2 Years

It's been 2 years today since the worst day of my life. What better way to spend it than in the temple with my family. Daxton we will never forget you. You are always in our hearts and thoughts. I will love you forever!

How is he already one?

Yesterday was Gavin's 1st birthday. How did that come so fast? I can't imagine our lives without him, he is the best surprise we've ever had. He got his balloon in the morning and loved it until about 10 minutes later when Zack popped it. Their balloons lasted for over a month, but they pop Gavin's within 10 minutes. It was hard figuring out his meals because like I mentioned he won't eat much. So for breakfast we had Oatmeal Berry Muffins and fruit.

In the afternoon we went to Surf and Swim. It was so much fun and perfect for the boys! Gavin was able to crawl all over and Zack and Austin were able to run all over the place. It was the perfect pool for young kids. We all had so much fun!

Zack, Austin, GavinGavin, Austin, Zack

Then the boys all went down for naps while Aaron and I finished cleaning the house and I finished Gavin's cake and made dinner. Aaron and I were "strongly disagreeing" about something and I opened the cocoa container with too much force apparently.
Cocoa powder in the eye hurts, but it also ends an argument very quickly. :)

My family came over for some food and fun. I made sweet and sour chicken with lots of carrots, green peppers, and pineapple in it for Gav and a side of broccoli. Then Gavin got spoiled with some fun presents.

Beautiful quilt my mom made Gav

Gavin was not interested in opening his presents, but all of the other boys had a great time doing it.
And there has to of course be some wrestling.
I was going to do a cake of Jack Jack from the Incredibles because so many people tell us Gavin looks like him, but it was stressing me out too much so he got a monkey cake instead. I figured I would carry on the theme of animal cakes for their first birthday.

I loved how he picked all of the M&M's off first.
He was so funny he kept going down like he was going to stick his face in it, but then he would just pause like he was trying to do all of these photo ops.

I loved the first cake experience! Zack and Austin have always been sick on their birthday and wouldn't even hardly touch their first cake so I've always felt like I missed out on those pictures. He loved the cake!
We had such a fun day and love that little boy to pieces! Thanks to everyone that called, texted, and came over for helping us celebrate our little boy!

Gavin's 1st hair cut

On Monday we went to Michelle for Gavin's 1st hair cut. As long as he had his sucker he sat there great, but as soon as his sucker was gone he started getting antsy. She did a great job, he looks like a stud!
Before-some people thought is hair was a little crazy, but we loved it! I kind of miss it.
During
After- Isn't he so cute!
This face cracks me up
If any of you need a hair dresser Michelle does a great job. Let me know if you want her number.

My son the vegetarian and Green Eggs and Ham

Last week was Dr. Seuss's birthday so in honor of him Sunday night we read Green Eggs and Ham (my favorite Dr. Seuss book) to the boys and had green eggs and ham for dinner. Austin claimed he didn't like them, but he ate all of it without any problem. Zack said he only likes them in a train. And my funny Gavin; for the past 2-3 weeks we haven't been able to get him to eat hardly anything besides vegetables and fruit (but he will eat several serving sizes of them). However, he ate his green eggs and ham great! We're thinking it was because it was green so he thought it was vegetables. I guess I'm going to have to start dying all of his food. :)

Before I'm accused of not feeding my family a balanced diet we also had some yummy Oatmeal Berry Muffins and fruit.

I need help!

No, I'm not talking mental help, but I probably need that as well.
I was FINALLY given the clearance a little over a week ago to start running again. My half marathon is in 2 months and I'm freaking out! I haven't been able to run since the end of December and the furthest I've ever ran is 6 miles. If anyone has any advice or knows of a great running plan to get me as close to ready as possible your help would be much appreciated!

My poor kids

Do you ever get sick from your kids and then once you realize how incredibly crappy they felt you feel like the biggest jerk ever for being so impatient with their whining. That's me right now. I would like everything from the chest up to be removed! And 2 weeks later they still don't seem to be feeling great. At least Aaron and me get to enjoy this together! :)

A little bit of everything

I just can't seem to find the desire to blog so I'm forcing myself to do an update.

