Winter Fun

A few weeks ago we went up to Park City with Troy and Jodi. We played games, went shopping and up to the Olympic Park. It was all really fun, but the sad thing was that we both forgot our cameras, so we ended up just buying a disposable one. I forgot how long it takes to use up all the film and then go get it developed the "old-fashioned" way. So finally here are a few pics of what we have been doing lately - trip to Park City, lunch at Gardner Village and hanging out with Reno's parents over Thanksgiving.

Marli did not enjoy the luge as much as Noah did. Especially after he gave her a big bear hug.

The next U.S. Bobsled team

Marli reunited with her three boyfriends at Gardner Village

Bowling with Grandma and Grandpa Mendenhall

Happy Birthday Reno!

Happy birthday Reno - we love you!

Marli with her favorite person in the whole world.

Reno and I hit the slopes this morning for our first ski trip of the year.

Halloween

Here is our costume for Halloween '08. Reno's pinata was a big hit (ha! ha!) at the party, but apparently not good enough to bring home the grand prize trophy.

Marli loved her costume and kept it on all night. She was the cutest little bunny!

Marli discovered the bucket of candy we had on the table, and as you can see was quite proud of herself for pulling it down.

10 Months Old!

Marli is ten months old and getting bigger everyday! We just can't get enough of her cute little personality. Here are our top 5 favorite things about Marli right now:

1. How excited she gets when Reno gets home. (She really does get giddy when he walks in the room)

2. How she does her bunny laugh

3. When she waves bye-bye, but it looks like she is leading music.

4. She gives the best and slobberiest kisses

5. The way she looks at me and laughs when she knows she is doing something she shouldn't be

P.S. We finally took Marli to get her pictures taken by Studio Posh Tots and we loved them!

Halloween Fun

My mom and dad put on a fun Halloween party for all the grandkids yesterday. We had such a fun time dressing up, playing games and even picking out our own pumpkins from Mimi and Papa's garden.

New Project

Our biggest project since we've been home is to get our year supply of food storage. It isn't exactly easy (or cheap), but we know that it important for us to be prepared in case of any kind of emergency. Our friends Bo and Steph got us all excited about doing it and gave us some great tips. We don't have a ton of space to store it all, but we figure it is better to have some than none at all. If you don't have food storage yet, you should start. I'm not saying it's the end of the world or anything, but the way things are these days you never know what could happen. As I have been researching I have found some really good blogs and resources that have helped. Check out these sites if you want some good tips: http://www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com/ , http://www.everydayfoodstorage.blogspot.com/ and http://www.providentliving.org/.

Happy shopping!

Recent Pics of Marli and Friends

How can you say no to such a sweet little face?

Marli's new favorite toy

Noah, Marli and Brinlee behind bars... I hope this isn't a foreshadowing of what is to come when they are teenagers.

Rough Life...

The other day I was upstairs getting ready while Reno was watching Marli. When I came downstairs, this is what I found...Reno had made her a little bed on the floor, gave her a bottle and turned on Baby Einstein - what more could she ask for? All I can say is Marli has him wrapped around her little finger!

We're Back!

We are so happy to be home! We have been busy getting settled in, visiting friends and family, and chasing Marli all around the house. She loves having lots of new things to get into and is learning to climb the stairs - yikes!

Just In Time

The day after we left  Beaumont they issued a mandatory evacuation because of the hurricane so we made it out just in time! now we are in Missouri where Reno will work throgh September and then we are coming home!!! I am loving it here, but its not quite the same without the Woods and Goeckeritz's.  Marli misses playing with all her boyfriends.  I don't have access to a computer where I can post pictures but  I will try to post some soon.

The Countdown is On!!

It has come down to the final week of the summer and Reno and Troy are working hard to beat out each other. So being the good cheerleaders that we are, Jodi and I decided to make t-shirts to cheer them on. They are both so competitive and have worked so hard, but sorry Troy and Jodi - Team Mendenhall is going to come out on top!

The soon-to-be champs

Nice work guys!!

What's Not to Love?

Now that the school year has started the reality of being a stay-at-home mom is really hitting me. I love being with Marli all day. She has the cutest little personality - I never realized that someone so young could have such an attitude! She keeps me on my toes (especially now that she's crawling) and always keeps me laughing. I love her so much!

One of Marli's new skills is drinking from a straw. I love how her little lips make the perfect little pucker.

Marli has had so much fun hanging out with "her boys". There is already a debate over which one she is going to marry. We are going to miss seeing them everyday when the summer is over.

Santa Cruz'n

After Utah we headed out to sunny (but actually quite chilly) Santa Cruz for the annual Mendenhall family trip. Reno had to stay behind to keep selling, and although we had a wonderful time it definitely was not the same without him!

Marli loved being with Grandma and Grandpa Mendenhall, they were so fun to play with!

Marli is terrified of the sand. She doesn't like to see it, touch it, or be anywhere near it! Thats ok though because Aunt Holly hates the sand too so they made a great pair!

Fun with the Cousins!

Marli and I took a trip back to Utah so Marli could see her cousins. We had such a good time and are happy that most of them will still be there when we get home!!

Reno and Kevin are pretty hot stuff in this sweet convertible. Who wouldn't want to buy a security from these two?

Don't let these pictures fool you...these guys really do work hard every day. They are on their feet all day long so Ashley, Jodi and I thought a pedicure would be the perfect Father's Day gift, and they loved every minute of it!

Six Months Old!

Marli is six months old today. Time has gone by so fast, and I am so lucky that I get to stay home with her everyday. I really feel like we have become best buddies and I love it. To celebrate her "half birthday" I decided to make a top ten list of Marli's favorites, so enjoy!

Marli's Top Ten Favorite Things

1. The boy on her Huggies lotion - For some reason Marli is obsessed with this picture. She is always looking and reaching for him. We've tried other pictures, but she only likes "Mr. Huggies" as Reno likes to call him.
2. Standing on her dad's hand
3. Keeping her mom busy
4. Going to the pool
5. Noah's jumper (Yes, she has conquered her fear and now loves it!)
6. Eating rice cereal
7. Hanging out with her dad
8. Helping mom with laundry
9. Making funny faces
10. Sucking on her toes!