The Bean Band

The other night the kids got out the music drum full of instruments and started performing. It was so cute that I had to get some pictures! That day had been pretty rough as far as obedience goes so it was great to end on a good note! In fact, that night as we said prayers, Kyson said, "Let's have the nicest person say the prayer...Dad!" Tylee then responded, "No, Kyson and I should say the prayer. We were the nicest!" I looked at her and asked, "Did you make right choices today?" To which she responded, "Mom, can't we just PRETEND like I was obedient today?" That is our little Tylee! She is always full of it! I love kids because they are so innocent and can lighten up every moment!

Happy 40th!!!

My parents Roger & Connie Holbrook celebrated their 40th anniversary the same day Dave & I celebrated our 9th. Yes, we share our anniversary! I just wanted to post a picture of the two most influential and important people in my life! I am so extremely blessed to be their daughter! I count my blessings daily to have been born into their home. They are both my heroes in life! They emulate our Savior each and everyday of their lives! They serve others more than anyone else I know. Even amid hardships and trials they reach out to others. Nobody would ever know that they had experienced trials in their lives because of their undoubting faith and positive attitudes. I continue to be amazed at them each and every day. I honestly do not know where I would be without them. Even as I get older, I still have their unconditional love and support in all I do. They help me to be a better mother, wife, a better person. I can only hope that I can be half the parent that they are to me! This past November all of us siblings sent them on a trip to Hawaii for mom's 60th birthday and their 40th anniversary. You have never seen two happier people ever! Everytime I talked to them while they were there it was like talking to two little kids. They were giddy with excitement. No two people have ever deserved something more! We all realized later that it was the very first time in 40 years that they have ever gone on a vacation just the two of them with no one else along! That goes to show just how much they love to serve others. They NEVER think of themselves or do anything just for them. They ALWAYS have someone in their minds who they can reach out to. One of my favorite things about my dad is his attitude. You will never hear him complain. I also love his faith in our Father in Heaven! He is truly obedient, honest, trustworthy, the list goes on and on. My mom is my best girlfriend ever!!! I love her unselfishness. You will never meet another individual who serves more than her. She is always baking cinnamon rolls, bread, dinner, etc. for someone. My mom also has a special gift of getting into people's lives and really sincerely being there for them. She does not pry or go about it in an offensive way, but she just seems to know what to say at just the right time. She has helped so many people to change their lives around for the better. Everyone loves to be around her. She has a personality that just makes you feel at peace and loved. My parents have created a home that is truly full of the Spirit. Anyone who enters their home comments on the wonderful spirit that is there. They may not be rich in the worldly sense of the word, but they will definitely have more treasures than anyone can imagine in heaven! They have raised a family of 6 kids who all love each other and love to be together! Their family went from 8 to 14 and is now 34 in number! And each member of their family loves each other more than anything! Thanks mom and dad for being exactly what parents should be: strong, steadfast, immovable in the ways of the Lord, while also being loving, supportive, and lots of fun to be around!!! I love you both so much!!!

Happy Anniversary!!!

On January 20th Dave and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary! I made him this little candy bar poster which totally took me back to our dating days! I met Dave when I was 14 and after college, mission, moving to Texas, moving back to Utah, moving back to Texas, and now living in Las Vegas, we have made it!!! Dave has always been the love of my life!
We had a great weekend! He had to work, of course! The past 6 years it seems like he has either been out of town or working on our anniversary. But he had to work a show for Olympus at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nevada (about 45 minutes away). So some friends took Ky and Tylee and others took Taya so that we could have a night at the hotel together. It was difficult because Dave did have to work Saturday and we needed to be home for our kids, but it was great! We had a great dinner and lots of fun walking around the shopping district. The best part of the weekend was that it did not cost us anything. Our meals were within the allotted amount from the company. We had a great time just being with each other. The past year has been quite interesting and challenging, to say the least. It was great to get away, even just for a night. I love Dave more and more each day. It has been very interesting to be going through one of the hardest times that either of us have ever been through, yet growing closer and more and more in love than we have ever felt before. I truly consider myself so fortunate to have such a great husband! He supports me in all that I do and loves me no matter what! I am so proud of him for all he has accomplished in his life, especially in the things that matter most! He has 3 beautiful children who absolutely adore him! Dave I love you and cannot wait for the years to come!!!

Everyone Does It!

