The Sweetest Little Man

Have you met my Grayson?



Today he turned 3. He is so grown-up and such a baby at the same time. He loves to cuddle and be fed... all of his meals. Sometimes we will just be sitting there and he'll grab my hand and say "I love you. You're my girlfriend, Mommy." Melts my heart every time. I don't think I have ever felt so loved. He is such a good friend to Afton and really looks up to her even though they are only a year apart. In the mornings, he runs into my room and says "Good morning, Mommy" every single day. He pulls David's head close to his and says "Daddy, you're my pal." He loves going to school at The Little Gym and always asks me what I think he will learn that day. He is finally potty trained and loves his Batman underwear the most. Right now, he loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Blue, playing computer games, playing with trains, reading books and today he let me know how much he loves playing in the snow and making snow angels. I love this man!

My big surprise

Last weekend, I was getting us ready for church and I could hear a big commotion going on downstairs in the basement. I knew David was down there so I was wondering what in the world was going on. Just when I was about to go down there to investigate, David stopped me and blocked my path. He told me that I wasn't allowed down there because he was "building" something. I have seen many things he has "built". I was scared of what was going on down there. However, I complied with his request because I was much too busy. When I got home, he was still working away but I just tried to not let the curiosity get the better of me. Finally, later that night he told me he was done and I could go downstairs. I made him wait this time. But when I headed down there, I could not believe my eyes. David had unpacked a whole room and turned it into my very own craft room. He decorated it and everything. It was probably the most thoughtful, nice thing he had ever done for me. I have been in a good room ever since.

2 Saturdays and a Birthday

I haven't really talked about the big 3-0 day yet.  It was nice.  Despite the snow.  My cute friends decorated my house the night before and that darn snow kind of disguised it.  They even made a cute banner that I dug out of the snow.  I got to hang out with my kids, take Afton to a birthday party, David made me dinner and I made a birthday cake which I ate myself.  

Grayson got me some arm warmers which are like leg warmers but for your arms.  Afton got me a beautiful gold bracelet.  And David gave me... A trip to New York!  Which I am taking December 5-8.  That was probably the best present he could have given me, I have really been missing the city and my sister who lives there.

So the Saturday before last, we attended the Taste of Salt Lake. with our friends Stephanie and Jasen. It was so much fun. It was a benefit for Cystic Fibrosis and my cute friend Somer was one of the organizers. There were so many great restaurants there dishing out sample after sample. We ate way too much.

Us and Frank

Stephanie and I posing with the event MC, Frank

Somer presenting her "Love to Breathe" award

Posing with Old college friends - Stephanie, Me, Misty, Candace, Natalie and Somer

This past Saturday, we attended a Salt Lake City Real Soccer game. It was so crazy. It felt like were at a European soccer game. Those Real Fans really know how to party. Streamers and Flares were thrown on the field and the cheering didn't stop the whole game. This was for the Western Division Championship and sadly they lost so it was the last game of the year. But I have to say, I definitely in for next year.

So I got tagged a while ago...

...ok, maybe it was weeks ago and now I am finally responding. It's 40 things you may or may not know about me. Thanks Merideth!

8 tv shows I love to watch

Project Runway

Privileged

Samantha Who

The Biggest Loser

The Amazing Race

The Office

30 Rock

Grey's Anatomy

8 of my favorite restaurants

Rosa's in AZ 

Maggiano's

The Sage Room in Malibu

Olive Garden (strictly for the salad)

The Cheesecake Factory

Any pizza place in NYC

Landmarc in NYC

Wild Ginger in CO

(I guess I need to find more places in UT)

8 things that I did yesterday

took care of my sick babies

returned many things to Best Buy

took grayson to the park

went to Old Navy

Made dinner with David for friends

went to the Salt Lake Real (RE-AL) Soccer game

took my babysitter home

watched some Celebrity Rehab

8 things I am looking forward to

my trip to NYC

Thanksgiving

painting the kids' rooms and mine

seeing my family in Colorado

the kids' Christmas programs

actually making my budget work

the summer (and yes, I realize I have a long wait)

living out my 30th year

8 things on my wishlist

a painted house

2 bedside tables

a digital back for my medium format camera

a successful art business

more time and a body that doesn't get so tired at night

a completed craft room

a better economy

a really good time with my sister, Eryn in NYC

Man, that is actually really hard and really makes you think.

