Family

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-15T18:08:00.000-08:00

There is so much to be thankful for!!! We had such a wonderful thanksgiving. We were able to go down to Arizona to visit Gilbert's brother Brad, and my sister Melinda and their families.

We had a couple barbecues with Brad. He made the best hot wings we have ever had.
Sophia and Brad. We played in their backyard a lot on their cool playground Brad put together.
Holly, Sophia, Angie, Brad, and Aleina.

Andrew had a lot of fun with the three girls. The girls had a lot of fun beating Andrew up the whole time. Somethings gonna have to toughen him up a little.
Brad and Angie made the coolest nativity out of wood for us. They carved and hand painted the whole thing. It was one of our favorite christmas gifts.
We went to Melinda's for Thanksgiving day. Melinda and I got to cook our whole own Thanksgiving dinner together for the first time. It was so much fun. Of course I was on the phone with my mom a lot while I was figuring out how to make everything. It was my favorite Thanksgiving i've ever had. Like so many other things I learn in life, it made me so grateful for my mom. It opened my eyes to how amazing my mom really is. It helped me really get into the true spirit of thanksgiving.
Melinda and I were going to make it a simple thanksgiving, but as we made out food wish list it just kept going and going. We tried buying roles but waited to long and every store we went to were sold out. So of course Melinda opted to making her own instead of going without them. They turned out so yummy!
This is the first turkey I have ever cooked in my life. It was so fun to learn. Thanks to all my mom's guidance on the phone everything turned out so good. Just a note for next time: the turkey cooked in half the time it said on the package. 3 1/2 hrs instead of 6.
Eric came with us for the week. We had so much fun with him. Gilbert mashed the potatoes until he thought they were done, then I mashed a little more just to make sure they were creamy and then Eric took over and really mashed them to perfection. They were the creamiest, best mashed potatoes I have ever had.
Andrew had the best time with his cousins. He especially enjoyed playing with Bennion. Every minute he and Bennion were telling each other jokes, chasing each other, laughing nonstop, and just having a good time.

The weather was so beautiful in Arizona. We got to eat outside in their beautiful backyard.

This is my first plate of three. I know I ate a lot but it was thanksgiving... :) Everything was so yummy and it lasted us the whole week we were there.
Andrew jumped on the tramp so much. If you look at him close he is pretty high in the air. Nini and Tasilyn were so fun. Their hair would go straight up in every direction from the static of the tramp.
The elliptical became the hot spot in their house. The kids thought it was the best toy ever invented.
Tasilyn was constantly taking her pants off. I had to get a picture of her caught in action. She likes to be free. If you notice in most of the pictures with her she is missing her pants, and it isn't because of Melinda's lack of putting them on her. It was a constant battle. :)
This is what Andrew and Bennion were doing pretty much the whole week we were there.

We all went fishing one evening. No one caught any fish but we had fun all being together.

Uncle Eric helped watch Ruby while we were cooking or crafting.
The boys played a lot of basketball in the backyard every night. The neighbors probably got tired of the late night basketball.
On our way home we stopped and saw the new bridge.

We got tired driving home so we stopped in to see Grandpa and Grandma Rowley. They let us stay the night, and we got an early start the next day.

We had such an awesome Thanksgiving break. With Gilbert's job hours we were able to get a whole week and a half off. Melinda and Gene were so hospitable. We had the best time making memories with our cousins and Aunties and Uncles. Thanks for all the laughs, good chats, and yummy food.

All about Andrew

2011-12-15T15:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-09T14:53:00.000-08:00

Gilbert- Peter Parker (aka spiderman) He had the camera around his neck, but it is taking the picture.

Me- A fisherwoman

Andrew- Dragon

Ruby- The cutest little elephant ever (with mismatched socks).

This is Brooke's cute family. Aaron was so tall. Every time he put the mask on Andrew cried. He scared Andrew so bad. He was so big and real looking he even scared me.

I made this wreath for our door.

Andrew thought trick or treating was the best thing ever created. The next day he thought we should do it again.

I made Andrew his head spikes because he didn't like wearing the mask that came with the costume.

We had a fun dinner at the Geary's, went trick or treating for an hour, and then went to Brooke's to make carmel apples and watch a movie. When we got back from trick or treating there was a whole bag of candy on our doorstep from the neighbors with a note for Andrew. Andrew is so loved by everyone in our neighborhood. We have some pretty awesome neighbors. We had such a fun halloween.

smiles....

2011-10-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

growing

2011-10-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

My little Ruby is growing so fast. The fifteenth was her first time rolling over on her tommy and now she does nothing else. It is her favorite thing to do. Andrew has turned it into a game. Every time she rolls over on her tommy Andrew yells "a oh, she did it again Mommy." Then he goes and rolls her back over.

After she rolls on her tommy she gets frustrated that she can't get where she wants. I am afraid she is going to start crawling early. She is such a going girl. Every time we go anywhere she is completely happy and content. It's when we stay home that she gets bored.

Working out

2011-10-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

I have been determined to lose all my baby weight sooner than later so we bought Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Gilbert has been so supportive to do a workout with me everyday. We have really enjoyed the time together and Andrew has fun joining us sometimes. We were supposed to use hand weights, but we only had two so Gilbert grabbed two catsup bottles. Without missing a beat, Andrew went into the kitchen and came back in with his own "hand weights." A powerade drink and a bag of cheese.

Andrew's weights, Mommy's, and Daddy's hand weights when we're on a budget....... :)

2011-10-05T12:44:00.001-07:00

Gilbert was playing soccer with Andrew and teaching him to not use his hands. Andrew was trying so hard to remember to not use his hands so he made fists while he was running around kicking the ball. After a minute of kicking the ball Andrew picked up the ball with two fists. Gilbert said, "remember we don't use our hands."

Andrew replied, "I'm not using my hands, I'm using 'bones.'"

We laughed pretty hard. He is such a clever little boy.

Blessing

2011-09-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

Ruby's blessing was such a special day. We had so much support from family and we felt so loved. Ruby looked beautiful all dressed in white. Her blessing was the day before Labor Day so there were a lot of people gone in our ward. Gilbert, Uncle Luke, Aunt Lori, Uncle Dan, Gabe, and I all bore our testimonies. Ruby was given a beautiful blessing by her Daddy. She was given the name Ruby Jane Rowley. She is named after a dear neighbor of mine, Ruby Morey, who lives in the canyon. Her middle name is after her Grandma Rowley. Gilbert was named after a dear neighbor of his mother's and we thought it was fitting to carry on the tradition. There were tons of family, yummy food, the decorations all turned out, and the weather stayed nice for us.

R- is for Ruby. :)

I waited all morning to get Ruby dressed in her beautiful white dress, so we could keep it clean. Right when everyone was getting in the car I quickly put her dress on and lifter her up on my shoulder to button up the back and KABOOM. She spit up all down the front of me and all down her dress. Gilbert quickly got a wet rag and we wiped us both up and headed to church with wet spots. Miraculously we were both dry by the time we got to church, which is just down the street. Ruby had slept a full eight hours the night before for the first time and I was so full of milk. I think when I fed her she ate too much and that's why she spit up. She has never spit up before so it was so unexpected, and she spit up enough to drown the whole front of both of us. Good thing spit up is white...
A lady that works with Gilbert was so excited to give us this shawl her mother had made for Ruby.

I was so worried I wouldn't have enough food, so my cute visiting teachers both brought desserts for me. One of them made these darling mini cupcakes.

We are so blessed to have Ruby in our lives. She has the most wonderful little spirit. She has brought us so much joy! She lights up every time we talk to her. She loves to have a conversation with anyone who will talk to her. Andrew is so good at making her happy while I am busy. She has been such a good baby. I love her with all my heart. I love her big beautiful brown eyes she got from her daddy. We love you our sweet little Ruby Jane!

Ruby's first camping trip.

2011-09-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Gilbert has been wanting to take Andrew camping all summer, but with me being pregnant, and Gilbert working so much, it hasn't worked out. Gilbert finally got a night off and started getting ready to take Andrew camping. I started to feel sorry for myself that I wasn't going camping with my fun boys, so I decided to take Ruby and go with them. I thought if she had a hard night I could just drive home. So we got packed up a little later than we hoped and drove up Logan Canyon.

Andrew loved wearing his two hats. Silly boy.
We let Andrew wear the headlamp and he thought it was so awesome.

We all fit in our little tent so well together.
Ruby did so good all night. This is the morning just after we woke up. Ruby is already a pro little camper. Can you tell Gilbert and Andrew just woke up? hehe They went on an adventure together exploring while I fed Ruby breakfast.

Ruby loves it outside! She is such a going girl. She is always so happy when she's outside.
Ruby and I went on a walk looking for Andrew and Daddy and I realized how red Ruby's hair is out in the sun.
Where's Andrew?

Andrew found this dragonfly and wanted me to take a picture of it. He said he didn't like it. :)
Here are the little campers packing up to go home. It was a short trip but we will have to do it again soon.

fun in July!

2011-08-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

Andrew loves to take care of his little sister. He is so good at talking to her when I am busy.

Ruby is getting so big too fast.

Gilbert and Andrew running through the sprinklers.
Ruby is already a sunbathing beauty.

Andrew wanted to have a sprinkler party with popsicles.

Our family watching the fireworks.

Andrew playing with glow sticks at the firework show.
We were on our way to watch the fireworks for the 24th when we saw the beautiful temple. Andrew always loves to drive past the temple as often as we can.

She loves to take baths.
She is such a good sleeper. Last Tuesday was her 4 week mark and that night she slept from 12:30 -7:00. It was amazing! I haven't slept that good in a LONG time. Thank you Ruby for the sleep.
Andrew loves to squeeze in with Ruby and I whenever he can.

Melinda and Tasi came to visit. We had so much fun with them. We had so much fun we forgot to take more pictures. ;) We were so sad when they had to leave.

Her first bath.
Ruby loves to open her eyes wide and have a conversation. She is the best little listener.
Andrew loves to snuggle however he can with Ruby and I.

Uncle Jake came to visit right when we got home from the hospital.
I love her big brown eyes.

We loved the Logan hospital. They did an exceptional job! I want to have every one of my babies there. Thanks to all the awesome nurses they have there.
Leaving the hospital. There is nothing more fun than taking a wonderful precious thing like this home for the first time.
Gilbert watched Ruby for me while I took a shower in the hospital. They both made themselves comfortable on the bed. :)

Ruby Jane Rowley

2011-07-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful little girl.

Ruby is such a good little eater, and sleeper. I can't get enough of her. I am loving every minute I get to spend with my little angel.

