Poor Pepper

Pepper was banished outside because she was digging under the fence and got really muddy. But then the storm hit, so I put up the gate and barricaded her in the kitchen. I set up her food and water and her kennel with her cozy blanket in it. It gave her her own space and the cats their own space. However, I walked into the kitchen and Two had gone into Pepper's "space" and climbed into her kennel and fallen asleep on her blanket! Pepper was sitting outside her kennel whimpering! My cats are not afraid of a dog that's smaller than them!

Courtney and Daryl's Baby Has Arrived!

Well, after much anticipation, Courtney and Daryl's baby boy has arrived! Poor Courtney went through a lot of labor, pain and pushing and, in the end, her little boy was just too stubborn to come out. So he was born via cesarean section this morning at 11:33 am. He weighed 9 lbs 15 oz and was 22 inches long! He is SO darling; a total cutie! I held him for the longest time and he was just so sweet and content. Gibson says, "I love my new cousin!" He was so gentle with him; softly rubbing his head and letting him hold onto his finger. We cannot wait to see him again! (BTW - they haven't quite decided on a name yet).

(On a side note - we are watching Pepper while Courtney's in the hospital and she rolled in something nasty outside today, so Brady got to give her a bath in the sink!)

Phone Call

Courtney had a "stress test" today at the hospital and I was on the phone talking to her about it (about 3pm). She was telling me that they weren't going to induce labor until tomorrow night at 8 pm and that if the hospital was too full, they weren't going to start her until Friday. All the sudden she said, "Oh!" and I said, "what" and she said, "I think my water just broke!" It is so exciting! I'm so glad she started on her own. I just can't wait to see her cute little baby boy.

My Birthday (and working in the yard)

I had such a wonderful birthday this year! I feel very privileged to have such thoughtful friends and family. Because of them, I got to spend my birthday doing some of my most favorite activities: shopping on Amazon, shopping at Express, buying plants at Valley Nursey and then working in my yard all day to plant them, seeing movies (Indiana Jones 4 and Narnia 2 - both 'okay') and eating out. I'm sure Courtney will appreciate this, but here's a picture of her, my mom, Gibson and I at my birthday lunch. Then I took some pictures of my yard after I had spent all day planting. I got a whole flat of annuals: I planted pansies in my front bed, vinca in my front island and petunias in the back bed. I also got 10 more perrenials for the front bed (I always think I'm done - but then I always manage to find room for more!) and another daylily for my daylily/peony flowerbed. As you can see, the peonies are about to open - and they're going to be beautiful (you can see the huge bleeding heart in that picture, too)! Also note how the snowball bush exploded this year! You can also see my new tree - my Eastern Redbud - in the front yard. I have known that's what I wanted to plant there for 4 years, but had to wait until we got the old tree stump removed. I cannot wait to see it bloom new year (beautiful pink flowers). I also planted some new shrubs around my red maple tree in the front island. So thanks to everybody who made my birthday wonderful!

My thoughts on American Idol

Well, I voted for David Cook, but for some reason, I still feel a little let down. I think it is because Archuleta was a hometown hero! It would have been pretty cool to have the American Idol from Utah! And for those of you not familiar with Utah, we live on the border of Midvale/Murray and Archuleta's house is about 1/2 mile away from us (I can take you on a tour!). But ah well, I won't dwell on it too long, because, in reality, I have never even bought an album from an American Idol artist.

The best part of the night was the "surprise" performance by George Michael! He made everybody else sound like crap. His voice was in perfect form - he validated my claims that he is the best male vocalist in the world, hands down! (A thought echoed to me by Pete Gleadall [google him] in a conversation we had together 2 years ago). His performance just made me more and more excited for his concert! I cannot believe I finally get to see him live! But, as I told Brady, I don't want it to get here too fast, because then it will be over. There's nothing like anticipation!

Remembering the Good Day!