Okay, so I keep hearing that everyone does it, but I was a naive mom who thought that it would never happen to me... Tylee CUT HER OWN HAIR!!! I had put her hair into one single ponytail one day, which looked so cute by the way! That same day I had gone to the store and bought Ky and Tylee each their own pair of scissors to have with their homework stuff. Well little did I know what would happen next. I was fixing dinner when Tylee came downstairs and start asking questions about hair like, "What happens if you accidentally cut your own hair?, How do you get long hair?, What if your pony is itching your neck?, You wouldn't get mad huh mom?, etc..." I realized after a while that she was so interested because she had experimented herself. I was sick! At first I could not even look because I just knew she had taken her entire ponytail off. As I looked, luckily for me she had just trimmed a little off of each side of the ponytail. Another thing that was "lucky" for me is the fact that her hair is so thin so you cannot see the damage as easily. I have posted some before and after pictures for you to see. You have to look real close at the before pictures to see the damage. Her "layers" in the crown area of her head were cut by herself! Then in the profile pictures you can see the length of her hair at the back and the "cut" portion on the side.


BEFORE.....


















Thank goodness for Ana!!! She is my great friend, neighbor, and hair stylist! She cut Tylee's hair to fix it and I have to admith that I absolutely love it! We have had quite the discussions in our home about NEVER cutting our own hair again! I will admit that the scissors are now in my posession and will only come out with my supervision!!!










AFTER...

Kyson's field trip

On January 17th, Kyson's class took a field trip to the Springs Preserve. Thanks to great friends, I was able to go along with him. We got to ride on a school bus, which was a major highlight for Ky. It was a really neat place that shows the kids how Las Vegas was discovered. Everything they did was hands on. I got some pictures of them "building" the Hotel Nevada. We had a great time! I loved being able to spend that time with Kyson!!!



Kyson and his friend Hunter on the bus

Taya's birthday pictures

We had a little party for Taya on her birthday. Our great friends Dave and Nancy Walnum came with their girls, Paula brought her kids, and we ate cake and opened gifts. Wade and Rebecca Wagner stopped by earlier that day just to give Taya a little gift. Needless to say, she was spoiled rotten!

Taya turns 1!!!

On January 9th Taya turned 1 year old! What a blur this past year has been! It really has gone by way too fast! I love my little Taya! She brings so much joy into our home! It all started with how she became a part of our family. Dave and I were having our new home built and we would bring Ky and Tylee by every single Sunday to see the progress. We would also come over in the evenings. It was April 2006 and we were at the home one Wednesday evening. Dave and I had been discussing who would be in what room upstairs and just kind of joked about the room that would be great for a baby room when the time was right. In my mind that would be a while. I was not ready to have another baby yet. Dave took the kids for a little walk around the neighborhood and I was still in the house. As I entered the room that would one day be the nursery, I had the most overwhelming feeling come over me. I have not had many major spiritual moments in my life, the kind that really shake you up inside. But I was brought to tears. I went running out of the house and found Dave. I was trembling as I told him that I really felt like we needed to start trying for baby number 3. Taya literally came nine months later. I had not got pregnant that fast ever before. Taya is truly a blessing in our lives and we know without a doubt that she is meant to be a part of our family and she was ready to come gain her body. When life brought challenges throughout the pregnancy and right after her birth, I would remember how inspired Dave and I were to have her when we did. My faith has truly been strengthened in ways that I have never before imagined. Just because something is right does not mean it will be easy. Taya is such a little angel. She is a major daddy's girl. She loves Dave so much!!! It is so much fun to see her reaction to him. She lights up not only when she sees him, but also just hearing his voice. It has been fun to have a daddy's girl because Tylee has always been pretty attached to mom. Taya is such a great baby! She is so much fun to play with. Her giggle shakes her entire body! She loves Kyson and Tylee too. They play so cute together. Taya is the baby of the ward. I just had a lady today tell me that she did not know who Taya belonged to for the longest time because she is with so many different families every Sunday. Taya became a "part" of the Williams' family soon after she was born. Paula is a wonderful friend who has helped me so much. Paula and her family kept Taya, Ky, & Tylee when Taya was only 5 weeks old so I could join Dave on a work trip for a weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona. Since then my children have had a special bond with the Williams that I am so grateful for. They still sit with them almost every single Sunday. The other people who have fallen in love with our little Taya is the Wagner's. Rebecca has just had a special love for Taya. It is so wonderful to have so many people love my baby! She is such a special little girl!