Happy Birthday to Me!

I have the GREATEST husband ever! He surprised me and gave me the best birthday present ever. First of all, he shocked me with a stay at the Anniversary Inn. We stayed in the Swiss Family Robinson Suite which was a blast. Totally cool setting, super fun sleeping in a tree house and showering under a waterfall. Thank you so much Carl for such an amazing weekend, you are the best! I look forward to spending many more birthdays and anniversaries together with you. You are my best friend!

This was our cool waterfall shower, totally fun to shower in.

Carl spent most of his time in the shower, seriously if it weren't for the shower curtain and the TV I would have thought for sure we were in the jungle...oh and the water was heated, I guess they don't have that in the jungle:)

Step right up to the tree house bed. That was the best nights sleep I have ever had.

Carl in the "Love Nest"


And on Thursday night, the 10th my awesome husband also gave me the best surprise of all. We took a carriage ride around Temple Square, which is something I have always wanted to do. First of all, our appointment was at 8:30 and we thought we were leaving with plenty of time to spare. Well little did we know, there was a Jazz game, Kurt Bestor concert, the Nutcracker, obviously Temple square and some choir concerts going on at the Conference Center. So there was no parking whatsoever. By the time we finally found a parking place, which was about 6 blocks away it was almost 9:00. We booked it to temple square and had to pay extra for our ride, but it was so worth it.

Thank you so much Carl for the amazing birthday present. You are the best husband a girl could ask for and I am glad I've got you! I love you!!

Christmas lights and Daycare

Yesterday was the hardest day of my life. I had to take Gavin to daycare for the first time and let me tell you I had to have a major support system to keep me from losing it. As I dropped him off my tears started to well up and I knew it was going to be inevitable. I took him into the room with all the kids and went to sign him in. I thought that a good mommy should check on her child just one more time to make sure he was ok, and he saw me. The look on his face practically ripped my heart out of my chest and I knew if I didn't leave then that I would have to call in sick to work. He looked so scared, it was aweful!!! I immediately called my mom bawling my head off that I am such a bad mom and something is going to happen to Gav and I hate moms who get to stay home with their kids and on and on and on. My poor mother sure puts up with a lot don't you think! After her reassuring me that he would be ok Carl called and after telling him how much I hated the experience I went into the High School with red swollen eyes. It was a sight. So after calling and checking on him 3 times in 4 hours and after the longest 4 hours of work in my life I went back to get him. The poor guy was screaming his head off and immediately I thought, "What the H@#% did you do to my son?" But he had just woken up from a nap and was not sure where he was. But let me tell you, he clung to me like he never had before when I picked him up. I felt like a movie star! The daycare workers said Gavin did great and didn't even cry until I came to pick him up. What a good boy...I guess I cried enough for both of us. So I took the little guy to get Ice cream and see Christmas lights, and believe me, any time he has to go to daycare, we are going to treat ourselves to ice cream afterwards. Just because we are such big kids about the whole idea!

Christmas lights at Old Mill Park in Nephi

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
I have been a very good boy this year. So far I have only put a few dings on the walls of our new house, I have burped really loud and embarrassed my parents in church several times. And yes, it's true I have had a couple of major blow-outs when mom forgot to pack extra clothes...but hey I got a new outfit out of the deal. So if you think about it, I do deserve a really cool gift! I have searched through the toy ads and have found some great things, but Mom and Dad don't have the slightest idea what to get a cute little guy like me. I know that you're the Big Guy and you know exactly what I want, so when you get a chance if you could drop a little message to the parentals I would appreciate it. I don't want to be stuck opening up itchy sweaters and underwear on Christmas Morning.
Thanks for your help Big Guy!

Love,
Gavin

Happy late Halloween

Gavin loves his Laynie bug

So it has been quite a while since I have written and I thought we'd update about Halloween. This year was so much fun taking Gav around trick or treating. It was such a nice Halloween and I was really worried about Gavin because his costume was pretty hot, but he did good and got lots of yummy candy...I would know because he couldn't really eat a lot of it:)
Gav was a monkey and had a blast.

We are also having a good time this weekend with Britney and Brandon, we came to stay with them and are having a blast. Gavin loves Laynie and just can't get enough of her. It's fun to see how Laynie has grown and to get together with them!

The happy Monkey on Halloween

I forgot that the day before Halloween we had a Primary Activity Day for Mothers and daughters. I am a leader for the 10 and 11 year old girls and I thought it would be fun to have my mom and sister come go with me. So we drove to the Red Barn with our group of girls and had a fun time on the wagon ride. We got free pumpkins and Gav sure had a blast picking just the right one!

