This Summer... so far

This summer has been the best one in years! It was a difficult adjustment for me to have a baby... so the last couple summers we have not done much. This year I wanted it to be different. I started off the summer with a trip to Lake Powell. Scott and William didn't want to go, so I left the boys behind and joined my family for a week on the Lake. We had such a blast swimming, tubing, boating, sight-seeing, cliff jumping, playing cards, eating food, sleeping under the stars and enjoying the heat. I can't find my pictures... so I will repost when I find them. We did make a Harlem Shake video. Baby Gavin is the best part. Here is the Youtube link --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgHJ02ZwCHU
But it was the BEST time!

A few weeks later my family went on another trip to Yellowstone. My dad rented a cabin in Island Park (just about 20 minutes outside of Yellowstone). Scott had to work, but William and I joined in on the fun. I think William's favorite parts of the trip were the cabin and the water. Anytime we were near a river that was safe for swimming- he would be right in there and wouldn't come out. He may have loved Lake Powell after all....

Next up... a trip to California (not JUST Disneyland this time!!! SHOCK!) A trip to Idaho and a trip to Vegas & Park City. I told you.... we had a busy summer! And it's not over yet!

I have a 2 year old!!?

I can't believe this little man is... a little man! 2 years has flown by and he has changed so much. He loves cars, playing outside, reading and watching shows. We had a small birthday party that was Cars themed. (The Disney Movie "Cars") It was so cute and fun. If I ever find the pictures I took- I will add them at the bottom!

I love you Big W. I am so blessed to have you in my life! Thanks for being the best boy ever and for being my little angel.

May 15, 2012

I feel like all I have blogged about in the past year is my Nana. It has almost consumed me- to be honest. I feel like writing about it releases some of my intense feelings, even though I am not so eloquent about it. Yesterday was the anniversary of her death. I remember May 15 of last year as if it was just yesterday. The images and feelings are still so crisp in my mind and heart. I can't believe she has been gone for a year all ready. In a way it makes me realize how fast time goes and that it really won't be that long until I get to see her again. (As sad as that may sound to some of you... it is a happy thought for me) Not that I want to leave and miss out on everything that I have here, I just want to see her again. 

To remember her, William and I went out and bought her some flowers and visited her grave. I am sure she is shocked at how much William has grown and changed. He was just a baby when she died. It makes me sad to think that William will not have her in his life. She was the best grandmother. She practically raised me and my siblings and cousins. We grew up next door to her. She was more than a grandmother... she was a second mother. William probably doesn't even remember her (which breaks my heart even more), but somehow he always can point her out in pictures and say "Nana!" which makes me smile.

We brought that metal bird to Nana on her birthday (in November). I have mentioned how much she loved birds- and so do I- and I wanted something to remind me that Nana is always with me. So I bought two birds and left one with her...

And one with me... Which may again, sound silly to some people, and maybe it is. But I love the reminder that it is and the comfort that it brings. 

I am sure that even though I have a severe ache in my gut and hole in my heart... that it is nothing compared to what my Papa has gone through. He is the sweetest man, the best Papa. William absolutely adores him and EVERY morning wants to go to "Papa's Barn". William shares a strong bond with my Papa the way I do with my Nana. They both LOVE CARS. Seriously- William is obsessed. So he is lucky to have the Papa that he does. Papa collects and restores old Ford's. On Sunday (Mother's Day) Papa took me, Scott, William and Bree on a ride in his 1932 (or 34....) Ford. William just kept saying "Wow!" over and over. He just loves it. It makes me happy that William is close to Papa. I love these two.

Nana, I still miss you with all my heart. I think about you EVERY day. I love you more than ever. 

Birthdays & Surprises

As you all know, January is birthday month at our house. We kept our birthdays low-key this year because we went all out for Christmas. Which was fine with me! For Scott's big

3-0 birthday he got a fun little set up. I found the "30 Sucks" craft on Pinterest and William liked it more than Scott. Now Dum Dums are Will's favorite treats!

My birthday was just a few days later and William knows that I love Owls... he helped Dad pick out the balloons for me. I have such sweet boys!

