Family: A Picture Perfect Life!

What a Wild Ride!

2009-08-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a while I know but check this out. . .
So after I wrote last time I just went on carrying on with life thinking I was going to write once a month at least but that didn't happen because
I was 8 months prego and I feel down the stairs and broke my foot in 3 place and had to wear a boot for 6 weeks. . .I didn't get out very much after that.
**(pregnant, broken and with a 2 yr old boy, lots of work!)

I decided to teach swim lessons and had a blast. I was 9 months prego and teaching 24 kids how to swim! I loved it! They were soooo good!

Then I had my baby. . .
Her name is Krya (korea with out the o)
She was 6lbs 4 oz and beautiful. It was fast. once my water broke It was an hour and 1 push later and she was crying!

Now I have 2 kids and loving it! I must say sleep is rare but i am managing.

Tavis love her and is definetly her biggest threat! I can't keep him away. Every morning be blots down stairs and shakes her co-sleeper until she wakes up or until I find him and throw him in time out!

He has to point out all her features, noise, eyes, ears, head, toes, feet, etc. He thinks her hands and feet come off and that her eyes are indistructable! other than that we are good!

We went to the dr. for his 2 year check up and her 2 week check up and she had to get her pku shoots and when she started crying tavis was so worried! he got teary eyed and everything, "oh no ma, oh no." he would say! soooo precious!

So anyways i've been busy but doing great!
Love ya all
jessica
enjoy the pictures!

From A - Z in the last months . . .

2009-03-23T07:46:00.001-07:00

Sorry I've dropped out of the world for a little while but I am trying to come back onto the swing of things. Here's a quick update of the last six months and a ton of pictures. By the way I am going to go private on my blog so send me your email.

October

Tavis was a skunk for Halloween!

November

We found out we were expecting!!!!!
It was my birthday I'm 27
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving (All my family came up from CA and we had so much fun!
Brad went away for a while and we all miss him and pray for his safety. (A very tough situation and very scary)
Tavis was moved to a big boy bed and doing awesome!

December

Tavis got a 3rd degree burn but all it well it was just a little scary
Christmas!
We were going to Ca for Christmas then as we were walking out the door bad things happened and we went to the hospital to see if we were still going to hav a baby and we are. Everything looked okay but we needed to be very careful so NO CA. TRIP :(
A week later Alex was leaving on his mission and we needed to be there so I called the Doc and he said okay and we took off that day!
Thank goodness we went because my mom got into a car accident and I needed to be there to help!
We had a blast in ca and Tavis was loving it!
I Had finals and passed with an A wow Go Jessica

January

I started another semester of school
I became the Chamber of Commerce Treasurer
We had a good ultra sound and things with the baby still looked good
I was released from Young Women's and was not happy about it!!

February

We are Having a GIRL!! and we are so exited!
I am not doing good with my my school class but I am plugging away
My mom decided to have surgery on her neck from the accident it's a big surgery.
The chamber is good we are revamping the whole program and it's going to be great!
I'm gaining weight and feeling it!
We are working hard to get more work as the economy is struggling
I started potty training Tavis and he is doing awesome! A little bit at a time.

March

Nathan's Birthday and it was nice. Simply but nice.
I am 6 months pregnant and loving every minute of it!
I have another doc's appt. on the 24th
My mom is having surgery today the 23rd AHHHHH
Shawn will go and see her and help her as I am fragile.
We listed our house for sale! Scary.

That's it. Although as I was thinking about it all it's seemed like I was so busy but it doesn't look that way on paper. Sad. I thought I had an excuse for being lazy with the blog. Sorry about that.

Quick tavis update. He is such a chatter bug and loves his dad more than anything! I loves to go potty and throws himself a wahoo after he is done. He notices every baby now and hates the nursery, and says no to everything. It's so awesome! He's 20 months now at the end of march and I hate that time goes so fast!

With the new baby (her name is a surpise) we are so lucky to have Carter's Dr. again. We love him and appreciate all his patience and guenine care for us. He and his faily hav become great family friends of ours and we are sooo lucky!

I am going private with my blog next week so send your email! Thanks for caring everyone and I will try to update at least once a month.
Lova you all
jessica

San Fransico on peir 39

Star fish in Ca.

After trick or treating we chopped wood for the winter. . .fun. Not

I'm a Skunk and looking back I will be mad at my parents. We had a fun time dressing him up! HA HA HA

Alex left to the mtc early Jan

Santa Time, he hated santa

My first potty!

Tavis love to play the drums

I taught him to say cheese and he loves to make cookies.

Walking, Talking, Running, Flushing, and so much more!!

