Kansas City

It was nice to leave our cares and worries in Dallas and escape for a week to visit our family in Kansas City. And as an added bonus, my mom and dad also came into town.

Tanner would have been happy playing all day long with his cousins - but this trip seemed to be all about the kiddos and we did a lot of fun things with them. It's funny how I spent some of my high school years in KC -- and never new all these fun things existed.

Wonderscope Children's Museum

Aarrr! A pirates life is for ME!

The Spaceship Room

Love how Mason put the helmet on backward...

Tanner always manages to find a train no matter where he goes.

An endless amount of balls to do all sorts of cool tricks.

Puppet show with Nanny

Doctor, doctor, who needs a doctor?

They were SO excited about those SHOTS!

Love Mason's expression

A rocket ship made out of Legos!

Crown Center Plaza

FRITZ - First and foremost, FOOD! This restaurant seemed like it was created just for little boys like Tanner. Seriously, he was so excited the entire time watching the trains deliver food to everyone's table. And he ate every last bite.

He LOVED sitting next to Jared!

I think the only reason he liked the hat was cuz he saw Jared doing it :)

Oh look, here comes our food!

Clifford Exhibit

Kladeiscope - Hallmark Art Studio

This painting was turned into a puzzle when we were finished.

We came home with so many fun projects!

Monkey Bizness

While the kiddos played around, we got to chat with the Shelton family. Our families were always destined for one another -- our moms, sisters, and everyone was best friends. It was too bad Lisa lives so far away, but talking with her fam was the next best thing. It was great to see Audrey's little Carson. Time just flies by so quickly - last time I saw her was the night she went into labor w/him.

Every monkey needs a Tarzan swing

He kept trying and trying until finally he mastered it.

But he didn't mind falling either -he was cracking up the whole time.

And a place to jump!

This pic just reminds me of a picture from Dr Seuss Book as he tip toes across.

Pump It Up!

And of course, we have to go to a bounce house. It's his favorite thing to do.

Trying his very hardest to get every ball possible.

Just hangin' Out

Drive - Tanner riding on the JEEP. Seriously, he was in HEAVEN.

He didn't want to give it up -- even after we were done -- he'd keep escaping to the garage for some more action. Two years are so p.e.r.s.i.s.t.e.n.t.

Brittany showing off her moves on the scooter.

S'mores - how come ALL my favorite things always have to do with food? Kristan introduced us to a whole new world - s'mores made with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Pure yumm-ness!

Tractors - Tanner LOVED seeing the array of construction vehicles across the street at Keith & Kristan's new home. He could have starred at them working all day long -- and if it weren't for the heat, we may have survived more than 15 mins.

JUMP - Tanner loved jumping on the trampoline. He already jumps all the time at home -- so just imagine his excitement when he jumped on a real trampoline. And he even when he face planted a few times, he was doing nothing but laughing.

Jedi Knights - Mason and Tanner were running around pretending to be little Jedi Knights.

They kept giggling and laughing as they ran in circles around the house chasing one another.

And must I say, it's impossible to take pics when they're on the move. This is as good as it gets...

Aves - Tanner also LOVED spending every possible minute with Avery. These two grew up like siblings -- and it's sad to see them so far apart. Every phone ringing, every person at our door, and every time we're ready to go play -- Tanner thinks its Avery. And Avery returns the love - when those two were in the middle of playing -- she told us we should come visit as much as we can.

But this visit he also got close to his other cousins - Jared, Brittany, and Mason. He'd like to follow Jared around since he was a big kid and ran around in circles laughing with Mason. Finally, some BOYS to play with!!

Now everywhere we go -- he secretly hopes in their house.I hear the words - I want to DRIVE, JUMP, or see TRACTORS all day long.

He hasn't quite registered we're not in Kansas anymore.

I just wished we lived closer!!! One more reason to visit more often. Can't wait for Thanksgiving!!

Summer Days

In just one more week, Tanner will start preschool and I'm back at work.This SUMMER went by SO fast. But then again, we've been fortunate to spend a lot of time together this summer and do so many fun things. We went here and there.

Fireworks - Fourth of July

My parents came into town to celebrate Tanner's bday and Fourth of July. The rain dampened a lot of our plans, but we still managed to have to do everything we wanted while they were here -- including the poolside barbecue at Chels' house, Tanner's bday at Pump It Up!, watching Eclipse in Theater, golfing at Top Golf, and Fireworks on Fourth. We had a lot of fun while they visited.

Bubbles, Bubbles, and more Bubbles

Looking back, the most memorable moment was trying to light the freaking Sparklers. It was nearly impossible, but much easier when we borrow a lighter. Brendan kept trying to light them despite the fact he didn't have shoes on and kept burning his feet.

Tanner's first GO at a Slurpee!

Tanner preferred the GLOW bracelets over the sparklers. He thought they looked cool, but didn't want to hold it. If you got too close, he'd start to run.