Andrew LOVES his little sister. He thinks he needs to be in charge. He wasn't very happy when I explained that I have to feed her. He thinks he needs to do everything for her. He is already a protective older brother. I'm sure he is going to take really good care of her for the rest of her life.
I've always been told how much I look like my mom, and I didn't think I did that much until I saw this picture. My mom has a black and white picture like this just after Matt was born and I almost look identical to her.
Our fun family of four. We couldn't be more blessed!

Pregnancy #2

2011-07-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

My due date is tomorrow, July 3, 2011. I started having contractions all day Thursday and thought for sure our little girl was coming, but now it's Saturday and I haven't had anymore contractions since Thursday night. I did have three yesterday, but they weren't much. My Doctor is out of town so maybe she is waiting for him to get back. Here are some pictures through this pregnancy. There really is a little girl in the oven. :) I can't wait to hold her in my arms and kiss her cheeks. I REALLY can't wait until I can give Gilbert a turn to hold her. ;)

3 months pregnant
4 months pregnant
7 months pregnant. Andrew took this picture for me. Isn't his view great? I must look ginormous to him if this is the angle he always sees.
30 weeks
8 months pregnant

This post is mostly for my sister Melinda, since for the second time she hasn't been able to see me really pregnant. I love you sis, and wish you could be here.

Spring is here....

2011-06-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to Monticello to spend time with family. Andrew loves to drive by any temple as often as we can. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take him to the Monticello temple.

Andrew is a little cruiser on his bike now a days. It is his favorite thing to do, especially when there are girls outside he can show off for.
I don't know where he learned to ride on the back like this, but he goes way faster, and obviously thinks he looks cooler.
The camping days have begun. We took a drive up the canyon with the Gearys to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. It was so beautiful and fun to be in the mountains.

The little campers!

Memorial Day

2011-06-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

We weren't able to go around to all the cemeteries where we have loved ones, but we were able to go to the Logan Cemetery and write the names of all our loved ones on a balloon. At 1:00 they let all the balloons go at the same time. Andrew loved drawing pictures on the balloons after we wrote someones name on it. We tried to tell Andrew about his Uncle Andrew, who he is named after, but I don't think he quite grasped the concept. It was so special to get to spend some time remembering those who have made differences in our lives.

Yes, I am huge and pregnant in this picture. I didn't put a balloon in my jacket. ;)

Those who we were able to remember on this special day:

Andrew Oldham, Grandpa and Grandma Oldham, Nathan Baird, Court Hubbs, Emilee Sainsbury, Nick Butler, Alex Amundson, Grandma Poulsen, Grandma Colson, Dad Fano, Grandpa and Grandma Rowley, and Grandpa Lundin. We love you!

Grandpa Smith's birthday

2011-05-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun visiting Grandpa on his birthday. He is such a special person that has made a big difference in our lives.

Going to work.

2011-05-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Andrew gets so sad every time Gilbert leaves for work. The other day after Gilbert left for work Andrew came into the kitchen with his hat on, his shoes on, a coloring book and a notebook in each arm, opened the fridge and said, "I need to get my lunch. I'm going to work." He grabbed a yogart gave me kisses and said, "Bye Mom, I'm going to work now." I laughed so hard and told him to have a good day at work. He then went outside and came back in and said "I need the keys." That's when I had to tell him that his work was on the grass by our house. He went outside for a little while and then came back in. Andrew wants to be just like his Dad in everything. It is so cute how much he mimics Gilbert. I had to get a couple pictures of him before he went to his "first day of work." :)

If only Gilbert was that anxious to go to work everyday.

Gilbert will call me "Mamasita" when I'm cooking or working in the kitchen sometimes and the other day Andrew came in and said, "What ya doing mamasita?" It was so cute how he said it so well. It totally caught me off guard and I had to ask him again what he called me. Then of course he thought it was so funny so now he calls me it all the time. He is such a fun boy!

2011-05-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

We are so excited for this little girl to come. If you ask Andrew what her name is he will tell you "Fish." He came up with it all on his own and he is determined that that should be her name. She might just get the nickname "Fish" whether we like it or not. :) She certainly feels like a fish inside of me sometimes. I am 31 weeks. I am so excited to have a little girl and I already feel such a special connection with her.

We are so blessed to get these sweet little spirits in our lives.

We just found out..........

2011-04-13T16:06:00.001-07:00

we are having a little GIRL! We are all so excited to get a little girl. Gilbert was so stoked that he has been right the whole time on knowing it is a girl. I guess my little girl and I already have something in common....... WE LOVE CHOCOLATE. With Andrew I couldn't touch chocolate or I got so sick, and with this pregnancy I want to eat nothing but chocolate all the time. BRING ON THE PINK, FLOWERS, AND THE CHOCOLATE!

2011-04-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

Andrew hasn't ever been very good at finishing his food all the way gone, so we have always made a big deal out of it on the rare occasion that he does.

Last night I wanted to take a shower while Gilbert was at work so I gave Andrew a cup of ice cream to entertain him while I took a quick shower. When he was finished he came into the bathroom and said "It's all gone Mommy, now I get a treat!" in the most excited and proud voice ever. I then explained to him that the ice cream was the treat, and he said "No, brownie is my treat." :)

Big #3 "I'm a big boy!"

2011-04-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Andrew had another birthday. We worked with him for a while on how old he is for when people ask him, and he had to count from one then two then three so he could put up the right fingers. Now he will just tell you "tree." (We celebrated his birthday early because we knew we were driving down to St. George on his birthday.)
This was by far his most fun birthday for him, because he is now old enough to get what's going on. He LOVES birthdays now and thinks we should celebrate someones birthday everyday. For breakfast he asked for waffles with whip cream. Nothing makes him more happy than blowing out candles. Later that night I asked what his favorite thing was for his birthday, and he said "Sing happy birthday and blow out candles."
He got this race car track for his birthday. He loves it, but not to drive the remote control cars on, he loves it to put all his other cars on it in lines around the track. He will line his cars on it for hours.
Before my parents went on their mission they always did their exercising on mini trampolines and Andrew loved to join them. They would turn on some music to jump to the beat. So when Andrew woke up and came downstairs we had the tramp set up and the same songs playing for him. He got the biggest smile on his face and thought it was the coolest thing on earth. You can't see it, but I decorated the front room with streamers and balloons to make it look like a party.
He asked me for a fish cake, and I was going to make him a really awesome cake in the shape of a fish but then got sick the morning of his birthday. I made the cake and then didn't have anymore energy to do anything so I just used food coloring to color a fish on top. He didn't even notice, and thought he had the coolest cake ever. Throughout the day we would tell him "Happy Birthday Andrew," and he would always say back, "Happy birthday Mommy." It made me smile. He has such a sweet little heart.
Andrew's birthday was on a Sunday, which was perfect because he got to go to nursery. He loves nursery more than anything now. After church we got packed up and drove to St. George. We got there around 11:00 pm. Grandma was already for bed but was still happy to play cars with him for his birthday. They played for about an hour and Andrew loved every minute of it. Grandma Rowley has every Cars car there is and it's one of Andrew's favorite things to play with.
On Monday for FHE we had another birthday party for Andrew with all of Gilbert's family. Uncle John wanted to make him a fish cake. So we went to his house for dinner and cake.
John's cake turned out so awesome! Andrew loved it, and they gave him the Diego toy for his present. :)
Andrew is such a helpful little boy. He is happy all the time (as long as he gets enough sleep). He loves to play games, make "treads" with Daddy (tie flies), "tamp" animals (stamp and cut out animals) with Mommy, and eat "nacks" on the couch while we "nuggle" and watch a movie. He is the greatest joy in my life. I love him so much! These last three years have been the best of my life!

2011-03-05T13:51:00.000-08:00

Andrew is going through a phase right now where he acts like a "know it all teenager." I still don't know what I think about it and I definitely don't know how to parent it. Suddenly all the rules we have in our home don't apply to him anymore (according to him). It's like he has reached an age where he believes he is old enough to decide the rules for himself and he knows everything and I know nothing. Of course this attitude has caused us lots of disagreements, but there have also been some funny moments. He loves to try and trick us these days. When we ask him a question he always tries to answer with the opposite answer or reaction. For example if I tell him to eat his food he won't touch it, but if I tell him not to eat it then he will quickly take a bite. If I ask him if he loves me, he will look at me from the corners of his eyes and with a big wide grin reply, "Nooo." The other night it was really late and we were leaving our friends house when Gilbert asked Andrew, "Do you know I love you?" to which Andrew replied "Yes" and after he thought about it for a second he said "I mean No." We both started laughing so hard. He is growing up way too fast.

We have always had a rule in our home that Andrew can't touch the DVDs, because he will scratch them. A couple weeks ago he decided for himself and came and told me out of the blue, "I touch DVDs." He now thinks he is old enough to cross the parking lot by himself, and there is nothing in our home too high for him to reach. Andrew loves to play cards with Gilbert and I, but he doesn't always put all the cards back in the box so we started to lose some of the cards. I have one deck of cards that I told Andrew was just for Mommy and Daddy. Yesterday he got a stool from the kitchen and took it into the living room, opened the front closet and climbed up to the top shelf in the coat closet and got the one deck of cards that are Mommy's and Daddy's. He decided he was old enough to play with them now.

With this new phase of his I definitely can't leave him alone for a second anymore. He is so independent in everything he does.

Andrew now sleeps with me while Gilbert works nights so that I won't be alone. My favorite moment of everyday is when Andrew and I go to sleep he always says, "Hold my hand Mommy," and we fall asleep holding hands. I love that boy so much and I hope I can learn how to parent his independence in a way that will be positive. :)

I just went to check on Andrew because he was being way too quiet while I was making this post, and of course I found him in the living room assembling Gilbert's fly rod. I don't know how he picks up on things so fast, but he had every piece out of the case and the two bottom ones already connected. He is way too smart and wants to be a grown up already.

Gilbert is going to be on TV!

2011-02-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

Gilbert just did a guide trip with the TV show "Hooked On Utah." It will be showing on KSL a week from this Sunday, March 6, at 11:30 p.m. Now you can all see what he spent this last summer doing. :)

teachings about love

2011-02-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

For family home evening last night we had a lesson on Love. We talked with Andrew how Jesus is our greatest example of love and we need to follow His example. Then we made some heart/ valentine decorations for our house to remind us.

