Flawless, Amazing...

Vegas, baby!

Our trip to Vegas was so much fun! Besides Brady and I having a great time together, the purpose of my visit, the George Michael concert, was INCREDIBLE! His tour was to celebrate his 25 years in the business. I started counting and, although I wasn't a big WHAM! fan, I have been a huge George Michael fan for 21 years! (It was 20 years ago this summer that I listened to "Monkey" over and over and over on my tape player - I can't believe I didn't break the tape). I've been waiting that long to see him live. And it was SO worth the wait. One of the reasons I'm such a big fan is that I believe he is the best male vocalist, hands down. And he didn't disappoint. His voice was so absolutely incredible. I am so grateful that I finally got to see him live and experience his voice in person. I just wish I could follow his tour around the US this summer! :)

Christen inside the MGM Grand Arena before the George Michael concert! Cameras weren't allowed in :( so Brady took this picture as proof that I was there!!!! Bobbie went in another entrance, so we couldn't get a pic together.
We found this little oasis at the Flamingo hotel. It was almost like a mini-rainforest. It had a lot of waterfalls and ponds and lots of fun animals (flamingos, swans, turtles, HUGE koi). It was a nice reprieve from the heat (for Brady - you know I don't mind 115 degree temps!).
A view of the strip at night.
At the pool!
The water show at the Bellagio Hotel.

What a Swimmer!

I thought Gibson was a good swimmer before, but I can't believe the progress he made with just 2 weeks of lessons!

The beginning of his lessons - some back floating! Now he can go the entire length of the pool on his back (and no board).
His swim certificate!
Gibson with the other 2 kids in his swim class - they are both 6 years old!
The goggles made a world of difference! Now he loves to swim underwater.
Swimming underwater - he can go so far! He loves to jump off the side and touch the bottom.

Super Gibson!

I thought this was so cute that I had to capture it on film! Yesterday morning, Gibson was racing around the house in his Superman underwear and his "bands"! What a nut!

So Worn Out!

Yesterday was one of our "super" days at the gym where we're there from 10 am - 3 pm. Gibson had swam about 4 hours, played tennis for 1 hour and played with friends for 1 hour! So when we got home, I told him he had to have quiet time reading books on his bed. Then I settled myself downstairs on the couch with a book. After about 10 minutes, Gibson came downstairs with his blanket and said, "I want to sleep on the couch with you, mom." It was so sweet! He has never done that! He usually just sits there for about 5 minutes and then gets up. But yesterday, he was exhausted and slept for about 2 hours!

"Gardening in the Yard" or "Fun in the Sun"!

Look at these peonies!

Two sitting in my tool bag - what a big helper!

We are so excited! We finally "finished" our front yard. All of the major projects that we wanted to do in the front yard are finally complete. We removed all the major trees and stumps that needed to go. We put in the front island, put in the seating area, set up a light post and planted 3 new large trees. The whole project was finally completed last week with the addition of the new curbing! So Brady and I spent all weekend cleaning that up (not an easy task! - you have to remove the excess cement, build the beds back up with dirt and lay new mulch down). Now we just need to get the last backyard project completed (waterfall and dry riverbed) and the yard will be complete after 4+ years in the making!

I think our yard/garden is one of the reasons I love this time of year so much! I just absolutely love sitting outside and enjoying all the beautiful flowers and plants.

Lagoon!

Well, this was about our 5th time at Lagoon this year, but it was the first time I remembered to bring the camera! Here's some action shots of Gibson and Brady having a great time!

Learning to Ride a Bike!

This weekend, Brady took the training wheels off of Gibson's bike and started to teach him to ride it. Gibson would start going on his own, but then he would forget to keep pushing the pedals and quickly fall over! He just needs a little more time and patience and he'll be riding it in no time!

Swim and Set

We had a very busy, but fun day! Gibson started both his swim lessons and his summer tennis camp today (his coach said he's ready for some competition play). We got to the gym just in time for swim lessons at 10:15 this morning. Then, we had five minutes to dry off, change into his tennis clothes and get to the courts! After tennis, Gibson played with friends at the gym while mom did yoga :) and then we swam for another 2 hours (after another wardrobe change)! Good thing I packed us a lunch (along with the rest of the house - seriously! Multiple changes of clothes, sunscreen, yoga equipment, tennis equipment, waters, etc.). It was a nice day and I am glad we were able to enjoy some of the sunshine finally!

Baby Lukas

I got to see my nephew, Lukas, again today. He is so cute, sweet, soft, cuddly... I could go on and on. And I could hold him forever! What a precious boy! There's a cute picture of Brady holding him, with Gibson sitting there. It's hard to believe that only 4 1/2 years ago, Gibson was that size (even smaller!); look at that size difference!

Tired?

On the way to Courtney's house today, Gibson fell right to sleep in the car. I knew he was tired and that it would only take about 5 minutes for him to zonk out, but I just don't understand how he could be comfortable!

Favorite Rose in Bloom

My favorite rose, the Tropicana, has started to bloom! It has the most amazing colored-flowers: a deep coral orange color (I just wish I could smell them!).

Spoiled

Just in case you were wondering, Brady and I are just sleeping on the floor now. The animals have finally taken over! (Left to right: Baby Girl, Two, Sassie and Lily Lou)

Also - on a different subject, Courtney and Daryl have decided to name their baby Lukas Evan.

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.