Getaway

This is where Travis was for most of the month of MarchThis is where Avery and I were for most of the month of MarchI think we won! Although, Travis did come back from Hoisington Kansas with a different perspective. He loved the down to earth people and he also really liked the surgeon he rotated with. This man would take Travis to his property and they would practice archery. When it would be a slow day the doctor would tell Travis to go outside and practice more archery. He even let Travis borrow his bow and arrow over a couple of weekends. I always wanted to marry a country boy and Travis has told me that maybe he could actually be one!

Anyway, this post is supposed to be about my and Avery's getaway to Gilbert Arizona. My sister TC lives there and it was time for her and her family to meet Avery. Since we were going, my mom, dad, grandparents and younger sister decided to come from Utah for a week. I don't really even know where to start. I was there for 15 days... how bout I just name the ten best things about the trip? OK this might get long so be prepared... or just skim.

1) Niece and nephews: I haven't seen them since July and that was just too dang long! They were sweet, snotty, funny, sassy, tan, busy, cute, loud, fun, annoying and perfect! Just look at them.

2) Amazing weather: Yeah it was at least 75 degrees everyday without a cloud in the sky. I told TC that the meteorologists with the worst grades get sent to Phoenix because its the same weather every day and nobody watches the weather here. The best part about it for me was going running and feeling the warm sun on my skin. That is something I would pay for! TC actually sent Brayden to school with a wool jacket because it was a little bit chilly... like 65 degrees. They have problems.

3) Walks: Whether it was 6 in the morning or midnight I didn't want to do anything but be out on a walk. We put on lots of mileage on those strollers. Avery was in heaven. I think she is going to be an outside person... YES!

4) Hike: TC and I wanted to go hiking, so we did. We took our girls with us since the boys were in school. TC strapped a huge backpack on to carry Bella and I had the bjorn for Avery. As we were hiking up the trail we would run into lots of old people coming down. They would look at us really weird as if we were nuts going up with the babies. Some nice grandmas would say, "now be careful it is really long and steep and it took us 4 hours." I kind of got a little nervous but still trudged along... it took us 1 hour round trip. Those silly old people! The view was really pretty. I love the desert.

5) Driving to Scottsdale with TC: If you happened to receive a prank phone call last week, it was probably from TC and I. Sorry. Sometimes driving 45 minutes to Scottsdale gets boring. My parents time share was there so we did the drive a couple of times. I had tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing so hard. Good times Tice! You are such a funny pranker.

6) Lazy river: The place my parents were staying was amazing. There were several pools and a lazy river. One afternoon we all decided to take a journey on the lazy river (because we could, it was 85 degrees :) My mom was holding Avery against her chest and her little feet were dangling in the water. Well amongst the millions of people around, all the kids laughing and splashing, Avery fell asleep as we rounded in the lazy river. She probably slept for about an hour like this. It was really fun, especially the $12 pool side hamburgers that my Dad bought for us! Thanks Sid.

7) Shopping: What shopping? I didn't do any shopping Trav... ... (it was amazing).

8) Baths: Not so much my baths, but the kids bathing together. TC told me that Bella hates baths probably because she bathes with her brothers and they splash all the time. She suggested that we bathe our cute little girls together so it could be more peaceful for Bella. Little did she know what she was getting into. Avery is a freak in the bath. Sorry for all the water in the face Bella. They were so cute!

9) My family: Being together with the whole fam damly! They are a bunch of weirdos but for some reason I keep coming back to them.

10) My sister: TC is my big sis. No matter what the circumstance is, she has always taken care of me. She would give me the shirt off her back if she had too (in reality she did, I wore a lot of her clothes this trip.) She bought me too many meals and offered to pay for other things that I couldn't let her do. She is one of the most generous people. We had a lot of fun with each other. Good talks, good walks, good silent times. She has had a pretty rough year of life. I see her battling so much in her every day life just to stay afloat. I know she will make it because she is such a survivor. I love my sister and I miss her. Who knows, maybe Trav will get a residency in Arizona. Lots of good reason (note points #1,2,3,7,9 and 10).

15 days is a long time to be away from your life so we were ready to come home to our cowboy. We missed him a lot (and I think he missed us too, he went blog crazy). We were greeted by an excited dad and a huge snow storm.

While I appreciate the natural beauty of the heartland, occasionally the middle of nowhere can get a little boring. I found this month to be a good opportunity to get something done that I have wanted to do for a while now. So without further ado, I present to you our princess.

