Sam's Graduation

Gavin and I flew to Houston the first week of June for my baby sister's high school graduation...yes I feel old! My whole family was there except my oldest sister and my hubby who had to work. It was SO AWESOME spending time with my sisters and their families. Grandma FernEtta and grandpa Mike were there as well, bringing the count to...wait for it...16! We had such a good time going to the Natural History Museum to see China's Terra Cotta Warriors, going to an Astro's game and of course, boating in addition to the graduation. Sam's graduation was awesome other than the fact that Gavin exploded out of his shorts! Luckily I had a change of clothes in his bag! Way to go mommy! The ceremony was only an hour and 15 minutes! SHORT and SWEET! Sam looked beautiful and couldn't stop smiling. Boating was so much fun as usual and Gavin LOVED splashing in the water and would cry every time we tried to take him out. Once he got his hands on a Gogurt he was pacified though. :) Thanks Mai and Daddy for a great trip! Y'all ROCK! Congrats Sam!!

CoUsIn FuN!! YIPPEE

During the month of May, Gavin was able to spend a lot of time with his cousins Elise and Melody. We were up in Utah for Jenny's wedding and then a few days later they came down to Arizona! Gavin loves pounding on the piano with Elise and climbing up the steps with Melody. Gavin and Melody are only 3 weeks apart and have a good time together. Although they don't really play together they play side by side pretty well with the occasional Monster Gavin steam roller over Melody. All the kids love swimming so we swam at the pool while Brian and Ann and their family were here. WE LOVE COUSINS!

Jenny and Fez's Wedding

CONGRATULATIONS JENNY AND FEZ ALAMA! May 26th, Jason's little and only sister Jenny was married in the Salt Lake Temple to Brian (Fez) Alama. We flew up the Friday before the grand event. We were able to be there for the bridesmaids luncheon at the Lion House (YUM!), Jenny taking out her endowments and one of Jenny's bridal showers (which they planned right before the wedding so I could attend...so sweet). We had a blast spending quality time with family and getting to know Fez better. Gavin loved playing with cousins (all three even took a bath together...pic left out due to Jason's strict "no flashing the family jewels" policy!) The weather was perfect on their wedding day, sunny but not too hot. Jenny looked GORGEOUS and Fez looked quite dapper. :) The luncheon and decorations were amazing. Jenny's colors were black, white, fuchsia and green. My favorite part, aside from the actual sealing, was the musical number Jason and his brothers did for Jenny at the luncheon. They did a PERFECT rendition of MY LITTLE BUTTERCUP from The Three Amigos! It was pee-your-pants funny! Launa flew home with us on Wednesday to spend a few days with Gavin (it's all about the grandkids!) and then we were joined by Brian, Ann, Elise and Melody 2 days later. They drove down to pick up our extra table and chairs that will match their new kitchen, yay!

Saturday could not have been more packed with family fun! In the morning, Jason, me, Gavin, Brian, Ann and Melody hiked The Summit (it's a mile long hike that rises 1200 ft!) Then we all went swimming with Victor, Sam and Haley who had arrived in Mesa from Tuscon while we were hiking. A family get-together could not be complete without shopping so the girls left the kids with the boys and headed to the mall. That night grandma watch the kids while we went on a double date with Brian and Ann. We haven't done that in so long, it was really nice. Sunday was more relaxed and in the wee hours of the morning on Monday they all left to drive back home! :( (I'll add some hiking pics when I find them. Apparently we were all pictured out from the wedding because we barely broke out the cameras the whole weekend Launa and Brian and Co. were here...darn it!)

Luckiest Mommy in the WORLD!

I am the luckiest mommy in the world! I know I am a week late but I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings after my FIRST Mother's Day! Gavin, from the moment I held you in my arms for the first time, to the day we brought you home from the hospital, to everyday since I have experienced such joy and love as to bring me to tears. My heart swells to almost bursting when I look at you and when you smile that cheesy grin at me. I can literally feel my spirit jump for joy when I see that you are happy. I cry when you hurt. My heart stops when you fall. My heart soars with excitement and joy when you succeed at learning new things. YOU are my most treasured possession. After such darkness and rain, YOU are my SUNSHINE! Gavin, I am truly the luckiest mommy in the world to have you as my son. You have such a sweet spirit. You are so full of life, always moving, always exploring the big world around you. You radiate such joy and purity. Your happy countenance lifts everyone around you. People are drawn to you and can't help smiling! :) Over the past three weeks your loving nature has begun to shine through all that you do. You love to give your blanket and puppy hugs and loves every time you see them. I love it when you wrap your arms around my neck and hug me tightly. I love the way you rest your head on my shoulder for the slightest moment to show your contentment. When you play you crawl over to me every few minutes to rest your head in my lap for a second or give me a hug. These are my most treasured moments and memories! Your daddy and I pray EVERY NIGHT that we can be the best parents for you. We pray every night that you will continue to be the happy little boy you are now and grow healthy and strong. We thank Heavenly Father EVERY NIGHT for your birth mother Ariel and birth father David. They love you so much and want you to have everything life has to offer, but especially to have the gospel and the blessings of the temple in your life. I know without a doubt, almost more than I have ever known anything in my life, that you are my son and that you belong in our family. My greatest joy and calling in this life is to be YOUR MOMMY!