WOW!

Winnie was awarded

 "Teacher of the Year" 

this year!

This is a huge accomplishment and we are so proud of her! 

She is amazing with kids and does an amazing job with each and every one of her students!

La Costa

Today Shay and I stopped on our way home from the mechanics to eat at a little Mexican restaurant called

La Costa.

852 East State Street American Fork

Months before I had met up with a friend of mine, Patty, to have lunch there. She had highly recommended the place and said the food reminded her of her mother's cooking (that is probably the greatest complement ever!). I remember thinking that the food was heavenly. I loved that they brought out a yummy side of refried beans w/ the chips and salsa too! So, as Shay and I were driving home from the car shop, I decided to turn into this restaurant and forgo cooking dinner at home. We both were so grateful for my quick decision! The food was better than I remembered it. Just check out Shay's platter below and my burrito in front of his.

 

It was scrumptious to say the least!

So if you are in American Fork, and craving Mexican food, I would highly recommend stopping at La Costa for dinner.

Today we invited Shay's family over for Sunday dinner. 

Luckily Shay's parents, two of his brothers, a girlfriend, 

his sister, a brother-in-law, and 4 children were able to come! 

(Shay comes from a family of 8 kids

--which sometimes makes it difficult to get everyone together at the very same time) 

It is always fun to have the "McDaniels" over!  

We spent time chatting and playing games together.

   

At one point during the evening, while the adults were sitting around chatting, I noticed that our nephew Christian was creating something on my whiteboard in our office/tutoring room.  

I never did look at what he drew until recently.

  

I never laughed so hard.  

I guess Christian is ready for summer break!

Easter for "La Luce"

I couldn't resist this cute dog bonnet for Lucy Lou.

It is so cute to see her in it!

It does take awhile for Lucy to accept that it is going to stay on her head

but once she does.......she's all smiles.

Ok, who couldn't love this face!!!

Starting on the Adoption Road

For the last 6 months or so Shay and I have been going through the grueling process of adoption. It has been a unique, scary, hopeful, stressful, exciting time, and although we have not quite completed our profile with LDS Family Services, we decided to make a personal "adoption blog" so that potential birth parent(s) can get an insight as to who we are:

Winnie and Shay

So, if you know of anyone who is in the process of deciding whether or not adoption is an option please feel free to pass along our blog site.

Our Dog

Today we are so thankful for our dog Lucy Lou!
She is one years old today 11-11-11!

We know it may sound weird to some but we are so grateful to have her in our home.

We absolutely love our little dog!

Today she kept us laughing all day.

She knows us and all of our idiosyncrasies and tries so hard to make us smile.

We are so grateful for the energy, love, and companionship she give both of us. 

 Pets can be such a blessing in our lives!

Flowers!

I have always LOVED flowers.

There is such a happy feeling in your home when flowers are present.

Well, today Shay surprised me and brought me home a dozen roses

--just because! :-)

Aren't they beautiful!

I am so thankful for flowers!

Thank you Shay for being such an amazing husband, support, lover, friend and companion!
I love you to pieces!