Vegas Baby, Vegas!

VIVA LAS VEGAS! We had a great time in Vegas last week. The PBR was on the edge-of-your-seat awesome. There were times I couldn't even watch it was so intense. The buffets were delicious. We had one run-end when Garrett and I got either food poisoning or the flu, but we survived, ended up loosing a few days of party time. We are able to go to the Mandalay Bay Aquarium and lay out by the pool/beach/lazy river.

The Championship Night of the PBR was so much fun. Aaron's parents ended up meeting up in Vegas to attend the big night. Justin McBride ended up winning up finals. We were able to be apart of the filming of CSI:Las Vegas, see Stomp-Out Loud and Jewel perform (not all at the same time). Since Aaron's work sponsors the PBR we were able to go to all the VIP events and have awesome seating at the finals! Thank you Weatherby!

It was a memorable trip can't wait for 2008!

Halloween Night

On our way to Vegas we stayed in Tehachapi to celebrate Halloween with Aaron's family. We had a busy night visiting Great Grandma and Papa Smith, Aunt Linda and Uncle Rich, going to the downtown Tehachapi's Trunk or Treat and the Trunk or Treat at church....wow we got quite a bit of candy! We had so much fun with the family. Garrett must have ate three cupcakes that night and like two suckers...we were all on a sugar high.

Mandi and I dress up as a belly dancer and a kitty. Garrett was so amazed at the whole trick-or-treat concept, you say please and people and they just hand out candy to you...soooo awesome! We had to hide this basket, so he would stop asking for a "treat" for breakfast.

Mommy and Me Halloween Carnival

On Friday we had the Annual Halloween Carnival and Parade at Templeton Park with our Mommy and Me class. Aaron was able to join us for the fun! We just love this program, the teachers and staff do so much for the kids. This was Garrett's first debut of his firefighter costume. We were a little late getting there since our little fireman dumped his firefighter hat in the toilet right when we were ready to leave...it needed a little clean-up before we left! It is never a dull moment, but that is what makes life more interesting!

Garrett enjoying the ring toss!

Temple Trip and Waldrum Family Visit

We were able to attend our stake's LA Temple event on Saturday. The Waldrums were so gracious to watch Garrett for us while we attended the event. We spend Friday night and Saturday evening just hanging out with them and catching up. Aaron and Jeremy went to high school together and he was also the best man in our wedding. Thankfully Jamie and I get along really well, so we always have a fun time together!
Garrett and their daughter Kamryn were signing "ring-around the rosies" together and zooming along the apartment in the Mermaid car and a shopping cart...needless to say, Garrett had a great time!
We spend Saturday evening at the South Pasadena's Trunk-Treat event....WOW~I have never seen so many kids at a ward event. Jamie said there are 30 young couples in their ward...I was really jealous. Waldrams...we need you back in Paso!!

Foot Soak Party

On Thursday night I had a Body Shop party hosted by Kiwi, she is a new demonstrator. She whipped out the foot soak bins and we had a great time relaxing, shopping and eating yummy pumpkin pie! Thanks Kiwi for the GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

Weekend of Parties

Last weekend we went to our friend Eva's birthday party at Templeton Park. She had a Shrek party, it was too cute with the way her mom Mindy decorated with a Shrek theme. Garrett had a great time sliding down the slide like a thousand times.

On Sunday, we went to Missy and Jared Howard's daughter's baby blessing. She is the same age as my niece Claire (Claire born Sept. 7, Ella born Sept. 8, same day as Garrett). Afterward, we went to the Howard house for a luncheon that was sooo yummy. Jared's step mom made this cake that was to die for it was so good, I will get the recipe and post it! We had a great time celebrating these special occasions with your dear friends!

This picture is of Ben and Alissa holding their son Maverick and the Howard's daughter Ella Jane. Jane seems to be the popular middle name these days!

Garrett'sTalking!

Garrett had his friend Pixie over this evening and he was really talking. He has been putting words together like "dada home" and "doggie potty". It is really one of my favorite stages to hear him talking, we are so blessed to have this little man in our lives!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fall, Around the House

I love this time of year! Decorating, baking , harvest parties, and pumpkin patches are a few of my favorite this about fall. I spend most of the day cooking it up! I made beef strognoff, spicy artichoke dip and a pumpkin spice cake...it was YUMMY! I've also been decorating with the pumpkins we picked up at the pumpkin patch earlier this week.

Our Paso Home, Sweet Home

I've been asked to post some pictures of the house and Garrett's bedroom. He is now in his big boy bed and loves it. We decided to stay with the cowboy theme, so we got him these cute sheets with a cowboy scene.

Here is the bookcase that I painted for his room. It was given to me by my step brother and his family. I just painted it red to match is room them sanded the edges to make it look worn and rustic.

We had a great day just hanging out at the house. I took Garrett and met my friend Betsy from my new ward at the Atascadero Lake Park and walked around the lake for exercise. She has twins, a girl and boy, the same age as Garrett. Betsy is also a recreation major and her husband is in rec too, so we have a few things in common!

Happy fall!

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday Garrett's mommy and me class went to the Children's Pumpkin Patch out in Santa Margarita, a cute little country town. He had the best day on the farm, there is a petting zoo (where Garrett put his finger up all the goat's noses), a haunted house (too scary for the little ones), and large pumpkin patch. It is a really cute place. It was fun hanging out with all the mommies and watch the kids chase chickens, play on the tractors, and pick out the pumpkin of their choice to take home. It was a wonderful day for Garrett.














After the pumpkin patch we went to visit Ashleigh and Mike at her parents house. She just had her little baby girl 4 days ago! They named her Daisy Jane Bayard (I love the middle name Jane...it's my own:). She is a little love! I watched her son Ethan and Garrett as they played in the dirt with tractors while she had some alone time with Daisy. It was nice to spend some time with them before they head back to LA.

We had a great day enjoying the beautiful fall weather on the Central Coast! Come and visit us so we can go back to the pumpkin patch!

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.