Happy 1st Birthday, Paige!

My cute niece, Paige, turns 1 on Tuesday. We went to her birthday party on Saturday. My brave sister-in-law, Casey, made her a ladybug cake with RED frosting! Look at her dive in!

Gibson and Mommy Pictures 2009

Last week, Gibson and I had our annual pictures taken together! I can't believe my little baby is getting so big!

We wanted to celebrate Spring since the weather was so nice then. Hard to believe there's snow on the ground now and it's freezing!

A Surprise Date!

So it's no secret among my friends that I LOVE Edward (from "Twilight"). Well, at a friend's party on Saturday night, I was told there was somebody at the door for me. How strange - someone came to my friend's house to see me? I was quite perplexed as I walked to the door. I opened the door, and surprise... there was Edward waiting for me!

My wonderful friend, Steph, had spent all morning tracking down a life-sized Edward cardboard cutout for me! So I had 2 dates that evening! He was certainly the hit of the party!

And yes, I may love Edward, but this man is the TRUE love of my life! :)
p.s. We brought Edward home and left him in the kitchen for the night. My cats knocked him over, and much to Brady's pleasure, starting chewing up his face. I was able to tape him back together and now he lives in my office (in a corner where the cats can't get him anymore).

Farm Weather!

We got outside today and enjoyed some time at the farm. We usually get there in February, but didn't make it this year. So the baby lambs are about a month old now (we usually see them the day or two after they are born). But they are still really little and cute and so wobbly on those long legs.

There were a lot of baby lambs and we walked over to one pen and about 5 people were holding one of them. Gibson said, "what are they doing mom" and a lady standing by us said, "they are tagging all of them and cutting off their 'boy parts' "!!!!!! We quickly walked over to the pigs. Poor little lambs. :(

We took a bunch of our old bread and fed the geese. Oh my word, you would think they hadn't been fed all winter!! They were chasing after us and eating right out of our hands. And they were SO noisy! This video doesn't even do it justice.

Math

Gibson's been doing "addition" with daddy for a long time, but he brought this math worksheet home from school yesterday and I was just so proud of him! I can't believe he's doing this kind of stuff in preschool. I don't think I did anything like this until 1st grade. What a smartie-pants!

A Wonderful Weekend!

The weather this weekend was beautiful! We were able to get out and do some yardwork. We even had a BBQ and ate outside! We have this plant that is so beautiful right now! It's the one that actually had a bloom in February. Now it is covered in flowers!

BEFORE (in February)...

NOW! Isn't it beautiful!

We still have a little bit of snow in our yard and I thought these crocuses trying to pop up through the cold snow were so cute.

A New Living Room!

I got a bug up my butt recently and really wanted a change in my living room. I decided it was time when we found an INCREDIBLY AWESOME deal on a new couch set at a President's Day Sale. So we bought the new couches 3 days before we left on our trip. I needed to sell our old ones, but had to wait until we got back. So for a few weeks, we've had all that furniture crammed into our living room and it's been driving me crazy. I sold the old couch and chairs on Saturday and finally got to put the room back together. I'm very happy with the outcome - I was ready for a change.

Gibson and Squeakers!

Gibson said, "get the camera and take a picture of me and Squeakers". So I did. I took the picture on our couch that is draped in a sheet, so my mom said that it looked like a professional picture!

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Last Saturday, my dad turned 60. On Sunday, we had a "surprise" (I say that in quotes because he figured it out) party for him on Sunday at Courtney and Daryl's house.

Here's the entertainment we hired: Carter and Gibson on guitars and Brookie on drums!
My dad opening the pineapple pies that we brought him back from Mexico - they are a favorite of his!

Brady, Gibson and I got him this book all about the Utes '08-'09 Football Season. He loved it!

I made him a book of "memories".

My brother and sister bought him a Utes football and got Coach Whittingham to sign it!

The birthday boy with his birthday cake (it says "Go Utes" on it).

My mom and Courtney with the babies: Lukas and Paige.

Brady and I.

Casey and Corbin.

