Discovery Gateway

Over UEA weekend, Colby and I had the opportunity to go to Discovery Gateway with our friends Noah and Ethan (and their mommies). These boys are 8 months apart. :) We LOVE spending time together. I work with their mommies, so we get to play together often. 

This is called the "Beehive". The balls go through the holes in the wall.

Colby {LOVED} to steer the car. 

Colby was getting the dog out of the dog house. He {LOVES} doggies. (Just ask him!)

I {LOVE} this picture. So stinkin' cute.

This was a super fun water table. Colby ended up getting soaked!

Colby {LOVED} pushing around this wheelbarrow. It just slid on the carpet (no wheels). 

The boys had a blast and they played so hard. This was also the first time Colby had been on an escalator. He fell asleep before we even made it out of the parking garage at the Gateway Mall (although, it does take forever to get out of there).

Splash Pad!

There is a super awesome park near my work. My friend from work and I took our boys to go play. Colby LOVED the water!

Potato Salad

It's interesting how the littlest things bring back such wonderful (and sometimes hard to think about) memories. Making potato salad does that to me.

My grandmother's potato salad is my absolute favorite. I compare everyone else's potato salad to her's. When she started getting really sick, I decided I wanted to learn how to make it. I bought everything she told me and spend an afternoon with her and my grandpa making potato salad. I loved listening to her talk about how the potatoes were supposed to look and feel and how the sauce was supposed to look and taste. It was a whole new way of cooking for me.

As I made her potato salad for our Father's Day BBQ this morning, I couldn't but help think about my sweet grandma. She fought her breast cancer so hard. She told all of her doctors her goal was to be here when Colby was born. She fought so hard, but didn't quite make it. She passed away just three weeks before Colby got here.

It's amazing what a little potato salad will do. :)

Reggie

Colby LOVES animals. So I decided we should get him a dog. It look me about 5 days to convince Erick, and he finally said okay.

I found this adorable labradoodle on KSL (Lab/Poodle mix). He was so cute! We found out they make super great dogs. We brought the dog home on Memorial Day and named him Reggie.

Everything was going pretty good until today. Colby decided he was scared of the dog. He wanted to be held, or sit in his high chair, or sit at the back of the couch where the doggie couldn't get him. When the dog would lick him, Colby would push his face away. The dog would take the toys right out of Colby's hands and he'd cry.

So, we decided to take the dog back to the breeder. Having a kid is way easier than having a dog. And, I don't want Colby to be afraid of playing on the floor.

Hello Reggie. Goodbye Reggie. We won't be having a dog any time soon.

Little Things I Don't Want to Forget

Colby is so funny! I wanted to jot down some of the things he does so I don't forget.

Colby loves being outside. He figured out how to go down one stair walking just to look out the backdoor while Erick is working in the yard. He cries if you go outside without him, and cries when we bring him back inside.

Colby likes to wiggle into tight spots. He often gets stuck. These spots include between my bed and nightstand and between the couch and the wall.

Colby likes to drag stuff around our house. This "stuff" includes garbage cans, laundry baskets, and rubbermaid containers. Sometimes he gets stuck and grunts until he wiggles free.

Colby LOVES animals. He tried to run across the street to see the doggies. He loves laying on my mom's cat and getting licked in the face by big dogs.

Colby loves to carry anything that has a handle: spoon, spatula, and pan lids. He also LOVES cups. Good thing he can drink through a straw.

Colby weened himself off a bottle, formula, and baby food all in one week. He eats whatever we're having for dinner and uses his fingers to help "chew" because he only has two teeth! :)

My Cancer Fears Me

The words "Your child has cancer," are four words no parent ever wants to hear.

Samantha is six years old. She has been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. It's a cancer that is usually found in adolescent boys on "long bones". Samantha cancer is on her spinal cord. They found the tumor because it crushed to vertebrae and she collapsed walking to the front doors of her elementary school.

