Wedding, Birthday, & Swimming

We spent 2 weeks in the hot AZ sun.

First a Wedding.






A Birthday! Can't believe HY is FIVE.



And lots of swimming.

Birth-Day

Miss Ava J made her grand entrance into the world last Thurs. March 25th at 6:32pm.

6lbs 7 oz 19 inches long



She was greeted by 8 strong, amazing women! Her arrival made it 9. It was the biggest girl party you've ever seen. There is nothing to compare it to. She entered this world with laughter, tears, and sisterhood.

Stay tuned for the entire story. More photos here.

Please take a peek at the video that Onehm made. She flew in just for this special occasion. It was a great blessing to have her there. She is one of the greatest women in my life. I can never thank her enough for this treasure in my life.

A "happy " Birthday

Last Thursday was Farmboy's 32nd Birthday. He's not totally keen on birthdays (especially his own)--So I told him he got to choose what to do for the entire day! He decided on a favorite pastime: ICE SKATING.

He worked at the ice skating rink in Provo during the 2002 Olympics so he's a lover of not only hockey but also being cold. He's not a horrible skater either. So, even though I'm 9 months pregnant, I figured it would be a good family outing.



HY was loving it. And to keep him from pulling me down we got him a little kid ice skating walker that you push to help you balance. He thought it was the greatest.



I love this picture I took from the hip. Tongue out and all.


Mini-E wasn't so good on skates so she enjoyed the view from the sidelines most of the time. Which was just fine with her.



Farmboy was showing me all his Olympic Tricks with Mini-E. And for once, he was having a great time on his birthday. He even said so! Good birthday! Mission accomplished!





We were all having a great time. And then.....

Farmboy dropped Mini-E off on the sidelines for a spin around by himself. His last words were:

"I used to be able to do this better..."

And then CRAsH! SMaCK!

His head hit the ice.

Now, I'm a really calm person when it comes to accident(and Farmboy tends to be a little dramatic). And so I figured that his lying there was simply a matter of him catching his breath---or perhaps laughing. Needless to say, I took my time getting up to the scene of the crash. In fact a few other skaters beat me there.

Upon arrival, Farmboy was staring up into the rafters. I couldn't tell if he was just coming to or we were about to lose him. Either way, he was out of it. I kept talking to him saying. "You're fine. You're gonna be just fine. Just catch your breath. Take your time and catch your breath."

He started to move and talk and I could see that he wanted to get up. So he started to and that's when I noticed the blood. A lot of blood. BLOOD!

"How bout you just lay back down..." Now, I'm having visions of 24 Episodes in my head. I'm not really sure how bad this is. But I'm calm. VERY calm. "you're fine...just fine..."

Meanwhile---the kiddos are having a great time. HY is still skating around. And Mini-E is still on the sideline hockey bench. Someone--some very wonderful mothers escort them out and give them suckers so that they don't happen upon the bloody scene.

I'm on my knees in ice skates leaning over my very cold husband's body. He's complaining about the ice and the cold and the pain. Here come the paramedics. Indeed, they spare no expense. They put him in a neck brace, give him oxygen, put him on the stretcher and drive him ONE block to the Emergency Room. That's right---ONE block.



As they roll Farmboy out on a stretcher in front of my two little ones with suckers...I tell them how exciting it is that Daddy gets to ride in the Ambulance on his birthday. And look---a Firetruck came too. What a special treat for Daddy on his birthday. HY couldn't imagine anything better!




CAuTIon: Graphic Photo coming!!












5 hours ...and 9 Staples later--



Happy Birthday Sweetie.


Now, Farmboy wants me to specify that I thought I saw a spider web crack in the ice just under all that blood. And the doctor at the hospital said that everything looked good. And that nothing was broken...so evidently, Farmboy's head is tougher than the ice! but not his skin on his head.

And everyone was worried about me ice skating???

Three

Hard to believe that my baby is Three!

I tried to make it quite the event. On Sunday we had cake and ice cream with cousins. And Mamma made a special Tinkerbell cake!



