An Update...

Growing and ever changing...

almost a smile...

so much fun...

those big, beautiful eyes...

Rosie cracks us up, because she will be sitting up in the corner of the couch and the next thing we know...she's snoring. It is so adorable!

Once he's in...you can't get him out! Cruz loves taking a bath...usually:)

Thanks to our friends the Evan's from back home, Cruz got some of the cutest little Bee slippers!

Cruz is always wanting to hold Rosie.
He holds her and kisses her continually. He is such a sweet big brother!

While we were home in Montana, we blessed our new bundle. Here are a few pictures, but I am hoping to post a few more.

A Proud Daddy...

Rosie looks so beautiful.
Just for those who didn't know, she got to wear my blessing dress. I thought that was pretty cool:)

We love our daddy and had so much fun spending the holidays with him.
Now that were are back in Tennessee, both kids are daddy's kids.
Cruz gets so excited when he hears the front door unlocking; Rosie gets goo goo eyes every time Taylor looks at her...me to0!

Grandma and Grandpa-Great spoiled us all!
We love them and had so much fun spending time with them.

Thanks to all the helping hands, Taylor and I were able to get out on our own a few times. This particular excursion was ice skating...naturals!

The plane rides went well going both directions.
Thank heavens for DVD players!

Rosie and Daddy on the plane.

Our trip home was successful and so much fun!
Thanks to all those who helped make it a stress-free trip...and a trip at all!
We love you all and can't wait 'til the next go round!

Just a side note, but church got canceled, because we got so much snow. Believe it or not it is actually a winter wonderland out here today!
ENJOY!

Tennessee Tease

Tennessee Tease...I just LOVE this weather!

Well...if you have any idea what the weather has been like her in Tennessee, you would understand. One day it is cloudy, the next pouring rain...ALL DAY LONG, the next day beautiful sunshine (For a few precious hours), TODAY...SNOW!
I didn't know we were moving to Seattle, WA., but that is what is feels like right now.
It is amazing how the weather can have such a huge affect on your mood. I have never been a depressed person, but it is so easy to be depressed here. So, today, as I was sitting here thinking about how depressed I was, I began thinking..."Why does it have to be this way?"
THE ANSWER: IT DOESN'T!!

I am always telling Taylor that he just has to choose to be happy...look in the mirror Josie...I decided that this time I needed to take my own advice.

To snap out of my little "poor me" moment I began chasing Cruz around. Now I understand why we are supposed to become like a child. It is amazing how pure and sweet their joy is! The smallest and seemingly insignificant actions can bring them to their knees...because they are laughing so hard!
I am so thankful for my kids, for the sweet pure joy that they bring me!

So today, I am making a choice...instead of frowning I choose to spread my smile!

Today, laugh...you will be amazed by the power!

P.S. I got a new camera and need a reader for the SD Card. It is on its way in the mail...so you will have to wait to see how much the kids are growing.
Cruz weighed in at 28 3/4lbs.
Rosie weighed in at 10 lbs. 11oz.
Yippee!!

A few precious moments...

This is the only picture we got on our anniversary...but i guess at least it's a good one:)

I love her big eyes.

They look more and more alike everyday.

Just cut me out of this one and it would have been a Kodak moment:)

Cruz gives his fair share of loves and kisses!

Bathing Beauty

Ignore the flash....it was a cute moment.

Cruz is beginning to pose for the camera. He can be such a cheeser sometimes.

Yay! Taylor survived his first round of finals! I have never been so excited for something to be over with. I feel like we haven't hardly even seen each other! It was good timing, because we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on Thursday. Thankfully, we have made a few friends and were able to have one of them babysit Cruz so that we could get away for a minute.
These four years have gone by so fast! We have been through so much together and we know there is more to come. I am so excited to ride the waves with Taylor! 2 kids later, and I can still say our life is wonderful! I love my amazing,m sexy husband! Thanks babe, for all you do and all you sacrifice. I know it isn't always easy!
Well, I am just getting the house all clean and ready so that we can finally leave on vacation. I can't wait until tomorrow morning when we will finally be leaving! I caught a few precious moments of the kids on camera and thought you might be interested.
I am so thankful that Cruz loves his little sister! They are so adorable together!
Merry Christmas everyone!

Shout Out to Elder Lies

I just wanted to make a little shout out to Teigan!
He went into the MTC yesterday! Tay and I are just missing out on all sorts of important events, but our hearts were there.
Teigan went to school in Idaho while we were there and during that time we grew pretty close. I can honestly say I love him like he is my brother, no...he is my brother. He is an amazing person and will be such an awesome missionary. Tay and I were talking about the fact that we both had a pit in our stomach's yesterday, knowing he was entering the MTC and officially on his own. (and we aren't even his parents...we love you Mark and Chelle) We are so proud of his decision to serve a mission and to sacrifice 2 years of his life. I know he will be blessed for the rest of his life, as will his future family! Thanks for being such a wonderful example to your niece and nephew and those to come who will always look up to you! Life won't be the same without you! We will miss your big smile, great hairdos, Cruz's buddy, your jokes, and your friendship. 2 years will go fast though, and our friend will be home before we know it! God be with you 'till we meet again.
D&C 18:15
And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

WE LOVE YOU TEIG!

Time for the Terriffic Two's!

Time goes by all too quickly!

Rossie is growing! Last week she was almost 7 lbs. but I swear she has gained weight since then.
Eat...eat...eat...that is all she ever wants!

Such beautiful brown eyes!

A big smile to go with it!

The best big brother...weighing in at a whopping 27 lbs!

Bet you can't wait to see us!

These were taken on Cruz's second birthday!
He had a hay day being the center of attention.

Thanks for all of the gifts...This was one of Cruz's particular favorites...he walks around all the time with his money.

To celebrate we went to Disney on Ice's presentation of Finding Nemo!
Cruz loved every second.
Mommy and Daddy loved it too!
Rossie was such a good baby...I am sure she enjoyed it as well.
Thanks Nana Chelle and Papa Mark!

It's so fun having a little girl to dress up.
I love that she can wear big girl clothes now...Newborn size!

Cruz and his favorite person...at Finding Nemo.

Not a good picture, but I had to have one of NEMO!

...and of course Mickey Mouse! (Mic Mouse if you pronounce it like Cruz)

Cruz adored the Disney on Ice!
I don't think he ever took his eyes off of the characters!
It was so fun to see him yelling at Dori Nemo and Mickey Mouse...but it made me think about how much he has grown.
We are so thankful for Cruz and his tender little spirit. Even though he his showing his temper every once in a while, he is still one of the sweetest little boys I have ever met!
He is talking more and more every day. This past week he has started stringing several words together at once.
He has spoiled us as parents, by being such a good baby and now big boy!
Life just wouldn't be the same without his big smile, adorable giggle, and the loves and kisses!
We love our Cruz!
2 years went by way too quickly!

See you all at Christmas!

Well, we will be home in about 2 weeks and we can't wait!

Love,
The Lies Family

Holiday Fun

HOLIDAY COOKING Cruz definitely enjoyed the cookie dough.
He tries to be helpful...

I love this time of year...and all of the yummy treats.

I got this wonderful recipe at Relief Society last week. So, Cruz and I decided to try it out for ourselves. The cookies turned out delicious. Cruz helped stir all of the ingredients, but I think he enjoyed eating the chocolate chips and the cookie dough more.

You should try them out for yourselves.

So easy and so yummy!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients:-pumpkin pie filling

-spice cake mix

-1 package chocolate chip

Mix all 3 ingredients and drop onto a cookie pan (spray it first). Then, cook for 20-25 minutes at 325 degrees. Enjoy.

As time goes by...

As Time Goes By...we are all changing... It seems as if Rossie is changing every day, and looking more and more like her older brother.
We went for a walk the other day and Rossie fell asleep with this hat on. She is so adorable.

I didn't realize the hat was covering her eyes. oopsy:)

The light of our life!

The most devoted Daddy.

Happy to be a mommy of 2.
If you look closely you can tell the preemie clothes are getting a little to small.

Love the hands.

Tummy time.

She is starting to smile more often. Hopefully we will capture her beautiful smile on camera soon.

Happy Big Brother!

November is almost over already. I don't know where the time goes. I complain that the hours seem to creep by, but the weeks go by so fast! Before we know it, we will be back in the West for Christmas!!! We can't wait. We are looking forward to coming home and spending time with our families. Being so far away has made us more aware of how thankful and blessed we are to have such amazing families.

However, Thanksgiving is coming up and we will be spending it here. We are excited to spend it with our Bishop and his family. They have been so wonderful to us. We are learning the true meaning of "ward family". It's funny how things change.

So, we are just trying to live in the moment and learning to love it! (At least that's what I tell Taylor...he is such a stresser!)

Miss you all!

Love Always,

The Lies Family