Playing catch-up!

Ok, I realize that I don't blog that much, but I really have been super busy, and well, once I go a month of not blogging, then it feels overwhelming to catch you all up to speed on what we have been up to. ANYWAY, that is my excuse! :)
So, starting back in December, Dave finished his semester with wonderful grades (good job babe!) and we had an entire month of having Dave home with us and no school. It was so nice to have him home all of the time. We went to SLC to see the lights, and go to dinner. It was a lot of fun. It was FREEZING, but Josh did awesome. He just stayed bundled up in his stroller. He didn't move the whole time because he got cold when he did. I was so mad too, my camera died after these two pictures. I was so mad! Anyway, it was a lot of fun to be down at temple square. Josh especially loved all of the horses that were pulling the carriages around temple square. It was fun.

Here is Josh and I at temple square.

Christmas ended up being very interesting. Two days before Christmas Dave and I both got food poisoning. It was HORRIBLE! I have never felt like that. And the worse thing about it was that since we were BOTH sick, it was so difficult to entertain Josh the next day. We felt like a semi ran us over. The day after (which happened to be Christmas eve) I finally kept orange jello down that night. Dave was able to eat before I could. I couldn't even keep water down that day. By Christmas day we were feeling much better but we were still VERY tired/lethargic. We had a fun Christmas though. We kind of spoiled JOsh with some new toys, Dave got lots of clothes (he desperately needed them, and I got some awesome deals), I also got him quite a few DVD's (thank goodness for Target's after thanksgiving sale). Dave bought me some new clothes too (which I desperately needed as well.)
After having our own Christmas morning, we headed over to my dad and stepmom's house. My brother and his wife and kids were there too. It was a lot of fun. They bought us some new pots and pans, which I also desperately needed. We got some clothes, books and Josh got some more toys and a very cute new church outfit. (See picture below)
Here is my dad with all of the grandkids (boys) on Grandpa's new toy! SPOILED DAD!
Here is my handsome little boy! He looks like a little man! When I got him dressed and kept telling Josh how cute he looked and he kept looking at me saying "CHEEEEESE", so I grabbed the camera, and he was such a cheeseball! So cute! Needless to say, when we went to church I have NEVER had so many complements on how cute JOsh looked! I am biased, but he is a cute little stinker! :)
This is what we do...mom and Josh just hanging out! :)
And here is the most recent picture of Josh in his new jammies! January hasn't brought anything new in our home, except for a very, very busy life. Dave started his busiest semester. Aggghhhhh, is it almost over? To put it mildly, from Tuesday-Friday morning, Dave and I see each other for no more than 3-4 hours. It totally sucks. It's been really hard, because I don't get a lot of sleep, and work for me has been hell, it has been SO busy. Then Dave is SO busy with school. By the end of April, we will have made it through the busiest semester. WE CAN DO IT!
Anyway, that is January in a nut shell! :)
This last weekend was a lot of fun. I didn't work and Dave and friday -monday off. Friday, my dad and step-mom watched Josh for a bit so we could go out to eat...on a date! :) It was so yummy, we went to Wingers! Then Saturday we drove to slc to look at cars. We didn't find anything, but just started looking. Then on our way home we stopped at Texas Roadhouse to eat dinner. It was way good, and not too badly priced for the amount of food you get. Then we came home and just hung out. Sunday was such a nice day. I got released from scouts (it's nice, the bishopric was worried that I had too much on my plate...it's nice :)) and got asked to be in charge of the ward bulletin. Church was so nice to be there, and Josh was awesome! He was so good during sacrament, and then walked right into nursery and didn't look back! We were so proud of him. Going to church only every other week can be really rough. It is so nice to go when I can. It really "fills my spiritual side". Anyway, it was a great Valentines Day.
Oh, one last thing that was back in December. Me, and my most best friends from Snow College met up and went to dinner down in Provo. Me, Julie, Mekell and JulieAnn. Oh it was so much fun! I haven't seen JulieAnn for SO many years. And of course we didn't take a single picture! Oh well, but we have to get together soon again, because it was so great to catch up with those girls! I love you girls! I so wish we lived closer to one another!
Anyway, I know I have forgotten a lot , but I think I hit most of the main things that happened.
I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry I am horrible on updating my blog! Oh well, priorities right?! This is belated, but I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! So from us, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Valentines Day! :)

Thanksgiving

Here is Josh after his nap...he was attempting to take his shirt off but got stuck! Also, notice injury #1 on his chin...that is from falling down a flight of stairs and getting a nice rug burn from the carpet...just to let you know...it happened again(falling down the stairs). It was horrible, but this was the worst of injuries...thank the heavens for that!
Injury #2...a large cut over his right eye from tripping and falling onto the edge of the entertainment center...this was our thanksgiving day event!

I just realized I'm doing these blogs out of order. Oh well! So, by the pics and details of the pics, you can tell we have been really lucky with Josh only hurting himself minimally in these last few weeks. Yes, he fell down my brother's flight of stairs...not just once but twice within two weeks of each other. It was horrible. Thank goodness he didn't roll down the stairs, he went down them on his belly. I truly have never felt worse as a mother when this happened. I honestly think my heart stopped when it happened, especially the second time because I was right there. Anyway, that was horrible!

