Pictures

Here are a few pictures I have been meaning to post for a while. I know you would much rather see pictures than hear me rambling on. Most of them are from my trip to Tennessee, Mother's Day and around Joe's graduation when Bailey came to visit.

Graduation Day. One of his favorite toys.

Mowing with Daddy

This was on Mother's Day. He had planted a flower the day before at a nursery. This is him giving it to me.

Mother's Day present. I also got a yummy breakfast in bed. I can't find the picture of it though.

Picture with my little guy for Mother's Day

Goodbye kisses

These next two pictures make me laugh every time I see them. (Look at his face) He just wanted to wrestle with Bailey for some reason.

Getting Bailey... again... she seemed to enjoy it.

Oma and Gabe

Gabe loves "baby" Carter. What he doesn't realize is that he is still a baby too:)

BOO!

These next few pictures... Gabe would not stop saying "outside" I figured I would put him out in the rain so he wouldn't want to be outside. I was WRONG! He loved every minute of the rain. Look at that face!

Yes, he is trying to drink the water!

Run, Gabe. Run.

Marshmallows... he loves them!

Please

Will someone please tell me what is wrong with this picture!
(Yes, this was today.)

Joe's Birthday and Graduation

Joe's birthday was April 20th. I know this one pictures looks like we didn't do much but I promise it was a lot better than it looks. Joe had been talking a while about wanting to get out for a little but so he didn't have to worry about school. So... I surprised Joe 5 days early. Joe's parents were nice enough for watching Gabe. (THANK YOU!)I took him out to dinner and a movie. Then we stayed the night at a bed and breakfast. I thought he probably suspected something but he really had no idea:) We had never been to one before but we really enjoyed it. It was so nice to just sit and relax and not have Joe worry about his 30 + credits he was taking. The Sunday before his birthday we had a family party with the usual meal of hamburgers, milkshakes and nutty torte.

The day after Joe's Birthday I headed to Nashville for the race. I came back on the 28th. I was talking with Joe on the way home how I really wish he would walk for his graduation. He gave in! He checked on it the next day and was able to! It was good to see him walk. He deserved it! He worked so hard this past year. I know I always say how proud I am of him but I really am. Joe works so hard in everything he does! I really admire that about him. Here are some pictures of the big day and the supporters. Although after going through the pictures I noticed two of them were missing...BRANDI!!!!! (Our sister-in-law-Brandi and their daughter Bailey)

Happy 27th Birthday!

Way to go Joe!

Joe's Parents

Joe with his grandparents

Joe and I

Congrats KissDaddy and Gabe

Dean Boys

Country Music 1/2 Marathon

I went to Tennessee about 2 weeks ago to run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon for the 2nd time. This year it was my brother Nathan, his wife Charity, and me. The race went well! It went better than I could have planned for. The weather for the race was calling for thunderstorms and rain. I was praying so hard that we had neither. When we woke up it was drizzling a bit but when the race started it was so nice. There was no rain and the sun was out for a little bit. We lucked out during the race. The weather was nice and overcast and that was it. IT didn't start raining or storming till after we got into our car. Although it worked out for us, others were not so fortunate. I know a lot of marathoners were directed to do the 1/2 due to the weather.

I can say I felt 100% better than last year running than this year. The weather was not nearly as hot and dreadful as last year and I did a little better preparing for the race this year. I felt a ton better when I crossed that finish line. I even knocked 15 minutes off my time from last year! YEA!! AND no hospital visits this year:) I really enjoyed the race this year. I will have to thank Nathan and Charity for running it with me this year. I don't think I would be able to do it if y'all didn't do it with me! It wouldn't nearly have been as much fun. Thanks Charity for running with me the whole time! Can't wait till next year!
On a sad note, It has been so crazy to see that Nashville has been flooded so badly. I look at all those pictures and think I was just there running on those exact streets! Hope it gets better soon!!

Charity and I riding to the starting line. (not sure what I am doing with my arm? maybe pinning

on my number?)

Before raceIn front of the Parthenon.

