Meet GramJDog

Everybody meet GramJDog. I just officially want everyone to meet her. She is pretty awesome and famous around here just watch this (warning: you may want to turn the volume down a little)........

Here is a List of a few of the nicknames we have given her.

-Big Sugar J

-J Loaf

-Sweet Thang

-Peanut Butter & Gram

-Hunk-A-Dunk

-Gram Canyon

-GramJDog

Also she is really good sport.....

And dresses up like one of us upon our request...... our Grandma is pretty hip, lets be honest. I also hate to admit this but I think my Grandma is cooler than yours. Although it just happens to be your lucky day, this little lady ends up being a grandma to all the neighbor kids and many of her own grandkids friends... which means she is the grandma of this blog and to all those who read it. Consider yourself lucky. She is cool. and maybe she will be willing to make a few more blog appearances in the near future.

nicole

{Bubbles} My Journey to become a mother

The weather has been gorgeous this week so I have been trying to enjoy it. My little girl is happy when we are outside. It doesn't matter what we are doing, just being outside makes her smile like crazy. And just watching her have a good time makes me happy in return. Yesterday we went outside and blew bubbles. She loves it and can even say "bubbles". While sitting there blowing bubbles with her I couldn't help but think about how fast time has flown by. I love my sweet little girl more than anything in the world and being her mom is the best gift I have ever been given.

 I am not sure I have shared this but we struggled with infertility. It was a long and hard journey. We spent many hours in the doctors office. There were many "failed" attempts and disappointments. So many tears were shed and it was an emotional rollercoaster. It is definitely true that you want something that much more when you can't have it. After many tests, prayers, tears, three rounds of Clomid and three rounds of IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) we decided to try IVF (invitro fertilization). Our amazing doctors implanted two embryos. I remember the first pregnancy test I took that said "positive". I couldn't believe it. I was beyond ecstatic. Then when we went to our first ultrasound at 6 weeks and saw there was a little bean in there with a heartbeat I thanked God for this little miracle. Even though the road of infertility was a long, and bumpy road filled with so much sorrow it lead me to the greatest JOY I would ever know in my life.  I love you Mia, I thank God everyday for giving you to me and am so blessed to be your Mother.

Happy Mother's Day to All! May you all enjoy the simple things, like blowing bubbles with your little ones!

XOXO,
Whitney

Sunset

It's summer and I've been thinking about a family trip a lot lately.. which means I've been going through all our past vacation photos. I haven't been completely unproductive with that though, I have at least been making photo collages from each vacation. As I went through them I tried to get a sunset pic in each collage. Come to find out there were so many sunset pics from one trip that I just had to make a collage of them.

Costa Rica had some of the best sunsets I've ever seen. All the different colors in every sunset were just Spectacular. I would go back to Costa Rica again just for the sunsets each night. Here in Utah we do get some pretty comparable Sunsets though, and now that summer is practically here I am quite excited about that.

nicole

Last Things Thursday: #3

It's Thursday which means it is time for me to link up and do a

Last Things Thursday Post

So here are the last things I:

Laughed at:

Modern Family. Seriously, hilarious. Everytime I watch that show I am giggling to no end. Yesterday's episode was not a let down. Disneyland, Dilon, and Lily on a leash. All good laughs!

Made for dinner:

I made my own version of Thai Coconut Curry Chicken in the slow cooker and it was delicious. The Mr. was surprised that I made up my own recipe. I should have taken a picture and shared the recipe with you. Next time I make it I will.

Listened to:

For my birthday my sister gave me the Hunger Games soundtrack and I love it. My favorite song on there is the one by Birdie. Oh I just love her voice, it is so unique. I listen to that song over and over again.

Cried about:

So I swear ever since I was pregnant and had my baby girl I have been so much more emotional about anything. I will get teary eyed over anything. Last night I finished watching the finale of The Voice and yes, maybe cried one tear when I saw how happy Jermaine was when he won. He deserved it but I'm just not really sure why it made me cry? Is anyone else like me and more emotional now that you are a mom????

