They're happy, they're sad, they're angry, they're tired, . . . all the feelings

January 14, 2016
Desert Avenue Home
Tucson, Arizona

Peter and Fredaric

Frenemies. That's what they are. They are friends and enemies. Frenemies. They love to hate each other and love to love each other. Today they were at each other's throats. There was a lot of fighting with the iPad and Kindle Fire. On a positive note, they played well at Paige Ricks' home. She has a baby girl Daphne's age and a boy, Benjamin, about Fred's age, or a little older. Paige elaborated that they were so good, she was able to get things done! Imagine that.

Fred was my little monster and made sure that the laundry was unfolded. Fred and I snuggled a bit today which was sweet. Peter was tender with Fred and offered him a boost onto the taller piano bench and Fred struggled to climb up.

Daphne is my smiley, happy girl and charmed everyone she came in contact with today. At the doctor's office, she bewitched a little old lady and the working nurses. She loves to smile and loves to see others smile. While she is super pleasant and agreeable, she is seems to be either super tired, super hungry or in super pain for a good portion of the day. She has been pretty fussy during stretches at night and periodically during the day.

The sounds of fighting, crying, screaming happy and screaming anger are regular noises that fill our home. I contribute to this as do the children. It was a good day, though not my best parenting. I love my littles. They are my world.

Let the Semester Begin! School for Dad and Park for Kids!

January 13, 2016
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Tucson, Arizona

Peter

Peter had pre-school. They learned about igloos and built their own with marshmallows, sugar cubes and frosting. It was cute. We when to the park around lunch time and Peter rode his balance bike. He is liking the bike more and more and would ride from the smaller playground to the older playground. Peter's imagination is growing. He would pretend to have trouble climbing the jungle gym and then call out for Fred, "Help me! Help me!". Fred would then grab Peter's hand and pull him up onto the platform.

This afternoon he played on the Kindle Fire. He raced down the stairs where Gavin was on his computer on the couch and I was in the kitchen. He called out "Mommy, a afteroid (asteroid) came across the sun and through the earf. Crash! and the dinosaurs all said owwie. . . and they crashed the ballcano (volcano) and BOOM! Chuggachoochoo!"

Basically he is the cutest Peter ever. I love his interest in space, volcanos, airplanes, trains, helicopters etc.

Fredaric

Fred had a good morning just chilling out while Peter was at pre-school. Getting him dressed is like dressing a crocodile. He loves to yell and growl like a monster or dinosaur. He builds tall Duplo Lego towers. Taller than he is. He has been building these all week. He plays well with Peter, when he is not torturing Peter or the other way around. He helped Peter on the playground while Peter pretended to struggle onto the platform. Fred loves to climb and slide down the slides. He is so cute as he plays and sucks his pacifier. He fought the nap, but went down eventually. He is a helper and often willing to clean with Mom and Dad and clear the table.

Daphne

Daphne has two teeth. We discovered them on New Years Eve! She is not even 6 months and cut teeth. She is the earliest. Peter and Fred cut their first teeth between 8 and 10 months. She sits and plays on her own. She is starting to get her knees under her and rock back and forth. She rolls everywhere. She is eating baby snacks and has tried peas and peaches. Separately and doesn't show a strong interest in either. She is full of smiles and is the happiest when she sees smiling faces and when she nurses. Mommy's milk is her favorite.

We got a couch! Gram found a steal at the Goodwill and it is in excellent condition. It's a loveseat, but it fits our front room perfectly. Gavin started school today. It's off to the races with the second semester of his Masters degree.

Baby's first Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Peter, Gavin and I had our first halloween together as a family! Peter was a very cute corn husk. He got a lot of compliments, Thanks to Jessica Clerc, who let me borrow it for Peter. Gavin was the caped Spider man and I was pretty lame with my apron, pot and spoon. I suppose I was a mom for Halloween . . . scary I know. The scariest part is I'm a mom in real life, every day. I can't believe I'm old enough to have a baby!

Peter, Gavin and I went over to Gavin's sister's home for Halloween. We spent the first part of the night passing out candy to all the cute trick-or-treaters. When the candy ran out, we joined Stephanie and Richard and their kids, Jessi and Todd and their girls, as well as Jessi's friend, Krystal Avila and her children. Once I get the group picture I'll post it. Everyone looked amazing!

Gavin is smiling.

Still smiling with Peter and Tim Alger.

Mom and baby corn.

Family photo shoot.

Suiting up.

Peter was pretty much asleep the whole time.

Zana got tired, so she hitched a ride on Uncle Gavin's shoulders. Zana's costume had a hoop skirt and presented us with a great photo opportunity.

Peter with Gram and Tori after trick-or-treating.

He looks exhausted . . . it was hard pretending to be a corn husk.

Gavin and I wanted to decorate our apartment for Halloween. We didn't do a lot, but we did find a cute idea from Pinterest. We made sparkly spider webs. To make the webs you use Elmers glue, wax paper and glitter. Draw the spider webs with the glue on wax paper, cover it with glitter and then let it dry. When it's dry peel it off carefully and tada!!! You will have perfectly charming spiderwebs. 