Gibson has been so sick. About four hours after this picture was taken, his violent vomitting began. It is hard to believe he was so sick, when just hours earlier, he was being so cute blowing bubbles on the swing. Fortunately, he is finally feeling better. Now we just need some good weather to enjoy!

Brady featured in The Salt Lake Tribune

Brady is in the Salt Lake Tribune today (5/16/08). He is featured in their "Hello, my name is" article in the Midvalley Close-Up Section. If you don't get that section, here's the link: http://www.sltrib.com/midvalley/ci_9270725 or here's the article:

Hello, my name is . . . Brady Bezoski
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 05/15/2008 12:56:27 PM MDT

Bezoski is a commercial loan officer at First National Bank. Growing up, he dreamed of being a marine biologist. Bezoski lives in Midvale with his wife and 4-year-old son. His favorite thing about the neighborhood is the neighbors. When Bezoski was injured in an accident a few years ago, his neighbors stepped in with food and companionship. His biggest issue is that some people are ashamed to live in Midvale. Bezoski wishes they would take pride in their community. A Republican Party Caucus leader, Bezoski has aspirations for higher political office. He plans to get involved in local politics when his son is older and wants to be a state senator. Though he has traveled around the world, Bezoski says his favorite place is still Disneyland. He loves to be surrounded by happiness and takes his family there at least once a year.

Gibson and Mom Pictures 2008

Gibson and I took our annual pictures together and we kept it a surprise from Brady and then gave him the pictures so he could decorate his new office with them!

Soccer 2008

Gibson said he wanted to play soccer again this year - even though he did not really enjoy it last year. However, we have been quite surprised - he has played very well this year! It is such an improvement over last year. He has scored a goal every game so far and actually "plays" soccer (last year he just played with his friends on the field). There was not a coach for his team, so Brady got talked into coaching (with some help from me and Steph). He may not know the rules or what he's doing, but the kids love him (he gets a lot of hugs each game!). Our friend, Matt M, took these awesome soccer pictures - thanks Matt!

My Animals

I have taken some pictures of my animals lately, and would like to share them. Sassie got her annual haircut and this time the groomer put a really cute bow in her hair! She loves to sit outside with me while I do my yard work. Then I actually got a picture of all 3 cats sitting together to eat their food (left to right: Baby Girl, Lily Lou, and Two)!

Arches National Park - May 2008

Well, I have finally decided to start a blog (Thanks for the idea Steph!)! So I guess we'll start with our last family vacation. May 1 - 4th we visited Arches National Park. We took the trailer and stayed at a fun trailer park, that even had a swimming pool, which is great to come back to after a long day of hiking!

I think Arches is one of the most beautiful places in the world! It just takes my breath away every time and I just can't get enough of it. Beautiful! I love the red rock set against the snow-capped blue mountains, with just a touch of desert greenery. We went at a great time - the weather wasn't too hot and we got to see a lot of desert wildflowers. The first day we hiked the Windows area and Balanced Rock. Friday we hiked to Delicate Arch. It's a 3-mile hike and the way there is completely uphill - and Gibson did great! We also went to Park Avenue that day (and that's where I got the great shot of the bush with yellow wildflowers). I hiked the Park Avenue trail by myself. I was the only one on the one-mile, one-way hike. It was so quiet, it was almost eery. But it was also beautiful and peaceful! On Saturday, we hiked to Landscape Arch, Gibson and I did Skyline Arch and we all went to Sandstone Arch. Gibson loves Sandstone Arch! There is a ton of fine, red sand and he played in it forever. Afterwards, we ended with a tour through the Fiery Furnace. You can only hike in there with a special permit and guide with advanced reservations. It was 2.5 miles and presented a lot of challenges. We had to jump over crevices, walk with our legs on the walls through tiny gaps, shimmy through holes on our stomachs. It was a lot of fun and again, Gibson did great! He hiked a total of 6 miles on Saturday! I think next time he'll be ready for Double O! (A 4.5 mile hike - some of it across fins!).