The second accident happened on thanksgiving. He cut it open deep and I thought he might need stiches, so yes, we ended up in the ER on thanksgiving. We sat there for 2 hours and all they ended up doing was some dermabond (glue) to close it up. I was greatful they didn't have to do stiches though, that would have been pretty traumatic. (I think more so for me! :) Anyway, I was scheduled to work thanksgiving too, but ended up being oncall the entire day so that was a blessing. After leaving the hosptial we headed over to my dad's house to have dinner and then went home to put Josh to bed for his nap. And that was thanksgiving! That pic is after a few days, it looks a lot better than it did. It was really swollen, but I swear Josh barely noticed his eye was all swollen. He's a tough kid!

Anyway, Dave finished up yet another semester! Did really well! I'm so proud of how well he does in school. I can't believe he has OFFICIALLY 1/2 way through his masters program! I can't believe he has been going to school already for a 1 1/2 years already! Good job babe!

I'm pretty excited for Christmas this year for multiple reasons! I'm so excited for Josh to open up his gifts! It's a lot more fun to see that he gets excited about new toys and books! Also, I am SO excited...I get from the 24th-30th of December off! Yeah! I can't wait! It's about time! :)

Anyway, that's about it! Hopefully I'll post pictures of christmas and new years before...Valentines day! :) Don't hold your breath though!

Merry Christmas to everyone! Sorry no cards this year...the next 2 weeks are crazy! Maybe next year!

Playing catch-up!

I know I have majorly slacked on blogging, but I find myself doing a lot of other more important things like sleeping when I get a chance! :) Work lately has been kicking my butt, it's been so busy! Anyway, I feel more tired lately! Anyway, lots has happend these last few months and a lot of holidays have passed without me blogging about them, I'll keep it brief! :)

First we had halloween! I'll be honest, even as a kid I didn't really get into this holiday! It's probably because I have never been creative, nor will I ever be. I didn't even really eat my halloween candy as a kid! Weird I know! Anyway, another reason why I wasn't too excited about this halloween was because I had to work that night. I was pretty bummed! I REALLY hate missing out on these things because of my job! Anyway, I decided to have Dave dress him up in all the Harley Davidson gear I had. He looked pretty cute eh?! They had a fun night though. They went trick-or-treating at a few homes in my dad's neighborhood with my brother and sister-in-law. They had fun!

October fun!

This has been a fun and busy month! Dave was able to have his fall break last week and then he started doing his pediatric clinicals this week and continue next week. I am just doing the same ol' stuff but I seem to stay very busy. I took Josh to his 18 month check up and he weighs now 26 lbs 14 oz and is only 32 inches long. It doesn't surprise me in any way that Josh will be short, we don't carry a lot of "tall" genes in our blood! Other than that the doctor was very impressed with Josh's development. I am always concerned that he "isn't where he should be". For example, I have been so concerned that he doesn't talk enough (well he makes LOTS of noises, just forming actual words! :)) Well the doctor asked me what he said and he told me, "Nicole, don't worry, that is plenty of words, he's doing just fine!" Oh, it is always a relief when you hear those words.
Josh has been doing a lot of funny stuff. I can't believe how big he is and what new things he does now. First it cracks me up with what he says and what he tries to say. His new thing today for example was, he actually said "Raydon", then he said "Rwiwy"...he was saying "Braden and Riley"...his cousins that he was playing with! Crazy right!? Anyway, he is a lot of fun! The only thing I have been VERY stressed about is, there have been a few days where Josh has decided that he will NOT take a nap and stay up all day....um WHAT? I will DIE if he doesn't take naps anymore. I rely on those naps as part of my "night time sleeping hours". Anyway, he did this during the week while Dave was home, so I'm hoping it was just a flook. (sp?) Anyway, he has done just fine this week though. I FEAR the day Josh doesn't take a nap anymore. I thought it was hard when Josh stopped taking two naps per day, but not having any? AHHHHHHHH! I'll freak out! Anyway, wish me luck! :)
So anyway, last week was Dave's fall break, so we thought we'd take advantage of this time. So Monday, I took Josh to Target with his two cousins, Riley and Braden and with my sister in law Kami, and my step mom Diane. Anyway, we got their pictures taken together. They came out SO adorable. Pics will come soon, we are keeping this a secret because we are making a picture collage for my Dad, which will say "We LOVE our Grandpa". It's a Christmas present for him....boy, I'm glad my dad doesn't look at this blog! :) Anyway, it will be SO cute!
Tuesday I stayed home from work because I felt VERY sick. I had a stuffy nose and body aches. But luckily Wednesday morning came and I felt a lot better. Because Wednesday morning Dave and I took Josh to my Dad and stepmom's house because Diane watched Josh for his first "sleep over with his grandparents"! He ended up NOT taking a nap that day, but it didn't phase him. He had so much fun with Diane and my Dad he CRIED SO HARD when we picked him up the next day. He wouldn't let go of Diane. It was pretty funny!
So to talk about our first night away from Josh was SO fun! We went to SLC to do an endowment session at the SLC temple. It was so neat, and of course we were the witness couple. It was very different because it was a live session. I liked it a lot though. After the temple we headed to our "bed and breakfast" in Sandy. This is the third time we've stayed at this place. It's called the "Castle Creek Inn." I highly recommend this place. It is TONS cheaper than anniversary inn and it was so much nicer. After we checked in at the hotel, we went out to dinner to Wingers...yummmmmmmmmy! We haven't been there for a very long time! It was so nice to have a QUIET dinner and be able to eat as slow as I want and talk to my husband! Oh what a great time! :) After that we went back to our room and just hung out! We had a great time!
Thursday morning we came back and picked Josh up, then I had to go to work. Nothing more to say about that!
Friday, Dave and I decided to have a fun activity, so we headed to SLC to Hogle Zoo. Dave was so sad he couldn't go the last time Josh and I went, so we went. It was a GORGEOUS day and there was hardly anyone there. We had a great time.
Then Saturday, we were able to be invited to our neighbors baptism. She lives right across the way, and she finally was able to be baptized. We have been able to have her and the missionaries over for her discussions. It was really neat. Then she asked Dave if he would confirm her at church on Sunday. It was a very neat experience with her. It's been a lot of fun to be a little bit involved in her conversion.
Anyway, I think this is a LONG enough post, but I guess this is what happens when I only update this blog every month! :)
Here are some pictures from us taking Josh to the zoo. Enjoy!

