All in a Week's Time...

My LITTLE (not in Heigth...obviously) Brother is getting ready to Serve a Mission in the Halofax, Canada Mission

We had his Mission farewell last Sunday & he did a GREAT job on his talk! I think for one of the First times he didn't look so much like my Little Brother but more as a Grown Man. Obviously, as you can see from the pic above, he is going to have to learn to keep on a suite longer than just a few hours for church but I know that he will serve a Great Mission & I am so proud of him!!!

And since the Entire Fam can't get Together without doing something Stupid & thinking we are funny...we have Exibit A:

Let me Explain...Mike & Josh are a little TOO Comfortable w/ my Family & because they love Tyson ohh Soo Much...They thought it would fun to Sport Mustache's at his farewell. Ok so Amber & I agree'd to let them have their moment of fun @ Tyson's expense but we definately weren't ready for the somewhat "gay" photos that would be taken as well. Sadly I have many more of these pics that we actually found quite Hilarious! Well, Ty I hope you know how much your Bro N' Laws Love Ya!!!

And because I can't have a post w/out a Collage of pics here are some more pics from the Farewell but because Tyson is still a teenager & its much cooler to be w/ friends than family...there really isn't any of him :( Well...we still had fun!! (Note: some of these pics won't make Any sense to the naked eye but they have meaning to me - so just know they are indeed funny!)

We also go the Pleasure to Celebrate our FIVE year anniversary this week (notice no Stache)!!

I am happy to say that we are even Happier than the day we were married!! Spending 5 well 6 (including dating) years w/ just eachother has made us Stronger! We have experienced alot of ups & downs together but our Marriage continues to stay strong! I LOVE that he is my husband!! And although our lives are different at 5 years than what we thought we would be doing at this time I know that it has created a Stronger bond between us & I just can't wait to see what happens next :)

I was in charge of our Anniversary this year & since Mike is in school we decided to do something "low budget". We both LOVE the Melting Pot so I created our own "Melting Pot" at home. Mike had to go work in the afternoon but when he got home our house had been transformed. I had created somewhat of a tunnel in our entry way so when Mike got home he could only go to the bathroom where he found some "nicer" clothes & a note for him. Afterwards he came out to see the "restaurant" & there we enjoyed Champaigne (sparkling Cider), Cheese Fondue & Chocolate Fondue! It was Soo Much fun & Very Romantic!!! Happy 5 Year Honey!!

Last but Not Least...My brother & his family moved to Lehi a few weeks ago & now our maybe twice a year visits w/ them have turned into twice a week!! It feels really nice to have family so close! They invited us to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point & it was soo pretty!! I have always wanted to see the Gardens before but never have so Thank You for going w/ us!!! Hopefully this will just be the beginning of many more memories w/ you!!

Now as for this week...Tyson is off to the MTC!!!!

Showers, Food & More

First off was a TRIPLE BABY SHOWER. Yes not One or Two but THREE. Mike's Sister's & Three Cousins (all Sisters) are all do pretty close (I bet you can't guess which pic below is of them all :). So it started Saturday morning w/ one, then went to another & lastly was Angie's. Mike and I drove up that morning so I only made it to Angie's but luckily they are all apart of the same family so I still got to see everyone. And really there should have been a 4th shower, but since it was Kori (mike's cousin) 2nd child she opted not to have one but talk about a day of Oooing & Aweing at all the adorable things they got. (Also Kori if you are reading this - THANK YOU for the gift & note. It was definatly unexpected but it really meant ALOT). At Angie's it was fun cause for an activity we got plain white onesie's & Markers & got to design pictures/sayings on them. Well, I am not very creative & only came up with "Not the Mamma" but I was really impressed w/ what the other girls came up with. Definately put mine to shame but I think she got some really cute ones that she may even use. Here are some pics:

Then it was Easter. My Brother Steve & his Family moved up to Lehi that weekend (YEAH WE FINALLY HAVE FAMILY CLOSE) so my parents & little bro came up to help them move so I decided to have Easter at our place w/ the fam & it was rather Yummy...if I do say so myself. My mom even put together a Easter Egg hunt for the little ones (too cold outside so Easter Egg hunt took place in our living room). The only downfall is that it was also Conference weekend but with all the moving & excitement I don't think I got much out of it so luckily they publish the talks in the Conference because I know it was a good one. I am glad they came up & I got to spend the last holiday w/ my bro Tyson before he leaves on his mission in TWO WEEKS. And I am soo happy to have family close! It has been a LONG time since Mike & I have had family by us closer than a 2 hour drive :( And I bet you can't guess what is coming up next???? You guessed it...PICS!! (mom I put the pretty one of you on there since I really didn't have much else w/ you in it ;)

And Lastly...........

