Our Christmas Vacation

Happy Birthday Ben!!!

Today, December 17th, is Ben's birthday. He is the big 3...1!!! I know, he is getting old! We both are! Despite being old, Ben is an incredible husband and daddy. Logan and I are so blessed to have him in our lives. Ben is the most selfless person I know. Not only will he do anything for me and Logan, but he would do anything for family, friends, ward members, and even complete strangers! He is a very hard worker, which is a wonderful quality that he learned from his parents. Since Ben was young his motto has always been, "Work like a beaver, be an achiever" a song that he often sang to me while I was needing extra motivation in pharmacy school. He is the second oldest of 7 kids, so he has always been a natural born leader, example, and friend to all of his siblings. He will never fail to volunteer to help anyone in any situation.

Coming from a big family, he also learned how to go with the flow, be easy to please, and adapt to and make the most of any situation. In college, he lived with a bunch of guys in an apartment and all he had for his room was a sleeping bag, his dinosaur blanket, a foam mattress, his clothes, and of course his ski gear tucked in a little corner of one of the rooms. All of his friends called it his "nest" and Ben was completely happy with his little set-up.

Ben also is one of those naturally smart people (which I despise)who hardly ever have to study to get decent grades. He actually would go to his classes 30 minutes before a test and START studying for the first time and he would pass! I like to say that Ben skied his way through college, but he learned all that he needed to become successful in his career. Ben is also very confident, but not arrogant. He doesn't get nervous to public speak, approach people he doesn't know, or teach an Elder's Quorum lesson with 5 minutes notice! He is very approachable, sincere, and completely dorky...which I love! For example, every time he is in the bathroom for whatever reason, he always starts to sing "76 Trombones Led the Big Parade" in the most cheerful and upbeat voice possible. He always has a song in his heart, which I think is one of the ways he maintains his positive and silly personality. People are drawn to him because he is so genuinely nice and fun.

He is such a good man and I couldn't ask for a better example for me, Logan, and all of our future children. I just want to thank him for all that he does for me and the happiness that he brings to my life. Happy birthday Ben and I am so thankful to be able to spend eternity with you! Love you!

An Eventful Week

This week we had Ben's brother, Tom, visiting us from Logan, UT. He wanted to come and spend some quality time with us before he takes off to the mission field. He will be serving in Indianapolis, IN and leaves for the MTC December 19th.

Tom went to work with Ben almost everyday and they also went miniature golfing and bowling. Tom is such a good kid and a great example to us all. We really enjoyed having him here and we are going to miss him, but we are so glad that he has chosen to serve the Lord.

Also, this week we went with the Ropers to the Mesa Temple to see the lights. Unfortunately, it was raining pretty bad and was cold (60 is cold to us now...I know we are going to be shocked when we go back to UT for Christmas)!
Despite the weather, we were determined to go and I am glad we did. Logan was mesmerized by the lights...he loved it! Wade and Seth had fun too running around like maniacs in the rain! We also went into the Visitor's Center to check out all of the Christmas displays and Seth was so amazed with the enormous Jesus statue. He kept running around with both arms in the air yelling, "It's Jesus, it's Jesus!" I think that it is so neat that a little two-year-old could recognize Jesus so easily and be so happy to see him. It was like he already knows who He is. Props to Jen and Matt for their wonderful example of how we need to teach our children who Jesus is and what he did from the day they are born. I could feel the spirit so strong through Seth's excitement over the Jesus statue and the Sister Missionary said that she has never seen that kind of response from a little kid before. We all were touched.
I love the temple grounds and it made me excited to visit the Salt Lake Temple when we get into town. The Mesa Temple was decorated beautifully, but nothing beats the SLC Temple at Christmas. We were going to end the night with breakfast for dinner at IHOP, but that plan fell through when as soon as we were seated all three of the kids started screaming/crying! Oh well, it was still a fun Christmas activity and one that we would like to do every year!

Last, but not least, Logan has finally achieved what he has been working on for the past few weeks...he finally cut his first tooth!!!
I am happy to say that all of the gnawing, slobbering, and biting has finally paid off...at least for the time being! He also experienced another "first" this week.
He met Santa at the ward party! I had to work, so I missed it, but Ben said that he loved him!


