Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Pomp & Circumstance

I had to title this post as listed above, because whenever I think of Graduation Day, I hear that song resonating in my mind.  It is such a happy, proud, and emotional tune.  Graduation Day was June 5, 2011.  That was the day Bart got dressed in his black & purple robe and was hooded a DDS. (The purple color is for Dentistry... not TCU.  Who knew?!)

  Wow!!  I am SO proud of him.  It was a long road, and it's not quite finished, but I will say, when I saw him walk across the stage, after being "hooded" and smile up at me, I got a little emotional.  I can really, honestly say it was one of the proudest moments of my life.  Bart worked SO hard for this and there were many moments of sacrifice for such an honor.  Going through school isn't easy- and he did it!  

June 5, 2004 was our wedding day.  I think it's sort of neat that Bart graduated from dental school seven years later.

Bart's parents flew in for the special occasion.  Whitney had the time of her life with our guests.  When we were waiting for Bart to have his turn, Whitney kept saying, "Where's my daddy?  Where's my dad?"

I loved seeing him turn around, sitting with his classmates, and give us a big smile and wave.  Definitely one of those moments I never want to forget.

Whitney also saw a girl with curly hair (one of Bart's classmates) walk across the stage.  She turned to me and said, "There's my Mom!"  I thought it was quite humorous.

After the graduation, we took lots of pictures and (didn't) enjoy the HOT, HUMID, SWEATY, weather outside.

I am so proud of my man!  Way to go, Dr. Paxton, DDS.  You did it!!!  I love you.





Waiting for our graduate to enter the auditorium:



Bart & his parents:






Here's Whit & Lexi.  We are so sad to say goodbye to the Heatons:


Bart & Chase:






Bart & James:



Happy Anniversary!  Seven years:








 The "Dental Wives"





Monday, June 20, 2011

Rose Park 2011

I love this park. Almost as much as I love the way Whitney is standing all Sass-A-Frass in the picture above.  Trying to get these girls to do a decent "photo-shoot" is darn near impossible.
  Too much attitude- not enough time.







Glad we could see the June roses one more time.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

5 Month MacKay


I love 5 months.  It's my favorite baby age.  It seems that they've just hit a nice sweet-spot:  before they can move around and want to get going and just old enough to be so curious, interested and content with everything.  

This boy loves snuggle, kisses, loves and smooches.  He turns INTO you to get those loves.  And believe me, we sure give him all the kisses a boy could ever want.  


 Does he look chubby?  It's probably because he is.  I think he's around 18 pounds.  This is how much Whitney weighed at 12 months.  Yow!  He is fun to squish, squeeze and cuddle.  Don't mind his boobies- he doesn't.  










 Here he is ready to try some baby food for the first time.  Loved it.  He opens his mouth and actually eats.  I'm in awe.  

At 5 months, MacKay, you are:
-starting to eat baby food
-Smile, laugh, giggle A LOT
-Love to have Big Sister climb in your crib with you
-Take 3 naps a day (between 45 min-3 hours... usually 1.5-2 hrs long)
-Are still a good baby on-the-go
-Not crying as much in your car seat
-Eyes light up when you see your family
-Look for us when we call your name
-Grab at everything in your reach
-Munch, suck, bite on your hands
-Will gladly drink a bottle (of formula)
-Had your first and second flight (Dallas)
-Wake up 1-2 times a night (Usually does a 6-8 hour sleep stretch and then 4-5 hours more)
-Goes to bed between 7-8:30
-Very laid-back
-Loves to be rubbed
-Went swimming for the first time
-Loves to be in the lazy river at Zoombezi Bay
-Loves to sleep with a doggie
-No more swaddling (stopped in Dallas)
-Rolls from tummy to back on a RARE occasion
-Likes to watch us eat
-"Talking" all the time

MacKay, we love you.  You are a GOOOOOD baby boy!  









TEXAS: Part Dos



Allow me to continue and finish telling the story of Dallas.  As the week went on, the weather got hotter and more humid.  Whitney learned a few choice words from her older cousins as well as how to take off her shirt when she got sweaty, how to ask for air conditioning in the car, how to go #2 ALL by herself on the BIG toilet and wash her hands ALL by herself.  (Actually, "I'll do it all by myself!" is a common saying around this house.)  

On Wednesday afternoon, we went up to the elementary school (for the third time in three days) to attend the Prarie Trial STARS concert.  Yes, recorders, symbols and a background dancers were included.  Andrew was a MALLET MASTER.  Something for his younger brothers to aspire for.
Here he is banging away at those symbols.  I showed him an awesome spin move that I learned as my years as a Chatelaine.

Justin is also a STAR and is one of the few 2nd graders to rock this title.  Way to go boys!  I couldn't be more proud!




As for this little man... well Blake graduated from Junior Kindergarten and in a few months will be a full-fledged Kindergartener!  Wow Blake!  Here he is on his last day of 'preschool'.  



MacKay:  you are still being a good baby.  Good naps, good sleep, good eater.. smiley all the time.  Laughing at your cousins.  You think this is your new home. 



Dress up:




Whitney discovered many things around the Salway home.  This included a LARGE SINK  AKA big bathtub.  She must have been in shock to see such a clean tub without permanent mildew stains.  Yes, you now know way too much about our nasty tub.  (Don't worry... we're moving soon!)






Thursday evening we had a fun visit from Anne, Mike and Lucy Packer.  Watch out BYU freshman year, these ladies might be pulling some major pranks:



Pretty sure there's a few pics of Anne and me like this from sophomore year. 
 L-Square, 6 Babes in a Box, Cowboy Cookies... I can see it now.  
Lucy & Whit enjoying some delicious chocolate brownies.


 Taking turns "driving."  Love the pink Minnie Mouse shoes.  After dinner and just before the Packers had to leave, 
Whitney turns to Lucy and says, 
"Hey Luce, you want some chocolate?"
Lucy replies, "Yes"
Then the two of them headed up to Whitney's room to go through my suitcase hunting for chocolate.
  



More dress up with cousins.  Uncle Todd is so fun to dress these girls:









Swimming:


 Andrew's baseball team won the city championship game.  Andrew held the other team in the final inning as he pitched.  Hands off ladies... he's only 10. 



Here's what happens to five-year-olds when they are up at 11:30 pm:  Blake hopping the fence.  






Whitney's love affair with Mickey-the-dog.  First, love.  Second, fear.  Third, hate.  Fourth, control (that's when Whitney was bossing around Mickey like crazy), Fifth:  Love again.  

What happens when Auntie Krista babysits?  She wraps you up in wool blankets when it's 80 degrees in the house, takes poopy undies and tortures you.  These boys loved it.  


Cute Justin after school:



Thanks for the wonderful trip to Texas!  I loved it.  Just for memories' sake, here's a couple of other things we did that I just don't want to forget:

1.  Juliana got in the cart at Target pretending to be an Adult Baby.
2.  Bra shopping and makeovers at the Bobbie Brown counter.
3.  Juliana on a spending freeze
4.  Swimming at the pool(s)
5.  Whitney bossing EVERYONE around
6.  Daily jobs
7.  My "aha" moments
8.  Watching some high school boys sing love songs to Juliana... sort of creepy
9.  Spending my last night in the ER seeing if I had strep throat... negative.
10.  Hanging out with Anne & Mike.. even if it was too short of a visit.
11.  Eating way too much yummy food.
12.  Arriving home and seeing Whitney run full speed up to Bart and jump into his arms. 
 It's good to be home!