A New Addition to Our Family!!!!!!

GUESS WHAT???????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a NEW addition to our family! Any guesses??? Well....we got a DOG!!!!! haha. Sorry if that got any other ideas going through your head. :-)

Yep. Believe it or not, we bought a dog. Those of you who know me, know that I could go my entire life without ever having a dog--even though I grew up with one. I don't know what it is, I just could care less about having a dog--no pee and poop in the house, no dog hair, no barking, etc. BUT, the idea of Isaac playing with the dog outweighed my own feelings, and I caved.

Our brother-in-law Brett hooked us up with a guy in Burley where Brett got his own dog. Sure enough, this guy in Burley had a seven week old black lab puppy. Bingo. We found out on Thursday of this week and went and got him today.

He is a really really cute dog and it was so fun to see Isaac react to him when we got him. He kept pointing at him and saying "da-da" and then the dog would come up to him and Isaac would attempt to pet him, it was really cute!

So, without further adieu, here is our new puppy:




Isn't he cute???? (FYI: That's a pretty impressive phrase coming from ME!) But, I do think he is a cutie! And I've even played with him and pet him and picked him up....you gotta give me credit for that!

Once he is about 6-8 months old we will take the dog back to Burley and the guy we got him from will actually train him. Taylor wants to train him to be a "Flusher." What that means is that when he goes hunting, he can take the dog and the dog will "flush" the birds out so they fly up in the air and then you can shoot the birds. So, this dog is not only our family dog, he is the hunting dog too!

We have decided to name him Cougar and call him "Coug." Do we know Taylor's side of the family is going to harass us for this? Yep. Are we BYU fans? Yep. Do we care what you think about it? Nope. :-)

So, that's our exciting news for the day! We think it has been a very fun thing for our little family to get this dog!

"I got bit today!!!"

So, Isaac got bit at daycare today, and no, it's not the first time, it's the SECOND time. Daycare called me today and when the receptionist announced my call she said "your daycare is on 101" and every time you hear that you just cringe and/or think it's an emergency...so she told that one of the little boys bit Isaac on the cheek. The little boy was on a little horse toy and Isaac crawled over to it and stood up next to him and the kid leaned down and bit his cheek!! The daycare lady told me that one of the marks was pretty deep so they were going to put Neosporin on it. So, obviously, I expected the worst. When I saw him, it really wasn't as bad as I thought it was (however, for Taylor, it was worse than what he thought). But Isaac was just as happy as could be, so oh well, those things happen....(that is my very mild, calm phrase...don't get me on my soap box!) This picture shows the red mark on his cheek....

A little closer.... (excuse the red mark on his forehead...he and I had just butt heads...poor little guy had his fair share for one day!) And, not the most flattering picture, but this one shows the mark the best. He looks like he is in pain...but he wasn't.
And, no joke, this picture is hands down, the cutest and most fun picture! And, I promise it wasn't a "caught him in a blink" picture, he posed like this when I said "Say cheese!" It was HILARIOUS!!!! So, Isaac had quite the day! But Taylor and I are both glad that he is acting just as happy as he normally does. Do I think about "this wouldn't have happened if he wasn't in daycare" ?? Yes. But can I entertain those thoughts? No. Do I think he would have had it happen somewhere else some other day?? Perhaps. So, things happen, kids will be kids, I just wish Isaac wasn't their culprit two times in a row!!!

We're still alive!

Hi. Yes, we are still breathing and moving. We've been so busy, it's crazy how days just blur together. But...quick update...

Last week: I have become quite the "online seller." I sold our entertainment center (which we have never used....I wish we had...) our keyboard piano and our TV. What does this mean? I am going to sell more, and we used the proceeds to buy a new TV. It's pretty cool (the selling thing, I mean). We also went to a day of the Parade of Homes last week. Isaac has a new toy that helps him walk, he is so cute. He can ride on it or walk with it.

This is his, "how do I get off??" picture.
(See the big space to the right of Isaac? We were without a TV for a few days...and let me tell you, during the Olympics, that is not fun!)

This week: Got our new TV on Monday. Went to our multi-stake Best of EFY with our Youth on Tuesday. And this morning, I was the "event coordinator" for a seminar we hosted for Realtors at work. It was a great event and a huge success, so I was happy! I really like doing things like event coordinating.

Taylor starts classes on Monday.....almost done! He is really excited. His class load is full and he will continue to work, so we will be busy...but, what else is new. It's really good that Taylor loves his major and his classes...it definitely makes a difference!

10-months (2 weeks ago!)

