MAJOR Home Improvements

A couple of weekends ago, my family came to visit and my Dad helped us (once again) with a MAJOR home improvement project -- putting in hardwood floors! (or laminate floors that look like wood.)

Anyway, if any of you have been to my house you know how bad our floors were. The carpet in the living room was threadbare and stained and the linoleum in the kitchen had to be stripped each time I mopped to get the dirt out. So, we were SO excited to get new flooring! And the best part was -- it was all free!! My Dad was remodeling a house and got to keep the old flooring. And he put it in for free too! It looks fantastic and we cannot thank my Dad enough for all his hard work. Our house would have fallen apart by now if it wasn't for him.

(Plus Jaxon loves to help with the tools and driving Papa's truck!)

Jaxon absolutely LOVES the new floors because his trucks drive so much better on laminate than carpet. I think he thinks we did it just for him! (isn't everything though?!)

He also loves when we pull him around on a blanket or pillow. Slippery floors are so much more fun!

He even likes the new arrangement of furniture because he has figured out how to drive his trucks behind the couch. It is like a tunnel for him!

Even Kaysley digs the new floor!

(And I love my new rug, pillows, and clock if you couldn't tell!)

It was a fun weekend too because Lacey and Todd also came to stay for a night. Lacey was playing in a volleyball tournament up at USU. We got to watch some of her games and Jaxon even learned how to clap his hands and cheer. Granted, he clapped even when the opposing team scored but at least he got the general idea.

We also got to celebrate my Dad's birthday together. We went out to dinner, opened presents, and had Cold Stone cakes (my favorite!) I hope you had a great birthday Dad! We love you tons and so appreciate all your hard work!

Congratulations!

I'm totally behind on doing this since it happened almost a month ago, but we just wanted to say congratulations to Shane's brother Craig and his fiancee Kari on their engagement. We are so excited for you and are looking forward to having Kari as part of the family!!

Standing, Talking, and Cheering!

Even with as much as I love my little Jaxon, this past year has definitely been difficult. Jaxon is an extremely "spirited" child and has a major case of separation anxiety which means he can never be more than 5 feet from me. He never slept through the night until he was 9 months old and before that he woke up every 2 to 3 hours. However, I think the past 2 months have made up for this in some way because I cannot believe how cute and fun he has been! He is growing into such a little person and is learning and developing so quickly.

In the last few weeks he has started standing on his own. He crouches down and then slowly stands up with a huge smile on his face! He is SO proud of himself! And just last week he learned how to clap and cheer so now every time he stands up (or takes a couple of steps) we all have to clap and cheer. He could be walking right now but is still really cautious about that.

And all of sudden he has started really talking. He calls all of his toys "trucks", he says "go" for dog, and "cracker" is all of his food (which he pronounces "crack"). And some days he just starts jabbering away. My favorite is when he first wakes up and I can hear him just chattering to his crib.

He is really fun to play with now too. He loves to play with his trucks and cars (but he definitely likes it better when Daddy plays with him because he makes better truck noises!)

And he loves to play "tickle monster" and has the sweetest laugh when you get him going.

Happy 30th!!

Just wanted to wish my big sis a happy birthday today! 30 years old is a big milestone! Hope you have a great day!! Love ya tons, sis!

Summer 2009 - The "Hole" Summer

(I'm finally catching up on the summer.)

We spent a ton of time in Jackson Hole this summer. We were there for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and many other times. Unfortunately, we were bad luck this summer and had bad weather most of the times we were in Jackson but we still had plenty of fun with the family!

On the 4th of July we went to Hidden Falls. Jaxon loves to hike in his backpack (but he usually falls asleep!)

The fireworks show in Jackson is pretty good. I even woke Jaxon up just to say he saw fireworks on his first 4th of July! (And I still haven't missed one 4th of July in Jackson yet!)

On a couple of other trips we discovered an awesome hike to Phelp's Lake. (Jackson is just so beautiful in the summer!)

He sure loves his "Papa" May!!

Contemplating life . . . like father, like son!

Unfortunately, my Grandma May died this summer so we spent a lot of time at the ranch. I am so glad Jaxon got to experience a little of it before my Grandpa no longer lives there.

We got to see my Grandpa again after the funeral when he came with my uncles to clean out his house. This picture has 4 generations - Jaxon, his Mom, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa. His Great-Grandpa May was excited to see him because he was the first great-grandson after 5 great-granddaughters!

It was so good to see him but sad that he will no longer be living in Jackson.

Jaxon got to "help" his Grandma and Grandpa pick raspberries at the ranch one evening.

They have the most amazing raspberry patch!

Jax also got to sit in the big tractor with his "Papa".

(I think "Papa" May loves finally having a boy to play trucks with!)

Papa calls Jax "Boy".

The ranch has always been a huge part of my life and I'm having a hard time letting it go. I will very much miss spending time there and sharing it with my children.

We also got to spend some time with my parents' neighbors. They are a great family and have a little boy exactly one month younger than Jaxon.

We had a few swimming parties together.

They even had a special birthday celebration for both Jaxon and their son.

They had party hats, presents, and cupcakes! (Jaxon and his buddy got most of the cupcakes on themselves! I think they each had 4 or 5!)

The birthday boys!!

Unfortunately, they moved at the end of September. We will really miss playing with them!

My parents took such good care of us on all our trips! They fed us and played with us. Jaxon became good buddies with his Grandma May because she helped watch him for me while I got some work done.

Thanks Mom and Dad for putting up with us this all summer!

First Day of Winter?

So it was really cold today and for the first time this season, felt like winter was officially on its way! I am not ready to put the sandals away yet.
To keep the spirit of summer alive, I am going to (finally) get up-to-date on our summer adventures. So, the next few posts will being going back a few months. (But at least they will remind me of the sunshine when it is snowing!!)

I Heart Keith Urban!!

For my birthday in May, my in-laws bought me tickets to a Keith Urban concert. Last week, after waiting 3 long months, Shane and I finally got to go. It was awesome!! He is my favorite and the concert just made him even better.

And not only did the Hogans give me the tickets but also paid for dinner at the Macaroni Grill (one of my favorite restaurants) and babysat Jax for the evening. I think it was the first night that I wasn't the one to put my baby to bed!! But he did great.

Thanks Hogan family for one of the best birthday presents ever!!