Farewell Evans Family :(

I know I am a little late posting this because they have been gone a month already, but that's how I roll--always a month behind on my blog. Last month Eric and Tasha moved their family to Washington DC for two years while Eric takes advantage of an awesome work opportunity. (Seriously, the guy is amazing.) Obviously Peyton and Anna didn't understand what was going on, but we took some pictures of their last time together. These two little cousins love each other so much. I am so grateful for Skype. Every time I get on the computer Peyton says, "Anna? Anna!" Technology is wonderful (most of the time).

Grammy B. giving her girls a hug. (Peyton loves her baba almost as much as Anna and Grammy--it was bedtime, so I couldn't get her to put it down for a picture.)

Peyton and Anna hugging. Aw, they are so cute. :)

LOVE this girl. I miss her so much already.

Peyton giving Aunt Tasha a hug goodbye.

Peyton giving baby Wes a kiss goodbye. It's crazy to think that by the time they move back he'll be older than Peyton is now!

Peyton at 14 Months

These are just some pictures I took during the end of December and throughout January when Peyton was 14 months old.

Us in our SUU Gymnastic shirts, getting ready to go watch the team. They are so good! We had a good time going to the meet and watching them beat the national champs--UCLA. :)

Now we know where Peyton gets her goofiness from!

Shot of the hair-do. She doesn't like to sit still, so we don't get this cute everyday.

Don't you love the jewelry? She is such a girly-girl some days ;)

The mean side of Peyton...

...and the happy side. All because we were going "ouside"

My genius baby--reading her book in the car. :)

Another day she let me do her hair all cute. We curled it and pigtailed it, but she wouldn't give me a smile afterward!

Kisses! Don't mind my robe :) I always seem to get her looking really cute, and never myself anymore!

In December Peyton got a big-girl carseat and we turned the box into a playhouse. She loved it! We had so much fun playing in that thing! I even thought about painting it and sewing some curtains, but in the end, it was just always in the way and we ended up throwing it out when she got her blow-up ball house.

The princess mommy pushing her baby in her carriage. :)

Peyton's Friends

We were so fortunate to move into an area with lots of kids. Our neighbors all around us have little kids Peyton can play with. These cute little twins live just 2 doors down and are only a week older than Peyton. Dave and I love to hang out with their parents, so these three little munchkins get to play a lot. :) One day while I was watching them, I got out my camera and took some pictures because they are just too cute playing all together.

This is Karter. He and Peyton are betrothed. :) Even if they don't want to get married at first, it will be like the Swan Princess... we will set them up until they do want to get married. Isn't he so dang cute?! I just love that kid.

This is Miss Bella. She is such a cute, dainty little thing. She loves to dance and makes the cutest expressions. She is dressing up in Peyton's apron. Isn't she a doll?

Peyton loves her tunnel. We got it for her birthday in October. She squeals and giggles as she crawls through it to get away from me or Dave. She is quite the character. She ALWAYS wants to play! But who can resist this face? And even if you can, you cannot resist the giggle. :)

I only wish I knew what Karter was thinking right now!

Peyton got a blow-up ball pit for Christmas. She plays in it EVERYDAY. She says, "Ball, ball." Dave and I play with it almost everyday too shooting hoops through the top of it... it's harder than it looks! My favorite is when all three of the babies get in it though. :) They are just adorable. :)

Dave's Duck

If you all know Dave, you know he is my hick-wannabe. :) I thought I married a city-boy, but I got a hick in disguise. I love him though. :) He loves to hunt and fish! Any night of the week you can expect to find him searching the internet for deals on new hunting equipment... not that he needs any more. He already has 3 fly-rods, 1 ice-fishing rod, 2 shotguns, a rifle, and now a bow. Geez! But I let him do what he loves because he lets me indulge in my hobbies too. (I won't even begin to tell you everything that's in my craft closet!) Plus, hunting is something we can enjoy together. I haven't been into it too much since we've been married because of being pregnant and having a child so quick, but I do like to go out shooting with him now and again.

Over Christmas break he went duck hunting with some friends. They weren't having much luck until right at the end of the day when Dave got this pretty Mallard. I do have to say that his family was NOT too excited about him bringing it home! The worst part is that he was thinking about getting it stuffed so he was keeping it well-preserved in the outside freezer... then forgot to take it out before we left. Let's just say mama Bailey was not too pleased!

I love this picture! It is like Peyton is saying, "Ewww!" She wasn't actually. She thought it was really neat. When Dave brought it in to show everyone, his sisters freaked out and told him to get it away from them! I on the other hand was like, "Where's my camera? Where's Peyton?" Ha ha, my country-girl hick side shone through. :)

So at the end of the day, Dave had a great time and the rest of us were glad that he knew what species he was shooting at this time. ;) Love you hun!

Dad's Inauguration

In November my dad was reelected for a fourth term as a Sevier County Commissioner. The first time he was elected (12 years ago) I was in middle school. Of all his inaugurations, I have never been present. So this year, I finally made it! I think I had imagined it to be something so much bigger than it really was. The entire inauguration lasted 5 minutes. All of the elected officials raised their hands together, repeated an oath at the same time, and it was over! Still I was glad to be there for that special moment. My dad has always supported me in everything I do--from pageants to sports to a mission, he has been there every step of the way. He is such a special man and has been an extraordinary County Commissioner.

Some of the things he has accomplished or been a part of as commissioner are: the Sevier Center, the new County Fairgrounds, the river bike-trail from Big-Rock Candy Mountain to the South Sevier area, the annual balloon festival and antique car show in Salina, and last but not least, the passing of the Power Plant that will be built. The powerplant will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue which will be used for education, hospitals, police-force, etc. It will be amazing to see the wonderful things they will do in Sevier County with that revenue. Anyway, I've bragged on my dad long enough. I just love him and am so proud of him. :)

This is everyone who was elected to office in November.

Aren't my parents so cute? I love them :)

On Tuesday my dad had major back surgery where he got 2 discs in his spine fused together with 3 rods and 6 screws or something like that. He has been in such tremendous pain for so long that we are hoping this will finally give him the relief he needs so badly. He has been in the hospital recovering all week and finally got to come home today to start his LONG recovery there. :( So for those of you who know him, please keep him in your prayers.