The Men of my life

This one had a birthday on Sunday...if you get the chance, tell him he doesn't look a day over 33 (it will make him feel so good since it's been 3 whole days since he reached that magical age!)
Here are my reasons of love for this mad cat:
1.) He's entirely dedicated to the Gospel
2.) He ALWAYS walks in the door with a smile on his face
3.) He lets me stress out while he remains easy-going & adaptable
4.) No sooner can I get the words out, "Honey, would you be willing," he responds with, "I'll do it"---wow
5.) Playing with Daddy has become #1 in our house--the boys want to spend time with him more than anything else
6.) I truly feel like an equal partner, we work everything out together
7.) His listening skills are superb
8.) He'll take the baby even when she's fussy AND he changes many diapers
9.) He's one of the most generous people I know
10.) He keeps us laughing all the time from his random antics & his humor is quite witty!
How in the world did I get so blessed??

Jaydon's "baby balloon" creation--the black is the baby's hair

One of Jyson's daily snack creations out of wheat thins, pretzels, fishies, & animal crackers. And the white piece is a napkin he said is "The dike for the bison to climb up." Oh, right.

Dedicated to a 2 month old baby's progression

While I finally got to brush my teeth for the day, she was being enlightened.

She's an official "smiling baby," look at her go (okay, it's not the best picture of it, but you really should see the real deal, come on over sometime)

Here we have the "heads up" baby

The infamous first "Sunday dress" appearance, complete with, what else...an enormous bow!

And I don't know what this is really, but she grabbed them off Jaydon's face & I thought it was so cute it had to count for something

Our Littlest Blessing

Today was the day, though it almost wasn't... The bishop forgot, but luckily we have a bold friend who went up & reminded him.

I actually made this dress when I found I was pregnant...with TWO boys (college class almost 9 years ago). But, my patience finally paid off!
Acknowledgements go to:
--Cami for the beautiful blanket behind Ari that was made about 6 months before I made the dress. She is my awesome roommate-- Camian lookee, it finally got used (the boys were born when it was stinkin' hot)!!
--And thanks to Grandma Cobia for the headband & adorable bracelet. They contribute greatly to the "ahhhh" factor :)

Our View of Saturday

We got to help at the community food bank & it was a neat experience (albeit a short one, there were 700 volunteers that helped that day & 1,000 people that came through the line). Anyone who wanted to could come through a food line--there was a vast amount of food given out (as seen behind the boys)! Jaydon was the official 'grapes' guy & Jyson did the fresh bunches of parsley. For some reason, Jyson had a harder time giving away his produce :)

We went to "Battle of the Bands" because we were given 2 free tickets since Tony's work was the sponsor for it. It was AMAZING! I was in summer marching band back in the day, but we were so small & there was just no budget for it. But, they introduced me to "Drum Corp" & that is where my love for drum lines began (they are so shivers-down-your-neck-giving). Drum Corp is a professional, world-wide pumped up version of marching band. They are incredible. Anyway, these fantastic high school bands we watched yesterday reminded me of that & it was a blast to watch them. The boys loved it too.


This clip (if you can see it) was a band whose music theme was reminiscent of what happens to children when they eat too much candy & get a tummy ache...nightmares . SO creative. P.S. look for the oompa loompas

13 Hearts for Innnnnnnndiana!

1. My babe was born here!


2. Tony's work has this awesome game area (no blood n' guts either) we frequent regularly

3. Souped up golf carts instead of 4-wheelers--no joke--they ride around the town (look at those beefy tires) just for kicks

4. Our cafe where we get my new favorite--PB frozen yogurt!

5. Fresh veggies from the good people of the city

6. 'Vera Bradley.' My amazing friend bought me my diaper bag from here--I love love it! Check it out you west-coasters www.verabradley.com. Everyone here who is anyone simply must have one (there's a spring sale so they're somewhat affordable at that time)!

7. Our lil' town has a garage-sale weekend where one & all have a garage sale--gotta love small-town quaintness... My favorite purchase was the $5 treadmill I bought that works great!

8. Our new bank lets us save up points toward a million different gift cards--presents for Christmas!

9. Our Amish neighbors are a good reminder to simplify our lives. They are so kind!

10. Why doesn't Idaho have this...a "family friendly" station where one of their main slogans is "never anything that will offend the family," and "Christian, family values." Awesome!

12. Of course the trees here in the east are breathtaking...so many colors

13. This ultimate "key-saver" is incredible! Not an Indiana original I'm sure, but it's here that I discovered it so it deserves a 'heart.' It clips on to keys & then hooks outside the pocket so you never have to dig through your purse or bag again!!!!!!!!!!!!!