I GOT BANGS!!! I may not look much different to you but I definately feel different when I look in the mirror. We'll see how long it lasts but it is fun to have a change =)

Surprise!!!

We got a New NEPHEW!! Ha Ha, I bet you thought he was ours by the pic ;) But after this post you may think he was ours because we don't have many pics of the Actual Parents oops...sorry Amber & Josh (but if you want to see more pics you can check out Amber's blog)

Landen Isaac Hammond was born Monday evening w/ a head full of dark hair at about 11 pm, the short story is, my Sister went into labor about 9 pm & two hours & NO epideral later she had him :) Yes definately something I hope I don't get the pleasure of accomplishing but my sister is a Rock Star when it comes to pain & we're so glad he is here!!

I took Thursday & Friday off & flew down to St George to spend the rest of the week w/ her & Baby Landen. Mike had a Very Exciting & could not be missed Church Ball game to play (it was Regionals) so he came down on Friday & Landen was very excited to meet him....

Landen was also welcomed into this world by his Big Sister, Paige!! She is really good with him & Loves to hold him. It's cute because in this picture Paige looks so big compared to him but it just goes to show how small Landen is...

Now I think this Video really captures what Being a New Big Sister can do to you...

Congratulations Amber, Josh, Paige & Molly!! Your family really is growing into a Cute & Special Family (even you Josh...haha) Sorry this was the best pic I had on my camera

These last two pics should Win me an "Amatuer Photo contest" or something :) I love how they each capture a fun & Real Moment

Pic #1 - Paige taking a pic of herself. Now I wonder what body part she was actually taking a picture of...

Pic #2 - Looks to me like Paige is saying "What up" w/ some Gangsta Sign, while Mom & Dad Goo & Awe over Baby Landen. It made me laugh

Welcome Baby Landen!! I love that I am Already your Favorite Aunt ;)!!

(We really did bond over the last couple of days)

Playing In the Snow...Again :)

Last weekend we got the pleasure of going Snowboarding & getting our butts completely kicked when it comes to "Snowboarding Skills" by our Friends Angie & Matt. We had so much fun & can you say POWDER!! Ok for people who snowboard Much More than Us would probably say it wasn't that Powdery but for Mike & I it was such a treat to fall on our Behinds & not feel the impact of the earth & ice below our Rosey yet Numb Butt cheeks (to be honest, I was probably more grateful than Mike, considering I was the one using the softness of the snow to lessen the impact). Mike was able to improve some of his Mad Skills & I...let's just say LOTS of Powder & following My Evil Friend's advice just gets me stuck in even More Snow!! I can still hear the chuckling of the fellow snowboardee's as they rode over me on the chair lift & couldn't help but notice my unfortunate incident :( Thanks Angie for the Great Laugh & New Memory that still gives me nightmares...haha!!!

So this is our Cute little Selves prior to a Evening of Snowboarding....

WARNING WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE CAN CAUSE NIGHTMARES!!

And this would be our Not So cute little selves After Snowboarding....ok so we thought it would be funny to take off our beanies at the same time & see who had the worst "Beanie Head" well I am proud to Announce that I Won Hands Down!! Angie...you were definately a Strong Competitor...haha

I have to post this just because it is funny...well to me that is. Since we are so Skilled we thought we would test ourselves and defeat this high jump...well as you can see, I think Angie took the Gold (and really it was just Angie & Mike competing, I was recording & Matt was off doing actual "cool" things - Mike don't hate me for posting this)

Fun in Island Park

Valentine's Weekend we headed to Island Park in Idaho to hang out with our friend's, Victoria & Eric Driscoll, at their family's cabin (yes it was very romantic...ok maybe not super romantic but still fun). We had a Really Great Time & Made some Great New friends (but sadly I am not remembering their names right now - Victoria Please Help Me) Anyways, it has been a long time since I have been to Island Park durring the Winter & Boy did I forget how much snow they get, so of course we had a Lot of Fun playing in all the snow :)

Great Food & Snacks was also a Highlight on the Trip...

And because we knew the boys would be playing LOTS of Call of Duty on the Playstation Thanks to Eric for bringing it...us Girls planned a craft night & made these really cute fabric hairbows:

Besides all the laughter, relaxation & playing we enjoyed being with old friends & making some new ones. Thanks for the Invite!! And PS Victoria, your Girls are Adorable & we had Soo Much fun with them :)

Now if only the getting there was as Fun & Easy....

