Children's laughter fills the air

Justin was gone this past weekend so Davis and I got a lot of time together. It started off a little rough, with Davis having a really bad night of sleep. This was extra hard because I am so used to her sleeping so great that it really messed up my schedule. On Friday though we went to watch UVU play in a spring tournament. Davis made a some new friends that loved holding her. (thank you Shawn!) I am so lucky that I have a baby that likes to go out and be around other people. Saturday we went to a beautiful bridal shower for my friend Maegan Hoyt. It was so fun to see some people that I haven't seen in a while and get to catch up. It was so fun watching her open the great gifts she got. ( let's be honest they were really for Chris though) They did something that I have never seen done at a shower before, Jess wrote down everything that Maegan said after she opened each of her gifts and then read them all together. It so funny, and it did get a little risque at times. Lacey did a great job planning and executing a beautiful shower. And Maegan looked happier than I have ever seen her and she is normally a really happy person. Her and Chris will have an awesome marriage!

This weekend was a big deal also because Sunday morning I got the first laugh. I was hold Davis in my arms bouncing her up and down while saying little lady, and she giggled. I kept doing it and she kept giggling. So I got Justin on the phone so he could hear it and giggled for him. She changes so much everyday and it is so exciting to see what will happen next. I have decided that when the budget allows we are getting a video camera.

Daddy's gone so Davis gets to hang out on his side of the bed. She just chilled like that all morning while we read a great novel.

Asleep in Shawn's arms. He was a baby hog, but it was so cute to watch.

So cute!!


It was St. Patricks Day today and We had a great time. A couple weeks ago I decided it was high time I get to know the women in my ward. I have never been very good at being the initiator, but part of my new years resolution was I was going to put myself out there and get to know people. We live in a great area and are in a wonderful ward. So I got together with my friend Robin and we planned a St. Patrick's Day picnic for those of us who are at home during the day. I was so excited to meet people and get in the sun. The weather was AWESOME and a bunch of people came. It was so fun to watch all the kids play at the playground with each other. I love living in a place that has so many young families because there are so many kids running around all the time. I got to know some new great girls from the ward. I was actually surprised to see how many people came. Women who were just out walking came by and joined in the celebration. It was especially nice to be outside in the sunshine enjoying great friends and food. I am hoping to do this for every holiday and get more and more people to come.

Green cupcakes, I tried to be very festive and make everything green. I also made cake pops and put the in a glass jar filled with colored green sugar. It turned out so cute!!

Those are the cake pops. It was my first try so they are not as pretty as they should be but I will keep tyring.

Here is the spread, everyone helped out by bringing something. We had tortilla wraps, fruit, pasta salad, yummy punch in the green bucket, and treats. Lots of treats.



Some of the beautiful girls from the ward.

More beautiful girls

Kids everywhere it was so fun to see. I don't want things to go faster but I can't wait for Davis to start walking and playing. She will have so many little playmates when she does.

Becky Madsen brought out her bubble contraption and truly had the kids captivated. At one point she had to chase down her daughter and the other kids followed behind her in a cute single file line awaiting more bubbles.

She definitely had their attention.
My friend Robin's little girl Abby, who bursts with personality. She is definitely a red head.
Robin' her new baby, and her friends from Oregon who came for a visit.


Davis took a little nap in the sun. Probably a little to long, she was a little red after.

Becky's little girl

I love that this little playground is right outside our front door. There will be many a day spent here in the future.
Fun on the swings



Lincoln and Max, Krista's little boys.


It was such a great day. I am grateful for all the people who came and made the party so great. I hope that in the future we can get even more people to come and enjoy each other.

