Today

So today I filled up two garbage bags full of clothes and shoes from my closet and dresser. I sent those babies packin to the DI. Brannon always thinks I do this just so I can say "I don't have anything to wear" so that I can go shopping...I'm not confirming or denying that, but any woman could use a good excuse to shop right?

lol...honestly people, that is why you see a man holding this shopping bag....

Where I Come From...

This is the church where my grandma and grandpa got married. It's like the cute little white church I imagine couples getting married in in all those love stories. This is in Nucla, CO. My mom is from this small backwoods town in Colorado. It's almost like going back in time when we go to visit family that still lives here.

This is what I call a redneck treehouse. My mom said that the slide is from the swimming pool she used to swim at when she was a little girl. This is actually in Naturita, CO, just five minutes south of Nucla. Both towns are pretty poverty stricken and in disrepair. It's literally unlike anything I've seen before. You would be amazed at what people live in. There are only a handful of actual "houses" in Naturita and the rest of the town is like a giant trailor park, but most people are happy here living the simple life. Just goes to show that it doesn't take much to be happy. I just had to get a picture of this treehouse though. It kinda reminds me of the Grinch's lair on "How the Grinch stole Christmas." We still like to tease my mom about her "redneck" roots in Colorado.

All About Taj (for journal purposes)

I thought I'd better do a post about Taj. He is growing up so quick and I don't want to forget the little things I love about him right now! I just took him to his 18 month well-check yesterday. He's officially done with immunizations until he's in kindergarten! He had his last two yesterday, but he also had to get poked three times in the arm so they could draw blood to test him for allergies to food. After three pokes, they still couldn't get enough blood because Taj was so upset that the blood wouldn't flow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have to do it again, talk about traumatizing!

Anyway, he weighs only 22 lbs. and has since he turned one. He is the WORST eater I have ever known and just when I thought I was done with formula, I have to start buying it again because he won't eat! I'm going to get this kid eating if it kills me! He is in the 75th percentile for the size of his head and in the 85th percentile for his height. So at least he is still growing:)

As far as personality goes, he has a lot of it. He is very stubborn and strong-willed. He likes to do things his way and when he wants. He tells us "No!" a lot, which is okay with me because at least I know what he doesn't want. He still puts on a pretty good fit about once or twice a day and is starting to get possessive of his toys. He babbles constantly and manages to say a few coherent words like: blankie, 1,2,3, doggie, mommy, daddy, thank you, what's that, binkie, hi, and he can bark like a dog and whinny like a horse. He understands commands like: go get your blankie or let's go upstairs or outside. So while he still doesn't make a lot of sense, it's encouraging to know that he is understanding and comprehending our language.

Taj loves to be outside more than anything even if it is thirty below or hurricane weather. He loves dogs and loves going to the park. He likes to push his cars around on the floor and right now he's in to buckling things and putting lids on containers. He also likes to watch a good movie every once in awhile too. He loves reading books and I am more than happy to oblige. His favorites are Goodnight Moon and Millie Moo.

Mercifully, he is still taking about a three hour afternoon nap, which gives me a well-needed break to get things done. He loves to give slobbery kisses and sometimes will even pucker up for a kiss. Snuggling time is very rare and cherished. We feel so blessed to have his spunky little soul in our family. We love you Taj!

Who knew?

Who knew throwing rocks in the stream could be so much fun? Taj thoroughly enjoyed it as I'm sure most kids do.

Nice Day for a White Wedding...

I know these pics are super out of order, but I'm giving myself a gold star just for posting tonight. Brannon got me a new camera for mother's day, so I played around with it a bit at the reception.

"Hey everyone, where did our grandmas go?" "Oh wait, there they are!"
I just happened to look up when I was outside to see that my grandmas had decided to take a tour of the old hotel, so funny!

This kid was just begging to get outside and tear the place up.

He graciously allowed me one shot looking into the camera and even managed a half smile...

This was my sister's wedding cake: 400 cupcakes. Brannon had to pick them up in Provo on his way down and drive for five hours with the AC going full blast so they didn't melt, what a trooper!