2008-10-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Okay so first let me apologize again for being out of the loop for a while but let me give you a run down of the last month. A very special family came into my life and our time has been priceless! Well then their house burnt down and we have clothed them and housed them and they are not gone and it's bitter sweet. I love them so much and they loved us so much and our little tavis they have given him books and toys and love and laughter and a 4-wheeler! Yes he has a 4-wheeler that they had to leave behind. Oh I miss them! Well School has been a bit tougher then I once thought it would be. I have forgotten how to read to retain but it's going good and hopefully I will at least end up with a B. I love my young women calling we made apron last week and we are sowing pillows tonight and I love my girls! They have brought back the eagerness we all had at that age for new and exciting things. They love the gospel and it bring me back to the feelings that we all should have and the pure love of knowing the gospel principles! I love it! Oh yeah I made a mad dash to Ca to see Brad and my parent and grandparents and it was so fun! And we have snow on Oct. 11th CRAZY!!!!

Well now to more important things. . .Tavis! Our little man. He finally walks/runs everywhere and it is so fun! He get's going so fast his little legs can't keep up and he falls and we cheer and he gets back up to do it again. He puts his little arms up in the air to balance himself and it's the cutest thing ever! He is now down to one arm in the air and the other is to keep dad from getting him:) Nathan is loving this stage and all I hear when it's nathan's time with Tavis is laughter and I feel so blessed! Tavis has a little tent in his room he won't let anybody in. He opens and closes the door like nobody's business hee hee. He has figured out how to push himself on his elmo truck. If there is a botton to be pushed he will find it! He loves loves loves oreos and sometimes he becomes my little black baby I've always wanted. He has learned to flush the toilet so while I am doing dishes and need five minutes I stick him in the bathroom and he goes to town on the flushing. He is doing so good at signing and we now excatly what he wants except for the times he feels he's entitled to just be given what he wants and we go back to square one which I also love! He is outting stuff on his nose and thinks he is so funny which he is! :)

As for Nathan, Well it's hunting season and between elk, duck, geese, and deer, and oh yeah and work, he's busy. I love him so much my teeth ache. We have grown so much as a family this last little while and I feel like everyday it just gets better and better! Nathan bore his testimony on Sunday and while he was talking Tavis went crazy! DADDY DADDY DADDY! It was so cute. He is a total daddy's boy. Of course I felt compelled to say something as well and Tavis didn't even know I was gone. . he was so happy to be sitting with dad, they sure are funny!

Here is a ton of pictures. . .

Bear Lake Parade of Homes 2008 People's Choice Award Goes To. . .

2008-09-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

Epic Construction for Bear Hollow Lodge!

Bear Hollow Lodge Lake View

Drive Way and Entry

Great RoomMaster Suite
Master Bathroom
Kitchen

Butler Pantry

Outside Living and Fireplace

Dinning Room
Timber Work

Grand Stair Case

Lake View and Covered Deck

Covered Deck

Guest Suite

Upstairs Bedroom

Great Room Down Stairs

Loft Living Area

Recreation Room ( Wired for Projector System)

Bedroom

Wine Cellar

Guest Bathroom

Bunk Room

Wow it's been a while . . .

2008-09-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

So I just realized how long it has been since i participated in the blogging world and I am so sorry. Let me give a quick update. First I put another post in before this one so scroll down to see it! it's long but you will enjoy the update i promise!

* Alex is now gone but while he was here he basically worked and slept ans ate! Really that's all he did. However while he was working he cut his finger open on a skill saw and basically it looked a little bit of spaghetti. They were going to give him stitches but there wasn't much they could stitch it too so it healed on it's own. Just so you know drugs were a wonderful healing power!

* Nathan built a home for the Bear Lake Parade of Homes of which he WON THE PEOPLE"S CHOICE award! I am so proud of him!!!! It's a beautiful home that we were so blessed to build because we have really met and made some pretty special friends. I will post on this a little later.

* I am going back to school to finish my degree in Elementary Education! I am loving it!

* My pool project isn't going like i thought it would but a little at a time. I am almost at $10,000 which is a start. I need much much more than that so if you know of any companies that need to make donations please let me know! Or if you know of any grants that I may obtain somehow please let me know!

* Tavis has found the new love in his life! TRUCKS TRUCKS AND TRUCKS. He makes the driving sound and drives them all over his body and all over everyone else. It's so funny to watch. He has taught himself to put things in the bucket of the trackhoe and skidster and hull them around. I did not teach him this but I think he got it from his watching his dad drive all the equipment around. He recently started putting food in the buckets and feeding himself from the trucks. It must be in his blood!

* His first word is of course DAD! :( and the 2nd word is Dog. There is no mom, infact he's not even close. He won't even make the sounds. I am so sad. He loves our dogs and points everday out the window at them and dog dog dog. . . he'll point at Nate's truck and say Dad Dad Dad. I have tried everything but there is not mom.

* Tavis has taught himself how to use a fork. He will not let me feed him to save my life. I tried the kid forks but they are not sharp enough for him to pick anything up so he won't eat unless he has a big people fork of which h is amazingly accurate and feeds himself very well.