I cut out a ton of hearts and then the three of us stamped and colored them. Andrew loved it. Then Gilbert and I stapled three hearts together and hooked it to some yarn to hang from the ceiling. Andrew was such a good little helper and now he loves to talk about the hearts and Jesus who loves us. :) After we ate some chocolates and ice cream for dessert.

Cravings and cards...

2011-02-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

The other night Gilbert got in the mood to eat a green salad but he wanted it to be just like the ones at Texas Roadhouse so he boiled an egg to put on it. I thought he was so weird to just boil one egg for a salad.

After he made his salad it looked so good that I suddenly got the craving for deviled eggs. It was 11:30 at night and I couldn't get the craving to go away so I asked Gilbert if he would make them with me. Being the cute husband that he is of course he said yes. Both Gilbert and I have never boiled an egg before (just because we never eat them) so it was so funny to me that we were making them so late at night. Andrew has never eaten them before and he loved the yellow part. We couldn't really get him to eat the white. I think the texture bugged him.

I have been having some funny cravings lately. Gilbert made this kind of chicken one Sunday for dinner just being creative and I loved it. Now I crave it all the time. The whole first trimester chicken made me sick and now I crave it all the time. Last week we got home really late. When we came inside I got the craving for that chicken again so I begged Gilbert to make it for me even though is was almost midnight. He willingly made it for me and I loved it. He spoils me. I have also been craving chocolate, fruit, cooked veggies, anything I can eat with catsup (which is weird because I don't usually like catsup) mostly homemade fries, and peanut butter.
A couple Sundays ago we went and visited my Uncle Kimble. They fed us dinner and then we played games. We learned a new game from them called SLAPS, and it is so fun. You can play with as many players as you want. Gilbert and I now play it all the time and have an ongoing challenge who can win. Andrew has gotten so excited about it that he now asks me to play cards with him everyday. Two of our favorite things to do lately are snuggle in blankets on the couch, and play cards. :)

Any guesses if it's a boy or girl?

2011-01-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

I finally went to the doctor yesterday, and it was so much fun to hear that little heartbeat growing in me. There are few moments in this world like hearing that heartbeat for the first time. I can't even describe it. The only word that even comes close is JOY. So much joy just fills your whole body. It was so fun to see the little thing wiggling inside me and the little flutter of the heartbeat. Andrew was so excited when he heard the heartbeat. His whole face lit up and he couldn't stop smiling. Later he kept talking about the baby in Mommy's tummy. It made it more real for all three of us. The doctor measured the babies head and we are right on schedule for my due date. It was good to hear the doctor agree I am 17 weeks. Since I am new to Logan in the baby world it was our first time meeting our new doctor too. He is so awesome. Gilbert and I both felt reassured we have the right doctor. Thanks Brooke for your referral. I am so excited for Andrew to get a little buddy in our house.

We are going to have the 20 week ultrasound later for insurance reasons but as soon as we find out what it is I will let you know.

Good News.........

2011-01-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to tell you that I am pregnant! Gilbert and I are so excited to be getting another little one in our house since it has been a while since Andrew was a little bundle. I am due on July 3rd, and I get to find out what it is in about five weeks.

Snow, movies, swimming, and Christmas!

2011-01-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

We went to my parents house for new years, like we have every year, and we were so happy they finally got a lot of snow. The roads were clear when we got there on Tuesday, and then it snowed for three days straight and we had plenty to play in. :)
Andrew loves to eat the snow. He would make a snowball and then eat it instead of throw it.
Sledding down the road is one of my favorite things in life. I have so many memories of it and I hope to be able to share that with my kids their whole lives.

Happy New Year everyone!
We ended up staying with Lori and Bing for almost a week and Taio and Andrew became best little buddies. Taio followed Andrew around everywhere whether Andrew wanted him to or not. The first day we were there Taio kept beating up Andrew. Every five minutes I would hear Andrew crying again because Taio hit him with a pool table ball or something and I kept telling Andrew to be tough. A few days later Andrew and Taio were playing downstairs together and we heard Taio crying. Gilbert ran down to check on them and he found Taio laying on the floor by the bean bag and Andrew in front of him saying "be tough Taio, be tough!" Then Andrew told Gilbert they were jumping from one bean bag to the other and Taio missed the bag and fell on the floor. So Andrew was telling him to be tough. We were laughing so hard. He copies everything we do even when we don't know it.
They had so much fun watching Dispicable Me, which Andrew calls "Pickle Me."
Every year we enjoy going swimming at Papa's. This time we put the arm floaties on Andrew and he loved that he could swim all by himself. He did so good with the little floaties. The three boys had fun having races across the pool.
Logan, Spencer, Gilbert, and Andrew
Christmas morning I read the christmas story from Luke 2 before we opened any gifts. It was such a fun morning being with Mom and Dad Rowley, Jake and all of his kids.
We had a hot seat to open presents in and Andrew caught on pretty quick and tried to sit in it after every other person.
He had a lot of fun opening presents this year. I had so much fun watching his excitement and remembering back to when I was little.
Andrew got this train set from Grandma and Grandpa Rowley. I think it topped his favorite of all the gifts. He loves to put his cars on it and drive them around and around.
Every Christmas Grandma's dogs have puppies. Andrew loves holding them on his lap.
Before we left St. George we were able to go see Grandma Lundin, and visit with her for a little while.

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that we can all make this year a little better than last year by making ourselves a little better. I am so excited for this year and all the goals we just set as a family. We have been so incredibly blessed!

Photo Shoot

2010-12-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

2010-12-21T15:31:00.001-08:00

We are finally moved!

2010-12-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

There was a lot of craziness this time moving but it has all worked out now. Gilbert and I both LOVED living in Heber! It is a great place to live and we met some awesome people. Since Gilbert didn't have a job lined up anywhere we had the choice to move wherever we wanted. We prayed about it for a long time and didn't get any answers. We decided to go check out St. George and see what our options were there since most of Gilbert's family is down there. We went down there for a few days and things did not work out at all. We were so confused after that. Then on a Wednesday night we met with our Bishop for some counsel since we were so confused and had to be out of our apartment by November 30th. He gave Gilbert a blessing and us some awesome counsel but of course didn't tell us where we were to live. On our way home we talked about all of our options and then Gilbert got a big grin on his face and told me he knew where we were to move. I was so excited to have some resolution and of course I was even more happy when he told me we were to move back to Logan. That Friday I went up to Logan found a town house for us to rent, signed the papers, got the keys and went back home to pack up my house. Thank you so much to all of those who helped us with our move up here. It was kind of crazy with Thanksgiving and all, but it all worked out. We like our little town house and we really like our new ward. Andrew loves having an open room (his own room, not a storage room too) he can play in. We now have three bedrooms which is a luxury we have never had before and we love it. We really miss the Old Mill Ward we just came from. I miss being in the young womens. We'll see what callings are in store for us in our new ward and the fun that comes from meeting lots of new people. We are excited about the change. I will post some pictures of our new place when I have us moved in a little more and you can actually see it. :)

Lake Powell in October

2010-11-16T17:05:00.000-08:00

Gilbert and I couldn't stand not going to Lake Powell at least once this year so we made a quick trip. (I should say I couldn't stand the thought of not going. Gilbert didn't know anything about it. I packed us all up and totally surprised him with where we were going.) It was cold and in the middle of the night it rained like crazy. When we woke up it was so muddy everywhere so we decided to not stay any longer but it was still worth just being there for a night.

Gilbert was so excited to make dutch oven potatoes for us so we set up camp, made dinner and then hung out until the potatoes were done.

It is always so fun to sleep in a tent.
We started potty training Andrew a few days before our trip so I was so worried about making the drive all the way down there. I wanted to make Andrew wear a diaper in the car but Gilbert said lets just try it. He did so awesome. He never had an accident once. He always told us when he needed to go and he was so good at holding it until we made it to a bathroom. When we got out to our camping spot he had to go poop, but when he pulled his pants down he was really worried about the cold air and no toilet. He would not pull his pants down again to go. Finally we saw a rock and told him to try and poop on the rock. That was the trick. He thought it was such a fun idea to poop on a rock that he had no problem after that going outside. I think he spent an hour that night going to the bathroom. I am so proud of him.
And finally the potatoes were done. They were so worth the wait. They were the best potatoes I have ever had. Even Andrew ate a whole plate full. We had so much fun camping together. The next day we drove to Monticello so see Gilbert's family.

I am so happy to say that Andrew is 100% potty trained now!!! :) He did so awesome! One day he came up to me and said "Mommy, I want to go potty in the toilet." I was so excited and jumped on it. That was it. He has been potty trained ever since. He loves being a big boy and wearing big boy underwears.

miracle

2010-11-01T09:41:00.001-07:00

I took Andrew into nursery yesterday and he sat right down on a chair started playing with some playdough and said, "bye mom." I was in complete shock. I didn't know what to do, I was so happy. For those of you that don't know Andrew's past with nursery it has been like we are pulling his teeth out to get him to go. He screams bloody murder the entire time. Not just for the first five minutes, he really cries the entire time. He is the one that is crying so hard and loud that he makes the other kids start to cry. The leaders started to just take him to his own room from the beginning so he wouldn't make the other kids sad too. I knew that if we were faithful with making him go he would someday be okay with it, and that day has come. When I went to pick him up the whole room was swarming with bubbles and Andrew was loving it. He wanted nothing to do with me. It took me five minutes to get him to leave nursery. I never thought the day would come. It truly is a miracle.

fishing at Strawberry

2010-10-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Gilbert would swing his pole back and forth over his head to cast his fly rod and Andrew would try to copy him with his little spinner rod. It was so cute to see him fish just like his dad. He is going to be really good before he is even three. :)
We had a lot of fun but it was freezing. You would never know by the way Gilbert is dressed because he is crazy, but I couldn't stay very long before I had to go back to the car to get warm.

LOST

2010-10-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

My friend Brittany Powell kept telling me I should watch Lost. Gilbert and I had never seen it so we started with season 1 a couple weeks ago, and we love it. We are already almost done with season 3. It has been such a fun free date with Gilbert almost every night. Once we start watching we just want to keep watching more episodes to find out what happens. We have had a lot of fun together. Gilbert has gotten a lot of flies tied and I just started making cards again while we watch it. I have never really been big into watching TV shows but Brittany was right. This one is really good. Thanks Britt for talking me into it. I would say who my favorite person is on the show but it may ruin it for some of those who just started watching it. :)

animals

2010-09-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

The other day Andrew came running in with a stuffed horse saying "Horsey Horsey." He had found it in his room and was so excited to play with it. I was busy doing the dishes when he ran up again with a ball and said "Catch with horsey." I went into the living room and laughed so hard. He had set his horsey standing up on the recliner and was passing the ball to it. When the ball landed he said "Miss!" It was so cute that he was playing catch with his horse.