Crazy amount of people running. It usually averages out to be about 30,000 plus. In line waiting to start.
Excited to have finished and feeling great! After the race! Way to go!!My Mom had these cups for us when we got home. Thanks Mom!!
Silly pose

Letter Factory

This is Gabe’s favorite movie to watch. It is the only show that I have seen him sit all the way through. It is so nice because if I am busy and trying to get things done like making dinner, I can usually just stick in Letter Factory and Gabe will sit and watch allowing me to finish. He also lets me know when he wants to watch it by bringing me the case. It’s one movie that I don’t really feel bad about letting him watch 2-3 times a day because it is educational. He has already learned some of the letter sounds. His favorite is “w.” Here are some pictures of Gabe watching Letter Factory that I thought were cute.

What's Happening?

Well what has happened since I last time I blogged? Joe did not win his competition but he really enjoyed doing it and learned a lot. He was so glad to get home and get some good sleep. At the beginning of March Gabe came down with the croup. It was a bit scary to go through and it was even worse seeing him so miserable. We were able to get a steroid shot from the doctor and Gabe finally was able to get some sleep. Luckily it didn't' last too long and he was able to get back to normal.

Joe has been busy like always, especially since the semester is coming to a close. I don't think I could say or express enough of how proud I am of him. He has worked so hard! Looking over the semester, Joe ended up with about 30 credits. I don't know how he did it! He is awesome and We sure love him! We found out that Joe was offered and internship with a company called Kiewit. He accepted the offer and we just found out that we will be able to stay here in Utah. YEAH!! He is excited but nervous at the same time. I know he will do well. He graduates on the 30th and starts the internship May 3rd.

Before I forget, last night I was going through some of our mail and I found a letter from Utah Valley University. I figured it was a bill because usually that's always what it is. I was a little worried we hadn't paid it. When I opened it up it was a letter to Joe telling him that he was receiving an award from the Construction Management school for most outstanding student in the program. I called Joe to ask him if he knew (The letter was dated the end of March) and he had no idea. Way to go Joe! They are having a banquet on the April 22. I am so sad because I will be in TN. His mom is going to go with him and take pictures for me:)

I am staying at home taking care of my sweet little boy. He is so funny and always brings a smile to my face. He is talking like crazy and he has started eating on his own. (with silverware) He loves to do it. He does get frustrated at times when he can't get the food on his fork or spoon but we help him and then it is ok:) I can't believe how big he is getting!! He goes in to nursery (at church) in 2 weeks.

I have been running like crazy to train for my 1/2 marathon. It is next Saturday. I leave for Tennessee next Wednesday. It will be nice to visit with family. I hope the race goes well and that it is not too hot! If this race goes ok I plan on doing the Utah Valley 1/2 marathon as well.

Here are some cute pictures I found on my camera from over the past few months.

Big boy

Look at the cute little chunk!

Wow!

Loves to sit on Daddy's lap and play XBOX

LOL

Grandma Dean brought home some beads from New Orleans.

Oh no! What has Joe done?

Eating ice cream with cousins.

Valentines & Easter

I really wish that I was a better blogger but I just am not… So here are some pictures from Valentines and Easter. Joe was in Reno doing a competition for school and got back on Valentine’s Day (Sunday). We went out before he left to a movie and dinner. A week before Easter our neighborhood did an Easter egg hunt. A few of Gabe’s cousins came with him. I think he enjoyed it even though he didn’t know what was going on. We had a good Easter with the three of us. We got to spend time together all weekend and watch conference. I was excited to do an Easter basket for Gabe this year. He really liked it. In my family the Easter Bunny hid our Easter baskets. I did that for Joe and Gabe. It was fun to watch Gabe find his. If I can I will post the video. ( I tried but it didn't work)

Joe made me lunch and he came back with this. In case you can't tell its a bunny sandwich.

Gabe with his Easter basket.

Gabe and Joe's baskets

Waiting in line for water. For some reason he loved the water and the jug where it came from.

After the hunt, all the kids got donuts.

After the hunt.

Found an egg.

Looking

Cousins

Gabe's Valentine to Joe


Gabe's Valentine from Mommy

Made this for Joe and left it out so he could see it when he got home.