Let's just say Lots of Snow, A Saturn Ion & a Snowmobile Trail ='s an Expensive & Long Night Out :(

Has it Really been 27 Years?????

This week was my birthday...well Tuesday to be exact. I really can't believe I am 27 years old. I know what you are all thinking, well you don't look 27 yrs old & I surely don't feel it but Holy Cow aren't 27 yr olds suppose to be really mature & know what their doing in life & have families & have experienced soo much?? Well I don't feel like I fit in many of these categories although I can say even though my life is not quite as what I would have imagined it would be at 27 I am definately glad its mine!!! Mike is always the best at making my birthday feel special and this year was no exception.

First he surprised me with a dozen pink roses at work. So just because I want to remember this day I will tell you what he did. At work we get our birthdays off but since Mike had school (yes Mike is in school - I will explain in another post) I decided to take Weds off so I could spend it with him. Anyways he called me around lunch time to see how my day was going & was actually getting ready to head out the door to go lunch with my coworkers for my birthday. Well I asked what he was doing and he said he was at the book store then when I came down the stairs to go outside, there he was! Looking super handsome of course & holding a dozen pink roses!! My heart went Pitter Patter & I ran to him (yes, I really remember running) and gave him a big hug!! He is soo sweet!!!! And I really wasn't expecting it. Anyways he got to enjoy lunch with me & back off to school he went.

Then that night he invited a bunch of our friends and we had a nice birthday celebration. Thanks to everyone who came!!! And thanks to everyone that texted, called & facebooked me on my birthday!! It always feels really good to be remembered on your Birthday :) (can't you just tell that I LOVE birthdays!!)

We planned on going snowboarding on Weds but somethings came up so we went on Saturday for my bday. Not the best pic but it was the only one we took :(

Then that night my good friends, Victoria & Eric, called and invited us to the Jazz game with them. It was really fun catching up and seeing them. They live in Idaho & Vic & I were good friends in High School & I always love the trips down Memory Lane!

So yes a GREAT birthday in deed!! And all thanks to my many friends, family & of course My Sweetheart!!

A Holly Jolly Christmas

This year we had a Holly Jolly Christmas!! Really :) We had Christmas with Mike's family this year & his mom wanted to switch things up so she planned a Holly Jolly Christmas Dinner & then we played our own version of the Amazing Race afterwards. It was alot of fun! For the dinner we had a menu & each spouse had to select their Spouse's meal. Of course there was a catch. The items to choose from were "Glacier Ice", "Elf's Tree's", "Mrs Claus's Yarn", etc. Of course Mike tried to figure out what everything was so I had a somewhat "normal" meal. Me, well I'm not that patient so I just chose whatever & it was quite funny to see what we ended up getting. Of course Mike did pretty good and guessing what things really were & each course I recieved was "mostly" normal. Well, sorry honey I wasn't as thoughtful because he got some interesting mixtures. I can't remember what they all were but the meal really was suppose to be Salad, Spaghetti and meatballs w/ a roll, brocolli & ice cream w/ caramel & chocolate cookies. But I don't think any of us got what we were suppose to in the right order. It was also funny because you had to choose the utensils as well & if you didn't select them until the 3rd course then the 1st & second course you were left w/ eating w/ just your hands & that is what happened to Dave (Angie's husband) It was pretty funny watching him eat spaghetti, salad & ice cream with just his fingers!! We also played the Amazing race afterwards where we had to use our minds fast & put together a Christmas puzzle, then our coordination and throw Christmas Bulbs into moving Mickey Mouse butterfly catchers, then we solved a Christmas word scramble & shared our beautiful voices as we shoulted out Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. Sadly Mike & I lost because we read the instructions too fast & we ended it all wrong :( Thanks Connie for such a fun time & a great memory!!

Of course there is Always presents on Christmas :) Although this year was a more "simple" Christmas we definately still got spoiled (mostly thanks to the Day after Thanksgiving sales). Mike's mom also got us Christmas PJ's since growing up my family I had the tradition of opening up one present on Christmas Eve which surprisingly (not really) was always PJ's - Mike's mom is good to help me carry on that tradition when I am away from my family!! Our PJ's were definately fun w/ mine having snowboarding bunnys on them & Mike's had Moose all over this pants, Hence the pic w/ him wearing the antlers in his PJ's (It was probably a had to of been there moment)

I hope you all had a Wonderful Christmas!!!! Now its time to Embrace the New Year!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!

