It's a....

GIRL!!!
We are so excited to have a baby girl. The ultrasound went great and she looked healthy. Now the fun part begins...decorating, picking a name, shopping. Oh dear I think this one is going to be spoiled!

INSPIRATION

Sometimes to inspire employees/people you might have to do things a little out of the ordinary. Today was no exception. Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial weekend.

Girl or Boy?

We have our ultrasound on Friday to determine if the baby is progressing healthy, but most of all if we are having a boy or girl. We are so excited to find out!

What do you think we are having, a boy or a girl?

I LOVE MY WIFE

I am in a hotel room in Louisville, KY, attending the NRA show and was struck. I haven't publicly expressed my love for Sarah in a long time. Believe it or not, I was listening to George Strait and it just hit me. Growing up I got to do some pretty cool stuff and had a great family. But I truly feel that my life didn't start until I met her. The "miss popular", "social butterfly", always trendy and in the know, Sarah Jane Smith, or as many of you might know her as Jonesy.

All I can say is that she is constantly on my mind, and the happiness she has brought me is indescribable. Nothing compares to her love and support. She is my "Best Friend".

Love you Ting!

I know you don't do all if these things but " your my kind of woman"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loQT4mIJ0qU

Mommy and Me

Here are some more pictures of Garrett this year at his Mommy and Me program we attend with the Atascadero School District.

Father and Son's Campout

Aaron, his dad and Garrett all went to Lake Naciemento with our ward for the annual Father and Son's Campout. This is the first year we felt comfortable to have Aaron take Garrett for an overnight camping trip. Aaron was really excited that his dad was able to join the guys for the trip. Mr. G, aka the dirt dog, had a great time playing in the dirt with all the other little boys. It was a great bonding weekend for the family!

27th Birthday!

My 27th birthday was on May 8th! Wow, I can't believe that I'm already 27, I feel like I'm still 22. I remember when my brother turned 27, I was only 18, and I thought, he was so mature and old. Noe that I'm 27, it really doesn't seem that old...sorry brother!

Me and Kiwi, she is already 7 months along!

Garrett and his girlfriend, not friend, girlfriend Eva

Alison's Baby Shower

Walkin' the creek

Two pregnant mommas

Kendra and I headed up (in the Corolla, I was surprised it make it) to Alison's baby shower in Santa Cruz last weekend. These are my close girlfriends from the college days. We have all manged to stay close friends through the years. Alison's mom has this amazing house in Soquel that backs to a creek as to can see in the pictures. It was Alison's great idea to take a creek hike in our nice clothes...that water was fr-ee-zing.

We had a great girls weekend coming out to dinner at Pink Godzilla's, a sushi restaurant, getting ice cream, going out to breakfast at Gayle's Bakery and just catching up on girl time!

Hard at Work

Most people Think that I get to travel and do allot of cool things, which I do. But, I want everyone to know that its not all fun and games. Its hard work. Just take a look at these pictures and you will see the hard work that goes into my job.

Ok ok I am bluffing but hey someone has to do it! I am currently on a site visit for a conference that we hold every year. This is Kessler Canyon Lodge in Colorado. The pictures are of the lakehouse lodge and the master suite that I stayed in for the night. Its a great place! Love you Sarah and Garrett, be home soon, I miss you!

TURKEY ADDICT

For the past 16 years, dad and I have been going to Colorado to chase elk almost every year. These animals weigh about 7oo lbs on the hoof and make a huge amount of noise. Well two years ago I found an animal (actually a bird) that is about 1/25th the size of an elk and make about 3x the noise that an elk does. You guessed it, wild turkeys. I have become addicted to chasing these birds ever since, and until yesterday I was batting 100% on harvesting them. But I guess the excitement was just to much to handle.

Now for all of those thinking that hitting one of these birds is easy with a shotgun, I proved yesterday that even at 10 yards you can miss, over and over and over again. Enjoy the clip, I guess its proof that even the great white hunter is unsuccessful sometimes.

Oh the other reason I like this type hunting is I am the one doing all the calling and setup, unlike most of the hunts I go on with Weatherby, I am the guide, outfitter and hunter. This hunt, was also proof of why I hunt, its for the chase not the killing like some might think!

Can't wait til next spring!

Joys of Pregnancy

I've had this pain in the lower area of my body that the doctors can only describe as pelvic pressure that is causing pelvic discomfort. Their solution is for me to try physical therapy. Then if that doesn't work, we will try bed rest. Oh please not bed rest!

I'm a little worried about the whole physical therapy thing, but it seems pretty non invasive. Well wish me luck, first appointment is on Monday morning. They wanted to be there at 8 a.m., but all that know me well, know that I would never be on time to anything that started at 8 a.m.

I'm rambling on...in the mean time I'm having pain standing or walking, hence the title of the blog "the joys of pregnancy".

The Growing Belly--Week 14

Finally starting to feel the baby move and kick! And only four more weeks until we find out if its a boy or girl!
This picture has nothing to do with the post, I just like this pic of my sweetie and I.

