Silly Girls...

I LOVES YOU ALL THREE!

Gone Huntin'

Tis the season for all of the 'men' to gather their guns and head up the mountain. Jake left last Tuesday and Gracie, Garrett, and I joined him in the mountains of Vernal Friday for a fun-filled camping trip. I don't hunt, I just camp! Just wanted to make that clear.

This trip was so unique and perfect! Most of Jake's family went this year which is pretty rare. And, the best part is... no little deer lives were taken. Hooray for Bambi!



Gracie was able to play with her cousins Kalder, Conner and Turner and second cousins, Kenzie, Cole, and Cade. They went snipe hunting and followed forest fairies (another post) and rode bikes, 4 wheelers, barbie jeeps and shot the beebee gun. They had a blast. We had good food and good times around the campfire. It was so nice to spend time with Lenny and Grandma and Grandpa Thomas. We took the kids fishing on Saturday and they loved that too! Nature is the best place to make memories.

Garrett Camping!

Gracie Camping!

Six Months YOUNG!

My baby is officially six months!
This is my favorite baby stage for sure. I have to admit that I couldn't wait for Garrett to get to this stage, but now I am a bit sad to see him get so big so fast. He now sits up and rolls over and laughs and snuggles and I love it! I just want time to stand still for awhile.

Last night I realized something. I realized that as much as I want my sleep, I really do love getting up with Garrett at night to feed him (not every night though). I look forward to hearing his little cry just so I can get up and smell his sweet breath and look into those big, innocent eyes. As I was holding him in the dark, I was thinking how perfect that time is and how lucky I am to have a little lovable baby to hold. I hope so much that I remember this feeling when my kids get big.

Side note: There are still nights when I really do want/need a full night of sleep. That is when Jake takes the night feeding. Thank you honey!

Meet Sally!

Gracie Lynn is a proud new momma of a little tiny kitten named Sally! As you all know, Gracie had her 4th Birthday on Sunday.

On Monday, My aunt Karen (Ya Ya) came to pick her up to go shopping for her own birthday gift. When I asked her where they were going, Gracie said "to the toy store mom". She had this look on her face like I should've known.

They weren't going to the toy store. Ya Ya had called me to see if we would be okay with her getting Gracie a kitty. I was totally on board. Jake was going to be the one that would take a lot of convincing (he doesn't like cats). With that said, I realized that he would never agree, so for this plan to work... "I didn't know anything". I knew that there was no way that he could tell her no once she had her heart set. She has him wrapped!

I must tell you, it was perfect. When they got back Jake was home and Rena was in the driveway with the boys (luckily, because I didn't want to face Jake alone). I ran outside so that I could see her get out of the car. I have never seen such a huge smile on anyones face in my life. I didn't know Gracie was capable of so much joy at such a young age. Jake was great too! He took the whole thing so well and he knew from the start that I was in on it. He was okay with it though. Like I said, She has him wrapped! He later told Ya Ya that he knew he was going to lose the kitty battle and that it was just a matter of time. What a guy!

Litter Box: $10

Cat Food:$12

Scratching Post: $23

Kitty Bed: $18

Gracie's expression when she was showing us her new kitten: PRICELESS!

Ladies and Gents, I have witnessed love at first sight! Gracie is in love with this kitty and surprisingly, she is behaving very well. She doesn't maul it like I thought she would. She even let it take a long nap today. The best part is.... at six weeks old, this kitty is litter box trained. Gracie has been very good at taking her potty every couple hours and... so far so good.

Here are a few photos of Gracies Birthday!

Happy Birthday Gracie! We love you!

Weekend News!

To say the least, we had a very exciting weekend. Gracie Turned 4 on Sunday, Jason is leaving for Afganistan so we had a farewell party, and my wonderful parents SURVIVED a plane crash (Thank God).

First, the birthday party. It was fantastic! I made enchiladas, meatballs, and rice. The whole family on both sides as well as friends came over to celebrate (except for mom & dad... they were resting). The kids beat a pinata and enjoyed a rainbow cake and ice cream.. It really was a perfect day! Gracie is so lucky to have so many people that truly love her.