A couple days later he started playing with this frog. He named him Ribbit.

I had to laugh again when he got out his guitar and was teaching his new horsey and Ribbit how to play.

I love that boy so much! He makes me laugh everyday.

Playin' the guitar with Dad

2010-09-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Andrew is obsessed with the guitar. Whenever Gilbert gets home from work Andrew runs and grabs his guitar and waits for his daddy to get his so they can jam out together. He is so cute how much he has already picked up on from his Daddy.

This is one of their many jam sessions.

The boys in action.....

Go BYU!!

2010-09-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

I am so excited it is time for BYU football again. I have always been a BYU fan and I always will be. (even if my husband is a Utes fan.) I have actually never been to a BYU football game before so this was my first. Gilbert took my brother-in-law's cousin (Jethro) out fishing and he gave Gilbert some free tickets to the game. Gilbert first declined them and said it was okay he didn't want them, but when he told me what he did, I told him to call him and tell him he changed his mind. I couldn't believe Gilbert declined free tickets. I have always wanted to go to a game but never really given the opportunity. I was so excited we got to go to a game and this was a really fun one to go to. Gilbert loved it too. We didn't get there until halftime because we were stuck in so much traffic in Provo Canyon, but I am so glad we made it for halftime. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Steve Young, and Lavell Edwards were all there for the halftime show. This picture shows all three of them and many other famous BYU quarterbacks right behind Gilbert and Andrew.

Andrew loved clapping the whole halftime show.
When we got there, BYU was down 13 to 14, but as soon as we started watching they were awesome! They played so good. It was so fun and Andrew did so good too.
The people right in front of us were Washington fans but they were so nice. Andrew loved flirting with them the whole time. I bought some little cards with pictures of Jesus on them and Andrew loved looking through them the whole game. They were the best entertainer ever. And there was a really nice man sitting to our left that kept letting Andrew drive his Lightning McQueen car on his knee. I am sure most people would have hated us for having Andrew there, but we got lucky and sat by such awesome nice people. Andrew loved saying "Go Cougars!" It was so cute when he said it, and I was glad to get him thinking the right color to root for. :) I am happy to get it in his blood early on.
This is Andrew showing us the pictures of Jesus that kept him so well entertained.
Such a fun thing to do. Go to a BYU football game. I LOVED IT!!!

Go Cougars! (I need to get me a BYU shirt now so I can be better prepared for the games.) If anyone has free tickets they can't use we would love to take them. :)

Natalie+Brian September 3, 2010

2010-09-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

My best friend all growing up, Natalie Butler, got married in the Manti Temple in the very same room Gilbert and I were married in. It was such a beautiful sealing. It brought back so many memories for me of four years ago. They had such an awesome sealer. I love how happy Natalie is. I love it that she can't stop smiling. What a beautiful day they got married on.

Natalie was the prettiest bride I have ever seen. She was absolutely stunning.

She was wearing her grandmother's jewelery. I love sentimental things like that. I am so happy for you Natalie. What a special day it was to never forget. You are such an incredible person. I love you!

Un-Private

2010-08-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

So I went un-private a little while ago and I don't think anyone really knew. I am going to stay un-private until I have figured out the best way to let it show when I last updated with still being private. I might create another blog that is private and keep this one un-private. I just thought I would let all of you know so if you want to take me off your private lists it won't be a waist of time.

Popcorn balls and Scriptures....

2010-08-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

We made some really yummy popcorn balls. And of course Andrew loved them!

Andrew is in such a copying stage right now. He always wants to do everything we do. I hope we can always be found doing good, because he is definitely watching.
It's funny how you don't notice little things you do until you see your little two year old do them and then you realize he got it from you. :) Thanks Daddy for being such a good example.

All you can do is laugh when......

2010-08-20T18:06:00.000-07:00

You go out to the car to go grocery shopping and your little boy jumps out to scare you. (Of course you see his head pop out five times before you get there.) :) or when......

You get to the grocery store and your little boy has a total blow out and he is TWO YEARS OLD. This isn't supposed to happen anymore. That only happens when they're babies. Of course the only time it happens I don't have a diaper with me. So I just laughed about it, grabbed our milk really fast and went home to jump in the tub. (It was only pee thank goodness. We bought some really cheap diapers from Wal Mart and this is what happens. Only Huggies for now on!)

Avatar

2010-08-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Gilbert and I were talking yesterday about Avatar and what a good movie it was. We both decided that someday we want to own it, but we didn't talk much more about it after that. Well tonight we went to the movie store to rent something for tonight. We saw Miss Congeniality for $5 and wanted to get it, but when we went up to the cashier Gilbert asked if they had Avatar for sale. The owner (who we were talking to) is a nursery leader in our Ward and recognized us. He said he could get one for us and he would sale it to us for $10. TOTAL SCORE! We were so excited. We put Miss Congeniality back and came home with this instead. We were both really happy.

Wow that picture is huge. I don't know how I got it so big. Oh well.....

The hike of a lifetime......

2010-08-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

:Warning picture overload:

The hardest part of this hike was the fact that Gilbert and I had to leave Andrew for the first time overnight. I was so glad that I got to leave him with my Sister-in-law Melinda who I knew would take better care of him than I do, but it was still so hard to be away from that little man. On our way there we stopped to get gas and we saw a little playground. I had to go down the slide at least once because I knew if Andrew was with us he would have. He LOVES slides. So this one was for Andrew.

We stayed in a campground in Zion's National Park and then Wednesday morning Aaron's Grandpa drove us up to the beginning of the hike.
This is Aaron's grandparents the Taggarts. His Grandma went on the hike with us and WOW I was impressed. She is quite the woman!
We hiked for about 2 and 1/2 miles in country that reminded me a lot of Birdseye. It was really pretty, but nothing compared to what was coming. We kept crossing little patches of water and we saw this. It just looked like a piece of grass or something, but Gilbert pulled one out and they are ALIVE. They move just like a snake. It was a little creepy to me, but what can you do.
When we started hiking through the canyon it was beautiful. There were huge rock cliffs, and mountains on both sides of us. We thought this rock looked like an elevator.
We stopped for a quick lunch before we had to repel down a waterfall. Aaron and his Grandma has done the hike before and they said it changes every time they do it from all the run off and leaves more obstacles or take obstacles away. This time there were WAY more obstacles than they were used to.

Usually the water is a blue, but it had just rained two days before the hike and so everything had been freshly turned up. Look at that gross brown water we got to repel down to.
We saw these tracks and wondered what animal it was. Dogs aren't allowed on the hike. And they are known to have Mountain Lions in the area. I'm glad all we saw were tracks.
It was so awesome how narrow parts of the hike got. This reminded me of a long hallway.
Gilbert saw this bug and got so excited. He can tell you the name of it, I don't have a clue what it is. He said they are really rare to see one. He thought it was all worth it right then. I know I am married to a bug nerd, but I love it. :)
The rock formations were so crazy.
Gilbert almost stepped on this, and I teased him that someone must have been eating some fruit snacks. He thought it was a blue cheeto and then he touched it and it curled up. It was the brightest blue caterpillar I have ever seen.
This was some debris that had washed up and got stuck on this rock. I wish I could be there to witness a flash flood when they happen without getting hurt. I bet it would be so amazing what happens.
Some of the canyons got so close together at the top that they looked like caves.
We got to hike through this river of water as our path. So BEAUTIFUL!!!
Then every now and then it would open up and be this beautiful lush green opening. I was so amazed at how green everything was.
This was another waterfall we had to repel down. I had never repelled before this so it was so awesome for a first time.
Above me is a HUGE rock that had fallen and got stuck just wedged in the air. It was so big it was so awesome! Brooke and I are walking to the top of a waterfall. You can see how big the rock is in comparison to us.
The waterfall is right behind me but you can't really even tell how cool it is where we are standing.
Here I am gearing up to repel down the waterfall. It was so much fun!
Isn't that rock amazing?
Here is 75 year old Grandma repelling down. I was so amazed with everything she did. She also slalom skis, went on Trek with her Ward this summer, and she can do headstands. Wow, what a woman. She is definitely stronger than me.
Aaron always went down the cliffs first and then helped us girls while Gilbert was always the last one and lowered us down with the rope.

Right behind us is a rock that Gilbert slid all the way down. I didn't think it was that far until I tried doing it, and it was a lot farther down than I thought. I was the one with the idea of going that way and Brooke, Aaron, and Grandma went a much easier way around the rock. Thanks Babe for going along with me even though I make life a little crazier. :)
We went through a pool of water that had tons of little tadpoles in it. We only saw one frog on the hike though.
This is a spot Aaron wasn't expecting to be so hard to go down, but it had the deepest water at the bottom and a pretty good waterfall. Aaron went down first, then Grandma, then I went down so we could relay the backpacks down. We did a really good job at keeping the backpacks dry the whole time. This was the trickiest spot to keep them dry. The water was coming down pretty hard, and at the bottom you can see how deep in Aaron is.

Of course Aaron made me swim across but the other girls he gave a nice piggy back ride. ;) Thanks Aaron. Jk He really did help a lot, and I was so impressed with how well he took care of his wife.

Brooke almost stepped right on this snake.

