Trick or Treatin' with the Cousins

So Elle was still on the mend from the six day flu that she had previous to Halloween, but she looked so cute...I had to take her out! Aunt Brenda called and asked if we wanted to go around with the cousins and trick or treat downtown Springville. It was so fun to see the boys dressed up as Dracula, the Fire "Chief", and of course the little dalmation! Elle, was the cutest BYU cheerleader I have ever seen! It was fun...thanks for inviting us to tag along!! PS...I gave Elle that little plastic purse for her candy...but before we left the house she had to put her fake cell phone and some lip gloss inside!! Such a girl!!

Fall in Utah...Ahh

I am sorry...but there is nothing more beautiful then Utah in the fall! I was excited that I made it back before all of the color was gone! My sister, Julie and I and Elle met my good friend Collette and her daughter, Allie for breakfast. It just happened to be the morning of the BYU homecoming football game! That is why we are dressed in our Cougar garb!! It was so beautiful that morning...we decided to take some pictures!! Why not?!?

Snowin' & Snoozen'

This is Elle experiencing her first snow in Nebraska! She was kind of upset that it covered up all of her leaves and rocks which she was so fond on collecting! She didn't want to touch it at first...but then decided it was okay! When we came in that day, she was cold so I snuggled her up in a blanket on the couch. She must have got worn out outside...cuz she actually fell asleep sitting up!! This is a feat in itself...she hates to sleep! The next couple pictures are of her and grandpa...she fell asleep watching football and twirling her hair!! So cute!

Super Model!!

So My mother and sister-in-law spent the day with Elle and I on Friday! We went to the mall to look for a halloween costume. We were just casually walking when we were stopped by Kiddie Kandids and they asked me if they could take some pictures of Elle!! Of course, I was flattered and so I said yes!! She did look so cute!! Anyway...they gave me a free 5x7...this is a picture of the picture!!

Poppy's Pumpkin Patch

We finally had a nice day here in Norfolk, NE and we headed out to enjoy it! While at the library, I saw a flier for Poppy's Pumpkin Patch which was located only a couple of miles from where we live!! We took our friends, the Franklin's, and just had a really good time! Elle was having so much fun, she did not want to go...she didn't want to leave the pumpkin patch, then she didn't want to get out of the train, then she didn't want to get off of the merry-go-round, then she didn't want to get out of the corn box, then she didn't want to let go of the puppy...she would have stayed there forever!! She got lots of comments throughout the day about just "how cute she is"...and I was just thinking "what a stinker" she was being!! She is currently taking a very long nap and mommy is loving every minute of it!!

Pretty in Pink

I posted a picture of Elle in curlers and received a few requests to post a picture of what she looks like when the curlers come out...so here you go!! The one on the top right was before the curlers...but she sure was a cutie pie!

It's a Jungle Out There!

Trent actually had Labor Day off, so we decided to take advantage of the little break and take a "vacation"...an hour north, in Sioux Falls, SD. We got a hotel with a water park and took Elle down to play in the water!! She loved it and of course I forgot my camera in the room. It was fun for Trent to see how much more comfortable she is in the water now! The next morning we went out to breakfast and then headed to the zoo! It was getting really close to Elle's nap time, so I was nervous she was gonna be cranky...but she loved it!! We saw bears, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, tigers...but Elle's favorite were "the ducks"!! Weird...I know! It might have been because a few days before, while we were waiting for our laundry to dry...I took her over to the duck pond and we fed the ducks. All and all, it was a nice little outing and a nice chance to get away!

Happy Anniversary!

Ahhh...how romantic!! Who knew you could transform a fifth wheel into something so beautiful! I had know idea what to get Trent for our anniversary this year, so I decided to make him a really nice meal. You know what they say...the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomache. We are still trying to save as much money as possible, so I had to get crafty...I know - don't hold your breath! I had to sew a table clothe, table runner and napkins. I purchased the glasses and candles at the dollar store and "vaola"...I had my table setting! I made a good salad, a yummy spinach/chicken pasta dish, and strawberry shortcake for dessert! I think he really liked it. He had flowers and a candle delivered to me earlier in the day...can never go wrong with flowers!! Grandpa Uresk took Elle for the evening and let Trent and I have some time to ourselves...it was glorious!!! Two years down...much more fun to come!!

On the Job!

Elle and I were able to go visit daddy on his lunch break. It was a rare day where he was close enough to town we could actually go see him! It was so fun to see him up in his dozer working his magic!

