Tuesday, November 23, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 23

Today I finished reading a book. I haven't been able to say that in probably 6 years. I hate reading. I would much rather watch TV, read a magazine,watch a movie... anything. But I decided to read a certain book, and I did it! I finished it in one weekend! The book you ask? What a wonderful book! I am thankful that I decided to read this, I'm thankful that there are books out there like this, and i"m thankful I finished it! This book is sure brilliance! I don't care if you think you have the most perfect relationship, this book is amazing! Jeff's in the process of reading it too! I HIGHLY recommend it.

Monday, November 22, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 22

I am very thankful to Little Clippers... the haircutting place i took Cohen to today. When we lived in Utah, we went to a kid's hair cutting place that we LOVED. We saw the same lady every 5 weeks. It was wonderful. At first it wasn't, and usually at the beginning of the cut, he would freak out. but after a minute, he was fine. Then we moved here, and had no idea where to go. I googled Kid's hair cutting places... and found a couple. The closest one was in West Linn. So we checked it out. I made the appointment, and warned them of Cohen. They assured me that they deal with it everyday, and it was no big deal. Well it was a very cute place... very girly though. It was more of a little girl's boutique than a kid's place. The lady that cut Cohen's hair was awful. She kinda made me feel bad for having a kid that wouldn't sit still. It really irritated me. And it was pretty expensive. I didn't even like the cut either. BOOO! I wouldn't recommend that place ever.


So today, we decided to try the next closest one in Lake Oswego. When we pulled up, I thought, "this is more like it!!" It was AWESOME! yes, Cohen freaked out, but the lady was sooooo nice about it. she called herself "Grandma Nancy!" sooo cute! After just a minute, Cohen calmed down, and did an awesome job! I just loved it! So i am very grateful we have found Cohen's new salon! Yipppeeeee!!!!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Life as a 2 year old

I thought I needed to start posting funny things Cohen does day to day... so here's one that happened the other day.

I was in the play room, rocking Molly to sleep, and Jeff went in to check on Cohen during his "nap" time. All I see is Jeff walk into Cohen's room, ask "Cohen?", start laughing and tell me to come here! So I go into Cohen's room and to my surprise, I don't see him anywhere! I asked Jeff where he is, and while laughing, Jeff points under the bed! I look down and all I see are Cohen's feet!! I asked Jeff if he was asleep. and he shrugged his shoulders like he didn't know. I asked, "Cohen???" and a few seconds later, Cohen pokes his head out, with such a cute mischievous smile!! Jeff and I start laughing sooo hard! It was so funny. i have no idea what he was doing under there... but I'm happy he was, cause it made our day! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 21

I'm thankful for sundays. I'm thankful we have a day to just chill. I wouldn't really use the word "chill" in reference to before church... but after church... there isn't a rush for anything. I'm thankful for a beautiful church building. Our building is so pretty, and so nice. And I'm thankful for those that clean it. Jeff and I spent a saturday morning a few weeks ago, helping clean the building, and now I truly appreciate, and do not take for granted how clean the building is! We cleaned things I would have never thought of! So today, i guess I'm thankful for a few things!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

My 6 month old princess....

My sweet little princess Toodles. She turned 6 months old today! Oh I just love her so much. She has brought so much laughter and love into our family! Cohen just absolutely adores her, and loves her so much! As do we, but I think we are all amazed at how Cohen and her interact with eachother! It's priceless... and a mother's dream! Molly rolls and scoots all over the place. And just within the last few days, has been rocking back and forth on her hands and knees. Before we know it, she'll be into EVERYTHING! She has the sweetest, cutest, prettiest, funniest, laid back personality. She is such a good baby! And the cutest is when you, or anyone smiles at her! She gets a HUGE grin, and buries her face! It's sooo cute! She's such a flirt! Oh I just love that girl. I am so thankful she's apart of our family. We love her so much. Happy 6 months little sweetheart! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 20

This morning my mom and I went to a bazaar. Not just any bazaar, but the Bilquist Bazaar! It was so fun! I am very thankful for bazaars! We found such fun things! For example... it looked kinda like a place mat, that was covered with a waterproof cover. The fabric had cars on it, with streets, and signs, and sewn into the mat, were two slots for matchbox cars! It was sooo stinkin cute! I want to figure out how to make them! I thought it was perfect for Cohen, like at restaurants, and church! Bazaars are just so fun to get fun ideas to make myself, or buy things from those that think of it, and I don't have to put in the time and energy in making it! :) So thanks all you crafty people that share your ideas with me!

