Just Because...

This little watermelon was just too darn cute not to post.

Happy First Birthday Colton (Take 1 and 2)

It's hard to believe that Colton has already reached the life-altering milestone of turning one.  Okay, maybe it isn't life-altering, but for some reason, it seems like a really big deal.  We decided not to worry about having a party (since I think a first birthday seems really important to us as parents--not so much for the kid), but I think a fantastic birthday cake is essential.  Really, that's what it means to turn one, right?  You get to go to town on a big piece of cake while everyone takes pictures of you.  

So I had big plans about the cake I was going to make for Colton, but it turned out that on the actual day of his birthday, we just plain ran out of time to make a cake--something about driving from St. George to Sandy to Provo...  My mom was kind enough to grab one for us at the grocery store so that we could at least sing to him and such, but something in my heart felt that it was just sick and wrong for him to celebrate his first birthday with a store-bought (vanilla) cake.  Granted, I think he was perfectly satisfied with his first cake experience, but I had mother-guilt.  So when we got back to Virginia, I made him another one--bug themed since we like to call him "little bug." 

So here you have Colton's first birthday celebration part 1:

The best part about this celebration is that Colton's cousins and grandparents (unfortunately not pictured) were there to sing to him and watch him attack the frosting.

Celebration #2:

The bottom layer had peppermint frosting and regular M&M's decorated like ladybugs.  The cupcakes all have chocolate frosting and peanut butter M&M's--some with coconut, some without.  Colton was intrigued by the little bugs on the cake.  He was so speedy, he managed to grab one and get it to his mouth before we could stop him.  I'm pretty sure they are a choking hazard.  Don't worry.  He survived.

And clearly, the chocolate cake was a winner!  Happy birthday little bug.  We love you lots!!

Redeemed

So Mr. Screaming Monster decided to redeem hismelf on the flight home. He fell asleep just before take-off and slept for the first two hours. When he woke up, he was content to play with a couple little stuffed animals for the rest of the time. Based on his smiles and happy clapping, you would never guess that he had screamed the whole way on the other flight. I guess Justin has the magic touch. Or maybe it was the pre-flight Tylenol...

Survived

Imagine this face (and the associated crying). Now put this face on an airplane. Then times that by five hours. Actually make the last hour not even sad crying but full on angry screaming. All I can say is that I'm glad Justin will be with me on the flight home.

Bye bye rat poison!

As you may recall, a few months ago (four to be precise), I had a little stroke thanks to my chiropractor. Besides feeling yucky for a few weeks, the only lasting side effect of that potentially life-altering experience was that I had to take a daily dose of rat poison--otherwise known as the blood thinner Coumadin.

I am very happy to announce that I had a follow up MRI last week, and it showed that all issues caused by the damage to my vertebral artery have been resolved. This is great news in general, but most especially because it means that I don't have to be on blood thinners any more. Good riddance, Coumadin!!

Priceless

Push mower: Free from a friend.

Back yard: Part of our lovely little (or big as the case may be) mortgage.

Looking out the window and seeing Justin mowing the lawn with Colton in his arms: Priceless.

He actually mowed our entire lawn this way. And as you can see, Colton loved it.

Cousins

It's great to have cousins. I should know. I have somewhere in the vicinity of 70 first cousins. With my sister Emily and her family in town this week from Hawaii, Colton got to experience first hand how helpful cousins can be. Charlie seemed particularly concerned for Colton's well-being. While Justin was belaying the older kids on the rocks above, Charlie was making sure Colton didn't get hungry while we hung out below. Colton especially liked the dirt-covered ones Charlie picked up off the ground...