Alex's Seminary and High School Graduation

May 24th 2010 Alex graduated from Shelley High School! It was a nice ceremony and we are so proud of Alex for this accomplishment in his life!

Congrats Graduate!! WE LOVE YOU!!

May 22nd 2010 Seminary Graduation:

We're proud of you!! Good luck in all you do!! Next step....MISSION!!

The Birthday Celebration Continues

Sunday we continued my birthday and had cake and ice cream over at my parent's house.

I made myself a Rainbow Chip Cake with Rainbow Chip frosting! My favorite! :)

Nick, Ashley, Hallie and Cooper gave me this cute teal necklace with matching earrings,

And, as always, Hallie attached to my side helping me blow out candles! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I have to admit...being 25 isn't so bad afterall! :)

My Golden Years Are Approaching...

May 20th is a day that I have been dreading for awhile. It was my birthday. I didn't dread the fact that it was my birthday-I dreaded the fact of turning.....25! NO!! Now, some may think that turning 25 isn't a big deal. Well, it is to me! I fee like my youth is gone and it's all downhill from here! 5 more years and I'll be 30!! Where did the years go??

It was an ok day. I didn't do much. It was just another typical day- I stayed home with Garrett while John went off to work. When John got home he showered me with gifts and then we took Garrett over Tausha's so just the two of us could go to dinner at Cafe Rio. Yum! Since I didn't get a cake with candles to blow out, after dinner John and I went to SubZero and got some ice cream-which was better than cake! :) Like always, I had a fun time with John! Thanks John for the clothes and thanks for making my birthday special! :)

Garrett got me this cute shirt from Aero,


and John got me a couple of tank tops and flip flops from Aero.

I thought that they were cute but unfortunately, they didn't fit so all gifts will be returned for bigger sizes!! Bigger sizes?? I guess I haven't been working out as hard as I thought! Although, my legs would beg to differ! GOL! On top of being 25 I don't even get to enjoy my presents!

This was my favorite present-A kiss from Garrett! That brightened my day up a little! I love this little outfit he's wearing. It's still too big for him but he's outgrown the "Newborn" stage (sad!) and the 3 month stuff doesn't fit him just right yet.

My Presents: A card, 2 pairs of flip flops, two tank tops and a shirt. I feel really bad that I am retuning them but if they don't fit...they don't fit!

I'm still kind of having a hard time admitting that I'm 25. I'm even a little embarassed to mention that after opening presents, I had a little bit of a meltdown!! I know John thinks that I am crazy for sure-he asked what the big deal was and just laughed! MEN!! THEY DON'T GET IT! I tried to explain the whole "women and their age" concept but it just didn't register with him. Ugh, Whatever!

Today is a better day....

West Yellowstone Girl Getaway

This last weekend all the girl cousins and our moms went up to Yellowstone to Wolf Creek Resort for a nice getaway-a tradition that started last year and hopefully continue throughout the years!

Wolf Creek Resort-(I think that's what the time-share was called) We had 3 rooms which all included a kitchen, tv room with a fold out bed, a bedroom with 2 twin beds, a bathroom, and a master bedroom/bathroom. They were so nice! Ashley and I shared the master bedroom with our babies....who, I thought, did very well this trip!

Mom, Ashley, and I (and babies) carpooled up together Friday afternoon. After unloading all of our gear, we all sat down and had a yummy dinner.....then the fun began!!

We played games, binged on goodies, swapped family/embarrasing moments and laughed...A LOT!! My cheeks still hurt from all the fun!

Grandma, mom (holding Garrett), Lani, Kara, and Regan


Aunt Janice, Darcie, Aunt Debbie, and Tasia


Like I said-we laughed a lot! And stayed up way too late!

After a long, long night the next day was kind of mello. A few of us wanted to get our blood circulating again so we went for a walk around the shops in Yellowstone.

Darcie, Ashley, Kara and her little girl Marley getting ready for our walk.


Regan, Kenna (hiding), Aunt Caroline and Aunt Shirlene

Being the tourists, we stopped and posed in front of this colorful buffalo! Our walk didn't last very long but it was nice to get out! :)

Again, after dinner, the laughter continued with more games, stories, and goodies!

Aunt Shirlene and my mom with Garrett


My cousins: Tasia and Shyla (Sorry about the blurred picture girls!)


Regan and baby Cooper (she is such a good baby-not a peep the entire weekend!)


Aunt Janice and my cousin Paige

Mom and Garrett and Aunt Janice. It just dawned on me that in every picture I took, my mom is holding Garrett! Did I even take care of him this weekend?? Or did I just pawn him off on my mom? Sorry mom!

After another long night, we got up way too early to have breakfast! Aunt Janice, Paige and Tasia had to make it back to Salt Lake City in time to catch their flight to California (hence the early breakfast) but before we said our final goodbye's we had one last photo op!

Here is my grandma with her 4 of her 11 great-grandkids. Avery Jane is on her right, Marley Shay on her left, Garrett, and Cooper-P.S. Garrett was the only boy on this trip! :)

I was looking through my pictures before posting and came across this one and started laughing histerically! Cooper is cross-eyed and her expression says it all!! (Ugh! Another picture? Please!)

