July and August

We have been having a busy Summer......and now it's over and I am still busy. Although, I probably make myself busy so I can't complain too much. I thought about just skipping the last two months and starting off in September, but I figured I can show a little.

I have been teaching Zumba classes at the church twice a week. I figured this way I can get better at being an instructor and work my library of songs before I start a paid class. I have also been trying to sub classes when I can to make some money to pay for my membership as an instructor. I really love Zumba and I enjoy the classes at church, but Zac worries that I am doing too much and taking time away from the kids. So I will probably go back to just one class a week, not to mention I am now the 2nd Counselor in the RS Presidency. I am so excited for this new calling, and to get to know the women in the ward better. I have definitely missed it while I have been in Nursery.

The beginning of July we of course celebrated the 4th. We were able to go up to the Palmer's new house and have a BBQ and watch the fireworks out there. It was a lot of fun to get out of the city spend time with them. I am always so grateful for the wonderful friends we have.

By the way, Wesley spit up on my leg, in case you were wondering.

Then on August 10th Alexandria had her baby, Adelena Noelle Palmer. We are so excited for the Palmer family and their new adventure.

Wesley also turned 4 months in August and he was 19lbs. 11oz. He hadn't eaten in like 5 hours so I don't really count it. I definitely think he is over 20 lbs., but it brought him back down so that he was actually touching the top of the growth chart instead of above it. :)
Gavin is a wonderful big brother, although a little too rough sometimes. Surprisingly Wesley doesn't mind it most of the time. I think he is going to have to be tough to hangout with Gavin. He sits(lays) and watches him play the iPad and wants to be where ever Gavin is. They are so fun but I am worried about the trouble they are going to get in next year. I think I have my hands full now, I am pretty sure I have a lot of future messes to clean up.

Zac and I also celebrated our 4th Anniversary and went out to Rodizio Grill. Zac loved the meat and I love the grilled pineapple so we both went away happy. Mostly I just love getting to spend one on one time with my best friend and the love of my life. He still makes my heart melt, and I couldn't have asked for someone better. He is the most amazing man I know and I am so lucky to be married to him for eternity.

A quick picture from Rachel's birthday. I think we could the Avenger's a run for their money. 

Avenger's Assemble!

The end of August we went to Ely for Trevor's Mission Farewell. He gave a wonderful talk on Sunday. I looked over and say my Dad and Grandpa wiping away the tears. I can't imagine how it must feel to see your posterity build their own testimonies and progress in the gospel. Even as Gavin learns that Jesus lives at the temple or who Joseph Smith is, it makes me emotional. Elder Jones is definitely as prepared as he can be and will spend 8 weeks in the MTC before he leaves for Tampico, Mexico. I am so proud of him and I know he will bless the lives of so many as he shares the gospel and his testimony.

Now we are just waiting for the fall weather to kick in and the leaves to change. We are kind of tired of 90+ degree weather. Football season has started and Zac is excited to watch Peyton play in the Mile High City. Looks like we are going to have to get some number 18 t-shirts. We hope you are all enjoying the new school year and looking forward to Halloween in 6 weeks. I know I am. :)

Breckenridge Friend Trip and Father's Day

The weekend of Father's Day we took a trip to Breckenridge with our friends. It was so nice to get away for a weekend. I think even Zac had fun. I am so grateful that we have such AMAZING friends, they are the best!

We headed up Friday after work and met everyone at the mansion that we stayed in. We spent time in the hot tub, went up to Peak 7 and went swimming in their amazing pools, rode the gondola down the mountain, went shopping at the outlets and ate a ton of amazing food. It was great! We headed home Sunday afternoon and hit some insane traffic. And one of our friends had car trouble but in the end we all made it home safely. I put up a father's day sign and hopefully all of the men had a great day I know that we are so grateful for each of you. Especially my husband. He is one amazing dad, I have no idea how I got so lucky.

Here are some pictures from our trip.......

 Some went on a bike ride while the rest of the girls went shopping.

 At the pool....We tried to get Gavin in the picture...

 On the gondola

 Everyone.......Barrus, Davison, Hrienson, Mitchell, Murray, Olson, Palmer

(We missed the Hillyard's)

Happy Father's Day!

Wesley's Baby Blessing and 2 Months

Wow, life has been busy. That would be an understatement. I feel like I have had no time to do anything but work on the next project/task ahead. Which would be why I haven't posted in 2 months.
 Don't worry, you don't have to chastise me, I feel bad enough. :)
Anyway, let's take a little journey back.....2 months ago.......
It all started with a trip to Idaho for Zac's brother, Nic's, graduation. He also turned 18 the day after. It was great to be able to be with the Barrus family in Idaho before we all traveled to Ely. The drive to Ely was great actually. Gavin fell asleep while playing the iPad until Twin Falls, and then he rode with Grandma and Grandpa in their car the rest of the way. They said he talked the whole time. I guess they are more fun than we are. And Wesley slept most of the way so it was pretty chill for us. It is nice to have a baby that travels so well. We were in Ely for Wesley's baby blessing along with Dylan's baby blessing. We are so grateful for all the family/friends that were there. We love you all and are grateful for your love and support. Then a few days later we had my brother, Trevor's graduation. It was nice to see some of my old teachers. It made me feel really old to see kids that were in Elementary School when I graduated. Then we drove home. We spent almost 30 hours in the car driving from Colorado to Wyoming to Idaho to Nevada to Utah and back to Colorado. We were happy to be with family, but definitely ready to come home. Especially after a flu bug went around my Mom's house and almost everyone got sick. Zac and Gavin had to deal with it the whole way home but it wasn't too bad. Aside from an interesting gas station bathroom experience. I will spare you the gross details. :)

So here are some pictures from our trip....