Gavin

He is still the cutest thing ever and I'm completely 100% smitten with that boy! He is in to everything and has found all of the areas that Zack and Austin liked to get in to that drove us crazy. He's basically eating all normal food now which he's very happy about (except for mommy milk). He started clapping last week and it's the cutest thing ever. He's very active and if we put him in his high chair without strapping him in he will immediately stand up and turn around; the other day when he did it I pointed my finger at him and said you sit down right now and he pointed his finger back at me (so cute!). He still likes to be swaddled when we lay him down and he always sucks his right thumb and has to be holding blanket in his left hand right next to his mouth. He absolutely LOVES his brothers. He also is such a mommy's boy and nothing is better than his excitement when he sees me. He loves to eat paper and fabric and some days is the only person in this house that I like. I love this boy!

By the time I took this picture he was already so asleep that the other hand had fallen away, but isn't that hair awesome!

Zack

My darling Zack, most of the time all he has to do is smile at me and his cute smile with those dimples melts my heart. He is such a thoughtful little boy. He gets so excited to see Gavin and is always concerned about where Austin is. He had a few accidents the first day of potty training and in the last few weeks he's only had one more. He has a very hard time taking no for an answer and after hearing him ask the same question 40 times I lose my patience (Austin has the same problem). I was cutting out dinosaurs to sew them on shirts for them and when I cut them out he said to me, "Thanks for cutting the dinosaurs for me, I so proud of you." And then for about a week every time I would get him any food he would tell me thank you and that he was proud of me, so sweet! He always tells me thank you for everything and he's even sweet to tell me when the food is good. He loves to cuddle, especially with his mom. I love, love, love my Zack!

Zack snowboarding with Uncle David, he is a little dare devil.

Austin

Austin loves his mom and his mom loves her Austin! Austin is becoming my little shadow and always wants to be by me. If I walk out of the bathroom when he's going potty he gets very upset and says, "Mommy come be by me." He didn't have any accidents the first couple days of potty training then had one a day for 4 days and has been good since. I'm very glad my boys are potty trained and we're basically done with that! We were sitting at dinner a couple of weeks ago and Austin started tooting; he looked at me and with a big grin on his face he said, "I have fireworks in my bum." Austin is a little bit OCD (Zack too), he likes everything done a certain way and wigs out when it's not. It makes it a bit stressful if I know I'm not going to be there, trying to explain to babysitters or his dad how to do it just so. For the last couple of months at least 4 times a week when I go in to check on them before I go to bed Austin has laid his "brown bear" on the heater vent and he's laying on it. Apparently it's more comfortable than his bed. I love his kisses and everything about him!

Me

I have been trying really hard to stay up on my housework better and I think I have been doing better. I've been making a little bit more time to read which has been really nice and I've been working on a few sewing projects. I've been going to physical therapy for my ankle for a month (I tore all 3 ligaments on the outside of my ankle the week of Christmas) and it's slowly starting to get better. They told me that I could start walking on the treadmill this week- no faster than 3 miles an hour and no incline (not helpful for my half marathon training!) They have also been working on my hip because I've been having a lot of pain, but it wasn't getting any better so they told me they wanted me to go back to the Sports Medicine Doctor and have him look at it. He said that he thinks I tore the cartilage in my hip joint and the only way to fix it is surgery so we are buying time with cortisone shots. I'm really hoping that I can just go in every 4-6 months and have a shot for many years and on a happy note today is the first day that it hasn't hurt. Wahoo! So needless to say I'm freaking out that I haven't been able to start my training, Lori I may be emailing you for help with a training plan. I've found a new love with kettle bells and I'm trying to find other workout that don't involve my foot or hip very much. I'm still working one day a week and I'm enjoying being home most of the time. We started painting and re-doing our kitchen this last weekend, I will post pictures when it's done.

