Solar Eclipse

Yesterday our family was able to witness a solar eclipse. I remember seeing a solar eclipse as a kid in 1994, however, this was Ryan's first. He was so excited to view this rare phenomenon. He did all the research for what times we had to be where. We didn't have any cool solar eclipse glasses that filter out the harmful rays of the sun from our eyes. So instead, we made a pinhole projector out of a shoe box in order to see the event.

Around 5:30 we headed down to the beach. We figured this would be the best place to view the eclipse so nothing would obstruct our view. We invited our close friend, Tara, and her daughter to come enjoy the evening with us. It was so much fun to play in the sand as the eclipse began and progressed. We were able to spend time as a family and as friends while once in awhile checking on the progress and being in awe each time.

 

When we arrived at the beach we were worried we wouldn't be able to see the partial eclipse because the fog was rolling in from off of the ocean. However, it provided the perfect amount of blockage of the bright rays so we could easily see it with sunglasses through the fog before denser fog would roll in front of it. Then a few minutes later, the sun and shadow would peek out again. And for the times when there was no fog, we used the pinhole projector to save our eyes.

By the time the moon passed in front of the sun as much as it was going to, Eliza was shivering and saying she wanted to go "night-night."  It was breezy and it was close to sunset, so we figured we would honor her requests and go home. When we got to the car, we wrapped her up in a spare blanket we had. As we were driving home, I asked her how she was feeling, to which she replied, "Nice." I love this girl! However, by the time we got home, she had absolutely no intention of going "night-night" and it took us another 2 hours to actually get her to sleep. Ah, the joys of parenthood.

Regardless of when Eliza went to bed, we all had a great time watching the eclipse, Ryan more so than the rest of us.

Home Improvements

When I was first married I was so excited to be able to decorate my home however I wanted to. However I quickly gave up because 1) I lived either in a place where we could not hang our own things or in an apartment with cinder-block walls and 2) I realized how bad I was at it. Our apartment now is really the first we've been able to do anything with. We have definitely been through a lot of trial and error, but it is slowly coming together. Here are some pictures of the latest improvements we've made.

It only took me 4 months to fix these pictures from popping them out of their frames on the drive back from Utah at Christmas time, and then another 7 weeks to actually hang them up. But here they are. I was given these pictures by my mom. They always remind me of her and of my home in Utah. It's a great addition to my kitchen to make it feel a little more homey.

I have had the same vinyl shower curtain for the past four years and it was getting pretty old. Pieces of it were flaking off and it was starting to discolor. So, I found a shower curtain that I like at IKEA. I like my bathroom a lot more now. 

I wish I had a before and after picture for this improvement, however I didn't have any pictures of our old desk. This is because I hated how it was always a mess and things could be seen everywhere, so whenever I was taking a picture, I would point the camera away from the desk. Ryan's work recently had an auction for old office materials they were getting rid of. We bid on this SOLID WOOD desk and got it. I didn't know if I was going to like it or not, but I was so tired of my other one I was willing to give it a shot. I think we won on it too. I did think there were going to be more drawers, but I'm happy for the two that I have now. I also wish that the filing cabinet could fit under the desk, but alas, it doesn't. We just have to keep making due with the things we have now and it will work.
My previous desk had a shelf that was quite high above the desk, so that filled a lot of the wall space. So when we moved this desk in, it felt very empty. We moved our wedding pictures over from another wall and I'm planning on getting a family portrait or picture or some sort to fill the space above the monitor. But as I stated above, I'm not very good at this. So if you have any suggestions, I would REALLY appreciate it and love you forever and ever.



And just because I can't write a post without posting pictures of my fun family, here are some of us at the 175 birthday party for John Deere at Ryan's work.

Eliza and Daddy in the tractor

Pound it!

What a fun family. :)

Easter

 I know it has been almost a month since Easter, but I figured I would still post a few of our favorite pictures.