In the back of this picture if you look really hard you can see a tree stump. We all climbed down it and then swam over until we could touch. Well I did at least. When I got to the bottom of the tree stump Aaron just said, "That's the end of the tree so you are just going to have to jump now." I did and then went in all the way to my collar before Aaron grabbed my arm. Then said, "I didn't know it was that deep." Of course for the other ladies he carried across. In the rest of the pictures you can see how wet I got.
Look how awesome our pathway was. What an awesome hike!
Thank goodness for the walking sticks. The water was so dirty that we couldn't see anything in the water. The sticks helped us keep our balance way better while walking over all the rocks.
Gilbert loved the huge wet cliffs. They were so pretty.
Right here is where we were sliding down the edge of this cliff on our bums and Aaron was at the bottom to catch us. Brooke and Grandma slid down really slow and then when I went for some reason I slipped and went way too fast. Thank you Aaron for catching me at the bottom.
Aaron was of course the first to go down and he went down right under the waterfall with us (mostly Gilbert) holding the rope he was tied to and slowly lowering him down. This was another surprise spot they haven't had trouble at before.
This is where Orderville Canyon (that we just came out of) and The Narrows meet.
We got to hike through the narrows in this river. It was probably the roughest part of the hike because we were tired. It was so hard to see the rocks so every step we made we had to be really careful not to fall. By this point I thought I was going to die. My knees hurt so bad. I am so glad Gilbert helped me through. He let me completely lean on him the last part of the hike. Every time I put any weight on my knee I thought I was going to die, so Gilbert let me put all my weight on him so I didn't hurt my knee so bad. You're the best Babe!
I was so glad Gilbert packed a jacket for me. Towards the end of the hike I got really cold and the jacket helped a lot to keep the wind off.
Every now and then we could follow a little path out of the water and through all this green. It didn't last long and we would have to go through the water again. If you look close you can see Grandma up ahead. She is the little white dot. She was always way up ahead of us keeping the pace faster. I think we slowed her down a lot. :)
This spot in the river was so funny. Gilbert was the first to cross and right in front of where Grandma is now is a ledge under the water. You drop right in to your neck. Gilbert was just walking along when he went right in. Thanks Gilbert for going first and saving me from dropping in. :) Grandma is trying to find a way around it so Brooke went to help pull her over it.
I can't believe how green it was. It reminded me a lot of Lake Powell until I would see all the green.
Behind Gilbert is a waterfall. It was getting dark, because it was around 9:30 pm. We had seriously hiked the entire day. Thanks Gilbert for helping me make it.
This is towards the very end. :)
I loved how the three of them would get through the water. So cute. When we finally made it through the water we just had a little over a mile on a pathway. That last mile felt so good to be on solid ground. It took us 12 hrs to do the hike. Thank you Aaron and Brook for inviting Gilbert and I on the hike with you. We had so much fun and will never forget it. It seriously was a hike of a lifetime! :)

Private

2010-08-13T15:50:00.001-07:00

I am going private again. I had gone un-private for several different reasons but now I am going back to private. Sorry about the hassle. I would love to invite anyone who would like to keep reading it. Just leave me your email address and I would love to send you an invite. If I know you then you are more than welcome to read my blog I just want to go private for Andrew's sake. :) Thanks!

TWENTY SEVEN

2010-08-09T14:51:00.001-07:00

Gilbert turned 27 yesterday! Happy Birthday Babe! I am so lucky to be the one who gets to be with you for the rest of forever! You are such an amazing person in so many ways. Thank you for always being a gentleman, a hard worker, patient, fun, funny, loving, the first to forgive, full of compliments, positive, uplifting, the first to say sorry (even when it's not your fault), Andrew's role model, and my best friend. I love you with all my heart! You always deserve the very best because you always give your very best! Thank you for everything!

Gilbert and I woke up on the day of his birthday to this......... Andrew had lined his cars up all the way around us on our bed. He was so proud of himself. It was Gilbert's first birthday gift.

We had a really good day. The day went by so fast I didn't get his birthday cake made until 11:30 pm. I don't know where the day went, but he did get a cake. :)

We love you Daddy so much! Happy Birthday!!!

(I don't know how the date on my camera got so messed up the date really is 8/8/2010)

Gilbert's going to miss these........ :)

2010-08-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:
Does anyone else do this?

I always go through a battle in my head on whether it is better to keep my nails long or short.

Long: Gilbert loves back/head scratches when they are so long, they look better in my opinion, and it is so much easier to do a lot of things like scrapbook, clean, do hair, pop zits (gross I know, but it's true), etc.

Short: I can type WAY faster, it feels better, I don't have to clean them so well when making bread and such things, and they don't break.

(I never paint my nails, but I thought it would be fun since I am going camping tomorrow and nails are always the first to get dirt in them.)

I still don't know which is better so I guess I will just keep going back and forth for the change. They grow so fast anyway.

Gone for two years.....

2010-08-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

My Mom and Dad left last night on a two year mission. They are serving in the Boston, MA mission. I can't even begin to explain what these two people mean to me. They have made the biggest difference in my life and I am what I am today because of them. I admire them for so many things but the one quality that has taught me the most is that they are true disciples of Jesus Christ. They live every day of their lives in His service. Everyone who knows them could agree. I love them with all my heart and they are going to be truly missed.

Mom and Dad, thank you for being sealed in the temple so we can be a family forever.
Thank you for loving Gilbert and accepting him with open arms. There has never been a second that he didn't feel like one of your own sons.
Thank you for letting us live with you when Andrew was born. I went through some really tuff times and couldn't have done it without all your help. Dad, thank you for taking Andrew for me every morning so that I could get in an hour of sleep. Mom, thank you for helping me remember that I needed to eat too, (not just Andrew) and for fixing me so many meals. Thank you for all of your patience when we lived with you.

Thank you for taking us on so many trips. We have so many fun memories.

Dad, thank you for always being so much fun. There is never a dull moment when you are around.

Andrew truly adores both of you so much. He asks me still everyday if he can go to Poppy's house. Going to see you is better than anything else in the whole world to him. I feel the same way. :)

Mom, I hope to be the kind of mom you are someday!

Mom, I have never met a better hostess in the whole world and I know their are millions who would agree.

Dad, thanks for always being the photographer. I know that means you were usually never in the pictures. I know you always wished you had been a better journal writer, but I think there is nothing better than all the pictures you have taken. Thanks!

Mom and Dad, thank you for coming to see me on my birthday. I was having a rough day and you made it so good. Thanks a million!

Another one of Dad's fun ideas.

We have all been so blessed to call you Mom and Dad. (Or Grandma and Papa)

We are sure going to miss all the fun times.

I have been so impressed with your enthusiasm to go serve. Good luck! We love you so much, and we are so proud of you! Our prayers will be with you everyday. We sure miss you lots already!

2 yrs old

2010-08-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am not a photographer and will never claim to be one. But, I got out my camera and Andrew wanted me to take his picture so I did. After the first click he just started making all these different poses and smiling so big. I couldn't pass up the opportunity so I just started clicking. This is what we got.

He loves to play basketball.
If you look at his face you can tell he just made a basket and he is so excited about it.
The slam dunker.

Every time I go to lay him down for his nap he always begs, "Mommy's bed, Mommy's bed." This is him getting his wish.

But of course the laying down doesn't last long. It quickly turns into jumping and.....
jumping higher and.......
then in comes the cars. His favorite thing to do is lay his cars out in lines all throughout the house. This morning I woke up to cars lining all the way around the edge of my bed.

Then he transports them to a new spot to line them up again. I have tried to teach him the shirt trick to carry his cars but he refuses. He is so insistent on carrying them in his hands all at once.

I love you Andrew! You bring me so much joy everyday. You are such a good boy and you try so hard to always do what I ask. I really appreciate the good little boy you are. My favorite things in the whole world are your snuggles, kisses, and laughter. I love it when you talk. Thank you for being my best little buddy!

Doug+Melissa July 30, 2010

2010-08-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

As soon as they came out of the door Melissa did a big fist in the air like, "We did it!" It was so cute.

Andrew and Kenna

Morgan, Andrew, McKenna, and Reese

I asked Andrew to smile and this is what I got. I love how many different smiles he has.

We have always thought that Andrew is a little mini Doug. If you look at Doug's baby pictures it's crazy how alike they are. Andrew loves his Uncle Doug. Just before this Andrew was rubbing his shoulder. Of course I missed the picture. They are still cute anyway.

Melissa's Dad got down in the wet muddy grass to take this picture for us. All I asked was that he get the Temple spires in the background and he went all out. He definitely delivered. Thanks Dave for taking the picture.
Melissa's colors were royal blue, and turquoise. Doug and Melissa picked out for each family which color they thought would look the best. I thought they did a really good job.

Parents of the Bride and Groom. They all looked so beautiful.
My Dad caught this pose of Andrew's. I love it!
Two of my favorite people in the whole world!
Doug is so happy with Melissa. I love it! She is so good for him. We are so lucky to have her in our family.
Gilbert and Andrew waited for the luncheon by calling each other on my phone and Gilbert's phone. Andrew loves to dance to the ring tones. It was a good entertainer for the long wait.

He acts so old sometimes. He tries to copy everything his Daddy does.

Brooke, this picture is in here for you. We were all given the material for our dresses and then asked to pick out a pattern that we liked and either make it or find someone to make it. I decided to take the challenge and sew my own dress. I haven't really ever sewn before so I went to wal mart asked them for an easy pattern and everything I needed to make it. This is what I got. I went home and tried to read the pattern. It was like trying to read a foreign language. So at our family reunion I asked my mom and my Aunt to help explain how to read a pattern. They helped me understand a lot more. When I got home I sewed my dress and only ran into one tricky part. I went to JoAnnes and the lady there explained how to do it. It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. I actually really enjoyed it and I want to start sewing a lot more. I am just so glad it fit on me. I was worried it was going to be too small, but it all worked out.

Eric and Gilbert in the elevator on our way to the luncheon.

The luncheon at the Lion House.

Congrats you two!

I can't believe my little big brother is married. I am so happy for him.

Gilbert hauled around everyone's stuff the whole day. Thanks Babe.

Their reception was in my parent's backyard. It was so beautiful.

Lori, Melissa, and Saedi

Andrew, Me, Ruth (my cousin), and Eddison.

I love these two boys with all my heart. They are my world. Aren't they both the two cutest boys you have ever seen. (I think so.)

Two Little Models

2010-08-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a picture of Nini and Kenna because they were so cute sitting together and when I took it they both struck a pose without even being asked. I laughed so hard so they wanted to do it again and again. I thought they were so cute I couldn't help but post their cute little poses. They are so full of personality. I love them to pieces!

Mothers and Daughters 2010

2010-08-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

This year was a little crazy with Mom getting ready to leave on a mission so instead of doing the usual traditions for mothers and daughters we just had a big sleep over at Mom's house. We had a lot of fun. Everyone made it except we only got Melissa Jane (Doug's Melissa) for a few hours. I love my sisters! (That includes all the sister-in-laws too.) They are so much fun to talk to, laugh with, and play games with.

This is Melinda, Tasilyn, Melinda, Megan, Saedi, and Kellan watching the kids play on the big blow-up water slide.
Shalyn (on the water slide) Elisabeth, and Andrew.
Bennion, Emma, Shalyn, Elisabeth, Gene Boy, McKenna, and Porter.
Mom, Celeste, Zoetta, and Lori finishing the first quilt we tied. My Mom's relief society tied a lot of quilts for an activity to donate and my Mom wasn't able to make it so she took some of the quilts to finish on her own. She ran out of time and didn't know if she was going to finish them before she left so we all helped her get them done.
Kellan fell asleep in the bouncing horse while we were tying the quilt.
We stayed up really late playing games. They were all laughing their heads off. It must have been really late. :) (I unfortunately had a migraine and was sick on the couch.)
I had so much fun playing with all the girls. My favorite part was when my Mom had us all sit down together and we had a little meeting. My Mom asked each of us to share one way the Lord has blessed us this past year. It was so fun to listen to all the blessings that have been poured out upon my family this year. We are so blessed. And we are so blessed to have each other!