I have been slacking on the blogging these past few days. So here is everything to get caught up on. I will go from the most recent, which is today. Recently, we have had great weather, so great, I have been going on walks and wearing Capri's again. Well today that all ended and Utah lived up to it's reputation. (for those who don't know they say if you don't like the weather in Utah wait five minutes and it will change) It was kind of cloudy all day and then at about 4pm it started dumping snow. In about an hour we got a few inches. I will miss the partly green but mostly brown grass. I have also decided that during the day I will not turn the T.V. on. I thought it would be hard but it is surprisingly easy. I get so much more done, and our house is way more peaceful. I read to Davis (currently we are in the middle of a novel by one of my favorite authors.) We listen to John Schmidt piano music ( I am determined to make Davis a concert pianist). I never thought that I would like being a stay at home mom and was a little worried in the beginning, but I really love it. Now I am just grateful that get the chance to be home all day with Davis. Being a mom is great! I think everyone should do it!

Justin In the snow. If he looks confused he is, what happened to the warm weather?
The other night we were out late so we started her bedtime routine a little later than we usually do. Apparently we don't need the routine to get her to sleep well. It was so cute- she would half open her eyes make this little whimper sound the go back to sleep. Sometimes she is so cute I could eat her (Get in my belly!)

This last weekend the girls that Justin has coached the last two years had a tournament. They were playing only ten minutes from our house so I decided to pack up Davis and head up there to watch them. I figure it can't hurt to get her used to being in a gym.(it will be her life) It was so great to see all the parents of the girls Justin used to coach. I spent most of the time with our great friends the Koehlers. Davis was great about being passed around and handled all day. I love that she is such a happy baby and just smiles when people get her face. A sister of one of the players was there with her son and it was cute to see him interact with Davis. He had this little stuffed duck that he would put up to her face like the duck was giving Davis a kiss. It was really cute (we were telling him to do it, but it was still cute.) The girls of course did very well and won their age group. Unfortunately Justin had to be in Viewmont filling in for one of our coaches who was out of town. It was great though to be out of the house and have so many adult conversations and feel like a member of the human race.

This is a picture of the Dads shagging for girls during warm ups. It is so cute they are so supportive of their daughters and take their job so seriously. As soon as warm ups start they all go running down and get in position so the girls don't have do extra running after the balls. Good thing they are all athletic.

Finally on Friday I was having one of those where I was in the zone. I cleaned the whole house bathrooms included, did all the laundry, made dinner, made a cake, and decorated it. I was really proud of myself so I took a picture of it. Justin works so hard to provide for us that my goal is to keep our house as peaceful and comfortable for us all. That way when we are all together all our attention can be on making memories.

Besides Davis getting her shots on Monday this had been an uneventful week. Which can be a good thing sometimes. I spent this week recovering from the previous weekend. We had a ton of family in town, entertaining and taking care of Davis while being sick really drained me. On Sunday I fed thirty people, something I don't want to do anytime soon. I will stop complaining though because it was great to see and talk to so many people we love. On Wednesday Justin had the day off from work so we packed up the little lady and went for a long walk. The weather was so nice it was almost like spring, 60 degrees and clear sky. We walked over to the school I used to for and visited the teachers I used to work with. It was so fun to see them and the kids. I miss them so much. Davis was great as soon as everyone was looking at her she opened her eyes and started smiling.(such a ham already) We decided after leaving the school that since neither of us had eaten we would stop and get breakfast. A new cute little diner just opened and so we went there. It was really good! Just the right amount of food and good quality too. Then we made our way home and enjoyed the rest of the beautiful day together. It is the best when Justin gets to do those things with us. He is so busy and works so much that the time we get with him is precious. We are looking forward to another weekend with him home. I will have to think of something fun to do.

2 month check up

Today was Davis' two month check up. I was a little nervous about having to watch her get her shots so Justin came with us. I am so grateful he was there. The first part of the check up was great- they measured her and weighed her. Then they asked all these questions about how she eats, sleeps, and poops. Everything about her was very normal, crazy, our kid has ended up normal. Who would have thought?(haha) The one mishap was when the doctor went to put her on her tummy and she kind of face planted. She didn't like that at all. It was funny though. We all had a good laugh. After that the nurses came in with torture devices. We put Davis up on the table and they told us to hold her down so she didn't squirm. She was fine looking around taking everything and then POKE!! Her face turned red and she did the cry where for a second nothing comes out, they are just lying there with their mouth wide open. She cried so hard it made me cry a little bit. She was crying and all I wanted to do was scoop her up, hug and kiss her until she was better. The nurses were great though. There were two of them so they simultaneously did two shots in each leg. She cried for a few minutes after then was fine. We stopped and got Tylenol on the way home and she had an uneventful rest of the day. I never want to see her hurt again, that sucked.