* We finally got grass! Well kind of. it's in quite the fragile state but i'll take pictures to show you later when it' doesn't look soo umm well fragile.

Raspberry Days Parade

2008-09-06T13:09:00.001-07:00

I was asked by the Home Builder Association to help decorate the float for the home builders. Every year there is a craft fair and a fun parade and a fun run (5k) which i have never done, and there are rides and candy and tons of food. Well this year we a had to pull and decorate the float which was so fun. Tavis loved all the candy even though he didn't really know what it was. Tavis loved chasing the balloons around, he couldn't even pin one down to play with, they all just kept popping out of his grip; It was so funny! We had all of Nathan's guys (employee's) ride on the float and throw hats and shirts and candy and beads! We had a blast!

I'm Tagged by Yvonne Welch

2008-07-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

8 Things I am passionate about
1. Being a Wife
2. Being a Mom
3. Feeling the Love of My Savior and Sharing it with others
4. My Young Womens Calling
5. As of Lately my Garden City Public Pool Project
6. Getting My Husband to Play a Little more
7. Friends. . I love friends, I love letting people know they are important and i love them.
8. Getting Tavis to Walk. . . he is so close! His muscles are finally strong enough so that he can pull himself up to anything and everything. It's so fun to see he take the learning leap! I love it!

8 things I want to do before i die
1. Travel around the world for a year
2. Create relationships that will last long after I pass away
3. make a memory journal for tavis and nathan so they will always have me with them. (I want to write letters of advice and encouragement for them over the years ) I know that sounds wierd but you never know when it's your turn. Life is so not in our hands...
4. Do something huge like run a marathon or swim across the lake or something like that.
5. adopt a child
6. work at an orphanage
7. look into the prophets eyes
8. read the bible

8 things i say a lot
1. love (nathan) can you/we. . .
2. Tavis let me help you
3. Whatever
4. Sure Nathan I will
5. Just let me do it
6. Um No.
7. Hey (name) what are you doing to day?
8. I really need to get a hobby . . .

8 Books i have read as of lately
1. Pillars of the earth
2. Just Hold Me
3. When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered
4. The Peacegiver
5. Goodnight Moon
6. What to Expect in the toddler years
7. Oh The Places You Will Go
8. Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes

8 Movies I have watched
1. The Dark Kinght . . it was so good
2. P.S. I love you . . I cried like a baby, also so good!
3. 10 things i have about you
4. Lucky 7
5. Defenitely, maybe. . .not that good
6. 10,000 B.C. ahh pretty good
7. 27 Dressess
8. Fools Gold. . .DON"T WATCH THIS I HAD TO TURN IT OFF

8 Bloggers I tag
1. Jennifer Hurdsman
2. Amber Lee
3. Katie Reid
4.Violet Lufkin
5. Jeanine Crane
6. Bethany Tomseth
7. Carrie Mamberg
8. Nicole Long

Top Ten Events in the Last Month!

2008-07-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

1. Forth of July was fun and we went to Paris Id. to watch the parade and get candy.
2. I cut Tavis' hair again and I hate it. I love longer hair.
3. We play at the beach all the time and Tavis is getting a beautiful tan!
4. Tavis, I think really has a girlfriend. . . McKenna.
5. He loves the bath and water. We had Mom and baby swim lessons and he love it!!
6. He is close to walking but he's chicken.
7. He all the sudden hates to go to sleep!!! Ahh it's driving me crazy . . .
8. Alex is living with us and we love it!
9. I am heading up a swimming pool project for our community and it's stressful!
10. The home show is coming up and Nathan's Cabins is looking awesome!
11. Oh Yeah i cute my Head open on our granite counter tops. . i don't recommend doing it!

Wow Tavis is ONE!

2008-06-30T19:53:00.001-07:00

Wow what a day. Tavis got up at 6 which is early but I guess he knew it was his day! We went to church but I wanted Tavis to be rested for his party so we took him home early to get in his nap. We cooked delicious steaks and loaded mashed potatoes and had homemade rolls (i am getting so good at the roll thing) fruit salads and a load of junk food! It was so good! Nathan's family came down from Bloomington and Jenn and Dave were up from Ca. and Amber and Aaron we up from Provo and all the Grandparents came which was wonderful. We all just hung out and ate as much as we could then we opened presents. The best part of the day was when we gave Tavis his own cake.
- I made a tractor cake from a pan and decided I wanted to be cute like all my friends from back home and decorate it and I made a mess in my kitchen and worked all day on it and it looked good well kind of. . . well not really good at all but it was a good for a kid cake.

