Mr. & Mrs. Howard Thruston

Thankfully, Howard could bring his sweet wife Emily down to see us. We had been waiting such a long time to get to spend time with them. I have only met her once before, a year along, for less then 48 hours. I have texted, facebooked and spoken with her on the phone a bit, but I was thrilled to spend some actual in person time with her. They arrived in AZ on Wednesday May 23rd and stayed until Sunday morning. As soon as I heard they had made it to my Aunt Judy's house where they were staying, I packed up my family and rushed over. 

The whole weekend we tried to hang out with the newlyweds as often as we could. Gram naturally has a pretty strict sleep schedule and he won't eat anywhere but in a familiar dark room, so our time together was a little less than I'd hoped for. The life of a new mama I suppose. Thursday we hung out at Aunt Judy's to visit and swim. Friday Gram and I met up with them at Nordstrom Rack and then we went to Chandler mall. You'd be surprised how much you can learn about someone by shopping with them. After Gram was down for the night, we got to have them over Friday night for a little pizza and a movie date night. That only made me seriously wish we lived closer. I'd love to double date with them, they are so much fun! Saturday they took us out to lunch at Sweet Cakes Cafe in downtown Mesa. Later that afternoon, Tami babysat Gram for me so I could meet up with them at Scottsdale mall. We spent most of our time at H&M, Forever 21 and the Vans store. Emily is so fun to shop with since we have similar styles. Sunday morning my family went over to say goodbye to our new sister, brother, and cousin Sheri. Aunt Judy made everyone breakfast and we just chatted and played with the dogs. It was so sad to say goodbye because I haven't got to spend much time with Howard since he moved to Utah. We see him every six months or so. Now we have an other family member we love and adore who we will miss just as much! They are awesome people and a verrry cute couple. 

Mother's Day

My Very First (real) Mother's Day

Last year I felt pretty special to be caring my first born child on this wonderful holiday. This year, however, made it feel so much more real. My perfect son is now almost 7 months old. Wow, time flies. He is beautiful and awesome and I can't imagine my life without him. Everything revolves around him in a good way. This day was more of a celebration of him rather than myself. We went to church as usual and then came home to hang out with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, who are of course, mothers. After that we went to see my mom and her step mom at the Thruston's house. Between me, my mother-in-law and my mom, we exchanged roses cards, nail polish, a shirt and more roses. The joys of being a girl. 

Being a mother reminds me of how grateful I am of my two mothers and how incredibly thoughtful they are. Tami puts every single person first, even if she had just met you. She always babysits for us, gives me advice on how to take care of Gram better, and is the perfect example of what a modern day wonder woman is. My mom is incredibly talented. She can sing, paint, cook, bake, sew, garden, reupholster, decorate and so much more. She has always show me how to develop my gifts I have been given and to always continue learning. I'm so blessed to have these incredible women in my life.

Gavin, Gram and I went on a "staycation" to celebrate Mother's Day the following weekend. It was the first time we had slept alone with our new family. We live with my in-laws so it was nice to just be quietly with each other. We stayed at the Scottsdale Resort. We went swimming, slept a lot, went to dinner there, and went out to breakfast. I love the time I get to just be with my little family.

*add iphone pics*

Jenna's Wedding Day

One of my good friends and look-a-likes, Jenna, got married to Enrique May forth. She was so sweet to ask me to do her hair along with three other members of her bridal party. We did a trial for her hair a month prior. Then, the day of I went to her hotel in Chandler at 7:00 am to get them ready. It was such a blast to be a part of such a special day for such a special friend. After everyone's hair was done, I headed back home to get myself ready for the actual ceremony. 

Jenna and Enrique are Catholic so they were married in Saint Mary's Catholic church. It was a beautiful ceremony and you could feel the spirit there. They had a full "mass" service which included the sacrament and everything. It was amazing. She was so happy and the room was filled with love. 

After the ceremony, I went with some old friends I used to work with to go hang out. After that, I met up with Gav at the cocktail hour they had before the reception and dinner. Wow. I now know why people get engaged for a year or longer. This reception was phenomenal! The venue was stunning, the food was gourmet, and the decorations were outstanding. Gavin and I felt like we were at a five start restaurant. We had such a romantic time looking around, seeing the newlywed's love, and reminiscing about our own special day. What a fun treat! We still talk about how we would like to have a "renewal of vows" ceremony and throw a big party!

[The Beautiful Bride]

(Amy, me, Jenna, Enrique, and Emily)

{A few weeks before at her Bachelorette party at Olive & Ivy}

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.