I Love Visitors!

Wow, I had such a great time while my family was here. I guess I didn't realize how lonely I was down here without family and it really hit me after they left. It just didn't last long enough, but we sure had a great time.

My family is so great and are so thoughtful of others and of me and made me feel so special. I really appreciate everything they do. We did lots of fun things while they were here, but also got to hang out a lot and just talk and be together. I really miss having my family so close because it's such a comfort knowing they are close by if you need anything.

This picture should be at the bottom, it's some treats I sent home with them. I also did one of these when Tyler's family came last month. I'm sure you've all seen these before, but they're fun to do. I personalized the labels to say different things such as: thanks for coming, we love you and miss you, you're the best, drive safe, don't forget us, and come back soon. I did them with Halloween paper and covered the carrier with a paper bag. My dad likes sunflower seeds, so those were special for him. It's always nice to have lots of treats while driving, especially on a fourteen hour drive.

Jacoby and I went to meet my family at the entrance as they pulled up because I could hardly stand it and he was so excited and confused that they were here. He grabbed their hands and starting leading the way to our apartment.

My parents got Jacoby this Phoenix Sun's Build-A-Bear dog. He sure loves it.

Jacoby loved sleeping with his Aunt Annie and Aunt Olivia.

We went the the zoo in Phoenix. It was pretty hot still, but it's a pretty awesome zoo.

They have a splash park Annie and Jacoby played in while we were there.

I really like this picture of my parents. They are great!

We went to a yummy pizza place that Guy Fieri featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."

We spent a lot of time at our pool playing games and watching Jacoby swim.

We ate lots of food like these banana pancakes.

Some of the things we did while they were here were: went swimming, went to the zoo, shopped at our mall, went to Jamba, ate at the pizza place, played some games, went to Krispy Kreme, at at In-n-Out, worked on projects, had a picnic at a park, and went to church. My dad also put some crown molding on a bookshelf in Jacoby's room. Devan cut it for us, thanks Devan. I'll post pictures of it soon. My mom made a quilt for Jacoby and it matches his room so well. I can't wait to post some pictures. I hope everyone had fun because we sure did.

This was right before church on the day they were leaving. I think we were all starting to feel sad. These two are so cute together.

We didn't really like saying goodbye, I'm not afraid to say that I really miss my family and that they are my best friends. I can't wait for you all to come back. See ya in a month!

the countdown begins

I don't know that we've been up to anything too exciting, but here's a little update.
I have always thought it was hilarious when kids fall asleep in their high-chair while eating, but Jacoby has never done it. The other day, he wouldn't lay down for his nap and so I got him some toast and went in the other room for a minute. I didn't hear him chattering after awhile and came out to this. I had to grab the camera. :) He looked so handsome in his little outfit that I had to get a picture.

Jacoby is the WORST shopper of all time and hates sitting in the cart or stroller, doesn't stay by me, and runs away. Well on this trip to the grocery store, I made him use his monkey backpack/leash and I bribed him with this huge sucker. He was thrilled and was a lot better than normal. It was a huge mess, but I don't even care. By the way, I don't know why people think leashes are a bad thing, please forgive me for trying to be a good Mom and take care of my kid. Grr...

I was so thrilled that Katelyn's husband had an interview at Midwestern. It was great to spend a little bit of time with her. I'm really hoping that Doug gets in so they can move by us. Jacoby and Krew had fun together swimming and playing on the toys at the mall. I love Kate and miss her lots. She even colored my hair while she was here; she does such a good job. Thanks for coming to see us! Oh, Katelyn agrees that Jacoby is a bad shopper and a very busy boy. Dang! Ha ha.

Jacoby had is two-year check-up the other day and it was a real nightmare. It was a new doctor's office, but I think he quickly realized what was going on and his memories of the awful stitches came back. They could hardly even do anything. I felt bad for him because he's been through a lot at the doctor's office already. We ended up going to get him Red at the Disney Store afterword. I think he's his favorite car yet.

He is loving cars right now and loves to line them up in a row.

Little girls push dolls in strollers, boys push cars.

Yeah, Jacoby runs around in a diaper a lot; it's hotter than heck here!

Tyler had his white coat ceremony on Friday. We're really proud of him and how hard he works. He's doing really well, but that's not a surprise.

I'm tellin' ya, it's hot here, check out that sweaty forehead as proof.

