How to care for Baby:

Place the Baby

Wrap the Baby

Kiss the Baby

Love the Baby

Repeat

Meet the Rubbles!

Barney, Betty & Bam Bam (- the weapon). We thought we'd jump back on the theme train again this Halloween. Dale made his and Gavin's outfit, and my bow (he was convinced it would make me a believable Betty). I made my dress and now have officially sewn in a zipper all by my self! Yea me! Gavin was an earth friendly trick-or-treater, since I left his basket home. He even won a prize at the bean bag toss, what an arm. Such fun.

Playtime at the Grocery Store

This is the best thing to ever be stuck to a shopping cart! Amazing! I found a Kroger with one, and now its our favorite place. Shopping trips are so much more pleasant, and faster, including the 5 min. I'm willing to put in sometimes to track this sucker down. Its our FREE kiddie ride, no quarters necessary. Thank you Kroger!

Law Review (Oct 08)

Yea Dale! He was accepted into Law Review (the Law School's legal journal) and I got to go to his induction ceremony downtown at the US District Courthouse. He's an amazing legal writer and, though Dale likes to be very modest, he was told that his paper for entry was one of the highest scoring they've ever seen. He always makes me proud of him.

Gavin's Puddle Adventures (oct 08)

He just can't help himself, can't resist, he just simply must get right in that water. Thought I'd at least capture it. One day I'll wish he's still small enough to scoot through puddles on his car. I have so much fun with my little blond boy.

Ike weeks (Sept 08)

Well, the only real damage "WE" got, was from an enormous limb from the registered oak at our apartments that smashed in the covered parking 5 spaces down from ours. Luckily that just happened to be the only unoccupied space at the time, though it was blocking the truck of our neighbor "the cop". So when rain let up, Dale was out there with his might hand saw and was Hero of the Day.

We did enjoy some lovely leisure activities together. Thankfully our grill gave us an option for warm food and we had Blueberry (just add water) Pancakes every morning for 2 weeks. Gavin got lots of daddy time and read many many books (in the atmosphere of open windows and a celebrated breeze). We were at our friends the Tingey's most days in the 1st week (benefiting from their generator), and claimed this non-running Jeep from a neighbor. Gavin was thrilled. I should have taken a picture of memorable evening candlelight (rather lantern at the window to what we were lucky to see on our plates at the table light) dinners. All in all, a been there done that experience, and we now know the value of a solar shower. ; )

Galveston East Beach (Aug 08)

"I don't know how my hands got so dirty mommy, honest!"

"But this yucky muddy stuff is Awesome! What more could a Boy ask for?"

"Uh, I think I'll stay here thank you. I've assessed the situation with those ferocious waves over there, and this proves to be a more secure location at the moment. Though you drove an hour and a half for an ocean experience, I'm just gonna be right over in this here kiddie pool."

Gavin and cousin Hunter! (july 08)

Gavin is so loving. He loves babies, especially his cousin Hunter. We went over to Megan's in Gilbert, AZ before we came back to Houston, TX. Gavin was being so helpful, would lay on his tummy by Hunter, give him a blankey, or a toy. He was very excited when we let him hold the baby. I wish I could say Hunter had the same reaction. (they are so cute together)

Christian Courage

I just read this, and hope I'll always remember it:

In a recent article on Christian Courage , Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote, “I would say that one of mortality's great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively – to put up our dukes . But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior's example. Remember, Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi's dream, those coming to the Savior also endured ‘mocking and pointing … fingers' (1 Nephi 8:27). ‘The world hath hated [my disciples],' Jesus said, ‘because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world' (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.

Aunti Nessa (july '08)

This is my nephew Hunter, born June 16th. (here he is one month old). He and Gavin are just a year and a half apart. He's so cute isn't he ? What a cuddle muffin.

The Music Man

If you play the piano, and are a mom, you can understand how endearing this picture is to me. This is my little music maker. Here at home he loves to play with me too (the high notes aren 't so distracting to me). And yes, that IS chocolate on his cheek. What can I say, like mother like son.

Milions of Peaches, Peaches for Me!!

In June we went out to Schnepf Farms and got to pick our own Peaches!! We got sooo many, because it's Dale's favorite fruit. I've never had a store bought peach that compared to how wonderfully juicy these were. He is convinced when we live in Phoenix, we will rent a tree and pick all the peaches off from the year. (That sounded like the better option than letting him own an orchard). This is Dale making a true homemade peach pie. (notice his creative peach cut out topping the pie). What a chef he is ; )

Mush! Mush!

You'd think these two were practicing for a race! Gavin LOOOOVES Penny (my almost 13 yr old Dachshund) and Penny loves walks, put together these motivations to HANG ON and GO..... we've got ourselves one great kodak moment (and a fun time at the park).

Our 1st Family Camping Trip

When you want to escape June's heat in Phoenix, you go north. My My how wonderful it was to be freezing cold and bundle up that night. Why Phoenix wasn't built closer to wonderful Flagstaff weather: I wasn't in charge. Gavin had a blast with all the rocks, sticks and outdoor fun he could ask for. (I enjoyed him letting us snuggle together in my nice warm sleeping bag when he got cold in the night. That will always be my fond memory.)

Pro Corn Husker

We had a little timed Corn Husking Challenge against the guys for Memorial Day BBQ at Dale's parents house. Needless to say, Dale won! of coarse he ran into some opposition from our friend Mike's foot, and later when his brother Paul grabbed his bag and chucked it. At least they recognized who the real competition was. Despite it all, Dale was victorious. He was so happy ; )

Church

I thought these pictures were so adorable! Gavin tried to carry scriptures, but they were a little heavy. Good thing his Grandpa was there to help. Someday I'll put this little church-going Gavin photo next to his mission picture. What a cute lil' guy he is.

Gateway Pavilians - may 08

My dad took Gavin and I to the Glendale Hot Spot, where the 2008 super bowl was. So many fun restraunts and shopping. Gavin took advantage of soakin' up some Arizona sun.

Flight to Phoenix - May '08

There is NO other kind of experience than flying solo with an almost 1 1/2 yr old. Man did I officially feel like a responsible parent. He had his monkey backpack from my mom (more to grab when he starts to run), and so many things to point at all at once. He LOVES watching airplanes in the sky, so I could tell what an exciting experience this was for him. I somehow figured to manage luggage, a stroller, him, buying food and paying for it all at the same time. I was lucky how obedient I realized he could be and held on to the side of the stroller all the way to the gate. On the plane, I was that mom with so many books, snacks, activities, to barely fit in my space. Half the time, we were waving and stopping at every nice old man along the way down the isle. He FINALLY fell asleep the last 30 minutes, and you bet I got so many comments as people past me just letting him sleep and everyone else get off. I've never had so many people talk to me on a flight before. At least its a good sign when they still think he's cute after a 3 hr flight.

Blue Table

This is THE blue table I used to sit at when I was little with my sisters and get fed peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Its so bizzar that he is old enough now to sit there too.

Moving Day - May '08

We moved to a smaller apartment in May, and Dale and Gavin had more fun than I've ever seen during a move!

Galveston, TX - East Beach, April '08

We picked Dale up from school on a friday and drove down to the beach. Its so nice only living an hour and a half away. Its always a relaxing quick getaway and family outing.
We let Gavin eat a taco for the drive home. He got so messy and loved it!