Curbside Appeal Shutters & Window Coverings

As most of you know Josh and I (let's be honest Josh) have been running a window covering business for the last few years. It started out as just something we were doing for friends and family and it has evolved from there. Recently, Josh decided to take it to another level. He and Noah have started manufacturing shutters themselves. Working with the other shutter manufacturers in Salt Lake they've seen the up's, down's, do's and don'ts, and sometimes crappy workmenship and of course they have always been left with fixing other's mistakes. So, after years of frustration they've decided to produce a quality product at a fair price. This little venture is both exciting and scary. After listening to "What Would Google Do" with Josh on occasion, I've learned that without risk there is no reward. At the same time it's scary when it's your butt on the line. Needless to say, we have always appreciated the referrals that our friends, family, and additional customers have sent our way. Don't stop now...LOL. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us. We wouldn't be here without you.

Catching Up...Is it possible?

When I started blogging I had visions of posting once a week to let friends and family know what was going on in our lives. After having baby #2, that vision went down the drain. I got so far behind in my posts that it was just easier not to because I felt like so much had gone by. Then I began to catch heat from my family and friends..."I have not idea what your kids look like anymore it's been so long since you've posted a picture." "Denise! I can't believe you haven't posted something." "Aunt Nene, are you ever going to update your blog?" Ok, Ok, Ok, I get the message loud and clear. So, I'm going to attempt to pick up where I left off, however, if it gets too overwhelming there will be a few months missing. Bear with me as I try to timeline. Thank you for your support. LOL

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks six years of marriage for Josh and I. It seems like just yesterday when he walked into the dental office I was working for to get his teeth cleaned. Who knew that nine years later we'd be married, living in Utah, and have two kids? I can honestly say that I feel I lucked out. Josh is a wonderful husband and an amazing father. He works so hard to provide for our family and I don't feel I tell him enough just how much I appreciate him.

Boyfriend, thank you for always being my rock and strength when I feel like I don't have any. Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and making me laugh. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Most of all thank you for loving me for who I am. I love you with all my heart and I look forward to many more happy years together.

Love, Horsey

A Day At The Aquarium

Enjoying Utah's natural habitat exhibit.
Do you see all the fish?

Stingray pool

Ooooo Shark.

Look Dad, buggies.

See, more fish.

Oakley, Daddy, and Nana looking through the fish tank.

Fishy face.
Oakley looking through the fish tank.

Dad, I want to pet the fish.

As most of you know Josh and I savor our Sundays. This is our day to lay low, relax, and possibly stay in our pajamas all day. It's our day of sports whether it we watch Nascar or football. Well due to my procrastination we ventured to the Aquarium today. You see my Mom works for CVE and they did the expansion for The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. So I guess as a thank you she was given free tickets. Now she told me about the tickets a few months ago. Do you think I did anything about it? No. After constant reminding it came down to the tickets having to be used by the end of this weekend. If you've stayed current with my blog you would know that we went to the aquarium back in February when Wendie and Shelby came to visit. My memory stinks these days, but I did recall it being rather busy on Saturday so this time I figured Sunday would be better. So we forfeited our pajamas.

Sunday was the jackpot day. There were hardly any people so Oakley was able to run a muck without me being paranoid of him getting lost or someone stealing him. He did have to wear his bear backpack (leash) but he wasn't restrained to the stroller this time. I can't begin to tell you how much fun he had. He climbed up on everything to check out what was in each tank. He wanted to see the stingrays, but opted not to pet them. It was close to feeding time so the rays were coming to the surface quite a bit in hopes of finding food. Oakley just backed up when their heads came to the surface with a look on his face like "No way Jose". He did however want to pet the fish that were swimming with the rays but unfortunately the fish did not want to be pet. He liked looking at all the "buggies" (spiders), but it was not cool with him when the eel's voltage gauge starting detecting voltage. All in all he had a great time. He even got to visit the cafe where Dad gave in and bought him a cookie. Needless to say he was worn out by the time we got home and he had a nice long nap. So did Mom, Dad, and Easton.