Chelsea and my dad, the birthday boy!

This is a video of my dad reading the memory book that I made for him. It was great to get his smile and laugh on film! Happy Birthday Dad!

Sledding!

I work for the best company! Last Saturday night, ARUP sponsored a family sledding night at Soldier Hollow. Since it is in Midway, we first stopped at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Tarahumara. It was SO yummy! Then we went sledding. Yes, I actually bunded all up and played in the snow - first and last time this season! Believe it or not, I had a good time and I actually stayed warm. It was a beautiful night - you could see all the stars. Gibson had a ball! This is a picture of Gibson warming up inside the lodge by the fire.

Escape from Winter - Vacation 2009

We have decided that February is a great time to get out of Utah to escape the cold and head somewhere warm. This year we took the Mexican Riviera cruise again. And, as always, since we are already in LA, we end the trip with a visit to Disneyland. Below is a recount of our trip along with numerous pictures and videos. We had a great time, beautiful weather, and even though our trip was 13 days long, we were NOT ready to come home.

CRUISE - Day 1

The first thing we like to do when we get on the ship is get cheeseburgers and fries for lunch!

Then it's time to hit the pools (and hottubs)!

Gibson joined us for dinner that night and had this delicious ice cream sundae for dessert!

CRUISE - Day 2

This was our first full day at sea. My favorite thing to do is get a good book and park myself on a lounge chair next to the ocean all day.
This was our first formal night (and the only time we had Gibson get into his suit).

Gibson's becoming quite the little photographer!

I like this picture because you can see the beautiful sunset in the background. I am standing on the lower, outside (promenade) deck.

Our family portraits.

Gibson's favorite thing to do on the ship is swim with daddy (in one of the 5 pools)!

CRUISE - Day 3

On the second day at sea, we pass Cabo San Lucas. This is a picture of Brady and I on the top deck of the ship with Cabo in the background. (Brady has his medal from the pool games around his neck).
The second day at sea is also the best day for viewing sealife. We saw multiple whales and dolphins. There was a cute mother/calf set of whales that were showing off for us. Before I started taping this video, they actually jumped out of the water!

Brady participated in the pool games! In this game, his team had to pick up as much fruit out of the swimming pool as they could. And they had to store it in their swimsuits (not hold onto it with their hands). Brady got quite the stash of fruit!

Here Brady and his team had to do a synchronized swimming routine. If you think they are bad, you should have seen the other team. And despite their best efforts, they still came in second place. Gibson was Brady's biggest cheerleader and he actually started crying when Brady's team lost!

CRUISE - Day 4

Our ship stopped in Puerto Vallarta today. Below is a picture of the Sapphire Princess.
There were really neat sand sculptures along the Malecon.

Gibson and I sitting on some of Puerto Vallarta's famous sculptures.

We have a secret place in PV that we always visit. It's up the river from the flea market and it's always quiet and clean. There are clean restrooms and we ALWAYS find cats. We found this one up in a tree. Some turkey got him down, though.

The cat decided we were okay to sit with since we kept feeding him our turkey sandwiches.

Gibson sitting down at our yummy, delicious lunch! We found this shaded table right on the beach front and parked there for the afternoon. They brought out our lunch and drinks and Gibson and I played in the ocean.

Gibson loves playing in the ocean waves! (except when he gets knocked down and gets salt water up his nose!)

CRUISE - Day 5

This day we visited Mazatlan - our favorite stop! We take a funny 'golf-cart' taxi to the Golden Zone, do a little shopping and then play on the beach.
This year we decided to go over to Deer Island for a quick visit. We took a Catamaran and played on the beach for about an hour and a half. We decided we like the beach at Mazatlan better.
Brady and I on Deer Island (it was nice having Gibson to take pictures!).

Where is Gibson? And whose head is that sticking out of the sand?

I ordered ONE Pacifico beer and this is what they brought me - an entire bucket! Rob, where are you??? Brady wasn't any help in drinking all the beers!

Gibson and I playing in the ocean at Mazatlan. Gibson loved having the waves knock him down.