Dave and Sommer's World

Happy November!

2009-11-05T18:29:00.000-08:00

I am amazed that it is November already. To think the last time I posted ( on this website) was Millie's Birthday! She has grown so fast! I tried to make a new blog, but I can't remember the address for it, so we are back on here... what can I say? Pregnant brain...

We had an awesome and fun Halloween. Even with an ear infection, I still pulled off our family Halloween party, and it was a blast! Enjoy the photo's!!

2009-03-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

Millie Dawn turned 1!

Millie woke up to a room full of balloons, just for her. What more could a one year old want?

What a little Princess!

I can't believe how fast our little one has grown up. Time flies too fast! I feel like I am so blessed to be a "stay-at-home Mom" so I don't miss a thing, and it still feels like I missed it all. Millie is the light in our house. She is still the same sweet spirit she was the day she was born!

We love you Millie Bug!

2009-03-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how proud I am of Bridger. Just looking at these pictures makes me tear up. He is turning into such a little Man and I am so proud of the person he is becoming. He is so helpful and loving and kind to everyone he knows and has such a tender heart. I know he will do great things in his life and help to make this world a better place to be in.

My Two Guys! I am so proud of them both!

This was truly a "Momentus Day~!"

2009-03-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Calling all "Master Bloggers"!!! I changed the backround on my blog and it reformatted all my sidebar stuff to the bottom. I am so frustrated and tried everything I can think of to fix it, but it won't work. Any suggestions?? HELP!!

2009-03-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

My Baby Boy Turned 8!!

Bridger turned 8 and got his "Big Reveal" on his bedroom for his present. He loved it! It's all a little, or big, guy needs.

My Super Dave built the bed, the pull out bins underneath, the desk, and the shutters! He is amazing and worked so hard. All I had to do was show him what I wanted and he made it happen.
The bins have metal meshing on the front and look really cool, but you can't really tell in the pictures.

The shutters are my favorite. Dave attatched an awesome decorative metal to the back and Bridger can open them up to look outside. They are fun!

Aquarafest 2009!!

2009-02-19T11:13:00.001-08:00

We had the annual Aquarafest at Fat Cats bowling alley in Provo. All of the Birthday Boys and Girls were there. We had a lot of fun watching the kids and showing off our "skills". Enjoy the pic's!

All the Birthday Kids!

Bridger's turning 8 tomorrow!!

The Birthday Lloyds!

My little bowlers!

Millie's first bowling experience!

Millie loves Bronnson!

2009-02-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

As Valentines Day approaches, I feel so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful family who gives me so much love. Life has been a miracle to send me Dave and Emma, and my other amazing kids. Who would have thought! My Children are healthy (finally!), I have an amazing Man who loves me, and everything is as it should be! Things are good... very good!

2009-01-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

Mattress Surfing!!

Bridger finally got a much-needed new mattress, so we decided to do some mattress surfing before we took it to the basement for "jumping on the bed" fun! This is how we ROCK family night! :)

How Did This Happen?

2009-01-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

How Did This Happen?

Trinity is turning 10 on Monday. She celebrated her birthday Friday night with a couple of her closest friends, Maya, Kizzie and Kaylee. One friend from every town and school she's been to. What a great group of girls! I love that Trinity always picks the sweet, slightly different, individualistic girls to be her friends.

I just can't believe how fast she's grown up. It's like she went from being our little red-head, to being a little lady. She is finding her voice in the world and with our family, and I couldn't be prouder of the girl she is becoming!

Trinity picked out the design and colors for her room. She calls it PINKALICIOUS! Me and Dad worked hard all day while she was at school to paint and decorate it to suprise her for her birthday. You know your girl is getting big when she wants her room done for her birthday, and not toys. It turned out so cute! I'm proud of our work... my favorite decorated room yet! One down, five to go...

Christmas 2008

2009-01-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a busy, great holiday we had! I have to admit, I'm glad it's over. We had lots of fun though, and spent some quality time with family. That's what it's all about...

We had a great "White Christmas". Dave is getting his workouts shoveling the walk two and three times a day!

Christmas party at Grandma Valerie's.

