Stats

Just a quick update on the boys' progress (mostly for grandparents and family who haven't seen them in a while!)

Garrett (1 year) - weight: 19.80 lbs (10%), height: 30.31" (67%)

Cole (3 years) - weight: 36.30 lbs (88%), height: 37.64" (54%)

Spring Break

For Spring Break Russ was on his way to Kalispell, Montana, to look at practice opportunities. He had buddy passes to fly standby (thanks Clark and Jaime!) but couldn't get to Denver, let alone Kalispell. So he called me from the airport and asked if it was okay that we had a family vacation instead. Are you kidding - a family vacation instead of being a single mother for the week -- I was thrilled!

The boys both had a doctor's appointment (Cole's 3 yr and Garrett's 1 yr immunization), so after the were done with shots, having their blood drawn, and a few tears (Cole tried to stop the nurses when they gave Garrett his shots), we tossed the boys in the car and headed for Nebraska. It happened to be St. Patrick's Day, so we went to Old Market Place in downtown Omaha and celebrated with the other green wearing, fiddle playing, drinking (our drinks were Sprite and Dr. Pepper) people. Cole even got a clover hat at the restaurant.

The next day we went to the zoo in Omaha. The weather turned cold, so we bundled up the boys and went anyway. The zoo was fantastic and had great animals. We were even able to watch them feeding the sharks in the largest tunnel aquarium in the world. Cole loved the gorilla that swung from the trees and did somersaults, but his favorite animal was the armadillo that kept scurrying along the ground. It made three loops while we watched it and Cole giggled the entire time. Garrett loved the fish in the aquarium - he is fascinated by fish. We had a great day and saw a lot of fun, amazing animals.

It was a great get away, and it was extra special to have Russ with us!

8 Blissful Years!

Russ and I just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such an amazing guy! It wasn't long after our first date that I knew I was falling for him -- his good looks, his charm, and the way he treated me like I was the only girl that existed. In eight years we have moved from Utah to Virginia to Iowa, completed dental school and began orthodontic residency, had two darling boys, and have had one adventure after another. I can't imagine life without Russ and thank Heavenly Father every day that he is my eternal companion.

Here are a few things I love about Russ: he is the world's biggest dreamer and he loves to day dream when he is driving - I love riding along side him as he dreams; he is a "Super Dad" and cherishes his little boys; he can make me smile, even when I am grouchy and don't want to; he loves watching Western movies (which I absolutely hate!) and reading Louis L'amour novels; he is a handy man and can fix or repair anything; his dream vehicle is a Chevy Silverado - he frequently drives through dealerships just dreaming of the day he can have a truck; we stay awake having "pillow talk", just like a couple of teenage girls, giggling too much to fall asleep; he loves horses and would be a full time cowboy if he could; he cannot sleep with his knees touching - he uses a body pillow that I have nicknamed "The Great Wall" because I can't even touch him when it's around; his weakness is Dr. Pepper (and he is usually drinking one while he is day dreaming in the car); he loves me despite all of my weaknesses and quirks.

Happy Anniversary, Russ! Here is to many, many more years together and many, many more adventures! I love you!

Through the years...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Cole!!

Cole had a fantastic birthday -- a "Thomas and Friends" birthday (imagine that!). The night before his birthday when Cole was supposed to be in bed sleeping, Russ and I started decorating with balloons, making a train track on the floor, etc. Cole kept peeking his head out of his door to see what was going on. He got so excited that he was up until almost 10:00 PM singing to himself in his room. Once he did fall asleep he was restless -- he was up four times because he was too excited to sleep. It was almost as exciting as Christmas Eve! One of Russ' classmates, Maura, also came the night before his birthday and brought him some Thomas tub toys, so he was revved up extra early for his birthday.

So, we weren't surprised when Cole was awake at just after 6:00 AM and ready to party. We opened presents at 6:40 AM -- not exactly prime party time, but he was thrilled and couldn't wait another minute. Cole was spoiled and is absolutely in love with all of his presents. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Guymon for all of the fun Thomas toys -- they are a huge hit and he absolutely loves them! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Jacobson for the aquarium light -- he sleeps with it on (for bedtime and naptime) and Garrett is fascinated by it when it is on. Thanks to Great-Grandpa Stockman for the money (that will be going right into his savings account). Thanks to Daxton for the special birthday card (and $3 that we are also putting in his savings account).

Cole had a little birthday party with his friends Will and Gib. He kept asking for Ryker and Daxton to come too -- birthdays aren't the same without them! We did fingerpaints, watched the new Thomas movie (The Great Discovery), made an Island of Sodor with track and train stickers, played in trains that I made out of diaper boxes, and had cake and ice cream, and opened presents from Will and Gib ("Cars" mini-cars and a Thomas book). It was a lot of fun and Cole was thrilled! I hope he had a special day and felt how special he is. I can't believe he is already three!!



Here are a few fun things about Cole: he loves Thomas (obviously), but seriously thinks he lives on the Island of Sodor - it is all he talks about; when singing "I am a Child of God" he says, "has given me a nursery home" instead of "...an earthly home" and we can't convince him otherwise because he sings the song in nursery (and is in love with his nursery leader); he sleeps with every stuffed animal he owns on his bed in a "tower" and knows if one of them are missing; he tells Russ and I that we are his best friends (can we save that for the teenage years?!), he loves to go to Russ' school and have his teeth "counted" and checked; he makes up songs about everything, especially at dinner time when he is supposed to be eating but is trying to get out of it; instead of cheering, "let's go Aggies" he cheers, "let's go grapes" when he wants some for lunch; he will run up to an ATM and push buttons exclaiming, "I am checking my email!"; he has a tender heart and when he gets in trouble during the day he has a hard time sleeping at night. He is such a great boy and we absolutely love having him in our home! We love you, Coley!!