April will forever be a slightly crazy month for our little family because we have two birthdays {Stryker and myself} and an anniversary to celebrate. Actually, this year it's two anniversaries to celebrate: six years of marriage and three years of building an incredible rock crawler from scratch. Yes, for those of you who still don't know, ERIC FINISHED HIS ROCK CRAWLER! It's one sexy piece of machinery. So, along with celebrating the first time E fired up the buggy and Stryker's first year with us {and some new accomplishments}, we enjoyed several parties, a trip to St. George, and an engagement of someone very special to us. April 2012 is going in the history books.
APRIL 7 - THE BUGGY RUNS!!!
I woke up this morning to one of the most amazing sounds I have ever heard. At 7:04 a.m., Eric turned The Buggy over for the first time. He came charging up the stairs as I sat up in bed, "Is that what I think it is!?" I exclaimed. "Yes, do you want to come and...?" I was halfway down the stairs before Eric could finish his question. It was a good day.
RE-POSTS: APRIL 7, 29, and MAY 12 WRITTEN BY ERIC
APRIL 7: So....three years later I finally get to drive the buggy. Awesome! Worth it. (it also would have been worth it two years ago, and even one year ago) Here are some videos of the blessed event. Keep in mind the body is not on yet and I ran out of zip ties. And the limit straps and bump stop are not on yet. Enjoy...
The creator and support crew.
Meet the buggy
(yes I know the ps pump is making a lot of noise, combination of being 22 years old and lots of air bubbles)
APRIL 29: We finally took the buggy out and it was AWESOME!! Here are some videos of the outing. They were filmed with Kevin's GoPro HD (he is still learning how to point it without being able to see what it is filming). The video is deceptive...the terrain is rougher than it looks. And the buggy is just that AWESOME that it makes it look easy. Most of this stuff in the videos a Jeep Rubicon was having to work to make it. With both lockers engaged. I did not have my front locker engaged at all as I was breaking in gears and taking it "easy".
MAY 12: We made some minor modifications and went out for Run Two in the buggy. Still Awesome! We are still driving easy with no front locker as I don't have many miles on the gears yet. Really don't want any premature failures. The videos are a little better but still don't do the shear awesomeness justice. Use the tires as a reference to the ledges. They are 37 inches tall. Enjoy!
APRIL 2 - BIRTHDAY PREP PHOTO SHOOT
 |
| Our handsome little monkey boy! |
 |
| We had to pause the photo shoot for a book break. Ha ha, my kid's awesome! |
 |
| What a happy year it's been! |
APRIL 8 - EASTER & BOY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY
Nothing too noteworthy regarding the Easter holiday - the Easter Bunny didn't bring us baskets this year {maybe when Stryker's a little older!? :) }, though Stryker did give a little gift to his dad. He's such a thoughtful kid! After church we hosted a little party for Stryker's first birthday. The theme was "Monkey Business" since we often call Stryker our little monkey boy. It's pretty amazing to think that an entire year has flown by! We sure love having Stryker in our family - he is so sweet, friendly, loving, and happy.
 |
| Happy Easter! |
 |
| The Party decor |
 |
| "Monkey Business" bananas and a picture from every month of boy's life. |
 |
| Sweet cousin-twin, Heidi, joined the festivities! |
 |
| Sweet wheels, dude!!! |
 |
| More wheels...Stryker must inspect them all! |
 |
| Such a stud rockin' the fedora, just like his dad!!! |
 |
| Boy with his cousin, Brooklyn, and her boyfriend, Ian Miller |
 |
| Gorgeous couple... |
 |
| Heidi enjoying some loot of her own... |
APRIL 9 thru 13 - TRIP TO ST. GEORGE
Sister and I loaded up the kids and headed to St. George for a few days. It was a nice little break, though we both missed our husbands so much it was almost unbearable. The babies
LOVED playing with each other, Gma & Gpa, and their Auntie Michelle and cousins!