Our perfect pumpkin

Gav and Hill

Dear Gavin,
You have been staying with Grandma and Grandpa B while I have been sick and I have missed chasing you all over the house. I have missed saying, "Gavin don't touch that!" "Gavin leave that alone...Gavin would you please stop!" And today I came to pick you up and you weren't too sure who I was. Life soon began over again at Grandma B's when you threw your vitamins on her carpet, emptied the toys all over the living room, threw your lunch, and broke Grandma's scentsy warmer. You made me cuss several times I will admit, but your puppy dog eyes made me feel super bad about being mad at you. I just want to know, why are you so curious? Why do you have to touch everything and eat everything and see what EVERYTHING does? You are a curious little boy and I love every minute of having you in my life. Keep being YOU! But maybe give us a break every once in a while. When you see us reaching our boiling point, maybe take a break and let us relax...Thanks for thinking of us buddy!

Love,
Mommy

House Update

We are finally in our house! We moved in on Saturday, August 29 and with the help of our amazing families we got completely moved out of our apartment too. We love the house and love the neighborhood it's lots of fun. Gavin mostly sleeps through the night now in his new bedroom and he loves the space he has to run around in. There will be pictures posted I promise!

Tuachan

The computer was crazy and I couldn't post my favorite pics. We also went the the Tuachan's production of Footloose and it was amazing!!! I love musicals and was slightly nervous that Carl, Mr. picky about musicals, would hate it but he loved it too. I think I might have caught him tapping his foot, but don't tell him that:) Gavin was I think the only baby in the audience that was awake during the entire thing which was hard because he is vocal and they don't like babies making a peep during the production. However we made it through and had a good time dancing and singing along.

No we didn't see Annie, but here's our latest family picture.

Gavin and I had to meet Ren and Ariel. They did such a good job! And if you'll notice Ren is Thayne from So You Think You Can Dance season 4...I wanted him to win and he should have but oh well. He's a cutie and Gavin just loved all the attention he got from the cast members. Maybe next year we will head back to another musical...Carl needs some culture in him...haha

Family Fun!

So we had an extremely relaxing and fun weekend with the Brown Family this past weekend. We headed down to Mesquite and enjoyed the sun and water and had a blast. Here are a few highlights from our fun trip!

Saturday we went bowling. Here's Grandma B and Gav bowling, I think it went in the gutter but Gavin sure had a blast!

Couldn't keep the monkey away from the bright bowling balls

Good thing this wasn't zoomed in any closer, I look scary in a swimming suit. Gavin wasn't a huge fan of the water but it was fun.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun weekend we had a blast and hated to get back to reality!

I totally forgot, this is the ball I caught. I know I'm a dork but I am so proud of this baby I had to put the picture on!

Old Friends, House, and Haircuts

It's been a while and there has been lots going on with us. We have been having lots of fun with friends and family and pulling out our hair with building our house...we better live in it for a while because I'm not sure I can handle this again for a LONG time! This week we had loads of fun going to the Bees game with Rhett and Michelle, I even caught a ball which surprised everyone since I am not exactly the most coordinated person around. We also had a super fun 24th at Mayfield. Our old neighbors from Ogden were there and it was so much fun to see them and their beautiful little girl Kindred Belle. She is so big!

Rhett, Michelle, Carl and I at the Bees Game. Thanks to the janitor for taking our picture!

Our house is moving right along...major headache but it will be worth it

Devin, Shilo, and Kindred Lindstrom

We miss you guys!!!!!!

Another big event was this morning when Aunt Brit cut Gavin's hair. He has been sporting the mullett/comb over look for quite a while and I have loved the curls, but he was desperate for a new look. It took Brit, me and Hill holding him down and feeding him a popsicle to actually get it cut, but it turned out so cute!

Helping Aunt Brit cut hair

Don't look too close at me this was before I was ready for the day...scary I know!

How many blondes does it take to cut Gavin's hair? You decide!

The final product

House update

Quick update on the house we are building...it passed inspection today and also had all the windows and doors installed. Tuesday we will get it insulated and sheetrocked and the exterior work will begin!!!! Yea we are SO excited there is progress being made! Pictures to follow

The Big man turns ONE!!

