Vegas

When plannig our weekend Geoff mentioned he had never been to Vegas. And Adam and Jessalyn had been wanting to go back. When we first got there we were so hungry and we saw a billboard advertising the Excaliber's Buffet, how bad could it be I thought? I have heard jokes in the past about Vegas buffets and it is all true! The food was bad. Good thing we did not go for the all you can eat all day long deal. So after we started walking we noticed we were getting alot of stares and random people blurting out kids! I guess kids are a rare commodity outside of Utah. We had people doing this all day long. Olivia and Ella loved the strip. They did not complain all day long. I think all the lights, bells and whistles helped. We walked through alot of Casinos. We had so much fun. One day of Vegas is good for me though, I am not much of a gambler.

The Bike Ride

So I was so excited to use our new biking gear. We found an awesome scenic bike trail I thought would be an enjoyable ride. By the time we got home and about 7 miles later- I thought I was going to die! I relized I am so out of shape. When we were finished my legs were like jello I could barely walk. Hey the kids had fun I guess that is what should counts right?

The Minivan of Bikes.

Okay so if you think you have seen it all here is something for you. This is my cousin Jessalyn riding a dbl bike with her husband Adam and Karson in a bike seat in the back. I tease them they owned the Minivan of bikes! They could fit their whole family on it.

St.George

So, I have always made fun of families who have bike trailers for their kids. Well know I am a proud owner of a trailer! We wanted to go bike riding in St.George , and we have 2 kids, so I had no choice. I loved it!

Ella

So out of the 94 pictures we took I was tempted to post them all , but I didin't. So here is a taste. They were all so cute!!! Looking through the pics I can not believe how fast she is growing up.

Time has gone by so quickly. This weekend we are invited to the NICU graduation party at the hospital. It is going to be fun to see the nurses and other babies from our stay. I have a feeling Ella is going to be one of the chubbiest!

ELLA

These pictures are Ella's 9 mo. old pics but I decided to call them her 6month old pics going off of her due date. Since I did her new born ones @ 2 months- when she was released from the NICU, I know it is confusing.

So we finally make it to UVRMC and they are staffed!! yes. Olivia was in the hospital for almost one week. She was really miserable. Every time a nures of a DR. came into the room she would give them the "look", I do not know how to explain it. The only thing that kept Olivia from going nuts is circling the hall 100's of times in their wagon. The staff there was excellent, they would try and entertain her. By the time we had left they had given her books, crayons, a doll and a board game. They sent her home on oxygen because apparently they think she has sleep apnea. I had suspected that for some time know. Moms know best. So know we have an appointment with an ENT @ Primary Childrens. It looks like we will be having surgery this summer! Life never slows down for Olivia.

Not Again!! (2 months in the Nicu is enough for 1 year)

After a week of Olivia getting sicker I decided to take her back to the Dr. since the they could not conclude what was wrong with her one week prior. It all started on Sunday, Geoff kept asking me are you sure you want to go to church? OF Course it was Easter Sunday!! Besides Olivia only has a "cold". Well half way through sacrament meeting- we had ran out of tissues and she was hacking on the neighbors. ( How embarrassing ) So I leaned over to Geoff and said we have to get out of here. Olivia was obviously getting sicker!!! I was not interesed in going to the E. R. , heck a couple of months earlier they had missed diagnosed her anyways - what a waste of time!! So Monday I made another appointment. This time they better figure out what is going on!! Olivia was laying on the couch most of the day and was having a constant hacking cough, a river for a nose and puss coming out of her ears. (sorry so disgusting)So the Dr. is examing her and is observing how her health has deteriorated. He orders a chest x-ray and wants to monitor her oxygen sat's. Well her O2 sat's were 79 which is scary since you are suppose to be around 100 , and her xray's show fluid build up. He says he is wanting her to be admitted to the hospital. He asks Payson or Utah Valley, well with some previous experiences i say UVRMC. Then second guess myself thinking it will be easier to juggle Ella if we go to Payson. So we head over to Payson Hospital. We get there and they have not staffed the pediatric floor!! WHAT? (Strike two Payson) Strike one is a different story. So we leave whilie they are still trying to track down their "on-call" staff. Will Post next segment with pics and more FUN!! later

*Cheese*

Olivia wanted her picture taken after Ellarie got hers done.

Yummy

Ellarie is having one of her first cereal dinners at the table with the family. It is a big hit! (cereal)I can't believe how big she seems lately. She is losing her itty bitty baby look.

Ellarie was out like a light, she was worn out from all the wedding chaos.

