birthday recap.

So we had a BBQ here at Daniel's sister Shelley's backyard. Her husband does this for a living so if you know someone in southern Utah or even Northern Utah who's looking for someone to make their backyard amazing let us know because he does an awesome job and the kids love coming here.
Addy had lots of cousins come and Aunts and Uncles and Grandma, Grandpa etc. She loved all her gifts. Especially this ball from Aunt Roma and she will love the water sprinkler in the summer I'm sure.
This boy loved the food, unfortunately he only barely gained a pound at his checkup so the doctor put him on acid reflux medication so we'll see if that helps he sure loves food though.
Addy loved the cute lawn chair LaRae and the boys got her, she also loves the coloring book that Auntie Ace gave her THANKS ACE, and comet the outfit was adorable.
Just a few of the cousins.
My first attempt, it's a fish if you can't tell.
Addy tasting the frosting.
Mom and the birthday girl. Thanks Alana for doing my hair, I like to highlight it blonde for the summer and Alana happened to be down if your looking for someone who is great at doing hair in the Provo/SLC area she's it she even makes house calls. Thanks to all who made it a great birthday for a great little gal.

Two's

I have a two year old. She is adorable Roma Ann has a term for her "Personality Plus" and that's exactly what she has. With Addy it's all or nothing she either LOVES you at the moment of doesn't. She's either happy or sad there really isn't any in between with her. Many people comment on her eyebrows how they seem to be always down, which they are unless she's excited then they are up and I just love these things about her. When I went home this past week she ran around hugging everyone she saw especially all the "grandmas" in my home ward, she can make the gruffest people smile a quality I hope she keeps. She gives the best kisses and has the cutest little voice. She is a little mother and every morning she can't wait to see Liam, she baby's him and bosses him around (usually repeating things I've told her) she is also very forgiving, if someone scares her or is mean if they ask her for a hug even though she's crying because of them she hugs them or kisses them, she wants everyone to love her. Addy doesn't have much hair, it's often crazy and hopefully one day it will be long a lusciously thick but she's still gorgeous she has the prettiest skin and gorgeous eyes. Her eyelashes are very long but you can't tell because they are so blonde, her grandpa stout calls her white and delightsome and she is a delight to have I can't believe my baby girl is 2!!! Birthday pics to come later but here are a few of "Addy faces"

My little blossom

My sister-in-law Angelyn graciously assented to my pleas for a photo shoot in the church orchards, the apricots were sure popping and I'm excited to see some images she captured of Liam and Addy. But meanwhile I captured a few photos while she was working and got some of Addy and some of her kids also.
Here is Emerald, she's a sweetie, and becoming quite the young woman.
Some of my beautiful nieces ( I was in envy of their hair each of them has long gorgeous hair and each are very unique) Cheyenne (far left) is very sporty, Anna is next and she is one of the most naturally talented artists I've ever seen... really she is amazing and only found out about it a few years ago. Abby is a great singer, and Krista is a real crafty person.

Anna's so pretty.

Meet Joe. Joe is the youngest of the Bryce family and probably one of the most beloved of the entire Stout extended family. Joe was born with down syndrome and is the cutest,funniest, and (when he feels like it) most loving little guy. I love this photo I captured through the trees.
One of Addy's cousins taught her how to blow one of these.

So adorable.

She kept picking flowers and saying PRETTY

My most favorite pic. I love her so much and this captures her independent "hi-ho it's off to do whatever I please" personality. She has a little of her dad when she gets her mind set on something she's so focused that I literally have to pick her chin up to look at me and explain something, she's usually fine with whatever I want after that she just needed to snap out of her "trance". SWEET CHEEKS!!! lOVE YOU!

SPRING,SPRING,SPRING

ADDY was wrestling with Gage when we were watching him and Tippy... she actually wins more often then naught when in a wrestling match with Gage or Lincoln.
Addy's cousin Lizzy turned 8 and was baptized... the kids loved the donuts outside afterwards.
Adelaide actually sat through a talk during conference... she's smiling in this picture because she likes the music.
The grandkids favorite thing to do at grandma's emptying the canning drawer, and Liam is no exception.
Liam's so stinkin cute in this photo... I love his tongue hanging out.

