Easter 2011

We had such a nice Easter this year. We had 3 days of fun with family! Friday Brett's Aunt Sandra invited us to her house to dye Easter Eggs and have lunch. Jaxson loved coloring eggs and did them all on his own this year. He had lunch with Payton and listening to those 2 boys talk to each other was so entertaining. They had a great conversation about foods they like and don't like. It was such a great day for the kids to play outside and Jaxson and Kylen went to work on Aunt Sandra's rocks. . Saturday: We went to Split Mountain with my family for our Easter Picnic and Grandma and Grandpa Egg Hunt. We ate a yummy lunch, went 4 wheeling and did our egg hunt. It was tons of fun minus the one time I thought the 4 wheeler was going to tip over. Jaxson, Brianna and Abbie ready to go find their 12 eggs. My mom and dad had the coolest prizes for Jaxson to trade in his eggs for. He played with all the fun stuff and ate all the goodies for the rest of the day.

Sunday: The Easter Bunny hopped this way and found us! He hid the 12 eggs Jaxson had colored on Friday in our living room, hid Jaxson's Easter basket and prizes in Jaxson's bathtub and even left me some perfume. Jaxson was so much fun this year. He was so excited to see if the bunny had come in the morning and he found all the eggs, his basket and prizes all by himself. He talked all day about how sneaky the bunny was to come to his home. It was super cute to see how magical the Easter Bunny was to him this year. I loved it.

Jaxson made us laugh because when he would find an egg and go put it in the carton it had to go back in the spot that had the same color. The day before Jaxson found a blue bat and was hoping the Easter Bunny would bring it. That great Easter Bunny didn't care that we already have plenty of bats and brought it to Jaxson. He also gave him a cool new green scooter that Jaxson played on for the rest of the day with lots of other goodies and prizes in his basket!

After church we went to Brett's mom and dad's for a great Easter Evening with his whole family. As always there was great food and the kids had a blast playing together.

We're HOME!

On April 8 we stayed our first night in our new home. We closed our loan on April 15 after much drama. I love our new home. I have once again learned the lesson that there is a time and season for everything and that God is very aware of us down to the details and has greater plans for us then we can dream up for ourselves. The first few days I felt like a little girl playing house and was just giddy about our home. It's perfect for us. I could type many things about our new home that I love like how I love the floor plan, the colors, our views, the bay window, our fans, the location, the pantry in the kitchen, the microwave above the oven, our jetted tub, the appliance closet, the garbage disposal, the nook between our rooms, all of Brett's finish work, the garage, the extra refrigerator but I think I'll just share the top 3 things I just LOVE and CHERISH about our new home.

#1-My KITCHEN! It's fantastic. I love how open it, the bar to prep and cook my dishes without it ever feeling like I'm running out of room, my cabinets, my fancy appliances specially my stove it's amazing! I spend a lot of time cooking in the kitchen so it's wonderful to have a space that I just love to be. I feel so spoiled to have such a wonderful kitchen but I'm using it to the fullest and loving it!

#2-I love how much light comes into our home. From the moment the sun comes up till the moment it goes down it's so light. I love that. For me having that sun come in just feels my soul with JOY and for such a long period of the day is amazing. There have been many nights that we don't turn on a light till 8ish. I really enjoy and appreciate all the light that fills our home so naturally.

#3- I love the feeling in our home. The first time Brett and I stepped into this home when it was just barely framed I could sense that this spot had a great feel to it and that we would have many wonderful happy memories here. So far that's very very true. I'm grateful for all the places we've been able to live in and can see how they at that time were perfect for us but also how they made our first new home such a fantastic place and a dream come true.

Golf Clubs

While out in SLC Brett got Jaxson some actual golf clubs talk about super cute they are so tiny. Jaxson was in love at first sight. He's such a sport fanatic. That night was super adorable watching Brett talk to Jaxson about golf, the club names and how to put on the golf bag. Brett's a huge fan of golf so it was special to see a father share one of his loves with his son and have his son love it all at the same time. It was perfect timming because Jaxson had one more day left of Iitty Bitty Ball Clinic where they were doing golf, he looked very professional with his official set of clubs. Brett, Jaxson and Uncle Greg went golfing at the golf coarse and Jaxson had a blast. Just a few weeks ago Brett said after dinner to Jaxson on a Friday night, "what would you like to do Jaxson" Jaxson without skipping a beat said, "I think I'd like to go hit on the greens."