The kids loved decorating the gingerbread house Great Grandma Alene gave them. Dad loved decorating Millie...

The kids put on the best nativity play ever! Emma Belle was our little "STAR"!

Millie's first christmas!

Happy New Year!! The kids rang it in with noisemakers and masks they made!

2008-12-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

You have to love the Ward Christmas Party!

We are trying to be sociable and get to know our new neighbors. Luckily, we moved into a great Ward and everyone is really friendly.

2008-12-04T20:44:00.001-08:00

I am bound and determined to keep up on my blog, so come back and visit more often!! We are having so much fun in our new house and getting ready for Christmas. With almost all of our Christmas shopping done already, all we have to focus on is spending time with family and having fun with the little ones.

2008-11-30T18:19:00.000-08:00

First Christmas Magic!

We got our Christmas things out this weekend and started decorating. Little Millie is so enamored with my little Christmas Village. She loves to watch the little People dance around in the "Palace Ballroom". It's the exact magic I hoped the kids would feel when I bought the houses years ago... too precious.

We are so grateful and excited to be in our new house for the holidays. We have been blessed so much since we came together. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. For the first time in a long time I can say that and mean it. Life is Grand!

By the way, I have the BEST Husband ever! He climbed, cut, spliced, and straightened our lights. They looked better than the neighbors and they had to pay for theirs. I am a lucky woman to have him!

Millie kept us company while we decorated outside.

2008-11-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to be grateful for! Most of all I'm grateful for my Children, my sweet Husband, my Family, and the opportunity we have to always "start over". We had a great feast at Mom and Bob's with lots of family at little ones. It was a great day!

The other kids were gone with the "ex's". We miss them so much when we have to share them, but they have too many people who love them.

Mandy earned herself the name "Martha" this Thanksgiving with her awesome turkey rolls.

Cutie Maggie and David. It's just not fair to be so cute and pregnant.

2008-11-30T17:29:00.000-08:00

FALL FUN!!

Ok, Ok, I know it's late. My motto these days is "better late than never". We had a blast though!

Trinity was such a gorgeous little witch, Bridger was a super spy, Emma was Cinderella (at her Momma Ronnie's) and Millie spent her first Halloween as a purple witch.Thanks, once again to Mandy and her block party, we had a fun Halloween party to go to!

We Bought Our House!!

2008-10-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

We just closed on our house today! Wa-Hoo!! We are so excited to have this new start and to finally have enough room for our growing family. We will be living in Sunrise Meadows. We have been saying for two years that we wanted to live in that neighborhood. I guess it just goes to show, you better be careful what you put into the universe!!

We will miss Mom and Bob though. They are the best and we have had a lot of fun. It couldn't get much better for living with your Parents!!

Here's some pictures of what we've been up to...

The Kids' School Carnival

Painting Grandpa's "Barn"

Lake Powell with Dave's Work -- They Rock!!

On the hike from He_ _!!

The "Crack"

There's a good reason...

2008-08-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

There's a good reason I haven't updated all summer! We have been so busy and having too much fun! Also, we sold our little house in Saratoga Springs and have been living with my Mom and Bob for about two weeks now. We were lucky to sell our house in this market and are taking our time house-hunting and saving up some money. They are the best for letting us move into the basement.

Take a look at our summer adventures!

Ward Ball!!

Dave's 28th Birthday... Look at all those kids!

Princess Emma

Camping with the Claytons

Lehi Roundup Rodeo

Kids and Cousins at Lehi Parade

Stadium of Fire and Miley Cyrus!

Millie's first food

Our last Sunday Breakfast before the move

2008-06-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

So many people have asked me how to tell if they should be concerned about a mole. Here is a copy of the information I got from my Doctor. Also, check out the American Academy of Dermatology website at http://www.aad.org/ . It has a lot of great information on what to look for and ways to do self-examinations for melanoma. Just double click on the picture below and you can read it better and really see the pictures. Have fun!!

2008-06-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

What a week it's been! I am so grateful for everything in my life and for my life itself. It's a shame it took something so extreme to give me a wake-up call and remind me to appreciate all the wonderful gifts I have been given. I have come to the realization that all the little things don't matter and the never-ending search for perfection only lies within. If I sparkle on the inside, it doesn't matter what is going on on the outside.