Look out the Monkey turned one today! What a crazy year it has been and I just can't believe that Gavin is one. Today is his actual birthday but we had a party for him yesterday. After preparing all day, the weather almost created a disaster for the party, but about 30 minutes before his party started, the rain and wind were gone and it was a very nice evening for a party at the park. We had a lot of fun and are so grateful for our friends and family who came and who have been here for us through the past year. From offering advice to babysitting so Carl and I could escape for a weekend, to wiping tears when Gav was sick or hurt family means a lot to us and we couldn't ask for better parents and siblings. You guys all mean a lot to us!! So here are some pics from the big celebration.

Gav had been practicing his blowing skills for weeks but just wanted to touch the flame when it came time to blowing out his candle. (Note the ugly boring cake, I decided I'm buying the birthday cakes from here on out...poor Gav got jipped!)

Mommy and Daddy had to help out

Thanks to Brennan and Malia, we were able to get through presents pretty good. Here Daddy is helping open his present from Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Steve, p.s. he loves the toy!

Grandma and Grandpa B. made this adorable monkey for Gavin, we named him Manny the Monkey and the two monkeys are inseperable!

Gavin and Manny, best buddies!

Gavin enjoying his birthday cake, poor guy had a tummy ache all night and didn't sleep well, hopefully he enjoyed the cake anyways.

Gavin in his birthday outfit and attempting to ride his Lightning McQueen car. It's a lot more fun out of the box!

We had a lot of fun at the party and again are grateful for everyone that came. We look forward to many more years of celebrating the Gav Man's life and thank God everyday that we were blessed with such an amazing little boy!

Nothing new and exciting in our life, just enjoying it and watching Gavin grow like a weed. We are having fun watching our house make progress, although it is pretty slow. Gavin's birthday is coming up so after that we will definetly be more exciting with our posts.

Gavin pitching a fit, his favorite thing to say is "NO" and he sure means it!

The fittings in our hole...took them long enough!!!!!



Gavin helping Daddy play nintendo.

FINALLY we have cement! Now we can get the ball rolling!!!

Laynie Jo Jolley
First and foremost we are very excited for the new arrival of Laynie Jo Jolley. What a beautiful little girl she is and we are all very excited to spoil her rotten!!



For our anniversary this year Carl and I went to Moab and hiked Arches National Park. We had loads of fun in the heat and seeing all the beautiful wonders of the world. I couldn't resist putting this picture. We had to step over a fallen tree stump on the Fiery Furnace hike and two elderly people were cut pretty bad on their legs. One lady had to be taken out by park rangers because her injury was really bad and she was going into shock. The other one was the gentleman holding his camera. I couldn't resist because his wife (in the pink) was freaking out, our guide (we lovingly called him Ranger Joe) was calling for help and he is shouting out, "Look at the scenery it is absolutely beautiful!" They were definetly the entertainment of the hike!

Gavin was such a good boy and stayed with Casey, Leslie and Gage and he had so much fun. I feel like he gets really bored with Carl and I so when he gets around other kids his true colors shine. Gage and Gavin are going to be such good buddies! Aren't they cute

And finally our property: we are building a house in Nephi and are totally stoked! The bottom pic is our property and the top one is of the hole. Yea we are proud owners of a hole. As it progresses we will keep adding pics but we are very excited!!

I figured that since I'm here I might as well really be on a roll. Gavin is 10 months old now and is such a busy body. He is learning something new everyday and with that comes some pretty good bumps and bruises!

He got this nice bump at the library, Grandma B feels bad but it happens.

Gavin's new face. Grandma B also thought it would be fun to give him a nice messy treat

Gavin loves to swing. This is a babysitter for about 30-45 minutes

It's been a while, a few weeks ago at the Salina 4th Ward some fellow bloggers told me they haven't seen Gavin updated for a while. It has been since november and I won't tell you all about our life since then, but it has been crazy and fun. Gavin had RSV in February and was pretty sick so that was no fun at all. We also had a huge Month in March with 3 baby showers for new cousins and Uncle Brandon came home from his mission to Alabama. Gavin loves him and they have good times together. Gavin also was left alone for 2 seconds and burnt his hand on my straightener and had second degree burns...that was AWEFULL!!!! And on April 10, cousin Coy was born to Bre and Houston! He was 9 lbs. 12 oz. and was darling! Bre has had some complications and has been in the hospital, but today was able to come home. We are so glad she is doing well and I know Coy and Gavin will be good friends!! It's good to be back in the blogging world!

Gavin and Cousin Coy. Gavin gave Coy kisses and just loved him1

Gavin's burn. He looked like he had his hand amputated but it is better now!

Our welcome home sign for Uncle Brandon. Gavin was a big helper...

Gavin and Daddy taking a well deserved nap. This was the day after we found out about the RSV and none of us slept very well.