...headin' out...

We here at the Bishop home have been basking in the warm weather...

Summer you did not come ONE DAY too soon..we love you:)

We spent an afternoon with our friends at Willard Bay.

Jaxson was so much fun...and he WILL BE a blast this summer at Lake Powell for sure:)

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We are taking a little vacation...Just me and Jax because Jarom is a workin' man.

Bummer:)

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We're heading to aunt Kay-kay's tomorrow and have DAYS worth of fun things planned.

It...is...about...time:)

Mainly eating Cafe Rio, walks to the park, swimming pools, Thanksgiving pointe petting zoo in which my child will ride ponies to his hearts content and chase animals like a maniac!!!

Oh...I can't wait.

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I bought him a pool for the backyard...and we ALL (me, jarom, jaxson, kayla) laid out yesterday and got fried to a crisp. It felt just wonderful.

We splashed in the Olympic fountain at Gateway....and got burnt again:)

Can you tell we are a "WATER" family!

We're obsessed. We live for boating, water parks or the pool:)

Actually: the BEACH is our #1 but we are limited to the BAY...

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I will be back with MANY pictures of

quality one-on-one date time

with my #2 man....

Jaxson

...jaxson...

Jaxson is cracking me up lately.

He is the funniest thing ever and most definitely has his father's sense of humor!!!

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I am sharing a few that have made my day

TODAY (and it's only 1:22 p.m.):

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Right when he woke up...he sat up and exclaimed

"Oh my gosh mom...where did my daddy go, huh?"

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"MOM...get your phone please...it's ringing!"

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I was getting him ready for the day and he looked at himself in the mirror, pulled a bizarre face and said in a deep voice "OH MOM...I look like such a stud muffin, huh!"

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I was watching Nanny 911...and he said "that kid is soooo naughty! He is soooo going to Time out!"

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At lunch time he carefully placed his yellow blanket on the barstool beside him and said "Hey mom, I want a peanut butter sandwhich...lellow blankie wants a hot dog and some apple juice!"

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This morning after our walk he grabbed my cheeks and gave me the longest, wettest kiss ever! I said "Wow Jaxson...you really love mommy don't you?" he said "NO MOM!!!...I was trying to get some CHAPSTICK on my lips!"

I gues I must have had some on my lips and he thought he'd help himself:)

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I just love my days with him.

He keeps them busy and entertaining. Always.

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We had a great memorial day weekend. So great in fact...that I didn't take pictures. That NEVER happens. It was so relaxing and much needed:) We spent a day in Park City hitting the sales and scored finding Jaxson...GUESS????....another JERSEY! We spent a day in Salt Lake letting Jaxson run through the olympic fountain at the Gateway. Dinners at Chili's and Famous Daves topped each day off quite nicely. I loved spending 4 days straight with my family:)

Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.

love, me

The Toyns:)

I had a great time...and LOTS of practice last week...when I took pictures of the TOYNS.

They have such a cute family...and darling little girls.

I wanted to share some of my favorites.

I had SOOO many it was hard to choose:)

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I am really starting to enjoy photography...and it is great getting lots of practice and experience.

Especially on such cute families.

Thanks Toyns!

...Big White Door...

I'm one lucky woman.

I woke up today to this little man....wrapping both arms around my neck and planting one right on my lips, complete with the MMWWAHHH sound and all!

Then he giggled...

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and tooted a few times....

....and, of course, laughed hysterically at himself and wanted to call

his dad and tell him ALL ABOUT IT!

BOYS BOYS BOYS

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I made a goal earlier this week that I would worry and work LESS and play with my baby MORE. Things have gotten a little out of control lately.

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Priorities need a little "re-arranging" I'd say. Jarom and I were on a walk the other day and I asked him "why are some people's lifes so peaceful and non-busy, it's not fair?!?" He turned to me and said...."We all choose to make our lives the way they are, honey! YOU choose to be BUSY. You are constantly going...or finding the next project, working to make money, etc."

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I got to thinking about this.

My life FEELS SO INSANELY BUSY....but I DO make it that way.

