Family Pictures

First of all, let me warn you there are a lot of pictures. Sorry, I like them all! Secondly, I've been playing catch up, so I have multiple posts. Be sure to scroll down to see them all!

Thanks to our good friend & AMAZING photographer Michelle Kemp who took these AWESOME pictures for us!!! Here is a link to her blog, Rusty Bucket Photography, or you can find her in my list of blogs.

Summer Days

Riding Ponies at the Thanksgiving Point Petting Zoo with Anna's friend (and future husband) Kaleb.

Halle LOVED seeing the animals up close.

Anna is EXTREMELY allergic to mosquito bites. You can't tell very well from this pic, but her hand is swollen to the point where it looks like it is going to burst. The dr. even sent her in for an x-ray just to be sure she hadn't broken anything.


DISNEYLAND: The happiest place on earth!!

Anna was so excited to meet the princess. When she hugged Jasmine for a full minute, we were all in tears.

Thanks, Grandma, for watching Halle while we played in CALI!

Happy Birthday Big Girl!!

"Me's Three!!" Anna is such a sweet, funny silly little girl! She turn three on Oct. 17th, and since she still hadn't stopped talking about her party from last year, we did it again. Chuck E Cheese, here we come!

She is so much fun to give presents to. She would Ooh and Ahh with each one, hug it, and say she was ready to go home and play. Our families are so generous. Thanks everyone. No presents next time!

She was excited to see Chuck E this year. She said "me be good and won't cry". She gave him a hug and then jumped in my arms.

Green Frosting anyone? Disclaimer: May stain your face and fingers to look like the hulk.

Halle's Birthday!!

My baby turned 1!!! Wow, how time flies. Her birthday was September 3rd, but better late then never!! Here are a few of our favorite pictures from her birthday party. Thanks to our families for coming to help celebrate!Classic Halle. Pulling off her bow.


Halle loved her chocolate cake!! So did her uncle Brant. Aaron served it to him after Halle was done with it. We all had a good laugh while his mouth was full of her leftovers. He said he was wondering why his was the only piece that was chocolate. He must really love her, cause he ate it anyway!

Anna's Dinner Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father
Thank you Mommy make dinner
Mommy love me so much
Daddy love me so much
Halle love me so much
Name Jesus Christ Ah-men

Everyday Life

Oh Anna! You always keep us laughing. This is the face she pulls when she's trying not to smile. So why is it so hard to get kids to smile for the camera?

Halle and Anna both love to play under the table. Yes, that's Halle. Even if she looks like a half naked little boy. Girls can wear green camo too. *sometimes Aaron likes to pretend he has a boy.

Interesting picture, eh? I asked her what they were doing and she said they're reading a book. I guess we need to teach her about personal space. These were Anna's potty training reward. We had only promised her Sleeping Beauty, but when we got to the store & she pointed out the barbie she wanted, & then grabbed the prince too saying "Prince too, dad, they dance" we just couldn't say no. That night this is how her prayer went.

Mommy: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this day..

Anna: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this day that we could go to the mall and buy Sleeping Beauty Barbie.

Mommy: (Between laughs) We thank thee for mom and dad...
Anna: We thank thee for mom and dad that they bought me Sleeping Beauty Barbie...

This little girl knows how to get what she wants.

Halle is such a stinker!! She is constantly getting into everything, but always making us smile!! Look at that toothy grin! Now that is a genuine smile. What a doll.

4th of July FUN! (Belated)

Holidays were definitely more fun when you were a kid. When you become an adult, there's just not as much care-free, let-loose, anything goes attitude. Good thing we have kids to remind us of the fun that's out there!

The thursday before the 4th of July Aaron decided to take Anna to go watch the Hot Air Balloon festival in Provo. He was late getting there. All the balloons had already taken off, so, as to not disappoint Anna, they chased them in his truck. He managed to track one down, and was in the Cafe Rio parking lot when they landed. AMAZINGLY, a family that used to be in our ward was on the crew for that balloon. Hence the opportunity to go up in sky...

Anna loved it. Even if she looks a little afraid.

We spent the 4th down in Sandy for their celebration. Anna had her face painted & was so excited. She held perfectly still with her eyes closed while they did it. Best two dollars I've ever spent.

Halle watched and wished... Someday Halle. Someday.

Anna is such a daddies girl. Who wouldn't be in love with such a great guy?

As if we needed more fun, they had a blowup Disney Princess Castle. Anything Princess & Anna loves it. She would throw herself down that bouncy slide like the best of 'em!

Again, see the longing in her eyes? Someday Halle.

Anna playing with her light stick. They've long run out of juice, but they're still her favorite toy. She'll hook, unhook, make neclaces, & twirl them.

It's so much fun making memories with these kids!! I can't believe how rewarding this is!

