Valentine's Day

This year Tami had a great idea. She wanted to throw a Valentine's party at the house for our families. So she did. We had all of the Guthrie siblings (the ones who live here) come and bring their significant other, if they had one. My parents came as well. We served Italian which is my favorite and the most romantic. I made sugar cookies and Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake which I found on Pinterest. I highly suggest making this dish for any carb-cravin', chicken lovin', cheese eatin' husbands out there. The rest of us women can stick with a salad. Haha.

Since we were busy preparing for this dinner party, Gav and I didn't have a chance to go out on our own. So, the following week my sweet sister, Lyric, came over to babysit Mr. Gram. So nice! My husband got to take me out to Firebird's in Chandler. It's a steak place that is AMAZING. Clearly my favorite but seriously expensive. The salmon is to die for. It's a rare occasion we get time alone so this was such a treat! We came home to a giggling baby and smiling little sister. Wow. I was thinkin' he'd be screaming when we got home. Quite the opposite I didn't wanna take her home because Gram couldn't stop laughing at her. *Auntie crush* She's the new babysitter for sure.

This Valentine's Day was perfect. Date with the hubs, sugar cookies, roses, and kisses. What else does a wife need? Oh yeah. Diamonds. Maybe next year...

[Auntie Lyric with Mr. Smiles]

{Gav and I ready for our date}

Wisconsin

[Mama and Gram at 3 months old]

Gram and I were lucky enough to go visit my sister-in-law, Hanna, and her family in Wisconsin. Tami was already going to visit her. So since Hanna wouldn't get to see Gram until he was a lot older, we tagged along too. Hanna's husband Kyle is doing his residency there as a doctor. Since my husband wants to be a doctor as well, I would kinda get a glimpse of what it's like when your husband's a doctor. 

We arrived in Wisconsin with a windchill of about -20 degrees below zero. Ouch. So needless to say we stayed in doors a lot. Who cares! When you can see this family and get to stay and play with them for an entire week, you don't mind a bit. I've missed this family a lot. We did get some fun shopping in and of course visited a cheese factory. Hanna is fun to shop with. Especially since she kinda looks like me and we wear the same size. I would just eye ball the clothes on her and see if they would work for me, too. Haha. We also started refinishing Hanna's kitchen cabinets. Gorgeous! My favorite part was watching Hanna do it all. She takes care of her five children while Kyle's at work in different clinics. She makes all the meals (with some of McDonald's help), cleans the house, and does her medical transcribing at night after the kids are asleep. I could hardly handle my one child who had a cold. Maybe this is a sign I should stop at one? 

{He prefers Mountain Dew but we were fresh out}

We were so lucky that Hanna has an amazing photographer friend. They set up a photo shoot for Gram and I. I literally cried three times. I was so happy to get professional photos of Gram. He was already three months! They turned out beautifully and I couldn't be happier.

  

The one on the left is Gram, obviously. The one on the right is me at the same age. Can you see the similarities? He's definitely my child. So, I was especially grateful to get this photo taken of him since it's so similar to mine.

I had so much fun I can't wait for Hanna and her family to come visit us this summer!

Goodbye 2011... Hello 2012!

New Year's Party

This year my in-laws threw a party at their house. Friends and family came to eat, play games, and visit. We had all sorts of treats and snacks. It's always fun when my family can come over and hang out with my in-laws. 

Baby Gram was already asleep by then. He wants to "end the party at 11:00." Haha. 

2011 was an incredible year for us. 

January- We decided to get pregnant and actually got pregnant!

February- We found out we were pregnant and had our first ultrasound done.

(pic)

March- It was my birthday so we got our friends and family together to celebrate. We had a BBQ get together at Kiwanis park in Tempe. 

(add more pics)

I told my family we were pregnant that day as well. Sooo scary, but they were so excited for us. :)

We then went to Las Vegas with our cousin Jake and his wife Jourdan. First time to Vegas being over 21. Not that I gamble.

April- Nothing cool happened that I can remember. Haha

May- Gavin graduated ASU!! So proud of him! We also took a trip to Mexico with Gav's family. We stayed in Rocky Point on a private beach Tami arranged for us. Best way to vacay! 

June- We celebrated our 3rd year of marriage. Wow does time fly by! I also switched from a doctor to a midwife. Bring on the natural birthing!

July- Gavin started his Kaplan prep course for his MCAT exam.

August- Celebrated Gavin's 26th birthday. We also moved out of our Tempe apartment back to Mesa. So glad to feel at home again.

September- Gavin took his big MCAT test. What an accomplishment that is! I enjoyed my beautiful baby shower at Susie Merwin's house. Her and my mom threw the party. 

October- Had our hospital tour. Mercy Gilbert is very pro natural births which is why we chose that hospital. Then it was a waiting game. Then it was game time! Gave birth to the most perfect thing on earth, our baby Gavin Gram! We dressed him up as a monkey and took him home from the hospital. He was also a monkey for Halloween 10 days later. The Whipple's invited us to their annual Halloween bash. We only live across the street so of course we went!

November- Getting used to having a new addition in our lives. Went up North for Thanksgiving quadding and shooting with the Guthrie's. Then to my parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner!

December- Christmas of course!! Shopping, wrapping, family and food. What else do you need? 

All in all that was an amazing year. I'm so blessed to have my family and friends in my life.