3 Years

One thousand and forty-seven miles. To get to my sweetheart, I would need to drive through 5 states on a path that would take me straight through Dodge City. Milli ditched me this month for her family, after I left her for podunk Kansas in order to complete a surgery rotation. We have not been apart this long since we were married, but on this, our 3rd anniversary, we find ourselves separated by 2 time zones for the first time. It is no fun being away from the ones you love for so long, especially on such an important occasion. So I thought I would shoot off this short message into cyberspace for all friends, family, and any snooping government agency to share, but especially for my Milli. Shortly after we were married, I found myself driving to a golf range with my brother-in-law, Jon, and we were engaged in a lengthy discussion about the "Jones" girls. At one point in the conversation, he mentioned that his wife was "just a good, good, person." I agreed, and realized that I couldn't describe Milli any better or simpler. Over the years, she has time and time again proved the quality of her character and taught and re-taught me many of the simple lessons of life. Of course the greatest gift that she has given to us this year is the gift of life. From the day she was born, our little one has been every bit the angel that I imagined she would be, and I cherish the moments I have with her. On those days when parenting becomes a challenge and I feel like I fall a little short, Milli is relentless in her support, and she never fails to pick up where I leave off. If only you all could see her in action! I feel so happy for Avery that she has a mother that loves her so much. To my sweetheart, I say "LOVE YOU"!!!! I miss you so much and wish you were home. Enjoy your time with your family, and hurry and bring my girls back to me!

As Promised

This is such a cool age! Avery is always smiling. When she's not smiling, she is crying, and when she is not crying she is pooping, and when she's not pooping she is hungry, but other than that she smiles a lot. She is obsessed with her baths. I think its her favorite activity. She has upgraded from the sink to the tub now. She makes a really funny growling noise. It almost sounds like she is clearing her throat, but its constant. We went to the library yesterday, and she made that sound the whole time. Sorry if you were there and trying to read! She is a dainty little girl, and we think she already is having mood swings! We love her!

Writer's Block

I haven't posted for awhile because I got nothin'! I know I don't need to write on every post. In fact some of my family members are demanding more pictures of Avery, and there is a reason for the lack of pictures. The reason is that we lost our camera charger... but don't worry, we found it. It was in the camera bag! I was getting worried because Avery is probably in her cutest stage yet. I vow to devote the next few days to taking pictures and filming the little squirt.

So just a little update. I am a new woman! I have taken myself off of the demon pill also known as birth control. Get real; there will be no babies in the near future! I honestly feel as if a cloud has been lifted! I love my husband again. There were a few moments I forgot why I was married. Its funny how you take out everything on the people you love most. To me, hormones are amazing. They regulate EVERYTHING and change your life. When I was in college I had to go on the pill to help with my cramps. I had to try a few out because they messed with my emotions. I remember the first drug I tried took away all of my emotions. There was this huge drama going on with the BYU softball team. I remember we had a team meeting about a few problems going on with our team. It was kind of a big deal. Everyone was bawling in the room. I remember looking around dry eyed and feeling numb and thinking "what a bunch of drama queens." I never laughed at jokes or anything! So I decided I didn't want to be a zombie, and to try a different pill. This pill did the exact opposite! I was a NUT! I remember we were playing a local college team. The boy I was dating attended that school and I thought for sure he would be at the game. He showed up for about a minute to say hi and left. I remember that I had to sit the bench because I was crying so hard because he didn't stay; but then he showed up for the second game. I guess he had a class or something and that's why he didn't stay for the first game. All that crying for NOTHING! I'm pretty sure I will steer clear from that nasty pill. I have learned my lesson!

As for Travis, he is on his way to Hoisington, KS right now for another surgery rotation. You may be wondering where Hoisington is... to be honest I have no idea! I just know that it is 4 hours away and in the middle of nowhere (sorry if you live there, but its a tiny town) and that he will be extinct for the whole month. He will be living with 5 other classmates; some are girls. I'm not too worried because the Wii will be there and he's more into the Wii than flirting with girls. Its kind of like MTV's the real world. This is going to be interesting. I'm really sad he is leaving, because like I said, I really like him again. I know I'm not as vocal on my blog as some people are about how much they love their husbands, but that's just a character flaw of mine. I love you Trav and I will miss your snuggles. Have fun being a bachelor again and enjoy March Madness! Remember Travis the Chimp? He he!

And last but not least; our little sweet Pie. She is becoming so vocal these days. We have started a sleep schedule with her which includes crying herself to sleep. I'm the biggest wuss. I always want to go and get her but am getting better. She is an amazing nap taker and goes to sleep pretty well at night, but sleeping through the whole night is still a struggle. I know she is only 4 months old and I shouldn't expect her to be sleeping all the way through; but I long for it! I'm getting so old and wrinkly. I'm selfish OK! We love watching Avery grow. She is in the 25Th percentile in everything. She weighs 12 pounds 2 ounces now and my biceps are getting huge!

So I guess my writer's block is gone because I've been rattling off. I promise the next post there will be a little less talk and a lot more action!