2 Big Macs and a Lil' McNugget

Trip Down South

2010-04-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Audrey and Nicole went with Grandma Kaye and Auntie Kirsten to visit the family on the Rez. We were able to hang out with the family and play some Boggle and Yahtzee. (Major forms of bonding in the middle of nowhere). Nicole was able to reconnect with a couple old friends, which meant a lot. Audrey and Nicole got sick on the trip so it was a little shorter than originally planned. We're still glad we went.

Cheeeeeese!!!! (The happy mood only lasted for about an hour and a half of the 8 hour drive)

Audrey waiting for the doctor at the hospital. We had a little scare while she was crying, but she's totally fine. She just had a bigger temper tantrum than normal.

Hangin' out waiting for the cookout to begin.

Saying good-bye to her chei, Grandpa Jimmie.

Great photo-op with Nicole's Nali Elizabeth.

I'm so glad we were able to get this shot of my dad and both his kids and his granddaughter. He looked good and it was nice to see him.

Audrey's first birthday!

2010-04-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, Audrey turned 1 year old, so natch, we had a humongous party on Saturday. Here are a few pics we took. We invited some of her little friends and all the available family and it turned out wonderfully. We're so grateful to everyone that helped with the party and came to celebrate with us!

Auntie Marie and Auntie Kirsten helped pick out the decorations and Mommy and Auntie Kirsten decorated.

The pink and white lion cake. Mommy is very very proud of this cake. It took two hours of straight decorating to get the cupcakes and cake all decorated. It was worth the effort, but I don't think we can do something quite so fancy every year....

Audrey opening her present from Mommy and Daddy. They were very very cute little shoes.

Playing peek-a-boo on Grandma's lap.

Mommy looking much less frazzled than she feels.

It turned out great. Audrey didn't have fun with the cupcake we gave her so we took it away pretty quickly. She loved opening presents, though. She got very excited at the flashing ones and Mommy got very excited about the learning ones. She even gave the train Grandma and Grandpa McFarlane gave her kisses. She had fun with her friends and got an adorable birthday hug from Tristan. We're so proud of the wonderful little girl she is. She's growing up so fast and we're so blessed to be her parents. She's brought so much joy to our lives for this first year, and we're so grateful for her. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Easter

2010-04-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

April 10th was Audrey's first Easter egg hunt. We were so excited to take her to Melanie and Tony's house for it and she had a blast. She learned how to put an object inside a bag, which was very excited for Mommy. She was able to wear the cute dress Melanie made for her. We had a ton of fun visiting and seeing the McFarlane side of the family, so it was all around a special day.

Could this be my first Easter egg ever?

I found it!!!

Bungee jumping for Easter eggs! (Unfortunately, Audrey doesn't like grass, so she didn't actually pick it up)

Hmm.

Brilee's fabulous Spongebob fashion statement.

Audrey and Grandpa having some fun.

Marie and Kagen. The loons rode to the party on a motorcycle!!!! Brrr!

Hanging with Uncle Brian.

More pictures.

2010-04-04T12:24:00.001-07:00

Even if she doesn't like the taste of prunes, they're fun to smear all over the place.

Naptime.

Fun right after getting her hair fixed.

A moment with Mommy.

Yum, rice.

Little Angel.

Having a not-so-angelic moment.

Once more the little angel.

Whatcha doing?

Rough day.

Hanging out with Grandpa.

Ooh! Now we're talkin'!

All the McFarlane cousins!

With Grandma and Grandpa.

More pics!

2010-04-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

Samuel with Ryder and Audrey.

He's not hungry.

Happy Birthday dear, Brilee!!!!!!

Just hanging out in the living room. Mommy loves this hair-do.

Happy Birthday to Samuel!!!! He's very excited about the Office. :)

It's been a while...

2010-04-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Audrey just hanging out in her crib with the binky.

Hi!

Ryder opening his birthday present from us. It's a piano!

Audrey getting to know Aunt Shari.

She's a happy girl on the way to Wal-Mart.

