Wedding Bells

Howard and Emily Thruston

My bro and his girl of 1 1/2 years got married a few weeks ago. March 17th to be exact. So I took this photo for them of Gram wearing his lucky Saint Paddy's Day jams. 

They got married- Say what?! Gram says.

Haha. She is a beautiful, sweet and loving girl. We are so excited to have a new sister/auntie!! They are living in Provo right now just working and finishing school. In a few years when they are done, they plan on moving home to Arizona!!! Then, maybe start a family?? Hope so! She loves kids and babies and he's the oldest child so he's practically a pro. It's so nice having an other sibling who's married that I can relate to. So happy for them both. 

Hanna's in Town

Cousins

Hanna (my husband's sister) is finally in town!! I am SO glad to see them! They are the real life of the party. With five kids and one on the way, there's never a dull moment. We've just been cooking, baking, playing and visiting. We celebrated Truman and Caelin's birthday, too. I made them cupcakes and a cake along with our teriyaki chicken dinner. Truman thought his "dirt cake" with gummy worms was too unusual to eat. Haha.

[This is Gram watching Addie entertain him late one night]

{Truman eating cupcakes with me}

(Our little Birthday party for the kiddos)

[Uncle Trevor taking pictures of him and Gram]

{The dirt cake had more worms but the kiddos ate them right away}

(Truman and Pepper were playing with Gram in his Jumperoo. Penelope disappeared in time for the pic)

[This little smile is the reason I wanted to have a kiddo!]

Thursday is Hanna's birthday but we are having a "kids' day." Maybe the Zoo or the park and getting some frozen yogurt. Then at night we are having a surprise birthday party for her, Jim (bro-in-law) and Shanda (cousin). Then the next day is "Spa Day" to pamper the girls for their b-day. 

I love having our whole family here. In just a few weeks Dax will be home from his mission. Then it will really be the whole family. 

23

My Birthday

Getting older is not always something to look forward to. My special day, however, is. I was completely spoiled this year. Being a full-time mom now is a lot of work. It's hard to find a straight uninterrupted hour for just time to yourself. So I enjoyed a very selfish ME day.

I woke up early to enjoy my day as long as possible. I colored my hair, showered and got ready... for four hours. It was awesome. I got to have big, crazy, curly hair and wear a ton of make-up. My dream. I put on my pink dress and little wedges and we were off to Scottsdale mall. Any time I want to do real shopping, I go here. 

Gav had saved some extra money for my special day so that I could pick up some sweet things. First Urban Outfitters, then Nordstrom, lunch, Dillards, Sephora and FINALLY Steve Madden. I say finally because I have been wanting these shoes since practically Christmas. (The hard part about having a March birthday is you have 2 months of wanting something you didn't get for Christmas. Life is rough, I know.) So I got my leopard loafers I had been fantasizing about every night on my iPhone. I also got a shirt from Dillards and a shirt from Nordstrom. Best day ever. I say this because if you have ever shopped with me you know this: I never. buy. anything. Which is great for my husband but bad for my wardrobe. I always look for the greatest deal for the perfect item that I love and obsess about before I buy it. So obviously I rarely walk away with a bag in my hand. Not today. 

My sisters and mom came to meet us at the mall. Only I believe they got slightly distracted by all the stores and forgot they were there to meet up with us. Haha. Who can blame five girls? But we did get to visit with them for a bit as we were leaving. Luckily, my sis Honore, always thinks about taking pictures so we were able to snap these.

After we got home from the mall we got to go to Ben Whipple's house. He was having all the friends over for games and pizza. To my surprise Josh and his wife Elba got me an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Score! Such a fun time hanging with our fellow "Fatheads."

The next day I woke up in the greatest mood. Taught my Sunbeam kids at church, then came home to Ashley making my favorite dinner. Oh, and "Zebra Popcorn." De-lish. Tami got me a gift card to Nordstrom! (Later I would purchase the cutest baby TOMS for Gram.) Then off to my parents house for cake. 

(Pics from thruston cam)

Seriously, I'm so blessed to have the perfect husband, sweetest baby, loving family and hilarious friends.

Best. Birthday. Ever. 

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. 

Oh Christmas Time

Christmas 2011!

This year we went up to Pinetop with the Guthries. We left the Friday before Christmas and arrived at almost 3 the next morning. If you bring enough bottles, traveling with a newborn is pretty easy. The whole Guthrie clan was there minus Missionary Dax and the Hunter's. Christmas Eve we sat around and lounged! Yes! We baked Santa's cookies, rode the rhino, and made homemade chicken noodle soup. Soup is a Guthrie tradition on Christmas Eve. After a last minute Walmart run, we wrapped the rest of our presents. Before we knew it, the day was over and it was time for Christmas jammies!! Gram got the cutest pair of red monkey jams. He soon vomited on them! (Oops, mom must have been eating a lot of junk food this weekend!)

[Gram in his new Christmas jammies with his daddy]

{The Guthrie cousin's}

Christmas morning we made breakfast and opened the rest of our presents. Since Gram was such a good boy this year (easy pregnancy, easy delivery, and easy 2 months of life), Santa brought him his first Michael Jordan shoes! Size 3, how adorable! It came with a matching beanie. He also received a new hoodie outfit and play toys from Gramma G. Gav got Michael Jordan sweatpants and Gucci Guilty cologne. De-lish! My husband gave me the Flowerbomb giftset!! Heaven's scent in a bottle! Later that day, we built gingerbread houses and rode the rhino. Gav and I ran off the rode and got the rhino stuck. We even had to get the winch out to move it out of the snow! Haha. All in all, It was a GREAT Christmas!!

{So happy it's Christmas}

[The Guthrie Clan]

 

Monday went packed up and drove to my parents house. Howard had been in town and I've been so excited to see him! He finally got to meet Gram. It's fun seeing other people's facing when it hits them we actually have a child. Haha. We exchanged gifts and played games. Everyone spoiled Gram with new outfits and toys. Then of course we ate a ton of candy. I always trick Fifi and tell her Gram likes a certain candy, then eat it behind her back! I love holidays with my family.

(Howard meeting Baby Gram)



(The WHOLE Thruston Family)

 

Having our own little family made it the best Christmas ever.