A Mess

This is proof that my house is sometimes a disaster.
The boys had tons of fun while I organized their toys.
They thought it was great to climb on and in every bin and dump out anything that wasn't already on the bed/floor/dresser/any bit of space you can find.
It was a crazy day, but oh so fun!

Dear Weston,
This picture makes me smile every time I see it. It reminds me of all of the reasons I love you. First and foremost because you bring so much happiness and light into our home. You are always making us laugh and love being funny. You aren't afraid to get dirty and love to make a mess. You teach me that it's okay to play, to get messy, and to enjoy every minute.
I need you in my life and I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for giving you to us.

Today, you gave me a gift. You showed me that I am doing some things right as your mom.
Namely: that when I decided not to *push* you into potty-training, I made the right choice for you and me.
I decided to let you take the lead in this whole potty-training thing. Something that was really scary for you. (and for me!) You didn't really want to try and didn't like the toilet.
So we waited. And we talked about how cool it would be when you didn't wear diapers anymore and how you could use the big boy toilet when you were ready. And when I worried that I wasn't doing the right thing and that I should just start making you wear underwear and 'go', I made myself take a step back and just let you take your time.
And now you are ready.
You were SO excited to wear big-boy underwear today-
and you kept them dry ALL DAY long. You went to the bathroom all by yourself & were so excited that you didn't need help.
This was a really really big deal for you. And for us.
I love watching your newfound independence.
I love watching you discover who you are- your likes, dislikes, triumphs and joys.
I think I will need to remember in the future that we work pretty well as a team,
that sometimes the best way I can love and encourage you is to take a step back so you can take your own step forward.

It's a hard thing- learning to be a mom.
I am so glad I get to learn with you.

I love you, bud.
Love, Mom

Tave- 18 Months Old!!!

The past 6 months have been awesome. Tave has grown in so many ways and learned a TON. He has filled our lives with so much light and life.

Here are his highlights:

• He learned to WALK!
• His language development has grown drastically. Here are some of the words he says: cheese, Daddy, Mommy, Weston, Grandpa, Olivia, Mila, Trav, Abby, eat, more, please, thank you, a bunch of animal names and sounds, truck, car, guy, hot dog, hot diggity, stuck, help, down, up, outside, octopus (one of his first words), mine, alright, and lots lots more.
• Has recently (as in this week) started using 2 and 3 word phrases: 'Thank you mommy' and 'Oh man'
• His absolute favorite place to be is outside.
• Now sits in a booster seat at the table.
• A trip to Texas, which meant his first ever plane ride.
• visits from Nonny & Papa, Grandpa Great, and lots of hanging out with family
• He loves reading and books
• A trip to Montana & Idaho
• Favorite song is the 'hot dog' song from Mickey Mouse clubhouse. He loves the characters but doesn't really like watching shows.
• The only show he will sit and watch is Diego. He LOOOOOVES it.
• He is absolutely in love with his brother. He follows Weston everywhere and wants to do everything Weston does.
• He HATES to get dressed. He LOVES to run around in just a diaper.
• He has turned into an excellent climber. Chairs, tables, boxes- you name it, he climbs it.
• His blanket is his comfort. He takes it everywhere.
• He still sucks on his two fingers.
• He is eating better but is still very picky.
• He is a daddy's boy/mommy's boy. It really is about 50/50. But when he wants you, nothing else will do.

Dear Tave,

You are becoming such an adorable and fun toddler! You are so sweet and love to snuggle and cuddle. Dad and I love that. You love being in on all of the action and make sure to get right in the middle of things. You play with Weston all the time and have recently started to like wrestling with him. You are an excellent walker and run all over the place now. You bring so much happiness into our home and say the funniest things all the time. I don't know how my heart could be more full. You and Weston are the best blessings we could have ever hoped for.

We love you and love being your parents.

Love, Mom & Dad

Cars!

Grandpa Great came and visited us at our house.

He brought an awesome surprise for the boys:

They LOOOVED the remote control cars.

Tave chased his all over the house and Weston caught on to driving really quickly.

We had so much fun with Grandpa.

Thanks for the fabulous visit and *early* Christmas gifts!

Date!

Jeff and I were able to go up to Park City for a night away. It was fantastic and a much needed break together!