Monday, November 8, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 8


I am so thankful for the Clackamas County library system! While being here, I have learned how cool the library is. First I thought it was cool, cause they have a GIGANTIC kids room with floor to ceiling, wall to wall books for COHEN!! It's awesome!!! I was shocked when I first walked in and found that room was just for kids! Second, their dvd collection for kids, is just amazing! And on top of that, their dvd's are free to rent! okay, the other thing that I love, is that I can reserve books on their website. But what's so cool, is that the system is through all the cities in Clackamas County. So if there's a book in Lake Oswego I want, i just reserve it, and they send it to the Gladstone library in like a day! It's just BRILLIANT! And if you know me, you know that I'm not much of a reader... so hopefully that will help me in that department! :)


So thank you Clackamas County for having an amazing library system for your residents! It just shows you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover... The Gladstone library isn't the nicest, biggest, prettiest building.... but man, it is a GREAT library with a WONDERFUL staff!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

30 Days of being Thankful: day 7

Today I'm thankful for motorized carts. As I mentioned before, Allison just had surgery. Yesterday she was going a little crazy being cooped up in the house for two days. So she wanted to go to Target. Thankfully Target provided a cart, so that it would be possible for Allison to shop, without getting warn out, or injured! And I'm also thankful for a cute little sister to be cute enough to ride one of these things!! :) It's all about being thankful for the little things! :)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: day 6

Today I am thankful for..................... wait for it.............. boy bands. Particularly N SYNC! They seriously are the most wonderful thing ever. They have truly brought me closer to people, because of their music! Today while Allie, Tracey, and I were driving to Target, Allie put it on her iPod. Instantly we start singing at the top of our lungs! Well not Allie, cause she just had surgery... but ya know what I mean! :) I really wish they would do a reunion tour. Us sisters were talking, and we said, without hesitation, that we would definitely go see them... no matter how much they are! I've already seen them 5 times in concert.... you may think I'm a dork, but I know I'm awesome.
So thank you 'N SYNC. For being awesome, beautiful boys, that make wonderful music!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 5

I am so thankful we moved back to the Pacific NW! I love this city. So much. And I'm so happy to be close to my family. Especially today. My little sis, Allie, Had surgery this morning. And I've been able to be here to help take care of her! It's been so fun waiting on her. I'm just happy we're back! :)

Thursday, November 4, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 4

Today I'm thankful for two things. First and foremost, I am so very thankful to my wonderful husband and best friend, JEFF! I am so thankful I found him, and he chose me 5 years ago! We have had a wonderful life together the past 5 years, and I'm so excited for the years to come! He definitely makes me who I am, and makes me a better person, wife, and mother. He is such a good dad to Cohen and Molly! Holy cow, he's so sweet with them. And I know he loves them so much, and would do anything for them and me!
Secondly, I'm thankful for a temple marriage. Jeff and I were married in the Portland temple 5 years ago today! Happy Anniversary to us! :) I'm so thankful we chose to be married in the temple, and I'm sooo thankful for all the blessings that come from being married in the temple. We get to be together for all eternity!! WAHOOO! What a wonderful blessing.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 3

So as most people know, we (as the people) had the opportunity to Vote last night! I am thankful that we have that right. That we are able to voice our opinion, and most of the time, be heard! :)

I must note though, that i did not vote. I know, I know, I'm writing how thankful I am to be heard, and vote... however, I feel that you should not vote if you are NOT informed! So I did not vote. Thanks to my little sister though, I was informed, but I'm not registered! :( This now has taught me to finally get REGISTERED, and VOTE! I'm actually really excited to vote now!

So thank you to all that voted, and voiced your opinion, to make this place a better place to live!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: day 2


Portland in the fall!!

I am so thankful for the scenery around me! It's just amazingly beautiful. Fall is by far my favorite season. The colors, the smells, the weather... everything. Especially in Oregon.

Monday, November 1, 2010

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 1

Okay, I tried doing this last year, and failed on the last few days. NOT this year! I have so much to be thankful for. Really, I do! But for some reason, it's hard to post everyday about the little things. WHICH, I think, the little things are the most important. Because it's the little things that makes the big blessings that much greater!