We got him down to his diaper and let him dig in. He didn't really eat much he was much more interested in smearing it all over the table and watching squeeze through his fingers. It was so cute until the black dye we used for the tires started dyeing everything purple including Tavis. We put him in the bath and it looked like we had beat him which i was in fear of because i had a Dr. the next day. All in all it was a great birthday and it has gone by so fast!! Thank you all for your support and love
Jess
What a hot lookin' birthday boy!

I love to drink out of straws
yes a mess!!

Nathan helped blow up all the balloons except he thought he was in some kind of competition with himself to see how big he could get them all before they popped. . .many popped first!
Dave Jenn and Amber
All the kids
A funny birthday family photo
Nathan at the Grill

The Grandparents

It's a long one but it has lots of pictures!!!:)

2008-06-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

A LADIES NIGHT OUT!
1. So this last wed. evening the RS in our ward had a fun little BQ and everyone brought so much food and we ate a chatted and it was so nice to get out a rub shoulders with the ladies you don't get to see very often. I love gatherings! More importantly I wanted all to see the family that has taken care of me during my times of difficulty with Carter and these women have now become sub-grandmothers to Tavis. I just wanted to show everyone all the people I love!!! (of course this isn't all of them but it's a good portion).

A CRACKING OF THE HEAD. . . OUCH!
2. Well that night I was doing some clean-up just before bed and all the lights were turned off and I was putting the last of the clothes in the laundry room and on the way i saw a sock on the ground so i went to pick it up and cracked my head on the counter-top and split it open. . . I didn't realize I had split it open until i went to stand up and blood started to rush down my face and arm. . .it was lovely as you can imagine so Nathan came to my rescue. . . kind of, he uh. . well . . . to put it nice he doesn't do well under pressure. This was 10:30 at night and at 11:30 I was able to get my stitches and all was well until I realized i had invited everyone to the beach on friday and I really did invited everyone i could think of so great I hope i didn't gross anybody out.

BEACH DAY . . .YEA FOR THE SUN!!
3. So I invited everyone to the beach with there kids because we all have needed to get out and play a little and I just love my friends and their kids. So We set up the canopy and played all day! I loved it! I love watching kids play in the sand and water and use their imaginations! So here are pictures of all of this! I thought Tavis would get bored since he's not completely mobile but Alli gave him a little shovel and he played all day in the dirt. He loves to dig i have found.

A Side note. .
I was helping the beautify committee plat flowers and I brought Tavis along and gave him a little shovel and he dug in those barrels and squeezed the dirt between his fingers for 2 hours and never got bored. . a true boy!

A New Family Picture

2008-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

I had to scan this picture so it doesn't look great but will give you and idea of what we all look like now. We took this picture at the beginning of may and Tavis looks so different now. Well I just wanted to say hello everyone and have a beautiful day!
Jess

June Update

2008-06-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

We are starting Tavis early! He is going to be the best mutton buster yet! Nathan thought that was the coolest thing that tavis didn't even mind sitting on the calf. So funny! Well Tavis won't drink out of a sippy cup and I refuse to give him juice and water in a bottle so I bought a squirt bottle and that works.. . Tavis no nows when i am taking a picture and he held the grin for 20 seconds waiting for me. Also he is teething so bad that we gave in and he had a redvine feast! Oh how he loves them and the loves being sticky afterwards. He'll clap his hand forever trying to figure out why they stick it's so cute! We just love our happy boy!

Memorial Day

2008-05-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

For this day we were able to spend time with our son Carter and decorate his headstone. We were also able to visit Brandon's and Grandpa's place of rest and were able to put beautiful flowers on there site. It was a really nice day the day before and it rained all day Monday so we took I am glad we took these pictures on Sunday. All in all it was a nice day.

NBA Parties

2008-05-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

We would all gather to watch the jazz play and were sad when they lost but we had a great time watching them play. Tavis loved it because it was just more time he could spend with McKenna whom each just loves. . .it's so cute! and we got to spend time with friends and just hang out. I am so glad we all were able to play.

Grandma and the Boys

2008-05-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

One afternoon we stopped by to see grandma and show her Tavis' new hair cut. He knows i am taking a picture so he does his cheesey smile. . .it's so funny!

Zip Line! Wahooo Whooo

2008-05-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

So here they finally are! Going back through the pictures was interesting and I will have you know that the little harness you have to wear is extremely uncomfortable. We had a great time and loved every minute of it! The longest line was 666 feet and it was soo cool! Well that's all
late.

My First Hair Cut

2008-05-09T10:16:00.001-07:00

He is so funny with the faces these days! I actually cut his hair or just the front of it anyways because it was in his eyes so much but then he looked like he had a mullet so I shaved it all but because he has such fine hair the shaver could only do so much so don't look closely because it's all sorts of lengths, but we like it.

