"HAT!"

This is Jacob sharing his first word, "HAT" with all of you. I guess it is his first object word. He says the typical, Momma, Dadda, bye bye, hi, hot, All done, etc.

Hey, this hat might be pink, but I think he looks great in it! I finally found him a little boy baseball hat for him to wear! I just happened to catch the photo of him saying, "Hat, Hat" while wearing his sisters darling pink hat!

It was bound to happen!

Living with six little kids in one house an accident is bound to happen from time to time. Our little Alayna had another accident. She was out swimming with her cousins. She was taking a ride in a tube and she was somehow pushed over the edge. She unfortunately landed on a rock wall. I'll spare you the gory details...for those who are squeamish and with a weak stomach. Lets just say I thought I was tough...but when I fainted yes, two times today. I guess I'm no longer the brave accident mom.

The first time I showed her her face in the mirror she just stared and then said, "At least I have a cool Spiderman band aid!" What an optimistic little thing!

She had to get on "stitch" underneath her bottom lip because some "tooth" went all the way through. As you can see her face is all scratched up and she has VERY puffy poofy purple lips. She has been a very brave girl.

Unlike myself. As I was standing over her little body and holding her hands down while she was getting stitches, I started feeling a little squeamish. I was just staring at the doctor so intently, that I realized that the room was starting to spin and going very dark. I was thinking very slowly mind you, "I...can't...carry...her...I can't carry her! She's...too...heavy...Jared will have to carry her!" I then found myself "checking out" before I knew it the nurse had pushed me into the chair and had pulled my shoulders down so my head was in between my legs. I few seconds later I was ghostly pale and laughing. I realized what had happened. The doctor said, "I've seen that look plenty of times on the Mommies faces. It does usually happen because the child is finally taken care of and the mommies body begins to go into shock and realize all what has happened!"

I guess that's what happened to me. Except that I was "faint, sweaty, clammy, spinning, etc" at home when I had to figure out what to do with my little girl. Thank heavens for prayer. This situation was assessed MUCH worse than it turned out. Again, all spare the rest of you with a faint stomach the details. We are just thankful she is doing as well as she is. A HUGE thanks goes to Aunt Shanny who helped ME stay calm and under control, even though I was about to faint. I'm just glad Alayna did as well as she did. She was one brave little girl. She was so sweet tonight. When we tucked her in and talked about happy things today and sad things. She said "I was so happy even though you (mommy) was a little scared you prayed and you felt better." Me too.

*What a lucky seven wedding anniversary for Jared and I...we won't forget this one!**

7 years...yes you heard me right!

Today we are celebrating our SEVEN year wedding anniversary. I honestly can't believe that we have rounded over the 5 year mark and we are on our way to TEN. I must admit we have had our good times together.

Jared and I fell madly in love at Utah State University. I was a YOUNG freshman and he was a RECENTLY returned missionary (by three weeks or so!). We were bound to fall in love. We were next door neighbors. I lived in Snow Hall 302 and he was in room 304. We met that first weekend up there and yes I had this thought, "Darn no cute boys to date...but at least they will become our best friends!" But once I heard these words, "I served my mission in Rome, Italy!" He had my attention and I thought he was instantly super cute!! (My dad served in Italy...and he said he liked to golf...so does my dad!) I was "hush hush" over Jared...well, only to his face! And Jared was "Mr. I won't get married until AT LEAST a year home from my Mission!" A few months later, after I broke Jared's 5 year kissing streak, we were destined to fall in love! The following spring the Spirit witnessed to us both, that Marriage was the right thing, and we had to listen. I am sure glad I did at that very young age. One thing we can know for sure, that if we do following the promptings of the Spirit we will be blessed.

I must admit we have been overly blessed in our marriage. We were both able to finish our college degrees at the University of Utah. Just as I graduated we had our first baby Alayna. She quickly became the light and joy of our life. Jared then was accepted into graduate school here in Utah, (We didn't have to move out of state like I was very much dreading!), then we had our little Jacob. And now, we have been so blessed to have a job so close for Jared, where he comes home for lunch most days! We really can't ask for much more, and I could go on and on...

I love you, J! **I've saved all the ooshy gooshy stuff for Jared's card...I figured you'd want me to spare you the details!

**USU roomies, Jared and I watched our wedding video today and we wanted to thank everyone up in Logan who helped this marraige come about! Thank you for being so patient with, "The Cave!" and "Mom & Dad!" We love you kids, you really hold such a special place in our heart. We love you all!**

She's back home!!

Yeah, Sunday couldn't come soon enough for us. Jared, Jacob and I were really missing our little Alayna. We knew she had such a fun time, but we were ready to have our happy extra active personality back with our family here at home! I've included a few pictures from their super fun vacation. THANK YOU MOM & DAD!!

La Jolla Beach. Their first fun activity...If you can read Alayna's body language she was afraid of the waves and the baby crabs! She enjoyed just playing in the sand, but not playing in the water...says Grandma Lou.

Then they were off to an Oceanside tradition...we must eat at Joe's Crab Shack right on the beach!

SeaWorld...the girls had several matching outfits, they looked so cute together!

Hello, Legoland! This is what these little girls looked forward to for so many years! My parents learned a few things. One, a three year old...does throw tantrums! Two, a three year old isn't tall enough to ride all the rides. Three, that these little girls are so fun together! Oh...and we can't forget that they learned my daughter is VERY independent! (I tried to warn them!!!)

Enjoying their favorite Apple Fry's?? I guess we have to go to Legoland to find out what they are!

This was one of Alayna's favorite rides!
Do you notice that the people in the background are made out of ALL Lego's? I just thought that was hilarious!
The other part of the trip, was my cousins wedding at the San Diego Temple. Kylie was married on Friday. The girls thought it was so neat to actually go inside the doors of the temple. This temple has a special waiting room that they could go in. Alayna said, "Mommy this temple was sooo pretty!"

I think these two little girls had such an enjoyable time together! I hope my parents will be able to relax this week and take a vacation from being parents. THANK YOU so much. I know that it was a tough week remembering what a three year old can bring to life, but they will talk of this vacation forever. THANK YOU we are so lucky to have you be such great grandparents who want to spend time with our children!!! We love you.