It's been an eventful few months of 2010. Audrey is starting to talk and cruise along the side of the couch. Her great-grandma Ethel gave her a little lion push toy that she loves to push around the living room. She's eating more and more solid foods, which is great. While she refuses to eat baby food, she loves potatoes, eggs and bread. We're working on the vegetables. She's getting to be such a big girl. She can say "Please, Mama, Dada, Grandma, and bird". She loves reading her lift-the-flap books with Mommy and Daddy. She can make roar like a lion, cluck like a chicken, and so many other animal noises. We're so excited to be watching this little girl in action.

Happy Valentine's Day Schatz

2010-02-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

This year for Valentine's day, I decided to surprise Nicole and use the blog as a way to show her how much I love her. This way anybody in the world can look at it and know that I love Nicole.

So I chose the best song that I can think of to describe her. I hope that as she reads the poem I wrote for her, and listens to the song that should be playing right now, she will know that she truly means the world to me. Here is the poem. (Reminder I'm at about a third grade poem level, I'm working on it.)

My Schatz

Valentine's day has come once again,

What better way to celebrate than to reflect on back then.

Back then I was young and loved mostly sports,

But you were so patient while I played on the court.

I would try and be cool and make the tough shots,

In hopes of you watching and thinking I like him lots.

Back then I returned from a mission and knew,

That someday I'd like to go on a date with you.

But I was awkward and shy, and most likely goofy,

Yet you dealt with me well and we saw a good movie.

Back then we went on a few more little dates,

Yet somehow I blew it and we both had to wait.

I went to school for a summer in Germany,

Then you prepared for your mission west to Cali.

Back then a couple years had already gone by,

From our first date to the first time we went to Manti.

That little trip changed my life and everything in it,

We spent the whole day together but only felt like a minute.

Back then we started to fall madly in love,

And I know that I felt guiding hands from above.

Alas, I waited to long for the love and the laughter,

So we planned on you leaving and continuing after.

Back then I remember missing you so much,

But I knew that it was right even without your touch.

So I waited and waited and longed for the day,

That we could snuggle in the front yard and just lay.

Back then I was willing to wait months for your return,

But tragedy struck and my emotions took a turn.

My dearest grandma was taken so she wouldn't have to suffer,

And not having your comfort made life even tougher.

Back then you came home after much prayer and thought,

To make my life complete, and to tie the knot.

So we wed before Christmas on the 22nd of December,

And since then each day has been even better.

Right now my love for you is greater than ever,

Yet somehow I think tomorrow will be better.

We now have the absolute most beautiful baby,

And I'm the luckiest man to have you as my lady.

So to you I say thank you, I think you're first class,

I love you and want you to say you'll always be my Schatz.

I love you Nicole. Happy Valentine's Day.

Love, Samuel

Audrey crawled!!!!

2010-01-01T13:35:00.001-08:00

Today, January 1st, 2010, Audrey took her first little crawls on our living room floor! Sam had gotten up with her at 7:30 to give me the chance to get a little more sleep. All of a sudden, he popped into the bedroom and announced, "Your daughter just crawled!". I don't think I've ever seen a prouder Daddy anywhere. She crawled about a foot, chasing after a plastic bowling ball she got for Christmas. I'm sad I missed it, (I'd definitely miss a little sleep to be able to see her first little crawl), but I'm so glad Sam was able to see it. She's growing up so fast and is getting so mobile! We're so proud of our little girl.

Audrey's surgery.

2010-01-01T13:13:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, Audrey had surgery on her little throat. She had one of the best doctors in the western United States performing the surgery, which was a comfort to us, but it was still nerve-wracking. She was a little trooper through all of it, and it will hopefully make life a little easier for our precious girl.

Here she is, snoozing in the car on the way to the hospital at 7:30 in the morning.

The nurse is taking her blood pressure before she gets into her little hospital pajamas.

I don't know about these pajamas....

I guess they're ok!

Audrey really enjoyed playing in the waiting room. She liked having Daddy rock her on the little blue rocking horse.

She did NOT want to be removed from this little red wagon.

All in all, it was a successful surgery. She woke up from the anesthesia groggy and a little cranky, but she recovered pretty quickly. She slept most of the morning, and when she woke up at 1:00 pm, she was HAPPY! She was happy all afternoon, and all evening, and most of the night, when she was supposed to be sleeping. Sam and I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. She was so good, though. She didn't get cranky unless the nurses were trying to give her medicine. Once we got home the next day, she acted like nothing happened. She slept really well that night, and we didn't even have to give her any Tylenol. She didn't show any signs of pain or crankiness. We're so, so, so grateful she came through safe and hopefully a little better than before. We're so grateful for the many friends and family members offer prayers and good thoughts. Thank you!

