Auburn Trip

Last week we went to Auburn for my cousin Emily's (my mom's sisters daughter) wedding. We had a great time with all the family. Since we live all over the state it is nice to get all together. Aaron wasn't going to be able to make it to the wedding because of a business trip, but he was able to catch a flight to Sacramento and meet us there, it was nice to have a date at the wedding...although Garrett makes a pretty great date!



















The wedding was at a golf course in Auburn called The Ridge. It was so beautiful and the food was amazing. Garrett found some kids to play with, so most of the reception I played the chase after Garrett game. We were able to see my new niece Claire, who is 5 weeks old and soooo cute. Garrett loved to put her binky in her mouth, and he would just point to her and say "ohhh baby".

So Who Does Garrett Look Like?

Finally a Family Again

Aaron got home from Colorado yesterday afternoon and we are so happy to be together again. It is so cute to see Garrett get so excited to see Aaron come home. He runs to him and yells "DADA"!!

We are finally moved into your house and loving all the room, the new house is 2,000 sq. feet , I feel like my house is bare! It is really tempting to want to do buy new decorations for the house, but I'm trying to restrain my self from splurging:) It is in a cute community called River Oaks
it is a perfect place for Aaron, there is a golf course across the street. For me there is a day spa and hot springs, and for Garrett there are miles of walking trails. There is even a nice restaurant. Make it convenient to have all the amenities within walking distance!

Garrett's room is all decorated and he is now in a big boy bed! He is so excited to have his own bed, it was kinda of sad putting away the crib, but I know it will get used again for another baby (not prego yet!).

I finally getting back into routines like actually making dinner, cleaning house and all those other fun chores that I tend to ignore when Aaron is away. Then the day before I know he is coming home I run around and clean like heck to make the house look perfect for his arrival! Such a nice wife!

I will post pic of the new house once I get a hold of the camera, Aaron took it to Colorado.
We started Mommy and Me and Garrett is enjoying seeing all his little friends from last year!
He had a Doctors appt. yesterday, his 2 YEAR CHECK UP! I can't believe my baby is TWO! It is hard to believe. He weighs 23 pounds are we are excited he is gaining weight~for a while there he was only in the 2nd percentile in weight!

He started a new preschool and is lovin' it. My friend Alissa's mom has a preschool in Paso Robles (our new town) and she has the biggest heart for children, and I just love her too!
Garrett goes to "school" a couple days a week while I go in the office. Work has been crazy busy and I'm looking forward to not working anymore and just focusing on being a mommy!
I will post pics soon!

Ashleigh's Baby Shower

Here are some pics of Ashleigh's baby shower that I help plan a few weeks back. Ashleigh is my friend that used to watch Garrett for me when I went into work. She was so great, and since she has moved to LA we miss her terribly! Come back Ash! Anyway, she is having a little girl in about 4 weeks are we are so excited and happy for Ms. Daisy to come into this world! In the pic of me, that is Ashleigh's sister-in-law Brook, she was instrumental in coming through for the shower. Everyone helped out so much to make it a fun event.

Garrett's Cowboy Round-up

We had a great time at Templeton Park celebrating Mr. G's 2nd birthday. I know I'm a little late posting, but better late than never!

We had polish sausage dogs, pasta salad, fruit salad, chip and dip, apple pie and homemade ice cream! Thank you to all our family and friends that were able to make it to the big event. Garrett is enjoying playing with all his new toys...and that gives Mommy more time to get things done around the new house! Oh, I will be posting about that soon too.

Baby Claire Is Born!

My brother and his wife Michelle had baby Claire Addison Bennett on Friday, September 7, 2007. Mommy and baby are doing great and they will be leaving the hospital tomorrow. She is so cute, we are loving having another baby in the family. She was born just one day before Garrett's birthday September 8th! So, that means my mom has two grandkids one day apart...how funny is that!

He is a pic of my new niece!

A Little More about the Sheep Hunt

Sarah said that I should give a little explanation of why, (other then the fact that my company pays for these hunts) I decided to hunt Dall Sheep in AK. For years I have seeked the adventure side of hunting. Before working for weatherby, I had not shot a rifle for 14 years, strictly shooting a bow, all for the challenge. A few years back my dad and I got into making the recurve style bows. You know the ones the Native Americans killed George Armstrong Custer with. That was allot of fun and even more challenging.
Now as far as archery goes, I love to elk hunt, but I am using the the training wheels (compound bow). I know most of the terminology is over your head, you'll have to come by my house and take a look in the garage to understand completely. Elk Hunting with a bow is the ultimate challenge being that these huge animals live in very high places.
Well the sheep hunting deal was the challenge, take a look at the pictures of where I slept for 4 days and what we had to do to get there. It put every aspect of hunting and every sensory to its max. If you want more info, just give me a call. Like I said earlier, 12 pages in my journal. I have tons of stories. Hope all is well. Stay tuned for the next adventure.