This is the Hyland Hotel in Monticello where my sister had her reception. It's actually a historic site now, but they rent it out for such occasions. It's a super cool venue if you're going for vintage/antique themes.

All I wanted is a picture, is that so much to ask? A demon took over my child on my sister's wedding day. That's what happens when he won't go to sleep until 1:00 a.m. We fought him all day long, which made for two tired, cranky parents at the end of the day. That's parenthood though right?

Taj is such a ladies' man! Look at him strut past my sister's roommates. I can already tell he is just like his dad:)

My lil' sis Marci married her sweetheart on May 7th in the Monticello, UT temple. They are seriously the kind of couple that have always been meant for each other. They are the fairytale couple!

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bothwell
(sparklers are an awesome idea for a sendoff!)

Day at the Living Planet Aquarium

This kid loves to be in the eye of the camera. He literally stood there and posed for my sister for at least 10 min. He even went so far as to sit down right in front of the camera, just to make it easier for her to capture his good side:)

Okay, so we went to The Living Planet Aquarium a week ago, but blogging about it now is better than never right? This place actually a lot better than we expected it to be. Outside it looks like an old grocery store (because it is), but they've done some amazing things inside. They've got a pool full of stingrays that kids can pet, a shark tank, a penguin tank, tropical fish, etc. Apparently, this is a pilot location of sorts. They are building an even bigger and better aquarium in the near future. Seriously though, if you're up north with nothing to do for an hour, go check it out. You'll be pleasantly surprised! My sister Marci brought her camera along (I did too, but I left it in the car and really didn't want to walk all the way back out to get it. Plus, her camera is awesome), so I have her to thank for the pics, thanks sis!

Easter/Prom/Crafts

Every time I go home to visit, my mom insists on doing a "craft," which is okay with me because I love doing these kinds of things. For this craft, I suggested we spell "Easter" on wood blocks and add the 3D Easter decals to really make it interesting. It was super easy and so fun for those of you who like to do this kind of stuff. We used the Cricut to cut out the vinyl lettering and Easter shapes. We modge podged the heck out of everything just to make sure everything stayed in place. I'm considering doing something like this for spring.

I didn't think Taj would be in to the Easter basket thing just yet, but he attacked it as soon as I put it in front of him. Next year will be even better I'm sure:) Never mind the pink binkie, it was the only color they had left! I just tell people it's his sister's:)

I made these blankets while I was in Monticello too. I had a lot of time on my hands obviously, so I thought I'd make blankets for Brannon and Taj. I actually had to use a sewing machine, which is a huge accomplishment for me, considering I barely passed sewing in Home Ec.

This is the main reason I made the blankets. The blanket he is seen laying on here is actually my sister's. He freaked out if anyone else touched it, including my sister.

When I was in Monticello, I got to be there for my youngest sister's Jr. Prom. I love her dress! Not only is the color fantastic, but I love the mermaid shape. She looked so pretty:)Going to watch promenade was the first date Brannon and I have been on in a long time, but it was fun to relive the glory days for the evening.

This is my dad's hat. Taj absolutely adores his grandpa. I don't think anyone's ever been so excited to see my dad come home from work than Taj.

So I've been bragging to everyone who lives down south that it's been spring in Kaysville for like two months now. This is what we woke up to this morning....are you kidding me?! The power went out in the middle of the night too, not even the street lights were on. It was freezing! I'm hoping it melts off quick, so we can go outside again! I guess this is April coming in like a lion.

I just had to put up a picture of the front of Brannon's man pad. I came home to find a buffalo skull wired to our shed. Brannon said it adds to the southwestern decor he's chosen for his shed (which includes a native american inspired lamp with arrows and leather woven on the lamp shade and a clock with leather tassles and feathers hanging off the corners and a tiny buffalo skull in the middle that anchors the hands of the clock) I can't help but laugh when I look outside and see that skull and think of Brannon out thre decorating his "man pad."