Oh my gosh! I'm still laughing.....She just looks so annoyed! :)

My Mom's Sisters: Aunt Debbie (sister-in-law), Aunt Caroline, Aunt Janice, Grandma, Aunt Shirlene and my pretty mom


The Gang!


My Family


The Girl Cousins and Grandma

Sadly, not everyone could make it this year. They were missed and hopefully we can all be together next year! Thanks Lani for putting this all together! I know we all had so much fun and will always remember the fun times we shared together! Until next year.......

"Talking"...Kind of

Garrett has started to "coo", smile and "talk". So the other day I recorded him talking. I really wish I could've gotten him to smile because when he does, they are big smiles and so cute!! :) He thinks I'm so funny! :) Enjoy!

Sorry about the spit-up!

Mother's Day-A First For Me

Happy Mother's Day!!

This holiday is a first for me and I have to say that it was a wonderful day! John and Garrett got me some "Hailey" perfume from Aero (my favorite) and a card. It wasn't much, but I don't need lots and lots of gifts to feel loved or appreciated-I get that feeling everyday! :)

Here are some women who I look up to and love very much and mold my "mommy life" after.

First: Is my own mom. She has so much love for her own children and husband and also for her 3 grandkids. I love it when we go to visit her! Her eyes just seem to sparkle every time she holds Garrett. I thank her for showing the example of how to love and nurture. I just hope that I can be as wonderful of a mom as she has been to me. We've been through our tough times, Mom and I just thank you so much still loving me! You're a wonderful Mom and being a grandmother suits you! :) Thanks Mom for all you do! WE LOVE YOU!! You're my WonderWoman!

I love this picture-Mom is meeting Garrett for the first time. She told me one time that Garrett has stolen a peice of her heart from day one! :) Thinking of that always brings a smile to my face but I know that all of her grandkids have a special place in her heart.

Second: My beautiful sister Ashley. I love that we are only 22 months apart. It made for some fun times growing up! We shared bedrooms together, bathrooms, clothes (even if she didn't want to), and one pregnancy. She has so many gifts and talents. One talent that she has that I am grateful for is she knows how to cut/style hair. In high school, she always did my hair for dances and she even did my hair for my wedding. I wouldn't trust anyone else!

Another talent that she has that I wish I had was her gift for being crafty....at everything! Her house is always decorated so cute with a homemade touch. She makes blankets, bows for her girls, and she scrapbooks. WHAT A WOMAN!!

Ash, you're such an example to me. You're such a great sister and an even better mom. You learned from the best! Thanks for letting me come over for visits, the numberless haircuts, and the laughs throughout the years!

I love watching you teach, nurture and care for Hallie and Cooper. I love your little girls dearly and would claim them as my own if I had to. LOVE YOU!

Third: My Grandma, Shirley McAffee. She is such a pretty lady and a magnificant cook! I like to think that I got my cooking skills from her...somewhat. She has raised 10 kids of her own! No wonder she knows how to love!!

Recently, she got diagnosed with cancer and she is taking it like a pro! She has her good and bad days but she keeps a positive attitude and her hopes high. That's what I love about her-eveything around her is happy! :)

I'm glad that she got the chance to meet Garrett. Garrett is her 7th great-grandchild...I think. She is a fun grandma and I love her very much!

Fourth: My mother-in-law, Linda. She has been in my life for almost 2 years. She has welcomed me into the family with open, loving arms. She has done a great job raising 7 kids. She is also a wonderful cook! She always offers me recipes that I do try and sometimes fail at. She would do anything for anyone-even if she doesn't know you! :)

I love how that when we go and visit her, she goes nuts over Garrett. I think Garrett reminds her of her of her own baby....John! She always says just how cute Garrett is!

And last but not least...ME! I recently became a Mother myself. The sleepless nights, endless diaper changings, the hourly feedings....I have enjoyed every minute of it. It definately hasn't been easy but it's been worth it. Garrett has brought such joy into our lives. I know I've only been a mom for 2 months but I really do wonder what life was like without him. It is true what they say: The love doesn't get divided, it gets multiplied. (Or something like that). Being a mom is great! Time consuming, but great!! :)

Thanks Garrett for coming into my life and making my dreams come true of wanting to be a mom. I promise to always show you love and to always care for you! It's a great feeling to know that someone so small and precious needs me so much!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

1 Month Checkup

Garrett had his one month checkup this morning. Dr. Bennett said that he is growing normally and is healthy, healthy, healthy! I thought that Garrett was going to get his shots today but I decided not to do them until he's actually 2 mo. which will be the 14th of this month! So, on the 18th he will be getting his immunization shots! :(

GARRETT'S STATS:

DATE: May 4, 2010

AGE: 1 1/2 Months

HEIGHT: 22 1/2 inches (65%)

WEIGHT: 11 Lbs. 11 Oz. (50%)

HEAD MEASUREMENT: 15 1/2 inches

He's growing up too fast! I wish he could stay little forever! ;)