We have all heard how important it is to wear sunscreen and eat well and take care of our bodies. I know I didn't listen and it was more important to look good than to really do what was best for my body. I never in a million days would have thought I would get diagnosed with skin cancer, of all things. That just happens to someone else. I think we all think the same thing. I hope that you can read about my experience and maybe think twice before going out in the sun unprotected. It is a scary realization that getting your skin and tissue and fat cut out piece
by piece is a possibility and it really can happen.

I am so thankful that I was given this opportunity for growth and a profound experience. I am so blessed that it hadn't spread any further and I didn't literally have to learn this lesson the hard way. Having scars and healing from this surgery is simple compared to what I may have had to go through.

I hope all of you, my loved ones, will think a little more, try a little harder, so you don't have to question your mortality. Maybe take a minute right now and think about your life and all the things you are grateful for, without having to. Act as if this was your wake-up call too and keep yourself protected.

Thank you all for all your prayers and for being in my world. I am truly so blessed!!

2008-06-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

WE ARE BLESSED!
As some of you may have read on Mandy's Blog, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. Crazy huh? In a matter of four days, I found out I had Melanoma Skin Cancer, had two more moles scooped out of my body, had radioactive dye shot into my leg, had skin, fat, and tissue scooped out of my leg, had a lympnode removed from my groin, received a 13 in scar and a 31/2 in scar, and 24 staples. I was scared out of my mind and relieved out of my mind when I was told the cancer hadn't spread, and went through almost every human emotion possible. I am left today so grateful for all of my blessings, for an amazing Husband and awesome kids, and the opportunity to learn from this experience. I haven't quite figured out what all of it was for. I am still absorbing the whole whirlwind! I am a firm believer in "all things happen for a reason" so I am waiting to figure out what that "reason" is. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. I know I felt them and things have worked out so well because of them. When I figure out what this experience means to me, I will share it with you. Maybe that was the point...

Miss Us??

2008-05-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hey all! We have been so busy the last month that I haven't updated for a while. Things have been going well. I have been trying to get into a groove after Millie's arrival and having four kids now. Also, waiting for my hormones to settle down has been interesting, to say the least. My sweet husband is so patient! I am relieved to say we are finally into the swing of things.

Here's what we've been up to all month:

Little Millie was blessed by her Daddy on May 4th at our ward in Lehi. He gave her such a perfect blessing to get her started off in life. All our family and loved ones showed up for her special day. We had lots of fun eating afterwards and visiting. We are such proud parents!

Bridger lost another tooth and is now missing both front teeth (and then some!). It's finally his turn to be toothless! He is growing too fast!

I have to say I am the luckiest Wife and Mom on the planet! I was spoiled rotton on Mother's Day with breakfast (nice and early as you can see), lots of homemade cards, rollerblades, and a manicure and pedicure. Not to mention all the wonderful hugs and kisses and the feeling of being a "Queen-for-a-day"! My Dave is too good to me!

Ta-da!! Little Miss Emma had her very first gymnastics meet! It was seriously too cute. All the little three and four year olds came marching in like elephants from "Jungle Book" and took turns showing us their moves on the balance beam, bars, and jump board. Emma was awesome! We are so proud of her!

Trinity is my biggest helper! She is having her first turn at feeding Millie. I honestly don't know what I would do without her. She is feeling good and we are keeping on top of her labs, meds, and doctor visits. So far, so good. As we say around here, "no news is good news". We are hoping to get her off her prednisone soon and pumping her full of water to keep her creatnin levels down. Things are looking stable though, so that's good!

How We Began...

2008-04-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

Millie's Photo Shoot!

2008-04-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

While getting ready for Millie's Blessing, I had a grand, last minute idea to have her pictures taken in her blessing gown so I could send out announcements / invitations. I love waiting until the last minute!

It was so much fun! She was so good (honestly, I was a bit surprised) and actually fell asleep so we could do some fun things. Millie is wearing the dress I was blessed in and Trinity was blessed in. We have a little heirloom now that could be passed down. I am so excited to have these pictures to capture her sweet little spirit in time.

