Ty's First Hair Cut

Here is Ty with his shaggy hair. We loved it because it was curly in the back and it was just so cute. BUT, it was time to get it cut. He is not a girl and it was getting long. I didn't want to cut it. I messed up Lucas' hair enough times that the most I would do for Ty is trim it a little around his ears and on top. Aunt Diana had given him a trim also but today was the day for his first real hair cut.
Doesn't he look so big and cute! We went to the local Great Clips and the lady did a good job. He sat on my lap and cried the whole time. Once in a while he would try to get away but he did okay for his first time.

He is such a fun baby. He is already driving us crazy getting into anything and everything. Luckily for us he can't open the toilet lid yet and toilet paper can be put up while not in use. He can go down the stairs but keeps trying to walk down like we do. He sleeps through the night and still takes two naps!

Chicago Trip

We are back from Chicago/New York! I am happy to be back but so happy I was able to go. Chicago is a city I've always wanted to go to. Bryan spoke at a conference there and Grandma Garner was able to come watch Lucas and Ty for us. I was so nervous about leaving Ty but he did great, all my panic attacks late at night were for nothing. Maybe I just like to have something to worry about? Anyway, Chicago is a beautiful city. I knew it was famous for it's architecture but I just didn't realize how many beautiful buildings there were.
On day one we woke up, switched hotels (JetBlue paid for the first one, then we transferred to the conference hotel which was the Marriott in downtown Chicago). Then Bryan walked me to the car rental and I rented a car to go see LeShel. I drove out of Chicago all by myself, with the help of a GPS, only took one wrong turn (yes, I did even with the GPS), and made it to LeShel's home in Kenosha Wisconsin. It was so great to see her and her new baby. As I drove away I got very sad. I realized how much I miss her and it's not fair that I don't get to watch her new baby grow up. It was so nice to visit and catch up, it was like she had only moved the day before, and not eight months ago.
I got back to Chicago, returned the rental car without a scratch, and went back to the hotel to meet Bryan. We searched the city for a Bulls shirt for Lucas (hard to find in the off season) and finally found one right by our hotel. We got Ty a Cubs t-shirt, Bryan a Cubs hat, and I got a charm for my bracelet. That night we went to Pizzeria Uno, the original Chicago deep dish, and had pizza. It was good, different, but good.
Day two in Chicago I went and listened to Bryan's presentation because I've never had the chance to before. He does a great job. He is a great speaker, which is why they keep asking him to speak! Afterward we did some more walking and shopping. I went into the American Girl store and wished they'd been around when I was a little girl. We did lots of shopping and lots of walking so we were tired by the afternoon. Humidity is really something. It was just like Toronto.
That night we went on a boat ride down the river and then up to Lake Michigan. It was a great way to see the city. We loved going through the lock to get to the lake. It was interesting to hear the story of the river and why they have a lock in the first place. It's too long to go into here but it was fun to learn the history.
We had so much fun being together and knowing the boys were doing great with grandma. I loved Chicago. It is a fun city to visit. The next morning we got up early, 3 for me because I couldn't sleep, 4 for Bryan. We headed to New York. I didn't feel so well from the lack of sleep and the fact that the flight home was going to be close. There were only three seats open with over 20 standbys. AHHHHH! Flying in June as a standby is not the smartest thing to do. But it's free! Luckily I had a super pass which means I would be first or second on the list. I was sick all day because of the stress but we went into the city to have some fun.
It was so funny because New York has closed some of the streets around Time Square. They put out lawn chairs and people just sit and relax. It looks a little odd but not a bad idea. As we were walking we saw Hoda Kotb from NBC. She must have just finished working and was heading out. Also, back in Chicago we saw Devon Hester (Plays football for the Chicago Bears) making a commercial at The Sports Authority. Anyway, we ate lunch, and figured out where the subway was for when we were done with our show.
Then the highlight of our trip!!!! Wicked!!!! Although we were stressed about me getting home--it was great. I want to see it again. Bryan has informed me that he just might do that when he goes to New York for business. It was so much fun. Thank you Bryan for suggesting the early flight to New York so that we could have that experience. I can finally say I've seen a show on Broadway. It's about time considering I'm married to a man who works for JetBlue. Amazingly it was cheaper for us to see it in New York than it would have been if we'd gone when it was here in Salt Lake. Of course that's because we fly for free and didn't have to pay for a hotel. Obviously, I got on the flight home that night, I even got to sit by Bryan which is pretty amazing considering the flight was full. Thank you to Grandma Garner for taking such good care of Lucas and Ty. We had so much fun and are so grateful we get the chance to go away together every few years. I can't wait until the boys are old enough to go to some of these cities with us!