Secondly, Jason's farewell party. Club 90 here we come! Saturday night at club 90 is the recipe for a good time. Yes, we're old and yes, we do fit in over there. Jason is leaving for Afghanistan in a few days and we wanted to show our love and support for him and all of the troops over seas. Good luck Jason, we are going to miss you! We WILL see you in July of '09!

Bye Bye Butternutz!

Last, but not least... the plane crash! My parents were in a plane crash in my dad's small plane on Sunday morning. HOW SCARY! I am not going to post details but I am soooo grateful that they are alive and walked away with very little injury. My mom broke her nose and dad is fine. We are all so lucky and feel very blessed. I think my cute grandpa (who died in a plane crash) must have been watching over them. It is really weird to think that I could have lost my parents in an instant and how close to that reality we came. I love you Mom and Dad and I can't imagine life without you!

I said earlier that it was a very exciting weekend and I am sure you are wondering why... What is exciting about a plane crash right? Let me tell you. I keep thinking how different things could have been, and given the circumstances, how well the this whole ordeal turned out. I mean, my parents are still alive! WOW! Please squeeze your families a little tighter... it truly can be gone in an instant. We are soooooooo Lucky!

Gracie - a small glimpse 4 years later!

4 years ago, I was staring at my little girl for the first time. I remember her reaching up to my face the first time I held her. She looked a bit frogish but even so, I instantly loved her more than I had loved anything or anyone up to that point.

Gracie Lynn Thomas, a name that just fit. Her daddy gave her the name Gracie and Lynn is after her grandpa Bob. His middle name is Lynn.

I would like to tell a little bit about my little girl as she turns 4!

-Gracie is a happy girl! She loves to play and laugh and imagine.
-She is sweet and sour all at the same time.
-She is a Daddy's Girl all the way.
-She has a special bond with her Grandma and loves the one on one time she gives.
-Gracie has blonde (white) hair and blue eyes... who knows where those came from.
-Her tiny freckles on her nose make me smile everyday!
-She enjoys cooking with me and always climbs up onto the counter to "help".
-She loves to watch cartoons and actually learns from them.
-Gracie must have chocolate milk before bed and as soon as she gets up. She usually wants her daddy to get it for her and she has to pick the cup.
-She loves to dance and sing.
-Her "best" friend is Karli! she loves having sleep overs and drinking Diet Coke with her.
-If the house is quiet she can be found drawing pictures of her family including her dog, Bear, and writing her name in all CAPS.
-She has a love for animals that I have never, ever seen in a child. She wants to be a "dog doctor" and a dance teacher when she grows up.
-She is so tender hearted, she cried at the Lion King when she was only 2 years old.
-She bites her finger nails just like her Mom AND Dad.
-She loves mac n cheese, dino nuggets, brownies, root beer, and CANDY!

Happy 4th Birthday Gracie... I can't wait to celebrate many, many more with you. You are, and always will be, my little muffin! I love you!

*TAG...Again*

For Janet:

8 TV shows I love to watch
The Office – For Jake… It’s Not my fav but I watch it with my hubby!
American Idol
Super Nanny
Ellen
Grey’s Anatomy
Real World Road Rules Challenge
Oprah
Anything on DIY or HGTV

8 Favorite restaurants
Mmmm… I love to eat!
Happy Sumo
Bonsai
Cafe Rio
Ruby River
Market Street Grill
Guadalahonky’s
The Cheesecake Factory
Texas Roadhouse

8 Things that happened yesterday
I went to work.
I had lunch and dinner at 2 different steakhouses.
Played the littlest pet shop game with Gracie and Jake (Jake won).
I started a new position at work. Yay!
I enjoyed a peppermint mocha coffee with extra peppermint.
I had a headache. Ugh!
My legs were very sore.
Kissed my kids!

8 things I am looking forward to
Having a completed yard with a fence.
Hawaii!!
Kim and Abbey’s babies
Gracie’s 4th birthday party! (Sunday)
Trees!
Garrett sleeping through the night!
Getting the transmission fixed on my car.
Traveling… a lot!

8 things on my wish list
A yard with a fence & trees…
A long, tropical vacation
Boobs
A houseboat on Lake Powell
Lots of Money
An SUV
A new comforter set
*Health & Happiness for my family!*

8 people I'm tagging
I don’t even know 8 people who blog…
Jenni
Holly
Gina
Melissa
Jamee
Amy
Brooke
Julie

Garrett Sits AND Rolls over... Good Doggy!

