Second Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been two years since I married my best friend and the greatest man in the world! The old adage rings true: Time flies when you're having fun. These have been the most fun two years of my life; even more so now with our little Sam.

For a fun anniversary trip and spring break Bill, Sam and I packed up and rode the train to Philadelphia. We met our friends, the Wilson's, there and spent most of the day checking out the city.

It was so neat to see all of the historical sites that I've always heard about. It made me so grateful for our founding fathers and all that they did to make ours such a great nation! It was a quick trip, but we got to see Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Betsy Ross House, the Liberty Bell and the U.S. Mint.

Standing behind Independence Hall

We took Sam swimming for his first time and we had the pool all to ourselves. The water wasn't very warm, so we didn't last very long, but Sam seemed to enjoy it!

Enjoying my first Philly Cheesesteak

For lunch we found a restaurant on South Street. Most people were decked out in green for St. Paddy's day and enjoying a pint or two. This picture was taken when some bagpipers came in to play a few tunes and it was really loud. I'm not sure if Sam was mad at the loud music, or at his mom for covering his ears?

It was a great trip. I'm so glad we can take advantage of seeing these places while we're out here!

Georgegous Day!

Yes, I know that's not how you really spell gorgeous. But it is the way you spell the word that Bill uses to describe something beautiful. It is the perfect adjective for yesterday's weather. It did get a little cloudy at times, but I didn't notice since it was 70 degrees! Come on Spring!!

Sam and I left in the morning for a women's conference our stake had. It was very nice. Then Bill met us at Columbus Circle and we went for a lovely walk in Central Park. I didn't plan very well and wore heels that made the walk a little cumbersome after a while. I took the subway home, but Bill walked with Sam out to the Hudson River and home again. Next time, I'll think twice about what I wear!

Here's a cute little clip of my two boys.

Three Months Old!

Three months sure does fly by when you have no concept of time! Samuel is such a happy little guy and we are LOVING how responsive he is to our smiles and crazy faces. He is on the verge of giggling, but so far the laughing is more like heavy breathing.

It snowed a ton today. I am so done with winter! I'm not asking for summer...yet. I'd just like the sun to stay out, the wind to stop blowing and the temperature to stay above 50. Is that too much to ask?!

Two New Cousins!!

For my half-birthday present, my sister, Ann, decided to have her twin boys! Sam has two new Ellison cousins, Cael Peter Manning and Whitaker Alan Manning. They were born 5 weeks early, but each weighed a little over 5 pounds, and are doing very well.

Annie & Travis

Whitaker Alan

Cael Peter

We can't wait to meet them this summer!!

Happy Valentine's Week!

What a fabulous week! It all started with my wonderful Valentine's surprise. My parents had been visiting us and Sam and I had a ticket to fly back to Utah with them for a week. Bill helped us get to their hotel and then the four of us headed the airport early Wednesday morning. We were so sad to leave Bill behind. I had bought my ticket months before Bill knew what his schedule would be like. We tried to find a last minute deal for him to come too, but didn't have any luck...or so I thought. Late Tuesday night, as I was madly packing, Bill was clicking around and found a good deal and bought it, but didn't tell me. After we were on our way to the airport, he ran back to our apartment, packed a bag and headed to the airport himself. He was on a different airline, and a half hour behind us, so we never saw him. He also had a layover in Phoenix, so he ended up arriving a few hours after us.

He arranged with our friend, Nate, to pick him up at the airport. I had invited some friends to come by to visit us that evening, so when Nate showed up at the door I wasn't surprised at all. Nate had just bought a car like my old Subaru Legacy, and he asked me if I wanted to take a spin. I was all for it, but what I didn't know was that it was all part of the greatest Valentine's surprise! Bill had been hiding behind the bushes and as soon as we drove away, he went into the house. Nate and I were gone for about 5 minutes and when I walked back into the house, there was Bill sitting in the family room. I couldn't believe it and let out quite a scream which then turned into tears.

It was so great to have Bill there with us. We had so much fun seeing so many friends and family...it was hard to leave!

Sam's friends, Kaden & Drew (with my friends, Kim & Sarah)

Drew, Kaden (holding Sam's hand) & Sam

Drew & Sam giving bones

Sarah, Ted, Drew, Sam, Bill & Me

My nephews, Luke & Seth, loving on Sam

Leah & Lauren with Sam

Luke, Rachel, Seth & Jonah with Sam

Grandpa Ellison with Sam

The week went by way too fast, but we had a great time. We loved seeing so many of our family and friends and catching up with everyone after being away for six months. Bill had to leave Tuesday morning, and Sam and I came home Wednesday. I was really worried about flying with Sam by myself, but he was an angel the whole way! It is nice to be back, but I can't wait for the next time we get to go back for a visit!

Samuel's Blessing and Visits From Family

What a special weekend it has been! We were spoiled with visits from my parents and Bill's brother James and his family. Bill gave Samuel a beautiful blessing and Samuel was such a calm little boy!

Our nieces and nephew, Hannah, Maddi and Jack, adoring Sam

My parents and me playing "ring around the Subway"

Sam with his Grandma Ellison

On Second Thought...

I'm beginning to realize that we probably didn't think things all the way through when we signed up for the smallest apartment available. I remember rationalizing that many people keep their newborn in their bedroom for the first several months and figured that since Sam would only be 5 1/2 months old by the time we moved out, it would be no problem to be in a studio. What we didn't consider were the hours of the day that Sam should be sleeping, but we want to be up and about, i.e. on the computer, cooking, washing dishes, watching T.V. or anything else that makes even a little noise.

He has become so much more observant and aware of us in the last few weeks, that if he knows we're up, he wants to be up too! It's really thrown off any attempts to get him on a regular schedule. He's smiling a ton now and even starting to laugh a little. It's so fun!

Sam went with me to my bookclub meeting the other night. He was one of 4 brand new babies in our ward. He's had a little bit of a cold the last few days, but he's still such a happy boy!