I could stop it at any minute.

I could wipe my plate clean...only leaving Jarom and Jaxson to share my 100% attention.

Now---I don't feel like that is completely necessary...because I enjoy having projects and feeling accomplished, however, I think everybody needs to "Evaluate" their lives on occasion and ask themselves some hard questions! I am NOT doing what I want with Jaxson right now. Simple as that. I COULD have the time...but I don't make it....and that WILL CHANGE.

Hands down....he is the best thing in my life....so why isn't it easier to put him FIRST. Not ignore him or turn on a show while I organize a Modbe function....or plan house finishes...or pick out carpet colors. All things that don't matter in the long-run....compared to my baby that is.

I'm glad to have Jarom.

He ALWAYS puts things into perspective.

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I'm glad summer is here....Me and Jax are signed up for MOM AND TOT swimming lessons and I have many plans for our sun-filled afternoons. I'm SO ready for a change....and Jaxson is going to get a WHOLE LOT MORE of my attention:)

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We pass this big white door on our walks every morning...and I love it.

Jaxson is so stinking fun right now and I love his cheesy grin.

I am such a Lucky woman.

...ball game...

ONLY Two things bring my son TRUE JOY...

1- Chocolate Milk

and

2-Baseball

Come to think of it...

Only Two things bring my Husband TRUE JOY also...

1-Mt. Dew

and

2-Baseball

Like Father..Like Son.

See what I mean?!?

(I just love this picture)

Last night we took him to the Bees game.

His personal definition of HEAVEN ON EARTH! Literally.

They were playing the CUBS this week. Double bonus.

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Mid-Game the man seated behind me leaned forward and asked:
"How did you guys come to love the cubs so much?"

My response: "Who me? OH...I married into the obsession..."

...and obsessed they are...(the bishops I mean)

Was it my child's Cubs hat that gave us away? Or could it have been the giant Cubs blanket I had myself wrapped in? The fact that my entire family was sporting their "colors"? Or Jaxson screaming "My Cubbies!" the whole time? Maybe his jersey...?

Regardless...they knew we were fans! Not to mention Jaxson held the eyes of about 200 people as he kept up the craziest level of excitement for an entire 4 hour long baseball game that any adult had ever seen:)

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I totally scored earlier this week at Target when I found a Chicago Cubs hat in his size...and a HUGE old fashioned black and white canvas of Wrigley Field. I, of course, brought it home...and thought Jarom was going to fight Jaxson over having it in his office.

Nope....right above jaxson's bed. Sorry honey.

Jarom has instilled the same love for the Cubs in Jaxson and I have a feeling that my future family vacations will be filled with traveling to Wrigley Field in Chicago to watch them play...or pre-season games in Arizona....rather than my dreams of taking my children to "Magic Morning" at Disneyland to eat breakfast with goofy and tigger!

LAME-O.

(I'm afraid...at this point...he'd think that totally was:)

You see...Grandpa Bishop gave him Front Row Season Tickets for Christmas...so Jaxson would have plenty of opportunities to watch "BALL GAMES" and practice his favorite song during the "7th inning stretch".

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The Bishops have a different version of the song...that Jaxson has adopted as his own.

"for its root...root...root for the CUBBIES...if they don't win it's a shame!"

He also happens to think the song was written about him...and includes his name! You will hear him running about the house singing:

"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jaxsons...I don't care if I ever get back.."

It is to die for.

I hope he never learns the "REAL WAY" because it N-E-V-E-R gets old and I always, always, always laugh:)

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Yep. He sat on the cement baracade only a few feet from First Base (the best seat in the house...according to Jarom) with his Glove held high...screaming "THROW IT TO ME GUYS! Oh my goodness...oh my goodness...OVER HERE GUYS!" for hours.

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I wish I would have had my camcorder. I would pay for that footage 20 years from now. It made my whole night...and I can't get over his little personality! It's hysterical.

This is my favorite shot of the night.