Day 1
We were able to snag a 5 minute visit with Erik as he headed back to WY for work. We pulled off the freeway on some random exit and got hugs and kisses! Stryker boy was zonked out in the Jeep, so he missed out on the lovin'. Once we got to Gma & Gpa's house, Mike surprised us with a little visit on his way home from Brianhead. Boy really liked chillin' with his Uncle Mike!
 |
| The "Big E," Heidi girl, and Sister |
 |
| Boy with his buddy, Uncle Mike |
 |
| Stryker and Gpa rockin' matching hats! |
 |
| Gorgeous Heidi girl! |
 |
| Boy and his rockin' cousin, Carson |
Day 2
Birthday celebration day - we sang for Stryker, Heidi, and me! Gma made an awesome angel food cake with "sticky" frosting. YUM! Stryker was more interested in the flame on his candle than he was with cake, though. Heidi LOVED her some cake and made for some pretty hilarious photos. It was a really great day and thanks again everyone for the sweet gifts! :)
 |
| Snuggles with Gpa |
 |
| Gma helping Stryker practice his "blowing the candle" skills before b-day cake time! |
 |
| My awesome little cheese ball! |
 |
| LOVE Heidi's expression...not so sure what's going on! |
 |
| "But I still love technology...always and forever!" |
 |
| Darrin on "Facetime" joining in the b-day song to his Heidi girl |
 |
| This girl knows what's she's doing! |
 |
| Sweet lego firetruck! |
 |
| Heidi looking "blue" |
Day 3
Total chill day. We played and played and napped and played and napped and played and went to bed. :)
 |
| Visiting Big E's fam in their new house |
 |
| Carson the Magician |
 |
| Jessie's huge Paris mural |
Day 4
Another chill day with one adventure - a trip to Home Depot!
 |
| The kiddos LOVED sitting next to each other in the car. I understand the benefits of more than one child now... :) |
Day 5
Time to head home! Thanks again for the relaxing times, Gma & Gpa! We all love you very much!!!
APRIL 14 - BOY & HIS DAD
These pictures speak for themselves. I am one lucky lady!!!
APRIL 15 - WOW! I'M 28!!! Neat-o!
 |
| Hip scarf and earrings from Lynnette & Co. THANKS! |
 |
| Cool reading and tasty chocolate from Anna & Co. THANKS! |
Here's a comparison of me and my mom around the same age. We look related, don't you think!? :)
APRIL 18 - STRYKER FIGURES OUT HOW TO FOLD HIS ARMS
And now he'll do it any time you ask him to {for the most part}. :) He's also very good at standing up and staying up on his own.
 |
| Pretending to close his eyes... |
 |
| My kid rocks! |
APRIL 19 - TULIP FESTIVAL
We celebrated mine and Deb's birthdays at the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival. It was gorgeous and so much fun! It's nice to get out and have "girl time" every once in awhile!
 |
| Me & Deb...being crazy |
 |
| Jo & Hay |
 |
| "Da Girlz" |
 |
| They've added a new garden - The Bronze Garden - with sculptures that depict Christ's life |
 |
| Um...??? |
APRIL 21 - SIXTH ANNIVERSARY!
Kevin & Ashely were super awesome to watch Stryker so that Eric and I could visit the temple for our anniversary. Boy sure loves him some Uncle Kevy & Auntie Ashley time - he basically pushed us out the door so that he could have them all to himself. :)
APRIL 22 - BOY LOVES TO SPIT
I'm not sure who taught him this trick...he thinks it's
hilarious!
APRIL 28 - BROOKLYN'S ENGAGED!!!
What a happy day for us! Brooklyn called to share some exciting news - she and Ian Miller are going to get married in August! Wahoo! Ian gave Brooklyn his grandmother's wedding ring, which is absolutely gorgeous and "so totally Brooklyn." They plan to be sealed in the Portland Oregon Temple August 7 and then party it up with family and friends August 16 in Parker, Colorado. Congrats you two! We love you
so much!!!
 |
| Bee, Ian, John Miller - the dad, Kyle - a brother, and Ann - girlfriend |
APRIL 29 - STRUDEL & BAKLAVA
Eric and I like to spend our Sunday evenings together making tasty treats...goodies like funnel cake, cookies, lemon bars, creme brulee, cinnabuns, and chocolate mousse often appear on the "menu." Today we decided to tackle Baklava, something I absolutely love and have always wanted to make. And since we were making layered pastry, we figured an apple strudel was in order as well. :)
0 comments:
Post a Comment