Everyone hears about children with cancer on the news or by the commercials asking for donations to help these kids. Samantha's dad grew up next door to Erick. They are best friends.I never thought it would happen so close to me. It makes me realize how precious life, and time with your family, really is. Life is so short. Take advantage of spending time with your family and your children. Make fantastic memories together. Never take anything for granted. You never know when that time will be taken away.

Samantha went through two back surgeries to fuse her crushed vertebrae. She has begun her year-long chemotherapy treatment. My heart goes out to Sam and her parents. I do not know how they are holding it together. I can't even writing this email.

Sam's new motto is "My Cancer Fears Me." Despite her lack of hair due to her chemo treatments, Sam is doing much better. She still has about 10 months of treatment to go. Right now, she is running around, laughing, and having a great time. It was so nice to see her actually smiling.

I am helping organize a fundraiser to help pay for her treatment (close to one million dollars). If you, or anyone you know, would be willing to donate items for a silent auction, please let me know. We are looking for items to put into baskets. Anything is appreciated.

Colby's Birthday!

I cannot believe Colby is one year old! Time has flown by so fast! Here are some of the awesome pictures I got while we celebrated!

We had an Elmo birthday party. My sister made these stinkin' cute cupcakes!

Colby LOVED eating the cupcake. YUMMM!

We're going to a family reunion in Idaho this summer at Rigby Lake. So, Colby got a life jacket! It even matches his swimming suit!

My mom got Colby this cute reversable cape! A mom at Spectrum makes them custom. Here is the other side:

(This is Colby with my "Boppie")

 Kristyn, Grandpa Pete, me and Colby!

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Here are a few of the adobable 1 year pictures my sister Kristyn took of Colby!





Springtime!

Colby loves being outside. Today was so nice that we decided to go play for a bit.

We got Colby a Little Tikes climber for his birthday (yes, it is a little early). He has already figured out how to get inside of it all by himself!

Colby is walking a bit. He can walk about half way across our living room before falling on his bum. I think with just a little more practice he'll be walking in no time (hopefully by his birthday).

Colby is a beaver...

One morning, not too long ago, I noticed that Colby had started eating his crib. He only has his two bottom teeth, and I was worried what his crib would look like when he got the rest of his teeth. We have a convertable crib that Colby will have for a long time.

I found some pads similar to this on Amazon. My mom helped me make some that would match Colby's room. So far, so good. Colby seems to be okay with the change. Hopefully no more wood chips in Colby's crib.

SOO BIG!

Here is a quick look at what you've missed. :)

I can stand up all by myself. You'll notice my new favorite toy is the rubber spatula. I don't leave home without it!

Look Mom! No Hands! 

I love me that rubber spatula!

I love playing the piano! Now I can play it whenever I want because I can reach it!

Colby will be walking any day now. He is growing like a weed! I still can't believe he'll be 1 in a month! It's hard to remember life without him in our home.

5 Year Anniversay

Today, I have been married to my best friend for five years! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday we were just married, but so many things have happened in our lives!

Erick, I love you so much! Thank you for 5 wonderful years! I'm looking forward to our future of many more wedding anniversaries!

HOT!!!

Poor Colby! He touched the fireplace at my mom's house today. His fingertips all have blisters (except his thumb). Every kid has to learn this lesson. I just hope he's old enough to learn it just this once!



1st Christmas

I know I am a little behind. I lost my camera for a while. . .

Here are the super cute pictures of Colby on his first Christmas!

10 Reasons I LOVE being a Mom - in no particular order

Here are 10 random reasons I love being a mom. :)

  1 - I love all the snuggles

  2 - I get to see Colby learn. I love watching his brain figure things out

  3 - Now I know what unconditional love is

  4 - I am very easily entertained

  5 - My relationship with Erick is even stronger

  6 - I get to buy all the super cute kid books I fell in love with at work

  7 - I love finding out all the little quirks that just may be hereditary

  8 - Bath time. Colby has done a lot of his firsts in the tub
  9 - His smiles and giggles make me so happy
10 - Everyone talks to me at the store because they want to know about Colby.

TEETH!

Colby has two teeth! :)

And, he is pulling himself up on furniture. Man, are we in for a ride!