Utah trip 2012 continued

We spent some time at the Riverdale splash park, visited our friends the Button's and played at Layton Park.

After a few family pictures. . . .

and a beautiful Sunset.

We got some ice cream and headed home, (well back to my brother's house where we were staying) so we could rest up for our next adventure.

Utah trip 2012

Well day one was really spent driving the 1,400 miles but I won't bore you with that very very very long trip details. The kids did pretty good and other then a few to many potty stops we made it in 22 hours.

The next day Papa and Nana took the grandkids to the trout farm. (We tagged along) After feeding the fish and checking out the really huge fish in the catch and release pond they did a little fishing of their own.

Here's Papa helping my nephew Beau catch his fish.

He was excited to put the pole in the water but when he realized that a wiggly fish came out with it he wanted nothing to do with either one. You can see by the picture with Shaylee (his Mama) that he wasn't having it.

Taevin was right there with you Beau, he wanted nothing to do with that wiggly thing.

The girls on the other had loved every minutes of it and with the help of Papa caught 2 each.

They even pick the wiggly guys up and put them in the buckets all by themselves.

Later that night we went back to Nana and Papa's for a BBQ and fish fry. Bring on the smores!

Six Flags

We got Six Flags season passes again this year and went with some great friends. The kids all had a blast and can't wait to go again.

Aniela's Preschool Graduation

Aniela finished her second year of preschool (the first year was a church group preschool) and is moving on to Kindergarten. She is super excited and can't wait to ride the bus with her sister. She had a great year at the Lake Villa Tiny Tot Program and made lots of new friends some of whom will be going to Martin with her in the Fall.

Here she is with her teachers. They are a wonderful group of ladies with lots of fun activities and ways to learn.

These are here best friends from preschool which happen to be the ones going to Martin with her next year.

Here she is (in the purple) on her first day of church preschool and (in the black) on her first day of district preschool.

And they call it puppy love...

Taevin loves Champ and most days I find them like this.

They have such a great connection and Champ puts up with so much from Taevin. He's never even growled.

Puppy kisses!

New toy

Here he is on his new toy. That's right Damian and his father got a motorcycle.

I'm not sure how I feel about it but the kids are loving it.

Taevin turned 2

Happy 2nd Birthday Taevin!!!

Taevin turned 2 on May 13, 2012. It is amazing how fast those two years went by. He is such a happy and lovable little boy.

Taevin's birthday was on Mother's Day this year which made it extra special for me. After church we spent the day playing at home and made cup cakes. After Damian got home from work we had a little party.

After cake and ice cream, he didn't touch, it was time for presents. He got this slide and as you can see he also got a lot of help from his sisters.

He got a car set and a big car you can ride in which made him a very happy boy.

I always love seeing how much they have grown and changed so I included a few pictures at birth, 1 year and now.

4 hours old

First birthday

Second Birthday

Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you more then any thing!

Matt got married!

Congratulations to my brother Matt and his new wife Amanda who got married on May 11, 2012! It was quite a surprise to all of us but we are happy that he found the person he wants to spend the rest of eternity with. There were married before the judge here in Illinois and are planning to be sealed together next year in the Navoo Temple.

We want to wish them all the best in their life together and tell them to hurry up and find a place because your not living with me forever. hehehehe Love you guys!

Waren Township Park

There is this super cool and fun park not far from our house that we love going to. Not only is there tons of things to do but it offers great picture taking opportunities as well.

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

As you all know Taevin was born with a Congenital Heart Defect called Truncus Arteriosus as well as 2 holes in his heart. He underwent open heart surgery at 13 days old to close the holes and correct the Truncus.

Each year there is a week dedicated to raise awareness about this and many other heart defect which kill more children the all childhood cancers combined each year. Trying to do our part to help spread awareness I made these ribbons to wear/pass out. Areya took some to school to pass out to her class and tell them all about her brothers "broken heart". She was so excited to share these with her friends and also to brag about her brother.

During that week I also got a little creative and made a Mended Heart and an Awareness Ribbon in her hair.

Taevin is our little Heart Hero and is a huge inspiration to me. Even after all he has been through in his short life he still has a smile on his face and a hug & kiss for everyone he meets. I know there will be many more surgeries in his future but I also know that he is a fighter and will come out stronger in the end. He is truly a blessing to all who know him!

Please help us spread awareness about Congenital Heart Defects and what can be done to make a difference in the lives of all those who fight to survive.