Isaac at 9 months:

Isaac at 10 months:
And then he wanted nothing to do with sitting and having his picture taken with the teddy bear:

-Some of Isaac's favorites:

-LOVES raisins
-Will "fold his arms and bow his head"
-Babbles ALL the time...I say "mama" he says "dada" I say "mama" he says "dada" etc....
-Is standing up a ton!
-POINTS at everything, I love it! He will point at lights and then we'll turn them off, and he'll point at it again so we turn it on, and this could go on forever.... and anywhere we go he just points and makes a "dah" and I will tell him what it is and that goes on forever too, which I think is great.
-No more baby food!
-Loves bath time
-Waves his cute little hand when saying "hi" and "bye-bye"
-Got his first pair of tennis shoes and they are so stinkin' cute!!
-Loves his mama and his dada!!

Birthday Catch-up!

August 6: My brother-in-law Theran had a birthday. Oh, Theran, Theran, Theran. Now, Theran and I have a somewhat unique relationship. It's like he has been my brother my whole life. We like to tease and pick on each other, and it usually ends with me running away and calling out for Taylor! :-) (I like to think that I am tough--I mean, I AM tough--and Theran likes to let me think that for a while and then he comes in and teaches me a thing or two. :) You'd think I'd learn.....but I don't. Hence the fun relationship.) So, happy birthday brother!

Theran and my mother-in-law Suzanne!

And, lastly, August 20: My brother-in-law Jordan's birthday! Jordan is an "always up for fun, caring, genuine" person. He knows when to be serious and he knows how to let loose and have fun. (Like, the family disco-skate party where he showed up in booty shorts and socks up to his knees! Hilarious!) Jordan is the second-to-youngest sibling, or, better put--the next oldest from Taylor. Jordan also recently graduated from Utah State University, which I think is awesome. Jordan is a great brother-in-law and I love him and his wife Erin dearly! Happy Birthday Jordan!

Vacation at the Cabin!

This last week was our annual trip to the cabin as a family. It was a much needed break from everything, and when you are at the cabin, you are away from so much that it is an easy place to relax and have fun. My parents, sister and brother-in-law, grandparents and aunt and uncle and kids, were all up at the beginning of the week, but those of us who actually WORK (cough, cough) couldn't make it up there until Wednesday. :-) JUST KIDDING. Taylor and I left work early on Wednesday and made the two hour drive to the cabin. In our way in, we saw a moose right next to the road, so of course we had to stop and take a picture.

Taylor got right in the water when we got there and played for a while. Then we had a yummy, yummy dinner, cleaned-up, did some more things on the water, put Isaac to bed, and then we stayed up late playing games.

Thursday morning Taylor and I went on a sea-doo ride together. It was COLD. Well, it wasn't that bad, it was chilly, and I tried to not be that big of a wuss, but at 9 A.M on the lake, going as fast at 60 MPH, it's cold! Following a great breakfast, we decided to go float the river as a family at Mack's Inn. Here we are on the van that takes us up to the top of the river...

It was fun to go as a family. The water was freezing though! I believe they said it was around 50 degrees. And, if the weather outside was around 100 degrees, the water would feel great---but it wasn't. It was probably 70-80 degrees, so it was ice cold!! Here's Taylor helping Aiden get back on the tube--Aid was a trooper through it all!

Isaac and I posing for a picture...he was SO good on the float, especially since it was his nap time!
Floating with Papa!
My Papa, Asher (cousin), and my Nana
Unfortunately, my camera died at the beginning of the float. I was sad because we had several more photo ops that we couldn't capture! Like, Isaac laying on Taylor's stomach and fell completely asleep, it was soooooo cute! But, even though the float took--what felt like forever-- it was a lot of fun!

Once we got back from our float trip, I went out and water skied. I can't remember the last time I got up on skis, so I made a deal with myself and made sure Taylor followed up on me, but I made a deal to myself that I would do it. So, my dad and Taylor took me out and pulled me. I had to remember the feeling of being pulled out of the water, but I got up and stayed up for a long time! It was a great accomplishment--however, I am still feeling the effects of it in my arms!

Thursday night, we BBQed and stayed up playing games again!

Friday was our last day at the cabin since my parents needed to leave on Saturday to drive home to be there for church on Sunday. Taylor and my dad had a lot of fun pulling each other on the tube. It was really pretty funny to see--my dad drove and pulled Taylor and then vice versa. Here's my dad pulling Taylor...

Taylor holding on as my dad spins him around a corner...

And here's a picture of when my dad got on the tube. What was funny was when my dad first got on the tube he told Taylor, "Now remember, I am your father-in-law!" AND...here's a picture of my dad falling off.... :-)
Isaac and I were sitting on the boat watching, I love this picture of Isaac because it was when Taylor drove by and he is "waving at daddy!"
Once Taylor and my dad got done throwing each other off the tube, we took Taylor out to wake board. He is getting REALLY good at it and even started catching air as he jumped over the wake!
So we packed and cleaned and left the cabin around 5PM. We stopped in Idaho Falls as a family and had dinner at Olive Garden...YUM. Here's my dad and Taylor as we were waiting for our table.
We drove down to Blackfoot with my parents after dinner and celebrated my cousin's one year birthday. We decided to stay the night in Blackfoot to extend our vacation a little longer. We stayed up watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics, talked some, ate some, and then went to bed.