Brett's Birthday

On March 22 Brett turned 30. Crazy since the first birthday I celebrated with him was his 18th. Wow. His birthday came at a really stressful time for us with getting into our home. We were able to celebrate a little bit and take a tirp out to SLC to see Bon Jovi. We left Jaxson with my parents and went to SLC. It was hard for me to leave Jaxson for the night since this was the first time we left Jaxson but he had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa. We went out and had dinner at Brett's favorite restaurant, Famous Daves, checked into the Little America and walked to the concert. We were about there when Brett said to me did you take the tickets out of my back pocket, um no and WHAT! We back tracked and keep our eyes on the ground. We got back to the Little America's parking lot and found our tickets in the parking lot talk about a miracle! I told Brett he was very lucky because I would have hated to strangle him on his birthday.=) The concert was so AWESOME. Bon Jovi played from 8:30-10:50pm. So many classics and was in such great shape he amazed me with all his dancing around since he's almost 50. What an inspiration. The next day we went to all the guy places Brett wanted to shop. It was great to have some one on one time and take a small brake from the craziness of our new home. Still can't believe my main man is 30! At the Bon Jovi concet

Jaxson's 3rd Birthday

Our Jaxson is now 3. He had his 3rd birthday on Sunday, Feb. 27. This birthday was so much fun because he was so excited about his birthday and turning 3. The night before I started a tradition that I had growing up with in my parent's home. While he was getting ready for bed I put all his wrapped gifts from Brett and I out in the living room. I keep my fingers crossed it would be okay to have them out the night before and it was. He was so happy to see them and told Brett and I over and over "thanks for my presents" and was totally fine with waiting till the morning to open them, he's an awesome kid. He woke up around 8 and was ready to open his gifts and start celebrating being 3.

Brett and I just got to sit back and watch the magic this birthday. He got a magnetic car puzzle, new playdough, Just Dance for Kids, Cars-toothbrush, tooth paste and bubble bath, birthday clothes, a flashlight that lights up and makes animal sounds, a toy motorcycle and one of his favorite gifts this year cars from the movie Cars. He had Lightening and The King but we gave him Chick and then 6 other car characters. It was very tuff to get him to stop playing and get ready for church. Luckily we had a few hours before we needed to go.

Jaxson's big gift this year was his first BIKE! He told us at the end of September or October that he wanted a bike for his birthday. I was so impressed he never asked for one right then or later on but that it was what he wanted for his birthday. We figured his birthday at the end of February would be better then Christmas in December and that was when he wanted it so a bike for his birthday is what we got him. We hid it by our front door for an extra surprise in the morning. He adores his new bike and rode it down to Grandpa and Grandma's like a pro. Crazy to me as his mom since I've biked him around for the last 3 years and now he's biking himself around. All day we ate Jaxson's favorite foods. For breakfast we had upside down apple pancakes with candles of coarse, for lunch spaghetti with breadsticks and honeydew and for dinner homemade fries, green beans, strawberries and grapes! All day he ate with his 3 cars or more beside him and on our family birthday plate-another tradition from my past! I love being able to share and do things that I loved and found memorable as a kid with my own son now.It took Jaxson and I some time to figure out what we were going to do for his 3rd birthday cake this year. He was just starting to like Cars when we decided on a Cars birthday cake and I started researching. He then become obsessed with Cars and I knew the cake would be perfect. It turned out fantastic and was so delicious and moist! Jaxson had a hard time with me telling him he could not race the 3 cars down the road on the cake and even told Heavenly Father about it during one of his prayers. I had to put all the cars on it just right before party because he had to have them all beside him most of the day. Happy Birthday to Jaxson! Jaxson did awesome blowing out all his candles this year. All of Jaxson's family came to sing and wish him Happy Birthday on his birthday!

Uncle Dave and family gave Jaxson this bucket that was full of balls and has it's own built in tee. It was a huge hit with Jaxson. Thankfully it was such a great warm day for Feb. we were able to go outside with it and do what he loves--play baseball!

We ended the party playing Jaxson's new Wii game Just Dance for Kids. Such cute songs on it for kids. Jaxson found a favorite already, If You're Happy and You Know It.

Happy 3rd Birthday Jaxson!

This year was such a fun, memorable and perfect birthday! It's a good thing they only come around once a year.=) I knew when they held Jaxson up to my face and our eyes locked that I was given a VERY special spirit from heaven. I'm so grateful I get to share in Jaxson's earthy experiences. I love him so much and feel honored that I get to call him my son and raise and take care of him.