A Day at the Park

2008-05-09T10:11:00.001-07:00

He Loves Girls!! Carrie and I and Jackie took an afternoon to play at the park and we had a blast. It was Tavis' first time in a swing or on a slide so he didn't really connect the dots but I had a great time. He's really into clapping these days and so when he gets excited he claps as you will see in the swing picture. Mckenna just loves Tavis so they played and she loves to give him hugs it's so cute and Tessa just likes to be his care taker I love it!! He tried to eat chalk but I stopped him before he got his overdose of calcium and other than that is was a nice afternoon.

Bowling with the Sealy's

2008-05-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we went on a double date with Shea and Jackie Sealy. We went to Chili's or dinner and then went Cosmic bowling. I am a horrible bowler mainly because I have no muscles and everyone else were great bowlers and Jackie was the hit of the night!! Well, until the very end when they all had one bad bowl and I had one great one and it turns out I won by 1 point!! Wahoo! Well the second game we bowled for Ice Cream. The couple that looses has to take the other couple out for Ice Cream and I had an okay game and everyone else had a horrible game and I won again! Really thanks to me Nathan and I won! It was so fun. We were glowing and Tavis and McKenna were just great and it was way past their bed time so we really did have a great night! Tavis did get cranky toward the end so we needed to head for home and skipped out on the Ice Cream . . .but don't worry we haven't forgot. . . oh wait we still have thier ice cream in our freezer so it all evens out.

Finally!. . . It's Easter

2008-04-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this but we did have our first Easter at Jenn and Dave's house in Ca. the day before we left and it was a blast. Jenn was so good to get Tavis an Easter gift and do an egg hunt and everything. I video taped it and they took a ton of pictures. Thank you Jenn and Dave! You guys really made that week fun and special for us and especially for Tavis.

When You Fall Alseep Like This. .

2008-04-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Tavis insists that he sleeps in the very top corner of his bed. No matter how far he set his away from this corner he always seems to find it. So when you fall asleep like this
You wake up like this. . .

Baby Animal Days

2008-04-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

A few ladies and I went down to the Heritage Center in Logan where they have baby animal days where the kids can pet all the baby animals and ride ponies and donkey and they give tours of the old log cabins and the food cost an arm and a leg. We had so much fun. Tavis just about killed a chick as you can see in the picture where I am freaking out because he has the chick in a kung fu hold by the neck . . . we saved it. He loved the ducks, they were quacking and quacking and it made him just giggle and he keep trying to get there beeks with his lobster fingers (he tries to grab everything now with his thumb and pointer we call them the lobster fingers). He grabbed all the ears of any animal he could but all in all he loved it and it was so fun to see!

Swimming with the Dolphins

2008-04-07T10:02:00.001-07:00

This was so much fun! This was one of my favorite things on the whole trip! It was so fun to see my mom and dad enjoy it so much as well! Really excatly like i thought it would be! Nathan loved this adventure as well! I think the zip line was his favorite though.

Puetro Vallarta

2008-04-07T09:56:00.001-07:00

Well, This was the most fun stop I think. We first went to swim with the dolphins and the went to the zip line tours. We traveled in this yellow truck and let's just say I thought that day would be my last. We all think utah drivers and california drivers are bad just go to mexico! We were running red lights and making 3 and four lane out of 2 and the truck, well i think it needed a check up! If you look closely you will see little hand loops to hang on to inside the truck and they were very much needed!! AHHHHH! The zip line pictures are coming in the mail so we will have to wait for them.

Mazatlan

2008-04-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

We went Kayaking around some private island you will see in the back of the picture. I thought we were going to go on the island and hike there but no we just go around it and come back. Nathan and I did really well, and for some reason Nathan thought it was some kind of race and we couldn't be last not could he let anyone beat us. . .whatever! We then went to a place for lunch and they took us on these weird wagon like things through the town and it was heart breaking to see the way these people lived. We had a great time and Nathan Alex and Joy were able to buy new sunglasses for a real bargain! Oh yeah I had to buy a hat because I had fried my scalp already!

Snorkeling

2008-04-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

In cabo we went snorkeling with little under water sea doos. We were able to swim in the midst of two different schools of fish and I was able to see plenty of blow fish and other fish i had no idea what they were? It was fun and I was thrown into the coral reef and it scratched my leg pretty bad and it was worth it! I did have an underwater camera so here's some sights on the way there.

Sea Lions

Our Life Vests

Rock (there famous)

Lovers Beach

We're Back and Better Than Ever!

2008-04-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

WOW! We had the best time! This is going to be the first of many entries due to the plentiful amount of experiences these last couple of weeks. First will come the cruise and then the activities on the cruise and then sea world and then an update of everything so . .

