Picture overload!!! A month and a half all in one post!

So it has been awhile since I posted last because I got to spend the month in Utah with my family and friends.  I had to go back to finish up all my schooling so I thought I would stay the whole month and make it a fun trip.  It was very busy and I didn't get to see everyone as much as I wanted because of it but now I'm done with school I now have plenty of time to play.  Here are pictures from right before we left for Utah and our whole Utah trip.  Sorry its a picture overload but I figured I would just get it all caught up while Dakota is sleeping and then continue to stay caught up:)

 

 Dakota has recently decided that he loves his helmet and I will find him wearing it all the time usually in his diaper and the helmet is on backwards he loves it and thinks that every time it goes on he gets to go outside.  The picture above is before we left in March and our way of having some fun in the snow!

 Dakota loves the amusement park in the Mall of America almost as much as I love the Mall of America so we came to the agreement that he can ride the rides and I will be happy if he will shop with me and be happy:)  It has been working so far except he hates leaving so it sometimes is a challenge.

 Dakota is starting his potty training he loves to go potty on the big boy toilet and asks to go all the time sometimes he just chooses to put the underwear on as a hat instead and insists I do the same!

 Trying to take his car for a spin:)

 Hanging out with his buddy Luke in the Mall of America (His mommy has been my lifesaver in Minnesota for sure!!!)

 Dakota loves planes and every time he hears them in the air he looks for them and points them out so he gets really excited when we are close he always says "ride them" so when we left for Utah he stayed in the same place watching all the planes coming and going for at least 30 min. 

 Grandma Valerie has a Easter Egg Hunt every year and we were so thrilled that we didn't miss it this year!  The ground is covered in candy and if you know Dakota at all you would know how excited this would make him(let alone all the other children)

 Dakota hanging out at the Zoo with Aunt Callee's glasses.  He sure loves his aunts and uncles and was so excited when we got to spend time with them. 

 Momma and kota hanging out at the zoo!  It was a perfect day with my family I enjoyed every minute of it..

 Uncle Jake and Kota... He especially loved spending time with Uncle Jake everywhere we went especially when he would take him outside on the tramp and swings.  He would look forward to Jake coming through the door from school everyday.

 Papa and Kota.  My dad is a great dad but he is especially a perfect grandpa!! He loves his grandkids and enjoys spending time with them as much as he can.  He doesn't just sit and watch the kids, he joins in and acts just like them!  I love every chance we get to spend with him! I enjoy watching him interact with Dakota and how much joy the grandkids bring into my parents life.  I can't imagine life without my dad and I am sure glad he is here to go on the Carousel ride at the zoo with my little man!

 Shopping with mom.. He sure has good taste in bags:)

 Me and my little man

 These three are "the three amigos" and my family and I kept saying that we all have it in for us when they grow up.  They are going to keep us on our toes for sure.  I love how they all just play together and never miss a beat.  They are best buddies for sure!

 Kota getting ready for his Easter egg hunt

 Dakota takes after his dad and his love of dogs.  Every dog they see they love and think how great they are.  I don't have the same love for them and think that until proven otherwise all dogs are mean.  Even though we have had a dog since we have been married I still am not used to them.  But Dakota on the other hand has no problem.  This is my moms next door neighbors dog which you would think they had known each other for a long time if you looked at this picture with no explanation but this is the first time Dakota met this dog and he decided she would be a great place to rest on and relax in the nice weather.  (Scary for me since he thinks all dogs are nice)  At least this dog was nice and I had no worries...

 Easter morning.  Grandma Valerie sure spoiled us and made sure that Easter bunny came our way!

 Cousin Cason hanging out and having fun with his chocolate mustache!  Love this little guy:)

 Bath time!

 I was able to spend a weekend in Arizona with my sweet Mother in Law Julie and Dakota along with some of her family and man did we have a great time!  It seriously was perfect and much needed so we could just relax and not worry about finishing school.  As you can tell the weather was perfect!

 Grandma Julie and Dakota enjoying swimming in the pool!  He was really particular about staying on the top step and didn't care to go any further which was okay with me.  We got to meet my brother in law and sister in law for the first time while we were there and their cute little boy so it was really nice we even went to an ASU scrimmage game for football.

 Kota and Grandma Julie enjoying there time looking at the cactus plants before we went home.