Riding in style

2010-08-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I wanted to spend as much time with Grandma and Papa before they left on their mission so we went and stayed with them for their last two weeks here. Grandma didn't want to have to worry about dinner one night so we went to the Oak Crest Inn. The food was so good and my favorite was when Bennion had finished his scone he said, "This is the best!" He said it so loud his mom could even hear it in the other room while she was feeding baby Tasilyn. On the way home, when we got to the canyon Papa thought it would be fun to let the kids stand out of the sun roof while we drove up the canyon. They thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Leave it up to my dad to always make things a little more exciting. Now Andrew always wants to ride in Papa's car.

The Smith Family Reunion 2010

2010-07-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Us with our beautiful Grandma Smith.
We played a lot of games in the field like football, redrover, three legged races, wheel barrow races, sprint races, jump rope, tug a war, california pass, and a new game my mom taught us called "Johnny Johnny Butcher Boy."
My Grandma wanted to do something special for all of her grandkids so she told a story and sang the song "A Tisket A Tasket A Little Yellow Basket." Then she handed out a little yellow basket to all the kids. They loved it. Andrew and Nini got up to dance right when she was done.

The Smith's just after lunch.
Gilbert, Uncle Bill, and Willie.

Brooke came to visit

2010-07-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Every time we do anything with Brooke's family Andrew begs to ride in her car. Mason was nice enough to switch him and ride with me in the truck. We are one seat short of fitting in the same car so we both have to drive when we go places. This is when Brooke ran in the store to get groceries to make stir fry and manicoti. I stayed outside in the parking lot with all the kids. Of course we had to get some of our traditional Ben and Jerry's. This time we tried brownie cheesecake and it was amazing.

Andrew and Bracken love bath time.

Brooke taught me how to make breadsticks to go with our manicoti. We made them with whole wheat and they were pretty good. The texture was our favorite but we wished the flavor was a little sweeter.
Rylie loves to be a good little helper all the time.
Bracken has this new habit of taking his pants off. I kept trying to get him to keep them on.
He also has a habit of sticking things up his nose. I saw him with a little bead and asked him to bring it to me. The next thing I know he comes running to his mom saying nose, nose, nose. Sure enough we look up there and unless you look really far you can't see it, but he stuck the bead way up his nose. Brooke (the brave mother) got tweezers and grabbed it right out. I would have panicked and not known what to do. It was up in there so far you could barely see it.
Mason, Bracken, and Andrew had such a good time playing together.

We went to the swimming pool and the kids loved it. They never wanted to leave. (Except for Andrew, he has so much fun for about an hour then gets his towel and goes to the gate to leave.) It cracks me up every time. Bracken was quite the little dare devil and tried jumping in when his mom wasn't watching. Rylie kept wanting to get in the hot tub the whole time. They kept us on our toes. The last day Gilbert stayed home with the sleeping babies while we went swimming with Mason and Rylie. It was a lot more relaxing and we got a good tan.
At the playground....
I tried doing the monkey handles and couldn't believe how hard they are. Those are some muscles I haven't used in a long time. The more I do them the easier they get.
Brooke tried them out just to see what I was talking about and she totally agrees.

Brooke brought her famous shake maker. We made root beer shakes and they were so yummy.

The kids couldn't get enough of them.

Brooke and I gave each other pedicures in the middle of the night. It was so much fun and it felt so good. Brooke put me right to sleep.
I love you Brooke, and I love when you come to visit. It is so much fun whenever you are around.
(Brooke, I put this picture in so you could decide for yourself if you like your shirt. You are so darling in it and you look sooo skinny. You let me know what you think.)

Family visiting

2010-07-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

Luke and Heather's family came to visit us for a night on their way to Wyoming. The boys went fishing all day (shocker) and we took the kids to the swimming pool. We had so much fun. Heather's kids are so well behaved and they are such good helpers.

Ryan, Andrew, Summer, and Sierra's head.

The Rowley Reunion

2010-07-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Gilbert's dad made his own basketball hoop so we could play ball on the mountain. It was so much fun. At first it was pretty hard and the rim is not forgiving at all. You had to be dead on to make it. Gilbert was really good at it. It made for a lot of fun! (Gilbert totally made that shot by the way.)
My Aunt Carol wanted to learn how to french braid so she could do her granddaughters hair. My cousin Sarah taught her while I taught my brother-in-law John who does all the hair in his family. I was so impressed. He never watched me do it, he just listened as I guided and he did an awesome job on his first try. Shows you anyone can french braid if you give it a try.
Andrew LOVES camping!

Andrew and his cousin Jeremiah entertained each other most of the time. They had so much fun together.

Eating lunch while watching Mommy and Daddy play in the horseshoe tournament.

I was partners with Gilbert's dad and we didn't make it to far in the tournament, but I did get my first ringer. It was so much fun.
Gilbert was partners with his cousin Kade and they did really well but, Luke and Chad ended up winning the whole thing.
The Rowley boys: Uncle Dave Baker (who came to visit for an afternoon), Dad (Kent), Sam, John, and Frank Rowley.

These are Gilbert's uncles that are so awesome! I got to know them a lot better at this reunion and I am so proud to be related to them. They are some really good men!

2010-07-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

I found this quote while reading different blogs, and loved it!
"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with the children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

2010-07-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

I took Gilbert on a surprise date the Saturday before Father's Day. We had so much fun and the time away together was so needed. We went to the Provo Temple and did sealings, then we went fishing. He was so excited to take me fishing again. We went to the Spanish Fork river and Gilbert just caught a little one. I didn't have any luck, but maybe he will take me on the Provo someday and we will have better luck.

I am so lucky to have you for eternity! You are my one and only forever! I am so amazed at the wonderful Dad you are to Andrew. You are the bestest ever! Thank you for the fun date and the memories we made this day.

2010-07-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

Gilbert and I went down to St. George to visit family. This was one of the best weekends we have ever had together with the Rowleys. Jen went through the Temple for the first time and we were sealed to Kimberly for time and all eternity. Kimmy just turned 21 so we have waited a long time to get sealed to her. It was such an incredible experience to be in the Temple with so many of Gilbert's family. We missed Brad, Angie, Amy, Joel, Teri, Brittany, and Doug. Someday we will be there with all of them. I can't think of a more beautiful experience than to be in the temple with family.

We have kind of turned it into a tradition to go to the park in St. George every summer we go down to visit. It always makes for some really good memories. This is Kimmy after being taken through the water fountain.
The sun was so bright Andrew had a really hard time looking at me for the picture and ended up squinting a lot.

I am so glad we were able to be a part of this experience. We are so lucky to get Kimmy for eternity. We love you Kim!
Oldest to youngest: Dad, Mom, Jake, John, Luke, Matt, Jennifer, Gilbert, Jessilee, and Kimberly.

This lady is coming to town!

2010-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

Brooke is coming to visit. I am so excited! I have really missed her.

Exactly one year ago today....

2010-06-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

Gene and Melinda were visiting my parents from Arizona. Lori and I were there as well to visit and were having a really good time with Papa, just like we always do. If Papa is around you are always having fun. He had some of those big bubble wands and he was really good at it. The kids had a lot of fun chasing down all the bubbles.

I love my parents backyard. It is so beautiful and you feel like you are in your own little world back there.

Gilbert finally graduated!

2010-06-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yay, I can't believe the day actually came when my husband wouldn't be doing homework every minute. It is so wonderful, and I am so proud of him. He graduated top of his class with high respect from all of his instructors. For a graduation gift from my parents they gave us a week stay in Park City. It was a much needed vacation and break from everything. We had so much fun relaxing and spending time as a family. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Gilbert was excited to be so close the Weber and Provo Rivers so that he could get in some practice before he started his summer job as a Fly-fishing Guide. He spent the first two days of the vacation getting to know the rivers a lot better and where the good fishing holes are.

The front door in the time share was easily opened from the inside and didn't have a dead bolt. We had a hard time trying to keep Andrew inside the whole time. We tried blocking it with a chair and it worked for about 30 min until Andrew realized how easy it was to scoot it out of the way.
He now has an obsession with cars and spends most of his time driving, aligning, crashing, and placing cars all over the place.
Brooke and her kids came up to visit while Gilbert was gone fishing for the first two days. She made it a lot more fun for me. We played a couple games of Ticket to Ride and I had the best game I have ever had in my life. It seems like every destination card I picked up I already had and they were all the high pointers. It was so fun!

This is us on a good day.... ;)
Mason and Bracken brought this big green bag full of Cars character cars. Andrew fell in love immediately! This big green bag caused more contention than anything else the whole trip. Andrew is now in love with Mack and begs for him all the time. He is ruined. :) I know what he wants for Christmas now. I will have to send a letter to Santa.
We picked this time share because it was the only one with an indoor pool. We are so glad we did because we spent a lot of time swimming. The kids loved it. Gilbert, Andrew and I went swimming too, but we are smart enough to take pictures of it. Good thing we had Brooke so we got these pictures.

Andrew and Bracken had so much fun playing together.
Gilbert got this picture while he was out fishing.
Gilbert now has an obsession with bugs. (Only bugs that fish eat.) So he is always taking snaps like this one. I think some of them are actually pretty cool. Gilbert has shown me a whole new world. I didn't even know most of these bugs even existed before.
We went to Park City's city park. It was all completely fenced in which is genius. We had so much fun. Andrew's favorite thing is to go down the slides. He could do it a million times and never get sick of it.

We had fun splurging and going out to eat at Panda Express and Cafe Rio.
I am so proud of Gilbert for graduating. (Pictures soon to come.) He is so good at taking good care of Andrew and I. I love you Babe so much and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with you!

Three amazing women!

2010-06-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

I have had the great privilege to spend a lot of time with these three women for the last year and a half. (I guess we have only been lucky enough to have Sherrie since January.) These are my two counselors and secretary. Brooke was my 1st counselor, Brittany my 2nd counselor, and Sherrie my secretary.