I love the stadium lights behind him...and bless his little heart...he wants them to throw it to him sooooo badly! He kept his arm extended like that forever:)

The BEE mascot riding around on the four wheeler was another highlight of his night:)

I swear...it almost threw him over the edge!!!

Combine baseball and ATV's and the kid almost hyperventilated.

When the BEE gave him a high five he stared at his hand for 5 minutes afterward:)

You should have seen it.

He had a hard time "pausing" from the game to smile.

Therefore the best I could get was this fake one!

Too funny.

I WILL be scrapbooking this tonight. So cute...and SO fitting of my little baseball fan!

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Off to watch home videos with my family. We are laughing so hard it's unreal. I am currently watching my 4th B-day when I learned to ride a bike...(I'm kind of pissed off at my MOM because I totally have a mullet. How rude:)

Twenty Five!

I turned 25 Years Old yesterday.

It was special...and simple.

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I spent the day with my baby. We jumped on the tramp...and played with play doh. Ya jealous?I'd say it was one of my best birthdays yet (still comes in second to my 23rd when Jarom took me to HAWAII) but...nonetheless...FUN:)

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We had a special night planned "AWAY" for tonight...but I'm sitting here next to my hubby who is "green" and "moaning". I guess it's his turn with the flu. Poor guy. Jaxson is at aunt Kayla's for the weekend getting spoiled completely rotten. I think today he got a new kite, soccer ball, and football shaped water bottle, went to a petting zoo, rode a baby pony, and went out to dinner. Schedule for tomorrow: swimming pool...and more spoiling. I need to have more babies soon...because my family filled with adults has to fight over him.

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I feel lost without him.

It's too quiet...and I'm bored to be honest.

I don't mind changing his little butt and playing catch all day.

It feels pretty good to have such "purpose".

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Although I didn't get to go "AWAY" for the weekend...

I have to admit.... It could be worse. I could have turned 29 like my husband.

Ugh. Now...THAT would stink:)

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I don't feel different yet...but I'll keep you posted!!!

I DO get the feeling 25 is going to HOLD a lot of change and excitement for me:)

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It was a great day with LOTS of surprise calls and packages that made me feel completely happy and wonderful! Thank you Thank you.

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It started by going out to lunch with some of my favorite women. My mom, mother-in-law and Jarom's grandma....AND, of course, my little love JAX:)

My family was very generous!!!

My mom got me a beautiful set of dishes for my soon-to-be house...

and some pretty darling hot pink shoes, clothes, jewelry...she has darling taste:)

Jaxson got to open all of my presents. He is hilarous on birthdays...and gets so excited.

I think he exclaimed: "OH MY GOODNESS...A SHIRT!" every time he opened a present. He would then hold it up to himself and model it for the camera. I love his little chunky face smile.

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My mom always makes us a special dinner for our birthday. YOU NEVER get too old for your "BIRTHDAY DINNER". Whatever you can dream up...she will make. It was delicious...and my mother-in-law Jeri got to come celebrate with us too! I feel lucky to have such a close family...both mine and Jarom's.

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I also got fresh strawberry cheesecake. My absolute favorite.

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It was a wonderful day...and evening with my family:)

Jarom then took me to the movie.............

and Jaxson slept right smack between grandma and grandpa and gave us a night alone.

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I then met up with my sister today for a day of shopping!

She, of course, conned me into stealing my child for the weekend.

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I think the conversation went something like this:

Kayla: "I want to take Jaxson for the weekend. I went to the store and bought him all of this stuff...and I want to do this and this and this."

Me: "BUT...I'll miss him."

Kayla: "please?"

Me: "I'll think about it"

Kayla: "Uuuuhhhh. Kristin....BUT you get him ALL THE TIME!"

Me: laughed...and laughed...and then gave in.

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I got a kick out of her saying: "YOU GET HIM ALL THE TIME"

Yep. He's mine. All mine. I'm pretty darn happy about that...

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I hope 25 will be full of learning, growth, fun, excitment, finishing my house and possibly moving out of my mom's basement would also be a plus:)

...I did 2 more...

I just pumped out 2 more layouts.