No, he really isn't a dog... he's our beautiful little boy! Our little guy is growing up so fast. He still doesn't sleep through the night though. GRRR! Isn't that smile precious - tounge and all? I am in love with this kid... I kiss his cute little face all day! He is trying so hard to learn how to blow raspberries and it is darling. What a stud! We love you Garrett!

The Birds and the Bees!

Literally! The birds and the bees have infested our garage.

Last night we were outside and noticed this cute little bird in our garage. As we were trying to figure out a way to get it out; we also noticed a flock of hornets gathering to make a nest. I am terrified of anything that stings and goes buzz, so of course I grab Gracie and run in the house. I guess Gracie is not afraid like her mother. She just kept going out to see what daddy was going to do... eventually I followed (with my camera.) It was a pretty funny sight to behold. Jake had the mop and a can of ant & roach spray and was going to town on the hornets. Who knew?... ant & roach spray kills bees too! So that took care of the hornets but what about the bird?


Jake and his MOP!

Poor Bird!

The poor bird kept flying back and forth from the top of the garage door (which was opened) to the ladder at the back of the garage. Both doors were open but the dumb bird could not figure out how to get out. Finally, Jake took the mop and scared it so bad it landed on the 4 wheeler (hence the photo) and then it flew away... bye bye birdie. I wish soo bad that I would have stopped and took an action shot of jake with the mop... oh well, you can imagine.

Grammy's 80th Birthday Celebration!

My Grandma is 80! Wow! She has been telling me that she is dying for at least the past 9 years or so. She even bought and gave me my wedding gift early because she thought she wouldn't make it to the wedding. That was nearly 8 years ago and here she is as sassy as ever!

Her name is Dorene Glines, she is my grandma. She is awesome! She has 3 children (my dad being the oldest) 4 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. She has been a widow now for 14 years. We are lucky to have her. She adds life to all the parties. Here is the proof...

Happy Birthday Grandma! We are looking forward to your 81st!

Stair Sledding at its finest!

So I'm watching Lauren today, and as I am working in my office this morning I hear a whole lot of giggling (typical when the girls get together) when I went to check out what these girls were up to, this is what I found!



The pictures tell all! Happy Stair Sledding Girls! (click on the photos to see them larger-their expressions are priceless!)

I have been TAGGED!

I am: Happy to be alive!
I think: Like a mom.
I know: That I am super lucky and super blessed!
I want: My kids to make the right choices throughout their lives.
I have: the cutest kids ever…
I dislike: Uncooked Onions…YUCK!
I miss: not working as much.
I fear: Earthquakes…weird I know, but I know one is coming!
I feel: Sad for people that have lost a child.
I hear: my garage door opening.
I smell: Coffee.
I crave: Chocolate usually…
I cry: at sad movies.
I usually: am late wherever I go.
I search: the internet.
I wonder: where the time goes sometimes.
I regret: not graduating college.
I love: My family more than anything.
I care: too much what others think.
I always: eat too much. I Looove Food!
I worry: that I am not teaching my kids all the right stuff.
I am not: as good of a cook as I want to be.
I remember: how I felt when my kids were born.
I believe: in God.
I sing: with Gracie in the car.
I don't always: let my special people know how grateful I am for them. (Jake & Mom especially)
I argue: with Jake
I write: on my blog.
I win: Poker… sometimes.
I lose: my mind most days.
I wish: I was more patient with my kiddos!
I listen: to Garrett Cry.
I am NOT talented: in any way!
I can usually be found: on the computer.
I am scared: for when Garrett has his surgery.
I need: Sleep!
I forget: everything!
I am happy: that I never have to be pregnant again.

I tag: Francine

Lessons Learned....The Hard Way!

Lifes little or in my case BIG lessons come at you fast! I just had to write about this lesson that I had the honor of learning recently. First of all, Thank you Tammy for calling me out! I truly appreciate it as I would never have realized my behavior without you!

OK, so here goes... I was at Costco shopping with Jenni and the kids one morning in July. We walked in, got our carts, and proceeded with the routine until I heard this kid just screaming and throwing a complete tantrum. At first I could not tell where the noise was coming from so I started to look around with a disgusted look on my face. Once I located the child (with his mom)I proceeded to give her the same dirty look at least three times turning back each time. I admit I was thinking to myself "shut that kid up!" After a few moments I think we just continued shopping and went on our way not thinking any more of the incident.