My Kids?

Seriously, my kids? I wanted to laugh at the Kiddie Kandids girl who approached my husband and I this weekend at the mall asking if she could take some free pictures of our kids. Moments earlier, Anna had thrown one of those fits that we all want to believe only other parent's kids are capable of. As I left Aaron with two smiling girls in front of Victoria's Secret, I watched Anna's grins melt into a menacing scowl. Shortly thereafter, I shot judging glances toward the store entry with the other shoppers as if to say "honestly, control your kids!" I gladly let Aaron tackle this one on his own.

Anyway, these pictures document the moments after Aaron questioned his abilities as a father, and threatened Anna that he would leave mommy at the mall forever if she didn't stop...

So you can see my kids are tired, ornery, and look a little homeless. We definitely weren't prepared for this photo shoot... but somehow got some decent ones anyway.

Impromptu Photo Shoot and Easter

Enjoying the nice weather and modeling the cute spring dresses Grandma Ludwig gave them! It felt like SPRING!! Keep the warm weather coming! ( I guess I mean, bring it back!)

Anna pulls a mean Popeye face! Lately it's been hard to get her to give us her natural smile! Here she is dying Easter eggs. She loved it! Especially since we had princess stickers to go on them!

Anna loves being in dresses!! Any dress is a princess dress to her, but she especially loved this one! Her Aunt Heather spoiled us and bought these cute Easter dresses for the girls! Don't they look so cute? Thanks Heather!!

What a fun day! Thanks for the great dinner & game Grandma!

Come Ye Unto Zion! (Without the kids)

Aaron's amazing photography talent at work!

Again, Aaron! He is so good at getting unique pictures.

Here is White Feather playing her mystical flute deep inside Mother Earth's... Well, you'll have to ask Aaron. A crazy experience we'll never forget!

According to White Feather, fate brought us together in this holy cave. She gave us a very descriptive tour of the cave and it's symbols of creation.

How time flies...

Halle is six months old!! I can't believe how fast that went. She is such a smiley baby. You can usually get huge ear to ear smiles just by looking at her. Then you pick up the camera... and it's a little harder....

When we're trying to get a pic of that beautiful smile, she makes us work for it!

How would it feel to be smothered all day long with kisses from your mom, dad, and a hyper little two-year-old? Probably like this.

Halle lights up when she sees her daddy. She already knows that he's the fun one who plays games with her.

Wow! How time flies! I can't believe Halle is so big, and Anna is now old enough to be into the Disney Princesses!! We got this nightgown for her, and I think it made her life. She was looking down at all the Princesses, touching it, and spinning in circles until bedtime.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico!! Jan. '09

A BIG Thanks to Grandma!!

I just wanted to publicly announce to everyone how great my Mother-In-Law is!! Besides spending the holidays and a wonderful trip to California with her and the fam, she watched our kids for a week. Yes, a whole week! Aaron and I were able to spend a week in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, with the peace of mind that our kids were having more fun with Grandma than they would be with us! Thanks for all you do Barb!! Love you!

Doesn't this pic say it all? Cousin Aven, Anna, & Halle having a blast at Grandmas! Smiles all around!

Temple Square, Christmas Morning, and California...

Christmas lights at Temple Square

Random Pic: Girls night out!! Me, Carly, Madi, Paige, and Lindsay

Christmas morning... Anna would have been happy with just this box!

CALIFORNIA!! Warm weather, Sea world, and FUN!

After a dip in the pool... Anna and Aaron take a warm bath. Pool or tub, She loves playing with daddy!

After all the excitement of Shamu, Anna crashes during the dolphin show. What another fun year in California! More pics to come! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

Rudolph Trauma!

Kids and Christmas trees make for some great pictures, even if they are a little blurry.
Our Sweet Halle. She is such a good baby! Look at that cute face!

The other night we watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with Anna. We thought it would be a fun memory. Little did we know it would be traumatic. Anna understood they story way to much for someone of her age. She got very concerned when Rudolph returned home after being in misfit land only to find his mom and dad gone. Anna kept saying, " mom gone? dad gone?" The concern grew to panic when the next scene showed the abominable snow man ready to attack his parents. She started sobbing and yelling "Uh oh! Uh oh!" After much soothing and explaining to her that the monster became nice after he had his teeth pulled out she finally settled down. We got a little bit of it on film, and we couldn't help but laugh. I did have to vow not to let her watch it again until next year. What a sweet and tender little girl.

Technical Difficulties

So I've been trying for a few days to upload pictures of the girls and Halle's blessing, but due to poor Internet I haven't been successful. Please bare with me during these technical difficulties. I do have good news: Halle has started sleeping through the night, all the way until 7! Well, she did two nights then the past two nights she has woken up at 5ish. Still, I'm grateful that I'm gradually getting more sleep and It's just a matter of time til it's permanent.