Jaxson's 3rd Birthday Party

For Jaxson's 3rd birthday we had a bouncing birthday party at the Rec. Center. We rented a bounce house with a slide, an obstacle coarse with a big slide and 2 party rooms. It was so much fun. The adults could go down too but only Brett and I went down a few times. Jaxson was so excited this year for his party and to have all his friends come. We had a total of 39 people come celebrate and play with Jaxson. The bounce house was a big hit with the little kids

Jaxson and Brianna having a fun time together
The big slide

Braden, Dylan and Halle were so awesome at helping everyone get up to the big slide and going through the obstacle coarse. It rocks to have older cousins! The kids enjoyed the bouncing and sliding for almost 2 hours.

They liked racing through the obstacle coarse or racing down the slide and some became very creative with how they slid down the big slide

Party treats!

I made cupcake cake bites, we had Jaxson's favorite fruits, popchips and drinks.

It was all very yummy!

Jaxson's cupcake pop cakes they turned out so adorable and tasted delicious!

Happy Birthday to Jaxson! The Party Room!

After all the bouncing, jumping and sliding everyone was ready for a drink and some yummy treats!Opening presents Jaxson tore into them all by himself this year

Jaxson got LOTS of great things! When we got home Jaxson had Brett help him get a present out one at at a time, he'd play with it for 15 minutes or so and then move on to another. He loved everything he got! Brett was so sweet to get those pesky gifts out and then play with him or teach him how to use his new gift for hours. We are going to have lots of great new toys to play with at our house. It was such a fun birthday party!

Valentines

Our Valentines was LOVELY this year! Sunday night Jaxson and I got his Valentines ready for his cousins. I thought they turned out extra cute. Jaxson picked the orange Crush pop for the boys and the pink (strawberry) for his girl cousins. He loved telling me what cousin would get what color of pop and was a "big help" cutting the ribbon for his Valentines this year. We made Valentine sugar cookies and had heart shaped pancakes for dinner.Jaxson was very excited about his valentine from Brett and I. For the last 3 years we have given him a Valentines shirt, game and treat. Jaxson LOVES playing games and is very into the movie Cars so the underwear was a big hit and he has turned into a big Root Beer fanatic.It was then time to get our Valentine treat plates ready. We gave away homemade Oreo Chocolate balls and some of our heart sugar cookies. We made Valentine delivers to all of Jaxson's aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents to wish them Happy Valentines. Jaxson LOVED taking Valentines to all his favorite people but was a little bummed that we weren't staying and playing at each of their homes. After our delivering our Valentines it was time to go swimming. Jaxson had been asking me since we went swimming in Jan. if I would take him again and I thought it would make a great Valentine date for the two of us during the day. Our friends that we do playdates with came too it was lots of fun swimming with Daisy, Becca, Dalli and Erin. Jaxson was very into "swimming" he would put his head under the water a lot I think he's ready for swimming lessons this Spring and also LOVED the dino slide. After swimming Grandma came by with her and grandpa's valentine for all of us. She always puts our valentine at the door and then rings the bell and hides. Jaxson LOVED finding her outside. They spoiled us with lots of treats that are our family's favorites, a sticky ball and mitts, a Cars color wonder book and a gift certificate for Brett and I to Don Pedros with babysitting for a date night--Yippee!. My mom and I got a kick out of Jaxson because the Valentines basket she brought over had tons of yummy candy that we all love but Jaxson was so excited about the 3 red apples she gave us. That's my fruit LOVING child!After Grandma left Jaxson and I got our Valentines dinner ready. I think our evening was my favorite part about Valentines it was just a special night and it was with my boys. We did homemade heart shaped pizza, breadsticks, cabbage and strawberries. I dipped a few strawberries in chocolate and vanilla they were yummy. We decorated our table all Valentines and then I put a bunch of tea light candles all around our kitchen. We ate dinner and then I had bought one of those Valentine conversational cards and we asked each others questions. Jaxson loved when dinner was over and he got to blow out all the candles around the kitchen.

We then had FHE and of coarse the songs and lesson had to be on love. Brett and I hide hearts around our living room and then Jaxson got to find them. The hearts had writting on them that told good or bad choices (like you share your toys or mom tells you to clean up and you said no) and Jaxson had to figure out if it was a good or bad choice. If it was a good choice he put it by a picture of a home because good choices fill our home with LOVE. There was also hearts that had us tell each other what we LOVE about one another. After our lesson we played Jaxson's new game and then ended the night with a Valentines treat-Valentine sugar cookies and Valentines fruit pizza.

I also have to add that this year for Valentines Brett was very sweet. He made me a CD of music that I'm in LOVE with right now like Train's Merry Me song and had it sitting on our desk as a Valentines surprise for me. When he got home from work he gave me my Valentines card and some new sheets the color that I told him a week or so ago that I want to incorporate in our bedroom. Such a thoughtful guy!