my little monkey

It's been so fun getting into the swing of things being a mommy.  I truly am dreading school that starts in less than a month!  Last night Maycee was my little helper as we baked cookies for daddy.  Then, as we were cleaning up, she pulled up her chair to the sink to help me rinse off dishes!  My dream come true...baking and cleaning with mommy.

the 4th and little Maycee

Our 4th of July was a relaxing day.  We spent it just the 3 of us.  We went out to lunch to redeem a free meal at Cafe Rio and had dinner at Cracker Barrel to make ourselves stuffed!!  After we finished at Cracker Barrel we planned to go down to Tempe to watch the fireworks.  What do you think happened?  Well, Maycee had a meltdown, we got tired, and decided to stay in.  How boring.  No, not really.  I loved just chillin with the fam!!  Happy Independence Day!!

The wreath I created, with inspiration from Pinterest.  Cute, but not in love with it.  Festive though!

Maycee and I hung out outside while Shem took an afternoon nap.  She finally rode her bike around!!  The first time ever without me having to steer her!  Go Maycee!

Then, this afternoon while Maycee and I were playing in the front room, I had to grab a few pics of her.  Of course, there was a bribe involved for smiling at the camera...frozen cookie dough balls.  Am I bad or what? Ah!

One little birdy

 This is our 5th bird in our 3 years of marriage.  I had been wanting a Fischer's lovebird for the longest time and we finally found one!  He is only 3 months old now, but we got his when he was 4 weeks.  He stayed at the store until he was weaned off being hand fed.

Notice the stance?  This is why he is named Spike for now.  He's a little rough around the edges.  Maybe we'll change the name once he gets out of the "puppy" stage. 

We are happy to have him with us minus the fact that Maycee tries to murder him every day.  Not intentionally, of course.  :)  I will update with more, but here's a short run down of what's gone down the last few months...
1) Shem got a job!!!!!!!!!!
2) I finished semester 3 out of 4 of nursing school!!!!!
3) Maycee has graduated to a toddler bed
4) Maycee is officially out of diapers and potty training herself. Lol!
5) We moved out of our family's care and into the real world again!
6) We love our  new ward
7) I'm a stay at home mommy for the summer and making the house a home!

More to come once I finish up the last 3 photo shoots I have to edit!!  Anyone need a photographer this month?  Lol!!
Check me out @ Anlyn Photography by Andrea Wanlass

Our Savior

This was a wonderful Easter.  I know that the Savior lives.  I love that my religion focuses on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I know He had to come to earth to prepare a way for me to live with Heavenly Father.  I love this Gospel and I love my Savior.  Happy Easter!

"One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so."

who doesn't love...

Who doesn't love conference?!  It was a wonderful conference weekend.  Came across these from Nick Sorensen; inspiration from conference talks.  Love em.