A Winter Surprise

(this was sunday morning-before it snowed the rest of the day)





On Saturday night we got hit with a storm that didn't stop until Sunday night. We've had nice weather all week long. It got everyone all hopeful for Spring. We weren't really expecting all the snow. It's probably the biggest storm we've seen since living here. We were a little nervous about Cj and Heather having to drive home in. Adam and I have done that, and we hope to never have to again. It was intense. We found out that the storm wasn't moving towards Utah yet, so we sent them on their way so they could beat it. They cancelled church and we had a day of lounging around the house. I think Gabe really enjoyed all the attention from her Daddy. By the afternoon she was getting a little stir crazy, so we tried to come up with some fun stuff around the house to do. We ended up breaking out the play doh we got her for Christmas, but haven't used yet. She of course loved it, especially with her fun Daddy showing her all the things she could do with it. So even though we weren't excited at all about our snow, it was nice to hang out as a family for the day. Our tree in our back yard got ruined though. It knocked over some power lines that Adam saw too. We got hit pretty good.






(And yes we all stayed in our pajamas most of the day)

Uncle CJ

Uncle Cj came to visit us on his leave from the Army. He just got back from Iraq for the second time. We discovered that we haven't seen him in 3+ years. That's a while. With him in the army, and us moving here, we always missed each other. It was good for him to meet Gabe. She loved playing with him and Heather. Adam made sure he got to spend some one on one time with Cj. They went snowboarding and jeeping. They loved jeeping, and had to run their jeeps through the car wash twice when done. Heather and I talked, went out to eat, and shopped. I hope it wasn't too boring for her. She was great, we liked her a lot. Thanks so much for the visit guys! We had a great time seeing you. Here are a few pics from the trip.






(Gabe loved putting on Heather's shoes)

We're alive

Okay so I figured that it's time for an update. I'm starting to worry people. Ha. I like to have my blog updated as much as possible. I just haven't. I've been busy with other things, but nothing too demanding. I think since the first time having my blog, I just haven't been feeling I have anything blog worthy? Ha i don't know, I have no excuses. Either way I'll be better and try and at least do my once a week updated, with at least a picture of our cute girl. (Cause we all know that's what you all really want to see) Sorry guys for those of you who care. :)

This weekend was Valentines weekend, and honestly it really isn't our thing. With Christmas in December, our Anniversary in Jan, when Feb hits we're over it. I think it's a fun holiday as far as encouraging people to express love. I plan on making it a big deal for my kids when they can understand it. As for Adam and I, we aren't that into it. I am more of a spontaneous romantic kind of person. I don't like hitting the crowds, trying to get a table, to celebrate something everyone else is celebrating. Takes the specialness out of it I think. With that being said, we usually don't do anything for each other. I did have Gabe make a special picture for her Daddy. It was her first time finger painting. I didn't know how she'd react, cause she hates having dirty hands. She LOVED it, and every time she sees the paints she wants to do it again. i think she's kind of an artsy crafty kid anyways. She loves stuff like that. Adam loved it. We got gabe some cute basic stuff for the day too. I did end up making Adam a candy bar poster. I've been a snappy, grumpy wife to live with lately, and he deserved to know I appreciate him. Plus he wasn't expecting it. It ended up a very nice day.

The Saturday before we went to our ward's adult Valentines dance. We didn't know how we felt leaving Gabe with a young woman, cause she's got serious separation anxiety right now. Especially since our assigned girl was a barely new beehive. (I didn't know what experience she had). We figured we'd just wait until Gabe went to sleep and leave. Aubrey, which gabe says, "A-Bee" arrived looking eight, and Gabe took to her right away. She wanted to hold her hand, sit on her lap, and show her ALL of her toys. We were very surprised. So we decided we'd try and leave and see how she did. She usually freaks out. She did awesome. She was like, "bye Momma, bye Daddy." and went back to playing. I made our night a lot more enjoyable. Aubree did great and we look forward to using her again.
They had a really yummy dinner, and a dj to play music. Adam and I can't dance, but we decided we'd be good sports anyway. So even though we looked silly, we had tons of fun. Everyone young and old were out on the floor dancing even if they couldn't. It made it fun.

