Yes...We did Celebrate Independance Day!

As you probably know, The 4th of July is my all-time favorite holiday! There's just something about getting up early to do the Freedom Run with family and friends (and hundreds of strangers who just happen to love to run in my hometown!), watching the Freedom Parade (even if it is the same thing year after year), the warm (usually HOT) weather, being with family, BBQs (usually with the Stimpsons - thanks for always including us!) and of course.....THE FIREWORKS!!! All of this wrapped up together is the perfect package of all things I love.

And, I do love Stadium of Fire! Sadly, I do not get to go every year lately. Hmmm...I should really fix that. I miss the song, the blast of hot air as they say "Stadium of Fire" and the occasional ashes falling on my cute new "4th" outfit. Ahhh. I do love The 4th of July!

This year the following people ran the Freedom Run (MOM - send me the pic so I can add it to this post...please!): Mom, Curtis, Me, Tina, Cheryl, Jerry, and Austin. Mom and Curtis always "place"...I usually (yes, usually...some of you know what I'm talking about...) "finish!"

Nothing makes a mamma's heart beat faster than crossing the finish line to see the man you love holding your little baby and cheering you on. LOVE!

Waiting for mom to finish! (Holland looks pretty tired and is probably wondering why she had to get up so early to hang out in a park with dad and thousands of strangers.)

Done.

On our way to the parade. Holland is VERY excited to see the floats. I believe in this pic she was screaming with delight. Uh huh...that's what she was doing!

She loved seeing (but not hearing) the firework show!!

Three Months of Bliss

Yesterday, July 28, was Holland's three-month birthday.

That's right...we've now enjoyed three months with this little girl!

She now weighs 11 lbs. and is very long and skinny. She smiles a lot (especially in the mornings!) and this past week she rolled over for the first time. So proud! And both Tyler and I were home to witness it. How lucky are we?

Holland takes a bath with dad every night where they spend a little daddy-daughter time catching up on the events of the day. She loves to jabber it up in the tub. Besides chatting, Tyler shows her new swim strokes and she loves to practice them (aka splashing!) Just a little water on her face and she gasps like it is totally taking her breath away. So funny! Of course, we pour water on her head just for fun. (Whatever. You'd do it too!)

Holland tags along with Tyler pretty often - going to the bank, bike shops, and...(gasp!) pawn shops. She's probably the prettiest thing to ever enter some of those questionable pawn shops.

With mom (me!) she loves to go for walks, sit on my lap while I work, and ride around strapped to me with a wrap or in the carrier while I attempt to accomplish things around the house and in the yard. Mostly though, I have to be honest, I absolutely just love to be with her!!! I could hold her and rock her all day. Chat with her and kiss those precious lips 24/7.

Oh, Holland, We. Love. You!

P.S. Holland is so close to laughing out loud. I can't wait to hear her giggle for the first time.

Blessed Baby Bliss

On Sunday, July 3, little Holland Bliss was blessed. Tyler took our daughter in his arms and gave her a name and a blessing. I was overcome with emotion as I listened to the man I love bless our little creation with such sweet promises. It was during the blessing that it really hit me: we are responsible for teaching this little one about the gospel, helping her to gain a testimony, and assuring that she holds firmly to the iron rod. Wow! What great responsibility and what an amazing honor to be blessed with this opportunity.

How did we come up with her name? I don't remember exactly where, but I read the name on either some TV or Movie credits. I told Tyler (he had already shot down most of my name suggestions). His response was surprisingly, "I like that. Plus, Elder Holland is my favorite General Authority." Perfect. Done. Bliss is Tyler's mom's maiden name. And that is the history of the name Holland Bliss.

Those that participated with Tyler in blessing Holland: both of our dads, Tyler's brothers (Brandon, Matthew and Josh), Tyler's Uncle Nathan, My brother's and one brother-in-law (Curtis, Shane, Todd and Jerry).

I'm so grateful for the worthy priesthood holders in my life that are able to bless and be such great examples. Thanks guys!

After church we came back to our home (and BEAUTIFUL yard) for a brunch. Thanks to everyone who helped with the food - it was tasty and oh so perfect!!!

Sleeping..."Bliss"fully!

Let me just say that this little girl was PERFECT all day! (A totally different child than the three days previous.) She smiled and slept all day long. She was a dream...just ask anyone that was there!!

Her blessing dress is the same one that I was blessed in 38 years ago (thank you, mom!) The booties were given to me by my Aunt Carol. The blanket was crocheted by my cousin Patty. The bow was made by my friend Angela Ballard.

Four Generations! Great Grandma Pace, Grandma Maggie, Me, Holland Bliss, Grandma Lucy.

The Pace Boys! Josh, Tyler, Dad (Craig), Matthew, Brandon.

The Eppley Girls! Mom with her two daughters, and those two daughter's daughters. Does that makes sense?

Helping to Grow my Garden...and My Testimony

A shout out to my mom - the best mom in the whole world! Some people say that everything they learned they learned in kindergarten. Well, everything I've learned, I've learned from my mom. She is always, always there for me. And now I know, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have a testimony...or a garden, because she is the one that gave me the foundation and basics for growing both!

My mom came and stayed with us the end of June, for three days, to help get our yard in shape! I kept watching weeds pop up here and there (okay...everywhere!), but I wasn't sure really which were weeds and which were plants. My mom knows this stuff, so I called on her expertise. She came and helped us do some (okay...a lot!) yard/garden TLC. We pulled weeds, we planted flowers, we hoed, we raked, we sweat, we got bit by ants...

I wish I would have taken some "before" pictures. Darn the darn.

Here is the gardening guru!

Tyler planted bushes, mowed the lawn, and did all the "manly" things we asked of him!

Um...notice mom's arm? Ya, she'd had surgery early in the week, but that wasn't going to stop her from helping us. She's the BEST!!!

Me! Planting. I loved making our yard beautiful, but the best part was learning from my mom. I don't believe I will ever be too old to partake of her wisdom. And, pretty sure, no matter how hard I try I will never be as smart as she is. Oh how I wish I could be.

We did several of these cute flower pots.

Where was Holland this entire time? Being naughty, of course. She got her shots (remember) on Wednesday. The day before my mom arrived. She cried Thursday through Saturday of that week. She did sleep a little, here and there. Don't worry. No matter how much she cries, we still love her. How could we not? =) Plus, this was all in preparation for her big day on Sunday, July 3!

Newborn Photoshoot

These were taken when Holland was nine days old. Our photographer, and friend, kept saying, "She is NOT your typical newborn!" Apparently most newborns just sleep through the entire session. But no, not Holland Bliss! She was wide awake and wanting to know exactly what was going on. It ended up being a LONG session just so we could get a few pics with her eyes closed. And, we only got a few nakee pics...'cause she peed on the blanket and chair shortly after undressing her. Lovely!

I seriously cannot believe that this little girl is all ours. We enjoy every moment with her and are so happy that she is part of our family. Thanks, Kathryn, for capturing just how precious our baby is!

Holland was Shot!

Three times! On Wednesday, June 29, Holland's little world was rocked (or should I say pricked?)

Here she is BEFORE getting her two-month immunizations...

  ...and here she is AFTER!

Pretty sure she is no longer a fan of her pediatrician (Michelle Chamberlain).

 Poor little thighs! She was not a happy baby for the next THREE DAYS! Apparently, one day for each shot her mean parents made her get.