The Cruise:
Wow!!!! Amazing!!! We both had just an amazing time and ate like we hadn't seen food in years! The food was delicious Nathan was finally able to try lobster (A tribute to Brandon nate's brother) and it was as good as Brandon had described it to be. The deserts were to die for and the service was fantastic. We were so spoiled! We loved our room with our balcony, every morning we opened the door to smell to ocean air. . .it was beautiful. having my family around was a blast of course there was always somebody to hang with and laugh with. We went to many of the comedy shows and talent shows which we enjoyed. There is plenty of demonstrations going on like ice sculptures, fruit carving, ext. and we really enjoyed sitting by the pools and just hanging out. Oh we loved our massages!! First we went to cabo san luca then to mazaltan then to puerto vallarta. I will first give you pictures of the cruise ship.

One of our formal dinners

This was the view from the back of the boat.

this was the "tender" that transported us to and from the ship.

Our hang out.

Last night family photo

Right by our hot tub

A view of the whole deck

The Mexican Riveria. . .

2008-03-19T11:04:00.001-07:00

We are going cruise'n for the next week and we are soooo excited! This is a picture of our ship and the room we will be staying in. This is our first cruise and we are going to be celebrating our 5th year of marriage (even though it's in May)! We are leaving friday and will be staying at Jennifer's house (nathan's sister) and Saturday we are going to Sea World and Sunday we leave for MEXICO! Our ports are Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, then Puerta Vallarta, and then home that next Sunday. Tavis is going to be staying with Jennifer's family for the week and we will miss him so so much! I am actually really scared but I know he will be just fine! I have made a picture book of him that Nathan and I can look at when we're really sad and lonely so at least we will have that. I have just about packed everything so we are ready to go. I will miss you all and we see you all when we get back. Love Jess!

He Tries so Hard. . . Well Not Really

2008-03-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

So Tavis is now 8 months and not crawling but he is starting to kind of try. It's been so hard with his helmet because of it's weight and how it is on his neck that he really really hates to be on his stomach at all! If you put him on his stomach he immediately rolls over to his back and get very upset if you stop him from going to his back. But, he is standing with some help and is loving the tallness of himself. He has also started this arm raising thing and starts blaabering loudly when he puts his arms in the air. . it just makes us laugh so hard. Lately he has really found his voice and chooses to share it at every opportunity possible. Well in these pictures was one of our try to reach/crawl. . maybe creep even a little episodes and as you can see in one of the pictures and stops for a rest and that was that. Have fun and enjoy the pictures. Oh yeah and he reaches and grab anything! I love this stage. . We are such proud parents and love every bit of this!

Like a Little Fish

2008-02-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

We went to Brain Head for a weekend and took Jayson and Carrie and cute little Olivia. The wives got massages and the guys hung out and rested. They were supposed to go skiing but we got in so late the night before they had no energy. Yes, we drove through the really bad storm the day before Valentines Day and somehow made it all the way without any trouble. Thank you Heavenly Father! It took us 11 hours. Crazy! The kids did really well. We rented a suburban so we had plenty of room and we watched dvd's on the way down. Well, we took Tavis swimming for the first time and it was so fun! He loves water. . he kept looking around like he couldn't believe there was that much water. It was so cool to watch him get comfortable in the water. We put him on the very top 2 inch step in the hot tub and he was mesmerized by all the bubbles, he couldn't take his eyes off them. He also loved Olivia. He watched he like a hawk, he wanted to touch her (as you see in the picture) he kept putting his hand on her shoulder and legs and face. . definitely cute! Olivia on the other like most girls just wanted her space. He is so interested in everything and I love it! Enjoy!

A Long Awaited Homecoming

2008-02-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

LANCE IS HOME!!! On Feb 5th Lance returned from El Salvador skinny and happy! We all met him at the Salt Lake Airport. We arrived a little early and waited for what seemed like forever and then there he came with four other missionaries from the east mission. Mason and Logan had signs for him and the rest of us just had our open arms. It was wonderful! A lot has happened over the last 2 years and I am sure it was tough to be gone while it was all going on but I'll tell ya, Lance is one strong spirit! Nathan and I just loved to hear him talk, he's so grown up and he speaks 2 languages and it awesome to hear his experiences. It truly opens your eyes to how blessed we are to live in America and have the freedoms we have. Lance has since bought himself a car, started working for Nathan, went on a date (or two) , and he just keeps going. I have thought about way it's so hard to take off the name badge and get into the routine of life and I just didn't understand it. I asked Nathan way it's just so special? He and Lance both said that, "it's because you know that's the only time in your life when your going to be able to set aside everything of the world and serve you Savior. There will never be a time when life doesn't get in the way. It's unfortunate and it's just hard to let it go." I really believe that. Everyday we have to life and make ends meat and worry about all the other things in life to survive and it's difficult to find the right balance and often times we are more heavy on the life side rather than the spiritual side. What a testament to the atonement and working everyday to be better than you were the day before!

True Friends are Hard to Come by. . . and I got Really Lucky!