** funny side note. Tonight Justin was sitting in his applied parenting class and the teacher asked of anybody had any stories to tell. No one said anything so Justin spoke up and said that his daughter got her shots today and that it sucked. It is a satellite class so there is a class at UV and a class down in Spanish fork. When Justin told his story one of the students at the Spanish Fork location yells out " is your daughter Davis?" she ended up being one of the nurses that gave Davis her shots today. We knew the one nurse she was our regular nurse, and the other one was this girl in Justin's class. Small world.**

Davis Emma Hutchins

Height: 24 inches (90th percentile yayyy)

Weight: 11.5 (60th percentile)

Head size: 60th percentile

She is our little string bean. I hope she keeps growing like she is now. She has to be our be six foot left handed setter.

A blessed girl!!

We blessed Davis in church this Sunday. It was so great to have so many loved ones with us for the special day. It started out great, Davis woke up in the best mood! We have church at 1pm so we had a lot of time to kill in the morning. She woke up at about eight and smiled all morning. My mom and I had to finish making all the food for the lunch we were having for our family and friends, so she just sat in her chair and smiled at everyone. Justin was awesome and played with her the whole morning while I was finishing up making rolls and dessert. He is such an amazing dad. He gave Davis the most beautiful blessing. He blessed her with great gifts of the spirit that will help in this life. I can't think of a better sight than seeing that beautiful little girl surrounded by the men that love her. My dad said that when they took her into the circle her eyes were wide open and she was just looking around so calm. It was as if her sensitive little spirit could feel the power of the priesthood surrounding her. After the blessing when Justin sat down she was smiling so big at him. When she smiles it melts my heart. I love my little family so much and I know that Justin blessed her with the gifts she will need to return to her father in heaven.

This is the beautiful dress she was blessed in. It is actually a dress that my grandma Hermansen made for me. My sister and I were both blessed in it, and now Davis wore it. It is gorgeous on her.

Justin's parents flew in that morning. Davis was excited to see grandma Debby and Grandpa Hutchins.

She is in Justin's arms.

She was so calm the whole morning, even with all the craziness of having a ton of people in the house.

Again this look tells it all. She was cool as a cucumber especially when she is looking over her dad's shoulder. She loves to be up high where she can see everything going on.

Since grandma Debby wasn't able to stay long she got as much time with Davis as she could. She was falling asleep and smiling in her arms. We all wish they could have stayed longer.



My grandpa Hermansen: my Dad's dad. He looked very sharp with the sweater vest under the suit look. I love my grandparents so much. I am so grateful that they made the drive up from Richfield to see Davis blessed and spend the day with us.

Hannah Robison and Nicole Koehler. Justin coached them in club for a couple years. They are also our future babysitters.


Grandma and Grandpa Hermansen. My grandma also looked very beautiful in her suit. She is the classiest lady I know. I hope Davis gets her strength and endurance in life. She is one tough cookie that is for sure. I love them!!!

Dad and Danielle. My sister was so helpful this weekend with everything we had to do. I love her so much and I am glad that we are able to see each other often these days.


My cousin Russel. I am so glad that he was able to make to the blessing. He is a college student so I am sure that this is the first home cooked meal in a while that he has gotten.


This picture is very special to me. We have picture just like this one with grandma holding me in that dress in my blessing day. I love my grandparents, I know I already said that but I really do.

The Hermansen clan. Four generations: my grandparents, my parents, me and now Davis. This is what we are here for... FAMILY!

Justin gettin' loved on by his dad and Jeff

Here is a better shot of the gorgeous dress.

Both sets of grandparents.

Us with Justin's parents. I have great in-laws, what a blessing they are to me.