He also has been working on, but not yet conquered, sitting up on his own. He can balance for about 2 minutes or so and then he goes crashing down. It is so fun to watch him go through all of these little milestones and before we know it he will be driving, going to college, and even getting married!!! Well, I guess I have a while before I have to worry about those things, but I can't believe how fast he is growing! Anyway, we had a good week and we are so excited to come to UT this week and see our family and friends!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Where to start about my dad...next to my husband, he is the most incredible man I have ever known. Not only is he my dad, but also my friend, confidant, role model, and even my mom (at least in this life)! I will never forget what he said just moments after my mom passed away, "This is the first chapter of our new lives." He didn't just say that, but he lived it and transformed into a new person (not that the old one was bad, just different). He took on the hefty job of not only being a father of three girls, but being our mother as well. He was and still is the ultimate "Mr. Mom"! He also made it possible for our family to be sealed for all time and eternity, which meant the world to all of us! I am thankful that my dad was able to hold us all together through the tragedy of losing our mom and we are a much closer family having gone through this experience.

I also admire my dad for the intellectual giant that he is. He has and always will inspire me to never stop learning and expanding my knowledge. He has a photographic memory and is one of the smartest men I have ever known. His knowledge of the Gospel, history, politics, chemistry...you name it, he has studied it and is ready to spout off facts and figures at anytime! In fact, when he visits us in AZ he spends that majority of his time with his grandsons playing in the orange grove and hunting for ants/etc. and watching the ever dreaded Military channel! He refuses to get cable at home, so when he visits it is a special treat and he can't get enough of all of the "geek" channels: Military, Discovery, History, National Geographic, etc, etc.

My dad is also the "bestest Ampa" in all the world! He adores "his boys" Wade, Seth, and Logan. They go on a number of adventures together and my dad really enjoys re-living his mischievous boyhood through them. Logan is still a little small to really participate in the fun, but he is perfectly content with "Ampa" holding and loving him. They all just light up when "Ampa" comes through the door!

He is an incredible dad and I am so thankful to be his daughter forever! I always look forward to our long/deep conversations and love teasing him about all of his little quirks. He was the first man that I fell in love with and will always hold very special place in my heart. I love you dad and hope that you have a very wonderful Birthday!

PS: Thank you Paula for being such a wonderful wife and for keeping my dad on track all of these years!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year consisted of: food, family, fun, football, movies, shopping, Guitar Hero, food, Guitar Hero, food, and...enough Guitar Hero to drive my grandparents crazy!!!

Tag...I'm It!

4 Guilty Pleasures:

1. The Young and the Restless (I know that is really embarrassing!)

2. E News, The Daily 10, and all of those other stupid celebrity news shows

3. Chocolate Extreme blizzard at Dairy Queen

4. Online shopping



4 Favorite TV Shows:

1. The Biggest Loser

2. 24

3. The Hills

4. Grey's Anatomy

5. America's Next Top Model



4 Places I Have Been on Vacation:

1. Hawaii

2. California

3. Cabo

4. Vegas



4 Favorite Restaurants:

1. The Cheesecake Factory

2. PF Changs

3. Pita Jungle

4. Cafe Rio



4 Websites I Visit Daily:

1. Gmail

2. My blog

3. Friend's blogs

4. US Bank



4 Things I Would Like to Know How to Do:

1. Speak a foreign language

2. Play the piano

3. Run a marathon (let's start with a mile first!)

4. Cook



4 Things I Worry About:

1. My family's happiness, safety, and well-being

2. Being a good mom

3. Being a good wife/sister/daughter/friend/church member/pharmacist (I guess a good person overall!)

4. Money



4 Happy Moments:

1. Being sealed to Ben for all time and eternity

2. Logan's birth

3. Being sealed to my mom and dad

4. Graduating from Pharmacy School



4 Things I Want to Do Next Year:

1. Lose the baby weight, then...

2. Get pregnant again

3. Visit New York

4. Move to a new (and bigger) house


4 Things I am Grateful For:

1. Ben and Logan

2. The rest of my family and friends

3. The gospel

4. My health and my family's health


I am tagging: Jen R., Lindi H., Bekah S., and Lacie M.

Logan is Already 4 Months!!!

On 11/12/07, we went to the pediatrician for Logan's 4 month appointment. I can't believe he is getting so old, but it is so much fun to watch him grow and try new things. The doctor said that he is "a very tall boy," and he is growing and developing just as he should. Here are his growth charts: He is in the 74th% for his weight. In the 97th% for his height! And in the 41st% for is head circumference.