Oakley and Daddy.

Easton and Mommy. They had fun too.

Our Boys

Oakley has officially entered the stage of doing everything himself. He has been gradually seeking independence a little at a time, but it seems in the last couple of weeks it has really hit full force. Now he can't really say "I do it", because he's not officially talking yet, well he is but unless you speak gibberish it just goes right over your head, but he conveys his desire for independence through grunts with a side of disgust on his face. Lets just say I get the hint.

This would be one of the messes I'm referring to.

With Oakley's new found freedom I find myself digging through my kitchen drawers in hopes of finding his bibs. No one told me once you put them away there would come a time when you need to get them back out...for the same child. Oakley has been feeding himself for some time now, but when it comes to the real messy foods I've been a little bit of a control freak. I've insisted on helping him because unless I do I know what kind of mess I'll have to clean up. I admit I'm trying to keep my messes to a minimum. Between poopy diapers, baby barf, and the common sticky hands and face I don't have much more to give.

Oops, dropped some. Yes, he's licking the table, but look at the yogurt container.

He has also become insistent on having a "whole" whatever it is. For example if you break a graham cracker into smaller pieces for him, he no longer wants it. Funny story, Oakley was eating a chocolate chip cookie and decided to show my mom what he was eating by sticking it in her face. My mom misunderstood and thought he was sharing it with her, so she took a bite. You would have thought the world had ended the way that kid started wailing. My gosh I thought for sure he lost a leg or something. Needless to say Nana will not make that mistake again. Apparently it was a "look don't touch" kind of situation.

Easton. What can I say about my sweet baby boy? I have to admit I was kind of scared about having number 2. You know because everyone always says number 2 is usually the trouble maker. I realize it's way too soon to tell and yes I could very well eat my words, but right now I can honestly say he's a good baby. Don't get me wrong, he does have his fussy times and one of those times is usually during Oakley's bath time, but other than that it's the typical "I'm hungry" and "I'm tired". One of my frustrations when Oakley was a baby was that he was such a light sleeper. Everything woke him up. Not Easton. This kid will sleep through anything and if it does startle him and wake him from his slumber he just simply closes his eyes and goes back to sleep. I love the fact that he likes to snuggle and take naps with me. Again, I realize not a good habit, but he's still roomless and for some reason he will not nap in his bassinet. Hey I do what I gotta do. There's nothing like holding and snuggling a newborn especially when he coo's and gurgles at me. Yes, he started talking this week. I have a feeling my house will not be quiet for some time.

I love the one little dimple.

Oh How They Grow!

3 days old!


6 weeks old!

I can believe how big my baby boy is getting. It's only been 6 weeks and he's already turning into a chunky monkey.

~3 Weeks~

Our little Easton is now 3 weeks old and we are adjusting. That's the best way to explain it...adjusting. Oakley is getting more and more comfortable around his little brother. 3 weeks ago he wouldn't even look at me if I was holding Easton and just the other day he tried to pull the baby out of my arms because he wanted to hold him. I still have to remind him to be easy and gentle because Oakley thinks he should be able to poke Easton if he wants. Oakley also thinks he should be able to play basketball with the baskets that hang off the end of the pack n play and again I have to remind him that his brother is laying on the other side of the baskets and playing basketball isn't a great idea. He definitely likes to test his limits whenever I'm feeding Easton but all in all he's a good boy...for the most part. Don't ask me to repeat that statement on a day to day basis because some days are better than others. Today would be a good day.

My recovery has gone well so I can't complain in that department. I'm still tired from time to time so my house isn't immaculate, but I try to get at least one thing accomplished every day. Some days that accomplishment is a shower and I just have to accept that. It would be great if the boys would nap at the same time during the day and on the days that they do I seize the opportunity and take a nap myself. Sorry toilets you'll just have to wait until tomorrow...or next week. :-)

(As you can see I started this post last week and I'm just now finishing.)