Craziness

Christmas time is always a super busy time of year. I have been crazy busy making hats. I love making them, but sometimes wonder what I get myself into each year. I am sure Oli is going to have many memories of playing with yarn while mom is crocheting on the couch.

Oliver is busy and into everything. I love watching him explore. Today, I found Oliver wearing Brad's shoes. I ran to get me camera, but of course, the "kodak moment"was over. Oliver blows my mind each and every day. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him!

Family

Oliver is so cruise. It is so fun to do so many fun things together as a family. Pretty standard scene here as we roll home for the night. Jordan, it is pretty cool that he is wearing the same sweater you were rocking over 20 years ago. The bugga looks pretty big next to his new nephew Calvin John Avondet. Welcome to the family buddy.

Healthy and beautiful little baby boy.

Jamie's perfect little guy, waking up to say hello.

Bedtime stories. We love this little guy so much, and are so grateful for the family we have.

Trick or Treat??

Halloween was great. Love that holiday. The only problem was...Where did all the trick or treaters go? We have lived in our house for two Halloweens and have probably had 10 trick or treaters total :(. What happened to the days where kids where running around everywhere getting there candy candy candy candy (Garfields Halloween).

Gym Shmim

Since I've had Oli, I haven't gone to the gym. I am able to get my cardio in for the week by running outside or on my treadmill. However, I have been seriously lacking in the weight lifting department. Lately, I have been walking to the grocery store. On the way home I push the stroller with one arm and do curls with the grocery bags with the other arm. Yes, I get some crazy looks from the cars passing by, but I guess I do what I can. So, until I am working out in a gym again I will continue lifting with my grocery bags and soup cans. Who knows, maybe I can write a book about it someday and make millions.

My dumbell (above)and lifting partner (below). Who could ask for anything more?

ONE

Wow. I cannot believe Oli is one! How fast does time go? Oliver is the sweetest, brightest, happiest little boy. His big blue eyes brighten my day. So happy he is ours.
His birthday party was great. It is so fun to be with family.


Madi and Tyler got him some super cook kicks. Oli will be a stylin' dude with his new vans.

Oli was not into his cake. He didn't like the frosting on his fingers. He didn't eat much of the cake. When we gave him a spoon and wiped his frosting hands he like it a little better, but still not so much.

My sister Jamie made him this little apron. He really likes it. Maybe it's a sign that he is going to be a great cleaner/helper when he is older :).

Walking

Oliver has been walking for about 2 weeks or so. He is getting faster and faster everyday and soon will be running all over the place. Oh, how cute is he??? I can't believe he will be one in a week!

Juice Newton

My brother Jace, also known as Juice Newton, runs cross country for Orem High. He did awesome at region. He took 2nd on his team and 7th overall. I can't imagine running 3.2 miles in 16:00 flat. Great job Jace. Can't wait to see you run at State.

good times

We went to California to visit Jordan and Sierra. Jordan and Sierra are so fun to be around. We love them so much and are so happy Jordan got into PA school at Loma Linda. Jabs and Si are going to make the best PA's.

It was sunny and beautiful the entire time we were there. The beaches were beautiful and we were able to get out and surf a bit.

So, I am known to be forgetful, and yes, I forgot Oli's bag. We didn't have diapers, clothes, the whole works. We bought Oli two outfits which he wore the entire time.


Oli is a natural. Can't wait to get him on a board! He loved playing on the surf boards, especially the trusty wavestorm.

On our way to California we pulled over to sleep in Primm. Oliver and teddy slept with me in the sleeping bag under the stars. Wow! This trip we realized even more how much we love Oli and how easy he really is.

The day before we went to Cali, we went on a hike up Freeze Creek to look at the beautiful leaves. Oli is spotting his next hold ready to make his move.

Teacher/mom

So, for those of you who don't know, I am teaching again. I wasn't planning on teaching this year, until I got the phone call. Hass, my teaching partner, called me a few days before school started and asked if I would like to teach with her again. My first reaction was, "not really." But when I got thinking about it, I thought it was something I really should consider. Well, a month and a half later here I am teaching and being mom. I couldn't be happier doing two things I LOVE.

Haas and I are connected at the hip. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I watch her two girls in the morning while she is teaching our class. Then, I bring them to school with me, and we do a trade off in the parking lot. She takes them home to her house and I teach the afternoon. It is a bit hectic at times, but it works.

I am super grateful to be teaching, for my wonderful Momma Jones, and Jill for watching Oli on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a husband who is so supportive, my teaching partner Haas, and especially my loveable munchkin Oliver. I think I am the luckiest mom alive. He brings so much joy into my life every day. I AM SO BLESSED.

This is Lucy (almost 4) and Ruthy (6 months) who I watch Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Of course, they are modeling my hats.

On Fridays, I also watch Jade who is in kindergarten. It is fun to watch Oliver have little buddies to play with. He follows Lucy around everywhere. How cute are they????

COUSINS

My sister Jamie and her boy Jack came to visit us. It is so much fun to have them around. I wish they lived closer. We took Oli and Jack to the airport where Brad took them in an airplane. They bothed loved it. We also went to the Discovery Gateway children's museum. That place is so cool. Jack was all about the balls exhibit and thr cars (typical boy).

I'm going to Jackson

We went to Jackson Lake last weekend with the McQueen's. Everytime I go to Jackson, I am amazed at the beauty. The Tetons are unreal. We had a blast water skiing and hanging out with family. My leg is finally healing and I was able to ski -Wahoo! While we were in Jackson I couldn't help but feel so blessed. It doesn't get better than being in an amazing place with people you love.

SO BIG

Oliver will be 10 months old on the 19th of Auwe3gust. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. Oliver loves the pool. He could spend all day in the water. He has learned how to stand up on his own. Before I know it, he will be walking. Oliver is also at the age where he loves to play games. He loves to stand in his crib with his teddy and throw his teddy out of the crib. We throw it back in the crib, and he will immediately get teddy and huck it out of the crib. We are loving every minute of him. He keeps us busy, because he doesn't sit still for a minute. I wonder where he gets that from?

Oh Canada

Whistler was amazing. Wow! I never knew biking could be so fun. We went in Justin and Steph's van with Madi and Tyler, Olsen and Steph, Jt, and Urban. It was such a fun crew. The drive was long, but well worth it.
I was away from Oliver for 6 days. First time I have ever left him. I missed everything about the little bugga. While we were gone, Oli didn't skip a beat. He was having so much fun with his grandma's. Thank you to grammy Sheree and Mimi for being so willing to watch Oli. He loves you guys.
Anyways, we didn't take many pictures on the trip because we were riding so much we never stopped to take the camera out.
This is what the parking lot at Whistler looked like in the morning. Bikes everywhere. We definitely know how to set up a mad chill wherever we go.

THE VAN! This trip was just another reminder of how much Brad and I want a sweet road trippin' van.

We barabequed our dinner in the parking lot of the gas station. White Trash? Never.

After a day of riding it was always refreshing to go jump in the river.

Crashed hard at Whistler. This was what my leg looked like 2 days after the crash.