I think that she liked it too...

On Tuesday (her real birthday) we had Grandma Suz's oatmeal pancakes for breakfast--her favorite. Went to see a movie--Princess and the Frog. And went to ChuckE Cheese for dinner and games. Mamma had a great coupon for dinner and tokens! The kids thought it was the best ever! It pays to not spoil your kids on a regular basis..that way they really appreciate the special days!

You are worth it Mini-E! Our family just wouldn't be the same without you!

FOUR

He's FOUR!

We decided to celebrate yesterday evening up the Lodge with all the cousins.
I made a special dirt cake just for my boy that loves anything with wheels. He thought that was pretty cool. But I'm not sure he even had a bite once he saw his presents!





Just a bit of chocolate cake and pudding with oreos on top! So easy!


Happy Birthday big boy! Thanks for making me a Mamma!

Up to speed

The last few weeks have been miserable. All of us have been sick. I thought for a while that I was beyond it's horrible grasp, but I was wrong. It got me, and it got me good.

Thank you so much to all those who called or brought in delicious meals. Thanks to my in-laws who kept the children entertained and the kitchen clean when they should have just been enjoying their vacation. I pick the worst times to be sick.

I guess the thing that I feel the worst about is Farmboy's birthday. It really got overlooked. At least by me. Grandma and Grandpa took us out to dinner which was a treat and a half, but I fear that I didn't do enough despite both our illnesses. I made him a tootsie roll cake and called it good. Pretty lame I know! So, I promise that when things are better, I'll do something in honor of him.


Being sick has made me appreciate a few of the everyday activities that I normally don't think much of.

Today, I enjoyed picking up after my kids. I enjoyed laughing (honestly laughing) with Mini-E about something silly. I enjoyed talking on the phone with a friend, a sister, and a mother. I enjoyed editing some pictures. I enjoyed putting away some laundry. I enjoyed running an errand that's been on my list for days. I enjoyed doing my hair!

I'm just so grateful to be doing something instead of sitting in bed thinking that I'll never get better. I guess we all need a little down time to remember how great we normally feel. Hopefully this up time will last for a long long time.

TWO

Our baby turned 2 today. That's right. TWO. It was her special day.

Mac n' Cheese for lunch

And cake for dinner


You think I'm kidding, but she was so excited when she saw the cake that Farmboy and I slaved over that she ate hardly any dinner and went right to the dessert. And since it was HER day...she got whatever she wanted.

She sure loved her gifts---especially the baby and stroller from Grandma & Grandpa.


This was Mini-E's face for every present she opened. Just made my heart melt that she was so excited.


She was a pro when it came to blowing out the candles. Even mamma was proud!


We sure love you Mini-E.

Happy Birthday dear Grandad...

We spent the weekend in Midway with Grandad and Grandma J. We just LOVE being up there--away from the big city (if you can call Salt Lake a big city) & in the beautiful mountains.
We got to relax, watch all the session of General Conference, and enjoy being with family (cousins included). And of course, yesterday, we celebrated Grandad Grey's 69th Birthday!

I had a few more kids to make this shot more interesting. I thought it was fitting... We love you Grandad. Thanks for putting up with all of our chaos!

Birthday Bash

For Nonna's Birthday, we had a girl's night out! Aunt Lala, Aunt CC, Nonna, & I went to dinner first and then to a play in Orem at the Hale. Ieda! Fabulous. It was incredible. Aunt Lala and I sure thought that a few of those bad boys looked like 80's band stars! I guess that's the point.

Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!
Thank you for being the friend I always need...
the mother I want to become...
and the gift that I treasure.

I love you!

Birthday Surprise!

On Thursday, I got to spend the entire day with Farmboy. So so fun. We went to lunch, the temple, the train tracks for pictures, & then took a drive up the canyon for some more pictures. It was a perfect day. The kiddos spent the day with Aunt CC & it was just nice to be with Farmboy.

