Gram's Half Birthday

Just 6 months ago from today our little guy was born. Such an incredible day that we will always remember. I still day dream about it and everything that happened. It's cheesy to say, but it really was magical. I couldn't believe we were starting a family. Our lives have been changed forever for the better. It has been a fun journey learning about him and how to take care of him. So far I know we've done a great job at playing with and feeding him. He has always been fat and happy! We started sleep training this week so hopefully we'll be able to teach him how to sleep in his own. 

For his half birthday we bought him a pinstriped baseball outfit and took him to a D-backs game to celebrate. All American boy here! I also ordered him all of his pictures we took back when he was three months old for him to hang in his room. We moved him to his new big boy room and bed. I'm sorry we won't be co-sleeping anymore but he was getting too wiggly!! We didn't want him scooting off the bed in the middle of the night! 

We were going to throw him a little family party at the park. BBQ and games was what I was thinking. Too bad it hit 100 degrees yesterday! So we are just going to make him a little cake and have dinner at our house with our families. For his real birthday we will definitely be going all out!!!

Diamondbacks Game

Yesterday we got to go see the D-backs play Atlanta. Tami got tickets from her work so she gave four of them to us. Gav invited his best friend, Ben Whipple, who brought along his friend Haley. Of course our little Gram Bam came, too. It was his first game! He was going wild just walking around the stadium before the game started. He loved looking around the ball park and seeing new faces. Gavin bought him a new D-backs outfit, so naturally all eyes were on him. Nothing new for Gram. I hardly even watched the game because I was too busy taking pictures and videos of my little family. I love the look on Gavin's face when it lights up as he watches Gram. He really is the best daddy. 

At the end of the game I went to guest services. They give you a certificate for attending your first game. I got one for Gram and I'll hold on to it to and show him when he gets older. Hopefully this is just the first of many games this little man will get to go to! Go Diamondbacks!! 

(pics from iphone)

Second Trip to the Zoo

Since we had so much fun last week at the Zoo, Ash and I decided to go again. This time Ash just brought Quinn and of course I had Gram. Our cousins Kelsey and Amy came and brought Amy's two little girls. My mom came along with my sisters Charity, Bellami and Felicity. 

We got to see all of the same animals as our last trip but we included a few more. We saw the orangutans, which I think was everyone's favorite part. We saw them up close and Gram really liked observing them move around. I even made a quick video of them swinging on their ropes! My new favorite animal. Not too far from there, they have a komodo dragon. They are incredibly large and almost scary if it weren't for the glass protecting you. We also saw a jumbo size tortoise. He didn't move much. If I was that big, I'd just lay around and eat, too. Haha.

(monkey pics and videos)

Ash had train passes for us to use, which I highly recommend getting. They take you on a train ride for about maybe twenty minutes? You go around the back of the zoo which is hard to do with a stroller and kids because it's more hilly. We got to see lions, tigers, rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas and all those more wild animals. It was relaxing taking the train at the end of our trip. You get a little tired of walking sometimes. 

I'm so glad Ash invites us to the Zoo and we get to have so much fun! She really is the older sister I never had. 

Easter

Easter was extremely fun this year because we have a little man to share it with! The "Easter Bunny" came to our house this year and brought Gram a basket. It was filled with Sesame Street books, a sock monkey with bunny ears, and candy filled eggs. The eggs were for my Sunbeams class but I threw them in there for looks. Haha. 

(iphone pic)

I taught the Sunbeams at church about Jesus and the resurrection. It's so funny to watch what those young kids pick up from what you tell them. I love going to church on Easter because it reminds you of what the holiday is really about. 

After church we relaxed a little bit before heading to my mom's friend Susie's house. She's the friend that threw me my bridal and baby showers. We went over there for an Easter egg hunt and an early dinner. Gram found one baseball looking egg with the help of his dad. Haha so sweet. He was really excited. Then the real "Easter Bunny" came out to surprise him! (Susie has a costume my younger brother Isaac put on for the kids.) Gram LOVED the bunny! Those are my favorite pics of him this Easter. Afterwards, Sutton (Susie's son) brought out his pet bunny! Gram didn't know what to think about that bunny at first. He eventually enjoyed petting him and letting him sit on his lap. Adorable. We then ate, visited, and took some family pictures. I've turned into one of those crazy moms that wants to have family pics for the special events/get together's. 

(pics from iphone and silver cam)

We then came back home to hang out with Gav's family. They made ham and cheesy potatoes which will be a tradition I want to start with my little family. We had a cake too to celebrate Mallory's soon to be fiance Ben's birthday. Then Jim hid the eggs around the house for KK and Ainsley to find. After that, Gav and I just looked at our pictures from the day and enjoyed this new life we have with our little guy. 

Easter really is a special time a year. I really appreciate what Christ did for us so that I can be back with my family again someday. It just reminds you why we are here on this earth and where we are going. Life is so much better being happily married with a precious child to cherish. Nothing. Else. Matters. I have the greatest life anyone could ask for. I was sealed in the temple, I have the strongest, most loving and forgiving husband, and the funniest, wildest, but sweetest baby on the planet! I'm happy, healthy and I have the perfect gospel in my life. "With much is given, much is required." I have a lot to be grateful for and a lot I need to give back to the world. 

Phoenix Zoo

Gram had his first trip to the Zoo last Friday. It was "Good Friday" so a whole bunch of kids were out of school. Ashley has a zoo membership so I was able to go with her for free. So nice! She brought all of her kids and two of their friends. Gram of course loved the zoo, especially the monkeys! I was probably the most excited of all to go. It's been a really long time since I had been. I got tons of pictures of the animals but not enough of my little Gram! We are going back this Thursday to see the more wild animals, so maybe I'll take some then. 

When I have more kids and as they get older, I will have a zoo membership. It's like Disneyland! The animals are amazingly awesome to watch and it's a fun time to be together. I am enjoying having my sweet baby but it will be fun to see him become a little boy and to take him to fun places. I know he's gonna be a wild one so I will need to be prepared for his lively personality. The zoo will be perfect. 

Thanks again Ashley for taking us to the zoo!!

(pics on silver camera)