Family picture

Getting ready for the Easter egg hunt

 We had an Easter Egg Hunt with some of our very close friends in our ward. Jon and Ryan set up all of the eggs in a grassy area across the street from our apartment. As you can see in the picture, they set up a lot. The funny thing is that all three kids stayed within a 5 feet radius of where they began. E was so excited about what was in each egg, he had to open it right there. Eliza mostly just watched E, and C would pick up an egg and hold it. Most of the eggs weren't even touched. Needless to say, they we ended up gathering most of  eggs. It was still fun and well worth the set up.

 

Three best friends

Three Klemetson girls

Eating candy after the hunt

Cute dress from Grandma-Great Cobia

Daddy and his girls

Smelling flowers

One Month Later

It has been exactly one month since Lilly joined our family. We are so blessed to have her be apart of our family. She is such a sweet, wonderful baby. I feel as if she has been in my life since the very beginning. Even though she is only one month old, I can barely remember my life without her, just as my life before Eliza is more of a dream. 

Now I'm a mom. That's my identity. And my daughters are Eliza and Lilly. They always have been. My life completely revolves around their needs and wants. I often find myself missing my breakfast due to feeding Lilly and finally getting around to it hours later. Even then, I have to remind myself to sit down, eat, and take care of myself, if only it is because it will then allow me to take care of my daughters. I miss sleep in order to take care of a hungry infant or a toddler with a fever because she needs me. I would do anything for my girls. 

I know you though. You're not reading my blog to hear me spew my thoughts. You are here to see pictures and watch videos...right? Well here are some pictures of our expanding family from the past month.

Lilly with family

Eliza meeting Lillian for the first time. She immediately 

wanted to give her kisses and nothing else.

Daddy and Lilly

Our first family photo

Grandma Smith, Eliza and Lilly

Lilly with Papa Smith

My dad had to teach class down in Parawon, Utah the week my mom was here helping me adjust to being a mom of two. He decided that since he had made almost half of the trip to California he might as well complete the trip and surprise us with visit for a few days. So, Friday morning while we were eating breakfast, we got a knock on the door. Who should it be.. but my dad, holding a carton of eggs. Apparently, he was hungry. He sure got us good.

Lilly's Funny Sleeping Positions

 

In Grandma's arms

Waking up

Awake! I love how much time she spends being awake now that she is older.

Big Sister, Little Sister

Eliza reading to Lilly

Helping with her pacifier

And just because it wouldn't be my blog without a video, here is a cute clip of how excited Eliza is to be a big sister. It also shows how she says "Lillian," which is pretty, stinkin' cute if you ask me.

Girls' Room

We have made an accomplishment. We have lived in one place for the longest time without moving while being married. It's true. Ryan and I have been married for just over 4 years and during that time we have moved 8 times. It seemed like we couldn't live in one place for more than 8 or 9 months without moving due to summer jobs or internships. So, naturally we feel like our home here in California is more of a home than any other place we have lived. Not to say we haven't loved where we have lived, because we have.

Another reason we feel like this is more of a home to us than any other apartment is because I have finally finished putting together the girls’ room.  Here are a few pictures. 

The coolest pinwheel lattice ever that my 

good friend made me for my baby shower.

Major kudos go to my mom for painting the bed and dressers. Oh...AND the mirror and shelf. What would I do without her? I would have white furniture and a really gross looking bed. I absolutely love the colors that we chose and love how the room feels now that it is officially put together. Thanks, Mom, for all of your help and long hours of work.

Christmas Present

We had a wonderful Christmas. I will shortly write with all our adventures. However, we are back to real life and getting back into a regular routine. We do have some new toys to add to our daily life, one being a zoo-zoo pet. Eliza loves this little animal which will move and turn on its own. She knows how to turn it on and does so frequently. Tonight she took to turning it on then sitting in front of it so it would run into her. It was a lot of fun to watch her be so excited. Here is a glimpse for you.

Known Fact

Did you know that the fastest and most efficient form of advertising is by word of mouth? It's true. At least I heard that at one point in time and I think it's true, therefore, it is. 

Regardless, I just saw this on another friend’s blog and thought it looked really good. Who isn't always trying to figure out how to spend less on groceries? This book is definitely going on my to-read list. If you are interested in maybe being one of the first 250 people to win a copy click on the link below.