Monday, December 17, 2007

Trey is 2 and a half!

12.20.07
I am posting this a day early, but Happy 2 and a half Birthday big boy! We sure are proud of you!!!

We Depart for Christmas

12.20.07
We are departing in less than 8 hours for our Christmas travels, and I can't wait! The packages are wrapped, we are packed and the boys are sleeping. What am I doing up? Getting all caught up before the big departure!
We fly into Portland, Oregon where my dad will pick us up at the airport!

Trey is estatic and can't wait to not only fly on a plane, but see Grandpa Bend! We will sight see and browse IKEA! Now that Trey is just about potty trained (that will be a later post!!!) he can venture into their kiddie playground! We plan on eating lunch, and then departing to Aberdeen, Washington!

The home of not only the late Kurt Cobain, but the Bledsoe's!!!

We look forward to spending time with Megan, the Mimb's family, Jordan and his girlfriend Becky, Christina and Nora, and who could forget Grandma, Grandpa and the dog Samson!

***Merry Christmas to all!***

Miss Michelle is the BEST!

11.20.07
This morning, Trey and I went over to play at Miss Michelle's while she got a hot new 'do!


We also got the opportunity to pick of Jerron and CJ from the bus stop! What an exciting thing for Trey to see, he LOVES School Buses and counts them as they drive by!

Lastly, Miss Michelle stays open until 9:00 pm one evening in December, yearly, for a Christmas Party. She orders Pizza, plays Christmas movies and makes Christmas cookies! The kids are having a blast while their parents are hurrying around the house or store, getting ready for the big Christmas celebration. Michelle invited Trey over for dinner and cookies. What a blessing she is! We had 2 hours to wrap, pack and get organized for our big outing to Portland, Or and Aberdeen, Wa. We love her and are so blessed to have her in our lives! As Trey told me this morning, "I love Michelle." I said, "Do you love Mommy too?" And his response, "I love two Mommies. Mommy and Michelle!"



Friends at Carl's Jr.


11.19.07
At dinner on Sunday evening with the Blad's and the Gerratt's, we decided to meet for a play date at Carl's Jr. at 10:00 on Wednesday morning. BEST plan ever! When I arrived, Trey and I were the ONLY one's in Carl's Jr. (might I add, their french toast dippers are to die for?! LOVED THEM!)

When everyone arrived, we had the playground all to ourselves. Did you know that the Carl's Jr. playground opens at 7:00 AM? Who would have ever guessed to take their kids so early?!


I hope this is another fun tradition of our families because Trey and Jackson LOVED it! Shaydon also loved to watch the boys run around! When it was time to leave, Trey and Jackson hugged each other good-bye! So sweet!


GQ watch out! Your future cover boy is right here! Give him a little time and he will be ready for his first photo shoot before you know it!!!

Letter Time!


11.18.07
After a night of serenading the ladies at Enrichment Night, Trey decided he wanted to learn how to write the letters "T" and "O." He was able to concentrate just long enough to accomplish about two "T's" on his own, but then it was over and done with. On to drawing "guns!" Oh, for the love of boys!

Enrichment Christmas Dinner 2007


12.18.07
Miss Michelle was in charge of the Christmas Enrichment Dinner, and the Bishopric was helping set up, serve food and clean up. SO, I decided to go with Justin early, to help him AND Miss Michelle. The food was excellent, the entertainment was uplifting and thoughtful, Miss Michelle did an outstanding job.

After the dinner and dessert, Trey decided he wanted to serenade the crowd. (Yes, there was a nursery provided, and after letting him "cry it out" for several minutes, and listening to him gag himself, I decided I wasn't going to be cleaning up barf and took him into the dinner.)

Miss Michelle was so sweet, she was having Trey sing the days of the week song, Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, and Jingle Bells. I should mention, the volume was down in the gym but NOT in the foyer. When Michelle found out I could hear her in the foyer, she about died. She has a wonderful voice, but I think she thought she wasn't being heard.

So, here is a picture of Trey "serenading" the remainder of the crowd. Mind you, no one could hear!!!!