She is such a good little "wee" and I am so enjoying this chance to be a "Mom" again. My older kids are so easy now that they seem to take care of themselves. Being thirty and having a newborn has been so peaceful and fulfilling. I am truly blessed.

Grandma Flora's Special Socks

Millie "In a Nut Shell"

Twinkle Toes

With Spring Came Our New Addition

2008-04-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Millie Dawn Chappell

On March 12, our little one was born! She was 8lb 3oz, much to my surprise. What a healthy little girl! I was able to birth her all natural, with the help of our Hypno-Birthing classes and my wonderful partner, Dave. It was an intense and awesome experience. The jury is still out on whether or not I would do it again though. I think I earned bragging rights on that though!

Millie has such a sweet little spirit and has kept me busy. It's been a long time since we had a little one around. It has been such a blessing!

Aunt Mandy used her awesome photography skills and took some pictures at Millie's one month old mark. Enjoy the pictures of our journey!

Emma Belle's Update

2008-03-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Our Little Bit Of Fairy Dust

Emma is getting so big. She is almost 4yrs on April 2. She is a spirited handful. She is in gymnastics and loves it, she does a mean summer-salt and AWESOME back bend. She just loves her new little sister Millie, so much so we have to remind her to stop petting the baby. She loves her brother and sister so! She gets so excited every time she gets home to play with Bridger and Trinity. Emma is really finding her little personality and is so funny, (chip off the old block). She makes the funniest faces and tells her Papa how much she loves him all the time. (I don't complain). Between Bridger, Trinity and Emma, they have no problem finding something to get into or make believe up. She really is our "Little Bit of Fairy Dust" or our little "Prince-ass" (that's supposed to be funny).

Bridger's Update

2008-03-22T15:52:00.001-07:00

Bridger is sure my little man. He's such a good brother to his sisters, always taking care of them. He is doing so well in school. His teacher says he is one of the best readers in the first grade. His favorite books are the Captain Underpants series, (thanks Grandma Flora).
Bridger just recently wrapped up his very first basketball experience, it was an absolute RIOT!!
It was a lot of fun I (Dad) was able to be his coach and we both learned alot. I must say we had the best little passers in the whole league.
Bridger is also really coming into his creativity. He has made up a whole super hero series called BLUE LIGHTING. He is currently working on his rough draft.

Bridger has no problem with the girls at school. Even though it's not allowed, Sommer and I have a hard time keeping up with all his little school yard girlfriends. It's really pretty funny.
Bridger is now 7 yrs old. He's such a fun little guy and keeps us all laughing and on our toes!

Trinity's Update

2008-03-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Trinity has been in and out of Primary Children's Hospital this new year. Her little new kidney is acting up a little bit so we have been here giving her a tune up. Trinity is the strongest little girl you have ever met. She is so polite to all the nurses and the doctors. She makes her Dad's and Mom proud.

She is doing so well in school and she is so smart. Her beautiful red hair is getting so long and she really is becoming a little woman, (but don't tell her Dad's).

Trinity is just as creative as ever. If its not a newspaper she made for her school its turning her room into GlamaGirl Cafe, where everything is a $1.

She was able to be in dance for the first time this year and did an awesome job! She also was the "sloppy girl" in Lehi City's "Cinderella". We are so grateful her health is good so she can finally participate in such fun activities.

Trinity is such a good helper to her Mom and I, making her brother and sister laugh and keeping them entertained. She is the best big sister any kid could ask for.

Welcome to our Crazy World.

2008-03-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hello freinds and family,

So nice to see you.

I thought this was a great idea to let you know what our family has been up to.

Sommer and I have been doing great. Sommer is now a full time domestic engineer. And she loves it ( I think). And I am now with Best Vinyl and it has been a very good change for us. We are just trying to keep up with all the kids and all of there different stuff that is going on, but I don't think we would change a thing.

It has been a crazy first part of the year for the Chappell Family. We recieved little Millie Dawn Chappell on March 12/08 at about 3:58 she was 8lbs 3oz.

Millie's brother and sisters were so excited to see her. She is another blessing in our lives.