Today I'm thankful for being thankful. Sounds like a cop out? Maybe... but I am really thankful that I'm a positive, grateful person. I'm so thankful that I'm not just a bum that sits around feeling sorry for myself all the time. Instead, I look at the positive, and try to be happy!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Tillamook Cheeeeeeeese

So Jeff and I have been in Portland now for a month and a half. We finally decided, enough is enough. We NEED some Tillamook ice cream. Not the ice cream you get down the street at Safeway.... we needed the REAL stuff. So we packed up the diaper bag, threw the kids in the car, and off we went!

We first arrived at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. As we're walking through, we saw that they got rid of the cow displays they used to have! We had promised Cohen Cows on the way.... So we were kinda bummed about that. And also, the factory is kinda boring when there isn't much production going on! However, the cheese was fabulous, especially the squeaky cheese!! Then we participated in their ice cream. Holy COW... no pun intended! This stuff truly came from Holy cows!! That ice cream is so heavenly. Soooooo.oooo.ooooooo creamy. Oh my word, I miss it already! Cohen didn't eat any ice cream, but he did enjoy himself with the salt water taffy!

After the factory, we saw a sign for a petting zoo over at the Blue Heron Cheese factory. So we headed over there! It was really fun! I would HIGHLY recommend it! The animals were so cute, and they had a lot. Cohen LOVED it! I think that was the highlight of the trip! And after all, it was free! So that's what most of the pictures are of.



After Tillamook, we decided to drive up to Seaside and have dinner at our favorite restaurant, McKeowns. It is so delicious. I personally think they have the best clam chowder, EVER. It's sooooo yummy. Jeff had a delicious french dip sandwich, and Cohen just ate Jeff's french fries!

We had a wonderful day all in all. It was a very long day in the car, but it was still worth it. I love spending time with my cute little family!

Stats

We met with the kids' new pediatrician today. We really liked him, and we really liked the office! So we're pretty happy all in all. They both had shots. Which was the worst thing ever. I had to literally lay on top of Cohen on the table, while he screamed and cried and got four shots. It was horrible. Since my face was right in front of Cohen's, I tried to be happy, and calm. But as soon as it was over, I just held him and cried! I'm horrible, I know... but come on!! My little baby is in pain!! Then it was Molly's turn. Sweet little girl. She cried too, while Jeff held her down. They really need to come up with a better process for that. Maybe a chair that has a bed of needles on seat cushion, and then strap them down with black straps, oh and handcuff them to the chair! I don't know, just a suggestion!

Molly (5 months 1 week):
16 lbs 4 oz 75%
26 1/2 inches 95%

Cohen (2 years 3 months):
25 lbs 10%
36 1/2 inches 75%

Cohen's weight isn't probably super accurate.... Cohen refused to sit on the weigher thing... so I had to hold him and be weighed with him.

They are both healthy, and growing perfectly! and cute of course! :)

"Cohen is soooo cool!"

Obviously I can't read Molly's mind, but if I could, I know that Molly is thinking just how cool Cohen is. I just LOVE watching her watch him! She is mesmerized by him! I can not wait to see how they interact when she's bigger.

Last night after dinner, we turned on some music, and Cohen went to town. Usually when we turn on music, he wants me to dance with him. But not this time. He wanted me to sit and watch him!! :) Everytime I would stand up, to change the music, pick up Molly, whatever... he would run over to the fireplace, and tap his little finger and say "mama!" where he wanted me to sit!! I tried to get a video of Molly laughing hysterically at Cohen, but it didn't happen. So here's a video of Cohen.




Oh, and P.S. for some reason Cohen, right now, thinks dancing is just running around in circles! Sometimes he jumps up and down... but his new thing is running around in circles!

Monday, October 25, 2010

hmmm.... what's this?!

Molly grabs at everything, especially when I'm eating. So my mom thought it might be time to introduce her to solids! So the other night, I decided to give her some bananas! I Darcy took a really cute video of her eating... but for some reason I'm not able to load it on here... So maybe I'll get it to work later. I'm not really sure how she liked em... she didn't act like she hated it, but she didn't act like she wanted more, either. so maybe we'll try again later! I was able to upload the video to my facebook. so you'll have to check it out there!
Her new game day attire!

Cute little Cohen buns

So Cohen is pretty cute these days. Doing pretty cute things. He has grown so much over the last few months. The way he talks, and communicates... his interests.... he is just so darn cute! Wait, have I mentioned that he's cute?? Yeah.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks...

