Love is in the air!

So after a few weeks off, I have hopped back on the craft wagon, and have binged!! Here's what I've been up to.....with a great partner-in-blog-stalking of course!

SUPER cute banner, cut the circles out of a diaper box, mod podged cute paper and other notions on them, strung them together with twine.....

This is prob my fave, we got it off this blog .....its cost us $4: http://becauseicancrafts.blogspot.com/2010/01/valentine-topiary.html

Bought these letters at Hobby Lobby for $.99 each for a two pack, mod-podge and cute paper is all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

An expensive, hard-earned, piece of paper

At last, it is here, it's official, Brandon's B.S. of Economics from the University of Utah....

This letter has had a whole different meaning than when I got mine. When mine came it was at the very beginning of our marriage, we had nothing to do but go to school, work, come home and be in love! We would eat dinner, go to the library together study in peace and quiet, and go home when the assignment was actually finished. But watching Brandon work 10-12 hour days, then spend his nights in class or downstairs at the dining room table trying to squeeze in one last hour of productivity before bedtime while I wrestle kids or they vye for his attention has given me a whole new meaning to college education. He has often said to me 'I wish I could have gone to college like you, you have no idea what it's like for me'... 'whatever...' I would respond as I rolled my eyes. But now with all his free time, his college experience has come pouring in over ME.

So many things come to mind, like when I couldn't bear the thought of dropping Xander off at daycare anymore so Brandon told me to just quit and stay home with him....I was bringing in as much income as Brandon at the time, and I HAD my degree, but I took him up on it. Or like the time when our engine that we had paid to have replaced once, died again, and we couldn't afford anything else but for Brandon to replace it himself, and he did, all while working full time, going to school full-time and maintaining good grades. Well I could go on forever, but I am so proud of him! I want him to know that quite possibly, I got my college degree a little easier than he. There's just something about seeing that piece of paper sitting here everyday that says no more financial aid, no more buying BOOKS, no more late nights. We have never taken a semester off, we have always been 'students' until now.

So all we have to do know is photocopy that bad boy, get it in the mail to some employers so he can start making the big bucks! HAHAHA, I wish, who knows what lies next.......

(I'm a little prideful, I know, it's bad)

boots boots!

"These are my I don't need a job, I don't need a man,I don't need my dad because I have new boots, boots!" That's my favorite line from a favorite show......anyway...

Max got some new boots boots today. That's right, just as he began taking his first steps (yes, you read correctly, almost walking at 9 months) The Dr. discovered that his toes are growing inward so we had to put casts on him, quickly before he got the walking thing totally figured out and was REALLY REALLY mad, boy is he mad anyway! Hopefully he will only have to have them on for about six weeks, and then we have to do night splints! This couldn't have happened to a busier baby, on the cusp of just walking and bam! Cut down in his prime! The Dr. said he very well will figure out walking with the casts on, so for now, he has been slowed a little, but it breaks my heart since he's literally been on the go on his own since he was 5 months old....he's a little trooper though! Oh and one more little catch...NO BATHS. PERIOD. That is our saving grace with this little one, not to mention, we gotta keep that hair clean!! Should be interesting. I'll keep ya posted.

2009 In Review

Okay, It's totally over, the whole New Year Enigma, I know, BUT for my own purposes, here are a few things that stick out in my mind from the past year:

The best thing in 2009: Our little Max was born, of course! And only 7.5 hours of labor vs. 24 hours (with Xander)

The worst: When I spilled my little 6 week old Maxi out of his carseat onto the driveway, headfirst, it was awful, ambulance and all. BTW he was totally fine, not so much as a scratch, and yes, I do still feel terrible.

The hardest thing in 2009: Sigh, trying to figure out yet another very fussy newborn.

The happiest thing in 2009: Brandon FINALLY finished his Bachelor's degree!

The most exciting achievement(s) in 2009: Xander was potty trained, moved to the downstairs bedroom all by himself, and learned to ride withOUT training wheels, this was a HUGE year for him!

Other noteable events of 2009:

*Xander started preschool

*My little sis got married

*My parents celebrated their 30 year anniversary

*We celebrated SIX years of marriage!

If this post seems totally mundane and boring, GOOD! This year has been pretty low-key compared to less and I can't say that I minded it! Can't wait to see what 2010 brings!

Four the love of fun!

I am SO done with January already! This month is so hard!! Although, we did get the month off to a good start (see all the pics below from new year's day), I'm still ready for it to be over with...



Our good friends graciously let us come out and tear up the powder on the property of their future beautiful home, thanks again guys!!

Ya, That's me! Dangerous huh!

Ya, I know this is random, but everyone probably got so sick of me complaining about how my baby never slept, that I thought I'd post a pic of him sleeping, he does it ALL the time now!! Yay! (Please ignore the bottle in his hands. Yes, I am one of those moms)

Fancy Dad takin' the new ride for a spin!

And I can't believe I left this one off the last post! Our two boys on christmas morning! Man, they sure do look like brothers to me.

Merry Christmas!

Some pics from our Christmas....In no particular order...

Mom and Dad, still in Love as ever and great senses of humor!

Daddy and daddy's boy on The Big morning.....

Me and my little buddy in our PJ's

Me ranting and raving about something as usual....wait, a deep freezer! I didn't even notice! yay!

The gift of the year...Dad finally got a snuggie! (you're welcome dad!)

Xander so determined....after we had to tell him "just tear off the paper!! it's okay!"

These two are SO cute! Everyone in this pic has the cutest expression I think.

Reunited.....at last!

All the little Rodriguez grandsons......

Our cute little Grandma Rodriguez, Te Quiero!

We hope everyone had a beautiful, love-filled Christmas like we did this year. We wish you the best! Happy Holidays!

Lights!

Last night we visited the Ogden Christmas village. It's something we both have fond memories of as children, and we are SO glad they still do it! Xander loved peering in the windows of all the different little houses, and this one (above) is my favorite (notice the melted snowman on the middle stool who was eating soup while his friends ate ice cream!)

It was WAY past his bedtime, but he was so good!!!

We also went to the Layton City lights the night before....Xander makes me laugh so hard....

No one would be in the pic with me................

These two are so cute!