August What?

So here it is almost August! Where did the time go? Where did summer go? I want it back? I am sitting here at work with absolutely nothing to do. I had intentions of bringing in my camera and downloading a bunch of pictures to the blog to update everyone. Then I remembered Mike was going to the river and he would probably take the camera. Sad day, no picture posts.
We are loving our new car. I realized I didn't post the make or model of it. It is a silver 4 door Honda Accord. The exact same car we had before only 10 years newer with AC a sun roof and 200,000 less miles. Yes, our old car had over 300,000 miles on it. It was a good car. We just need something a little more reliable going into grad school. We expect to put that many on this car. So far it has been great and I love it. The only problem it has is that once the overwhelming air freshener smell wore off, it reeks of moth balls. Not so pleasant, but we have a couple of options to try to get it out.
We went to the Vaden family reunion in July and it was a lot of fun. Not a whole lot of family was able to make it and that was sad. But we still had a lot of fun. Thanks to Uncle Randy for letting us use his trailer while he wasn't there we only had to sleep in the tent 1 night! It was great. I think his camper is almost the size of our apartment! ha ha.
Little Man had a blast. He had a hard time going down for his naps because of everything going on around him. He even fell asleep in the pack that we used and it was hilarious! (I promise to post a post full of pictures next time!) No matter where he goes he likes to get his taste of the water and this was no different. We went up to the beaver pond and just as we were getting ready to leave he took it head first into the water. We rushed back to camp to warm him up and get him in some dry clothes. He survived.
We haven't spent a lot of time out on the river, but we do take advantage every chance we get. Little Man loves riding on the boat. He hasn't been out on the wakeboard yet, but that is because he has either been sick or Mike hasn't been at the river with us to take him. I am wondering this very second if he went out today. I have been doing a lot better at jumping and getting more air. Something I have been working on for a looonnnngg time. It's mind over matter, and up till now my mind said don't do it it will hurt to bad if you wreck! But now that I have done it a couple of times with the opposite results, I am getting more confident in myself. Always a plus.
I have decided to start riding my bike to work again. I have been trying all summer to start running again and have yet to find time to fit it in, so instead I am riding the bike. Ok so I've only done it twice, but that is a start. Some day I may run again, but until then, this will have to do. Other than no pictures, this is pretty much the whole update, so till next time chao!

New Car and other news

Well after 4 months of searching for the perfect car we finally found it! Not that we were too picky about the car we were buying but we did have some critera that had to be met. We were looking for a gently used car you could say. One that was still in good condition, not a lot of miles, and one we could basically run into the ground like we did our last honda that has over 300k on it. We searched all over Twin, into Utah, and up to Mountain Home, there were lots of cars that fit our needs, but the price was not right, so we kept on looking and we finally found a steal of a deal on a 2002 Honda Accord. So we jumped at it because we knew it wouldn't last long. We've had it a week now and I love it! mostly because it has air conditioning and the other honda was lacking that, and the windows in the back were taped up from the winter because they don't shut all the way, ya, the car was in need of a new home! I felt bad every time I had to put Little Man back there because he absolutley no air! I kept telling Mike that when the right car came it would all work out and fit into our budget, and it did, even better than we expected, we were 1500 under our budget! You can't beat that!
Summer is finally here and I am enjoying the heat! We have been down to the river a couple of times, not nearly as much as I would like, but that's ok. Little Man still hasn't been out on the tube or on the wakeboard with dad, but I am okay with that. He likes riding in the boat just fine for now. I am hoping to get him into some mommy and me swim lessons this next month. He loves the water, but has to get used to it every time. I am not a great swimmer myself, so I am excited to learn right there along side of my Little Man.
Little Man was extremely sick over the 4th of July. He ran a fever ovef 104 for almost 4 days. We took him to the ER and they really had no idea what was wrong with him. I was finally able to get in to see his pediatrician on the 4th day of the fever and he set me straight. Told me exactly what was wrong (a viral infection) and what we could do (nothing) But he also told me some signs to look for and as long as he had these symptoms then everything was working itself out of his system. He has been spot on. I was really freaking out and worrying myself to death about his fever and the fact that no one seemed to know what was wrong with him. He hardly ate a thing in those four days, and still isn't eating well, but the fever is gone and he is slowly getting back to himself again. So that is good.
Mike is working hard and preparing to retake the GRE and start organizing so he can begin to reapply to PT schools. This winter we are hoping that he can get on at some clinics to get a few more hours under his belt. We are getting ready to go to our family reunion up at Wildhorse. I am so ready for a vacation. My last vacation over fourth of july was a little stressful, so hopefully this one will be more relaxing! I am excited to see all the family that will be up there, and a little bummed that not everyone will be able to make it, but that is life I suppose.
My niece is staying with us for the summer and watching Little Man for us 4 days a week. In return we are paying for her to take drivers ed. It has been fun to have her around and to get to know her better. She is a fun girl and will also becoming to Wildhorse with us.
Life is busy busy busy with a 15 month old. He keeps me on my toes! I swear he is smarter and more aware of his surroundings than he should be at this age. Nothing gets past him! He is a joy and I couldn't imagine life without the little tornado! I need to post more pictures of him, but I am also realizing that I need to take more pictures of him. We are lacking in that department and need to do better.