We had so much fun and only managed to take a few pictures of bowling the next day:

Thanks Shawn & Abby for taking care of the boys. We know they had a blast with you!

Fallen

Why is this always so much fun?!

SYTYCD Season 5 Tour!!!

Jeff gave me tickets in August for my b-day. I can't believe how FAST the time flew by until the show was actually here!!
It was the perfect ending to a crazy, busy, very fun month. He picked me up from the Bijou Market and we headed up to West Valley for the Season 5 Tour of:



We had so much fun watching this show on tv together and fell in love with all of the top 10 dancers. So it was INCREDIBLE to see them live. The dancing was even more amazing in person and I couldn't have asked for a better night with my hubby!
I love this man.

We had some fun while we waited for the show to start:

Of course we had to end the night with a little dancing of our own:

Thanks, babe, for an incredible night.
And thanks Shawn & Abby for watching our kiddos. They loved spending time with you!

the Bijou Market was....

a SUCCESS!!!

My friend, Trista, and I shared a table. It was so fun to be there with a friend and to have someone to chat with during the down times.
(It also helps that her cupcakes are to die for. Seriously delicious.)



My sister was wonderful and put together this super cute poster of my products. It looked fabulous, but I couldn't get it out of the glare, so just trust me.
I loved how my little table came together...although it didn't stay this organized for long! Once the customers arrived it was one happening place!

The people were so fun and friendly, I had some visits from my boys, my hubby, my sister & nieces, and ran into a bunch of friends.

It also helped that my little flower clips sold like hotcakes and I completely sold out of womens hats! Yay!! It was great and I can't wait to do another show!!

Me and Trista at the end of the day!
(Thanks for the cupcake, Trista!! ...cookies in cream, all of you out there MUST try it!_

Getting Ready for Market...

Having 1 month to get ready for a boutique is crazy. I don't recommend it. I was up until 1 am almost every single day. Sundays were my one reprieve. Oh how I love Sundays.

However, I did have a wonderful, sweet, supportive hubby who helped me turn

this:

into THIS:

100 adorabley sweet crochet flower clips.

Whew...we made it!

Bubble Bath!

Somehow, I had forgotton how awesome bubble baths are. I was seriously slacking in my motherly duties, and have never added it to the grocery list...so I always forgot to buy it.

The last time we were at Walmart I happened to remember and West was SO excited to pick it out. We went home and had a bubble bath that night:

To say the boys loved it would be a complete understatement.

They didn't want to get out and had so much fun laughing and playing, splashing, and having bubble beards. It has been a MUST for every bath since. And I don't mind one bit.

A giveaway you say?

I signed up to do a giveaway with Bijou Market.

I didn't know I'd end up on one of Cjane's blogs. That's pretty cool. Having read her blog(s) for the past year...it was a fun surprise.

Here's a look at one of my new hats:

(Isn't my sister gorgeous?! She's going to kill me for posting this, but sisters are allowed to be annoying and brag. It's our right.)

If you want a chance to win one of my Breezy Brimmed Beanies in a size/color of your choice AND a lot of other awesome loot

go enter at CJane's Guide to Provo.

Or click right here.

Or here.

And here.

Oh, just go do it!

You have until Midnight on Thursday...hmmm, that's tonight!

Good luck!

Rock Climbing

We went climbing at Shar & Trav's.

They are both great climbers so it was AWESOME for them. They loved it:

Weston is super quick and Tave is on his way. :)

They also loved playing with the toy bins. We love hanging out at their place!

Movin on Up!

Tave has officially graduated from the highchair!
We bought another booster seat and he is at the table with us now.
He absolutely LOVES it and we do too.

Grandpa Great's visit

My Grandpa came to help out with Uncle Earl's recovery from back surgery.

We were able to visit them one day. It was so fun to hang out for a bit and see the boys with their Grandpa Great. They both loved him, but especially Tave. He started saying 'Granpa' really clearly during this trip. So fun!

The boys had fun playing with the toys, and Kyle, and kept sneaking into Earl's room to visit him. Weston calls him "his Grandpa on the bed"

Glad you could visit Grandpa, and we're so glad you're feeling better, Earl!

ps We missed you Gigi!!