The countdown has definitely begun, my family is coming to see us in 4 days. It's been almost three months since I've seen them. I miss them so much. I'm really glad that we have Skype and can see each other and talk on there, but I usually start crying after I talk to them or while I'm talking to them. They really are the best. Can't wait to see you guys!

bye bye, we won't miss you one bit

For the last year of so Jacoby has just had his binky when he is sleeping, but the other day he didn't want to brush his teeth, so I told him he didn't get his binky. I decided we were getting rid of it right then. That night was pretty sad and he was screaming in his room saying, "Please Mommy, bo!" (binky) I almost wanted to give it to him because he was asking so politely, but I was too determined to get rid of it. Things are going really great now and I'm glad we've moved on. I was always really nervous to do it because he was so attached to it when he slept, but he got over it. We kept telling him he was such a big boy and we went a got him a book for getting rid of it. Good job, Jacoby!

Yesterday morning Jacoby came up to me and said, "Bye bye Mommy!" He had his play keys and Taylor's old cell phone in his hand all ready to go bye bye. He even tried to unlock the door with his keys.


I made these banana pancakes yesterday and they were really yummy. Try 'em!

Jacoby's Scrapbook

I was so excited to get Jacoby's scrapbook in the mail the other day. It's so fun to see the pages printed and in a book. You can look at it below!

Click here to view this photo book larger

post my projects-button shoes

I got these shoes not too long ago, but wasn't a fan of the rhinestone on them and thought maybe I could just pluck them off, but they didn't look very good after that and had little holes. I thought it would be really fun to glue white buttons all over instead. I had my mother-in-law pick up some buttons for me in Idaho Falls before they came to visit. I hot glued them on and while I was doing the second one, I looked at the other shoe so they would be pretty similar. I like them a lot better now.

Here's a before picture, but they were white. After
I finished Jacoby's birthday pages so that I could get his second year scrapbook made. It's should be arriving in the mail soon and I can't wait to get it!

Visitors

I have been slacking on the blog posts, but here's a little update.
Just a cute picture of Jacoby yesterday after we cleaned the church. He was a good boy while we were cleaning and just followed Tyler around while he emptied all the garbages and me while I vacuumed. He brought his big train toy and pushed it all over the place. He was thirsty and so we got a drink for us to share. He wasn't very interested in sharing though. Tyler's family came to visit this past weekend and we had a great time. They are so good to us and do so many nice, thoughtful things for us and we really appreciate it. When they first got here, Savannah surprised me with a little box containing TWO Cocoa Bean cupcakes. I pretty much love her. We shopped a lot and found a really great mall, went swimming, ate a lot, and went to a Diamondbacks baseball game. We know it's a long drive from Idaho, but we're so glad they came to see us. It's so fun having visitors.
Savannah and Taylor stayed with us and took turns sleeping in the trundle next to Jacoby's bed. I thought they were pretty sweet and had to get a picture.

At the baseball game, Jacoby liked to climb up on this baseball and jump off. Sometimes he is too brave.

These next few pictures have some really scary red eyes I can't get rid of, but other than that, it's a great shot of the family.

On the way to the game we were driving on a road called Thomas, so I wanted a picture. I would've liked to get out and get in the picture, but we were at a stop light. By the way, Thomas is doing really well and working harder than ever. It makes the time go by so much faster knowing that he is so happy where he is. He is a great example to me and I love and miss him so much.

Thank you everyone for the kind birthday wishes on my birthday last week. It's nice to know that I haven't been forgotten about even if we moved so far away. My family made it a wonderful day even from afar. I was able to Skype with my mom and sisters, talk to my friends, grandmas, aunts, dad, sisters, and so many others. It really means a lot and I love ya all! Jacoby and I went shopping for a little while and got some ice cream. Later I went to Famous Dave's with Tyler while my wonderful friend Brooke watched Jacoby. (It's been great to have a friend down here in Arizona that I already know.) The food there was great!

I received so many nice gifts on my birthday: orange plates, clothes, jewelry, cake plate, sprinkles holder, frosting tips, money, gift cards, movie, decorations, and chairs for our table. Thank you everyone. :)

I love this holder that Steph gave me. She also gave me an awesome set of frosting tips I've had on my wish list for a long time. Now I can make pretty cupcakes, but definitely won't be as awesome as her cupcakes.

A cute necklace from Livi and Annie with a fun bracelet.

I'm in love with this cake plate. Becca knows me so well because this has my name written all over it. Can't wait to use it. It'll be fun to switch out the ribbon for different holidays or parties.

Spending my birthday with one of my favorite people. Love ya, bud!