8 people I tag

Paige T.

Jami B.

Rachelle J.

Laura M.

Laura H.

Somer M.

Kathy A.

Sabrina G.

My latest project

I have been working the past two weeks or so on a new project intended for my office. I knew I needed two large pieces for a bare wall. I decided that we needed some more religious art around this place. I decided on The Proclamation for the Family and the Draper Temple (still under construction). Here is the result:







I am really happy with how they turned out. I think that they work well with my orange accent thru out the room. If you are interested in having a piece like either one of these, let me know. The colors, photos, patterns can be changed. I am charging $300 for this size (24"x36").

Stuff

October was a very busy month for our little family.  I went on a trip with some girlfriends to Island Park in Idaho.  It was so beautiful there.  We stayed at my friend, Sabrina's "cabin" which was amazing and shouldn't really be labeled a cabin.  More like a Mansion.  It was right on the lake and we were spoiled with beautiful views everyday.

Sabrina and I drove up and back together. On the way home, we stopped at this cool park called Bear World. They had a neat set-up for kids with amusement rides and a petting zoo. Then they had this fenced-in natural park where you drive thru and bears come right up to your car. It was amazing to see so many of them up close and personal. If you are ever near Idaho Falls (and I don't know why you would be) definitely stop by, it is so worth it.



While I was gone, David was also gone to a trade show in San Antonio, TX. I don't think he had as much fun as I did and he came home even less impressed with Texas. Paige took care of the kids for us and I don't think Afton and Grayson missed us one bit. Paige is such a good second mom to them. We love her!

The next weekend, the whole family headed to Los Angeles for visit with David's family. We had such an amazing time. The weather was amazing and everyday was fun. We swam, shopped and made an exciting trip to Disneyland. The kids "earned" it of course. I made them give away half of their toys, do chores and follow the sleep rules for a week. Bribery is a great thing. We took the kids to disneyland back in February and it was fun. We just hung out in fantasyland most of the time and everybody had a great time. This time was a little different. Afton was now tall enough to ride almost all the big rides and just couldn't get enough of all the roller coasters. Her favorite ride was Space Mountain. I just loved hearing her giggle the whole ride when most kids her age would be peeing their pants.

Grayson on the other hand, has turned into a complete scaredy cat. He held onto David the whole time on the Jungle Cruise which couldn't be more mild of a ride. He started screaming on Pirates of the Carribean and wouldn't look at anything the whole time. He kept his baseball cap over his face the whole time during the Haunted Mansion. I know he isn't even 3 yet but I think he is turning into a little pansy. Gotta toughen that boy up. His favorite ride was the Carousel.





After we got back, we jumped right into Halloween festivities. It was so much fun. The kids were so excited and it was fun to watch them. They were good little trick or treaters and wouldn't even approach any door was the least bit scary. The best part was when we sorted all their candy when we got home and they gave me most of it. Grayson only likes suckers and Afton only likes tootsie rolls. I don't know about you but when I was a kid, I would have gladly given all my suckers and tootsie rolls away for the "good" candy. I am glad they don't know what they are missing. It works out for everybody.

The election was today. Thank goodness. I can't wait for all this to be over and for our economy to recover.

In other news, I turn 30 tomorrow. I think I am finally at peace with it. Today was the last day of my 20's and it was just like any other day. 30 is going to be new and exciting. New adventures, new people and all with the knowledge I acquired in my 20's. I can't wait to see how my kids will grow in the next ten years. Although, I have to tell you I love who they are right now. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing how polite they are and intelligent they are becoming.

So, the next time I get a chance to post on my blog. I will be a "wiser" 30 year old.