That's about it. We did have a primary activity as well and i'll try and get some pictures from it to show you. We are still trying to get our house ready for Uncle Cj's visit this weekend. We're excited to see him. I hope everyone else is happy and well. We are I promise.

Life According to "Gus"

Have you ever heard a toddler ramble off words and have no idea what they say, but the mom responds to what they need. I feel this way with Gabe right now. She definitely speaks here own kind of english. I am happy to say that she does use real words more than just rambling noises.(Or tries REALLY hard anyway) You have to be around her to understand her words though. I figured I'd translate some for you.....

1-When asked her name, she will respond with, "Gus." Sometimes with something that sounds similar to "beef." (I don't know where either came from)
2-"A fown num"- I found him
3-"Was dat"-What's that (she says this the most)
4-"dis,dat"- This, That
5- "Frauny" "Froddy"- Froggy (her favorite toy)
6-"Am-maw"- Elmo
7- "A nee"-Ernie
8-"Cooook-keee"- Cookie-referring to her toy, or anything sweet she thinks is called a cookie
9-"A wud da" OR "A lala" (with her tongue sticking out)- I love you
10-"OHH'S dat"- Oh what's that (when she get's excited)
11-"caca"- Color (she wants to color or draw)
12- "joose"- Juice (Meaning she needs a drink, not necessarily juice)
13- "danks" -Thanks
14-"gege"-greta
15- "op"-could mean out, up, or help
16- "nah" - Yeah
17- "baa" -Ball
18- " Shooze"-Shoes
19-"cook"- Meaning she's hungry (wants something cooked)
20- "bak bak"-what she calls chicken


Gabe is so fun right now. I love her learning new things and trying so hard to talk and have a conversation with you. I think she is sick of being indoors for winter. The first thing she tells me when she wakes up is, "mama go. Shooze." She wants to put on her shoes and go somewhere, anywhere. She doesn't care. When we ask where she wants to go, she tells us church. (It's the only thing she knows how to say.) Ha. Even though she still isn't fond of nursery. So when you ask her where her Daddy is she'll respond, "Dada go baba chooch." I told Adam she must think he's a very good church goer. She is so excited to try and learn the alphabet. She loves letters, and for a while thought every letter was an A. She can't tell you what all the letters are, but the sounds she's getting good at. She would color or draw all day if you are willing to do it with her. Even on my walls, which I can't get her to stop doing. She loves stickers. She goes through independent stages, and she's in one now. When I can't find her she's always playing with her toys in her closet. It throws me off having her want to do everything by herself. She's growing up fast and trying to mimic everything. We love it. Hopefully the next time she wants to call one of you or video chat, this post will have been helpful.
She is applying her own lip stick here (that is actually lip stick even though it looks like a marker)

The Final Season

I can't even explain how stoked I am for this season. It's kinda a bitter sweet feeling. We're relieved it's finally going to answer questions and put an end to the story, but then our favorite show is over. It's really the only show that Adam and I will sit down and take the time to watch together. It's kinda been our weekend tradition since we were newlyweds. We would always wait until the weekend to watch due to having school or church activities the night it's on. I think I finally got most of my siblings caught up as well. Adam and I just re watched the fifth season, and I think it made us even more anxious for tonight's season premiere. It also gave us more questions, and more theories. HA! We haven't decided if we're going to wait until this weekend to watch the premiere or not. Adam usually has young men's, but this week it was moved to this saturday. It is on really late here, and doesn't start until 9. We aren't good at staying up past ten, and it goes till 11. It's hard not to! ANYWAY happy LOST watching tonight all you other LOST addicts! We hope your season 6 is as enjoyable as we hope ours will be!