I know things have happened between January and now... but honestly can't think of much to write about other than our spur of the moment trip to Disneyland. Scott's brother Shawn and his family had been planning a week long trip for a while and wanted us to go with them but we couldn't swing the time or the money on such short notice. We were really bummed about it and sad that we would be missing out on such a fun family vacation. The day before they flew out to Cali, Scott & I decided that we couldn't stand to miss out on the fun and decided to go down for ONE DAY. We got everything ready, purchased tickets, booked hotels, packed up the car and left on Wednesday. We only stopped twice the whole time. William was AMAZING in the car! He was perfectly happy to sit and watch "Car Show" (Cars) or "Pee Pan" (Peter Pan) and have snacks (including his favorite: Popcorn and Dum Dums). He seriously was the best.

The next morning we walked to Disneyland and Scott text Shawn to see how their Magic Morning was going. Shawn replied saying they weren't so magic and were just barely getting to the park! We ran through security and hid behind one of the ticket buildings. We watched Shawn and all the girls walk up to the park, go through security and get situated on a bench. With Scott filming... we tried to get William to run up to the girls to say hi. He wouldn't go without me though, so I went with him. The girls started screaming and were so excited to see William. Angie just stared at me like she had no idea who I was. Once she realized it was really us she just said "Are you kidding me!?" and started crying!!! So of course- I cry too. (I cry over everything). We were all so excited to see each other and we were so happy that the big surprise worked!!!

Here is a screen shot from the video of the big surprise... Ang all ready crying!!

This is how William looked all day... holding hands with his beautiful cousins.

William even rode a few rides! He is really tall and got to ride Luigi's Tire Ride and Maters tractor ride:

He even rode the roller coaster in Toon Town... I am more frightened than he is!!

Cars is his all-time favorite thing ever. EVER. I could have spent all day in Cars Town alone. He got to meet Mater and Lightning. He was so excited. His 2nd birthday is coming up soon- and of course it is Cars themed. That is my big project that I am working on now. I can't believe he is getting so big!

We have lots of small trips planned this summer as well as a big California trip. I will post when I can find the time!!


This last week we lost a family member due to cancer. Scott's cousin Kevin (who married us) lost his beautiful wife Ellen. I have known the Kevin & Ellen Halladay family for many years because I grew up living in their neighborhood, being in their Stake and going to school with their kids. I always thought they were such a great family. When I was at Scott's family reunion party one year while we were dating- I was surprised to run into Kevin, Ellen, Eric and Bree! I didn't realize that they were family. (Scott and I lived about an hour away from each other) Anyway, Ellen was always so sweet and kind to me. And I have always felt so close to Kevin since he married Scott and I. Both of these people and their kids are amazing. My heart breaks for their loss. I can't imagine how they are feeling or what they are going through. I am happy that Ellen is free from her suffering, but she is missed. I will always remember her kindness and beauty. We love you Ellen and Kevin!

Here's to 2013!

I hate wishing my life away... but, I am glad that 2012 is over. I can honestly say that was the hardest year of my whole life. I just want it behind me. So here is to 2013 being a better year!!

We started off the year by spending some time as a family at the aquarium. William had a blast! His favorites were the otters, the penguins, the jellyfish and the reef. He even touched a stingray, starfish and a baby shark! It was fun to go as a family and see William enjoy the fish. (I didn't take any pictures because of course the camera was full and I didn't know it!)

In other William news... I have found so many great ideas for his room, the playroom (in progress soon) and just all sorts of kid things on PInterest. I have seen these rain gutter bookshelves a million times and just LOVE the idea. So this is the space we had to work with in his room:

And thanks to Scott for all his cutting and posting... here are the infamous rain gutter book shelves! I absolutely love them and so does William. This is his favorite spot. He loves grabbing all the books off the shelves and sitting in his cars chair (that he got for Christmas from Grammy & Pop Pop) and reading. I seriously find him in here all the time just taking it easy. So whoever thought this up and posted it all over Pinterest: THANK YOU!!

