Christmas celebration day 1 - Zoo Lights

Since the Christmas season was full of so many days of celebrations, I am going to break them up into the days. To kick off the celebration, our family went to Zoo Lights. It was super cold that day, but we were going to be out of town so we decided to go anyway. We bundled up into many layers and me and the kids got on the train down to Salt Lake. Then Brian picked us up and we went to the zoo. They really do make a very awesome display for the kids. Lily really enjoyed it.
At the entrance of the zoo. Lily was pretty psyched over the giraffe and elephant.

Lily loved the train!

I was super worried Benny was cold, but this is what he did the majority of the time. So apparently he was pretty comfortable.

We got to see the Tigers at night - and since they're nocturnal it was cool to see them doing something besides sleeping.

Lily had to ride the tiger on the carousel after seeing all the tigers out and about.

Lily's first time talking to Santa. She was so excited to meet him. She asked for a guitar and horse toys.

I wasn't sure Benny was excited for Santa but we had to at least get a picture.

There's Christmas day 1. More to come!

December 16th

December 16th 2001 marks mine and Brian's 1st date, so this year will be our 9 year dating anniversary. Almost a decade! For real? Time flies. I am so happy that I am still with him. I definitely didn't know that when I asked Brian out to my high school Christmas dance that I'd fall in love with him, let alone marry him and have children with him.

Our first date - we are such nerds. I was 15 and Brian was 19. This was my high school Christmas dance. I was going to school at Salt Lake Lutheran High School. I didn't like anyone from high school so I asked Brian to be my date. Yes, I asked him out. I guess I am kinda brave. After a few months of hanging out with Sam, it gave me the courage to to ask him out. Dances are lame, we left early. I wanted Brian to kiss me that night, but he chickened out and kissed me a couple days later.


Here's us a couple months later. I loved having a boyfriend. I think even more than that I was really happy to have a friend. I really always loved that Brian was so sweet to me even in the beginning. He always treated me with respect. One of the things I liked the most was that he was on fire for the Lord. That was the greatest thing that brought us together.

Here's us in Oregon on vacation with my family. Look at us lovebirds. We fought so much that summer. We still made it through, even through the tough times.
Here's us in Chicago. We took the Amtrak train with my family to see Sam graduate from bootcamp. Literally spent days together confined on a train and exhausted.
And Denver, Colorado. We didn't get a real honeymoon when we were married. This little getaway was like our real first honeymoon.
Here's us today. I love you Brian Bauer. Here's to many many more years.

Here comes Benny!

8 months old! Wow! Since I never wrote a 7 month old post - here's what he's been up to the past couple of months!
My little guy is quite big and has accomplished so much
-He's around 19 pounds - I'm not sure his length.
-He is now crawling all over the place. He is so fast and is getting into everything! He loves to follow his sister around everywhere!
- He has 4 teeth now! Those little buggers have created quite a cranky boy. But I'm glad they're in finally.
-He pulls up on furniture and can stand up. He'll be walking before we know it.
-He's eating bunches of little finger foods - Baby Mum Mum's, puffs, yogurt bites, and little pieces of fruit
-He has learned how to scream...all the time(I'm sure from the example of his big sister).
-He said "Hi Dada" and Brian just melted
-He is still not sleeping well, I'm not sure what the problem is - still working on a solution.
-He loves to wave hi all the time
-He love to play with all sorts of toys from his stuffed monkeys to blocks to his big sisters toys.
-He melts our hearts with every sweet giggle and smile!
We just love our little boy growing up so fast!

September, the month of change

We've had a super busy month. The winds of change have blown out way and we have great new things going on for each of us!


Brian got a new job! He now works for ModSpace. He moves the modular offices and portables around. This company treats him so well. He has his own office and computer, his own truck and tools, his own company cell phone, and they just keep spoiling him with more and more great things. He got a $4 an hour raise plus excellent benefits. The company gives him 20 days of paid time off just to start. Brian hasn't even had that much time off in the past 4 years. I'm so excited for him to be part of a great company. There's also the possibility of transferring someday to another location so we may have the opportunity to move someday.

