Loving Life

I've been on my new work schedule now for a couple of weeks, and I am LOVING it!  Yes it's a pay cut and our health premiums nearly tripled, but I actually feel like I now have the energy to do things.  Sleeping during the day was always hard for me, and even if I did get a full eight hours of sleep during the day it's just not the same as getting eight hours of sleep during the night.  Plus being awake when it's still light outside is refreshing.

I'm trying alot harder at keeping up with the choir schedule I made at the beginning of the year, having one or two choirs a day (besides the daily dishes, sweeping, etc).  Today was the bathroom - Gavin helped me with the toilet, which slowed things down a bit.

A few weeks ago Gavin and I babysat for our neighbour.  Gavin was a little jealous at first, but by the end of the evening he was sharing his toys and giving Eve her soother (binki for the the Americans) when she started to cry.  

 

Last Saturday we went on a 'hike'.  That's how nice my new schedule is - I worked that afternoon, but because I'm no longer trying to switch my sleep schedule around and I'm working less hours I had the energy to actually go do something before going into work.  It's not like it was that big of a hike, I think what would have taken Jared and I about 10 minutes took us close to two hours with Gavin.  It was so much fun thought, and cute watching Gavin climb up the path with his little back pack.  Before we started our hike we went to the park to fly the airplane.

Here's Gavin chasing Daddy down the hill.

 

Jared with his cool new airplane

 

Gavin's First Hike

And this was at the beginning of March!  Loving the warm weather!

There were many stops along the way to pick up rocks

Time for a break (10 yards from the parking lot)

We've also done a few little projects.  It's hard to see in the picture, but we got this wall art as a wedding gift and have never put it up.  So I finally decided it was either time to put it on the wall or get rid of it - I'm glad I chose to put it up!  If you can't see in the picture, it says, "Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often"

We also put shelves in the random little nook in our bedroom.  This is going to be my sewing area, but I'd like to get a sturdier table to set here - one that doesn't shake back and forth as I try to sew.

BEFORE....

AFTER......

I still need to do some organizing and I'd like to get a more sturdy table, but I'm excited to have a place for my sewing and other projects, and to be able to pull things out that have been in hiding under our bed!

Winter Happenings

I can't believe it's already MARCH.... and a while since I've posted.  Well we haven't gone on any major trips since Canada, but we have enjoyed the mild winter here in Provo and a few trips to Beaver.  We've also all had our share of sickness, hanging around all day in our pjs and watching The Backyardigans on Netfix.

Back in January I think there was only one real snowfall that actually stuck on the ground, so we took advantage and had some winter fun:

After getting back from Canada Gavin "helped" us unpack: 

We celebrated my Birthday - gifts, flowers, & dinner at Chili's

Built towers: 

Opened Valentine's gifts from Grandma & Grandpa and Nana & Grandpa Ducky:

And I was surprised with beautiful roses on Valentine's Day

We've gone up to the cabin in Beaver twice so far this year, and having the new hot-tub up there is REALLY nice when it's freezing cold outside.  Here's some pics from the cabin:

Gavin, Breanne, Tyler, & Janea

Grandpa shoveled out the swing set so we could all go play!

The snow was as tall as Gavin! 

Easton & Gavin

Earlier in February Jared also treated me to a wonderfully relaxing get away to Mesquite!  When we were setting goals together at the end of December, I had told him how some day I would LOVE to have a couple days to myself to work on some projects, relax, and get a massage or two.  I wasn't thinking of getting that anytime soon, but Jared looked into some things and found an amazing deal at Casa Blanca in Mesquite and surprised me.  So he sent me away for two days and I enjoyed a massage, pedicure, and relaxing in the hot mineral pools and steam room at the hotel spa.  I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband.  He remembers the smallest things that I say, and is always doing simple (or bigger) things for me - leaving notes, buying flowers, or taking Gavin out to play or run errands with him so I can get things done around the house.  I love him!

In the middle of February I also finally started my afternoon shift.  After my week of training I've only worked one week on so far, but it was wonderful!!!  On the four days that I work till midnight Gavin and Jared come during my break and bring me dinner, and the other three days I get off at 6pm, so we always get to have dinner together.  This is my week off right now, but tomorrow I'm working a morning shift for someone (5am!) so I am off to bed early tonight.