Where in the World is Aaron--Season 2

WOW , After 7 days with no shower, loosing 12 lbs, drinking creek water and eating Mountain House backpack food and smoked salmon, walking up and down some of the steepest canyons I have ever walked. I am finally home, oh, not to mention a late night flight to Bakersfield instead of my original flight to SLO. Thanks MOM! (She picked me up at 11pm and we drove to Atascadero)

I can't really give the whole story on the blog, it took 12 pages in my journal but here are some pictures to give you an idea of my adventure. This is a hunt I will never forget, the physical and mental stresses were unbelievable and the 4 hour hike up 3000 vertical feet to our spike camp was to the limit of my physical capabilities.

This area is a remote location outside of Fairbanks, AK in the Alaska mountain range. It took a 45 minute puddle jumper ride, a 3 hour quad ride and a 2 hour hike to our spike camp to get to the hunting area.

What a dream is all I can say, but it is so good to be home. Garrett is just connected to me, continually hugging me and squeezing my neck.

My boys!

I found Aaron and Garrett all tuckered out, they feel asleep watching TV together--too cute!

Blogger Tag

Jobs I’ve Held:
1. Mom & Wife (hardest, most rewarding job ever!)
2. Community Real Estate Manager (current job)
3. Stampin' Up! Consultant
4. Public Relations Assistant
5. Easter Bunny (first job at age 13...don't laugh

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
1. When Harry Met Sally
2. Where the Heart Is
3. Singles Ward--funny Mormon humor

My Guilty Pleasures:
1. Blogging
2. Craigslist
3. Celebrity gossip
4. Soda

Places I Have Lived:
1. Riverside, CA (birthplace)
2. San Luis Obispo, CA
3. Morro Bay, CA
4. Los Osos, CA
5. Atascadero, CA

Shows I Enjoy:
1. The Office
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. Army Wives
4. House Hunters

What were likely the 1st things you thought when you saw your significant other for the first time?
1. He is one of those "cool guys"
2. He has a strong spirit

Places I’ve Been on Vacation (other an the U.S.):
1. England
2. Mexico
3. Canada
4. Switzerland
5. Italy
6. Germany
7. Austria
8. France

Those were all before child...after child vacation spot

1. Beach!

Favorite Foods:
1. Sushi
2. Pizza and salad...have to serve it together
3. Tacos--Mom's recipe

Websites I Visit (almost) Daily:
1. Email
2. Friends Blogs
3. Pottery Barn Kids
4. Craigslist

Body Parts I Have Injured:
1. I had my gallbladder removed after I had Garrett...I'd say it was injured, sure felt like it.

Nicknames I’ve been called:
1. Jonesy (Jones was my maiden name)
2. Jonesmobile (only April calles me that)
3. Captin (inside joke with Mandi and Shelli)
4. Ting (pet name from Aaron)

Now I Get to pick 4 other Blog buddies to do this! Tag your it!
1. Mandi
2. Kari
3. Michelle
4. Amy

There are others...you know who you are:)

Where do I begin?

It was an eventful weekend.

Thursday Aaron and I along with the other Smith/Kirk kids went and saw Rascal Flatts with Jason Aldean. We all had such a great time hanging out together. It really was a treat to go out on the town and not have to pay for babysitting (thank you to Aaron's mom and dad).

Friday we entertained Shelli and her friend Robert around the Central Coast. We went to Firestone's for a tri-tip sandwich (the best tri-tip you will ever have, if you have not had it you must come visit and I will be happy to take you there!), then walked around downtown and checked out all the new shops they have put in.. We then drove to the Avila Valley Barn. It's an farm that has a fresh produce market, hay rides for kids, petting zoo and a homemade ice cream shoppe...I would also recommend this as a must visit Central Coast spot. We continued our tour to Avila Beach to soak up sun and let Garrett play in the sand. We really had a great day!It is so difficult to get a cute picture of Garrett...he is just too busy to stop for a baby photo paparazzi.

Saturday Aaron and I went with some friends to the Rodeo at the Mid State Fair, we had a great time and watched Phil Vassar perform. He is an amazing talent, I didn't realize he wrote "My Next Thirty Years" who is sung by Tim McGraw. He performed many of his own hits, along with some of the songs he has written for other artists.

Today, Sunday, we enjoyed church then went to Paso for our friend Bret's 30th surprise birthday party, we had a BBQ dinner, watch all the kids run and play together and enjoyed a yummy Madonna Inn Black Forest Cake! Wow, was that thing HUGE!

Today I realized that I have been married for 4 1/2 years and have been a member of the church for almost 6. It is amazing to me how time passes by so fast. I look back at all the time in my life I had stressed out about things or worried, but now I'm finding out that life will come as it may, but my faith in Jesus Christ, my loving family and wonderful friends will always be here for me, to bring me back up and keep me strong. I'm truly grateful for that.