Here we are, my little family. I love these two people more than I can express with words. My heart no longer belongs to me. It is now owned by these two amazing people. How I got so lucky I don't know.

More of my family. Half of us are still in church clothes and the other half are a little more comfortable.


It was such a great day filled with family and friends. I said earlier that day that it makes me sad to think that the world is trying so hard to diminish the roles of the family in our society. After a day like the one we just had I am reminded that this why we are here. What better place to learn how to love unconditionally, forgive again and again, and to put others before ourselves than in our families?

Two Months

This is Davis at a week and a half old

Now Davis at two months old.

Even now as I look at these pictures I can't believe how much my little lady has grown. On Sunday someone made a comment about how small she was, I looked at them like they were crazy because to me she has changed so much.

Epiphany #2: Since having Davis and becoming a parent I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father. I understand a little better His love for us and the atonement. When we sin it is easy to feel like there is no way that we can be truly forgiven and that Heavenly Father will forget. Now, looking at Davis there is nothing in this world that she can do that will make me love her any less. Will it kill me to watch her make mistakes? Yes, but I will love her through them. I will also have open arms for her when she needs me. That is what Heavenly Father has for us always as well. Even in our darkest hour all He wants is for us to come to him. Looking at how our heavenly parents love us is the example we should follow. Teach correct principles and let them govern themselves. This will be hard and I will mess up but I have the atonement as the ultimate symbol of love.

Things she has done in her short two months:

* She sleeps through the night

*She smiles and coos at us all the time

* Her eyes are a lot more focused when she looks around

* Her little personality is starting to come through.

* She is so strong, she can lift her head and push herself up with her legs.

* She is awake a lot more and loves to play while laying on her back.

* She has grown like a weed (as you can see from the pictures)

* She actually likes bath time, or should I say loves it. She will be a little fish this summer in the pool.

Dad and I love you so much Davis. You have brought such a strong spirit into our home. I remember thinking when Dad and I got married that I could not remember a time without him. It just felt so natural to be with him. I feel this again with you. It is hard to remember a time when you weren't here in our home. It feels like you were always a part of our family, we just didn't know it yet. This two months has flown by and I look forward to every day that I get to watch you learn and experience all the greatness that this world has to offer you. We love you and will always take care of you.

Weekend with Dad

We had a great weekend, Justin was actually home to be with us. Friday we drove up to the University of Utah to watch our friend Cache play volleyball. After driving all the way up there we could not find a place to park because of the women's basketball game. Oh well, we love you Cache! Since we couldn't go to the game we decided to go to dinner. We went to Pei Wei. It is like P.F Changs (mmmm lettuce wraps). Davis was not happy. She had to be in her carseat so long, when we took her out she calmed down and loved getting attention.

Saturday was the best!!! We just hung out all day. Davis spent most of the day with Justin since this was the first weekend in a while that he has been home. She loves being with Justin, when he is around she just smiles and makes cute little noises. I have a feeling she is going to be a daddies girl. It was so nice that Justin took her because I got to get out and run errands that I had been trying to get to for a while. I love Davis so much, but it is nice to get out without her every once in a while. Then that night we packed up Davis for her first volleyball match outside the womb. Byu played UCSD, my sister's friend Aaron who plays for UCSD got us in on his list. It was so great to see him and talk to him. It was so fun to see so many of our friends that we have not seen since Davis was born. She was the queen of the night, but she did so well. She was passed around all night being held by different people and never fussed. She even slept through some of the game screaming cheering whistling and all. It was a very special night because Davis got to meet the woman who gave us the idea for Davis' name. When Justin was helping out with the mens team he mentioned that he Head coaches wife's name was Davis. Ever since then I loved it, and it happens to be a family name also. So anyway Sean the head coach introduced us and Davis got to meet Davis. She was a beautiful sweet lady. (hopefully a glimpse into our Davis' future) It was great to sit with my brother Michael and our friends Cache and (we even got on tv)

After the Game we went to dinner at Iggy's sports bar. Cache and Justin were their entertaining selves at dinner. I don't think they stopped laughing the whole time, mostly at their own jokes. Again it just felt so good to be out with other adults and feel like a real human again. I love our friends and family and I always have a great time with them. I know you are all sick of hearing this but Davis again did great. She got a little fussy towards the end of dinner because we kept her out way past her bedtime. It paid off though because she slept almost 7 hours.