2008-02-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

We had a girls day out in Salt Lake and we had a blast!! We met up in Logan and and continued our journey to Salt Lake. The Gate Way mall was calling our name and there jewelry was bought and Old Navy was basically bought out from all these moms! I myself went a little crazy but everything was 40% off and Tavis needed summer clothes. . so what is a mom supposed to do. . .SHOP! We did some other light when Ashlee decided to shop lift. . .no just kidding! It was so funny! We were walking to our next store after looking at hair extensions and Ashlee all the sudden realized she had walked out with one. She ran back and returned it and the store lady gave her some hair samples for being honest. The reason I found this so cute a funny is Ashlee is one of the nicest, purest, kindest, sweetest, bestest people I know so to see her face was a once in a life time experience. In fact I'm not really sure if she has any flaws so her shop lifting experience was one for the books!

Dinner: Time was running short so we hit the Joesph Smith memorial building and tried to eat at The Garden but it was 45 minutes so we put our name at The Roof and we were called to both at the same time. The Roof was so scrumsish! From there we went to The Riverdance play/musical and I swear it was much longer and more exciting the first time I went to see it but it was still neat to watch such talented dancers. I thought I had these amazing seat and yeah. .they weren't that great. When you order on the internet it shows you a layout of the place and let me just tell you, it wasn't anything like it looked so next time balcony is the best option all the way!! We had a great time and will hopefully do it again!

Umm A Mixture of News . . .

2008-02-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been kind of sick and there has been a lot that has happened of the last few weeks so I am just going to go to town on the updates! First, Nathan's snow mobile he has been able to ride every weekend and is loving it so much! Obviously, It's like his dream come true!

Second, Tavis has got his upper left tooth finally. He has been miserable for weeks now and I thought it would be over when it came through but I was searching around in there yesterday (wondering why he was still a grump) and found at least 3 more teeth coming. . .AHHHHH! The poor little guy is so whinny and you can just tell he is so uncomfortable. I didn't want to put sad pictures so I am putting on an older one that I just love! Ah! He is so Cute!! You can see his cute little bottom teeth, I tear up just thinking about how happy we are.

Also, I had the ladies over for lunch yesterday. I made a butt kicking lasagna and some better than ever rolls and we had a great time. The quote of the day was by a totally cute boy named max. He was looking over the railing from upstairs while I was feeding Tavis and said, "Look a robot." Everyone laughed and it was cute. Kids say the funniest things. So we decided Tavis ' helmet does look like a robot helmet so now he's our little robot! I love having friends and I love having tons of kids playing at my house! Sorry the picture isn't the best but I tried.

Well thats all for now I have much more to write tomorrow. C-ya later!

To My Parents With Love

2008-02-04T10:58:00.000-08:00

February 4th 2008
. . .Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant. Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God. “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.” Children born of that marital union are “an heritage of the Lord.”Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself. . . .
Russell M. Nelson May 2006

Today my parents have been married for 19 years! Wow! So today I have a small tribute. . .

Mom and Dad,
I want you to know that I know how much you both love each other and I thank you for showing me the love that you share. I have learned so much from you both and I am so grateful you guys. It because of you that your kids are great and have married in the temple. It because of you that we knew the kind of spouse we wanted to spend eternity with. It's because of you that we know to have patience and charity for one another. Thank you. I love you both so much and congrats on another year of true long.

Things You Have Taught Me.
1. Be Kind to Your Spouse
2. Laugh with Your Spouse
3. Create Memories with Your Family No Matter What the Cost
4. Marriage is Something You Work at Everyday
5. Fight Kindly
6. Be Selfless
7. Know What Battles to Win and to Loose
8. Temple Work
9. Work Hard Play Hard
10. Set Aside Dedicated Time with Your Loved One

The Helmet Part 2

2008-01-28T19:12:00.000-08:00

On Thursday Tavis got his helmet fitted and wore it for the first time. He is such a happy baby he didn't even care whether it was on or not but I sure did. After we left the doctors I went to walmart for some household items and as I strolled tavis around everyone starred and gawked and it was awful. I rolled myself into a corner and cried for a while and when I was brave enough came out and finished my shopping. I know everyone was just curious but it sure felt horrbile to be on the other end of the stares. Tavis' top left tooth is just about to come through and the right one is now swollen so he's actually not a very happy camper. So, between the teething and the helmet he has had a big week. He sleep pretty well with the helmet on but not at night. He sure lets us know when he wants it off and when we take it of he is drenched. Babies are so amazing. . . all that they have to go through and they handle it like champs most of the time. It's incredible to see how well he adapts to all the changes and growing he does. We love him! If you can't figure out what's on Tavis' face it's his binki. . he spits it out and that's where it lands. despite everything you can see how truly happy he is! I love it!