Christmas

We have had an extremely busy and crazy Christmas season this year. I have had some health issues and have been in and out of the ER and the doctor etc. So on top of all that... we had lots to do to prepare for Christmas. It took me forever to put up all the decorations in the house... but we finally got it all up. I found all our Christmas cards that friends & family have sent us over the years and didn't know what to do with them. I remembered that my sister-in-law puts hers up on a door in the house. I thought it was such a cute display. So if you have lots of cute Christmas cards from family & friends and don't know what to do with them- may I suggest displaying them on a door in your house for all to see!?:

We did lots of fun things to celebrate the season. We went and saw all the lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake and that was really fun. I only took pictures on my phone... but it just so happened to be a warm, snow-free night. So my parents tagged along and we had a good time.

We didn't do too much for friend/neighbor gifts this year. I found a couple ideas on Pinterest and ended up making Lemon Buddies. (http://www.mychocolatetherapy.com/2012/01/lemon-chex-buddies.html) I thought these would be a nice change- it seems like everyone gets chocolate for Christmas. So this was a light and fruity change. We put them in ziploc bags and made cute holiday toppers like this as well: http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/2011/04/note-on-kindness.html

For Christmas Eve we did our usual family party down in Orem. We ate pizza and lots of food. We opened up Pajamas and stockings that had the CUTEST gifts. We all got silver bracelets that had bird designs on them with an inscription on the inside that says "I love you with all my heart, Nana". We also got a blue glass bird as well. As most of you know- my Nana loved birds and so do I. These are such cute reminders of my Nana and I will cherish that always. 

Little William and Gavin had matching PJ's. How cute are these boys?

Pop found Santa- and he joined us for some family photos. LOL

After the party we went home and put William to bed. Then we got everything set up for Christmas. It was quite the sight. Little William isn't spoiled at all!! 

He loved the car until Scott pushed the gas petal. Then he was scared to death. So now he won't even go near it. Ha ha. I am thinking we will store it until his birthday in May and re-gift it. Does that make me a bad parent??? ha ha

Scott got lots of items from the store called "The Art of Shaving". I think he is excited to use everything he got. I got some silver bird earrings from Tiffany's that I adore. We got lots of smaller gifts as well. We are so blessed and so spoiled. But, I think we all had a great Christmas. For Christmas Day we went to the Halladay's. We always get sooooo spoiled there too. William got a red flyer wagon with a canopy. He even screamed with delight twice when he opened it. (Luckily, Scott caught that on video). We got lots of treats and gifts. Our families are the best. My parents gave us a new vacuum- and it is awesome! I love it. They gave William lots of toys, clothes, and a mini chair for his reading corner and some trucks that he loves. His Aunt Bree spoiled him like crazy too with lots of clothes and blocks. One of his favorite gifts came from his cousin Kylee. It is one of those popper toys. He LOVES it. 

This season has been extremely tough for me. The Holidays are always a time of missing those who are not here anymore. I can't explain how much I missed my Nana. I miss her so much it physically hurts. I have never experienced such pain, loss and sadness. It is good to have such great family & friends around us, it helps with the pain. Thanks to everyone who made our Christmas so magical. Hope you all had great holidays as well.

Whirlwind

I feel like I have been caught up in a whirlwind the last few weeks... Life has been flying by and I am trying to keep up with it.  This fall was a lot of fun with William. Halloween was a blast- Thanksgiving was delicious and happy- and getting ready for Christmas has been fun. The best thing about this fall was William playing in the leaves. We have to rake our yard at least a couple of times due to our neighbors tree as well as our own tree. William LOVED playing in the leaves and having his Grandma Halladay pull him in the neighbors red wagon (which he is getting one of his own for Christmas!)

 We went out and got a couple family photos as well as William's 18 month pictures done! I can't believe how much he has grown up. It makes me so sad... where is my baby!!?? I love the stage he is in now though. He talks all the time and eats everything and runs and plays. He is a blast.

Since it is now winter... William still loves going outside and the snow does NOT stop him. He LOVES to shovel the snow with his dad. (We have since received a mini red shovel for William and he is so excited to use it)

I have been going through a rough period in my life since I lost my Nana... I am going through a loss right now as well. Life just sucks sometimes. I am thankful for all the good things in my life though! They help me and make me happy. But for the hard things... this is my prayer for now: