Lake Mead

 Adam couldn't wait to get his new boat on the water. We spent 2 1/2 days at the lake. We spent the night on a slanted hill but it was all worth it with the tubing and water skiing. We even spotted close to us a family of big horn sheep on our expedition. 

California

If you know Eli, he has a mind and time table of his own. Taking a picture obviously wasn't on his priority list

Takoda for the longest time had been begging for a mow hawk. Being that he HATES hair cuts this one day he was actually pretty excited to tell the barber what kind of hair cut he wanted.

The donkey decided to get a hair cut like Takoda

Even 4 year olds have tantrums. We decided to use the tactic of recording his tantrums. Now when he sees our phones out recording it he either gets mad that he's being recorded so he pouts and walks away or he starts laughing and screams to stop. 

Girl Time

I went to Cali to race in a Mud Run. It was sooo much fun, I had trained hard for it so I was ready. 

 It's an obstacle course. So we ran up and down hills, through tires, over walls, under barbwire, through tunnels. It really was hard work. If you look at my left forearm I have a huge scar, but don't worry a great story goes along with it:) 

Towards the end of the race there was a huge hill. Enable to get down you had to slide down this tarp. I saw others going down head first. I thought, that looks awesome I'm doing that. Well after lathering with soap (to go faster) taking a running start and the tarp being squirted with a fire hose, I was off down the tarp going pretty fast. It was actually an adrenaline rush. It indeed was fun. But 1/2 down I realized the ending point was gravel and more gravel. I wasn't about to stop anytime soon. So I placed my hands down trying to stop the momentum, I could clearly see that wasn't going to slow me down, just ruin my hands from the gravel underneath. So pretty much I rolled on my side at the end to not damage my entire stomach and face and in doing so this is what I was rewarded with:) It hurt extremely bad, I hadn't hurt that much since I was a little. The pictures don't do it justice. But it was a battle wound and i've learned my lesson:)

Nick's Graduation

Provo Canyon

Bridge + Eli = terrified

Takoda helped him through it though.

Eli's classic face when he's wanting you to smile. 

First Hair Cut

This poor child was due for a trim. I was getting a little worn out having to use the detangling spray every time he woke up. He loves getting his hair brushed and doesn't mind me putting my hands through his hair. For some reason, every time I try putting rubber band in it though he refuses. shucks. I almost had my doll back from when I was little. 

 Before the hair cut (tear)

I love the blonde hair he still has...the little that he has left anyway...

 He was a great sport, "one of the best", she said:)

After

Well the time has come where Takoda wants to do his own hair. This is right before preschool.

2013!!!

January: So far it's been busy and filled with hanging out with who we love; Family! We were able to ride our friends horses. Takoda & Eli both loved every moment. I pretended for a moment I was a cowgirl and galloped on the horse and loved it as well. Today Takoda asked if we could have one for a pet. He even said Pleeeease!

Todd's highlight this month was watching the Hobbit:) yes we took a picture in front of the cutout and yes it was Todd's 2nd time seeing it. 

It's been getting cold here in Vegas, around 50 degrees, but that doesn't keep us from visiting our favorite spot, Red Rock.                                                          

Clint and his family came into town this past week and it's been so much fun having the cousins play together. We even took a short trip to California to visit Adam and Rachel. This ride had an extra seat so who better than Clint to even it out:)

 (oh and umm Eli is holding Josephine whom he loves dearly, and sooo adorable. She is only 5 months!)

*I'll post more pics soon, Clint took lots more.

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas...

It was time to visit the snow...

Takoda immediately picked up snowballs and starting throwing them at all of us. He dived in the deep snow, and loved sledding! Eli was just cold. just cold. But was a great sport throughout it all.

Kate turns 26! 

If you couldn't tell she has Bieber Fever...

3 more days til Christmas, we're excited!!!

Yay Todd Won!!!

We had so much fun at the Ellis' ugly sweater party! Todd won not 1 but 2 prizes; Ugliest Sweater & Most Festive! My sweater has a bit of significance you see...my mom wears it every year ha ha. My aunt made it for her back in the 80's. I have to say it's in pretty good shape after all these years. (p.s. Todd has bells on the sweater and as he walked it jingled...it was the best ever!)