Here is myself trying to get Josh to pose for a pictures...he wasn't interested. He just wanted to run around!
I have NO words! I sure love my husband!

This scary tiger...was actually extremly beautiful! He was HUGE!

The boys!

Dave enjoying the penguins! He's a little obcessed with these creatures!

Josh's most favorite thing to do....climbing! Yes, he was trying to climb the fence...what a monster!

Fun at the zoo!

So we have been wanting to go to the zoo for a long time. Ever since I've noticed Josh LOVES looking at animals (and attempting to make the noises that they make!), we have wanted to go back to the zoo. Yesterday I thought it would be a great day to go because it wasn't hot yet it was a beautiful day. Josh and I went with one of my friends from work and her two kids. By the time we pulled up to the zoo I knew it was going to be an interesting day. It was PACKED! I guess it is UEA on Thursday and Friday. So I guess the rest of Utah thought it was a perfect day for the zoo. Ugggg, I hate to walk around that place feeling like you are in a herd of people. Anyway, we still had fun and was able to see the new baby elephant, I took Josh on the carousel and we got to see the tiger cubs! Anyway, it was a fun day even with the crowds and Josh is fighting something off. I don't know if it's just more teeth or if its a virus. Anyway, it was a great time! I didn't get any great pictures but oh well! Here is Josh trying to crawl through the fence to get to the carousel! Needless to say he was very excited to get on that thing!

The penguins! They were so cute. They were chasing each other in the pool. Josh LOVED these things! He kept giggling at them whenever they'd jump out of the water! It was a lot of fun!

The cute little baby elephant! This baby weighed 250 lbs at birth! Whew! Also, did you know that elephants are pregnant for 21 months! I would die if I had to be pregnant with Josh for 21 months! Anyway, this baby was very cute!

Oh my little boy! Even though I knew he didn't feel good, and we were at the zoo through his entire "nap time" (between 1-4pm) he did so good! He started to have a little melt-down only when we were leaving! He is so fun and man, what a looker! I love this little guy!

Happy 18 Months old JOSH!

My baby is officially 18 months old today! Time flies when you're having fun! I thought I'd post some pictures of the last month and to be able to see how fast he grows (and how he has thinned out! :) ) I am so greatful for having Josh in our lives. He has been so much fun to have with us and I feel so blessed to be able to be his mom. I truly am enjoying his age right now. I look back at the last 18 months and realize how much more I enjoy this age instead of him being little! He cracks me up all day and I love seeing him learn new things every day. I can't wait for the next 18 months! Love you JOSHY!

I got sucked in!

Yes, I got sucked into TWILIGHT...and not just the first book, the ENTIRE saga! At the beginning of August I decided to buy Twilight because I needed something to do at work, because I was scheduled on Rehab, and needless to say, it is a very boring place to work and I needed something to do. Anyway, the rest is history. I have all four books and just finished Breaking Dawn last night at work. Yes, that is roughly 1800 pages I've read in one month! Needless to say, my house is not very clean, I have neglected the house work so I could read these darn books! But, oh my goodness they are so stinkin' good! I even watched the movie! Agh, and I can't wait for the next movie, "New Moon" to come out in November! I feel like a dork for LOVING these books! I was so sad to finish the last book last night! Oh well, now I need some other REALLY good books to read. Has any of you read the new Stephanie Meyers book yet? I don't know what it is called, I'm wondering if it's any good! Let me know!
Oh yeah, one more thing...Edward is so dreamy! YUMMY! (And yes, Dave totally makes fun of me for my new love of this vampire stuff! I know, I"M A HUGE DORK!)