I'm Thankful for the Love...

There is always so much to be thankful for but today I want to focus on a few of the people in my life I am especially thankful for. My mom, my dad, my big sis and my two older brothers. I love you all more than words and would not enjoy life to the fullest without you all. Without your fun-loving teasing and ability to really let things go (Wiff), without your endearing querkiness and generosity (dado) without your all encompassing love and thoughtfulness (mom) without your true friendship and sense of humor (Chris) without your contagious laugh and knowing you are always there for me (B). You all make my life better in so many ways. In deep meaningful ways and in light-hearted, happy, fun ways. You all make me cry with sentiment. You all make me want to pull my hair out. You all make me laugh til it hurts. You all have given me priceless memories I never want to forget. Thanks for the love.

Pipsqueak, Kimmy, Kimmers

Helmet and water wings-check

Yep, it's me

So... I have been wanting to go dark for a while now. I knew if I ever went dark I would go really dark. No highlights, no light brown. It was just a thought for a long time until I went to a salon to get my tired blonde hair conditioned. It was badly damaged after all the years of highlighting and the stylist said it would be much healthier if I went dark. I missed shinny hair and with my fast growing hair was tired of the constant regrowth. My hair has gotten rather dark over the years. So, I asked to see some dark swatches just to look at them. There were so many to choose from but I thought one was really pretty and told her to just go ahead and do it today. No one knew I was going to dye my hair dark, including me! I liked it right away, even when it was wet but it still takes some getting used to. Sometimes it might look like I'm wearing a wig or that I dyed it myself maybe but I like the change and am glad I was impulsive. Several people have told me over the years not to go dark, including Sam but he really likes it. He said he likes having a new brunette for a wife.

Be honest and tell me what you think. You will not hurt my feelings, I promise. Blonde or brunette???

I can't believe it...

It's the birthday boy!!!
Sportin' his new Lightening McQueen

Easton turned one and it came with feelings of excitement and sadness all at once. He is no longer a "baby", well, he still is to me actually but he's turning into a little boy and it is fun watching him learn and do new things but sad to see my once 7 pound little cuddly bug grow up.

E I love when you sneak up behind me while I'm on the floor and you "get me". When you walk around saying "Oh", "Ah", "Ah-Oh", "Wow", "Ohhh" all day long. When you dance to all kinds of music by doing little squat like movements up and down. When you smile and laugh while we read your favorite books. When you lean forward to give kisses or hugs when we ask for them everyday. When you hurriedly and excitedly climb the stairs every chance you get. When you splash and laugh in the bath while you play with the faucet safety gadget more than your toys. When you play peek-a-boo with your blanket or behind the couch with a huge smile. When you say "Yum" and "Umm" after eating. When you stop whatever you are doing and freeze when daddy gets home and then smile when you see him. When you bop your head to the left or right repeatedly when music comes on or just because. When you scream with excitement when we chase you and "Are going to get you". When you snuggle close on our laps while we read or watch Baby Einstein. When you fall asleep on our chest as we rock you to sleep. These are just a few of the highlights that warm our hearts as your parents. Your daddy and I love you more than words... Happy Birthday E!

Easton's 1st year birthday party!!!

We had Easton's 1st year birthday party at a park with a cowboy theme. We had a great time with our friends and family! And as Spence prayed we would, we did get some good pictures for our blog!
The three amigos-cowboy style


The Birthday Boy!

His first cake!

At Albertson's you can put a picture you've drawn or a photo on candy paper and then eat it. It turned out pretty cute.
Easton started out tentatively only picking at the frosting. . .

But once we showed him the cake part...
Well, you can see what happened!

My sis and Gracyn. I'm so glad they were able to be here as well as my mom.

Our hick family
This was the only present Easton helped open. He was more into running around than opening up his gifts. But he did sure like them all the next day.

Thank you everybody for your thoughtful, fun gifts for Easton!!!

We went to the Carrie Underwood concert!

Sam called me at 3:30 on his way home from work yesterday saying that his pharmacy preceptor offered him his Carrie Underwood tickets at Jobing.com and Sam asked if I wanted to go....well duh! We luckily and quickly got a babysitter (thanks Taggarts) and off to the concert we went. I have always liked Carrie Underwood but I didn't know her concert would be so great. She was fun, she interacted with the crowd, her voice was of course amazing and the opening act Little Big Town was great too. We had such a good time. We were going to go to dinner prior to the show but ran out of time and thank heavens for that. Our tickets were in a suite with food galore! Steaks, chicken, sandwiches, salads, potatoes, cheese and crackers, treats, and hot desserts. Wow, we were not expecting that! And our seats were amazing and cushioned. Needless to say we had a blast and felt very lucky for the last minute opportunity.

Easton the Grand Canyon Park Ranger

Sara Redd told me you can go to Picture People and print off a free coupon to get pictures taken and get 4 of these cute cards. They turned out pretty good for free!

Halloween Monster Mash

Ok, so Sam looks stoned but this is our couples costume that we made at the last minute. We were going to be overzealous hikers to go with E's costume but when I told me sister she said I needed to do a funny costume and gave me this idea. Thanks Sis! I googled it so I would have an idea of how to craft this thing and we came up with some things to make it work. It was really fun!
Andy and Jon threw a fabulous Halloween Bash complete with lot's of "getting to know you games" :). We also were given a set of stickers and tried to put them conspicously on people without them knowing. If they noticed they got to sticker you. They were bandits and Cameron was a really cute sock monkey.
Where's Waldo and Hula Dancer. Joe loved his cane and loved how handy it was for all sorts of necessary tasks.
White trash and sexy Vampire. What a pair.

Parental supervision is advised...

Kade was a very happy camper to be able to "act" like a white trash trucker ALL night. It became obvious by the end of the night why he chose this costume as he indeed stayed in character.
Where's Waldo and ... some author Jon really appreciates. Jon went all out and shaved the top of his head, yep just the top, because the author is balding.
Our goody table complete with the vile of blood and black flowers.
Andy made this yummy ice cream cake that we ate up at 1:00 am and made ourselves even sicker than we already were because that's what you do on Halloween.

Group shot. Pretty impressive costumes by all.
Aren't YOU scared...

Andy and Jon went all out on the decorations. The house and backyard were decked out with awesome Halloween decor.
The goblin eyes I made for a "freaky" treat.

Ward Halloween Party

The ward put on a fun party and included this fun backdrop for family photos. We had fun seeing all the kids in their costumes.

Visiting the Grand Cayon

My parents came to town and we drove to see the Grand Canyon. It was pretty cool and we had a great time together. My dad was in heaven and kept talking about when he hiked the whole canyon-21 miles or something up and down and how he worked on the North Rim. We found this outfit for Easton and couldn't resist. We thought it was the perfect Halloween costume as well. He was going to be a Mexican and we found the perfect poncho but we decided he could do that next year. Ranger E

We are way, way, way to close to the edge I think after looking at this photo.

We walked along the rim and saw the coolest tree with a perfect nook for Easton to sit on.
His Halloween costume with everything but the ranger hat.


Grandma was really nervous at the rim and didn't like Easton to be near it. She walked with him off the trail instead.