Firework display

Pioneer Day

Our ward had a Pioneer Day celebration to commemorate the early

saints crossing the plains to the Salt Lake Valley.

The best part was the sack potato race

(or was in the homemade ice cream).

Tanner kept trying to sit on the horse - preventing all the other kiddos from lassoing.

Zing Zang Zoom - Ringley Brothers' Circus

One final celebration before Chels & Avery moved to KC.

Despite our best attempts, Tanner and Avery refused to dress up - so Chels and I had all the fun.

Gorgeous sisters

Tanner enjoyed the show -- and especially loved the animals - like the elephants and tigers and even the dog show was hilarious. They did several magic tricks that made Avery laugh - but Tanner didn't seem too impressed.

Watching intently and clapping along

But really, let's me honest. The show was great, but the real reason Tanner wanted to go. The Food. He took one might of KT's corn dog, and didn't want to give it back.

We all had a great time -- except for Katie who was forever scarred from the PITA protesters outside. They someone got her to watch of video of an elephant being tortured...

Dallas Zoo

We LOVED the new exhibit - Giants of the Savannah.

By far, the best part was getting up close and personal to the Giraffes.

We got some lettuce leaves and started feeding them. Tanner wanted to get close, just not THAT close.

We made the Giraffe work for it -- look at that big tongue sticking out!

Tanner woke up in a mad mood - but was instantly happy when we told him we're going to the zoo to see the Elephants! He's been talking about them since.

We saw them cooling off by spraying water on themselves.

Then it was Tanner's turn to cool off.

Petting Zoo - Tanner was a little scared of the goats at first, but finally warmed up enough to pet them.

Tanner climbed up himself...

Tanner wasn't going to let me forget about riding the pony. He ran over to them and jumped in line. He was SO excited!

And we ALWAYS ride the carousel.

SWIMMING

We also went swimming bunches and bunches. In Texas, it's hard to survive the 100+ degree weather. Unless you're willing to get wet. We went to Hawaiin Falls where Tanner fell in love with the Kid Zone slide. He made me go down with him 20 times in row. Surf N Swim wave pool -- but just wanted to stay on the kid area since they had a bike that would squirt water. And we can't count the number of times we went swimming at Chelsea's pool.

Dallas Museum of Art

Their favorite painting

Tanner working on his own masterpiece...

He thought the parrot was hilarious.

All in all, it was a fun trip. But trying to take a toddler to a place where he can't touch ANYTHING is not the greatest idea.

Toy Story 3

We took Tanner to see his first movie ever - Toy Story 3. Don't ask me what we were thinking. Tanner enjoyed the first 5 minutes of the choo-choo train scene and then was done. We had free passes so it was worth a shot. The rest of us enjoyed the show - despite having a little anxious Tanner to entertain.

Hanging out

We did a lot of fun things this summer, but really, most of our time was spent just hanging out.

Katie stayed with us over the summer to nanny for Tanner while I worked. We LOVED having her around and miss her so MUCH. We were SO lucky!!

Making a complete mess in the sandbox. Afterwards, they both went straight to the bath.

Tanner's super silly face

Watermelon!

Reading books at the library. He goes and picks out his own books, and then sits down and reads them outloud. So cute!

Tanner's makeshift go-cart!

Uncle Brendan was the best!

And it's not summer until you have some grilled corn on the cob!

He LOVES this stuff.

Grateful

Grateful for the long nights I layed awake, feeling her move inside.

Grateful Aubrey went away peacefully and quitely - never having to suffer phyiscally with her etermities in this world.

Grateful for my little ray of sunshine, Tanner, that calmly reassures me "It okay Mommy" when he sees me feeling sad. He's been the strong one all along...

Grateful for modern day medicine, without I may not have physically survived.

Gratefule for my sweet husband who's always by my side - whether it's just to hold me and let me cry.

And when it all seems like too much, grateful for one little pill that magically makes me fall asleep.

Grateful to have time to spend together as a family - I've been able to take off plenty of time from work and Anthony was off of school for 2 weeks right when everything happened.

Grateful for the wonderful nurses -- who were so sweet and comforting -- and brought me a popsicle against the dr's orders :)


Grateful for sisters who just know what I'm thinking and feeling without having to say a word.

Grateful for family and friends who shared words of comfort and sympathy, flowers, and food -- endless amounts making it impossible to lose this baby weight. It made me realize how often our prayers are answered through them.

Grateful for the understanding and compassion I have for other woman. Thru this experience I've realized how many others have experienced all too similar of a loss -- miscarriage, stillborn, and a child gone too soon. Or I think the hardest yet, infertility.

Grateful for the knowledge that Aubrey is with Our Saviour and other loved ones who have passed away.

Grateful for the FAITH and HOPE I have for eternal families -- I will get to return to live with her and see her in her perfect form one day.

Grateful for a loving Savior -- who suffered so that my sins may be forgiven and receive grace to return to live them one day. And the comfort only HE can provide.

Grateful for little Aubrey Faith -- who has forever changed my life and make me want to be a better person.