Growing Up

I know I probably say this all the time, but Everett is growing up way too fast!! The past week Everett has been accomplishing something I swear everyday. His most recent one we've found evidence of it, but haven't actually caught him doing it. The other morning I noticed these markings on his crib:

I knew he had to have been pulling himself up and started gnawing on the railing. He just started pulling himself up to his feet on everything else so why not his crib. We talked about lowering his mattress, but put it off. Well, Monday morning I caught him. I woke up to him talking and playing and just laid in bed for awhile. When I went to get him he had the biggest grin on his face. Our little boy has gone from greeting us like this:

To now greeting us like this:

After I walked in he then preceded to gnawing on the crib. So needless to say the mattress has been lowered!

Mother's Day

We had such a great Mother's Day Weekend. Saturday Todd and I were able to go on a little lunch date. Our neighbors were kind enough to watch Everett for us. It was the first time we've left him with someone other than family. And I'm happy to say he did pretty well. At least we were told so! I also was able to spend that day making ice cream and just kinda relaxing.

For Mother's Day Todd went above and beyond. So much so that I don't feel as though I deserve what he got me. I honestly was not expecting it what so ever. I enjoy sewing. I wish I could do it more than I do. I've even started doing some hand embroidery. Trying to add a little touch to what I make. The sewing machine I have now is quite old. I actually found out it's probably about 50 years old. It works, but I have no clue how to change the stitches. I've figured a few out, but it's just basic stuff. Well, Todd and Everett went out and surprised me with this beauty:



I was shocked! It's an Embroidery/Sewing Machine. Never once have I asked for anything like this, but Todd felt like I deserved it. I love it and am so excited to start exploring and using it. It has so many amazing features. It threads the needle, hooks up to the computer, is touch screen. Seriously, it's awesome.

I am so grateful for being a mother. Never once have I done the things I do for something so great as a present. As much as I do love the new machine and am so excited, I do it for this:

My family. I have an amazing husband who I am grateful is my eternal companion and a sweet little boy that brightens my day each and every day. Heavenly Father has given me so much more than I ever thought I wanted. I couldn't imagine my life without either one. Well in all honesty I could, but I know that I would not have the joy and happiness that I do now. Being a mother and wife has their ups and downs, but at the end of the day everything is truly more than worth it.

I'm grateful for my own mother and the example she has been to me. For her love, compassion, and selflessness she has given to each one of her children and so many more. I hope that I can touch my children's lives the way she has touched mine. And I can only hope that as I go through trials with my kids that I can remember what she did for me and how no matter what she stood by and supported me. I'm also grateful for Todd's mom Debbie. She too is an example of selflessness. As I've heard stories and seen how she is with her kids and grand kids you can truly see the love she has for each and everyone of them. I'm grateful for the way in which she raised Todd and for the values she taught. The way he treats me and Everett is a true testimony of what she's done.

8 Months

Another month has gone by and our little guy is getting big! He is learning and growing so much. We love watching him explore and discover new things. Especially when he discovers new things he can do. Here are some things that happened this past month:

He's crawling!!! He finally figured out how to move his legs forward:) Now he is seriously getting all over the place. He'll follow us to other rooms. When he sees the front door open he darts towards it. He is truly loving this new accomplishment.

He starting to pulling himself up more and more. Todd found him pulling up on the coffee table to get the Wii remote. He's figuring out how to get things he really wants. And he walked in on him pulling himself up in the crib! I have a feeling things are only starting to happen.

He now has 7 teeth! The 8th is showin, but not quite out yet.

(this isn't the best picture,but you can actually see his bottom teeth! He never lets me see them)

He's starting to understand the word No...and doesn't really care for it.

He claps and makes Indian noises with his hand and mouth. If that makes sense.

One of my favorite things is that he comes to me. I've held my hands out for him many times, but he's never really come to me. But now he does. I'll have to admit I really love it :)

Our little E-Man is just getting too big. I want him to grow and experience everything with him, but I also want him to be my baby forever. I know in my own mind and heart he always will be.

Things are Lookin Bright

Since we've been back, from Texas, the weather here has been beautiful! The sun shinning, warm weather, greener grass. It's been so nice. This past weekend we didn't get to spend too much time outside because Everett was a little under the weather. So we took full advantage of it this afternoon.