I love this series of photo's Addy sure grew up compared to last year's hunt. She loved it and so did all the kiddos. It was a great Easter and a fun time with family.

Finally the story of LARRY: see previous post for picture.

I took that pic to show you the size of Daniel's family dog, he's huge. Larry showed up one day and Phyllis already had a dog (this was years ago) she piled some grandkids in the car and because Larry wouldn't get in without their other dog she took both dogs. On the way to the animal shelter Larry was an angel, quiet and nice. The other dog yapped the whole way and nipped the kids making them scream. When Phyllis arrived and the people came out they said "Which dog is it"? She turned and looked at the crying kids and hyper dog and said "THAT one" So a home she went with LARRY. There are lots of stories about Larry and his "scaredy cat" personality. For all his size he's scared of everything and just a sweetie and beloved member of the family. So when Daniel was out playing video games with some friends and family and he heard his Mom yelling "their killing Larry" Daniel ran up the stairs and outside to find two huge Huskies attacking Larry. One was on his neck and the other from behind. Daniel was bare foot but he kicked the dog at the front (and we think he broke his toe) the dog at the rear ran away but the one at the front didn't loosen it's grip, Daniel realizing that, grabbed the dog by his scruff and lifted him off Larry. Holding him and the dog turning to snap at Daniel, Daniel told a family friend Tim to kick the dog. Tim unfortunately missed the first time and kicked Daniel in the same toe (it's really black and blue) Tim did kick the dog a lot until Phyllis said to let it go. The dog ran off and everyone went to look for Larry who had somehow slipped behind the bystanders and went inside under the kitchen table to lick his wounds. The whole family was upset and Daniel grabbed his gun and the boys went a hunting. They found the dog Tim wounded down by the pond. Daniel aimed but just couldn't do it the dog was pretty and just sitting there staring and actually let them pet it. Don't think that he got away with this unjust attack (it had to be unjust because Larry is a lover not a fighter) Daniel held it at gunpoint while Animal control was called. The dogs I hope were severely reprimanded. Meanwhile I think Daniel's wounds are more severe than LARRY"s (I hope he knows how much Daniel loves him).

More to come from this photo shoot in the orchard with little addy

We've been doing some of this....

Lots of picnics outside... 80+ degrees everyday the last couple of games.
Liam has been eating... lots and lots
Enjoying time with cousins
Wearing our Yard sale finds SHE loves it.
And saving this dog... the legend of LARRY. (story to come)

Our little guy

I have a few posts I need to update I don't know why I'm being so lazy. But I wanted to talk about Liam's last doctor's appointment. It didn't go as good as I thought it would. Daniel calls Liam "The little guy" and I knew he was small for his age but I didn't think there was anything to worry about I mean he's been crawling for months, he says mama, he waves, he claps, he can even stand up against something. But when the doctor said he went from being in the 76th percentile to the first percentile and that he isn't gaining,growing in height or head it took everything in me not to just break out bawling. I felt so guilty, I mean he eats lots of snacks and I still nurse a lot so I thought it'd be enough but when thinking back to it I know I definitely don't think I feed him like I did Addy. The doctor said I'd need to put butter in everything, feed him avocado and just plain feed him constantly, he will have to go in for a growth check next month. In my defense he does have an ear infection that she says is probably the source of his spitting up constantly and could contribute to the no weight gain. Since then the kid gets stuffed and I think in one week he gained a pound, I just feel awful that I didn't realize it was a problem. As kid number two I know he's not getting the attention Addy did, it's just easy to forget to do some things that a baby needs when you're in toddler mode, at the same time he's become a little more independent from me, like as I type both my kids are in Addy's room playing because he just crawled down the hall to be with her and it's been at least 10 minutes. Well anyways our goal is to get the little guy in fat rolls soon :) He's also been teething the last couple nights and last night was the worst, he wouldn't stop biting me and finally I just laid him down next to me in my bed. I don't know if it's because I'm more tired, or if it's because Daniel works all night and I'm lonely, or just because I want to spend some one on one with Liam, but I never let Addy sleep with me and I don't let Liam either but a few hours if he's cranky I let him lay down by me. Because both my kids are use to being in their own bed when they don't feel good they are not a joy to sleep with. They sprawl, kick, turn and don't generally snuggle. Liam was moving all around so I finally put him on the pillow next to me about an arms length away. I sighed with frustration and then turned to look if he'd fallen asleep. Wide eyed boy was staring at me, not making a sound and shockingly (because he always moves) not moving. Like a moth to a flame I scooted closer, as minutes passed I was soon pretty close and then it happened, the cutest most precious, one of the "this is why I do it" moments, he reached his little hand and laid it on my cheek, then he scooted closer and put his forehead against mine. I got a little choked up, and then without a thought I said the words from a beloved childhood book "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be" And though I didn't get much sleep last night, and my daughter peed on me this morning, and I saw my husband for about 10 minutes for the whole day, I think that memory will be enough to get me through the day! I love being a mom.