I should have been sleeping. I am so stupid.

It's now officially 2:00 a.m. and although I am exhausted...I am 2 pages closer to completing my 100 layout book:) Yay. I really find it so rewarding to scrapbook my family's memories...and to keep track of Jaxson's constant changing little personality. It's these books that I'll cherish someday...when he's all grown...living with another woman who takes his time from me. Sigh.

I shouldn't get ahead of myself. I have at least 19 more years before that's even a possiblity.

Isn't it crazy though...when you get old enough to recognize how truly fast TIME passes?!?

I hate it.

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Enjoy my Easter Pages

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One Layout was made using a FREE Spring Kit I found online...the other was purchased from Sweet Shoppe and it's called "OUTLOUD". They were so much fun to make.

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6 more to go to meet my goal of 10 this week:)

...scrapbookin...

Will I ever get caught up?

It doesn't feel like it...but I am determined!!!

AND...When I do...

I am ordering several of the most beautiful, bound scrapbooks you've ever seen:)

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Liked this VINTAGE inspired Mother's Day page...

What is that???

Yep...

I completed the Mother's Day Layout within the same week!?!

Miracle.

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Also-

A Spring Layout...

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I'll keep 'em coming!

Mom Day

Sounds about right doesn't it?

A WHOLE DAY to celebrate our mom's...and all that mothers do!

(Of course this holiday became much more exciting in 2007...when I became a Mother..he he.)

I think it should be a quarterly holiday.

Definitely something we should stop and think about AND--- of course--- CELBRATE at least once every 3 months (preferrably with cheesecake, gifts and flowers)

Agreed?

I must add that TODAY is my ONE YEAR mark of living back in good old Utah:) Holy crap...that flew by!!! It's hard to believe. Last Mother's Day I spent a good 14 hours driving...pulling all of my belongings in a PENSKE truck behind me...headed for a new journey and adventure:)

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My First Mother's Day as a mom, I remember very clearly.

Jarom made me the most beautiful DVD as a surprise.

I bawled like a baby for hours.

It started with pictures of me only 5-6 weeks pregnant at Lake Powell....and walked me through my pregnancy with pictures and video clips all put perfectly to some of my favorite songs. It was the perfect "reflection" of our last few months with just the two of us:)

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It continued with the birth of our baby boy...and clips of us in the hospital admiring every last inch of him:)...ending with our first special few weeks at home together as a family.

It took me through the ENTIRE journey of becoming a Mother....literally from Day One...and I'll never forget it. I wish I could make a new one each year and add onto it...reminding myself of all the special moments and everyday memories of being a mommy that are easily overlooked.

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Today I awoke to Jaxson shouting "Happy Birthday Mama".

Close sweetheart....but not quite.

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I love being a mom.

Jaxson loves when I sing to him. He grabs his favorite yellow blanky and climbs on my lap begging for a "song" multiple times a day. He loves me. When he gets hurt...NOBODY can kiss his ouchie's better BUT ME:) Every woman should have a baby...so they can know such pure, unconditional love.

If his dad tries TO KISS IT BETTER (although he adores his dad) he gets so mad and screams in pain til' my lips touch it and walah....it's magically healed:) This works on even the worst of injuries I've learned. THAT is the best part of being a mother....KNOWING that no matter how bad it is....just being present or holding him is ENOUGH.

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Today we had cuddle time...and sang songs. I love how he grabs my cheeks, pinches them together, grits his teeth and kisses me over and over. He learned that from me I'm sure:)

His favorite songs this week: "No more Monkey's Jumping on the bed"

and "Take me out to the ball game"!

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My boys then showered me with gifts and the cutest card ever that is OH-SO-TRUE!

I topped it off with two cookies, a piece of banana cake, a bowl of strawberry shortcake and a handful of starburst jelly beans.

(Yes I am still eating these...and have a special cupboard that has at least a 2 MONTHS supply:)

...and a love letter/card from my hubby that made me feel super special and lucky to be married to him...

What a wonderful day.

Yep...I definitely stick to my idea of doing it every few months:)