That Can't be Comfortable

This is how Aaron found Garrett today when he was supposed to be taking a nap in his crib. How does he get out so quietly, and why would he rather sleep in a chair than in his own bed? Beats me!
Garrett-5, Mom and Dad-0

Mid State Fair

We took Garrett to the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles tonight. It is a big deal on the Central Coast. We had a great time attending this year with our friends Bret, Jenn and Tanner, we visited the livestock, had a funnel cakes (there goes working out this morning) and checking out all the exhibits. Garrett's favorite part was playing on the tractor display and seeing Sparky the Fire Dog. As tradition Aaron and Garrett rocked their cowboy attire to the fair. Garrett had on a his cowboy boots, but on the way to the fair, he decided that he did need to wear them anymore. Good thing I remembered to bring an extra pair of shoes!

We will go back on Thursday night to see Rascal Flatts in concert, we are going with Mandi, Chris, and Shelli. We are looking forward on taking Garrett back another time before it ends next week too.Garrett and dad with the Cerro Alto 4-H pigs.

Vacation Time

With all the happenings lately, we decided not to go anywhere and just enjoy what our home county has to offer. It has been a fun couple of days and as you can see in the pictures Garrett is loving every minute of it. The second picture could be titled "Footprints in the Sand"

Every Boy Wants a John Deere Tractor

Garrett's latest obsession are tractors, he pronounces it "tract-toe". At Tanner's (Garrett calls him TT) birthday party they (Brett and Jenn, our next door neighbors) had a John Deere theme complete with an actual tractor. They had tri-tip sandwiches that were to die for, they were delicious. All the kids had a great time playing and sitting on top of the tractor. It was the hit of the party!

Fun in the Big Yellow Pool

The actual title for this post should be "No Fear". Do you see him sliding down head first? This boy has no fear of getting hurt...he always leaves my on the edge of my seat!
Words cannot describe how much I'm in love with this cute little man!

Missy's Baby Shower

Last Saturday some friends and I through our friend Missy a shower. She is about to have a little girl, after already having two boys under 4, she is ready for a little girl! We had a great time, and Alissa even showed up with little Maverick, he is too cute.

Cayucos Beach

Aaron, Garrett and I spend Saturday at Cayucos Beach with our neighbors Jenn and Bret. Bret was working on the yard at his parents beach shack, so we came and spent the day with Jenn and Tanner at the beach. We had clam chowder, walked through all the antique shops and took the boys to play in the sand. It was really windy, but turned out to be a really fun Saturday afternoon.

Daddy's Little Helper

A Baby Boy is Born!

Our friends Alissa and Ben gave birth to Maverick Benjamin Bright on
July 1, 2007. He weighed a whopping 10 lbs. 7 oz. Alissa deserves a metal for all her hard work bringing him into this world. She went into the hospital to have him on Wednesday and didn't give birth until SUNDAY!

We went to visit the little family on Friday and got to hold Maverick, he is so little and cute. I didn't get to hold for very long, Aaron stole him away and was holding him most of the time. I think he has baby fever worse than I do!

4th of July Pics

Burrito baby, neighborhood fireworks show and family time all made up our 4th of July!

This year we spend the evening at my friend Michelle and Tony's house in Templeton. The kids had a fun time swimming and lighting off fireworks. Garrett wasn't too sure if he was supposed to be scared or excited about fireworks, he wanted me to hold him during most of the "show". Earlier that day we went to a pancake breakfast at church where they also had a flag raising ceremony, it was a great way to start off the day.
We had a great time spending the 4th relaxing and enjoying a little family time!
Michelle's daughter Mikaela in the middle next to her friend Savannah, they were babysitting Garrett and playing with him the whole night. Too cute.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th, hope you all have a safe and fun holiday!

Trivia-5 years ago on this day Aaron proposed to me at Pismo Beach...crazy how time flies!

Little Stinker

I put Garrett down for his afternoon nap, and after a few hours I went into check on him since he had been asleep for a while (he usually doesn't take long naps). This is how I found Garrett...he is too funny! He had got out of his crib, got all his shoes and toys out then must have fell back asleep.

Peyton's First Birthday

"Hold on tight Peyton, were going for a ride"

Last weekend we drove over to Tehachapi for my nieces 1st birthday party. We had a great time hanging out with the family. Aaron got to sneak in two golf trips, and I was able to get a pedicure and Stamp It Up! with Mandi, Shelli and Amy (who was visiting from Texas).
Peyton's party was at the Tehachapi City Park, and the whole party was themed in polka dots. Polka dot balloons, polka dot dress, cake, goody bags...it was really a polka dot party. Mandi did a really great job putting the party together. Happy birthday Peyton!