Happy Birthday Mom!!!

I'm not the best at birthday posts (I usually forget my own birthday), but I remembered this one. Thanks for being such a great mom, mom-in-law, grandma, seamstress, painter, decorator, counselor, etc.. We hope you have a great day.

Our posts come in bunches

Otis has been great with Garrett in spite of all the chaos. Notice the food on Otis' ear...it can still get a little wild around food time.
A brief (very brief) case of narcolepsy.

Garrett has been crawling around at light speed for quite some time now (including a trip down the stairs). He also is very adept at pulling himself up and standing. You can see what he chooses to do with his new found skills.

Now that Jordan stays at home with Garrett full time, she is able to capture cute moments like this.

Hopefully this doesn't count as child pornography

Unloading the sled for a little snowmobiling with some friends. It was quite a scene getting it ON the trailer...just ask Jordie.

Jordie at the base of Tower Mountain. Might have made it to the top if she was facing the right way.

One of our finer pictures. I probably should've left my helmet on.

Attempt at a photo shoot with a 10-month old...

We went down to St. George recently for a little R&R, and Jordan wanted to get some pictures of Garrett. Here are a few from the adventure.

Of the hundred or so pictures that Jordie took, one of the first was inevitably the best

Show me sexy
Moments before disaster. There is a little stream flowing under the bridge and I am instructed by Jordan to "get out of the shot!"

I think we all saw this coming

...and that will effectively end the photo shoot

We got in a final pic before the total meltdown (you'll notice he is in new, dry clothes)

Happy New Year!!!

We had a VERY eventful 2009 and are hoping that 2010 isn't nearly as "exciting." Jordie has made a resolution to stay away from the hospital, especially if she has to be taken by an ambulance. Chad has resolved to NOT do an Ironman Triathlon. Garrett is going to get a job and stop freeloading. Otis HAS to lose weight. Happy new year to you all...we hope it's a good one for ya.

Garrett made it all the way until midnight...got a little crazy on the way.

Christmas 2009

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. We had a great time celebrating with our family and friends.

Pre-Christmas Update

It's been quite a while since our last update, so here is an obligatory post with a few pre-Christmas pics. I am sure there will be many more forthcoming after the holiday festivities.

Garrett is almost 9 months old and changes a little bit every day. He loves to yell, has two teeth and counting, and "scoots" around the house at warp speed. It's amazing how fast he can get around when he's motivated.

Basement Christmas tree that Jordie and Patti surprised me with. Notice all of the blue lights and ornaments...Go Cougars!!!
The main Christmas tree upstairs that I'm not allowed to help decorate. Probably wise since I would just mess it up with Mountain Dew cans or something stupid anyway.

I am in charge of the exterior illumination. I couldn't quite fit the whole house in the pic, but you get the point. I know, I know, the little lights aren't twinkling...

Happy Halloween!

Hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend. This was Garretts first (obviously), and I'm not sure how much fun he really had. A big thanks to Grandma Val for the fantastic Slimer costume.

Slimer

Not just a costume my friends...he actually slimes
Garrett (Slimer) and Ty (Dragon)...no wonder kids hate their parents. I think this might constitute child abuse...

Jordie and her Slimer Jordie and I had to do a little ghost bustin'

We all had a great time at the Kartchners party and then trick-or-treating on Halloween. I can't say that Garrett really enjoyed his first Halloween. He had to do all the work but didn't end up with any of the candy.

We also took a lovely day-trip down to Cedar City on Halloween to watch Troy and SUU play UC Davis.

Garrett, Jordie, and Grandma Val

Garrett went in disguise
Troy (#46 in black) setting the defense