Gathering of Eagles: Peyton Manning

This years Gathering of Eagles was in Denver at the 4 seasons. And we got to meet Peyton Manning and get a signed football! This year I went up by myself and left both boys with my mom. It was so enjoyable relaxing by myself at the hotel. I also got to go to the actual conference to listen to Peyton speak. Then we got pictures together and he signed our football and a jersey of Kaden's. It was fun to get away with Paul and neat to get to meet such a big football star.

Gavin is 18 months!

 Gavin is now 1.5!! He is getting so funny. His personality is really coming out and he's so fun to be around. He loves his family, especially his brother. He follows Kaden around all day long. He is a total mama's boy. Lately we are attached at the hip. He sits right outside the shower doors while I shower, at my feet while I do my hair and makeup, and right next to my legs while I cook dinner. He loves to sit on my lap and watch his "shows" on my phone. He is a total snuggle boy. He loves to be rocked and sang to before bed. He is a happy boy for the most part but has a short temper and can throw a crazy fit when he wants to. He likes to do things on his own time and in his own way.  He's now big enough to face forward in the car so we went car seat shopping. We ended up getting the same as big brother's but the newer version. He loves to ride forward in the car. He doesn't ever cry anymore, just takes in the scenery and feels like a big boy like brother.

my sweet forward facing boys! I sure love these guys. He always wants to be just like brother.

4 year old checkup for Kaden. 18 month for Gavin

This boy loves to eat and every time I turn around he is helping himself in the pantry. Constantly with his arm in some crackers or cookies.





















I took both boys to get their checkup on the same day. Kaden for his 4 year, Gavin for 18 months. They both did great and ran all around the room chasing each other. But then the shots came. I did Kaden first and he did not take it well. Cried and cried. Then once I got him calmed down somewhat it was Gavin's turn. Kaden started crying all over again cause he didn't want his brother to get a shot and be hurt like him. Gavin also cried and cried so the 3 of us just sat in the dr chair snuggling and crying for awhile. I hate shots for littles!




We love our Gavin Chase so very much! He brings so much spunk and playfulness to our family. The two boys are the very best of friends and I hope it always stays that way. They look out for each other and play together so well. So grateful to have this sweet baby in our family.

Gavin 18 months info:
He LOVES dogs and giggles every time he sees one (real or picture) Total mama's boy. Loves brother. Very attached to his pacifier and his snuggle blankies.
Favorite foods: yogurt, cheeseburgers, fries, pirate's booty
Favorite toy: whatever brother is playing with at the time :)
Loves to be outside, going to the park, running fast, and especially dancing.
words he says: mama, dada, kaden, doggie, baby, uh oh, wow, puppy, hi
So far does not like nursery, unless mom is in there playing with him and then he sits in her lap the whole time so she can't sneak out.

Girl's Trip!

In airport getting ready to take off!

Randi was in charge of snacks, obviously she filled this responsibility like a champ!

Mom, Randi, and I were generously given (by dad) an all paid for girl's trip to Scottsdale, Arizona for a long weekend. We had SO much fun. We ate lots of yummy food, shopped, layed by the pool, enjoyed the hot weather, and just had a great time talking and laughing and being together.

Had In-N-Out twice it was so good

One of my favorite pics ever. I love these women. They are my best friends.

I got my first taste of Sprinkles Cupcakes and let me tell you, they didn't disappoint! They were delicious, we had to go back and get some to bring back to our men and kids. 

 I also got to gamble for the first time ever. Mom showed me the ropes and Randi documented. It wasn't everything I had hoped for. The money went fast and we came out smelling like we'd been smoking and drinking all day, even though it was only about 30 minutes inside. But it was fun to say I'd tried and good news, I'm not a gambler so no worries there!

We went to a sandwich place that served the "best sandwich in America" here I am trying it for the first time. It was delicious! It was shredded turkey breast, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. I'd definitely get it again if we go back.

Shopping at the little Indian stores in the area.

We sat out at the pool and relaxed and tanned every morning, it was just what this tired mama needed. The only down side of the trip was jumping into the pool with my phone in my pocket :( so sad. Mom and I ran to get rice to put it in while dad researched and found a phone repair store to take it to. By some tender mercy they were able to fix it and it has worked perfectly ever since. Dad saved the day again with that one.

The last night we were there we went to a big fancy dinner, it was so fun to get all dressed up and cute and go out together for a nice dinner. I love these ladies so much, getting to spend time with them and do whatever/whenever we wanted and just talk and laugh was so much fun and just what we all needed. Thanks Dad, you really are the best and you spoil us so much. So grateful for eternal families and that we all get to live close and see each other often. Here is to more girl's trips in the future. I could see a tradition forming ;)

Also a special thank you to our great hubbies who stayed home and took great care of our kids so we could all go and have a great time together. We are so blessed by the great men we have in our family. They really are the best!

Easter

The Saturday before Easter we had Grandma Jean come up to help us color eggs but just a few minutes after getting here Kaden fell off a cardboard box he was playing on and landed on his arm. We thought for sure it was broken. He was inconsolable. So after about 15 minutes of screaming and crying we decided to take him to the ER. Luckily grandma was here to stay with Gavin so Paul and I could both go be with Kaden. He cried the whole drive there even if we were going straight. They took Xrays at the hospital and decided he had probably just dislocated his elbow joint and then it had popped back on it's own. A very painful thing to have to go through, we were so glad he didn't have a break and need a cast. Poor little guy.  

 We were able to color eggs after we got back from the hospital and it turned out being a fun day anyway despite the earlier craziness. (Though Gavin fell smack on his face just an hour after we got home with Kaden and had a terrible goose egg and scratches. It was a really unfortunate, bad luck kind of day.)

The next day was Easter so before church we hid our eggs and baskets and let the boys find them.

Both boys were great at finding their eggs and baskets. Kaden got a bug kit (magnifying glass, tweezers, bug container, lantern) Gavin got a ball and both got lots and lots of candy.

Later we went to mom and dad's to watch conference and have a big egg hunt. Theirs is always fun because their eggs have money inside! The older kids (Allen, Randi, Paul, and I) all got to find one egg with some moolah inside, it was a little competitive :)
I'm so grateful for my Savior and his resurrection and atonement. How wonderful that we can all live with Him again and our families because of His sacrifice for us.