Up to no good.

Me, Kalee and Cindy

So one of the "many" perks of moving to Utah is that I live close to my best buds from USU. Kalee, Cindy and I have known each other since our freshman year back in 1997. One of the many things we have in common is that our birthdays are all within a month of each other. When we turned 21, Cindy won us a trip to Las Vegas and we celebrated in style (even though Kalee was on crutches) at the Excalibur. 

Now we are all married and mothers and life is a different kind of exciting. Today, Kalee was the first one to hit the big 3-0. Cindy and I knew we had to do something to make this occasion special.  So last night at the late hour of 10:30 pm, we began decorating Kalee's house. We figured that an event this momentous needed to be made known to the whole neighborhood.  Happy Birthday Kalee!!

30

Ok, anyone who has had a conversation with me lately knows (maybe too well) about my anxiety and despair over turning 30 in less than a month. I know for some people this is not a big deal, but for me i think i'll just want to hide in the closet all day and mourn the death of my 20's. Remember when you were little and you knew people who were 30 (i.e. your parents) and you thought wow, that is soooo old. Well, now I am here. Is it really that old?

In an effort to make myself feel better, I have compiled a list of a few things I did in my 20's. A list filled with things to make me feel like I did not waste away a decade.

1) Traveled to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Mexico and across the U.S.
2) Graduated from USU with a BFA
3) Moved to NYC
4) Got my first real job in Advertising
5) Got my second real job in Finance
6) Married David
7) Moved to Utah so David could catch up to me in life
8) Moved to Colorado
9) Started my own business
10) Had 2 beautiful, wonderful babies
11) Bought 3 amazing houses and had the greatest time decorating them
12) Moved back to Utah
13) Watched both my babies start Pre-school

And here I am. 29 days from saying goodbye to any age starting with a 2. As a precaution to make sure I don't end up in that closet, I have made a goal to work out for 20 days in this month until the big day comes. Maybe I can ease my pain by trying to be a hot 30 year old. I started yesterday so 1 day down! Please feel free to share your woes from turning 30 too.

The Sweetest Girl

Afton.
She is my sweet little 4 year old. I can't believe she turned 4 today. I remember going into labor with her like it was yesterday. When she made her debut to the world, she came out screaming so loud that the nurses made it a point to let me know that was the loudest baby they had ever heard. I thought I might be in for some trouble after that.

Afton has given me some scares and some tears the past 4 years but she has turned into the most wonderful little girl. I love talking to her everyday and hearing about her view of the world and the new things she has learned at school.

She is my best girlfriend.
Her favorite color is dark purple.
Her favorite princess is Jasmine.
Her favorite song is "So What" by Pink
Her favorite movie is the Ghost Pirate movie with Scooby-Doo.
She loves to sing and dance.

...a great website

Ruelala.com

This website is invitation only and is great.  It is like online sample sales everyday from great designers and brands.  I haven't bought anything yet, but I have definitely tempted myself.  I just love getting in on a great sale.  This week there are going to be boutiques by James Jeans, Michael Kors and True Religion Jeans.  Email me or leave a comment if you want an invitation.  Just a warning, it is slightly addictive ;)

...I attended the RS Broadcast

This is something that I have never had the opportunity to do before. But now that I live 20 minutes from Church Headquarters, I guess I have to take advantage of things like this. My awesome (and adorable) sister, Paige offered me an extra ticket to go. It seems like I never get a chance to watch this broadcast because I have something else planned.

This year though, it was a welcome relief from life for a moment and a great chance to be uplifted. For those of you who don't know what it is, its a little conference for women.

I found one speaker particularly inspiring. President Uchtdorf. This talk was so great and really spoke to all women no matter who or what you believe in. It was about how to make yourself happy and fulfilled. The two keys are Creating (creativity in any form) and Compassion. I don't think it is up on www.lds.org yet, but when it is you should take a look. Here are some pics of Paige and I at the massive conference center.





p.s. when I look at this picture, all I can see is wrinkles which reminds me that I am turning 30 in a month! ahhhh!