I started school again. I'm taking 3 classes this semester instead of 2 and it has been kicking my butt. I am taking Math, Abnormal Psychology, and Adolescent Psychology. I feel like I am either taking care of kids, studying, or cleaning my house. I'm hoping that things get easier soon, cause I'm worn out.

Lily started preschool this year. She's a part of the Royal tots preschool at Roy High school. I'm so excited that we got her into a preschool this year. It's affordable, I can walk there (hopefully year round cause it's not very far), and I really like the teachers. She already loves it! She was so brave the first day, no tears or anything. She was just like, "Bye Mom," and that was it. She's doing so good there according the the teachers. She's already made a few friends. I'm so proud of my little girl!

Our of all the crazy changes we did get to do one fun thing. We got to go to the Utah State Fair. We had a really fun time seeing all the booths and the animals.

Benny! Oh Boy!

My sweet Benny

Benny's 6 months post is overdue, and today he's now 7 months old! Boy I've been busy!
He's growing up so fast! He weighs 16 pounds 14 ounces (50%), and is 26 1/2 " (60%).
Benny has had quite the accomplishments this month
-He can sit up on his own
-He rolls all over the room
-He's on the verge of crawling. He sticks his bum up in the air and tries to get going. I find him on his tummy in the middle of the night practicing...and screaming
-He hasn't slept well this entire month due to shots which gave him hives (aah!) and teeth
-He has two teeth now, and can I say ouch, I'm still nursing him and he bites
-He said his first word, "Dada" Brian's thrilled!
-He plays with toys like craziness, he loves the ones that make noise
-He loves to swing the the swing outside and laughs the whole time
-He likes to sit in the grass but has now started pulling it out and trying to eat it
-He grabs everything, my hair, necklaces, things I'm holding. He'll be into everything when he really starts crawling
-He really has started enjoying story-time. He loves the music time and bubbles
-He loves to eat everything from pears, to sweet potatoes, to peas and baby mum mum's.

I love my little boy! I love seeing him grow up so well!

Brother and Sister

Lily and Benny are the cutest brother and sister out there. Lily just ADORES playing with her little brother. The older he gets the more he enjoys having his big sister around. They are two peas in a pod. I love seeing their relationship grow. They make each other laugh and entertain each other. Lily is Benny's biggest cheerleader. She watches him try to crawl and will say "Go Benny! Go Benny!" Benny loves to smile and talk to Lily. He watches everything she does and wants to be just like her. I think Lily really needed a playmate and she has the perfect one now. I can't wait to see how they grow up together and I hope that they will be the best of friends.

Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest time!
The infamous Black Bier

Super psyched Brian

And me too

Jimmy and Stacey

Lily and her Papa

Me and the Lily Bug

The "true" German guys

We went on our annual trip to the Oktoberfest in Snowbird. It was a beautiful day, just in the 60s. Brian and his dad go really enjoy this tradition to get in touch with their German heritage every year. Plus they really enjoy the Black Bier every year. Personally, I think it tasted like a really bad cup of coffee, but they seem to look forward to it every year. I got to have 1 beer this year because I wasn't pregnant! Yay! We always enjoy the goofy polka music and dancing. We also love the yummy bratwurst and German chocolate cake. This year we invited one of Brian's friends from work up there with us, Jimmy and his wife Stacey. I say the more the merrier. Brian, Lily, and Jimmy got to go down the Alpine slide which was a first for Lily. She loved it! Overall it was a great time. Music, food, friends, and most importantly BEER makes for a fun party!

Benny LOVED the backpack. I've never seen a more content little guy.

Brian and Lily on the lift up to the slide

Jimmy having fun on the lift

Look at those faces!

Jimmy having a blast too
Benny wanted a sip!

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