May update

Well, Michael has finally graduated with his bachelor's. It was a great day. He didn't walk and I am glad he didn't put me through that long duration of sitting with a 14 month old. Instead we spent the day at my mom's house leveling out her driveway and regraveling it for her. It was her mothers day gift and birthday and my dad's fathers day gift and birthday. So 30 yards of dirt later and 38 yards of rock later she now has a level driveway that will not puddle when it pours and snows and does whatever else this crazy weather does. We plan to help her more, but the weather has to get better for that.
Speaking of that I am tired of this weather. I want summer to be here. I have been looking forward to summer for a long time and my patience has run thin. It isn't even warm enough for my garden to grow. The rain has been nice in one respect, I don't have to go out and make sure my garden is getting enough water, but seriously, when is it going to stop?
I am almost done planting my garden. After about a month of trying all I have left to plant are my peppers and tomatoes, and some swiss chard my mom brought over the other day. I am starting to see signs of life. The broccoli, peas, flowers, radishes, and one of my squash are all up. I am still waiting for the beans, cucumber zuchinie and rest of the squash to sprout. I hope they haven't rotted in the ground. On Wednesday I was able to plant more flowers, potatoes corn, and spinach. The weeds are growing like crazy, but I haven't been able to get at them because it is always raining after work or something else always comes up. I will be glad when things are sprouting so I can put down some preen. We aren't doing corn this year because the last 2 years the raccoons have gotten to it before us, so ha no corn for you!
Little Man is still growing like a weed and amazing me every day. He is one smart little cookie! He has started climbing on everything! He has no fear of heights, just like his dad at this age. My only fear is that he will begin jumping off everything like his dad did. I don't think I can handle that. He loves to be outdoors and I wish it would warm up so we could spend more time out there. He is a ball of fire and keeps me on my toes! His first word was hot and he knows what it means even if everything to him is hot. I took him out to the garden when I was planting and he had a ball rolling around and playing in the dirt. He did of course try some and didn't like it much. By the time we left he would throw a handful of dirt at me and smile and say dut dut! Every once in a while when we are putting him down to bed we can get him to say nite nite. I think he figured out what it really meant and he doesn't like to go nite nite so now he only really says it when is he super tired. It's hard to believe he will be in nursery in just 4 months! Time goes by way to fast!

Happy birthday Little Man!

First attempt-Not bad except the food coloring sucked, that was a whole tube of green gel coloring.

The final version. Mom made the dragon body-gluten free for Erin's girls. That is why the two cakes are not connected or touching. We couldn't contaminate the gluten free one.

Michael and I celebrated Little Man's Birthday with just the three of us and our niece who was staying with us over her spring break. We saved the presents for his birthday party with all the family. We got him a cake which he didn't even try to eat. He just smeared it all over everything and threw it on the floor.