Brittany, Sherrie, Me, Brooke

(I must not have gotten the memo we were wearing white skirts. hehehe)

I am going to start out back at the beginning with how it all started. Gilbert and I moved to the Blackhawk Condos in Logan on August 25, 2008. We were trying to buy a condo up there and because of some weird things not falling into place as they should have we were told at the last minute that we didn't approve for our loan. We were really discouraged because there is no reason we should have not approved. (Besides the fact that Heavenly Father was putting us exactly where He needed us.) So we were left with two days (Friday and Saturday) to find a place to live, and move. On Thursday a new For Rent sign went up on Condo #22. We found it on Friday called the lady and she came right over to meet us. We saw it, liked it, filled out an application, got approved, got keys, and moved in on Saturday. Gilbert started school on Monday. We went to church and immediately fell in love with our new Ward. They were so kind. There wasn't one time that we were left alone with no one to talk to. I was so impressed with how friendly everyone was. Well time passed. Gilbert was called to be the first counselor in the Sunday School Presidency, and I was called to be the Humanitarian/ Canning Specialist. The Relief Society Presidency came to visit and then the Bishopric. The Bishop wasn't able to make it that night for some reason so when we received a phone call from Brother Taylor (the executive secretary) to meet with the Bishop on Sunday I thought maybe the Bishop felt bad he couldn't be there and wanted to meet us. (How naive I was.) It was the Sunday right before Thanksgiving. He asked for both Gilbert and I to go. Gilbert thought maybe we were going to be called into the primary as team teachers. (At least that's what he hoped.) When we got there The Bishop first asked Gilbert how his calling was going and if he would be able to support me in a new calling. He then asked me if I would be the Relief Society President. I was shocked. I thought he was kidding so I just sat there in silence waiting for him to say just kidding. Well he never did so then all I could say was that I was going to have to pray and get my own confirmation that this was right. The Bishop didn't know what to say. Then he asked, "Is that a yes then?" I told him yes and that I would always do whatever he asked me to do, but that I needed to pray to my Heavenly Father for His guidance. Then he told Gilbert that he was to be my best counselor. He then told me I had a week to pick my counselors and advised me to call my mom for support. He told me that I could pray about some names and then when I had a small list of names to call him and he would tell me a little bit more about them since I didn't really know anyone in the Ward yet. I told him we were planning on being out of town for the whole month of December as soon as school got out for Gilbert to go visit family. I asked the Bishop if he needed us to stay or come back on weekends and he said to just go on with whatever plans we had and as soon as we got back into town then he would have me sustained in. When we went home I couldn't get it out of my head that this was a joke. I seriously thought the Bishop was going to call me and tell me just kidding and that they already had a new relief society president. Gilbert kept teasing me on the way home that this was my answer for praying for friends, and now I got to pick out who I wanted to be my two new best friends. The biggest problem was that I really didn't know anyone in the Ward yet. I knew of some names and faces, but that was about it. I couldn't stop thinking about who my counselors were going to be so when we got home I found my sister's list from RS and went up to my room to pray about it. I knelt down and prayed over every name on the list for about two hours. I had narrowed the names down to eight names and called the Bishop as he asked. He didn't answer so then I called my mom. She was really excited for me and then told me that she has never been a relief society president. She has been in the presidency but never the president. I was shocked again. We talked for a little bit about what happens in RS because I didn't really know that much. After I got off the phone I went downstairs to talk to Gilbert. I told him I couldn't stop thinking about it until I knew who my counselors were. He told me it might be easier if I took a break and ate dinner. I followed his counsel. Later that night we were upstairs talking in the bathroom while Gilbert was brushing his teeth. I don't know what we were even talking about when all of sudden the names "Brooke Geary, Brittany Powell" were told so clearly to my mind. Just like that. I knew with out a doubt who my counselors were to be and in what order. I was so excited I told Gilbert and then ran to call the Bishop again. He answered this time. I told him I knew who my counselors were. I told him and then he sounded really hesitant. Then he told me that he was worried about Brooke Geary, because her husband was the Ward Mission Leader and he had promised Brooke that he wouldn't give her a big calling until her husband was released. (Who had been in the Bishopric prior to being the Ward Mission Leader.) He was scared of laying too much on her at one time. Then he told me he was worried for Brittany Powell just for selfish reasons. She was the first dependable Activities Chairman he had had in a long time and he didn't want to lose her. I then told him how I got my answer and I was with out a doubt sure they were supposed to be my two counselors and I wanted to keep Melanie Rust (the secretary from the presidency prior) as my secretary. You can't fight the Spirit so he said okay. We were then put in as the new Relief Society Presidency of the Logan River 2nd Ward the second week in January when Gilbert and I got back into town. I hadn't had very much experience in RS so I didn't really even know what they did. I had always had callings in Primary or YW so I never got the opportunity to go to RS. I know without a doubt that I was given the two very best counselors I could have asked for. They were soooo supportive of me. We had our first presidency meeting and they were so quick to volunteer to do everything. I hadn't learned the necessity and beauty of delegating yet so they were so helpful. Then every day for the first month they called me and asked if there was anything else they could do to help me. There is no way I could have done it with out all three of them. Melanie was so helpful too because she was the only one who really knew what she was even doing. She helped to guide us a lot and keep us on track. She really is a wonder woman. As time went on we figured out more and more what it is we were supposed to be doing. Then in January of 2010 Melanie was called into the Young Woman's Presidency, and we called Sherrie Hall as our new Secretary. I bombarded her with things to do and keep track of the minute she was put in and she did AMAZING! She is amazing! She dove right in and got everything done we needed her to do. She is always on top of things. I am always learning from her example. Through all the time that I have been able to spend with these three woman my testimony has grown immensely. I have learned so much from their examples. They couldn't have been more perfect counselors and secretary. I will never forget this wonderful year and a half that has been a foundation for my testimony. We have made so many memories together that will always bring a smile to my face. I consider them some of my truest friends. Thank you a million times Brooke, Brittany, and Sherrie for all the time, devotion, thoughts, talents, prayers, and sacrifices you have made in my behalf. You couldn't have made it any better than you did. I am really going to miss all the time we got to spend together. I wish each of you knew how much you have strengthened me. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I hope we can stay in touch with each other from time to time. I pray and wish for the best for each of you!

Brooke-

I will never forget always counting on you for everything.

Picking up all my slack and filling in every time I left town.

All the funny text messages you got during meetings, and home visits of the latest update of your children's lives. Aka: Bracken just swallowed a whole napkin, or Bracken just tried eating a piece of licorice whole at the age of 12 months. Or Mason just got a hook stuck in his eye, or Mason just fell off the bed and has a huge goose egg on his head, or Bracken just bit Mason, etc.

Every time you left all your children melting down saying when are you ever going to come back.

You getting the TOFW tickets for us.

Staying up late and Brittany and Sherrie thought we were crazy.

When a teacher didn't show up on Sunday and you taking care of the situation so well.

Always being the last one to our meetings. :)

Going to the General Relief Society Training in Salt Lake both years with you.

And always having so much faith in me. Thanks a million!

Brittany-

I will never forget your little knock on the door. hehehe

The fun Banjo nights.

You always had the cleanest car, without even a speck of dust, and the one time of all the millions I found some cheerios when you had taken out Sadie's car seat. (Maybe you are human.) :)

Your cool sunglasses we were all jealous of.

Introducing me to all the good places to eat, and what to order.

Every time I ran to your house for a "sec." and staying there for a at least a couple hours just talking.

The random bits of knowledge you always seem to have about everything.

Having some of the Pres. meetings at your house. (With yummy treats.)

You always picked up the slack for things I was supposed to be doing and didn't get them done. (Such as the blog, the RS handouts, and price checking the tablecloths.)

And how close to the Spirit you always are. I am going to really miss you!

Sherrie-

I will never forget how much you added to the presidency when you came in.

Teaching me the true meaning of a "Goober."

Usually being the first to all the meetings and saying "Oh I thought I was going to be late."

Trying your hardest to keep us on schedule with home visits.

Always making us all laugh.

Having the cutest dresses in the world.

Always being so willing to drive.

Always having perfect hair.

Going the extra mile in everything you do.

Making the cutest blocks for the baby gifts.

Threatening us that you are moving. :)

Always being early to church. (I want to be like you someday.)

Letting me grab a quick bowl of cereal after church before you pick me up to go on home visits.

Being the most faithful visiting teacher I know.

And having such a firm testimony. Thank you for your example!

I am going to miss you beautiful ladies a lot. Heavenly Father knew I needed you and I thank Him for it. :)

The best four days!

2010-06-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know how well I am going to do being so far from my best friend. I had to take a trip up to Logan as soon as I could to see Brooke. (As well as train the new Relief Society President, get our truck, and check in on Sister Ward whose mother passed away.)

We had so much fun together. We sure know how to make our time count when we are together. Now that I have moved away I feel like I am missing my right arm. It is amazing how much you can take something for granted like having such an incredible friend two coldesaqs away. I will always be in debt to Brooke for everything she has done for me the last year and a half. THANKS BROOKE!!! You are one in a million! Here is a small recap of some things we did last week.

We ate Snow Cones on the grass after going to Home Depot to get paint. We decided spur of the minute to repaint Brooke's bathroom. Andrew dropped the whole top of his snow cone out onto the grass and kept trying to eat it out of the grass.

We had to go to the dump to drop off my old bed. It was beyond gross at the dump. Talk about a true friend. She helped me unload the bed in this wonderful place. ;) It made it a lot easier to drive around town without the bed in the back of the truck.
This is us painting her bathroom to this beautiful blue. I was so impressed at how fast we picked out the color, and it turned out so awesome. Painting it was not so fast with all the distractions from kids. Rylie stepping in the paint Coal (dog) running through everything and all the kids balling their eyes out for putting up a baby gate to not let them come in. You would have thought we were beating them by not letting them into the kitchen. After about three hours it was all done. Yay!
Andrew and Bracken = best of friends one minute and best of enemies the next. :) This is one of those good moments. They are so cute together. Andrew would live with Brooke if it was up to him. He was connected to her at the hip practically the whole time. He always had to ride with her in her car, and have her carry him around. Let's just say Brooke spoils us both.
We have made soo many pork burritos together and have never taken a picture of it to journal the good times so this time we did. We always tease each other because I measure everything (hence the blue measuring cup,) and Brooke hardly measures anything. Especially the ranch. (This is the yummy green sauce that we always seem to run out of too quick.)
We went to the park about every day. The kids seem to get a long so much better at the park. They were so cute together.
Andrew is just like his mommy and loves the swings. He was almost to fall asleep in my arms.
Brooke, You are AMAZING! I miss living by you like crazy. Thank you for always making my life so much easier and way more fun. It seriously was a dream world. Someday it will be that way again. Thank you for always building me up and believing in me. You make me such a better person. I am lucky to have you as a best friend! We have had so many good memories together and I know there are just millions more to come. :)

This makes it all worth it.....

