Our Graduate!!!

Derek graduated from UVU on Friday afternoon. He has been such a hard worker and great student, we are SO proud of him. He got his bachelors in Graphic Design and is very talented in his degree. I just have to say what a proud wife I am. Last year in April he was invited from the department of Graphic Design to compete in the skills USA in Utah. In his department he got first place. That sent him to nationals in June to Kansas City. In that competition he placed 3rd in the nation. We were all SO proud of him. Congratulations sweetie and thank you for all your hard work. WAY TO GO!!!!Emma is so proud of Daddy. In fact she wanted to dress up just like him on his special day. Isn't this the cutest cap and gown? My friends Mom was so nice to make it for her.

Fun weekend!!

We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point on Friday evening. We were a little bummed because only 20% (if that) of the tulips were in bloom so most of it was just greenery. I thought it was still pretty and we took pictures of any tulips that we did see. Maybe it will be better next spring. It's been kind of rough weather for these tulips, so that is why they struggled to bloom. The festival goes on until this Saturday. It's a fun family activity.After a while, she was getting bugged with the contact with the itchy flowers. Cutie!

Once again, wasn't liking the dirt......

LUNCH TIME!!

I just caught a few cute pics of Emma during lunch today. She is such a good little eater and is hilarious!
"This is my 'going poopy' face"

"Life is good"

"how do I get this thing off of me?"

"Mommy, let me just be cute and messy for you....CHEESE!!"

If you look closely, you can see her bottom tooth start to poke through even more. It's coming through more and more each day.
By the way..a year ago today is when we found out the GREAT news that we are having a BABY GIRL!! Thank heavens for little girls!!

little Lucy Mills is here..FINALLY!!!

My dear friend Lara and her husband Adam had their second child, a little baby girl Lucy. She was born last Thursday. I've been meaning to put some pictures up to show the proud parents. Lucy is SUCH a beautiful and precious baby girl and SO lucky to have such a wonderful Mama and Papa.

I just had to add this lovely picture of Lara and I when we were like 12 and 13 years old.... Sorry Lara, I just couldn't resist. Ah, the memories. hahahhahahha.

7 months=Emma's teething

That's right!!! Saturday (April 5th) on Emma's 7 month birthday, there were a couple new things about Emma. First, she was dancing to the fast music that was playing in the restraunt Saturday night. Woohoo...Derek calls her "Mommy's little dancer" and second, Emma is starting to get a tooth. I felt the sharpness in her mouth that day. Than last night she was biting on my nose....HOLY SHINADIGANS, that hurt like a banchy!! I took a close up picture of her little mouth and you can see it's starting to rip through her poor little gums. If you click on the picture you can see the tooth starting to rip through those little gums on the bottom left front tooth. Hang in there little lady.

General Conference weekend...

Emma just relaxing while watching General Conference on Saturday morning.

What a great weekend it was. On Friday we were able to go to my mission reunion (California, Anaheim) and see some dear old friends. President and Sister Moffitt adored our little Emma. On our way home from my reunion, we were listening to K-BULL 93 and it was the "Love, Lust, and discuss" show. People call in and say who they are and who they love and why. Lo and behold, Derek calls in and says he loves his wife Mandy and his 7 month old daughter Emma. It was fun listening to it on the radio. What a sweetie.
Of course it was wonderful listening to our dear Prophet and brethren speak. I think one of my favorite talks was from M. Russell Ballard, speaking to young mothers. I needed to hear the wonderful counsel. All of the talks were great.

President Moffitt and our little munchkin

Emma met a new friend. Elder Shane Starr and his cute little girl Lydia. They were being so cute to each other

Emma and Sister Moffitt

Melanie (Churchill) Velasquez was having fun playing with Emma. Mel was one of my wonderful mission companions in Newport Beach. She's expecting her first little one in a couple months. She's going to be a great Mama.

I'm at a loss for words. . .