Birthday Boy!

Saturday was Robert's birthday. He would tell you it wasn't the greatest birthday he's ever had. It started off a little rocky on Friday when I left his present sitting on the couch unwrapped. Oops. I forgot to put it away after it was sent by UPS (which is another no no in our house). Later that night Emily had an issue that required a visit to the ER and of course a large bill. We didn't get home until 1am so he spent his birthday tired and dealing with a sick kid. But at least he had the day off work!

The day was vastly improved (according to him) when I unveiled his cake that can only be described as awesome. I mean I am no professional cake decorator, but Duff and Buddy better watch out if you know what I mean. TLC will be knocking on my door. Not really but I was pretty happy with how it turned out considering I don't have much experience. Robert's favorite food is hamburgers. He could eat them until he is red in the face and then he will want more. He doesn't show it in terms of fat on his belly, but I'm sure the arteries of his heart probably resemble that of an eighty year old fat man. So I made him a hamburger cake. My good friend Jennifer from back in the day is a pro cake maker (check out her amazing cakes here) and she gave me some tips and assured me I could do it.

There were a few mistakes and the patty is a little off center but man, it's hard to make a cake like this with two kids. I don't know how you do it Jennifer!

We took the cake to Robert's parents house and celebrated with his family. Because of everything that had gone on we weren't able to make it to the grocery store like I had planned so we had no ice cream and no candles. I found what candles we did have so he ended up with this:

He got a 2 and then a 6 plus a 2. And there you have 28. :) Poor guy. Robert's parents were kind enough to take on two unhappy kids while we went to IN-N-OUT to have what? More hamburgers. When we got back to his parents house our kids were waiting by the door with coats on. I guess they weren't very good! But at least we'll remember this birthday. It may be for its awfulness but at least we'll remember it.

My little boy is growing up....

Okay, so he's not exactly a grown up but he is already 4 months old! My how time flies.


He is literally the sweetest little boy with a great temperment. He doesn't even flinch when Emily messes with him. She is constantly pulling on him, piling stuff around him, and squeezing him and he just takes it. He really loves his big sister and watches her and laughs at her all day long. He has the cutest little smile that melts my heart. I think he has already taken lessons from Emily on how NOT to take a picture because it is virtually impossible to capture said smile. He eats like a champ, sleeps great, and is just the best. And not at all a mommas boy. ;)

According to the doctor he is already getting his bottom two teeth which explains the constant drooling and the hands glued in his mouth. He never stops chomping on his hands. So yeah, that should be fun. He weighs 15 pounds 1 ounce and is 25 inches tall. Pretty much perfect if you ask me. :)

One of those times Emily was messing with him....poor kid.

He dropped the links on his face and couldn't figure out how to get them off!

We are so grateful to have Chase in our lives. He is such a joy!

The things only a dad can teach...

In case you can't understand her 2 year old talk....she is saying chicken butt. Robert has taught her to say Guess What? Chicken Butt. It is pretty hilarious I must say. She'll just randomly come up to me and say "Mom, guess what? Chicken butt!" and then she'll laugh. The things a dad teaches his children.....

We're on the map

The In-N-Out burger near our house opened in December. The food at In-N-Out isn't really all that special but it kind of makes it feel like Utah is moving up in the world! Robert's extended family lives in California and every time we go visit we have to make a trip to In-N-Out. But it's about a 30 minute drive to the nearest location. We now live closer to an In-N-Out than they do!

We finally decided to endure the wait and try it out. Robert's favorite food is hamburgers and I can't stand them but I can actually tolerate a few bites of an In-N-Out burger. When I pulled into the drive-thru, I counted 25 cars in front of me just to order. Then there were another 7-10 in front of that. But they apparently have the system down because it was only about 20 minutes until I was pulling away with food in hand. Check out the grease seeping through the bag. Who doesn't love a bag of grease....


Robert had to document the occassion since I NEVER eat hamburgers. Even this time I had about 3 bites and couldn't tolerate any more.

Year in Review

2009 was really a great year for our family. We've had some difficult and stressful ones in the past but this one was really pretty good. We continue to be blessed and are so grateful for all our Heavenly Father has provided us with. Here's a brief recap of our year.

