Kaylee's first hair cut

After much coaxing, pleading, and reassuring that the salon would use scissors and not a knife, we finally got Kaylee on board with cutting her hair. In almost 3 years, this is her first hair cut. I would have let it go a bit longer if it weren't for the daily fight of Kaylee vs. the brush. I finally came to the decision that her flowing locks had to go. I think Nick was more worried about the hair cut than any of us, he loves his girl's long hair!

Before the cut..... Look at those long locks!


As we pulled into the parking lot of Great Clips Kaylee says, "lets just get done with this, okay mom?" She was so nervous she didn't let go of my hand the whole time. After the deed was done, she looked in the mirror with a big grin and said "my hair is just beautiful, isn't it?" We were now off to the dollar store for the promised prize if she went through with it. The whole way through the store she sang at the top of her lungs, " I, get a prize, cuz I was so good", she ended up getting some princess rings (I love the dollar store! Kids don't understand cheap stuff!) As we go to check out Kaylee tells me " I gunna tell that tender (the check out lady) that my hairs cut, and its beautiful"... she ended up not telling the "tender" anything, on account that she didn't feel like being brave!

I have mixed feeling about her hair cut... on the one hand its really really cute, but on the other it makes her look way to old! Its a sad day when her baby hair gets cut away. I guess I just have to get used to the idea that she isn't a little baby any more, she isn't even a toddler... she's growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital, and we didn't have a clue what we had gotten our self into.

Over these three years we have learned a lot...

we have learned how to get yellow poop stains out of white carpet,

how to handle a first fever and cough,

how to french braid hair and handle temper tantrums,

we have learned how to bribe and how to pick our battles.

we have learned to pack extra clothes, have snacks stashed in my purse, and put shows on in the car.

We have learned that Christmas's and Birthdays are much much more fun,

we have learned the words to every Dora, Elmo, and blues clues song,

we have learned that nap time is crucial, eating at dinner never happens, and bed time is a negotiation!

But most important we have learned that we love something so much we would do anything for her!

We look forward to all the many mile stones yet to come!

We love you Kaylee!

Be my valentine...

Its that time of year...

hearts and flowers, poems and notes. I just can't help myself, I absolutely love Valentines day! I know a ton of people think its just a day made up by Hallmark to make more money and to sell more $4.99 love cards, but I love it!

Remember in grade school when everyone in the class would deliver valentines to each others home made mail boxes? It was so much fun to read each little note, just hoping that my special someone wrote a note just for me.

My idea of love today is a bit different from when I was little. I used to dream of my prince charming, who would come and rescue me from the clutches of the fire breathing dragon, and we of course would ride off into the sunset, and live happily ever after.

Today my idea of true love is...

Some one who helps with the dishes,

A person, who when all hope is lost can make you pee your pants by laughing,

A best friend who helps change dirty diapers, fixes scraped knees, and chases away the monster under the bed.

Someone to wipe the tears when life gets too rough,

A man who chokes down my very inventive recipes, and insists they are wonderful,

Someone who goes to the grocery store at 1 in the morning to get my tampons and chocolate ice cream.

I am so very grateful that I did indeed find my prince charming, and even though life is rough sometimes we are living our happily ever after.

I love valentines day, it is a yearly reminder of the great love in my life.

A day to realize, as we hop in our Toyota and ride off into the sunset (and head to the grocery store...)

That life doesn't get much better than this!

Wishing you all love and happiness this Valentines day!

Better late than never!!!

Okay so I'm not such a great blogger after all, I guess I have been a tad bit busy, and lazy! I will make sure to add blogging to my endless list of things to do. So many things on my list never get done, for example sending out Christmas cards, never got around to it, so I thought what a great idea it would be to put a Christmas card of sorts on my blog...so here it goes, our very late Christmas update.

The year 2011 was a good year for the Witzel family, full of trips and family fun.

Started off like any other year, with resolutions to get to the gym, eat healthier, and get our life organized. We spent many a late nights with the Witzels attempting to plan our up coming vacation to Florida, but always ended up watching Vampire Diaries, and making funny spoof movies of each other.

By mid February our new years resolutions went out the window! We started getting cabin fever for warm weather , wishing we were anywhere else that was warm and tropical.

Kaylee turned 2 in April, and we celebrated with a huge birthday bash... Disney style. Since we were going to Disney World a week later we just had to have a Mickey themed party. It was a really fun party complete with a surprise quest who of all people but Mini mouse showed up (my sister dressed up) the kids loved it, and had a great time. I made the cake, it only took me 12 hours!

A week later we left for Florida. We had a ton of fun with all the Witzels who went. We spent our vacation eating, swimming, shopping, and going to Disney.

Getting back from a trip is always a drag, but we returned to life as usual. I love spring and summer in Utah, it is perfect. We spent the spring time out doors hiking, and walking at the park. Kaylee loves the park, and will do anything to get us to go there.

Our Summer time was full of days at the pool, and lots and lots of camping. We ended up buying a camping trailer, and spent the summer camping all over Utah... the Uinitas, and American Fork Canyon were our favorites.

Of course our summer wouldn't be complete with out heading to my family's Cabin in Bear Lake. We always have fun eating raspberry shakes on the beach.

We had a big 4Th of July party with Nicks side of the family, complete with fire works and sparklers. Its always a fun time when the Witzels get together!

Fall time is so much fun for me, I love it when the leaves change colors, and everything looks so pretty. We of course had our annual Halloween party. Kaylee was a chicken, Nick was Cornell Sanders, and I was a bucket of fried chicken! It was a blast.

As we continued to struggle with finding the perfect place to settle down we found out that a little town on the coast of Seattle WA was hiring police officers, so we decided to go an check out the area. We loved it up there, but in the end decided it wasn't the right thing for us. As the weather continued to get more and more cold and grey we decided that we needed another vacation. This time we dropped Kaylee off at my moms house, and headed for sunny Hawaii. What can we say we are addicted to Maui! We had a blast. The weather was perfect, and we spent our days snorkeling and hiking. We camped on the beach, which was surprisingly very fun.

Right before Thanksgiving Kaylee and I were in a pretty bad car accident that totaled our car. We were really lucky to have not been seriously injured, but I can't say the same for our poor car. Luckily the insurance company was amazing, and we ended up with an upgrade... a Toyota Avalon! Lucky us:)

Kaylee and I spent Thanksgiving in St. George with my family (nick had to work), Uncle Bob opened his mission call, much to every ones surprise... he was called to Africa! He will be leaving this April.

Christmas time this year was spent traveling once again... we just cant get enough of the sun! We headed to California with my family. We had an amazing time. We spent 3 days at Disney land, and the rest of the time on the beach. Nick flew in for half of the time, but had to work the other half. Kaylee was at the perfect age for Disney, and actually cried when we left. I think we will have to make another trip to California again really soon!

Since then we have been trying to get a job closer to family, and maybe one that pays a little more... we have applied with several departments, but no luck so far. Hopefully 2012 will bring more luck, and a lot more happy times!

Well that was our 2011 in a nut shell, I'm sure I left out a ton of stuff, but those were the high lights. I will try to keep more updated, so next year I don't have to remember so much!