When the moms are away, the dads will play!!

Today was the stake "sisters in white" temple day. After much encouragement, I drove up there with Anne and Jen Rhodehouse. We had fun visiting, and went to Johny Carinos for lunch afterwards. The temple was beautiful. It is so wonderful to be there. It has been too long, and I have missed it.

While we were there, Sean and Jason took the kids to explore the lava tubes. You can see the fun they had on the video. I feel so lucky to be Seans wife. He is so good to me.

The mom-terague

Last night I went to the Blackfoot Fair with some of the girls. We had a bug in our bonnets and decided to make this video. This one is of me and Kim Hardy. (Anne, Cami and Claudette did "I will survive."

We had lots of good food (scone nuggets with a big scoop of honey butter), walked thru the buildings, made the video and caught the hypnotist show. (The girl sitting in front of us was pretending to be hypnotized until she realized he wasn't going to put her on stage.)

Every girl needs to let down her hair and be a part of the momterague!!

Emily is off to Preschool!!

Preschool starts on Monday, but today they had an open house. Doesn't she look adorable!!

Okay, I need you all in on this one: 1- Girls MUST have their hair either curled or in barretts for school, and 2- (perhaps the most important) In order to go to preschool, big girls MUST sleep in thier own bed!! If we can accomplish that we will be one happy family!

Emily's BIG Day!

Since today was Emily's birthday and Sean was at work, and the Nate and Jaron were at school, Emily and I decided to have a girls day. We went and had pedicures together and she got her hair fixed. She chose blue polish for herself and bright pink for me!

Caleb gave Emily a handful of lizards, and a tiarra and earings for her birthday. She loved them both and even wore the tiarra all thru dinner.

Anne and Caleb, and Tandy, Marlee, and Mason joined us for lunch at Bamboo Gardens. We were there for an hour and a half with 4--3 and 4 year olds. Surprisingly, it all worked out great!

Tonight we are going to McDonalds for dinner and playing on the toys. She wants brownies with frosting and sprinkles as her birthday cake!

What a fun day!!

Anne--This is for you!!

Happy Birthdays!!!!!

Yes, I did say birthdays (plural). September 2nd is a very important date in the Gibson family. My great Grandma James (Grandma Gibsons mom), Grandpa Howard, my cousin Sarah (Kurts daughter), and Emily all share this special day!!!
Emily was born 7 weeks early. I had been in the hospital for about 4 days with dangerously high blood pressure, and contractions.
I remember being pregnant with her and she was so sweet. I would tap on my belly, and she would kick back. She would almost mimick the beats I made. I could tell that she would be up for a lot of fun! :)
Doctors knew there was a good chance that she would come early, so they were able to give her 3 steriod shots to strengthen her lungs before she was born. I had multiple ultrasounds to make sure she was okay, and I remember thinking: "Wow, that precious little baby is inside me, and I can already see how beautiful she is."
When she was born she was rushed into the NICU. I remember wanting to hold her and be with her so bad. I had the sweetest nurse who took such wonderful care of me. Sean of course was exhausted. The nurse insisted he go home, rest a little and shower. The whole time he was gone she stayed with me by my bedside reading a book, and counseling with me. About 4 hours after delivery, they wheeled me into the NICU where I was able to see her on a little table under a warmer. She had several machines hooked up to her, but I was assured that everything was going great for her. I went back to my room for a few hours, and then was moved to my new room. Sean had been able to visit Emily by this time, and brought me some photos of her. It was quite an ordeal, and Sean was so awesome and strong the whole time.
When you see your little baby so little (She was 4 pounds, 6 ounces) lying there hooked up to machines, you would think you would have great fear to hold her, but it was amazing. All I thought is "This is my precious little baby, I am so greatful she is here and healthy."
I stayed in the hospital another 3 days, and I hated leaving her. My sweet nurse Julie said "don't worry, she is in the safest, most expensive place she could possibly be." I did take comfort in that--until the $50,000 bill came a couple months later!
She was on a 3 hour feeding schedule: 3,6,9,12 etc. I made sure that someone (me, Sean, mom, Royce, or Grandma) would always be there. I remember driving up there in tears at 2:45 in the morning because I was missing her so much.
They called her the NICU cheerleader. She was so healthy that she only needed to get big enough to hold her temperature on her own, and to be able to swallow. The nurse told me to get some sleep because she could come home in a couple days, and about 5 hours later called and said: "Bring the carseat, you can bring her home."
We have been blessed with all of our babies. We have never had to deal with jealousness from siblings. (I think it is true--you won't be tested above that which you can handle. I think Heavenly Father knows I am not as patient as I need to be!) Nate and Jaron just loved her, and we felt such joy and happiness having her in our home.

Emily turns 1!

Emily turns 2!

Emily with her birthday buddies: Great-Grandpa Gibson, and Sarah

Any of you who know me well know how much I love my Grandpa. I grew up in their home and he accompanied me to several daddy daughter dates, and let me work alongside him often. He was a second father to me. I am so proud to say he is my grandpa. I love him and am so glad that families are forever!! Sarah is really sweet, and it has been fun to watch her grow up!

This is a photo of Grandma James. I was blessed to spend a lot of time with her while she lived with Grandma and Grandpa Gibson. She was so sweet and funny. She loved root beer, peanut shaped cookies, and that bracelet she is wearing. She also always wore that necklace, and I have the honor or having that necklace today.

That bracelet is mine by the way. Whenever I would leave it down, she would use her cane to scoot it over to her, so she could get it. Sometimes she would hide it under her sleeve. I would complain to Grandma: "She took my stuff!", and so grandma would go in and say: "Mom, did you take the kids stuff?" No, she would say. "Mom, now don't be naughty!" and she would generally get it back for me. (Even if it was at night after she went to sleep.) I am so great ful and lucky to have spent as much time with her as I did.

Grandma James and Kendra

I truly feel blessed this evening!

Emily's "new" dress

This is a dress that was given to Emily by her Aunt Kristy. It belonged to Emily's cousin Danielle. Brenda also bought one for Melissa. They had a photo taken of Melissa and Danielle wearing the same dress together. I could not find that photo, but in this photo of Melissa and Michelle, Michelle is wearing it. I think it is so cute how the Gordons all kind of look alike.