HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!!

Five years ago TODAY, my sweet Austin was born!! He weighed 7 lbs, 11oz, and he was 21 1/2" long. He started out with the same red hair he has today, just not as much (of course!) He was such a good baby- even from the very beginning! I didn't hear him cry until he was 2 weeks old- and if he ever fussed all you had to do was pick him up and he would be happy! He slept through the night at 3 months old and has always been a good sleeper! He likes to sleep in sometimes until noon! He's always been a pretty mild boy- he's very polite and positive- and respectful for the most part! He is a fabulous big brother! He has always been such a good helper and he's always giving! He puts up with a lot from Cade- but he's learning how to get back at him a little!

Last night Austin woke up with growing pains in his legs- and he said, "I must be turning five tomorrow because my legs are growing!"

Happy Fifth birthday austin! We love you so much and are so lucky to have you in our family!

Things we love about Austin:

I love how you get shy when someone tells you that you have "beautiful red hair"

and how you think your hair is "brown, not red"

I love how you LOVE rubbing babies heads...with or without hair- you love to rub them

how you will entertain yourself for hours while i nap with cade and dax

you are very obedient and always try to do what's right- for the most part!

It's not even June and I think we are all "vacationed" out!! We just got back from a week in Vegas and St. george- We had a few free nights in Vegas at the South Point hotel (Nice hotel!) and then we met up with my family in St. George for the rest of the week. In Vegas we got to see Dave's Missionary companion Jeff and his wife Liz- we usually get to see them once a year and this time we got to go to dinner and bowling- it was fun and Cade latched right on to Liz- she had to do everything for him! I'm sure they had their "fill" of us- at least until next year when we'll bug them again! Thanks for letting us hang out with you guys! Our boys love you both!

The weather in St. george was so not good- lots of rain and a little bit of sun- we went fishing and my dad taught me (or at least tried to teach me) how to fly fish- I caught the biggest one of the day! (lucky me!) And learned just how fun fishing is ....oh wait, it's not so fun:).....Dave got to golf, My little brother Curtis GOT ENGAGED, and I ran our car into a pole at the gas station! FUN TRIP!!

Anyway- we are once again, glad to be home- and I think we'll be staying home for a while....like I said- vacations are fun, but also a lot of work!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

Happy birthday honey!! Today is Dave's 28th birthday and I can't help but post about him!! I love you so much babe- you are not only the greatest dad and husband- but you are my everything! I love you more than anything!!!
"28" reason I lOVE MY MAN...

• Love it when y0u rub my back unexpectedly!
• you let me put my cold feet on you in bed!
• Love our nighttime routine- kids in bed, watch our fav shows, treats, and bed
• you make the best omelet's ever!
• I love that even when we argue, you are still very positive and you always try to take the blame- even when it is my fault.
• you insist on always "being the bigger person" no matter what the case.
• always so forgiving!
• You are the life of the party- you know how to make people laugh- and you think you could be a comedian!
• You know how to make people feel good about themselves
• I love your passion for golf! The twinkle it puts in your eye makes me happy!
• when we are in the car and you put your hand on my leg
• you still open doors for me
• the way you can stand up and bare your testimony, give a lesson, or blessing- it's always said perfectly- you have a way with words
• I love watching you play sports- especially softball- your a hotty!
• When you surprise me with a diet coke even though I know you hate that I drink it
• when you say "you would miss this if I were gone" about all your very annoying habits
• help me to be less dramatic than I am
• You are a hard worker and everyone at work loves you and respects you
• Seeing you in those "proud daddy" moments when you get teary eyed
• watching you with Dax- the way you cuddle him, talk to him, put him to sleep, and try to make him giggle
• when you tell the boys to come give me loves or say "thank you" for something I did- it makes me feel appreciated
• watching you coach austin's soccer team- you are amazing with the boys, they love you.
• How much certain music just "moves you"- you do have a sensitive side
• you love me for me- you don't try to change me
• your outlook on life- "try everything at least once before you decide you hate it" (I wish i was more brave)
• You are the best dad to our boys- they love you so much!

the list could go on and on- but I've got to go and get ready for church!! I love you babe! Thanks for being my man! Happy birthday!! Love ME

brotherly love

the absolute FUNNIEST part of my day, is when I hear Austin talking to Dax over the seat in the car- I hear a little voice start to say "hello" a million times each in a different "baby voice" and I look in my rear view mirror to see Austin peaking over the seat, smiling big with his squinty eyes talking to dax- funniest thing ever! I had to get a picture! Sometimes he won't even be looking at him- just saying the words- He loves his brother so much!

