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)

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.