Today made me so excited for the summer. No more time being stuck in side cause it's too cold, or there's still snow on the ground. Hopefully there will be many more of today and no more cold weather or snow! It was so nice and warm out Everett even got to wear his sweet hat.

Another reason things are lookin bright:

Todd went on a bike ride! He had to show all the new people his sweet ride:)

Texas Trip

This past week we all had an amazing opportunity to head down to Texas. We had a blast!! I'm so grateful we were able to go. I have a hard time being so far away.

We started our trip on the 8th flying down to Dallas. That weekend we headed down to College Station to celebrate my niece's, Cassady, 1st Birthday. Scott and Julie have had their house for over 3 years and I've never been able to see. I got to see it for the first time the weekend before they moved out! So that was pretty exciting. Saturday was the birthday party and Everett was lovin it. He got frosting for the first time, a sucker for the first time, and was able to play in a bounce house. He had to warm up to the bounce house, but started enjoying it after awhile. As for the sucker, there was no warming up needed! He was in heaven! The rest of the weekend we hung out with my brothers and their families and went and took some pictures in the bluebonnets. Todd was able to drive around College Station a little and see the Texas A&M campus. Mainly their Veterinary buildings. Maybe someday he'll be going to school there:)

The rest of our vacation was spent at my parents house. Everett made many new friends, spent some time with cousins, and became a master crawler. Todd and I were able to get our Chipotle dose, go and see Clash of the Titans with my parents, and try some good ol' BBQ. It was so good to be home and spend time with everyone. Everett loved all the attention. He especially loved my mom. She was afraid he'd scream when he saw her (he's been doin that with some people he doesn't really know), but the first time he saw her he smiled! He remembered her from the webcam! He of course loved all the goodies his grandpa gave him! Many sweets and a cool new shirt and sippy cup! He even got to match his grandpa and Porter with a sweet new outfit! He was quite spoiled. We were afraid he was going to be bored when we got home, but luckily he fell back into his normal routine pretty well.

Texas Bluebonnets

We have been having so much fun here in Texas! This weekend we went and spent time at my Brother Scott's for Cassady's first birthday. Yesterday we decided to go out and take some pictures in the bluebonnets. This time of the year you can always see people trying to take pictures of their kids in them. I decided since we were down here we better take advantage!

Everett had just fallen asleep when we got to our destination. So he was a little out of it, but did a pretty good job. Here are a few of my favorites:

Here's Cassady. She was so cute!

And here are some family photos. Everett was way more interested in eating the flowers than taking pictures!

Good Morning!

Most mornings Everett wakes up around 7 or so talking and babbling. I usually let him just play in there till I get a few things done. The past couple times we've gone in there this is what we've found:

He thought he was so cool.

Weekend Excitment

Our weekends are usually not very exciting. Just hanging out, cleaning, getting stuff done, studying, the usual I guess. Last Thursday we received a call from our good friends, The Bates, informing us that they were making a last minute decision to come up to Rexburg. We were so excited! That weekend was so much fun and made us realize even more how much we miss having them as neighbors.

They came up on Friday just in time for our ward activity. We went and hung out at the church, ate some good food, and played with the little kids. Later that night the real festivities began. Playing Super Mario Brothers. Seriously it was so much fun. It kinda started out just being a little fun competition, but as the night wore on it became fierce! There were people being thrown into lava and off cliffs. IT started with just pretty much Alma and Todd and then Jessica joined in! So in order to save myself I had to start playing dirty. We did this for over 3 hours! By 1:30 we realized we should probably hit the sack and head to bed. Lucky for us both our kids decided to wake up a little earlier than normal. I think they knew we stayed up and they figured they'd punish us.

Saturday we just hung around and then went down to Idaho Falls for dinner at 5 Guys Burgers & Fries.

(I stole the picture of Jessica's blog- Thanks!)

That night we tried to play games, but I think we were all way to tired from the night before still. The weekend came to an end and Alma, Jessica, and Kaitlyn headed back home. We had such a fun time with them and Everett loved having Kaitlyn around. We can't wait for them to come back!