Austrailia

In February, Jeff got to go to Sydney, Austrailia on business. I begged and begged to tag along, but this trip was strictly business....

Welcome to Austrailia...

Let me show you around mate...

They used to hang outlaws on this floating island, it's the first thing you see coming into Sydney. I suppose it was a good reminder they didn't want any trouble coming here...

The world-wide infamous Opera house...

...such incredible, intricate detail.

Streets of Sydney

Downtown Sydney

Once again, this was strictly a business trip. So, business first, the UFC fight to attend.

Dinner with Big Nog

But they also got to see the Opera. If you're in Sydney, you have to go. Even if it is 2 guys and 3 hours long!

Here's a sneak peek inside.

Jeff also got to squeeze in a nice surf session at Manley Beach. Very manly.

It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it... Here's Jeff working overtime at the ACDC concert.

And here he is with some new, very professional, buddies. Always networking, he is!

Ok, so I admit to being a bit (maybe even totally) green with envy, who wouldn't be? It's Austrailia for crying out loud! But, I am so grateful that Jeff has such an amazing job. I am so happy that he gets to do amazing things and work for such amazing people. And, that all of his hard work allows me to be at home with my baby, exactly where I've always hoped and dreamed to be. And besides, don't think I didn't make him promise to take me back one day! ;)  

My Explorer

So, do kids have some sort of night vision or something? McKay has started to become more independent lately...meaning he's definitely not afraid to run off (and boy do I mean run) or go exploring without Mom. Sometimes he likes to sneak upstairs by himself. So when it's dark outside, all lights are off, and it's pitch black upstairs, I keep assuming he'll realize he can't see anything and come crawling back down the stairs. Nope. After a few minutes, I figure I should go and find him.... He's off doing his thing. Playing in the pitch black dark. With his toys. Or sometimes, in the depths of our walk-in closet. All by his lonesome. ...Seriously? I can't see a solitary thing let alone barely even find him! He makes me laugh. He's such a silly monkey! :)

Before & After

After this picture on the slide, I figured a 

(first) haircut was well over-do. Here are the before and afters:

Before...

...& After...

...Much better!
Oh, and btw, it took me about 3 days of chasing him around to get it just perfectly...or, at least as good as it's gonna get... :)

New Years Eve: Let the Games Begin!

Team Indonesia

Team USA

Team Romania

Team Mexico

'Spit Out the Candle...that is 10 feet away'

'Around the World Ping Pong'

'Blindfolded Pictionary'

'Gummy Bear Toss'

'Spoonful of Cinnamon'...don't try this at home kids!

This pic is to note McKay in the background...still awake...He woke up and decided to party with us until 1:30am that night! Crazy boy. 

For New Year's Eve Jeff and I were invited to participate in the Devine/Lundquist World Games! We were all divided up into country-themed teams, dressed to the part. There was plenty of good music, delicious food (inspired by each country), goofy competitions, great company and loads of fun! Thank you Linds for putting on such a fabulous and original party! It was a blast!

17 Months

Say 'Cheeeeese'! Wait...he really did! For the first time ever, he said 'cheese'...and smiled for the camera, too!  It was so unexpected and so great! Such little things that can just make your heart melt.

Christmas Season 2009

Picking out our very First Christmas Tree!

I had so much fun decorating our tree this year! Since it was our first, I actually bought most of our ornaments after Christmas, at 50% & 75% off! So, when I was still decorating on New Years Eve, I had to laugh because it seemed pretty ridiculous. But, I couldn't help it...I just couldn't wait a whole year to put up my new ornaments! I actually didn't get a pic of the final tree because at that point, the tree was sorta dying and I packed it all away. But, SO FUN! If only I could have a Christmas tree all year, the house felt so empty once it was gone.

Christmas Eve

After dinner at Jake's in Del Mar

Cousins! So cute.

Joey, Carolyn, Parker & Brooke

'Holiday of Lights' at the Del Mar Race Grounds

Hotel Del, Coronodo

On Christmas Eve, we went down to Coronado and strolled around the Hotel Del. It was so fun to see all of the Christmas decorations, singing Carolers, ice skating, and fun shops to browse. We really had a great time, followed by a yummy dinner at Peohe's!

So, supposedly the Hotel Del is haunted by a ghost referred to as 'the beautiful stranger', a woman who had apparently committed suicide at the hotel. After taking a few photos of the hotel, we were looking through our camera and came across this strange picture...not kidding...where did this come from?! We're pretty convinced we captured the ghost of the Hotel Del! Spooky! ;)

Santa Pic

Family Pics

November 2009

Provo, Utah

Our Nest

As parents we are always posting and recording the cute/funny things kids say and do. Well, this is like one of those. Only rather than it being about my little guy, it's about my big one. I guess you could say he's my kid too, but technically we are married, so I suppose the correct term would be husband. Anyhow, we were out shopping the day after Christmas. Returns, exchanges, some other stuff. I had to run into Pottery Barn to buy the ridiculous lamp shade that seemed to be the only right 'fit' for my bare lamp. I've been searching for months for a similar but cheaper version...but, a gazillion stores later and no success....I finally caved. (Ugh!) Anyways, like I was saying... Jeff and I browsed around the store together and finally walked out with our lamp shade. As we walked back to the car, this was our conversation:

Jeff: I love making our house cool. We're like little birds. We have to go and gather sticks so that we can make a nest for our family. This lamp shade is like one of our sticks. We go and get our sticks, one by one, and bring them home to our nest!

Me: (Laughing, hysterically) I love you for saying that!

He's probably going to kill me for posting this, but, I really do love him for saying it. I love that he is always making me laugh. I never know what in the world he is going to come up  with next, always keeping me on my toes. And although I love to tease him sometimes about acting like a 5 or 12 year old, I really do love that very quality about him. He is always keeping me smiling, always keeping me laughing.  I love it and love him so much for it!

BYU vs UT

{Jeff laying on the "Y"}

{My great brothers, Britt & Travis}

{Everyone Rushing the Field}

{Trav & Jeff}

I come from blue blood. My grandma is probably the BIGGEST BYU fan you could ever meet. From wearing big blue wigs and delivering homemade candy to the players, to throwing yellow penalty flags at the U of U fans, one thing's for certain- she never misses a game, spirit in tact! Every year our family always has the same season tickets and fortunately, we were able to snag a couple for the BYU vs Utah game this year. McKay and I actually ended up staying behind (opting to watch it from a cozy warm house) while Jeff had a great time with all of the guys. After the winning score, they all rushed the field, made snow-angels on the turf, and partook of the sacred green (yes, they actually ate the grass....?....yeah, who knows!) Crazy boys. Well, I suppose Grandma would be proud! ;)