Is it bad if I'm glad it's not me?

So my cousin Alana pointed out how long it's been since I posted, well I told her I have no pictures and don't want to take pictures of my apartment until it look respectable instead of a war zone of DI vs. Keep. Well we're pretty much settled in but with Daniel working 72 hrs a week and going to school I am not done putting things away so slowly the garage makes it's way into the house and we get things put away. We still need some things like a table and curtains and bookcase etc. We did score a free couch and matching chair and they are real leather but unfortunately they look more vinylee (is that a term) because they are that dark green not the color combo I wanted but hey free is free eventually I can get something I LOVE. In other news Daddaddadum for those of you who have an invested interest in my vehicle situation (mostly steph) "My" car that we just bought and has been used for Daniel is about to become mine again. Our truck, the bane of my existence, the thorn in my side, our achilles heel (you get the picture) after 3 years of sitting sad broken and as expensive as paying for that ol' dead horse (if you have a 19,000 dollar horse) is paid off and will be running in a week it is getting worked on as I type but you never know some things could go wrong...not that I'm being pessimist, just a realist so fingers crossed. And now since I don't have any pictures I'm going to post about 2 of my favoritist cousins-in-laws that I am excited for but at the same time I'm glad it's not me (is that bad?) So here are two pregnant for the first time soon to be mommys

First off little pretty Kara is about to have her baby girl, any day now hopefully. I love Kara she's Roma ann's daughter so I've really grown close to her. She is so cute pregnant but I have no pics of that. She was in the hospital room when Liam was born and I'm glad she was not to long after she found out she was pregnant so she got a glimpse of her upcoming labor. Anyways we are so excited for her and her husband Skyler. She will make a great mommy.

Mommy to be number two is this gorgeous lady, Alana. She's so funny and again she too will make a great mom both these cousins have stout blood so of course they'll be great! Alana's had some health challenges to overcome but man are we super excited she's expecting. She's going to have a little boy (which I predicted through some witch doctor magnet trick) She's due in June or July I can't remember. I can't wait to see her babies lips both her and her husband Steve have great lips and I lurve lips. If Tami P is reading I still think you have the best lips of all I always thought that.

Now if you have a hubby you're kinda upset at do not continue to read because believe me you'll be even more upset because of what Mommy number one's husband did for her, I remember my husband said "Come on Skyler give a guy a chance after seeing what he did for his wife" Skyler without ever even attempting something like this worked for months building this for his little girl and his wife

he even sewed the bedding. He bought the wood took some measurments of a crib Kara had wanted and then when she got back from a family trip around Valentines day he had rose petals leading her to this. She thought he'd bought it it looks so great. As if that wasn't enough he made her THIS meal Steak, lobster he cooked it!!! Man what a guy. Both of these girls hubby's are some of Daniel's favorite people and he loves when Skyler and Steve come down (which they need to do more often)

Finally as I was pilfering images off of facebook I found these and I was laughing because it is typical of any of the stout cousins in fact I went through a few just to see and yup I found some so here is a short tribute to the stout girls who when the time comes you want on your side
Kara
Alana
Sierra
Joy
amanda
Shauna.... there is probably a lot more but this post is long enough.