"Trigger" Happy!!!

On Saturday afternoon, we got a new puppy. Trigger is a one year old Black Lab. We got her from a lady that was getting a divorce and couldn't take Trigger to her apartment. She must have been a great trainer because Trigger is the best dog I've ever had. He is fully house trained, he responds to the basic commands, he won't jump on people or furniture, and people food isn't a temptation at all! The boys are in heaven, it's cute to watch them interact with him. Hayden taught him how to fetch yesterday, so now every time Hayden goes in the backyard, Trigger follows with a ball. Trigger's previous owner had kids so he is used to the boys pulling his ears and tail. The only one Trigger isn't sure of is Colton. He keeps his distance and looks at Colton like he trying to figure out if he is human or animal. I love this pup, he is a great addition to our family. I can now understand how people can be so crazy over their dogs.

RiCe CeReAl!!!

Before we left Utah, we took Colton in for his four month check up. Colton weighs 13 pounds, which is in the lower 25% for his age, and he is in the higher 75% for his height. The doctor was very impressed with Colton, he couldn't believe that this was the same baby that he had to see in the NICU. He also said that we could start feeding him rice cereal. We gave him his first serving last night. He seemed to like it and I love the fact that it made him sleep all the way through the night. We love Colton so much, he is such a good baby. In his four months on earth he has spent 10 days in NICU and probably 50 hours in the car..lol.

Goodbye Eagle Mountain...Hello Albuquerque

On Saturday, we woke up early and made the 13 hour trip to our new home. Danny's dad and his girlfriend Carol helped us load the 26 foot U-Haul truck the night before. We had the U-Haul truck stuffed to the brim. Danny's car which was on a trailer behind the U-Haul was also packed, as was my Suburban. In fact, I couldn't even see out my back window. It's amazing all the things you accumlate over the years. Danny and his Dad drove the U-Haul, which left me to drive the Suburban with Brandon, Hayden, Ace, and Colton. Much to my surprise, the boys were great. Brandon kept me awake and laughing the whole way there, Hayden made sure that the baby was always happy, and Ace...well lets just say he was Ace!!! We finally got to our new house at 10:30 and we were so tired that we chose not to unload the truck and just take our blankets and campout in the living room. The next morning we took Danny's dad to the airport and unloaded the truck. After we unloaded the truck, we were all in great need of a shower. Funny thing was we had no hot water. I had called to turn the utilites on the week before, but the lady on the phone neglected to tell me that someone had to be there to turn the gas on. So cold showers it was. We actually didn't get hot water till Wednesday, you forget how much you take that for granted. We have totally unpacked and decorated our lower level, and are still working on the upper level. Here are the pictures of the lower level, I will post the pictures of upstairs when I get the rooms ready. Our house is huge and has a lot of upgrades. I love it, and there is a lot of room for visitors...hint hint. It's strange living in a new state. I am excited for the new experience, but I feel so alone. It really hasn't hit me that we are really living here, it still feels like a a vacation. I know that this will be a great experience for us, we just have to get settled.

Albuquerque Here We Come!!!!

We are moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico this Saturday. Danny got a promotion through the Larry Miller Group and they are relocating him to the Karl Malone Toyota dealership in Albuquerque as the Parts Manager. I am very proud of Danny, he has worked hard for this promotion. It was a tough decision for us to make but we figured that it will be a good experience for all of us. While we miss our family and friends so much, we know Utah will always be our home and hope to make it back someday. We went to ABQ last week and found a house, we love it and are excited to get down there. So much has happened in the past couple weeks (Ace turned 3, Brandon turned 15, and Colton is now 4 months old) so when we get settled down there I will post more entries. Wish us luck and I will make sure to keep in touch!!!

Fun at Boondocks

This week I took the kids to Boondocks in Draper. It was a lot of fun!!! On Tuesday's they have a special where you can ride the go carts, play mini golf, and ride the bumper boats for a really good price. The boys had so much fun and I am so greatful for Lex and Brandon being so helpful with them. Colton and I mainly just watched, but we still had a good time. I am so lucky to have 5 such wonderful kids, they make life so exciting.

HaPpY FaThErS DaY!!!

I am a firm believer that a father has a strong influence on his children. As a child, I was always called "little Kelly" because I was so much like my dad. We like the same music, have the same taste in food, and the same love for the car business. I have a lot of great memories with my dad, but I especially remember the summer I turned 18. My dad and I were closer then than we have ever been before. That whole summer, I stayed by his side. My dad has always been and always will be one of my heroes, which is why I made sure that this Father's Day my dad was surrounded by his grandsons and his oldest daughter. Me and my kids drove to St. George Friday afternoon. We spent Friday at the outlet malls and the Fiesta Family Fun Center. On Saturday, my parents took the boys to the park while me and the teenagers hit the mall. Saturday night my parents, mykids and I met our oldest friends the Hintons at the pizza factory for dinner. It was so nice to spend Father's day with my dad. I really appreciated my dad growing up, but I appreciate him even more as a Grandpa. I also want to say something about my husband, Danny. Danny is an excellent father, he loves his family more than anything else. My boys spend 30 minutes everynight looking out the window, watching for their daddy to come home. The minute they see his car come around the bend, they start running and screaming "Daddy's home!" Danny loves all his kids the same, and would do anything for any of them. Danny is an awesome husband and I love him more than he will ever know, but the love he shares with his kids is something special. Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there, you deserve it!

All Smiles!

Colton will be three months old this week! He is growing so fast, I can't believe it. He has recently learned to smile, which is way cute. If you talk to him in a baby voice or stroke his cheek he will smile for you all day long. He is still a really good baby, in fact just this week he started sleeping through the night. I love this new stage he is in, because he is so alert and he recognizes both people and places.