Grayson makes his first real drawing

So 2 days ago, Grayson and I were hanging out in my study. I was painting while he was playing with a pen and paper. He called me over to take a look at his masterpiece. I was very excited because when Afton was his age (almost 3), she started drawing people. I thought this could be the moment when Grayson had drawn something recognizable. I looked down as his paper and saw an odd shaped oval. He said, "look mommy, a really big poop!"

It was indeed a picture of a really big poop. And after about 60 seconds, it was a picture of several really big poops. He couldn't have been prouder. I guess I am proud too? It really did look like the subject he chose and it's moments like these that I am reminded that he is all boy.

...my fallvorite things

The leaves are starting to change and when you walk outside at night you can smell a tinge of Autumn in the air. For most people, this is greatest time of year for them. For me, I get a little depressed. It is a warning that the dreaded Winter is coming. The Winter that lasts nearly 6 months.

I have decided that I just need to get over it and concentrate on the things that I really do love about Fall. So, here are a few of my Fall-vorite things:

1. Football

Go Broncos! I love the sound of a football game playing in the background on a Sunday afternoon.

2. TV

I am fully aware that I don't have a life and that I will actually have to use all my dvrs just to record all my Thursday shows. I am so excited to get a full season of my favorite shows this year. What show are you looking the most forward to this year?

3. Fashion

Anyone who knows me knows I love clothes. Fall is the best time to dress. Boots, shoes, JACKETS, tights, dresses, jeans, bags and more JACKETS. I can't get enough. I wish I had an unlimited budget just for my fashion habit. Maybe someday.

4. Back to School

Being back in Utah this time of year brings back memories of going to Utah State (class of 2000). I just love seeing all the school supplies in the stores. The feeling this time of year reminds me of trips to Salt Lake with my roommates, rushing Chi Omega and "Porch Time" at Campus Corner. Oh, good times.

5. New York, New York

Oh, how I love New York City in the Fall. The weather is amazing and Central Park has to be the most incredible place on Earth. I know this is strange, but I just love smelling the Autumn city air there. Every year, about this time, I find a way to catch a flight back. 

What do you look forward to in the fall?

Finally, the wait is over ...

...my new bed has arrived! After 5 months, the truck pulled up and delivered my beautiful bed. David and I have been sleeping on a mattress on the floor since we moved in, we sold our last bed to the people who bought our house. I can't wait to sleep a little higher tonight.



Another wait that is over is the return of 90210!!!



I was a little hesitant to watch it last night, but I was sucked in instantly. It was so good and I really appreciated the little throw backs to "BH, 90210" like Andrea Zuckerman's daughter, Erin Silver and of course "the Peach Pit". I can tell that I am already hooked and can't wait until next week. Did you watch it? What did you think? I still feel like I just graduated, am I too old to be watching this stuff?

Seriously, Snow?! Really???

We had a major rainstorm last night which continued all morning today. And when it finally cleared, it revealed snow capped mountains. Seriously??? September 1st? If this is when winter starts around here, I might being flying south for the winter along with all the old people. I would trade this weather for another month of 100+ degrees. I can handle it much better than putting on snow boots before summer is even officially over.

...I will reminisce about Mexico

Last week David and I took a much needed vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with our good friends, Cindy and Andy Boyer. We had sooo much fun. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort so we were in paradise just laying by the pool ordering fruity drinks and getting up to eat when ever we felt like it. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to just think about yourself and not be needed by anybody for 5 days.



We even had a celebrity join us pool-side. Joey Fatone from N'Sync (Dancing with the Stars, The Singing Office, Etc..) was there with his friends and family. He seemed like a cool guy and even joined in on an inside joke ("courtney") with Cindy and Me.

I was really impressed with the city even though I just longed for our pool and beach while we strolled the streets there. There are many sculptures lining the boardwalk so there is a lot to look at.

I would highly recommend this vacation and the RIU resort we stayed at. Check out our pics...