We had so much fun and Davis was awake and alert for most of the time.

Me and my little babe. I just love her!

We are one good looking group huh?

This is more like it.

Dad and Davis. She is lovin' her some volleyball!!!

SO CUTE!!!!

I just had to post this picture. The bow is the size of her head but it is so cute. She took a long afternoon nap in her swing like this. I was able to get a lot of house work while she was sleeping. I love days like this when I get stuff done, and feel productive. Tomorrow we'll see if I can gt the bathrooms cleaned. (we'll keep our finger crossed:))

Great day and Great Cousins!!

Davis and I had a very fun filled day today. It started with Davis sleeping through the night and waking up in a great mood. It is becoming close to impossible for Justin to leave for school when she is so cute in the morning. She smiles, coos and loves to just sit her bouncy chair in the bathroom and watch us get ready. After we got ready Davis and I went over to our friends Megan and jacks house. They have a beautiful little girl named Cali she is nine months old. Cali wanted to so badly for Davis to play with her but she is still too little to do any playing. It was great to see them and get out of house and have adult conversation. Later we I decided that we would join Justin at club practice. Davis was an angel. She slept for the first couple of hours, then woke up super happy. Justin held her and she had her eyes wide open looking around. She was making cute little noises and everything. When practice started we sat with a couple moms and she stayed awake the whole time. She let other people hold her and looked around. I think that the sound of the gym is actually soothing to her. Almost the whole time she was in the womb I was in a gym coaching all day. She has just had a great day. I feel so blessed that I have such a great baby. I love her so much, and it is even better when she looks at me and smiles and I know that she loves me just as much. After we got home from practice we checked the mail and Davis got her first letter. It was the cutest valentines card from her cousins Ella and Ruby. The colored her a beautiful picture on the inside of card. I get kind of snobbish when talking about my nieces and nephews because they are the cutest. I mean they really are if there was a contest they would win. My sister in law whom I have mentioned before is a super mom. She is my inspiration to be more creative and organized. This is the front of the card that Davis got from Ella and Ruby

Is this not the cutest thing? I don't scrapbook but this is definatly going in her keepsake box. Thank you Ella and Ruby Davis Uncle Justin and Aunt Shannon love you very much!!! Erica you the best!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! :)

This Valentines Day Justin was out of town in Vegas. He was there with the club at a tournament. So my beautiful sister came to visit from Rexburg and celebrate with me and Davis. To start the day I got Davis dressed in her Valentines outfit with her cute pink and white shoes on and waited for Danielle to arrive. When she got here we out and got our romantic dinner from Cafe Rio and toasted with martinelli's. Later our friend Cache came over, he needed a valentine and so did Danielle so it worked out great. We made sugar cookies and watched a movie. I got to talk to Justin on the phone, which is better than nothing I guess. I am really excited that for the next month neither of us are going to be traveling at all. So that means that I will have him to myself, well when he is not at school work or club. I love him so much and I am grateful that he is my eternal Valentine!! Remember to make sure that the people you love know that you love them everyday of the week, not only with words but with actions as well.

This is Davis in her cute pink and white Valentines outfit. She had such a good day she was happy all day. I was able to get a lot accomplished because of her great mood. I just love her!!!

Danielle and I showing off our beautiful cookies. I didn't have a heart shaped cookie cutter so we just free handed the hearts. I love her too!!!

Cache and Danielle also showing off the cookies. We were very proud as you can tell.

My brother Michael came over on Sunday to hang out. This is only the second time he has seen Davis. Which is sad because he lives 15 min. away from us. We understand though he is very busy with school, work, and getting ready for medical school. I love him too!!!

**In family life,love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together,and the music that brings harmony**