Bike Riding with Daddy!

We got Trent a bike for his birthday this year and for Christmas I got a jogging/bike stroller!! It has proved to be a very useful combination! Sometimes after work...when mommy can use a little "me" time - Trent will take Elle for a ride around the lake and I get some peace and quiet! Elle really seems to enjoy it and usually ends up getting a little snooze in the process! And look at my husband - what a stud muffin!!

Visit from Aunt Angie!

It was so fun to have Ang come for a visit!! It has been a long time since we have had one-on-one time tigether! It was great for Elle too, to get to know her Aunt Angie. It didn't take Elle too long to warm up to Ang (especially after Angie let her play with her makeup! Ang went to the parade with us and then to the park! Good times!

Rodeo Time

It was Riverboat days here in Yankton and my sister Angie came for a visit!! What a perfect weekend! We had a lot of fun! Trent has been working 7 days a week and 12 hours a day...so it was nice to spend some time with him!! Elle was a big hit there and easily became friends with the other kids running around...she even kissed one (we might have to curb that habit)!! A local photographer was there and started snapping pictures of Elle in her lilttle pigtails! I bought her little boots to wear...but she hated them! :o(

I Enjoy Being A Girl!

I love that Elle let me put curlers in her hair!! I think that she was so intrigued with all of the pretty colored curlers that it took her mind off of what was happening!! Whatever works...right?? I just loved her big blue eyes in this picture!

Happy Happy Birthday Elle Dear!!

I couldn't sleep last night...just thinking about making Elle's birthday cake! My mother always made specialty cakes for our birthdays and I always loved that! I wanted to carry on the tradition with my children - but was nervous about the undertaking! Trent thought I was so silly...but I really wanted to do it! It turned out okay and I learned a lot for cakes in the future!! Elle had a lot of fun with the friends that we had over for a BBQ. She got lots of clothes, dolls, stuffed amimals and a book! It was fun for me to spoil her on her special day!

One Year Pictures

It's hard to believe that Elle is one!! She was born an entire year ago...crazy!! Funny statistic though - she has lived in Utah, Colorado, Michigan, and South Dakota in that one year of life!! can you imagine the list of states she will have lived in by the time we are done pipelining?!? Anyhoo, it was really fun to take her in this time and get her pictures done. She is a little older now and was really getting into it! These are just a few of my favorites from the shoot!! Hope you like them!

Meeting Hollis!!

Can you say "baby hungry"!?!? Elle is just turning one and I am thinking it is time for another...now just need to convince my hubby!! You forget how sweet little newborns are...Elle is still sweet - but you know what I mean! Speaking of Elle - she was completely enamoured with little Hollis! She always wanted to be touching him. I had to teach her that she can only touch him on his hands. As she is learning where her own nose, ears and eyes are...she felt compelled to show Hollis where his body parts were - a little rough!! Thanks Duff and Lynny for letting us stay with you for a week!!

Montana Fun!

While in Montana for the wedding, my family stayed in some nearby cabins! It was so fun to have us all there together!! Kameron's last night as a single man, he hung with his family. We all took a soak in the hot tub and just enjoyed one another's company. After the wedding, Julie and I headed to Hamilton to visit with our family there!! thank goodness for Aunt Linda who came to Missoula to get me and who let me borrow a car while in town. It makes it really nice not having to rely on someone else to cart you here and there! The weather was beautiful! These are pictures with our Grandparents!!

Kameron & Jess's Montana Wedding!

It has been a busy month for Elle and I! We have had four airplane flights in three weeks! We were able to go to my brother's wedding in Montana and had such a good time. Let me just say, vacations are not the same now that I have a little walker on my hands!! I was constantly chasing her, in fear that she would be getting into things that she shouldn't...I was so tired!! I was asked to sing at the wedding, so my sweet sister, Ang, watched Elle for me! I got to dance with my dad and just had a great day!

At Annie's

I was able to see two of my best friends while in Montana. I stayed at Annie Zenner's beautiful new home and my friend, Wendy Putzler, came down from Kalispell to visit!! Colter is Annie's little boy and he is two. Alli is Wendy's little girl and she is two. Then we all know Elle and she is almost 11 months...she looks just as big as they do!! She was sitting a little farther forward...just a disclaimer!! They were so cute to watch "play" together!! I had such a goog time being there and catching up!

Tornado Warning!