 Riding the 3-wheeler at Great G&G Barrus's new house.

 Then to Grandpa's shop to ride some more cool trucks. What a lucky 2-year old.

 Great Grandpa Barrus, Grandpa Barrus, Zac, and Wesley.

 Jones Family

 Barrus Family

 Both babies, Wesley and Dylan. Dylan was 14 weeks and Wesley 7 weeks.

 Gavin and Everett during Uncle Trevor's Graduation

A few days after we got home we had Wesley's 2 Month Appointment. If you have not heard how much he has grown, be prepared to be shocked!

2 Months:
Weight: 16lbs 3oz (a weight gain of 9lbs 8oz in 6 weeks)
Height: 24in

The Dr. actually commented that I needed to be more observant about feeding cues of when he is full. I feed him less than I fed Gavin and he has gained faster than even Gavin has. Other than that he is perfect! His most common nickname around the house (aside from Wes) is Chunkers, we think it is suiting. :)

 2 Months Old

I LOVE these boys!

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday is Mother's Day and I am so happy to be a mother to these two perfect boys. They give my life purpose and I love them with every part of me. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me these children and allowing me to watch over and teach them. Being their mother is one of the greatest joys that I could ever have.

I am also grateful for my own Mother and her wonderful example to me. I would not be the mother that I am without her example. She is the most amazing woman in the world to me, I love you Mom!

I am also grateful for my Mother-in-law Betsy. She raised my amazing husband and taught him how to be a loving husband and father. I am so grateful for all that she does, I love you Betsy!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the women out there. Whether you are a mother or not, you still nurture and love others around you! Thank you for your example to me.

More Pictures

 All the babies!

Pearl 6 months, Lisa 5 months, Graham 8 weeks, Wesley 4 weeks

 Gavin thought he needed to get in on the action too.

And then so did these silly girls. Lydia(middle) is 5 days older than Gavin, and Mia is 4. These girls are his BEST friends!

First time at the Pinata! Cinco de Mayo!

His cheeks are going to fall off they are so heavy. Just his little chin sticks out.

Our silly Buzz, or Captain America or whatever else he is dressed up as at the moment.

 Exactly 1 Month Old

1 Month Old

Wesley is already 1 month old and I have no idea where the time has gone. I have really been trying to enjoy this time while he is still in the newborn phase, it just goes by so quickly :(. And I have to say, he is definitely packing on the pounds. I think I am just destined to have chunky babies :). I do love them chunky, but I feel that it makes them look a lot older than they are, and they lose the newborn-ness so much faster. Wesley is a good sleeper, he wakes up 2-3 times a night but it is usually about 3 hours apart, sometimes 4. He usually goes right back to sleep, but of course he has had a few nights where he doesn't want to go to sleep or he thinks that he should be awake in the middle of the night. At his first appointment (4 days old) he already weighed 6lbs 12oz, so he was back above birth weight. At his 2 week appointment (10 days), we were SHOCKED to find that he was 7lbs 14oz and 21 inches. Having grown 1 1/2 inches and gaining 18 oz in just 7 days. We wont have another appointment until he is 2 months so we will see how he has grown by then.

Gavin has been adjusting to life with a little brother. He has found that he can do whatever he wants while I nurse because there is nothing I can do about it. He also is much needier for our attention. He always asks me to hold while I am nursing and I feel bad that I can't do it. He is learning to be more gentle, but he is a boy and doesn't always watch where he is going, so Wesley is learning to put up with a lot. Gavin loves his little brother and loves to give him kisses and look at him. He always tells us, "Wes is so cute." The thing he is really struggling with is bedtime he keeps waking up in the middle of the night and tries to come and sleep in our bed. Before Wesley came it was about 1 or 2 times a week, now it is everyday. We have tried locking him in his room but then he just screams. We have finally taught him that he can sleep on the floor by our bed. But, we are working on him staying in his room.

We were fortunate enough to have Zac's family here when Wesley was born and they did lots of fun things like going to a Rockies Game, Golfing, and the Zoo. Then my Mom came when Wesley was 2 weeks old and we enjoyed lots of shopping and Zac and I were even able to go to the temple. Gavin loved having everyone come and visit and misses all of you. He will be happy when we see everyone in about 2 weeks for graduations and Wesley's blessing.

Pictures!

2 weeks old

First Sunday Back at Church

Yes, we did take our 2 year old to see The Avengers in 3D. Awesome!