Island Park

We went to Island Park with Cody's family in July. What a beautiful place! We were surrounded by mountains and wild flowers. The little boys had a great time exploring, playing in the dirt and water, and going on four wheeler rides. It was great to get away and spend time together. It's kind of sad looking at these pictures again because it makes me miss summer!



Mesa Falls










































































The four wheeler ride put all the little ones to sleep!

Our trip to NYC

Cody had some business in New York for work and I tagged along for the trip . You can't beat free air fare, food, and hotel rooms, right? I've wanted to go to New York for FOREVER! Thanks so much to Barbara for watching our little bubba while we were gone! We had a blast and I think New York is something everyone should see at least once. We walked our feet off, ate lots of yummy food, and tried to see as much stuff as possible.


Times Square. You better really not mind your personal bubble space being invaded in this place.
























We saw two musicals, the Lion King and Rock of Ages. Can you guess who picked what?




Lots of fun shopping on 5th Ave.




















We rode the subway a lot which always proved to be an interesting ride full of crazy characters.






Little Italy.





















We went shopping on Canal St/ China town where you can bargain for knock offs.







Grand Central Station
















Top of the Rock












NBC studios. Lady Gaga performed on the Today Show while we were there.













Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cool building. I love all the architecture and modern design in New York.











Crazy cabs!













My dream apartment if I lived in New York.

























Central Park. We got to see A LOT of this because we got lost trying to find the Met. :)

Family Pictures

Heritage Days parade

We love the Syracuse parade! It's a great parade because they throw lots of candy and it's only 2 minutes away from our house. Gavin liked the parade a lot more this year and got lots of prizes and treats thrown to him. He had fun putting them in and out of his sack. We'll have to bring a bigger bag next year.






Gavin and Daddy












Likes to wear (bend)
my glasses.























Riley's 1st parade!

A few of his favorite things

Gavin turned 18 mos at the first of June and I thought I'd post some of his favorite things, so in 6 months I can remember what they are!



Favorite food





Gav loves Baby Signing time. We watch it several times a day and he gets so excited and dances around when it comes on.


Signs crackers, milk, more, thank you, bath time, eat, drink, tree, flower, airplane, and frog. Starting to really copy what we say and tells us "no-no" all day. I wonder where he heard that from?



Loves to throw anything but lately loves big and little balls.





I have a lot of guilt over this because as a SLP, I KNOW that this should be long gone. :)









Gav's one true love. He's like Linus from Charlie Brown and takes this blanket wherever he goes. I wish I could find another one like it so I could occasionally wash it.























I'll find Gavin in his room sometimes just looking at books. He's starting to identify pictures and loves lift-the-flap, home-made, and books with babies.





Mommy's helper















Loves to look at himself in the mirror and brush teeth....












Even if it's not his toothbrush.
























Gavin has a special drawer where he likes to keep all of his treasures.






















Likes to chill with Dad on the couch and look at his i phone and watch sports on TV. It's funny because Gav will cheer and clap his hands when they score.





















Loves the water, being outside, getting dirty, rocks, and being a boy.












We love this boy even if he's a little more sassy and opinionated than he used to be.

No matter what

I haven't always been a big fan of Mother's day. It used to be the one time of year that I'd consider skipping church and all the candy bars, tomato plants, and other typical gifts the "moms" would get. It was the one day of the year that I would really just feel sorry for myself! But not any more, because I am finally a mother! In honor of Mother's day, here are some lessons I learned while waiting to be a mother:
*Things that matter most and are worth having take time and effort. I never dreamed when I got married at 21 that I would have to wait 6 years to have a baby and would be an old lady when I had Gavin. :) I didn't realize that there would be so many prayers, tears, fertility drugs, surgeries, shots, procedures, ultrasounds, and worries. But every time I look at Gavin, there is no question that it was all worth it.
*How can people not know that God is real and is in the details? Watching Gavin grow from a simple cell, to an embryo, to a fetus, to the monster he is now, is completely amazing. Had I not gone through IVF, I would not have been able to appreciate the miracle of life at every step.
* Faith is a real power that we can use to heal, strengthen, and make miracles happen in our own life. I would not understand faith the way I do now if Heavenly Father hadn't allowed me this chance to trust Him and learn the things He knew I could only learn by going through this experience.
* I've learned that Gavin didn't have to be mine. I feel incredibly lucky that the whole IVF procedure worked perfectly the 1st time. I know other people aren't as lucky. It's helped me not take any of my time with Gavin for granted. I have no regrets rocking him to sleep each night, taking pictures of him fanatically, and playing all day with him amidst piles of laundry. Even though, I don't like Gavin growing up so fast, I'm glad our time together has been well spent.































A few weeks ago, my Dad prayed that we will remain faithful no matter what happens with my Mom's cancer or what other trial comes our way. I've thought about that phrase "no matter what" a lot in regards to my mom. No matter what's going on in her life she finds time to serve others and be happy. She doesn't complain and ask "why me?" and trusts in God completely. My mom is amazing and it's scary for me to think of a time when she won't be around. I am so grateful she is my mom. So far, Round 2 of cancer is going well and and it looks like we can keep it away for awhile. Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers and future mothers!

And this too shall pass

A few weeks ago, Gavin swallowed a marble while I was at work. The Dr. recommended that we bring him in for an x-ray. A few hours later at InstaCare, they weren't able to see the marble on the x-ray so we don't really know if he swallowed it or not. We've seen no sign of the marble but it could take awhile for him to pass it. Little stink! He's always been really good to not put things in his mouth but ever since then he's been so naughty!
Now Gavin is constantly putting rocks, dirt, any nasty thing he finds off the floor into his mouth. He dumps stuff out of drawers into the tub, down the stairs and he's so fast that I can't always catch him. I thought our house was baby proofed but apparently not enough! He's been throwing huge temper tantrums too. If you try to get him dressed, change his diaper, put him to sleep... watch out! I didn't realize those fits started so early. This age has been really fun but so busy. When I was a kid I remember my Mom saying occasionally that she would just like to go on a vacation by herself for a few days. I can now completely relate!