Austin "quotes" in the car...

"mom just turn the music up loud so we can't hear the baby screaming!"

"the baby is giving me a head ache (as dax is screaming) just feed him!"

happy mother's day!

I know I'm late, but I had to say happy mother's day to all the "mom's" in my life! My grandmothers, my aunts, my sister's and my "mom's"!! They all have helped shape the person I am today, and the person I am trying to become- I love you all so much and am forever greatful for each of you!!
I love you mom you are the best mom in the world! If any of you know my mom you know how amazing she is- but for those of you who don't know her- here is a small taste of her greatness!!

She is the most loving, giving person in the world. She would drop anything at any time to help others and believe me I've seen her do it hundreds of times! She is always willing to help with the kids- and she is a VERY LOVED grandma! She has a way of making each grandchild feel very loved and special (even CADE! Can you belive it?) :) She loves babies- (something I must have gotten from her) And could sit and cuddle with them all day even if she has a million other things to do!
She is an amazing sewer- she has a nack for quilting and making the cutest ever baby blankets and bedding- (she should be selling them because they are way cuter than anything I've ever seen in the stores)- She loves crafts and we love doing them all together at her house- she's got all the right tools- from the sander to the saw to the paint and the paint brushes- she's very creative!
She is a great friend and listener- She's always willing to listen even if all I have to say is jibberish and nonsense...
I am so thankful that she is my mom- she is everything that I hope to be someday! Love you so much mom!! Happy mother's day!!

happy birthday!!

Here is a shoutout to my sweet sis and brother on their birthday....yes it is today, I got it right! Love you both so much!!

Cass- you are an amazing mom,a super fun aunt, a fabulous sister, and a great friend! I love you to pieces- and I wish you lived closer so we could play more- but it is fun to visit too!!

Curtis- you Rock! We love you so much! You are such a great uncle- my boys LOVE you to death!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! LOVE YOU!!!

LOVE the CHUB

Daxton is now 3 MONTHS old! I can't believe how fast it's going!! He is such a fun baby! He is smiling like crazy and he is starting to giggle but only if you are really funny! We love our baby Dax to pieces!!

just one of those days....

so yesterday I knew it was going to be "one of those days"....I was super tired, not so patient with my kids, not motivated to do anything and all I wanted to do was sit on the couch, AND to top it off I was in a sassy mood- "poor jessica," I know- anyway- when that mood started carrying over to today, I decided i needed to nip it in the bud (or is it butt?) and yes, it is already 8:00 tonight- but I just want to get out of this funk- so here is a list of a few things that make me happy no matter what mood i'm in...

• a cute sweat out fit- Dave calls them my "comfy clothes"- but I don't care what mood I'm in, I could wear them all day, everyday for the rest of my life- whether it's velour, cotton, or terry cloth- I am a HUGE fan!!
• Diet coke- yes this is my downfall! I've quit quite a few times, but I always go crawling back! There is just something about that "burn" that I can't live without! (the caffiene boost always helps too...)
• Rainy Days- I don't know what it is about the rain, but I love waking up to a cloud filled sky. I think I feel like those are lazy days- filled with watching movies and relaxing with kids all day! No pressure to go out and about!
• When I hear a good song on the radio- I always sing and for that minute I feel totally free!
• Nordstrom- Yes I know this is SO DUMB- but I absolutley love that place! Even if I don't buy anything, I love to roam and look at all the new clothes for the next upcoming season- and the shoe department- don't even get me started!....
• a big greasy cheeseburger- can't live without them!
• a good workout at the gym- (this is a good one to follow the previous one) sweating buckets and feeling that tightness in your muscles- the reminder that you actually did something!
• when Dave comes up for a "break" from work and we snuggle up on the couch- time stands still...I love it!
• listening to my boys actually have a conversation with each other when they are both happy and playing together- it's too sweet!
• night time- from the moment my kids are sound asleep in bed and I get my snuggle time with Daxton- no pressure to do anything but hold him and love him- without two boys climbing all over me trying to give him loves too!

the list could go on and on- and I am in a better mood already! They are right when they say "count your blessings!"....let's hope for a better day tommorrow