2010-05-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have spent a lot of time scrapbooking and I mostly enjoy it, but there are those times when I think Andrew is too little to enjoy it so should I even be spending my time doing it? Then something like this happens and it makes every minute spent worth it. :) I was making dinner and noticed Andrew was being really quiet, so I went into the front room to check on him and this is what I found.....

Andrew had pulled out a scrapbook all by himself and started looking through it. He was loving looking at all the pictures with a "ba by" in them. (Himself, but I don't think he understands that yet.)
He wouldn't even break to look at the camera he was too excited about the pictures. I am so glad something I enjoy doing brings even more joy when it's done.

2 Years Old.......

2010-04-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday my sweet Andrew! I don't know what happiness would be without you. You have made my life so wonderful. Thank you for being my little buddy. The last two years have been the best of my whole life!

We were able to have a great big party for Andrew this year. It was really in the plans but it all worked out that way and we LOVED it! Grandpa Rowley, Uncle John, Aunt Jessi, her two boys Jeremiah and Jonas, Papa and Grandma Oldham, Uncle Jim and Aunt Megan, Kenna, Porter, Brooke, Aaron, Rylie, Mason, and Bracken were all able to come party with us. Andrew is obsessed with playing basketball so we thought we would have a little party at the church in the gym. All the kids had a lot of fun running around and shooting balls. Grandma and Papa surprised us with a whole breakfast of Einstein Bagels, cut up fruit, milk, juice, ice cream and creamies to go with the party. I made a fruit salad, a BTA cake and a basketball cake for Andrew. Thanks Mom and Dad for making it so much fun.
Andrew loves his tall Uncle Jim who was willing to grant his dreams and let him shoot the ball in the big basketball hoop.
Andrew is such a Daddy's boy. He has been from day one, but is getting even more everyday. I love to watch them play together. Andrew already wants to be just like his Dad someday.
Andrew loved opening presents. His eyes lit up with every gift. Even if it was just some jumbo crayons.
Grandma and Papa Oldham love to watch Andrew dance so they gave him a card that plays music when you open it. He got so excited when he heard the music and started to groove every time he opened it. Papa and Grandma said that one of their favorite memories of Andrew is when we go to visit them and as soon as Andrew walks in the door he runs to the mini trampolines in the great room jumps up and points to the music box for the music. He is entertained for hours just jumping and dancing to Grandma's exercise music. We gave him a little basketball hoop stand, so he could play basketball everyday at home. He is in high heaven with it. He loves it so much.
Andrew is so particular with how he does things. I think he got a lot of the perfectionism that runs in my family from Grandpa Smith. Both years we have given him his own cake to destroy and he just barely touches the frosting with one finger licks it off and does it again. We kept trying to tell him to pick up the ball but he wouldn't. This is what his cake looked like when he was finished eating it.

I know this is a little late. Andrew turned two on March 27th, but I didn't want to not post about his awesome party and the awesome family members that drove all the way up to Logan to celebrate with us. We love you family! Thank you for coming and making it a special day for Andrew.

What happens when we're not watching.....

2010-04-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

Gilbert and I were trying to sleep in when we woke up to this......

He is a boy after my own heart. Nothing makes a better time than chocolate.

One Cool Dude!

2010-04-05T23:37:00.000-07:00

Our fish Brutus....

2010-03-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Andrew is obsessed with an Elmo's World movie I borrowed from my mom. There is a section about fish in it and he loves watching it so much. So for Family Home Evening Gilbert wanted to go get Andrew a fish. This is the Beta we picked out and we decided to name him Brutus. It is so cute when Andrew tries to say his name. At first he called him boo boo and now he can say his name really well. One of Andrew's favorite things about Brutus is to watch him eat his food. He is a very active fish that likes to attack his food and dig into his rocks pushing them all around. He is a very people friendly fish. Whatever side of the room I am on he is on that side of the bowl just watching me. He is a fun fish to watch.

As you can see from this bottom picture he loves to talk to us.

When did you say your first prayer?

2010-02-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

Andrew wanted to say his first prayer one night. We usually just said one and he folded his arms and listened but on January 17th 2010 he wanted to say it himself. We had asked him a million times if he wanted to say it and he always shook his head no but on this night he said with an enthusiastic smile "yah!" He said it so cute. The words he said the best through the prayer were: thank you, Da Da, Ma Ma, and Jesus. He just started to say amen this week. Until now every time he would say the prayer he would only say Jesus at the end and not Christ or amen. I was happy he got the most important part down, but now he is saying it all. :) I love moments like this in life when the whole world stops and my heart smiles. He was so proud he said the prayer that he cheered really loud afterwards and then when we went to church we were sitting in Sacrament meeting and after they said the opening prayer Andrew let out a big "Yay" and put his hands in the air and started clapping and cheering. We had to quiet him down, but it was cute to see he was so happy to talk to Heavenly Father. ;) If only we still had the innocence of a child.

The word I hoped he would NEVER say......"NO!"

2010-02-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

Andrew said the word no yesterday for the first time. He has always just shaken his head no and never said it until yesterday. Gilbert and I were so happy that the word he said the most was "yeah." I hope no won't become a common word for Andrew to say now. I really enjoyed the first 23 months of Andrew's life with no no's in it. :)

2010-02-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

Andrew learned how to do a somersault today. It was so funny to watch him stand on his head and find out what happens when you go too far over. SOMERSAULT! And as we always say...... "Ta da!" Just so that I record it; Andrew made me change his diaper upside down yesterday. Him upside down not me. :) It was so funny but he liked it.

2010-02-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

I have had the most productive day I have had in a long time......

I woke up at 6:30 and went to the gym. (thanks Brooke for making me go)

I have done two complete loads of laundry,

all the dishes,

ate breakfast,

watched my nephew Ryan for three hours,

fed Andrew and Ryan breakfast,

got them dressed and changed,

made five loaves of bread,

read Andrew some books,

emailed the Bishop,

scheduled a hair color,

called my second counselor to organize getting some new tablecloths for our Ward,

and now made a blog post all before 11:00 am.

All I need now is to take a shower and go do price checks on material for tablecloths.

But it is now Andrew's nap time so I am going to go read some more books and take a nap with him. :) My favorite time of the day! Snuggles with my little boy.

I needed to record this productive day so when I am old and gray I will remember having some days that I got a lot done. I think it all started with remembering to say my morning prayers RIGHT when I woke up. It really makes a difference. I know Heavenly Father helps me do way more than I could ever do alone.

What boys favorite thing for Christmas is....

2010-01-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

The Box....

I never knew boxes could be so dangerous.

This makes for a good laugh now.

Christmas 2009

2010-01-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas with the Rowley's in St. George.
This is what Santa left us.
Andrew got a big wheel from Santa and he was so excited. Now we can't wait for the snow to melt so he can take it for a ride. (It was fun to be in St. George because he got to go outside and ride it around Christmas day with no snow.)

We finally gave Mom a family picture and a picture of Andrew.

I surprised Gilbert with everything he needs to tie flies. He was so excited and very surprised I got all the right stuff. ;) Thanks to Kohler.
Andrew got lots of new books. So I don't get so bored reading the same book to him over and over again.
This is Christmas dinner. The food was really good but Andrew had way too much fun playing with his cousins to eat any food.
We found him under the table laughing so hard with Sammy when he was supposed to be eating his food. Sammy kept making him laugh so hard he lost his breath. It was so cute.
Luke and Heathers dog Rosie gave them puppies for Christmas. Andrew wanted to hold them nonstop. He loves little puppies.
This is the traditional New Years sledding extravaganza. Gilbert had two buddies come up and we went sledding until three in the morning. We only stopped because we ran out of gas in the six wheeler and couldn't find anymore.
New Years day Andrew went out sledding with us and he loves the snow just as much as we do, or more.... :)
Check out the hot pink boots. We couldn't find any that would fit him so Reese let us borrow hers.

Andrew is in love with the swimming pool, but we forgot our swim stuff. It is a little easier to find some shorts to borrow for a guy than it is for me to find a swim suit. Gilbert finally gave in and took Andrew swimming. His favorite part was the slide.

Andrew at 21 months

2010-01-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

Andrew is starting to talk a lot more. He has taken his sweet time to talk but now he is starting to say a lot more. His favorite word to say is "yeah!" He says it to just about everything and it is so cute when he says it. I have been trying to get him to say specific things so when he needs something he will be able to tell me but we haven't gotten too far with that yet. I am so amazed at how much he understands all the time. We got him a toilet seat to make the toilet fit his little body and it is his favorite thing. He hasn't ever used it yet to actually go potty but he loves to sit on it all the time. If I could just get my timing right he would be potty trained fast. ;) I wish, right? His favorite things to do during the day when I won't let him go outside are:

-reading books

-playing football

-coloring (mostly playing with the crayons and throwing them on the flour)

-racing his trucks

-dancing to music

-helping me sweep or vacuum

-reading more books

-eating candy

-helping me cook

-playing rock, paper, scissors

-playing hide and seek

-and snuggling while watching a movie (mostly just to prolong the time 'til he has to take a nap)

He hates:

-putting lotion on after taking a bath

-taking naps

-finishing his food

-going to bed

I love him so much! He melts my heart faster than anything in the world. I am so lucky to have my little buddy every day to play with. I love you Andrew!

Love,

Mommy

Family Pictures

2009-12-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much Brooke for taking our family pictures! Last year Gilbert's mom kept begging us for a family picture for her wall. We never followed through with her request so this year we decided on the spur of the moment to get it done. Thanks to Brooke she didn't mind us calling just before we went to her house. She didn't dare leave her kids so we just went outside right by her house and snapped a few. I told her the only request I had was to get one with all three of us in it, and with Gilbert and I together. It seems like Gilbert and I are never together in pictures anymore because one of us is always taking the picture and we are always with Andrew. Brooke did an awesome job! They turned out way better than I had expected.

You almost can't even tell we are in the snow. It just looks like a white backdrop, until you look at my shoe.
We tried getting Andrew in this one with us but he got really mad at us when we tried to make him lay down in the snow.

Way to go Babe!

2009-12-14T12:53:00.001-08:00

Gilbert is done with the semester!!! Only one more to go. :) I can't wait. I know life will only get busier but we all need things to look forward to right? I am so proud of Gilbert doing so well in all of his classes. He worked so hard and it has all paid off. Who knows where we will be this time next year. I don't ever want to leave Logan but who knows what life will bring.