As for me, well I was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's and so I am over the Beehives which is kind of weird because I feel like I was just a Beehive yesterday. I am really excited and love my little girls!! Nathan is still going strong with no calling and I think he actually really likes it because he gets Tavis during church and therefore has plenty of excuses to leave early, walk the halls, sit on the couch instead of in class, . . . don't worry I'm trying to get him into shape. Oh, By the way if you didn't know they split our ward so they had to reorganize our new ward.

A Girls Lunner. . .

2008-01-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday a bunch of us girls in the valley went to Amber Parry's house around noon and ate a delicious lunch (amber made herself). It was a blast chat and laugh. We talked about everything. The kids played and kept each other busy which was nice but when they had dance time it was priceless. It is so great for us women to get out and have adult conversations and laugh and truly enjoy ourselves. I love to build relationships with truly great and fun women especially those that uplift me and help me to be an optimist, they edify me. We all stayed until about 5 pm when we decided our husbands need us. I know that I could call any of these friends at any point and ask a question or a favor and they would be there for me. . I know this because I have called and asked dumb mother questions that I should know and don't. They don't laugh at me they just love and help me and I truly appreciate that. Here are some pictures of our little party! I hope you all enjoy and thanks so much for a needed afternoon! Love ya.

So Much FUN!!

Snowmobiles!!! WaaHooo!

2008-01-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

On Thursday Nathan took his crew and me snowmobiling in Logan Canyon. We left about 9am and traveled to the Sinks in Logan Canyon also known as the one of the coldest places in th Nation. I have to say I held my own pretty well. While they were catching air off jumps I rode along the trails looking at all the beauty around me. They were in and out of holes up over hills (steep hills) and riding the sleds has hard as they could. We had a blast! Nathan taught me how to side hill a little bit until I got so tired I didn't have any muscle left to turn the machine one way or the other, so as long as we went straight I was just fine. I ended up sitting at the bottom of the hills taking pictures of the boys doing there thing. We started for home (thank goodness) around 3ish and I decided I could not go another 2 hours so I went home home and they continued their adventure in the hills behind our house and across the highway. The next morning I felt as though I was ran over by a truck and sure enough Nathan was up and running! Crazy. We sure had fun but it has cured me of my want for a snowmobile and has pushed Nathan even harder to get one. . . we shall see what the future brings for Nathan.

All the pictures are Nathan except for the last one. I couldn't do anything really cool so I just watched and took some awesome pictures! Oh by the way Nathan bought himself a snowmobile on Saturday. . .what a surprise. I knew he would bug me until I said yes so I figured I held him off for 4 years I guess I would give in now, he deserves it more than anyone I know. I will post pictures of his new one soon. . we just have to wait for a good day so Tavis can join in. :)!

The Helmet

2008-01-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Wow it's only been just over a week and the New Year has started with a Bang! We went in for Tavis's 6 month check up and his pediatrician suggested that Tavis get a helmet to help his head shape. So on Tuesday we met with a Brace Dr. who fits and makes the helmets and he molded Tavis's head. Tavis was super great until the plaster started to harden and you could tell he began to feel a little uncomfortable but other than that everything wet very well.

The helmet will create a void on the flat space of Tavis's head so as his head grows it will grow into that empty space to make the back of his head more round. This is purely cosmetic and has no affect on his brain. The reason they suggest to do this is so that if he were to ever have glasses or braces his structure will be as symmetric as possible. It's quite interesting actually.
Well at his check up he was 27 inches and 16.10 lbs. and healthy little bugger. If you have any questions please call me.

Our Family Recap of 2007

2007-12-31T11:31:00.003-08:00

Christmas

2007-12-28T12:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas was fantastic! We love this time of year. We've had storm after storm which creates a burning for snowmobiles! Maybe next year. This was Tavis' first Christmas and he of course made out like a bandit! Nathan received a rangefinder for his new hobbie of bow hunting and I got a nice video camera. Then of course there are the little things but we all got want we really wanted and that was Tavis. He has made Christmas so much fun this year! He Loves his new car seat and his sit toy mirror thing, he is always so happy and has brought so much joy to us! I think one of the funnest things this year was our 23 foot tall tree. It took 2100 lights well over 100 bulbs and tons of ribbon (I didn't have enough so I had to only wrap it around the trunk) and the largest size of a tree skirt we could find.

On the 27th we celebrated Carter's 2 year birthday which was bitter sweet. On the 29th was Tavis's 6 month landmark and we go for his check up on the 3rd of Jan. He gets 2 more shots and they will check his weight and height so we're excited to see how much he's grown. He is getting so big. Today, he ate in his high chair for the first time and did splendid! It is so fun watching him figure out how everything works with his hands and how they can make his toy sign for him. I loved to watch him watch himself in the mirror! It's so funny. He also loves loves the bath! I think sometimes he cries just so I will put him there because as soon as he hear's that water he smiles ear to ear. Well Have a happy New Year!