Tennesse Trip #2

Gabe and I were lucky enough to go to Tennessee for the second time this year at the beginning of July. We got to see all but three of my siblings. We were able to do a lot of fun things. We went to the aquarium, rode tractors, and played with cousins. Gabe did a lot better this time around and had a lot more fun. In April he was a little hesitant being around so many people and would cry if I left the room. This time he ran around like crazy opening and shutting doors. I think he probably drove my parents crazy (with the door knobs). He really enjoyed playing with his cousins. Thanks to everyone! We had a great time. We love and miss you. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Tractors and More

Gabe got to play in the rain AGAIN... he was one happy camper. Oma even came out and played with him in the rain. I only have that on video. I never have luck loading those.

Went to Aunt Jenny's for a couple days. She gave him this back pack. He LOVES it. He still plays with it all the time and says "my back pack." Thank you Aunt Jenny!

I love this picture. Gabe was in the car and Eli wanted to join him!

Cousin Jake's Tractor! He loved to ride it

Gabe wanting to be like Eli. These two are buds!

Some friends of our let us come to their farm. We got to see animals and ride the tractor.

Tennessee Aquarium

The whole gang

These two buddies are exhausted.

How creepy is that crab!

With another cousin. This was in the butterfly exhibit. I think this was my favorite thing to see out of everything. The butterflies would fly and land on you. It was fun to watch especially when they landed on the kids.

Trying to pet the sting rays.

Gabe and another cousin. (He has more than 30 alone on my side) These two also had fun together at the aquarium.

Looking at "Nemo" aka all fish.

June

Here are our happenings for the month of June

My Birthday:
I had a good birthday. When Joe got home from work he took me to my favorite pizza place for dinner! It was soooo YUMMY!! We came home to have cake and Ice Cream with Gabe and open presents. Joe made me a very tasty ice cream cake. I think I almost ate it all myself. As for presents I got money from my parents and in laws:) Joe get me tickets to see Carrie Underwood at the Stadium of Fire!!! (which by the way was totally awesome!)
Anyways...we put Gabe to bed and then went to the movies. We went to one theatre to find out they shut down the theatre for all the crazy Twilight fans. Eclipse was coming out at midnight I think. Luckily, we were able to find a theatre that still played other shows. We watched Grown-ups. I thought it was cute and I had a good time. Thanks to Joe for a wonderful birthday.

Fathers Day:

I sure hope Joe had a good Father's Day. We love him very much and we are very grateful for how hard he works for our family!

M&M bow tie. Behind it is a collage picture of Gabe and Daddy. He also got some work clothes as well as a new set of scriptures.

Utah Valley Half Marathon:

On June 12 I finished my 3rd half-marathon. Thanks to Jenny (Joe's sister) for getting me to do it. I actually ran the race with my brother-in-law (Mike) and Jenny. Mike and I did the half and Jenny did the full. I really enjoyed running with family. I was able to knock 9 minutes off my time from the Country Music Half that I ran in April. Not nearly as fast as Mike and Jenny but I was happy with my results. I just hope that I can continue to improve. Thanks Mike and Jenny for running the race with me and way to go!! Also thank you to all my family that was there to support me at the end of the race! (Joe, Gabe, Dad Dean, Brandi, Gram, and Grandpa Marquiss)

Mike and I after the race. Jenny was doing the full so she came in a little after us so I wasn't able to get a picture with her.

A couple of my favorite supporters:)

Fun with the Camera

Gabe's favorite word: outside. Gabe's second favorite word: water or "wa-wa". You put those together this is what you get.

I love this last one!

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