My wedding dress

The young women in my ward put together an activity where we talked about the importance of our white dresses.  More specifically, the three white dresses we wear when we make covenants with our Father in Heaven.  The first being when we are blessed as a baby, second at baptism, and then third, sealed and married in the temply.

They asked anyone who'd be willing, to let their wedding dress be used for a little fashion show at the activity.  I was hesitant.  I am very attached to my dress... But then reality set in and I realized that my dress was never really going to be worn again, so why not!

They also asked us to write a brief description of why our dress was important to us, so I've added that below.  But here I am, with sweet little Hannah, who looked great!  I was so happy to see my dress be worn again, a wonderful reminder of the perfect day Ty and I share. 

My wedding dress

I have never loved a dress more.  It’s a shame we only get to wear it once or twice.  It is so exciting when you go to try on wedding dresses.  Ideally, you go with your mom, sisters and/or closest friends, who have come to give their input as to which dress makes you look the most beautiful. 

I wanted their input.  I wanted my mom especially, to be happy with my choice.  Her good opinion of me was so important.  I realized later that my desire to please my mother, ultimately shaped my lifelong desire to please my Heavenly Father.   As a wedding dress should, I found one that made me feel beautiful, and a dress that I could wear inside the temple.  I loved knowing I got to be sealed to my best friend, wearing my beautiful white dress. 

Some people choose not to wear their wedding dress in the temple, and save it for the reception party after.  I chose to have a dress that could be worn in the temple.  Initially, that choice was made because I wanted my soon-to-be husband to first see me in a beautiful dress, and not my normal temple dress.  Now, I look back and am grateful I made that choice for other reasons.  My wedding dress wasn’t just a dress for the after party, the temple was the party.  A quiet, reverent party; nonetheless, a party to me.  My wedding dress is a reminder to me of the covenants I made in the temple with my husband and my Heavenly Father.  Every picture I have of me in that dress reminds me of the wonderful life I have, and the day it began in the Temple.

-Tammy Carlson



I heart Rainy Days and Saturdays

There were a couple days this past week where it just poured!  I love rainy days when there's no where we need to be, and we can just stay home and play, with nothing better to do! 

Soap + Water = Happy

He did suck once, instead of blow... kinda hilarious!  Never made that mistake twice though ;o)

After the awesome bubbles... the day was made extra special

when we busted out the chicken nuggets! 

Then on Saturday, after returning home from a long run, I came upon these two kids. 

Bryce has such a great dad! 

And then there's our favorite game... Where Bryce hides and we pretend to look for him, even though he required our assistance to cover him with pillows and blankets.  I love his little feet poking out.

There he his, the kid that makes our world go round!

Easter Saturday and Sunday

These two are becoming great friends, and I LOVE this picture.

Saturday started the Easter festivities.  My cousin Liz and her family came and joined us for an Easter Egg Hunt with a bunch of friends (that I hope to have pictures of soon) and their kiddos.

After that, we dyed Easter Eggs, adn prepared for the family party the following day.

The Dixon crew!  We love having them so close now!

Easter Sunday got off to a great start with Church, then naps, then more family!

I am really grateful that Easter always falls on a Sunday.  Being on a Sunday, it makes things a little easier to bring in the spiritual things, but I know I can do more.  Christmas has alwasy been a month-long event, and somehow it's easy for Easter to slip through without much attention.  I spent any time I could on Sunday trying to think of ways to make Easter better, so it will be something my children will look back and love, maybe not as much as Christmas, but at least it can be higher on that list. 

I want my children to learn and know that their mother has a testimony of the Resurrection.  I know that through Christ, we will all have the opportunity to live with Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, and our families again.  I feel so blessed to know of God's plan.  I am grateful to know that this life is only a small part of eternity, and that through the power of the Atonement we can be better people, and we can be happy, forever.  The happiest times in my life have been when I've been following the teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I want my children to know that Jesus overcame death and because of Him we will all have that same blessing.  I have always been grateful for His birth, but have I expressed my gratitude for what He's done for me, that allows me to be re-born?  I can do better.  bryce is only three, but I want him to know that I Love Jesus.  I love Easter. And I love the reason Heavenly Father always gives us the most beautiful weather on Easter Sundays. 

 I suppose it can always be a beautiful day when we are blessed

with the knowledge we have as Latter-Day Saints, but still.  



Quick story, my cousin Lanea told me she was standing near Bryce when this happened.  Wish we had it on video.  She said, like a dog chasing it's tail, Bryce had so many eggs in his basket that he would turn around, one would fall out, and when his turn was complete, he would gasp with delight that another egg had appeared in the grass. (Only it was the one that had just dropped from his basket...If that wasn't obvious...)  And this happened over and over again.  Same spot, same egg, except to Bryce, the grass kept yeilding more and more eggs.  Love this kid!

Our Sunday Hunt with the cousins!



Let's try Blue

Since Christmas, we've had an orange camera, then black, then silver, and with all this bad camera luck, we're hoping a blue one might bring some hope to the situation.  Wish us luck. 

And for those curious:

Orange: Washed over and ruined in a wave.

Black: The waterproof one that replaced the orange, but didn't take great pictures. Returned.

Silver: Either hiding really well at my uncle's house,

or was a really nice favor to someone at my cousin's wedding.

Blue: The one I plan on keeping for a very long time.

Hiking with Jane

Jane is our Webelos leader / resident expert on all things scouting.

We love going on hikes with her, she teaches us about all the flowers, birds, trees, steers us clear of poison oak... She's just great!

Happy Birthday Ty!

Again I find myself without a camera.  It's not that I keep forgetting it, it's that I don't have one.  I took our camera to my cousin's wedding and now it's gone.  Once again, I need to thank my good friend Melissa for bringing hers and helping me document events in my family's life.

For Ty's birthday we had a few friends over at my parent's house for a small plate dinner.  If you haven't already figured this out, I love food, love trying new food, making new food, I love fancy food... And this is the perfect way to enjoy all that!  Small Plate dinners are basically an eight - ten course meal, with each course hors d'oeuvres size.  So with each plate being only a couple bites, well, you get the idea.  I just think it's fun! 

Irma made these fantastic polar bear cupcakes for Ty.  She is so talented!

I love Ty.  He doesn't love food nearly as much as I do, but I think he sometimes pretends to, knowing it'll make me happy.  I love you Ty!  Happy Birthday!

Popping!

My beautiful and ever-so-wonderful friend Rebecca is having a baby.  I am among many who have awaited this long awaited occasion, and I am very grateful I could throw a shower for her.  I saw the greatest baby shower idea and I've been waiting over a year for a friend to use it for.  Rebecca and I have very different styles, and I think she was a bit skeptical(that's an understatement ;o) But I think, in the end, she was very happy with everything.

 I have to give a quick plug for my friend Shanna of Bnouncements who helped me create the invites and labels for all the food.  She herself was about to "pop" and was extremely helpful in saving me a lot of time and energy.  Don't the labels look great?!  Thank you Shanna!

Baby Showers are a great excuse to hang out with friends, especially when it's to celebrate the joy of another friend.  Congratulations Rebecca!  We love you!

Another big thank you to Melissa who brought a camera to capture a bit of the fun.