Later on that day, I got a routine call from Kim at about 5:00pm (about the time she usually gets off work). The first question she asked was "were you at Costco today?" Of course, my answer was "yes, why?" She then proceeded to tell me (jokingly) what a b*tch I was... YES, it turns out the lady that I was shooting daggers at in Costco works with Kim and totally recognized my little toe head daughter.

As it turns out this was a lesson that I needed to learn... At the time, I didn't have any idea how horribly rude I was being! Believe me when I say that I will NEVER, EVER give horrible looks at people when their kids are throwing a fit again! I am sooo sorry Tammy, but I have to say I am super glad you called me out on my bad behavior. I have learned a very valuable lesson. Now I am positively sure that I will get this back two fold when my little guy is able to hold his own!

Best Friends Forever!

Here are our GIRLS! Aniston, Gracie, & Lauren. I can't believe we got them to actually look at the camera and smile... I am usually chasing at least one of them around trying to catch them for a photo! Aren't they beautiful? We are lucky that they are so close. They are best friends just like their mommas. I am sooo happy my two best friends and I had girls first. We put them all in the same dance class this year and I honestly cannot wait til they get in their little costumes and perform. Little dancing divas!


Here is a tribute to MY Best Friends... KIM & JENNI! I love you girls... I just wanted to give a little shout out and let you know that I couldn't ask for better friends. You are the best there is! Gosh we are going on what - 14 or 15 years as friends? Kim and I met at the beginning of 8th Grade and we started hangin with Jenni close to the end of 8th or the beginning of 9th grade. (I can't remember, it's been so long). Anyways, this pic was taken by Aniston after a fun day at the park. Thanks Ann - you are a good little photographer!

San Diego

Well, it was due time to take a trip with just Jake and I... we have not been alone on a trip since our honeymoon, and even then, the second half was shared in Vegas with the entire baseball team and their wives...(which, by the way, was sooo much fun - I'm really not complaining just stating the facts).

Here's how it went... we were originally going to go camping over Labor Day with some friends and the kids to Flaming Gorge but those plans were disintigrating rapidly. As I was on the phone with Kim on Monday night(4 days before Labor Day weekend), we got talking and she had this great idea for just Jake and I to go somewhere fun and Voila... San Diego here we come. THANK YOU KIMMY! We booked a flight and a hotel and left on Saturday afternoon for a few nights without the kids. I was soooooo looking forward to getting some uninterupted sleep. Yes, I still get up every night with Garrett.

So we got there about 6:30ish on Saturday night, picked up the rental car (a sweet Mitsubishi Galant painted brown) and a much needed GPS. We were on our way (so we thought) not even a block away from Enterprise rent a car and the Hazard lights were flashing, we looked everywhere for the button but could not figure out how to turn them off. We were laughing so hard, we finally pulled over to get the owners manual. It turns out that the BIG red triangle button in the center of the dashboard (the one that you can't miss) did the trick and it still took 10 minutes to find.

So... long story short, we had a relaxing weekend eating wonderful food,(Fish Tacos mostly) playing at the beach(we actually went to 4 beaches), shopping, exploring San Diego, swimming, and eating more good food. The first night we went to the pier downtown (thanks to our Handy GPS) and had dinner overlooking the bay, it was really nice. The second night we had dinner with Melissa and Dave who, by the way, are really great. I wish we could have spent more time with them. Shout out to Mel and Dave: THANK YOU AGAIN FOR DINNER...AND THE GOOD TIMES. IT WAS FUN TO GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER! The fish Tacos were the Bomb... so good that we went back the next day for more.

Dave and Melissa at dinner... notice the palm trees in the background!

Well folks, that pretty much sums up our quick trip to Cali. It was sooo nice to get away but we missed the kids a little too much. Next time they are coming with us. Thanks mom and Karli for taking them off our hands while we were gone. XOXO



Here is my hot husband at Balboa Park! Gosh, I am LUCKY!


Melissa and I on the Pier... we took a perfect walk after dinner. Thanks again you guys!