Aaron

Aaron has a new found obsession for Mount Everest and is reading a book about it- it's the first book I've EVER seen him read in the 11 1/2 years I've known him. I love that he's reading and I hope it's not just a one time thing. He's been working hard providing for our family and I'm very grateful that he works so I can stay home. He still loves the Utes and all sports and has been figuring out how to spend his bonus that we get this week (we're getting a new camera!). I love him more than ever and I'm so glad he's mine!
Zack, Gavin, Austin
Gavin, Austin, Zack
Zack, Gavin, Austin

2010 Resolutions

I wasn't going to make any resolutions this year because I didn't accomplish some of mine from last year and so I wondered if I was just setting myself up for disappointment by setting them. Then I had a little chat with my sister-in-law and she helped me to see that if I don't set any goals then I'm not accomplishing anything, but if I do set some goals then maybe I'll at least accomplish some of them. So to review some of last year's goals:

• run the Wasatch Back- I didn't end up running this because I didn't feel like I could leave Gavin yet. I'm fine with not doing this goal because I felt like I made the right decision and hopefully I'll get another chance to run it again.
• learn how to digital scrapbook- done! I know I still have more to learn, but so far I'm loving what I know how to do.
• finish boys NICU scrapbooks- didn't even start these, but hopefully I'll get to it this year.
• organize storage room- done! After at least 8 car loads to the DI and even more garbage we can walk in our storage room and actually use it and it's so nice!
• return to pre-pregnancy weight by the time Gavin is 10 months- done!
• Finish Christmas sewing projects- still working on them.

So that's 50%. Better than nothing, right?

Now for 2010 goals-

• Run half marathon- I'm signed up for the Ogden, now if my foot would just get better so I can start training.
• Paint kitchen
• Redo kitchen cabinets
• Sew new curtains for kitchen
• Finish Christmas sewing projects
• Scrapbooks for kids
• Read 1-2 books a month
• Learn to manage time better- any tips or help on this would be much appreciated
• Read scriptures every day
• Morning and evening prayers

Here's to a new year!

The good and the bad- so far

Day 1 was good and bad- mostly good.
First, the bad:
-It is really stressful when you have one little boy that has just had an accident, one little boy on the potty that keeps yelling for you, and one baby screaming because he's being neglected and you have locked him in his room so he doesn't crawl in the pee.
-It it very aggravating when you have a baby in his high chair crying because he's hungry and your 2 little boys are going to the potty and as soon as you have washed their hands they want to go again and again and again and the cycle repeats itself for a half hour. How do you tell them no though because the one time you do they will have an accident and the poor baby's crying volume gets louder and louder and louder. This was repeated several times through out the day.
-When we first re-did our bathroom like 5 years ago we loved the extra high counter top; we've now realized it's really hard for little boys to reach the water to wash their hands, even with a stool.

Now, the good:
-Austin did not have a single accident!!!
-Zack only had 2 1/2 accidents!!!
-Austin pooped in the potty twice.
-Zack pooped in the potty once.
-Seeing my cute little boys so proud of themselves.

I just hope that it keeps going this well and today wasn't a fluke.

The moment is here...

The moment I have dreaded about having kids, we are starting potty training today. We have 2 potties, 28 pair of underwear, 2 very excited little boys, and 1 nervous mommy. Wish us lots of luck and lots of patience!

New Year's and Family Fun Day Take 2

For New Year's Eve we went to Aaron's parents for their annual fondue dinner. Aaron LOVES fondue dinner so it's something he looks forward to every year. After gorging ourselves we headed to my grandparent's for some fun. We played some bananagrams and sat around and chatted. We debated about letting the boys stay up, but Gavin decided he didn't like that plan so we headed home around 11. When we got home Aaron lit off some fireworks for the boys which they loved.

On New Year's we decided to try our family fun day again. We took the boys to IHOP for breakfast and remembered why we don't eat there. We figured it takes at least a year to forget that it's not that good especially for the price. It made me a little sick to figure out that what we paid for our orange juice there I could have made 9 pitchers of orange juice at home. Then we went to Boondock's. We were going to go bowling, but all of there lanes were full and since it was a holiday it would have cost over twice as much as normal so instead we did there rollerball (mini bowling). It was perfect! Austin and Zack had their need to bowl satisfied and the balls were perfect for their size. They had a blast!
Then we headed over to there kiddie play area. It is really cool, but they don't allow anyone over 48 inches on it which means my passive little boys stood at the entrance and had no idea what to do. They finally got brave and climbed up to the bottom of the slide and were trying to go up it, but all of the other kids coming down the slide kept slamming in to them resulting in many tears. So after A LOT of coaching and trying to yell over all of the noise there I was able to direct them to the top of the slide. I was so proud of both of them especially Austin because he gets really freaked out when he walks on things that you can see through. Once they finally dared go down the slide they had a blast.