The next two pictures were taken litterally 20 seconds before he had the biggest throw up moment. It was sad, yet very strange! We had just gotten back from a walk outside, and I was in the kitchen, while he was playing with Bernie. He was being so cute with Bernie, so I decided to get the camera out. Well, two pictures in, and he started throwing up! It was crazy! He hasn't thrown up since the day he was born! After it all happened, I took off his clothes, and he ran around in his diaper, acting like nothing happened! He's been totally fine since!



I was taking Molly's 5 month pictures, and right after I moved her from the spot I was taking the pictures, Cohen climbed on her blanket for me to take HIS pictures! So cute! I only got two, before he was done with that game! It was fun while it lasted though! :)

Here's Cohen climbing up the ladder, while Jeff was helping paint my parent's house! Cohen has no fear of heights apparently!


pumpkin patch 2010

A couple weeks ago, we took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch! My parents came with us. We definitely thought this year would be great, knowing that Cohen is older, and he would have more fun than he did last year. We had a picture in our head of how it would turn out. We thought how cute Cohen would be running out in the field, trying to pick up and carry the pumpkins. All while getting muddy in his cute little rain boots that his Auntie Tracey bought him. We couldnt wait to get the cute family pictures in the pumpkin field. And then maybe aftwards, enjoy a yummy cup of hot cocoa.

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yeah, who was I kiddin?!


Maybe one day my dreams will come true. Until then, I'll take what I can get!

Cohen really didn't care about anything, or anyone. He just wanted to run around, and look at the tractors. It was still fun. And it was fun that my parents were there to join in on the festivities!


Cute little family we are! :)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

5 Months!


I swear, I JUST posted about her being 4 months old! Oh well... here are Molly's 5 month pictures! I didn't weigh her. I forgot... :( But she has a doctor's appointment this week, so I'll post her stats then. Her second tooth just popped through yesterday! I can't believe it! She's growing waaaay too fast! Time is seriously going too fast! She is SO happy! I'm not kidding. I sometimes forget she's in the room cause she's so content. She really never cries, she is so happy! She always has a smile on her face! She makes us so happy. She's been sleeping really well this past week. Like 8-9 hours straight a night! So let's hope that keeps up! I am still so happy she's apart of our family!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Beautiful sound of laughter

First of all, I want to say just how grateful I am to be a mother. To have been blessed with giving birth to two beautiful, healthy children. I love them with all of my heart, and I still can't believe everyday, that they are mine. Trust me, I do NOT take it for granted. Some days may see like I do... but I am so thankful. SO thankful.

With that being said, Man, my kids are stinking cute!! Molly loves Cohen SOOOO much! It's sooo funny! Cohen dances a lot... And every time, Molly laughs hysterically at him! She just sits there watching him, laughing! Today Jeff was holding Molly, and this video became:

Thursday, September 30, 2010

my 4 month chunky monkey

Man I love this girl!!! She is sooooo fun! She has the sweetest, cutest little personality, and it shows more and more each day! She turned 4 months last week, and she weighs 15 pounds! I tell her all the time that I "accidentally" shrunk her clothes in the wash... so she doesn't get a complex! :) She is growing really fast, and I'm not ready for it! She is now in 6 month clothes! My favorite thing, is the way Cohen and her interact with each other. Yesterday, Cohen and I were dancing in the family room, and Jeff was holding Molly. She would laugh so hard watching Cohen! It was sooo cute! And just the way Cohen always wants to give her hugs and kisses. For the past couple weeks, Cohen has been saying "baby mama" And we just thought he was saying, baby, mama. For me, and molly. Well, we think he's really saying "baby molly"! So cute! He loves his little sister. and you can tell that Molly already thinks the world of him! :)
Here's a video of Molly on her 4 month birthday. She's doing absolutely nothing... but she's so cute!





We took these pictures last week, cause we thought this outfit was so cute. And the one in the lower left corner, my mom took. Molly was keeping me company while I sewed.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Cohen's 'Big Boy' bed!

The day after his birthday, Jeff and I moved furniture around, and Cohen had his first night in his new bed!! We bought his twin bed before Molly was born, and kept it in her room for our guests to sleep in. Molly's sleeping through the night, so we decided to move her to the crib, and Cohen to his bed! This picture was taken his first night in it! The first night was kinda hard. He cried for awhile, and so I went and layed with him while he fell asleep! It was so sweet! He woke up a few times in the night crying, cause I think he fell off the bed! Now we have a rail up. Overall, he surprisingly is doing GREAT in his bed! The first week, he would fall asleep at the door on the floor, but now he falls asleep in his bed. The only thing that's weird, is that he wakes up and starts crying. We don't know if it's because he doesn't know how to get out of his room, since he can't open doors yet, or what... so hopefully that will pass.