Ty is one

Ty's first birthday kind of snuck up on me last month. I can't believe he's one! We had a small party with some family. He got a few presents that he has enjoyed playing with. He has been walking since 11 months and is working on the stairs. He is able to up and down them but sometimes decides he's tired of going down backwards. So he turns around and tries to go down them like one of us. It's scary but he is learning and hopefully by the end of the summer I won't have to worry quite so much. He loves following Lucas around and get's upset when someone leaves the house without him. He loves playing outside, playing in the toilet, throwing whatever he finds into my tub, and getting into the cupboards with all the poisonous things. He is so fun and we love him.
His birthday made me think of the last two years and how LUCKY I feel to have him in our home. I really do consider both our children miracles. I am so grateful for him and for the way he smiles!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

I had an opportunity Wednesday night to go volunteer at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. I was able to be an usher and I was on the third floor outside of the beautiful sealing rooms. It was so peaceful, and I felt so blessed to stand there as groups were brought through to look at the temple. We took Lucas and Ty to the Draper open house but I can't wait to take our family to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. Lucas has watched the temple being built and I remember the day he said, "Mom, the angel Moroni is up." I hope he remembers the experience of watching the temple being built, and then going inside to see it.

I also felt the power of prayer through this experience. I had been sick with a horrible cough and as Wednesday grew closer I just knew I wouldn't be able to fulfill my assignment. I felt Bryan's love for me as he prayed for me to get well enough to go. Tuesday night I didn't know how I would do it because I still felt so sick. Wednesday came and although I still coughed a little the difference was amazing. I'm grateful for temples, prayer, and our Heavenly Father's love. Many of you have just gone through the Draper open house, but if you get a chance come visit the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It's a great opportunity to have these temple so close to us. In fact, there are three temples in viewing distance from my home (South Jordan, Draper, Oquirrh Mountain) and I'm within an hour of eight temples! (Provo, Timpanogos, Draper, South Jordan, Oquirrh Mountain, Salt Lake, Bountiful, and Ogden). Okay, so Ogden may be pushing it but you get the idea.

Thank Goodness for Small Miracles

I don't have a lot of jewelry but I do have some and most of what I have is sentimental to me in one way or the other. Several years ago Bryan surprised me with blue diamond earrings for Mother's Day. They are special for several reasons. One, they are blue diamonds and blue is my favorite color. Two, I love the earrings themselves. Three, the day after Bryan gave them to me he was let go from his job. So they remind me that things can be going along just fine but that you better be prepared because you never know when a trial will come. (I don't know why they remind me of that but they do.) Four, they remind me of the sacrifices Bryan makes to surprise me sometimes. And five, they are the most expensive pair or earrings that I own!
Saturday night we decided to go get something to eat. I get ready, open my jewelry box, and decide to wear my blue diamonds. Instead of putting them on in my room I grab them and head out the door. I have Ty, in his car seat and manage to put one in. But it's too hard so I lay the other earring on top of the car thinking, 'I'll grab it as soon as I get Ty in the car.' Did you guess? I forget the earring and we go to eat. Later that night I realize I only have one earring in. I'm heartbroken. I look in the garage hoping it is on the floor but don't see it. How could I have been so careless and forgetful? So Sunday goes by and every once in a while I go out and look in the garage, on the driveway, and in the street. I don't see it anywhere. I pray. I know it's not an important thing to Heavenly Father but I explain how much they mean to me and that I'd really like to find it if possible. Monday morning I'm leaving with Ty. As I walk out to the garage I think, 'Someday I'm just going to look down and there it will be." As I'm walking by I glance down under the Prelude and see something. I back up. There it is, and it's perfectly fine. Now, I don't know why I didn't see it before, it wasn't too far under the car. But I'm grateful that I found it. Even though it's a silly earring it means a lot to me. My new rule is, earrings go in the ears BEFORE I leave the bedroom.

Future Star Wars Fan

Ty already loves lightsabers. It was bound to happen since we have a mere dozen in our home. In fact, Ty got his first lightsaber for Christmas this year from Santa. He knows if the blade is down and will bring it to me so that I can fix it for him.

The other day Lucas and him started "fighting" with their lightsabers. It surprised us because we didn't realize that Ty had already figured out what they were for! The sad thing is that I totally encourage this Star Wars fasination. We already have some Star Wars toys for Ty for Christmas. They are called Galactic Heros but we call them squatty guys. So Ty will be getting his very own selection of squatty guys starting in December. Lucas has a ton already, along with normal Star Wars action figures and other superhero toys. Boys are fun!

Our Week in Idaho

Last week Lucas was off track and so we decided to go to Idaho to visit our families. The boys had lots of fun. Grandpa Jeppsen let us take turns driving his clod buster--radio controlled truck. Lucas especially loved it. They also jumped on the trampoline and swung in the swings. It was Ty's first time in a swing and he loved it. Friday night we had pizza and watched "The Tale of Despero".

At Grandma and Grandpa Garner's home Lucas loved playing with Uncle David. He was so happy that Uncle David has an X-Box 360. Lucas also enjoyed playing basketball in the driveway. We really do need a trampoline or a basketball hoop!
Our last full day in Idaho Grandpa Garner made Lucas a new club. Lucas wanted something that could hit the ball far and so Grandpa found an old driver and cut it down for him. The best gift was a BYU golf cover for Lucas' new driver. Lucas loves it!

Bryan and I didn't do much but rest, read, and rest some more. I did get to go out to lunch with my mom, Stephanie, Denise, and Jennilynn. It was fun to be with them and catch up on all the latest news. I miss our families and it's always nice to be around everyone and take it easy before coming back to real life.