Halloween

We had a fun Halloween this year! I dressed Sami up as a pumpkin and we had a fun Halloween themed lunch at a friends house & then dinner at another friends house!

I would say the best part of the day was when I heard the garage door open and surprise-- Isaac came in!! He had been gone since the first of October for training but his commander let anyone with kids go home to trick or treat!! He had to go back late that night but that whole day was great. He came back for good Sunday :) 

Sami loved handing out candy to trick or treaters and I gave her her first sucker. She was a fan :)

NIE

Isaac is finally home from NIE! Which is his Army Unit's month long field training that happens twice a year. There are so many positives of his BCT spot but this is the one negative. We are so glad to have him home. We got to see him a few times , but the visits were always too short. Of course, the first day back I got sick. I think my body realized it was ok to get sick since I had Isaac back to help around here :)

Such pretty skies! He was about 30 mins outside of El Paso at McGreggor range, part of the 1.2 million acres the Army owns in New Mexico. So happy to have him back!! 

El Paso Dental Conference

Isaac & I had the opportunity to get some CE last week at the EP dental conference.  It was fun to spend 2 whole days with him, although it made me glad I'm not in school anymore. My stamina for lectures has gone way down! I love my job and that both Isaac & I are in the dental field! 

Talk like a pirate day

Coincidently, Sami's birthday is also talk like a pirate day! If you dress up like a pirate and go to Krispy Kreme you get a free dozen donuts! So we got an outfit together in about 3 minutes, got Sami dressed, and went to get our donuts! 

Birthday Girl

We had a fun little celebration for our favorite little girl! My parents came out to visit and celebrate with us. Sami warmed right up to her grandpa & grandma and we had a great time! 

Even Aunt Alex & Uncle Thomas joined in on the fun! 

I think she liked her balloons

I'm kinda glad I don't have to remember to take a picture of Sami every week now! I did forget once.. Oops! It was fun to see how much she changed in one year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMI!

Dear Sami,

I cannot believe you are one year old! Everyone says that time goes by quickly when you have kids, and they are right! You have gone from being a brand new baby to a talkative, happy, adventurous, feisty, and loving little girl. You wake up every morning ready to take on the day with your endless energy! I love to take you to the park & the mall to play and walk around and watch you point at everything. I wonder all the time what is going on in your mind, what are you thinking about?! You are a delight. You laugh, give me and your dad great hugs & kisses, walk and climb up stairs, "talk" on the phone, and wave to everyone! You are so, so loved by your dad and me and we can't wait to see what is in store for this next year of your life. We cherish every day with you & are excited to watch you learn and grow! Happy birthday, Sami Leigh!

Love,

Mommy 

Work

I love my job! It kind if fell in my lap & it's worked out perfectly. Isaac moonlights on Saturdays at an office that another guy in our ward also works at. The owner of the practice is a member if the church and had just opened another practice in March. They were looking for a part time hygienist & knew that I was one and asked if I could work Tuesdays & Wednesdays. I didn't want to send Sami to day care quite yet so we found a nanny to watch her while I work! She is great & I love that Sami can stay home while I'm gone. My office is so laid back, I'm the only hygienist that works there, and they are all so nice! I seriously love it. I love getting to work and use my education, plus it's like a mini-vacation when I go because staying home is tough! I love being home with Sami, but I also love the break--plus I get paid to "relax". I didn't think I would want to work after having kids, but right now it's a good fit for all of us!