BTW Sommers, recognize the shirt?

St. Al's Christmas Luncheon

11.18.07


Every year St. Al's puts on a wonderful Christmas Luncheon for their employees! This year was fantastic! My favorite, the mashed potatoes and the personal sized pecan pies!

I thought I had to show some pictures of work, just to prove I really do go to work some days! Now, I didn't get pictures of ME working, because, pictures of what I do would be considered pornographic. SO, I took some pictures of co-workers!

Marci, a fellow mammographer!

Ashlie, who was so sweetly stepping in for Shelly who was catching some rays in Arizona for the week! LUCKY!

Mike, a sonographer, who introduced me to the world of the Paparazzi and invited me to meet Matt Damon. I will always be grateful to him!

***And there you have it, the world of Intermountain Medical Imaging at Christmas Time!***

Christmas Dinner Tradition 2007


12.16.07
After dropping Grandma Marie off at the airport, we headed to the Blad's home for our annual Christmas Dinner! We love getting together with the Blad's and the Gerratt's each Thanksgiving and Christmas season! Boy have our families grown. TWO new births this year, and the times get greater and greater! The food was amazing, the company, delightful! It is wonderful to think this will have been our sixth year celebrating together! We look forward to many more!



Talk about thoughtful, Sommers put together gift bags for the boys, full of Slinky's, pencils, candy and these cute antlers!
Sweet Shaydon

Brook Blad, me and Sommers Gerratt

CONGRATULATIONS KIM FRANK!

12.15.07
While at the Holiday Ice Show, co-workers and friends gathered to celebrate my sweet friend KIM FRANK's upcoming marriage! She is the most wonderful, inspiring, devoted mother, and soon will be the greatest wife ever! Congratulations Kim, I am so sorry I was unable to attend! I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!!!

Holiday Ice Show at Idaho Ice World


12.15.07
Grandma Marie called us Saturday morning asking if we would like to go to an Ice Show! We said we would love to! Idaho Ice World must put on a yearly ice show, showcasing all of their student's progress and talents! It was so much fun to watch all of the different abilities, strengths, and sometimes weaknesses. Trey blurted out one time in a girls routine (after she had fallen, OF COURSE!) "OUCH, that girl fall down. Boom!" And, I am sure, with our luck, her parents were sitting right behind us!
Santa made an appearance during "intermission" which got the crowd excited! Tacy loved Santa and beckoned him over to our area!
Santa greeted the crowd as we waited in line to enter the arena. Unfortunately, the best picture of Trey with Santa is a bit blurry! I still think you can see Trey's excitement/fear!
The joy of trying to get a picture of 4 kids under the age of 9. HILARIOUS! Grandma Marie says, "Smile for the picture" and everything goes down the drain. Jared does NOT want Katie on his lap, so, at the moment of exposure, he kicks her off his lap (she is the big blog of fuzz in the middle). Jacob looks as if he is searching for the rest of his candy cane, and Tacy is smiling as best as she can, trying to hold on for dear life before plummeting down the bleachers! Grandma Marie looks a little confused, she said to "smile!"
I obviously haven't gotten the hang of taking 4 kids pictures all at once, but I can handle one!

The McDonald's Tradition


12.15.07
Whenever Grandma Marie comes into town, it has been Tradition to take "the cousin's" to McDonald's. Since Trey has gotten older and loves Chicken McNuggets, he has been invited to tag along the last few trips they have made.

To the boys excitement, McDonalds was carrying "Bionicle" toys and the girls had "Strawberry Shortcake" dolls. Perfect for "the cousins." (If you notice, Jared, the oldest cousin is even wearing a red Bionicle t-shirt, I am sure just for the occasion!)

Jacob was so sweet and tender with Trey in the playground area. Trey wanted to climb up into the slides and ladders but just wasn't tall enough. Jacob helped him for most of our visit! Sweet Jacob.

Jacob and Trey exchanging Bionicles

Tacy Jane
Jared is getting a little big for Happy Meals and needed a few more fries. He wanted to try ordering fries for the first time EVER, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity for one of Jared's FIRSTS!