We actually can't believe how well he has adapted to his bed! Now when we say "it's time for bed", he runs up into his room, picks out a book, and sits on his bed!! It's so sweet! I can't believe how much bigger he is to me now! :( my sweet little punky dunks is growing up!

What a wonderful day!

This day actually kinda started out kind of crappy... I've been sick the last few days, but it came on strong this morning. I have NO voice, my throat is sooo sore, and my ears are killing me! It hurts so bad everytime I would swallow, and talk. AWFUL! Jeff had a meeting early this morning, so he was gone by the time we all woke up. I didn't know what I was going to do. Cohen and I were in the kitchen, and I was trying to make him breakfast. He was upset about something... I couldn't calm him down, cause I honestly think he couldn't understand me! It was really hard, so frustrating! So i called and made an appointment with my midwife. I called Jeff, and luckily he was going to be done with his work day earlier than expected, so he was able to come home and watch the kids so I could go to my appointment. long story short... my midwife thinks i have strep throat, I don't. But she sent a sample to be tested, so we won't know til monday. She says it also could be laryngitis... that's what I think it is. either way... sucks. She told me to take sudefed, and advil for now. So that's what I did.....

After Cohen woke up from his nap, Jeff took him to the park, so I could rest. I started feeling so much better! I could actually swallow without cringing, or wanting to cry... and the pressure in my ear was gone! LOVELY! Jeff came home, and made dinner! SO sweet of him! It was fabulous!
After dinner Jeff helped Cohen color a picture to send to his uncle Taylor! Cohen loves stickers! So he had to add stickers to his picture, and also cover Jeff and I with stickers! :) Then we went out front and just hung out. It was so nice out, so we blew bubbles, and played with sidewalk chalk! It was soooo fun! For Cohen's snack before bed, I decided to pop some homemade popcorn, so he could watch it pop! Cohen loves the song, 'popcorn popping', And he knows all the hand motions! After we went through the song once, I got my camera... He didn't do all the motions in the video, but you get the idea, so cute! And please forgive my voice... AGAIN, it's gone!!

My favorite part is when it goes, "...it wasn't really so..." He looks at his finger to make sure it's in pointing position!! :) so cute!

Today went from really crappy, to simply wonderful! Thanks to my amazing husband, and my adorable kids!!

My little princess...

My darling little girl is 3 months old today! I love her so much... more and more everyday! She is growing into such a precious, sweet little thing. And I'm so excited for her new phases! Last week she rolled over for the first time! She's done it quite a few times since... Jeff has yet to see it in person... but I do have it on video! The video is just reeeeaaaallly long... cause i was waiting for quite awhile before she actually rolled! :) otherwise I'd post it for you all! I just can't believe she's already rolling over! And we just started putting her in our Bumbo. Oh, just so cute! We weighed her today, and she ways in at 14 pounds!


She is SUCH a chatter box!! I think we might have another 'Gwen' in the family! My very favorite thing she does right now... it melts my heart everytime.... is while nursing her, she locks eyes with mine, she stops eating, smiles, and then just starts chattering! Like she is just chattin with her mama about her day! OH MY GOSH I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
This outfit is courtesy of Jeff's Aunt Kris! I thought it was appropriate for her 3 month pictures! I finally got Cohen to hold Molly! He actually LOVES holding her now! But for just a second... then he's bored and onto the next thing! :) Cohen L.O.V.E.S his baby sister. Oh my goodness, he constantly has to know where she is (which can be a bad thing, when she's sleeping!)... and always has to make sure she gets kisses when he wakes up, she wakes up, he goes to bed, she goes to bed, or just whenever he thinks about it.

Priceless right?!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Cohen's 2nd Birthday!

My sweet little punky dunks is 2 years old. I love him so much, and I had so much fun celebrating with him! I know he really didn't know it was his birthday, or what that means... but it was just such a fun day! I taught him to say "2", when I ask him how old he is. And he holds up two fingers! So cute! Allison and Nick stayed with us an extra two days... so they were able to be here on his birthday! It was awesome having them here! That morning, Jeff Nick, and our cousin Grant went golfing, so Allie, Cohen, Molly and I went to the farm at Thanksgiving Point. Cohen LOVES the farm!

