Why I did it...

I know...I know.... I look better with long hair. However, there finally came the day that I just couldn't take it anymore. I get up every morning at 5am to go to the gym. Then I go to work or go back home to take care of the kids. I just don't have time for long hair anymore. Plus, Hayden was either getting his hands stuck in it, or he was eating it. It's so much easier and faster to do now, and it will be fun for the summer. I would have left it long if it was Ryan's request, but he didn't care either way. I'm sure I'll grow it back out eventually, but it was time for a change.

The Perfect Loaf

My first attempt at making bread early in our marriage was a complete disaster. So when I told Ryan I was going to make bread to save money, all he could do was laugh. Well, after one bread making class, asking advice from everyone I know, a great recipe from my Grandma Joyce, a lot of help from Hailey, not to mention the hours and hours of kneading, raising and baking I finally figured it out! Ryan was so proud of me he even got me a wheat grinder for Valentines Day (way to go Ry)! I love to make my own bread now. Homemade bread tastes so much better than store bought, and you can put all sorts of healthy things in it. Plus, it's a good mother-daughter activity. :)

When enough is enough

For the last 3 years Ryan has been flipping houses, and doing a great job at it. Luckily we sold the last one we had right before the market went south. We decided it was a good time for Ryan to try something else. That's when the granite business came along. However, when Ryan finds a good deal it's hard for him to pass it up. In March we found a great home in South Jordan. The homes in the area were selling within 30 days, so we thought it wouldn't be a problem. Plus, we would just move into it if we couldn't sell it. Well, the market got worse in the 3 months we fixed it up, and we just couldn't sell it. When we tried to get a loan we found that it was really tricky since Ryan has only had his granite business for a year. Well, after alot of stress, headaches and countless prayers we finally sold it in December. Ryan said that he wouldn't mind flipping a house again in the future. I told him not as long as he's married to me. :)

Life at home with Daddy

Being that the ecomony is what it is, and Ryan's granite business slows down in the winter months anyway, I had to go back to work pretty much full time in December and January. Even though it was the hardest thing in the world to switch roles for a little while, we found it has been the biggest blessing for our family. We both definately appreciate eachother more, and the time we spend with our kids. Ryan has done such a great job being Mr. Mom. It's been fun for me to come home and see the pictures of their adventures throughout the day. Although, I could do without the mess. :)

Christmas 2008

I'll start off our blog by giving an update on the most recent Tolbert Family events begining with Christmas. What an exciting year for Hailey! Her first Christmas of really looking forward to Santa bringing her presents, and what do you know...She gets of all things the stomach flu. Starting from Christmas Eve and for 5 days after our poor little girl was so sick. She didn't even want to open presents Christmas morning. When she opened up her princess sleeping bag from Santa she climbed right in, and the picture explains the rest. What a bummer! She was still a good sport.

Our new family blog

Okay... I'm starting to figure out how to do this whole blogging thing since it seems like I'm the only one in the world without one. It only took me about 3 late nights to figure it out. I'm still an amature, so don't judge my page design. Anyway, I thought this would be a good way to keep up on everyone's busy lifes when I have time to waste (ha, ha, ha....).