Zack

Austin

Have I ever mentioned how infatuated I am with this boy? I am one lucky mommy!
Zack and Austin kept going on and on about how bad they wanted to ride the carousel. Don't they look like they had a blast? :)
All in all family fun day was declared a success and I think we will love this place even more when our boys are a little bit older.

Christmas Eve/ Christmas

After my last post we decided to cut out a few of our traditions hoping that our kids are young enough they won't really care and figured we should be focusing more on Christ instead of things anyway. I was also grateful for 2 great neighbors and a wonderful sister-in-law that called as soon as they read the post offering their help. Nothing like other people and their Christ-like attitudes to really drill in the reason for why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.
We ended up staying home Christmas Eve because Zack was still throwing up and Gavin's croup was still pretty bad. We had a nice night at home having gingerbread waffles for dinner, watching A Christmas Story and reading the story of Jesus. The boys got to open their new jammies which by some miracle I was able to finish despite my mistake with the pattern. I was really happy with how they turned out.
Christmas morning Austin and Zack acted excited, but like they didn't know what to think when we kept telling them that Santa had come. When we went out to see everything the thing they were the most excited about was that Santa had eaten his cookies and drank his milk and the reindeer ate their carrots. I think I heard them talk about it at least 20 times that day.
Gavin's favorite part of the day- wrapping paper and lots of it! He kept getting so frustrated that we kept taking it out of his mouth, poor kid.
Santa brought Zack and Austin big Woody figures. With how much they have loved Toy Story I've been surprised that they haven't loved them as much as I thought they would. Their favorite present- the train track that came with the Lincoln log set that we got them. I should have got them a train track set like I had debated about. Oh well, it seems like you just never know what they are going to love the most.
After opening presents we decided to change our plans this year and instead of having caramel rolls for breakfast we went up to my grandparent's. It was great not worrying about making breakfast and seeing everyone at my grandparents. Then we headed to my parent's where they of course spoiled all of us. My amazing dad made the boys a picnic table just for them; it's so cool, but I'm a dork and didn't get any pictures of it. They also got them this parking garage that they love.
Then later that evening we went to Aaron's parents.
Zack came up to us at about 6:30 and said, "I want to go home and go to sleep." They were so exhausted, I don't think I have ever seen them so tired. So we headed home to bed, it was a great day.

Christmas Readiness Check-list

2 puking kids- check, check
1 baby with croup- check
1 mom with a foot sprained so bad she can't walk- check
1 mom not feeling well- check
1 exhausted dad- check
not a single present wrapped- check
pajama pants cut wrong and possibly not fixable- check
4 other presents not finished (due to a week and a half of sick kids)- check
cookies for Santa not made- check
1 messy house- check
Christmas breakfast not made- check

Can we postpone Christmas?