The kids got me graham crackers, chocolate, & marshmallows (my favorite treat) & Farmboy informed me that we'd be going up to Midway Friday night to have dinner with my Dad & roast some smores. Yum! I was excited but little did I know it wasn't just dinner & smores with Grandad & Grandma J.

When we arrived there was a huge surprise birthday party for me with all my family! It was AWESOME! And a total surprise. I had forgotten how much I love surprise birthday parties, especially when they are for me.

Thanks Farmboy for such a fabulous birthday weekend. Thanks to all my family who came & enjoyed the weekend. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.


We all went swimming, drank sodas, & ...roasted smores of course. There was even a pinata.

My birthday was...

SWEET!


My husband rocks!

THREE

It's hard to believe that my boy is THREE.

Where did the time go?
I love you sweet HY.
Thanks for making me a mamma.

Happy Birthday Baby Blog

I love spring birthdays! I know that most of you will agree with me when I say

that having a blog is a blessing. It's kept me in touch with so

many people that I'd lost contact with. It's helped me keep a journal

on my family. It's forced me to start scrapbooking again. And most of all

it's been one of the most inspiring projects I've ever undergone. Thank you little blog!

(And thank you Tina, for nudging me & letting me copy all of your wonderful ideas.)

In honor of my blog's 1st birthday, I've started another one!

Tina & I are improving our photography skills.

Give us look here.

Here's what 30 looks like

Evidently a little homemade cake & a few presents with the family is the perfect way to celebrate my Farmboy's birthday! Simple. Easy. Perfect.

It's no big deal!

Today is my Farmboy's birthday!

Not just any birthday--it's the big 3----0-----!

Which means that he is now as old as I am.

And since he doesn't like to have anybody make a big deal of his special day, I'm not making a big deal on...my blog.

I will however, leave a few of my favorite pictures of him:

Here he is waiting patiently for me outside my dressing room at our wedding reception. To this day, he spends a lot of time waiting for me....patiently.

Mini-E sitting on Daddy's lap on her first flight to AZ.This little girl loves her daddy---& he adores her!

HY's hero & twin. Farmboy has always been a fabulous dad. HY wants to grow up to be just like him.

Of course we can't leave out the canoe. 2 years ago, I got Farmboy a canoe for his birthday. He loves to fish & he loves this canoe! Sorry sweetie-- I'm not going to be able to outdo myself this year! Maybe next year.

Happy Birthday Farmboy. Hope it's as uneventful as you like it to be. Here's to just another day!

Lifted

Yes that's right. I'm a lifter. I lifted these LO's from Tina. I think she's okay with that since she loves me sooooo very much! I just couldn't resist. When you've got such cute ideas, you know that somebody is bound to copy them. At least the child is mine, right?

Credits: {tangie embellishment, Miss Mint kit, Heather Meltzer embellishment, & random embellishments}

You're only ONE once

We celebrated Mini-E's 1st birthday yesterday with family, aunts, uncles, & cousins. The day before, I had spent a few hours making her a special heart-shaped chocolate with pink cream cheese frosting. It was all homemade. (Something that I never do...& now I know why). The cake was beautiful by MY standards. (the small bite out of the frosting was me trying to get her to taste it)But when we gave it to her to "Chow Down" she simply did this: That's right. My little angel is screaming on what should be the most enjoyable day of her life! Evidenly she didn't want the "special cake" that I had spent hours making. She wanted this cake: The cake that Nonna bought at Costco for everyone else to eat. But really, who can blame her. This cake does look like the better deal. So we gave her a slice & she went to town. I tried to put the pink cake in front of her a few more times, but ---She would just get hysterical with screams. So, do you think we've got a bit of a "princess" among us? I can't believe it's already started! Don't get used to it Mini-E! You only get what you want on your birthday!Credits: Idea borrowed from Heather Meltzer {Pink Papers Tagie, AA-Wish chocolate paper, Accesories Kristal H} Text Path from Misty Canto Tutorial

As for the presents. This girl is loaded with tons of toys & books & money & clothes. Thank you to all of our Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandmas, Grandpas, & Friends who brought/sent gifts to our sweet girl. She couldn't be more pleased.