Shelli's Bridal Shower

Last weekend Mandi and I hosted a bridal shower for Shelli (Aaron's youngest sister). We had a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme. It was absolutely fabulous! Everyone dressed up in their black dresses and pearls. Shelli looked like a beautiful bride-to-be! We had chicken salad sandwiches, fruit kabobs and other yummy treats. We had a great time celebrating Shelli. The food, games and company was just perfect! Thanks to the guys for watching the kiddos, so we could just enjoy the shower!

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TIRED IS AS TIRED DOES

Can you say I am tired. Garrett's actions speak louder then words. We took him to the pool yesterday and after a couple of hours he was just beat. We got home about 4pm and Garrett was sawing logs at 5pm. He was out! He didn't wake up this morning until 7:30. I guess its good to know that we still have enough energy to wear him out.

First Beach Day of the Year

Aaron has Fridays off so we headed to Avila Beach where the weather was 78 degrees, it was a beautiful day for a picnic and playing in the sand!

Prego Update

My growing belly!

Today I'm 12 weeks prego! Woohoo, that means that I'm finally in the second trimester and that much closer to holding a cute little baby. Aaron and I have been duking out baby names and have yet to come to an agreement. We have been busy with work and entertaining the little one. Still feeling sick and sleepy from the pregnancy so I've been laying low. Aaron has been really helping out around the house playing mom and dad. I'm truly greatful that he has SOO much energy. Here is a pic of our 9 week ultrasound, Aaron and I thought the baby looks like a little jelly bean.

This is a 2 year old having a tantrum! Too funny!

Colorado River Trip

The beach, 85 degrees, the river, the boat, sand castles, wild river rafting (just kidding we were tied to a rope because the guys didn't trust the pregnant lady rowing), fishing, golf, and relaxation. Just what the doctor ordered!

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Easter Visits

For Easter my Mom, Tom, grandparents, brother and family came for a visit. We had a great time just relaxing and catching up on Baby Claire time. Grandma Debbie made Garrett this really cute sock monkey that is Garrett new B.F.F. The other day while we were in Arizona he was even changing monkeys diaper...too silly. We had an Easter egg hunt at the house, Aaron and I spoke at church and we had an yummy easter dinner with the whole family.

Thank you for coming to visit everyone!

Friends 'til the end!

Kendra, Me and Anna

A couple weeks ago my friend Anna (a.k.a Cupcake) came into town from Santa Cruz, and Kendra (a.k.a Muffin) drove up from San Luis Obispo to visit. Kenda and I became friends our freshman year of college. We were in Student Government together, and after April (1st roomie in college, and still one of my best friends) and I invited her for a trip up to San Franciso with us, after that trip we became best buds. We later became room mates, work together at the Berryman, and shared may funny adventures together. Though we live our busy lives, she will always be a close and special friend.

Ode to the Anna. We met while working as hostess' at Hudson's Grill in SLO we also have shared many fun college memories together and continue to be great friends. She is my guardian angel, and after I had Garrett she lived with Aaron and I for a month or so, and she was GREAT help to us. She is one of the kindest most sweet people you will ever encounter. I love these girls, and they will always be some of my closest friends.

Now we just have to get Alison to come for a visit!

Love you girls!

Backyard Fun!

Current Read

Finished Saving Fish From Drowning, it was an amazing journey through rural Asia with a group of American travelers.

I've now moved on to Gordon B. Hinckley's Standing for Something. Join along, we could start a book club!

Happy News!

Aaron and I found out the day after our anniversary that we are PREGNANT (so much for keeping it a secret)! We are very excited to welcome Smith Baby #2 in late October! I'm feeling sicker than a D-O-G, so I'm no fun at the moment, hence why I haven't been posting much.

I was going to post this with the last one, but it deserved it's own separate post!

Happy Anniversary!

Aaron and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary in Reno on Feb. 22. Aaron had to go to Reno for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Expo, so Garrett and I tagged along with him! Aaron's parents met us there so Aaron and I were able to go out to dinner to Famous Murphy's and enjoy the Big and Rich concert (thanks so much Papa 2 and Meme!). Aaron treated me to a massage and facial at the hotel spa, it was so relaxing I feel asleep during the massage. Hope I wasn't snoring away:) We enjoyed spending time with family and doing some shopping (DSW is my new favorite shoe store). Reno has so many great stores, much, much better than Paso Robles, where the ONLY major clothing store is Kohl's.
On our way up to Reno we stayed the night at my brothers new pad in San Ramon. His new baby Claire is SOOOO CUTE. She looks a little scared in this picture, she was hoping that Garrett the crazy toddler wouldn't attack:) Thanks Sean and Michelle for the comfy place to stay and the delicious dinner!

On our last day of the trip Garrett contracted some sort of cold, so when we returned home we took him to the doctors office and found out he has pneumonia and an ear infection! Poor baby doll! He has been really sick, and has not eaten for three days, only juice. We are taking good care of him, and making sure he lays low for the next week or so.

Love you all!

New Read

Since I'm on a roll, I starting reading Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan. It was been sitting on my shelf for a year, finally decided to dust it off and hopefully get lost in another literary masterpiece.