7 Wonderful Years

Happy Anniversary to my handsome hubby! Sunday was our 7 year anniversary. My first recollection of Aaron was the summer before our sophomore year of high school. He was in the same driver's ed class as my cousin and my aunt gave him a ride home one day. I didn't think much of him then, but in September he hung out with my friends one night and I remember thinking he was cute, but still didn't give it much thought. Then over the next month the crush started taking full force until I was madly "in love" with him. Unfortunately for me he just thought of me as a really good friend.
I was the one who planned all of the activities and get togethers with our friends so of course he started getting regular invites. I would always save him until last to call and would get a horrible case of butterflies before I called him.
For the next year I had to endure seeing him "going out" with another good friend and seeing him with other girls he liked while we became better and better friends. He was a huge flirt and so he flirted with me and others constantly which I loved/hated. Finally in October of our Junior year I decided I couldn't stand liking him anymore since he obviously didn't feel the same way so I decided the only way to get over it because he constantly flirted with me was to just completely ignore him and pretend that he wasn't there. (Don't you love how high school this sounds)
After 2 days of ignoring him; we were all watching a movie at my parent's and he stayed behind to talk to me after everyone else had left. It was October 8, 1998. He told me that he had realized when I stopped talking to him that not only was I his best friend, but that he had realized he liked me and then we hugged. I was so giddy and happy!
After 2 years of dating him I sent my best friend on a mission. We were NEVER apart so to say good bye to him for 2 years felt like he had died. I didn't handle it well which makes me laugh now to think how immature I was. However, it was the best decision ever, I am so grateful he went on a mission!
He came home on September 24, 2002 and we were secretly engaged 4 days later. It was the night before his homecoming and we were not about to tell anyone because we knew what the reaction would be. So for the next couple of weeks we booked the temple and went ring shopping and he officially proposed October 8, 2002. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple December 20th. It was one of the best days of my life! (My little boys birth days are the other days.)
I have loved being his wife almost every day. :) And I think he's become even sexier through the years! Thanks for a wonderful 11 years with you Aaron and I can't wait for even more! Love you forever!!!

The beautiful roses he surprised me with.

Happy Birthday!

I was really hoping that this would be the first year that Zack and Austin would be healthy on their birthdays, but I will have to hope for next year. Zack was feeling mostly better from his cold, but Austin had a really rough day. I felt really bad for him. I'm glad they at least aren't to the age where they realize it sucks to not feel good on your birthday.

After they woke up I went downstairs to get them balloons. We copy my bro and sis-in-law and give them a balloon for every year they are. When I came up the stairs with all of their balloons and we sang happy birthday to them they got so excited. It was really cute. Then we let them open their presents and they LOVED that. Zack is much faster at opening presents so Austin saw everything they were getting from Zack because his presents were always opened a minute later. Their favorite was probably the Toy Story action figures that they got.
Despite me also not feeling well I still had to decorate 2 dinosaur cakes. Sometimes it really sucks to be a mom especially when you don't feel good and you have to get things done. I do not have the talent that some people like Malinda have when it comes to cake decorating, but at least I made the effort right? Austin wanted green and Zack picked blue.
That night we decided to go to my parent's even though we didn't feel good, but it was really nice because then I didn't have to make dinner. Thanks Dad! They got spoiled by my family and had a lot of fun up there playing. My mom gave them these dinosaurs and Austin got so excited when he saw it.
Zack cheesing for the camera.
Neal was so cute. He was opening these motorcycles for them. I felt bad that he had to sit there and watch them open presents and he didn't get any. It's a good thing it's close to Christmas.
Lucky for me, my boys are not harsh critics and they loved their cakes. They kept saying, "Thanks, Mom" and telling me that it was yummy.

Austin

Zack

I kept getting choked up all day thinking about how hopeless we felt 3 years ago wondering if we would ever have any of these experiences with Zack. I'm so grateful for the miracles we were granted and for how blessed I am to have these 2 boys in my life.

Austin is such a fun adventurous boy. He is very independent and likes to do everything himself. He loves to tackle and wrestle and loves all sports. He also likes dinosaurs and cars. He loves to play outside and usually is the one to try things first. He is still a mommy's boy (which I love). He always does this cute little squinty smile to me and likes to follow me around everywhere. He is such a good brother to Zack and Gavin. He is such a sweet boy and I love him so very much!

Zack is a fun loving boy! He can be quite the little dare devil and is a wild man. He is also very compassionate and caring. He is always concerned about where Austin is and if I get hurt he always asks me if I need it kissed better. He loves Gavin and is very protective of him. He also loves to tackle and wrestle and loves sports. Their nursery leader came up to me a couple of months ago and was so excited that he had found a ball that they didn't know what it was- it was a hackey sack. He also likes dinosaurs and cars and is a mommy's boy. I love this little boy so much!

I'm so grateful for my 2 little boys! I love you Austin and Zack!