed up for the Speedy Spaniard too. I had such a fun time running with her and if she doesn't sign up next year, I'm going to sign her up and force her to come! We're not even in this picture but I thought Dan caught a cool shot of the beginning of the race...look how green!

All done and feeling great! (Side note...my running days are almost non-existent now due to being called as early morning seminary teacher. I'm waking up at 4:45 to get ready for seminary...there's NO way I can get up at 3:45 to go running. Saturdays might be it for me...I might not be so speedy running on the 24th of July next year!)

Perfect little small town Mapleton parade. Aren't these girls cute? And Dan's face in the back cracks me up :)

Grandma comforting Sadie because of all the scary Police/Fire truck sirens. Grandmas make everyone feel better!

The best part about small town parades...

That night we went to the Fiesta Days Rodeo. I mostly included this pictures because Syd's face makes me giggle...

We look like real cow-girls right?!

A few weeks later my girls went to their last day of 4th and 1st grade. Can't forget flowers for their AWESOME teachers!

A few weeks later we went and hung out with the Norris' for a night at their 1st annual Fletcher Norris Reunion. I didn't take many photos...next year. Chandee, Sherry and Jamey just chilling...Jamey (you're such a big secret keeper- good thing I finally checked your blog).

Kallie holding Jay and Chandee's new sweet baby...we need a baby at our house too!

Ah...the joy of year round school. 3 weeks later you begin again (even though they are not doing year round anymore because of budget cuts). Sydney, Kallie and their friend Ethan on their first day...August 30th.

Kallie starting 5th grade. Her last grade in elementary school (so sad). She was so glad to have friends in her class...Megan and Courtney. The only problem is that there is another Kallie N. in her class so she is going by Kallie Ann this year :)

Sydney feeling slightly nervous about starting 2nd grade...I'm glad to say she came home happy!

And for anyone who made it to the end of this post...meet Peaches our new puppy! She is playing in the dirt on our Labor Day Camping Trip (will post that next). She is the sweetest 3 month old Coton puppy you've ever met (what you've never heard of a Coton dog- look it up). I know we're a little crazy, but wouldn't life be so boring if you didn't do crazy things every once in a while :)

42 days...

Yes, 42 days since my last blog post. That may be a record! Don't you hate it when people say, "I've been busy". I mean really, we're all busy. I guess a better thing to say would be I've been choosing to spend my time doing things other than blogging :) But with that said, here are 42 days worth of the Norris Family's comings and goings...

June 20- Father's Day! Us Norris girls have great reason to celebrate on Father's Day. Dan is a great father and husband, son and brother. He tries really hard to do what our Heavenly Father wants him to do. And though the last year and a half have been a little challenging...our relationship has grown closer than ever before. And for that, I'm grateful. I'm grateful for Dan!

Remember when I asked for advice on tennis equipment? Well here is his gift getting put to good use. The only things he went out and bought was a ball caddy and about a thousand more balls. He was right...you need that many (especially when you are playing with kids- and Carrie).

June 24-27th: Coombs family annual St. George getaway! So fun (as always). Thank you a million times over mom and dad for making this tradition happen. We love you!

Tuacahn Theater...this year we saw Tarzan and Cats.

On Saturday we ALL went and saw Toy Story 3 in 3-D. In my mind the highlight of the trip. I loved being there with everybody, I loved that Sadie sat on my lap the whole time, I love that I was laughing so hard I was crying- yet then crying for real, this one will go down in history!

There are not words to describe how much I love these girls.

July 3rd: Much anticipated Kamie Day Celebration/Extravaganza/Spectacular! Other than Lacey (and Kamie) not feeling well the day was a smashing success. I would live in Kamie's backyard if I could.

The visor says it all really...

Andrea & Rick supplied the GIANT marshmallows!

Same (exact) picture as above minus the flash...interesting huh!

July 17th: Saturday Date! Dan and I have decided to split up and take the girls on a date once a month. Kallie and I went together for our first date last Saturday. Has anyone ever heard Taylor Swift's song 'Best Day'? That is how I felt about this day. Kallie chose to go to a pottery store and paint her own cappuccino mug and saucer (which are in the process of glazing right now). This girl sat and painted for well over 2 hours! I just watched (too much $ for us both to paint). The owner of the store asked me if I would like some reading material...I said, "No thank you, I'm having a lot of fun just watching her."

You may think I'm cheesy, but I teared up a time or two as I sat there and enjoyed Kallie's company. She is such a sweet girl and I felt overwhelmed that I've been blessed to be her mother. Do you ever think God looks at us and gets teared up because he feels so overwhelmed with love? I think so...