HE DID IT! Grandma Marie was so proud of her oldest Grandson!
While at McDonald's I ran into my sweet, dear friend Deidra Kidder who was helping her mother for the weekend! (that sentence makes Deidra's mother sound really old, but she is NOT at all. She is actually very lively and active!) It was so nice to see her outside of work! I love her and really miss working with her!

Ward Christmas Party

12.14.07
Grandma Marie came to town 12.12.07 to spend the weekend with us and to watch "the cousins" while their parents had a romantic get-a-way to Sun Valley, Idaho! We had the joy of taking them to our Ward's Christmas Party where we heard beautiful musical numbers, met Santa, and who could forget the delicious food!

Trey and Justin listening to Christmas Carols

Yummy Carrot Cake!!!

Katie and Jared (Jared with his "I'm too cool for Santa look on his face!!!)
Tacy eating all the yummy food!

Grandma Marie and Jacob

Tacy and Katie

Jacob

I will tell you Trey did give Santa "high Five" and "pounds," but had no desire to sit on his lap. Considering half of the ward was waiting for us to get our picture, I reluctantly posed next to Santa with Trey smiled for the camera. CHEESE! (notice my new 'do and color job?! Annabelle is to be credited for! She is amazing, I LOVE my dark 'do!)

An Evening with GiGi and G.Pa



12.11.07
While on their way to Bend for the Winter, GiGi and G.Pa Slight stopped at our home and spent the night. Trey enjoyed showing off for them, doing gymnastics moves, dancing to the High School Musical, and his recent fav, playing cars. Talk about a sport, at the age of 80, G.Pa got on his hands and knees and trucked along with Trey and his cars! What sweet Grandparents we have!

Thanks for visiting Grandma and Grandpa, come any time! Enjoy your stay in Bend! We love you and miss you already!

Pheasant Heaven


12.17.07
What you're looking at is 42 birds, 38 pheasants and 4 chukar. I called one of my friends on the way home to tell him about this amazing hunt and how many birds we got. His response was "isn't that over the legal limit". That my friends is the beauty of going to a hunting reserve. We not only shot all the birds they put for us, but we got about 8 extras that other groups did not find on previous days. The dogs were just rocking.
I got invited to go to a South Dakota hunt, but due to timing and funds I had to pass. Instead I called up this place in Oregon that is known for the great pheasant hunts, but my hopes were dashed when they said they were booked up until next January of 2009. They asked if I wanted to get on the waiting list, and I agreed just in case, even thought there was page of people already on the waiting list.
Thursday night in the middle of singing Happy Birthday to Tina, I get the phone call that they have an opening for Monday (I felt like singing Happy Birthday for Justin). I quickly called Travis to see if he wanted to go, and all three of us would agree going was the right choice.

An absolute must for this trips was to get some good pictures. Travis snapped this shot just perfect. I have always wanted a picture like this one.

If a bird dog dreams, and I believe they do, I am sure this is what they dream about. Cooper along with the other two dogs of Travis' just did the most amazing job.

We had a lot of points with all three dogs. You know the pheasant trying to hide here is not getting away. You got three dogs on point, and three shooters. The guy running the place even commented on how good the dogs were. It is unfortunate that so many people have never hunted behind a good dog.

Matt, is just about to rock this bird. On average we each got 14 birds, that is one amazing day of hunting.

A few of these birds got shot a little too close. Travis shot one that was so close the wad was in the bird. We also had some amazing 50 yard swinging shots that made up for the gimmies.

They load 2/3 of the birds in the first field that you hit that is right in the middle of the 200 acres. The thought is that you will jump some out some will run out and you will just miss a few, then you can hunt them up later. Well the first hour was non stop shooting. We ending up getting all but two birds, and one of those was a chukar that I pulled up on and the gun was unloaded from just shooting two others.

How people can hunt birds without a dog is beyond me. Cooper not only had great points, but he would find my birds and bring them back to me.

A hunt of a lifetime.