 

Got Nervous about:

 

UMMMM. So remember how I am running a marathon?? Yep, thats happening in just about 9 short days. I'm terrified to say the least. I have been training for months and I think I am physically ready but not sure if I am mentally ready. Earlier this week while I was out running I was thinking that my race was this weekend and had a slight panic attack but was relieved to remember that I had another week. It is going to be here before I know it. AHH, wish me luck.

 

 

 

Happy Friday Eve!

 

XOXO,
Whitney

The voice

I took tedious notes last night... in my head while watching the voice so that I could give you my thoughts and opinions on what happened last night. Lets begin with what my own personal prediction was for the nights winner as well as my feelings about them..... starting with last place-

4. Chris Mann- He had a pretty good voice, but there was just something about him personality wise I didn't love, and did anyone else hear something at the end about him saying how hot she looked. Awkward. Also he kept giving Jermaine hugs after he was announced winner, didn't anyone else feel like he just kept doing it to be on TV.
3. Juliet Simms- She had some songs that I liked but I didn't enjoy listening to her voice for very long. Can we take a second to take about the wings she wore awhile back in the season, Props on the confidence she had to wear them... but I just wasn't a fan of them on her with the song too much too fast.
2. Jermaine Paul- He sang the I don't know what out the I believe I can fly song. He has great teeth, super white and bright. He seems to be the nicest guy on the block, you know the one that comes and snow blows your driveway before you can get out to do it.
1. (winner) Tony lucca- Every time I think of his name I say it in my head like Cee Lo does, Perfect. I never found him to be one dimensional like Christina said. Him and Adam look like besties, so I look forward to a few songs together. I could listen to a whole album of him and him & adam.

Jermaine and Tony were almost interchangeable. I liked both about the same and would be happy with either winning, but in the end I decided that I would want to listen to an entire album of Tony.

In the end I was happy with Jermaines Win, he deserved and I loved that blake was so proud to be his coach. I think he will be a great artist, wish him the best.

Just need to comment on how incredible Justin Biebers "Boyfriend" performances was. He made me want to be his girlfriend. Also I need to throw a little shout out in here about Cee Lo's shirt he kills me and I loved it.

Did anyone else find themselves fast forwarding through most of the performances where the finalists brought back contestants. I the only one I really loved was the group of four boys, that one was hot, they sounded sharp and look sharp. I loved listening to the boy finalists back up Hall & Oats as well. Other than that though I wasn't impressed.

Until next season, The Voice I bid you adieu.                    Next up, SYTYCD May 24th... I can't wait.

nicole

Made for Each other

A few months ago Nicole blogged about her love for the Aladdin cup. I thought the cup was pretty cool but didn't understand what the big fuss was all about. Then, for easter my mother in law gifted me with my very own Aladdin cup.  Immediately I fell in love. I never knew I could drink so much water in one day! The cup made drinking water desirable and fun. Ever since I was given this cup I have been using it everyday. (Yes, I do wash it!) A few weeks ago I babysat for my neighbor and when I walked in we laughed because we were both drinking out of the same cup. Then she introduced me to the perfect partner to my aladdin water cup...

It is a calorie free water enhancer. YUM. I tried every flavor and Strawberry Watermelon was my favorite. It is pure bliss drinking Mio flavored water out of my Aladdin cup, the perfect couple! Drinking water has so many health benefits and I am glad that I found a way to make me drink more water every day! If you haven't tried Mio you definitely should...and it wouldn't hurt to get yourself an Aladdin cup as well!

XOXO,
Whitney

Stadium

I would have loved to go to a Real Madrid soccer game, but a tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium did me well.

That is a trophy, don't worry its just gigantic.

I loved this tour it was totally worth it to me. There is so much history on the tour as well as pictures and trophies.... and if you think a few trophies is all, your wrong. There are rooms and hallways filled with trophies. Even if you aren't a crazy soccer fan this tour is still amazing, especially seeing the stadium, it is unbelievable. Also there is a metro stop right next to the stadium, so convenient.


nicole