Dear December,

Please don't pass by too quickly. I feel like I have so much to do and not enough time to tackle it. Pintrest has the best of me as well. With 400 (literally) diff. Christmas crafts you can do with your kids, it has me loving this season even more... I can't believe 2012 is already coming to a closed chapter in the Bliss life.

Just in case you were wondering...Yes Mittens is doing mighty fine lovin her lovely life!

 Sista, Sista...

P.S. have you been watching Tia/Tamera on Style network? It's pretty much our favorite show!!! Love Love it!

Where would I be without their Daddy...

 Where do boys get all their energy?! Honestly I'm so grateful that Todd comes home to do whatever boys love to do! Sometimes this mamma just can't find the energy and craziness these boys need to occupy their little selves.

Oh Eli....How much I love you!

 At 19 mo. Eli has learned to climb and climb to the top of the bunk beds all by himself...I thought it was only to the 3rd step. But as I heard Takoda cheering from his bedroom and I saw Eli on the top mattress (dangerous much?) ...I soon learned that this little boy was determined.

He loves to try on daddy's shoes...p.s. did I mention he's a daddy's boy???

 Ummm yeah this is how I found him after his nap time. He was yelling for me, and although he looks like a giant, this is as far as he gets. He didn't want to go in, nor down. Poor guy, just stuck:)

Loving him some mittens

Zion the Beautiful

It had been too beautiful in October not to take a mini vacation to Zion. We brought my mom along, and no it wasn't because with the senior discount... it's only $10 for a life pass to all the National Parks, can you believe that?... Zion, if you haven't been, is too beautiful to describe. It truly brings you back to the peacefulness of  our Heavenly Father's creation. 

 Hey somebody had to try it out. Too bad the water was too cold for me, i'd be even more tempted to let go.

Takoda finished Karate (little ninjas)

I'll be signing him up again soon, he loved it. He's now doing pee-wee sports.

 October---The boy's (yes todd too) Favorite Month

Do you see our little monkey?

 Red Rock

 Don't make fun of my bike...it's Kate's from when she was little. But Dad and I wanted to ride some of the Red Rock loop. It was so much fun, and other than almost passing out on some hills (no really), I'm ready to try it again!

 Todd turns 32!

He calls his chair, the kings chair (pic below). The boys know not to sit there if daddy is home. Todd always takes off the week of his birthday, so really we had been celebrating all week. He sure knows how to celebrate. I love Todd so much for the hard determined worker he is. Here are 10 fun facts I admire in Toddy:

1. He wants us to all have fun, even if that means cramming lots of us in the car for a ride (usually we have no idea where) and singing to his favorite songs. 

2. He's so passionate about his sport teams. He loves to wear his jersey representing the team playing that day.

3. We love watching x factor, american idol and other fun shows together, but mostly I love watching him try to sing along and pretty much imagines he's the contestant. 

4. He appreciates and loves the value of family. He loves my side of the family and is their friend. That means so much to me.

5. He received roller-blades from me for his birthday. He says he was the best at roller hockey and let's just say he's been out on them plenty of times, while I run, he pushes the kids in the jogger. And I have to say, he picked it up rather quickly. 

6. Todd has so many random interesting people as his friends. He loves the diversity and once you've become his friend he's committed for life. I really do admire that about him. Friendship means a lot to him.

7. His loud laugh is contagious. For example, Phil on modern family is Todd...So when he watches the show, he's pretty much watching himself, but laughs so hard at the insane moments Phil has. You can't help and laugh right along with him.

8. He treats me to flowers. Even when we dated, Todd has always been so good to make sure I knew I was loved and still continues giving me flowers after all these years.

9. He's good to remind us of Family Home Evening and couples prayer

10. Todd loves his family. He talks about his childhood all the time and really loves the memories he shares with his siblings and parents. (And I love listening to all of it)

 His favorite chocolate cake

 

Carlos'

This summer we found our favorite Mexican food place...it's in the parking lot of where we had a shaved ice. Who ever comes to visit next, Carlos is on us!