He also had to get 4 more immunizations and he took it like a champ! He only cried for a few minutes in the doctor's office then fell asleep right when he got in the car. The doctor also gave us the ok to start rice cereal, which we tried later that night and it was hilarious! Here is the movie:

Here he is in his high chair like a big boy! We are so proud of our little guy!

A Birthday Tribute to Suzy (Sorry it is a little late)

Suzy's birthday was November 6th and I been meaning to do this post earlier, but between work, young women's, and of course, taking care of Logan, I haven't had much time. So, here it is and sorry it is so late, Suz :)

Suzy and I first started "playing" in the 4th grade when she nailed me in the face with the tether ball (a Napoleon Dynamite type of moment)...and we have been friends ever since! I love you Suz! Enjoy the gawky pics (of me, that is)!

I've Been Tagged...

Here are the rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then go to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Just to let everyone know, I'm not good at stuff like this...here it goes!

1. I am a Pharmacist. A very OCD Pharmacist (and person in general), to be more specific. I guess that works to my advantage in this profession, but not so much when I am up countless times in the middle of the night to make sure that Logan is breathing.

2. When I was little, I always wanted 10 kids. Now, after having Logan, I want 20! Just kidding, but I think we want around 6 if I am able.

3. I have a major guilty pleasure and I hope that I am not the only one out there that does, I love The Young and the Restless! I know, I know, that is the old soap that your mom and grandma used to watch. I like it because it is not too far-fetched and it is somewhat realistic (for a soap that is). I Tivo it everyday and watch it while I eat lunch and Logan takes a nap. It is such a nice break from reality and it is even more fun when my secret buddy joins me (her name will be left undisclosed).

4. My mom suddenly passed away when I was 13, which changed my life forever and has shaped the person that I am today.

5. I am a home body. I LOVE to be home with my sweet husband and baby boy and just relax and enjoy being together. I do, however, love to go to dinner and a movie whenever we get a chance.

6. I have a screw in my ankle (sorry I couldn't think of anything else, but it is true!).

I am tagging: Jen R., Alice T., Aly B., Brynn B., Ashlie J., and Lindi H.

This is Halloween

Disclaimer: Try to ignore the narrator of this video. She is a little moody, not witty, and has bad grammar!

My Birthday

This past Saturday (Oct. 27th) was my birthday...yipee...I guess?!? I don't like to make a big deal out of my birthday, but it really was a nice day. We actually did most of the celebrating on the 26th, where we went to Benihana's and then checked out the new mall. It was a fun night and I even coaxed Ben into letting me open presents before we went to bed (I am not patient enough for surprises). He got me a mountain bike (and a few other odds and ends)! Now we can go on family bike rides (Logan will be in the bike trailer hooked to daddy), which the weather is perfect for (sorry UT people :))! On my birthday, Ben let me sleep-in (I'll let you guess how late), relax, he made me cupcakes, and let me just bum around the house with my little angel...I guess angel(s) (Ben too!). To some this may sound boring, but to me, it was the ideal way to spend my birthday! Thanks to my friends and family for the nice cards, phone calls, emails, texts, and thoughtful gifts. You all made this a great birthday and I love you!

Visiting Las Vegas

This past week, Ben's company was given a truck in trade for a house that was in foreclosure. This wasn't just any truck...it was a Dodge Ram SRT-10 (like I know what that is!). I guess, that it is the same truck that Hulk Hogan drives and this was the 249th of the 500 trucks of this model made. Some may think that it is really cool, but I guess that I am not really into big yellow trucks. Anyway, the truck was in Las Vegas, so it was a great opportunity for us to visit Ju and John and for Ben to meet up with Miles and friends for a "Boys weekend at Lake Powell."
We had a good time and Logan found that Vegas was a great place to try new things like: 1) rolling over (from his belly to back), 2) sleeping in until 9:15 am, 3) watching Across the Universe in the Green Valley Ranch movie theater, and 4) playing with Ju and John's cat, "Elvis."
We drove the truck home on Sunday and it wasn't bad...it actually was kind of exciting! If anyone is interested in buying this truck, you can find it on EBay (sorry about the plug)!

Logan's Life...So Far

We Have Finally Entered the World of Blogging!

We have finally taken the plunge to start our own blog and we hope that somebody out there enjoys it! Since we are starting several months into our life with our sweet little Logan we decided to make a slide show to recap his life so far.