We also made spiders with pipe cleaners. It was a fun Saturday activity. We displayed everything on our rod iron trellis we have hanging on our wall in our living room. We have fun decorating this trellis every holiday. 

Happy Halloween!!!

Gavin's First Choir Concert

Last Thursday,November 25, 2012, Gavin had his first choir concert at Grand Canyon University. The concert was so fun and Gavin did a great job. He had a solo and did very well. I'm so proud of him. He looks so handsome in his tux!

I was also so proud of Peter! Peter was such a good little boy. Just before the concert started he totally pooped out of his outfit, but once I changed him and got him situated, he listened quietly through the first half and then just passed out by mid concert.

Me with my handsome, talented husband and a sleepy son.

Trying to get Peter to look at the camera AND smile . . . very tricky with a  two and a half month old.

Needless to say, we gave up.

Almost there . . .

Our First Anniversary . . . the strawberry cream soda anniversary.

Gavin and I celebrated our first anniversary on Monday, October 8th, 2012. We told each other that we wouldn't buy each other any gifts this year. We did give each other cards and Gavin bought me the most beautiful red roses. I made Gavin dinner and we enjoyed a very quiet evening. Even Peter took the cue and made himself scarce for the evening.

Red roses and a chimp on my anniversary card. Gavin's card is in the bowl.

I forgot to take a picture of dinner. Here is what's left. 

Peter sleeping like the perfect little angel that he is.

Later that week on Saturday, October 13th, 2012, Gavin, Peter and I went out to eat at The Old Spaghetti Factory, located in downtown Phoenix. A year and a couple days ago, Gavin and I went to The Old Spaghetti Factory in San Diego on our honeymoon. Here are some pictures then and now.

Then: San Diego 2011

Now: Phoenix 2012

Isn't he handsome!

I'm so in love.

Peter always orders mama, but this time got baby formula. Needless to say he didn't tip well. 

Strawberry Creme Sodas . . . mmmm yum!

We went to Mary Coyle's after dinner, but our big day of visiting the park and then the evening festivities taxed our sweet little Peter and so we had to pack up early with our ice cream to go. Still yummy, but Peter was not a happy camper. 

The first year in our eternity together could not have been better celebrated. I am so lucky to have received all the blessings I have this last year. Heavenly Father truly loves me to give me such an amazing family of my very own.

Sahuaro Ranch Park . . . where the ball got rolling

It was July 13th, 2011. I'm almost positive that was the date. Gavin and I met up at Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale, Arizona. It's where we held hands for the first time. It's when Gavin told me he loved me. I remember we walked in the lanes and over to the playground and sat on a bench. To me, the last two weeks leading up to this moment were very dramatic. It was like a monsoon storm, with lightning, thunder and torrential rain beating down so hard that the streets flooded and winds blew down trees onto power lines and neighborhoods were without power. . . I told you it was dramatic . . . or maybe I'm dramatic. Anyways, jumping back to that July evening last year, the storm was finally abating and the sky was much more calm. (By the way the storm is just a simile or a metaphor. The weather was perfectly hot and humid and the sky was clear blue). That day was the day Gavin and I finally became more than just casual friends. That's where the ball got rolling. In just three short, but seemingly endless months later, Gavin and I got married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple, on October 8th, 2011.

We took our engagements photos at Sahuaro Ranch Park and used one of the photos for our wedding announcement. Here are some of the photos, including our wedding announcement, that Gavin's sister, Jessi created. Much thanks goes to Franki, Gavin's mom, and Jessi for the great engagement photos.

Jump forward a year and three months into the future, October 13th 2012, Gavin and I took Peter, our wonderful little boy, to Sahuaro Ranch Park. It was so fun walking around the historic buildings, rose gardens, orchards, grape vines, and corn field. Saguaro Ranch Park has old farm equipment and some of the buildings are furnished with antique furniture from the time it was established in the 1880's. Thank you Dandi for letting us borrow the baby carrier!

My two favorite guys!

They are so cute.

Baby's first peacock....

He is totally fascinated ..... with something that's not the peacock. 

Smelling the roses ....

Grapes!!!!

Peter playing in the corn fields.

Rooster,

Pheasants.

Me on the tractor.

Gavin cranking the engine with Peter.

Peter wiped out.

Mama peacock with baby peacock.

Daddy Gavin with Baby Peter.

Monkeying around on the playground.

Above: This contraption was so fun. If you speak into the ball you hear it at the other end. It was so fun to hear Peter grunt and coo on the other end.

Here is the bench Gavin and I sat at that fateful July evening a year and three months ago. Gavin  was so sweet  and told me how much I meant to him there.

We had so much fun Saturday. It was a perfect way to celebrate our first anniversary of being married. I love my wonderful husband and my beautiful son. I am so grateful to have them both in my life. I couldn't be happier.