Alrighty!

Okay let's get right to the pictures.

Most of them are of Mercedes, of course!

 Here is Mercedes sitting in her "nest."  She loves those.

 Mercedes making a funny face.

 Mercedes listening to my ipod.

 Mercedes in a paper bag.

 Mercedes and her aunt Christina.

 Mercedes swinging at the park.

 Taylor and Mercedes eating snacks at the park.

 My bike frame. (Yay!!!)  It looks like a baby compared to Taylor's.

 A few of the snails that were the reason behind turning these beautiful little flowers(below)

 Into the little sticks (below).

 So very sad.

 But then here are Mothers Day flowers that are very happy.  Mine are the pink.

 Thank you hubby!

 Mercedes and I on the train ride at The Fountains.

 Kisses in front of Whole Foods Market.

 Swimming at Uncle Adam's and Aunt Christina's with the family.

 Notice her little Maxi skirt?  I'm totally in love.

 My guy.  I love him.

 Mercedes peeking in at the ice cream in the ice cream maker.

 Mercedes in a pile of unrolled toilet paper.

 Mercedes in another bag. (Go figure?)

Mercedes crossing her legs.  She has done that since she was an infant.  So dainty!

That was random but I had so many photos so I just did a brief overview.  Hope you having a great day!

This and that

Okay so here's a quick update along with some other things on my mind.

Things are well.

Mercedes started potty training last week and has picked it up SO well!  She still has a ways to go but I'm so proud of her!

Monday morning Mercedes had just gotten finished with eating her breakfast (which consisted of taking only a few bites) when she stood on the kitchen floor and threw up.  The rest of the day she was sick and feverish, but with only one other accident thank goodness!  I got to hold her most of the day and I loved it!  She even fell asleep in my arms which most people who know her know that that NEVER happens.

Here is a photo Taylor took of the two of us.  I'm eating delicious eggs Taylor made me for breakfast while Mercedes took a late morning nap.  Please ignore my grossness.  I desperately needed a shower at this point.  Thank you Slade for her white bear which acted as a perfect substitute while her bunny went through the laundry.

Thankfully the next day Mercedes was feeling better again.  Yay!

Taylor and I are still preparing to get our bicycles in order so that we can ride together.  Taylor's is almost finished and I'm just waiting for the frame for mine.  I actually had it already but we ended up needing a smaller size so we sent it back.  We are so SO SO excited!

After weeks of not running I finally started again this week.  By starting I mean I've only gone twice, and I feel pretty weak.  I hate getting behind like that.  But I felt an extra boost on Sunday when they announced in church that our Stake is doing a 5K on Memorial Day.  How awesome is that!?

Taylor and I will be celebrating our 4 year anniversary on the 29th and we've decided to go camping and take our new bikes on a long ride.  We can't wait!

My sister-in-law Christina Nelson colored my hair last weekend and I LOVE it!  I haven't had it highlighted since Taylor and I were dating.  it's always nice to have a fresh new look.  Here are some photos!

This first one shows the highlights better than the second photo.  I had her put in caramel/copper highlights with a few blonde in between.

Not much else is going on.  I wish I took more pictures.  My camera is so lame and Taylor's is out of batteries often.  We have very old school phones but are hopefully going to upgrade soon which means I will have a MUCH better camera that will be with me much more often, as phones usually go with people wherever they go.  A nice camera phone, two things in one...ah sounds so nice.

Blast!

I have hiccups for the 4th or 5th time in a row right now.

At least I got them now, and not a few minutes ago when I was singing to Mercedes and rocking her in the rocking chair.

That happened earlier at her nap time.  It was almost impossible trying to get through those songs.

I hope they go away soon.

(A very happy Mercedes on "Doughnut day" two weeks ago).

Cycling

 I'm going to start cycling.  Taylor got into it a little bit before we met.  I always thought that I would do it, eventually, though I wasn't interested right away.

Since we've been married it's become an even bigger hobby and passion for Taylor, and he does it often (when he's not in the hospital or recovering from colitis that is).  So not quite so often lately, but he is regaining much of his health and strength back and is looking forward to getting going again.

 I've recently found the desire for myself and though I haven't actually begun yet, I feel like I will absolutely love it.

 Plus I think I need something new to do when I don't feel like running.  I've been quite the slacker lately.

Taylor's putting together a bike for me and it is almost ready.  I find myself thinking about it almost everyday, like it's already a passion of mine just waiting to be discovered.  Is that weird?  Maybe I'm just excited to start something new that Taylor and I can do together.  Something that will also help him get stronger again and keep us both healthy through the years.

I seriously cannot wait to begin.

We went to Utah and it was awesome

 Mercedes and I took the train, it was a first time for us and it actually went quite well.

 Taylor saw us off at the little train station in downtown Roseville.

 It was a 16 hour ride which is a lot longer than driving but Mercedes was able to get up and walk around.

 We had snacks (which included chocolate, of course!)

 And lots of Elmo's World on the Ipad.

 From the viewing car we saw beautiful views of the Sierras.

 We arrived in the cute little Provo station at 4:30 a.m.  My mom (bless her heart) picked us up at that early hour and brought us home where we slept for a couple of more hours.  Thank you Mercedes!

 Here are my four brothers and nephew.

 With all of the missions, living states apart, illnesses, etc., this was the first time in about four years that all of us siblings were together.

 It was awesome.

 I've missed these guys.

 Our height was almost a perfect line.  Except for the fact that age-wise I'm supposed to be between Addison and Jordan, the two on the left.

It was so fun just to be back at the old house for those few days with my family.  Unfortunately I only got to see my dad for a day and a half because he he had to go out of town on MTC business.  We'll get more time soon dad!

 I wasn't very good about taking a lot of pictures while we were there but I did take pictures of this fun project I did.  I've been needing a jewelry box and I found this one at a thrift store.  It was an old ugly brown but I loved the orange inside and saw that it had a lot of potential.  Plus it plays music when you pull out the bottom drawer.  How fun is that?

 It's hard to tell but it is a very pale blue.  With a little sandpaper I distressed it.  I've been wanting to try that on something for a long time.  It was so fun! Now I have a place to put my jewelry.  I'm happy.

 Here are Jordan and my mom sitting on the porch on a nice sunny day.

 Toddlers need a little dirt in their lives.

 Little Cinderella sweeping up the rock salt I couldn't keep her from scooping out of the bag and dumping on the porch.

 We also had some fun on the tramp.

 After 5 and a half days Mercedes and I drove back to Roseville with Slade and my Mom where I have a cousin who got married and was having a reception.

 Thanks for the ride mom, it was so very nice of you.

 11 hour car rides are hard with this two-year-old.

 But at least she picked up some harmonica skills.  It's quite adorable.

 Back in Roseville the next day we attended my cousin's reception.

 Mercedes enjoyed the roaming.

 And she loved this little area.

 She REALLY loved grandma Jenne.

 We finally got a four generation picture.  (Me, Mercedes, my mom and her mom).  I love these women so much, they 'light up my life'!  (The song my jewelry box plays).

 I love my mom, and miss her all of the time that we are apart!

I also missed my hubby very badly while I was away in Utah.  Someday I will have everyone I love near me always!  (The blessing of the eternities).

 Family photo.

Sunday evening while leaving my grandma Kennen's we saw this peacock.  I just had to post a picture.  I just think it's so cool they roam in the wild out here!

Well that's all for now.  Have a great day!

Real post coming soon...

I just had to say that I do have LOTS to blog about, just as soon as i get some extra time to sit down, upload my photos and do it!  (Hopefully tonight or tomorrow).  So very soon! (This is for you Lace!)