Rachel

Rachael

My two favorite Rachel's (Rachael's) share the same special day! Happy Birthday you two! I love you both lots!!! ps I couldn't get their pictures on the same post for some reason hence the separate posts...pps I know I have a lot of blogging to catch up on. It's coming soon.

10 Year!

It came down to the last minute but I decided to go...I am glad I did. Even though out of almost 900 people in my graduating class only about 60 showed up (pathetic), most of the people I wanted to see came. It really was fun to see everyone. I almost won an award for being married the longest but a couple of girls beat me to it, one of them got married half way through our senior year! Darn...I could have used that massage gift certificate! It was a good excuse to get Christy down here so we could all get together. Good times!

The name tag I wore.

Memories

The other day Jared's sister Courtney was asking if I knew a certain person from high school. This prompted me to bust out the year books. In the same box as my year books are all my pictures from up until I got married. I just wanted to post a few (a LOT) of my favorite memories.

I included this picture because I think I look just like Gwen. Don't you?

With 8 kids my mom still managed to make awesome cakes for us for every birthday!

My first day of kindergarten. I was excited but shy. Cool shirt eh?

Baptism day/muffin hair cut....I was happy to be me.

We moved to Mesa after 4th grade. These were some of my crazy friends from Tempe.

A little bit of WT fun in the desert. My parents were always so good about taking us camping. They trusted us a little too much on motorized things, but it was great fun!

Daddy/daughter camp outs. Always a good time, especially when my dad wasn't up for going one year and took us shopping instead!

BEST FRIEND PICS! Nothing more needs to be said.

My friends and I used to go to the mall to try on clothes and take pictures. It seems lame but actually these were some of my favorite nights!

I liked when Shauna would come and sleep in my bed with me every night. I had a really comfortable bed. She would say I didn't like it but it made me feel special.

I did not like when Shauna would make me rub her back for an hour and a half just to wear one stinkin shirt. I was desperate.

The Trek. Challenging but fulfilling.

EFY. Good times, but once was enough for me.

I loved the non-formal dances...maybe a little too much.

How about a close-up.

My fake front tooth always found convenient times to fall out. Like during seminary or at Beauty School.

Senior trip! Sunburns, food and shopping!

I spent most of my high school life with this beauty....the one on the far right.

It was named the "Silver bullet" and "Faded blue cheetah"

It got me where I needed to go, and when it didn't I was lucky enough to have a pop that can and will fix anything! I doubt I expressed my appreciation enough to him then!

Beauty school buds! These two and several other's made beauty school bearable.

Graduation. HOORAY!

Random trip to Vegas. What do three Mormon girls do in Vegas? Apparently play in kiddie play grounds.

I had known Jared for two weeks before he bought me this lovely outfit for my birthday. It was from GUESS and he was pretty proud. His sisters said that he NEVER bought anything for anyone so he must REALLY like me. I guess he did.

I just wanted to document our fantastic style.

Engagement picture. Notice the dry cleaning tag still on the inside of Jared's collar.

The best party in town the night of June 29, 2001.

This car isn't a memory...yet. Jared is holding on to the dream of restoring it someday. Yay! If you look close you can still see "Just Married" on the back thanks to the shaving cream!

THANKS!!!!

I didn't deserve such a great birthday yesterday, because I never remember others' birthday's, but very much appreciate everyone remembering and making an effort to wish me a wonderful day!

This was my favorite gift....

I finally got to hold June!!!! I wish she was mine, but not bad enough to have one ; )

These pics aren't from yesterday but I finally got Rachael to send them to me of our girls stay cation back in May or June.

Remembering Alice

I started today off just fine. I got my cereal sat down on the couch to watch the news and that's when I lost it. The top story on the news is about an infant that was pronounced dead and after two hours of his mom holding him saying her goodbye's, he miraculously came back to life. I don't wish for things to have turned out different, my experience with Alice was so special I wouldn't trade it for the world. Maybe I am just experiencing some guilt for being so ok with everything. When I started crying I knew that I needed to be around a baby so I called up Sarah and Justin and asked if I could go see June (She's in the NICU with some respiratory problems). It felt so good to be around such a sweet, fresh from heaven baby. Thanks for letting me intrude on your time with June!
Happy 3rd Alice

The note on her grave was left by Jared's mom today. Thanks for thinking of her.


Gwen always puts up a fight when we leave the cemetery. I wonder if she feels the same peacefulness I do when I'm there.

The big 40!

Our friend Dave Wood turned 40 and Candice planned a surprise party for him in the suite next to the Padre's dugout on Tuesday! He is a HUGE Padre fan (I hope I am spelling that right). All-you-can-eat food and great company....couldn't ask for more! Thanks for the invite and a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Dave!

Clayton's baptism

The boy's went with me to Clayton Hall's baptism. Clayton and Briant were really close from birth till 2. We have kept in touch through the years and it was fun to reunite.
Briant isn't shy.

1st day of school

It's hard to get a serious picture from either of them. School has been going well, Max has the teacher Briant had in Kindergarten... LOVE HER! And so does Max. When I asked how the first day went he held up a thumb and said "Great" If you know Max you can also picture his face as he was saying it. Briant doesn't hate school but doesn't love it either. He is lucky enough to have one of his best friends in his class. He has a teacher that is new to the school, she knows her stuff but she is not the warm and fuzzy Briant is used to. He's adjusting fine. And Gwen and I are too ; )

Gwenyth.....2 and moody!

Yes she's moody but I have loved every second of being her mom. I didn't know how different it was to be a mom to a daughter than to a son. There is something so sweet about it that can't be explained.

Gwen's obsessions at the moment are; pushing strollers, singing songs, telling Briant and Max "No", talking on the phone, dancing, being chased, any kind of finger play, EATING, and sitting on the toilet (no luck just loves sitting there). She has a special spirit that requires a lot of patience (Jared would tell you that I can't handle any more kids...at least not for a long time) but when I look into her HUGE eyes with those long curly eyelashes I melt. Jared melts even more! We love you Gwen, you make us VERY happy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thanks to Lauren for these tasties.

Candice Wood made this chocolate/peanut butter perfection for Gwen! She is very talented when it comes to cooking.

On Gwen's actual birthday, Jared's Aunt Janice had everyone over for dinner just to get together. Food and swimming, every one's favorite combo. Thanks Janice and Doug!