Last year on his birthday, I went a little overboard for his party, which I totally think that's fine for moms to go overboard on their child's first birthday... HOWEVER... I did not plan well. I did everything ON his birthday. So we didn't really do anything fun, except his party. So my goal this year was to have everything done ahead of time, so I could actually enjoy this day with him! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! It was SUCH a fun day!! And I was so calm, and happy! Which if you know me, I'm usually on edge with those type of things....

Anyhoo... So here we are at the farm, just chasing Cohen around! He was so cute riding the pony!

While we were waiting for the last few people to arrive at his party, Cohen couldn't wait any longer. He went right for his presents! It was so much fun watching him open his presents! And i have never seen so much Toy Story, in my life! He was in 7th heaven!! He got some really nice gifts! (thank you everyone!)

Here he is with his cake! He didn't blow out the candles like he did the night before... he was a little more occupied with the Toy Story gummies on the cake! :) He won't eat cake or ice cream either... so he just ate the gummies!
For Cohen's big present from us, he got a water table! He loves playing outside, and with water... so it was perfect! He loves it. We also got Buzz Lightyear glider things, for the boys to fly around!

Here are the boys beating the heck out of the pinata! Cohen didn't really understand... but he enjoyed the part when the boys busted it open!

The aftermath!

I'm just so glad this day turned out so well! We had so much fun with Cohen, and it was day when we truly gave him, and did whatever he wanted! :) I'm so thankful to everyone that called him, and shared this day with him! I couldn't have asked for a better day!!!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Elder Tay Tay Bugs

Well, the time has come... My baby brother is out serving our church for two years! I can't believe it. I can't believe that my BABY brother is gone! What a little cutie he is too! I had such a nice time with him before he left too! Just perfect!

The night before he left, we wanted to do something fun. We didn't want to just sit around the house staring at each other (cause that's usually all we do anyways :) ). So we decided that all of us would go to Target and buy something for Taylor to take with him. But it had to be small and/or flat, so it would fit in his jam packed suit cases! So off we went... 'WE' being my dad, Jeff, Nick, Allie, Taylor, and myself. Tracey was in bed, and my mom stayed home tending to my cute kids! :)

When we got home, it was time to share what we got for Taylor! My mom had the idea of one by one giving our gift to him, and sharing one piece of advice. It was actually very cute, and fun! Allie bought him a miniature bowling set (the pieces were the size of like half of your pinkie!), Nick got him a fingerboard, I got him a miniature thumb wrestling device thing (kinda hard to explain, yet very cool!), Jeff got him a checkers & tic-tac-toe game, and my dad got him some nice pens. It was very fun, and just so nice to have that special evening with everyone! And I'm really glad my mom wrote down all the advice everyone gave.

Now on to Wednesday, July 28th! Taylor decided to go to Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast. But before that, we went to the MTC to take pictures. Cause we knew it would be too crowded when we actually dropped him off. So we first took pictures.... then we went to breakfast.

Just sitting in the rocking chairs outside the restaurant.


The way things work at the MTC now, is only one car can actually drive in and drop off your missionary. But, seeing as we had seven people, and Taylor... we couldn't all fit in one car. So our plan was to take two cars, park one of them, have most of us walk in, and meet the other car in there. Well that's not really how it happened. Jeff, Nick, Allie and myself were in our car, while my mom, dad, Tracey and Taylor were in the other. We go park our car, and my dad waits to drive in, until we are actually on the MTC grounds. We walk in, and a lady stops us. She says that's as far as we were allowed to go! PLAN RUINED. My dad drives up, and we tell them that we can't go any further... so he drives off. We just figured he was going to drive around and park, so that Taylor could say goodbye. Well quite a few minutes passed, and there wasn't any sign of them. Jeff, Nick, Allie, and I are patiently waiting. I was just watching all the missionaries standing around, waiting for the next new missionary to arrive, so they could greet them. I couldn't help buy get a little overwhelmed that my little brother was going to be doing that! All of a sudden I look across the parking lot, and here comes my cute little brother running towards us!! This tall boy in a suit, with a big smile on his face, sprinting across the parking lot to tell us goodbye.

I LOST IT.........