JANUARY
2 - January started off with a bang with the Utes beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
19 - We found out we were expecting baby number 2, due September 24th
30 - Robert turned 27. Neither one of us can remember what we did to celebrate so it must have been pretty awesome.
31 - Lindsay attended the open house for the Draper Utah Temple

FEBRUARY
5 - Our house got broken into. Good times.
20 - Lindsay turned 25. Lindsay decided she no longer likes birthdays. Nuf said.

MARCH
5 - Lindsay had her first doctor's appointment to confirm we were pregnant and hear the heartbeat. If she wasn't so lazy right now she would scan in a cute little picture of Chase in the womb.
24-28 - Family vacation in San Diego. Since this was never blogged about (I know right?) here's a little rundown. We flew there, went to San Diego Zoo, Emily got sick, toured the USS Midway, went to Sea World, ate In-N-Out, shopped, flew home. Here's a few highlights in photo form:
Emily was pretty much obsessed with planes at this time (and she only has a few teeth! I miss my baby girl...)

San Diego Zoo -

Yes, that is a box full of hissing cockroaches that she is face to face with. On the left? a snake. Gross.

Petting zoo-She liked this goat a little too much



Touring the USS Midway - Robert's grandfather served on this ship when he was in the Navy. It was pretty cool. We recommend it.

Sea World



26 - Lindsay celebrated the end of her 1st trimester. But alas, the barfing would not stop.

APRIL
9 - We found out that we were going to be having a baby BOY!
11 - Lindsay co-hosted a bridal shower for her good friend Jessica (the one in the sombrero)

12 - Celebrated Easter with numerous egg hunts and too much candy

18 - Emily turned 18 months old
19 - Emily went to nursery for the first time. Oh happy day! She ran in and has never looked back.

MAY
2 - Robert participated in Scout-a-rama. He loved every second of it.
25 - Began work on the nursery for baby #2

JUNE
7 - Lindsay's Grandma Payne passed away
10 - Robert's dad Alvin had surgery and Robert took some time off work to help out
12 - Attended funeral for Grandma Payne
15 - Closed on our house in Tooele. Yay for one mortgage payment!
16-17 - Lindsay attended YW Girls Camp. Robert came up for Visitors Night.

JULY
3-4 - Installed new sprinkler system, well Dale did. Robert moved dirt, Lindsay watched Emily, and Emily went swimming, carried around dirty hazardous metal flags, and fell in the trenches.



AUGUST
10 - Lindsay started working half days at work. She was very happy.
23 - Attended the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah temple
27 - Lindsay chopped off 13 inches of hair and donated it to Locks of Love


SEPTEMBER
3 - First Utah football game of the season (our favorite time of year!). Go Utes!
4 - Lindsay went on full-time maternity leave
7 - Our first trip to the Hogle Zoo

17 - Chase joined our family!

18 - Emily and Chase got a new cousin named Kimber
21 - Lindsay and Chase came home from the hospital where the real fun began

OCTOBER
5 - Lindsay's stepdad Dale left for a one year deployment to Iraq
18 - Emily turned 2 years old
29 - Robert and Lindsay attended Odyssey Dance's THRILLER with all the girls in Lindsay's family. Robert loved being a part of girls night!
30 - Robert began his part-time job of doing removals for funeral homes
31 - Celebrated Halloween with a princess and a giraffe


NOVEMBER
1 - Chase was blessed. I realized that I never even blogged about this and that would be because we didn't take any pictures besides the family one that has been our header thing. Poor neglected second child. He was blessed by Robert and it was great. We had a get together at our house following the blessing. Later that night the infamous pooping on the Snow White dress occured.

10 - We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary by staying overnight at a local hotel, eating Olive Garden, and enjoying being childless. Thankfully Chase was sleeping really well at night and Lindsay's mom was very brave.
12 - Our actual 5 year Anniversary. This is also the day Lindsay officially quit her job. Hallelujah!

DECEMBER
19 - Attended the Cathy Cookie School. Today's lesson: sugar cookies.

25 - Chase's first Christmas!

We wish you all a Happy New Year!