To hungry to wait

Olivia and uncle Richard (groom)killing some time waiting for lunch

Kid Luncheon Table

Luncheon

We are waiting for our turn to have our Sloan family picture. If you are wondering if the walk down the aisle was successful. Nope, She got about half way down the aisle and got scared. I was sitting on the front row and she ran straight for me.

It is show time

It is 11:00 and the music has started and Liv is on the run. As soon as she saw the crowd she split. ( Olivia does not do well with crowds)

Were ready

Jacob and Caleb are ring bears and Olivia is a flower girl. At this point is is ten to 11:00 and the kids are restless waiting for Annie to finish getting ready.

Cold Feet

Olivia is suppose to be prepping for her walk down the aisle as a flower girl. I could tell what kind of a day it was going to be from the moment she woke up. This picture was taken after about fifteen minutes of prep-talk. Nothing we bribed her with was working.

Annie's Bridal Shower

My brother-in law Richard is getting married!! This is his fiance Annie's bridal shower. Her grandma had a fun time adding ribbons to Annie's hair. We are so excited for them.

Nifty Fifty!

This is the moment that Pam and Rick are entering the surprise 50th B-day party. We invited about 50 + family and friends for a B-day bash. It was so much fun to plan and prepare for this event. The night before we all met at Los Hermanos and then on a shopping spree to Sam's for supplies.

The kids were out of control!! Liv with cousins Jacob and Caleb. They are waiting for the BIG "SURPRISE".

Olivia loved this "Over the Hill" hat.

Potty Training (not recommended)

Well it seems like this is all I do some days. Notice the bubbles, her chocolate face and her expression. She has gotten a lot better. She often goes potty- on her potty when we are home but as soon as we leave the house all efforts are gone. So I just keep telling my self she is only 31/2, and keep tryning to make it positive!

Me and My Daddy

Olivia loves her dad!! Ever since Geoff has been laid off these two have become two peas in a pod.

I am growning

Not three lbs. any more.

Chub Cheeks

Lately Ellarie has gained the nick name of "Chub Cheeks", I wonder why? At her six month check up she weighed13lb 1 oz. I was so excited 10 exact lb. weight gain since birth!!

My Big Debut

Ellarie has been secluded to our house for the past few months. We were advised by the Nicu staff to keep her home due to her immature immune system. So her blessing day was also her first big outing. She is five months old in this pic.

My Baby Blessing

This is Ellarie on her blessing day. She was blessed March1st. She and Olivia wore the same blessing dress my Grandma Gerry bought before I had Olivia.

Baby Ella

This is our Chub Cheeks Ella. My sisters took this pic and thought this would a great addition to our blog , thanks girls. Ellarie is the best baby, she is either sleeping or smiling.

Olivia and "Her Shawnie" (and sneaky Uncle Eric)

This is Olivia and " her Shawnie", They are inseperable. This pic was taken at a family party. Shawnie is my 16 year old sister. Yeah - the guy in the background is my uncle Eric. He thought he was being sneaky hidding in the background. Later my family was looking at all of our pictures when we noticed how many pictures he had sneaked in. We thought it was pretty funny.

I love this pic, cousin Kari took this picture and it has been hanging on our fridge for months every time I look at this picture I love the way it captures Liv's personality! I just wanted to share.

"Livi Lou is 2"

Olivia Tate

I can't believe it "Livi Lou" is 31/2! It seems like I just had her. It is crazy to think how much one little person can change your life. Olivia is a thrill a minute. If I was to sum her up in one word it would be BUSY. But I am not complaing at all. I would not change her and her determined little self for anything. When she is on the go that is when I find her to be the funnest.

My Sweet Little Ellarie

Well I know I am a little late on this whole blog thing but, I think I have a couple of good excuses- (Liv & Ella). Let me fill you in . Ellarie was born ten weeeks early. Weighing only 3lbs. 1 oz. She stayed in the UVRMC in the NICU for 7+ weeks. At times I would think to my self , if I would bring a large purse I could just put her in while the nurses aren't looking and walk out. Heck I felt like I had enough practice from Olivia, Caring for a baby that required extra TLC. I can take her home NOW.

While waiting for Ellarie to come home I was so anxious to get her pics. Hey it was worth the wait don't you think.

My Girls

This is my girls first picture together! I was so excited to finally have them together after Ellarie spent nearly two months in the NICU. Olivia is crazy for her little sis'- they are so cute together.

In this pic Ella is over two months old and only suppose to be two weeks old after being born ten weeks early.