Colorado Trip

The first part of Feb. we all packed up again and headed to Colorado to see family and attend the wedding of my cousin Matt and his new wife Kate. It was was so funny to leave snowy Oklahoma to go to Colorado where we were told that it wasnt going to snow...if you know our family, you know that snow and Colorado is a touchy subject for Joey...our last trip there we were stuck in a small town on the highway after a major blizzard..did I mention it was New Years eve?? Here is a list of things I learned on our trip:

1: If you are the one with the nice camera, you dont get to be in any pics

2: Even if the forecast says no snow in Colorado, DONT believe them, ever.

3: My family is crazy

4: Even if you dont get to see you cousins for awhile, if you are close you just pick up where you left off

5: Snow kissed mountains are beautiful

6: Taking your child to experience new places and new things is a priceless gift you can give them

7: My family is crazy

8: My brother, even thought I love him so much, is by far the SLOWEST person I have ever met!

9: I love getting away, but there is just no place like home, especially when you have a baby that sleeps better in her own bed

10: My family is crazy, but I love them all, just the way there are, which did I mention was crazy!

Warning: Lots of pics to follow, very few of which I am in

Up, up, and away!

Because I love my dad and Angela, and they way that they both sleep with their mouths open

View from my uncles house

Breath-taking

The first night there we celebrated Noras birthday (one day early) and Nickolas' (3 days late)

Yummy cake

Un-decorating the cake before we eat!

I love how much Joey and Nora get along, it is amazing watching Joey interact with her, so sweet!

Nick cutting the cake, Nora requested her whole name on her piece, see pic above for size reference :)

She was eating so fast I couldnt get my shutter speed fast enough to keep up!

The loves of my life!

This was at the rehearsal dinner, it lasted way past Grays bedtime so she just passed out with daddy

and oompah

First day in Estes Park...Starbucks!

As if the birthday cake the night before wasnt enough, Nora needed a cupcake the next day too

Sweet lady

This Starbucks had the coolest highchair-carts. Gray loved going for a ride with Grammy

Moto-Moto (Grays monkey) wanted to ride too

Love these three!

Because this is how she roles...

This pic is for Lena. She told me once that she thought Joey looked like a young Harrison Ford..HaHaHa!

Candy Apples at the candy shop

"Grammy"and Nora watching the taffy pull

Wedding Night:

Hanging with Grammy

Like the normal wedding tradition they lit white candles in honor of family members that had passed and couldnt be part of their day, however, Matt and Kate also had a cream colored one to honor Grandma because she wasnt able to make the long trip :) So sweet!

My Family!

Daddy/Daughter dancing

Nick and Angela

My lady and me!!

Three generations

We had such a wonderful time! I wish I was able to get more pics, but I was busy chasing or entertaining a little one that is learning she wants independence, and she wants it now!

We cant wait for the next trip to Colorado, however, we promised Joey this time would be in the summer!!

Nine Months!

I cant believe that our sweet girl has been in the world as long as she was in my tummy! I remember clearly the day I took a pregnancy test, and VERY clearly the day she was born. Those two days seemed a world apart. Now remembering the day she was born....it seemed like yesterday. How can it be that the same time span can be so different? Gray has made every day of the last nine months better in so many ways. I cant even remember what it was like to wake up and not see her smiling face first thing. It is amazing how one little person can make a couple into a family. I cant wait to see what next next three months brings, I know that it will go by so fast, and before I blink her birthday will be here! Happy 3/4th Birthday Baby Gray! We love you more than you will ever know :)

Im 9 months old!

Sweet smiles

The camera comes out and Gray turns it on!

"wow, thats a BIG number mom!"

Thank you all for continuing to read our blog...havent I been good lately? More fun to come

One Fish, Two fish, Red Fish, Gray Fish...

A couple of weeks ago Gray started swim lessons at the YMCA here in Norman. It was a three week session with two classes a week. She took the classes with two other little cute ladies, Devon and Annabelle. These are the pics from her first class. She LOVES bathes, but wasn't so sure about the HUGE "bath" that we were getting into but by the end of the session, she loved it too. We are taking another round starting in a couple of weeks, and I cant wait to see if she is still a little fish! (please note: if you scroll down you will be forced to see me in a bathing suit...for this I apologize!)

Changed and ready to swim!

"Mom, you keep smiling, Im trying to figure out this Giant bathtub!"

"Ooh I like this huge rubber ducky...maybe this isn't so bad"

"What are you looking at daddy?"

"oh me? Im just hanging on my kick board"

"Umm...guys...it's a little cold out here"

"I think I like the yellow kick board better"

"Mom!!! What are you about to do to me???"

(this was right before her first "plunge")

That didnt go so well...mom has to learn to blow and dunk faster!!!

All the other dunks went MUCH better, we just had to get the hang of it

We can wait for or next session. I have faith that my love of water is hereditary, and Gray will love swimming as much as I do!

Atlanta

In early Jan. we packed up and took Gray on her first flight! I was really nervous on how it would all work out, but she was great! We went to Atlanta to see "Aunt" Jen and "Uncle" Ryan. It was so great to see them...it had been WAY too long. We can't wait to plan our next trip out there, I just cant go very long without seeing them! Thanks for having us, we LOVE and MISS you both so much!

At the airport, ready to go!!

waiting for our flight

"Uncle Ryan, I love you but not sure I trust you yet..."

"Ooooh what does US weekly say this week?"

"You're funny Aunt Jen"

"Aunt Jen made sure I had toys...and they were yummy!"

"Nom, Nom, Nom"

This was Grays favorite thing to do the whole trip

"Hey Muse...why are you on the other side of that gate?"

Lots of room to crawl around

We cant wait for our next trip to Atlanta!!

Santa came to town!

Gray must have been a VERY good girl this year, Santa spoiled her rotten. It was so fun getting to see how excited she got over all her new toys. She was on a major overload. I cant wait for next year.

All the toys that santa left! (minus the jumper, its been around for awhile)

Going at it!

Enjoying her new toys from Santa!

Christmas at Grammy and Oompahs!

With daddy and the cool Gyffy jumper that Uncle Nick got me!

I love my Grammy!

Christmas at BaBa and PaPas

My new riding toy they got me!

Opening gifts with mom

More gifts...these are from mom and dad!

One very happy girl!

I know its a month late but I hope you all had a great Christmas with Friends and Family...heres to next year being even better!

Epic Failure and 8 months

I officially have failed...I wanted to blog at LEAST once a week, and for some reason I cant even do that!!! My new years resolution was to be a better blogger..and even though its Feb. I start now...PLEASE hold me to this!!

So with that said, lets discuss another epic failure...I lost the 7 month pics of Gray. The Nikon was in and out of the shop during that time and I was using my point and shoot...somehow I lost the pics :(

So we will start over at 8 months. (for goodness sake she's almost 9 months!)

Here she was as cute as ever at 8 months old! She hadn't been feeling all that well so no smiles were given, but I still think she's a doll.

Oh..its picture time?

Okay I guess Im ready

This thing again...Oooh..now it says 8!!

Im a big girl!