Mike's Birthday was on Wednesday & since we don't have any family real close we enjoyed a nice, quiet, fun & relaxing day together for Mike's birthday. We started the morning with some Yummy Breakfast, opened presents, then relaxed, shopped, enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Zupas, went ice skating then ate some Amazing Cheesecake made & decorated by a famous Baker in town....well I wish but I did try my best :)

Love you babe!!! I hope you Enjoyed Your Birthday as Much as I did!!

And just because I want to remember this funny story. I got in Mike's phone & got a bunch of his friend's numbers and texted them to call or text Mike Happy Birthday. Well quickly Mike started getting a bunch of text. Well we had our phones by each other (and we have the EXACT same phone) and a text message came. I assumed it was Mike's phone I opened it up and sayed "Look Honey, let's see who texted you!" Well, the text was from his friend but when we opened it up it said..."Thanks Traci for the reminder, I'll be sure to call him." Sure enough "the other phone" started ringing & it was him. It was pretty funny. Obviously he knew that I must of told everyone but still I didn't think I was going to be the one to give it away...haha!!

This year for Thanksgiving we went to St George & spent it with my family. It was great because my brother & his fam were able to come up too this year so we had a great time with almost everyone there...(Jennie definately next year) I love spending the Holidays with family & I am glad that we live close enough that we can be with family for the Holidays. Here are some pics of my fam...but WARNING - you will experience some Traci Overload in the pics :(

Of course my mom went overload & we had a Spectacular Thanksgiving Dinner!! And luckily due to all the leftovers we were able to experience it...again & again & again :) Love ya Mom!! Delicious as usual

Another Joy of Thanksgiving is the Day after Thanksgiving Shopping! Not that Mike and I had much to buy this year we still had to wake up @ 3 in the morning with my Mom so we could be sure to enjoy the Craziness of it all!! Then of course we spent way to much, but afterwards we met up with Amber and Josh & went to Breakfast so we could get that extra needed energy before passing out of hunger & fatigue

It was also Amber & Josh's 5 year anniversary. So how do they feel about being married for 5 years?? I think this pic explains it all

And because it never ceases to amaze me my mom closes her eyes in EVERY pic we take of her. You may only have seen the ones with her eyes open on my blog but that was after 5 tries of getting the same pic w/ her eyes open. haha!! love ya mom!

To also help Amber & Josh celebrate their anniversay we endured New Moon yet a 2nd time. Ok well it was MIke's first & although you are probably thinking that Amber talked Josh into going to the movie it was indeed Josh who did the talking into. He loves these movies & was dieing to see it. So happily I joined & luckily Mike enjoyed himself as well (although we were still sporting the bed head from waking up so early that morning)

On Saturday we had a "Girl's Day" and went to Santa's Workshop Craft Fair

We always find way to much to buy, for instance...These Cute Accessories!! Amber got this really cute hat & my mom & I got these cute headbands. But I am sad to admit that I think they look better on my mom than me :( O'well Mom way to Spice things up!!

Then that night we made our Traditional Christmas Crafts & Look at How Cute they Turned Out!! I think we're getting pretty good at this ;)

On Sunday we laughed, cried, giggled, & sang as we all went our seperate ways. Ok, maybe that didn't quite happen but I was sad to go. (mostly because that meant going to work the next day) but I really had a Great Thanksgiving!! Thanks Mom & Dad for the Warm Welcoming & to all the rest of the fam. It's always good to see you!!!

Girls Weekend & Mom's Birthday

Last year my sis & mom came up and we went and saw Twilight together & celebrated my Mom's birthday. Well, luckily we were able to do it again this year for New Moon& I think we have officialy started our own little "Girl's Weekend", although we did miss my Sister Jennie! Definately next time.

To start things off we made some bead watches & officially became the "Watch Sisters". Grandma has been staying with me too while my Grandpa has been at the Hospital so she was able to join us!! We loved having you there Grandma :)

Then we sang Happy Birthday to Mom & enjoyed some YUMMY Ice Cream cake that Grandma got (well...she made Mike get it but she did pay)

Then on Sat we went to Gardner Village to go Shopping & took some of our goofy pics (this one is too true)

Mistle Toe...Yet no one to kiss :(

Enjoyed a Yummy Lunch

Then it was off to the MUCH aniticipated Movie! And since my mom is such a Die Hard Fan she HAD to buy the fun candy bars they were selling at the theater & I enjoyed the "Team Jacob" which was Warm Raspberry & Mom got "Team Edward" which was Cool Mint

The Movie Rocked!! Loved all of it & I think I offically became a Team Jacob fan for a Wee Bit!!! Definately can't wait til the Next one!!

Girls I had SOO MUCH FUN!! I'm so glad you came & Mom I hope you had a Great Birthday!!!