We planned on celebrating his birthday over conference weekend but due to a husband with bronchitis that turned into pmeuonia and a son who was fighting off sickness and dealing with one year old shots we postponed it another week. So last Saturday we finally had his birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's. Most of Mike's family was able to make it and My mom and dad and Erin and her kids came as well. We had a fun time and I think all the other kids enjoyed opening Little Man's presents more than he did. It was a great time and I am grateful for all who were able to come. It was a good day for Little Man! He officially started walking that day too!

Here are some pictures from his special days!

A long time coming!

Well, I finally did it here is a post dedicated straight to little man! Look how he has grown! I can't believe it's been a year! It has gone by fast, but has also been the best year ever! I love my little man to pieces! These are my favorite pictures of him! Sorry some of them are blurry, I am not the greatest photographer! I also arranged them backwards, so he goes from old to younger! Oops! Some day I will get the hang of this!

My Happy Boy!

Why can't I play in here mom?

Me and my buddy Uncle Shane

Santa brought me presents!

This trick or treating is not for the faint!

All ready to go trunk or treating!

Give it Back!

She took my ball!

We haven't mastered sharing yet.

My Favorite toy!

Yum! my second favorite toy!

5 months old and sitting by myself!

It was this big! (first taste of cereal)

I love bath time!

I hate tummy time! learning to push up!

This is it.....

The day you have all been patiently waiting for! I am finally going to post some pictures of little man! These are of his birthday and his cake! Enjoy, I hope to get more up shortly!

Update-no pictures SORRY :(

Well, we are only 3 months into the year and I am already failing at my goals. But I am not giving up! Something broke on my camera or computer, so I am not able to upload pictures. I am working on it, but not having any luck. That is why no one has seen any updated pictures of our Little Man. On a quick update, Mike didn't get accepted anywhere so we are staying in Twin Falls another year. I am hoping to be able to take more time off and not work full time. We got a very nice tax return and will be pretty much debt free after it comes in, so that will help a lot going into the application process for Mike next year. We are not giving up and have plans for him to retake a couple classes to help his GPA. My friend Jen has offered to help by giving me some of her husbands essays he used and we have a very smart lady in our ward who went to harvard and studied English, so she is going to help him rewrite his essays and help him study for the GRE. Hopefully next year is the year!

Little Man is growing like a weed! I can't believe he will be a year old in three weeks! Where does the time go! He isn't quite walking on his own, but it won't be long. He is into everything as it is, so I don't know if I am too excited for him to be more mobile! We love him to pieces though!

We got a new camera that didn't work, so had to take that back and get another one, but I am hoping I will be able to download pictures with the new camera. It is a video camera that is small, rugged and waterproof. Perfect for us! It also takes still shots, so lets cross our fingers its my camera that is screwed up and the new one will be compatible with my computer!

We went to St. George last week to visit Mike's family. He has an aunt and three cousins that live there with all their kids. We blessed a baby Sunday, went to a birthday part Sunday night, and then spent the next two days snowboarding courtesy of his other cousin who works at Brianhead. Her husband is a lift manager there and he took us on a special private tour of all the secret powder spots. I was sick once again, and it literally almost killed me to keep up, but I did it. I never remember to wear sunscreen when I go snowboarding and I fried my face like no other from the cheeks down. My nose has peeled before, but I have never had my cheeks and chin peel before. It was nasty. I felt like I had leprosy. (yes I have a picture of the nastiness only time will tell if I will be able to post it or not) We had a blast and a much needed get away from work and school. It's about that time we get busy again, so we won't have a chance to get away for a while now.

I went to the doctor again when I got back. Something about having a cough for 2 weeks that keeps everyone up all night is no fun! I had another sinus infection and the doctor thinks maybe I had bronchitis, but since there was no drainage or mucusy stuff he wasn't sure. So I got another round of medicine which was stronger than the last and has helped a lot faster than the amoxicillin. So lets hope that sickness is finally over in our family!