Thanksgiving Travels

Still recovering from the holiday travels, laundry to do, messages to return, and colds to fight off. We had a great time visiting with my family in Riverside. We went to my grandparents house on Thanksgiving and had a great time watching Garrett trying to play tennis. Since Garrett is really into golf, he proceeded to use the tennis racket as a golf club...that's our little Tiger in the making!

Went shopping on Black Friday, also just figured out the retailers call it Black Friday:) On Friday night we went to the Mission Inn, place were Aaron and I honeymooned our first night as a married couple. They had a Christmas lighting ceremony that included fireworks, ice skating, hot cocoa, all the little mom and pop shops were open as we walked down the historic downtown area of Riverside. It was truly charming, and a great way to welcome in the holiday season.

The Big Proposal

Shelli, Aaron's younger sister, was proposed to by her boyfriend of a couple years on Thanksgiving Day! We are so happy for them and are excited to have Robert as a part of our family.

Congratulations Shelli and Robert!

Where in the World is Aaron Fall 2007

Well I am back, after traveling North America I have a little break. (Three weeks to be exact) I have been to CO, WY, GA, and MT since the end of September. I have to say it has never felt so good to be home. I miss home, I miss Sarah, and I miss Garrett. Above are some photos of my recent trips. I hunted in CO for elk with the Magazine Outdoor Life. I probably wouldn't have gone on this hunt, but it was a paid archery hunt, and since I am addicted to archery elk hunting I couldn't resist. Working for a firearms company I don't get to do much feather flicking that often. This was a great trip but I unfortunately missed a big bull at 40 yards and wasn't able to fill my tag. It was a great trip with allot of horseback riding and walking. Always good for the physical fitness.

Then, the travel really heated up with two trips in October. I went to Glenrock, WY for my normal antelope and mule deer hunt, this was a great trip and is alway relaxing. We stay in a hotel that was built in 1903 and is supposedly haunted. My boss has had 3 encounters with the female ghost who comes and visits the people who stay in room 208. Its pretty cool I think. We had a great time but was very excited to fly to Sacramento to meet up with Sarah and Garrett at Sarah's cousins wedding in Auburn.

I return home just in time to pack and travel to GA for a little quail hunting. All I can say about this trip is that I won't live in GA. I did the humid thing on my mission and don't want any part of it any more.

And now today. I just returned from MT, where I went into the Bob Marshall Wilderness for 8 day to elk hunt. What an experience. I rode over 100 miles on horseback and spent half of my time in snow. It was a true wilderness adventure. The writer I took was successful on the first day and then I missed a bull elk on the third. I wasn't successful on this hunt but the experience will provide memories for an eternity.

I hope everyone is doing well. I am looking forward to seeing everyone for the holiday. Talk to ya'll soon.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

Happy 28th birthday sweetie! We love you!

Love,

Sarah, Garrett, Lulu and Koda

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!