 I didn't want to get left out either

 Dakota discovered his love for glasses while in Utah just like his dad.  He wore these the whole time and every time the sun got in his eyes he would say "bright, I need my glasses" haha

 the other "three amigos"  I love these kids and was so excited every time we got to play with them:)

 Dakota playing in Grandma Carols dog kennel.  He loves playing in this and having us come find him.  He would do it all day long if I would let him.

 Kotas first goal!!! We went to watch my sisters two kids play soccer and he decided he didn't want to be left out so he went for it just like he had done it before and went straight for the goal without missing!  I loved watching him get so excited to be like his cousins

 Running to kick it in the goal.

 Popsicle mess!! Dakota would eat a popsicle all day if I let him and most the time wear it as well but as you can tell I have to give him a bath after him eating one sometimes so he is limited on his popsicles:)

 While in Utah I decided I needed to make a quilt for my bedroom and with some help this is what I came up with!! I love it and can't wait for the finished product:) It was a great pattern that went together pretty fast with a little help from my family!!;)

Kota at Grandpa Ivie's grave (my dad's dad)
Before I moved to Minnesota I lost a great man who I also gladly call "grandpa" it has been hard and a struggle to my family but I was so excited when they said that the headstone was done early so I could go see it before I went back to Utah.  I seriously was so lucky to have the two grandpas I had and they made sure I knew I was special!  I will forever be grateful for them and the examples they were to me!  I just wish I got to keep them around longer.

 Kota at Grandpa Bodily's grave (my mom's dad)

 I finally made it!!! Graduation day:)  It took me longer then I wanted but I am proud to say that I did it:)  It seems crazy but that day I felt a huge weight get taken off my shoulders that I was so happy to get rid of.  It was such a challenge to do my homework when I felt that I should just be a mom to my cute little man.  I always felt bad for Dakota because he wants to play so much and with me doing school it took a lot of his play time away from him.... So I am excited to be a mom now with the only obligations being having fun with him and his daddy!!!!

 Dennis and kota have a cute bond and are always having a great time together.  He always has fun when he is with Dennis and it is always fun to watch.  This is them feeding the ducks at Weber State.  I'm glad it was them and not me because I always think the birds are going to attack and get nervous but obviously they had no problem with it.

Kota, Cache and Ryker at the park! 

I am so lucky to have the friends I have in my life they have made me who I am and constantly make me want to do and be better.  I am so thrilled that we have kids that are going to grow up together and have that same bond!  Friends are so important in my life and I cherish each relationship I have with them:)  I am super lucky!!!

 Kota and Halle

 



 Dakota turned 2!!!!!! I can't believe how much this little guy has grown already.  He is the biggest joy in mine and Daniel's life and constantly keeps us smiling and laughing.  He is always going and doing something and I can't wait for the years ahead where we can make more memories!  This is Dakota with Grandma Carol they sure love each other and have tons of fun together she was so cute and made this fun cake for him since I insisted on not making a cake because I would have rather bought one this year:)  So she made sure he had his cake and candles to blow out for his special day!

 Grandpa Derry and Dakota hanging out in their backyard.  He had so much fun seeing grandpa this trip and they always have fun tagging along with each other and going on fun adventures like playing in grandpas pond and watching the birds.  So cute and sweet I love watching them joke around with each other and just being together. 

 My mom and kota getting in one some time together before we headed back for Minnesota.  Grandma Valerie definitely has a special place in my heart and maybe I'm a bit biased but she sure is a keeper!! She loves all her grandkids and makes sure they all feel special.  I think it is fun because I always say I am my grandma's favorite grandkid and that Dakota is my moms favorite grandkid but I think it is because they always make us feel that way and all the grandkids would probably say the same (even though I know I really am;) haha!) but it has always been my moms special talent with making those around her feel as though they are the most important.  I sure am lucky to have her in my life and Dakotas and can't wait for the next time we are around!!!

 Kota and momma heading back to Minnesota on the plane!

 This is so funny I had to share!! Dakota got a birthday card from Grandma Carol and Dennis and we brought it home and this is what happens when he finds it.  I laugh every time he thinks that it is so fun!!

My graduation present that will insure I have many more photos for my blog posts!!

 

Have a great day everyone! Don't forget to smile at someone and make their day:)