I started bawling. Taylor gave me a big hug, and it was so tight, like he truly meant it! I told him I loved him very much. He then hugged Allie, Taylor is now crying, I look at Nick, and he's crying. Allie tells him he loves him. I look at Jeff, and he's crying. Taylor then hugs Nick, then Jeff. no words are being said. Taylor than stands there, and gives us his "Taylor" smile, waves, turns around and sprints off... while of course, jumping over the flower beds! :)

It was the most perfect goodbye I could have ever asked for! I had my thoughts of how that 'drop off' was going to go... and it wasn't anything like what I imaged... it was SO MUCH BETTER. I am sooooo thankful I have those last moments to cherish and remember.

Taylor started a blog for my mom to update while he's gone. I'll post a link on here when she writes about what happened that day from their side!







I love these pictures, and I love my brother. I am so thankful he has chose to serve a mission. The people in Costa Rica are truly lucky to be getting such a fun kid! I know He was chosen to serve in Costa Rica, Heavenly Father wouldn't have had it any other way! I'm so proud of what a neat kid Taylor is. I'm so excited to hear all about his adventures!

Friday, August 6, 2010

...oregon family comes for a visit...

I am so behind on my blog... So this is from when my family came a week and half ago. Monday morning (July 28th), Cohen, Molly and I picked Taylor up from the airport. Everyone was coming into town, cause this was the week we were taking Taylor... my baby brother, to the MTC! I still can't believe it! Anyway, his flight came in at 9 am, and everyone else were driving here that evening... So we had time to spend with just Tay Tay. We headed over to Temple square for a little bit. It was so cute watching Cohen run around and Taylor chase him! Taylor was really tired, so we had an early lunch at NYPD pizza (Jeff met us there), and then we headed home for naps. Cohen and Taylor took naps, while I got dinner ready for that evening. Around 7, my mom, Tracey, Allison and Nick finally arrived! It was so nice, and sooo fun having everyone here! pictures from Temple Square. They found a tractor to look at... notice Cohen holding onto Taylor's ears in the lower right corner! :)


We decided to have a Graham family birthday party for Cohen, since everyone would be here... So Tuesday night was Cohen's "pre" birthday! It was so fun having everyone here for it! He was so much fun opening presents!


I made Cohen an ice cream cake, with Buzz Lightyear on top! He LOVES Toy Story! Cohen for some reason, doesn't really like cake and ice cream... so he didn't eat ANY! he just organized the cupcakes, and played with the toothpick flags that were in them! It was very entertaining for us to watch! AND, I was soooo shocked, he blew out his own candles!!! It was sooo cute! He also learned to say "two" when we ask him how old he is... and he holds up two fingers! I need to get a video of it!

After his birthday dinner and desert, we spent the evening outside. It was so nice out, and it was just so fun relaxing and hanging out together.


Since it was Taylor's last night, we had to get pictures with him! So everyone got their one on one pics! What a cute little brother I have!

Taylor needed a hair trim.. so Allie and I went to work with the trimmers! Funny story seeing that pic of Nick and Molly.... after we took Taylor to the MTC, Nick, Allie, Tracey and I went to my in-laws to pick up Cohen and molly. We were playing pool and hanging out in their basement while they slept. After a while, I asked Nick to go check on Molly.
Nick: No
Me: what? why???
Nick: I don't know how!
Me: seriously?? just go see if she's crying!

A little bit later, Nick comes downstairs and doesn't say anything. A few minutes later, I asked Nick:
Me: did you check on molly?
Nick: yeah .... she was awake, and screaming.
Me: what?!!? seriously???
Nick: yeah, she's screaming her head off!
Me: why didn't you get her?!?!
Nick: I didn't want her to think I was her dad!


ha ha!! Oh wow....


Oh, i guess I didn't mention that my dad flew in tuesday afternoon! Oh we just had so much fun!!

After the MTC, we were killing time before I had to go pick up Cohen and Molly, and before my mom had to take my dad back to the airport, so we hung out at Thanksgiving Point. We got ice cream, and walked around the stores there. Sorry for anyone who actually likes shopping there, but the funnest part of those shops, was playing "guess how much this costs"!! :) Some of the stuff there was priced INSANE! But, Tracey found this great find, and bought it for Molly!! SOOOOOOO CUTE!! we just had to have a fashion show that night! Cute little angel!
I just feel so blessed to have such a wonderful, fun and supportive family!! I know you came for Taylor, but thank you for staying with us, and spoiling my kids with love and attention!!!