Halloweenie!

My Lion and Lady Bug

















We took Anna trick-or-treating for the first time. We only hit a few houses, but couldn't believe how she caught on!! She loved it! After we put her to bed we could hear her saying "Tickerateet". It was a little breezy for Aaron in those shorts but completely worth it!!

Richard Simmons and his project Wendy. We look pretty silly but we had alot of fun. Thanks for a great party Grandma!

Anna with hair. What do you think?

AARON TAG!

Alright my friend Amy tagged me, so here I go!

What is your husbands full name? Aaron Mark Ludwig

How long have you been married? 5 Years, 5 Months & 5 Days. Glad those aren't 6s.

How long did you date before getting engaged? About 5 months.

How old is he? 28

Who eats more sweets? Thats me for sure. If they're in the house I eat them till they're gone. My theory is to hurry and get rid of them so I won't eat them anymore!

Who said "I love you" first? Aaron did, on the door step of his parents house. He quickly followed it with... "I don't want you to say anything!!" So I didn't, though I was going to. Probably should have. I declared my love a couple days later!

Who is taller? I think Aaron is slightly taller. About 5'9. I'm 5'8. Makes buying shoes kinda tough.

Who can sing best? Probably Aaron. Neither of us sing well, but I sing pretty badly.

Who is smarter? Aaron has an amazing talent of knowing EVERYTHING! Most the time he's not even sure why he knows it! He's also great with numbers. I can study and learn something for a test, but I forget it shortly thereafter. I'm good at math while I'm taking the class.... but now I don't remember much!

Who does the laundry? I do. It's amazing how everyday seems like laundry day! Can't seem to keep up with it. I used to do the ironing too... which consisted of all of Aaron's work clothes... but gave up on that feat. Aaron does it now... the pile on the dryer is getting huge!

Who pays the bills? We both have our assigned bills to pay... I pay all of the house/ utility bills... He pays the CC and Car payments. Works out pretty well.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do. We've tried to switch it up but just can't make the change.

Who mows the lawn? Aaron does, it's his baby.

Who cooks dinner? Neither of us do most the time. We just starve or scrounge. Occasionally one of us will be courageous and venture into the kitchen...

Who drives? Aaron does most the time, especially in his new truck. I have to really beg to drive it when we're together.

Who kissed who first? Warning: some might consider this kinda cheesy. Fun story. Aaron kissed me first. He'd made a wish in a pond on a previous date, so while sitting by a campfire outside a cabin in Montana he asked if he could make his wish come true and then leaned in for a kiss. It was very romantic. The best part is we go back to the same cabin & fire pit every year on a family vacation with his family! It's great to relive the memory!

Who asked who out first? Aaron asked me out after months of me hoping and waiting. I worked with his sister, who became my best friend. We passed the hours by talking about how I needed to date her brother, writing my first name with his last.... finally after tons of flirting and eventually hand holding on a family vacation Aaron asked me out for the coming Friday. The next night he called and we went out then, and every night there after until we were married.

Who wears the pants? That depends on the way you look at it. Aaron is good at getting his way... but I like to make him happy. He would do anything for me if I really wanted it!

I tag: Heather, Carly, Lisa S., Tiff B,and Mel!

Pics of our Halle

Thanks for the cute pics Grandma Ludwig!

Happy Birthday Anna!!

Anna Dawn, I can't believe you are two! What an amazing little girl you are. You are so smart, you're always leaving us speechless! We love your big hugs and lion kisses! What a blessing you are to our family. We love you so much!

Oh, she's my dear my darlin' one, her eyes so sparklin' full of fun,

No other, no other, can match the likes of her!

She is my dear my darlin' one, my smilin' and beguilin' one,

I love the ground she walks upon... my little Anna Dawn!

Anna's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Doesn't that smile say it all? Thanks, Brant, for making her laugh so hard by getting on the tiny carousel with her!

She's not letting go of those balloons! She loved watching the Chuck E band from a distance, but didn't like getting too close!

Notice the frosting already on her chin... what can I say? She has her mom's sweet tooth.

Anna loves her Dad and always wants him to be by her side! Luckily he fit in the car okay!

Halle just slept through the excitement!

Doesn't that kiss say it all?

What beautiful women! Grandma Ludwig and Grandma Campbell. Anna get's so excited when both of her Grandma's are there to see her. Thanks for all you do! We love you!

Brant, Aaron, and Brian playing ski-ball. What dorks! They had just as much fun as Anna at Chuck E Cheese, if not more! Thanks for coming guys!

Our families are so supportive, thanks for spending your Friday night with us! We love you all and had so much fun!