This was my first time this close to a tornado!! Luckily our campground has a tornado shelter about fifty feet from our trailer! It came across the television that we needed to head for shelter...so we were ready , but never actually had to go! My friends that live about three miles east of us did, however, have to get in thier shelter!! It was so weird to watch the sky turn from bright blue to pitch black in a matter of seconds. I took this picture from our front door!!

At the Lake!

Elle and I went on a walk to the lake...and decided that it was a nice enough day that we should get our feet wet!! So I stripped her down to her diaper and off we went. She wasn't sure about
the cold water, but she LOVED the sand!! I had to work really hard to get it all out of her hair! It has been rainy here ever since, but as soon as the sun shines agains, I am sure we will be on the beach!

Yes People...She Is Walking!!

She is walking and she loves it!! What a little show-off...I guess she takes after her mommy!! Today was a beautiful day, so I took her outside to explore! She loved walking until she found something on the ground more interesting!! Go figure!!! I also took a picture of our trailer in our new place...it is so beautiful here at Midway Gulch.

Quick Trip!!

First of all...sorry to all of my girlfriends that I didn't get to see on my two day trip home to Utah. I knew my time would be so short and so packed with planned family outings that I would not have a spare moment and I was right. For that reason I didn't even let anyone know I was coming home. We arrived on Friday afternoon and flew back out on Sunday morning. We got news that Trent's oldest sister, Brenda, was being sealed to her family and so we spent our last dime on plane tickets and headed home!! The experience of being in the temple for the sealing was so special...I love seeing families being joined together forever...it was so sweet!!! By the time we got back from those events, my brother Ryan and his family made it to our place to spend the evening with us!! It is always so fun to get together with them! We headed up the canyon for our traditional "tinfoil dinners". Trent cooks them just perfect and we all had a great time!! Made me miss home!

Aquarium

We went with the neighbor kids to the local aquarium...lots of big ugly fish!!! Confirms my fear of swimming in open water!!

Another Fishing Trip

One thing the Uresk family did to pass the time and not spend money, was to go fishing trips. We are right on the Missouri River and the Lewis and Clark Lake...lots of places to go!! On this particular day - just to make sure everyone is aware...I caught the biggest fish of the day, but since I am the one that is always taking the pictures there is no evidence!! Elle is wearing her new fishing hat that our neighbors bought for her!! So Cute!!

Playin' at the Park

We decided to enjoy the awesome weather we were having and let Elle experience the park for the first time! We walked over with our friends and let the kids play around. Elle enjoyed her first ride in a swing and trip down the slide!! I think we will be there a few more times this summer! Elle played so hard she got tuckered out and fell asleep in her stroller on the way home! We actually left her in there when we got home and she slept for an additional 30 minutes...yeah for us!!

Fishin' with Grandpa Uresk

It was a beautiful day here today and there were a lot of people out and about enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Trent's dad called us after dinner and told us to come down to Yankton Lake where he was fishing! We loaded up the camping chairs and drove three minutes to the lake. Here are a couple of pictures of Elle with her grandpa. He caught a perfect little fish...just her size. At first she didn't know what to think, but then wanted a closer look!!

Easter Sunday

So we had a great Easter!! Our fun neighbors invited us over to color easter eggs on Saturday and then a big easter feast on Sunday afternoon! We had BBQ ribs, cornbread, salads, cobbler and it was all very yummy. We took a picture of Elle in her easter dress...so sweet!

Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse

I am sure Elle won't remember this little trip, but that is why we document them in pictures, right?! It was really interesting for me to read all about how these amazing sculptures came to be. Who would decide to carve the faces of four presidents into the side of a mountain? We spent time in the museum and I was able to learn a lot!! Here are some pictures from the day!

Swim Time

So I really wanted to take little Elle to the pool before we headed out of town. So, I bought her a super cute butterfly swimsuit and we headed for the water. i should have taken a clue that Elle wasn't feeling very well, because she had been acting really mellow all day. She slept all the way to the pool. When we got there, she felt really warm. I thought it might have been from the car ride. When I got her into the pool she just laid like a little lump...not like her at all. So I cut our trip short and anded up giving her Tylenol for her fever!! Maybe we will have better luck next time!!

Speaking of next time...we had a chance to go visit Mt. Rushmore the past couple of days and the hotel we stayed at had a water park!! Elle was feeling good...so we took her down to see what she would think. She was very hesitant at first, clinging on to me for dear life, but soon relaxed and by the end she thought it was pretty neat!! There was so much to look at and do, we had a hard time getting her to look at the camera for pictures. I thought we got some cute ones though!!