After saying goodbye to my parents and sister (Tyson had to fly home sooner in the week), we drove home and all three of us crashed for the afternoon. That night, we had dinner and a movie with some friends in our ward and ended the night....I can't believe I am going to admit this...playing RockBand! Taylor and I have never played this before and really haven't expressed any desire in playing it, but we figured "what the heck, let's give it a try" and what was "let's leave after playing one song" turned into two hours of playing! It was a lot of fun! Taylor did awesome on the drums and I got the hang of the guitar.

All in all, we had a GREAT time at the cabin and a great weekend!!

Our Handsome Son

My parents came to Idaho this past weekend for a week at the cabin. But first, we spent Saturday morning on the lake, Saturday night in Blackfoot for a big family dinner, and then Sunday morning my cousin blessed her twin baby boys. Following the blessing, there was a brunch and we got a lot of cute pictures of him that I couldn't pick just one!

He LOVES drinking out of cups. Papa (my dad) would put a little water in the cup and Isaac would just throw his head back and gulp it in!

"Hi Mom."

He is so cute, I love him dearly!!! I love being his mom!!

One of Isaac's latest developments: LOVES spaghettio's! See the spaghettio on his upper lip!?

Next on our list: Get through 2 1/2 days of work so we can go relax and have FUN at the cabin with the family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekend Recap

Well, we went down to Utah for the weekend. We drove down to Spanish Fork on Friday and stayed with Taylor's sister--Heather--and her family for the night! We sure love them and were grateful to spend some time with them!

Saturday morning, Taylor went boating while Isaac and I went to two different showers. The first was a baby shower--my freshman roommate, Holly, is expecting her first in September. It was great to catch up with her and my other freshman roommates!

The roomies (minus Sara and Megan)

Following the baby shower, Isaac and I went to Carissa's bridal shower. It was quite the busy morning, but I was glad to be there! It was also pretty fun hauling the "grab everything in sight" little boy with me in the extremely hot weather! But all in all, a great morning!

Following the showers, I met up with Taylor and we went over to Cam and Jen's for a little bit. Isaac sat on his first rocker.

Then, we went to dinner with some of Taylor's family at Rumbi's.......which stands for YUMMY. Isaac decided to welcome everyone to the restaurant by standing on the table and pounding on the window...hey, I don't have to clean it, so go ahead! :-)

While we were waiting for Jen and Cam to arrive, Braden and Morgan were busy being fascinated with the straws! They did spit wads, blew in them and played in the newspaper holder with them...they were quite the entertainment for us!! :-)
We left Sunday morning so that we could get home in time for our ward. (which was a good thing because they called a new Bishopric) So....even though it was an extremely quick trip, it was definitely a fun weekend.

Sleep Deprivation, Boating and New Recipes

It's been another crazy busy week in our home! After getting home Sunday night from the airport past midnight, we started a new week already sleep deprived. To add to that, we went out boating with some friends on Monday and Tuesday. We took the sea-doos out as well, which is always fun. Monday night we got home around 10:30 and Tuesday night we got home around 11:00...poor Isaac was so exhausted!! We'd get him right to bed when we got home, but both nights Taylor and I never got to bed before midnight. But, it's all worth it because we have some great friends here that we love to hang out with. (Side note: anyone who knows what kind of town American Falls is like will appreciate and understand this story...after boating on Tuesday we decided to grab some food, so we went to Pizza Hut in American Falls. We pulled a chair out to put a high chair there and lo and behold a HUGE spider was crawling under the table, and I am not just talking about a small spider, like--mini tarantula spider!!! IT WAS DISGUSTING!! I looked at one of the girls and we both said we weren't going to eat there...Taylor, being the "I lived in Brazil for two years and had bugs in my food all the time" was fine with staying, but the girls won and we left and went to the Pizza Hut in Chubbuck which was much better and the manager even comped our entire meal! So it turned out great!)

Wednesday was finally a day to catch up around the house, so I did some cleaning and the much needed grocery trip.

I made two new recipes this week that weren't half bad. The first was Sweet 'n Sour Sirloin Stir-Fry with Ranch Mashed Potatoes--Taylor loved those--and then the second was Honey Nut Chicken with Barbecued Succotash. Both Taylor and I liked them, it always feels good to make something from scratch and have it turn out looking good and tasting good. If you are interested in the recipe, I think Rachel Ray made both of them, so you can get the recipe from http://www.foodnetwork.com/.

After more cleaning and laundry last night, we are heading to Utah tonight. While Taylor and I still feel sleep deprived, I guess we should be grateful that we feel like there is never a dull moment in our lives....