Great Deal!

Hey Everyone!

If any of you know of anyone that is getting married soon and looking for a wedding dress here's a great deal:    (www.modest-weddingdress.blogspot.com)

Dress for Sale

• Modest dress with beautiful bead-work and cap sleeves
• NEVER BEEN WORN
• Size 10
• $450 or best offer
• Contact Jen at 801-368-7503, or leave a comment with your contact info below

Canadian COLD!!!

In January we found ourselves once again on our way to Canada!  I love that we've been able to take so may trips up there lately! (Three times in the last seven months!  Before these trips, the last time we were up was back in the summer of 2009).  This January was also the first time in over two and a half years that our whole family was together, with quite a few new additions!

When we were up in November it snowed a tiny bit, but when we were there in January it was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING!  Like -30 Celsius  (-22 Fahrenheit)!  So needless to say, we didn't end up playing out in the snow as much as we were hoping.

Heather braving the cold with Elaina and Erin - The rest of us watched from within the warm house.  Allison was telling us how one of the days when they were going somewhere either Erin or Elaina (can't remember who) said to Allison, "Mommy, I never want to go outside in Canada EVER AGAIN!"  This definitely must have been a change from the 70 degree weather they were enjoying back home in Texas before coming up!

Dave & Mary

When Elaina was born I started a tradition making baby blankets for all my nieces and nephews.  Here's Isaiah rapped in the rag quilt I made for him.  This is blanket #4 (plus one I made for Gavin), and I already have two more to do by April.  Hopefully switching to afternoons and cutting back on work hours will give me more time to work on these as well as finish up the current sewing project I'm working on!

 Monte Monte Caballo Rides were of course a hit with all the grandkids...

 ...and I think Grandpa Ducky got a little worn out while the kids kept running back around for more.  

Nanny M. & Papa with all the great-grandkids

Nana & Grandpa Ducky with the grandkids

Although Gavin's closer in age with the two little boys, he's old enough to want to play more and LOVED the attention from Elaina & Erin.  Ring Around The Rosy (or Lo-Lo as Gavin calls it) is one of his favourite games, and the three of them had fun playing this over and over again.

Gavin didn't even seem to mind being dressed up in flowers, or being given the role of prince or baby when the girls played make-believe.

 I am exited for when the boys are all a little older and to see the difference in the games they'll enjoy playing together.  And although they did share toys some of the time, and had some good times interacting with each other - this was obviously not one of those days for Gavin  

Grandpa and Deanna came down a few days before the wedding and it was great to spend time with them.  Here's Grandpa and Isaac at their hotel pool.  My Grandpa has a wood shop in his garage that Jared and I were able to check out this past summer when we went up for a visit, and he's made some very beautiful gifts for us and the grandkids.  He came with trains he had made for each of the boys, and jewelry boxes for Elaina and Erin.  I'll have to get a picture of Gavin and his new "choo choo". 

Jared, Mary, Isaiah, Elaina, Dave, & Erin enjoying the hot-tub 

Two of Gavin's words are "up" & "down".  He was happy to be the one in charge of this game as the girls followed his command to go up and down over and over again - I wish I had gotten a video! 

The whole clan with Grandpa and Deanna

Girls outing for manicures!

Saturday morning the bridesmaids and flower girls met up at Heather's place to get our hair done and get ready - and enjoy more Tim Bits for breakfast.  You can't go to Canada without stopping by Tim Horton's at least once, and we definitely got our fill of Tim Bits this trip!

Wedding Photos after the ceremony - I can't wait to see the rest when Heather gets the pictures from her photographer!

I love this one!

Cute flower girls

Me and Allison

I love this cute picture of Gavin at the reception

The Happy Couple

Gavin went crazy when the dancing started!  He LOVED spinning in circles and "dancing" with everyone

We really had a great time with everyone and are glad we could all be together to celebrate Heather & Trevor's wedding!  And we can't wait to see everyone again this coming Christmas!!!!