Audrey's Winnie The Pooh tree

2009-11-24T15:16:00.000-08:00

Nicole's Aunt Cheryl offered to paint a tree in the nursery for Audrey, so one weekend, she and Nicole's cousin Krystal came and painted this wonderful, custom tree on the wall of the nursery for Audrey. Here are some pictures of the finished product.

2009-11-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

It was Audrey's first Halloween and she is so stinkin' cute! It was pretty quiet. We went to a Trunk or Treat and spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa McFarlane's house. Then we went home, where Nicole's Aunt Cheryl and her cousin Krystal were working on a mural of a tree in the nursery (we'll definitely post pictures of the finished product).

Audrey and Daddy at the Trunk or Treat. Her little Halloween costume was kind of hot, but so cute. She's a little pink leopard.

Brilee being fiercely Supergirl at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Audrey and Grandpa.

She really hated Mommy painting the nose and whiskers on her face, so it's all a little uneven, but very, very, very cute.

Pumpkin carving!!!

2009-10-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

Last night, we went to Grandparents McFarlane's house and carved pumpkins. Sam carved a pumpkin for Audrey. We wanted a Disney princess pumpkin, but the template was too big for our little pumpkin, so he got creative...

Hard at work...

It's a jack-o-lantern factory!

He won't show us what's taking shape...

Posing with the finished product. Any resemblance?

Audrey staking claim on her pumpkin.

He's mine!

A few cute pics...

2009-10-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

Audrey is NOT enjoying the whole solid food thing. She won't eat it from a spoon, or a cereal bottle , or do it herself... We're still trying to figure out how to make this work.

Audrey and her daddy.

She's doing the whole '80s aerobics instructor thing.

Hanging out in a laundry basket at Grandma and Grandpa McFarlane's.

She likes having her head covered sometimes when she sleeps. Little angel. I thought it made for a cute picture.

Teething...

2009-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, Audrey is full-on teething. She's still a sweetheart, but now she's a cranky sweetheart. She's also showing a little temper, which goes along with being her mommy's daughter. She's learning so fast, though. She's starting to figure out that Mommy is serious when she says "no". She's also starting to figure out that Daddy is fun to be with after hanging out with Mommy all day. We love her to pieces.

Audrey and Daddy taking a little nap. Mommy couldn't resist taking a picture.

Getting ready for bathtime!

Audrey cut her first tooth!

2009-09-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

Audrey cut her first teeth today! She's been chewing and drooling all over everything, so we figured she's been teething. She was chewing on Daddy's hand, and he felt something hard. We've been feeling little bumps on her gums for a few days, but couldn't see anything until today. Her two little front teeth are coming in on the bottom. She's getting so big! We can't believe how fast she's growing!

Audrey having some tummy time. She doesn't like it, but she's getting better at it.

It's hard to tell, but she's standing on Grandma's lap. She's not getting any help, just leaning a little on Grandma. Mommy thinks she might walk before she crawls.

Audrey enjoys eating her toes. Right before bathtime.

Audrey's first time in a big-girl stroller. She's not quite sure what to think of it.

Audrey getting a kiss from Daddy.

Right after a bath with Grandma. Stinkin' cute!

Again, stinkin' cute!

Audrey just hanging out in the jumper Grandma Ethel gave her.

Camping

2009-09-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd McFarlane campout.

Audrey hanging out with Daddy around the campfire.

Audrey fell asleep with Grandma.

Audrey hanging out with the fam.

Audrey woke up in a good mood that morning. She's just chillin' with Uncle Brian.

Audrey hanging out with Auntie Marie.

Audrey fell asleep around the campfire. This was the only available spot to lay her.

Audrey with Daddy in the river. Mommy told Daddy to be very, very, very careful. He was.

Audrey with Mommy. She's getting so strong. She stands very well.

Hanging out while Grandpa is making breakfast. Breakfast for Mommy and Daddy. Audrey already had her breakfast.

Life in the McFarlane house.

2009-09-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

Life has been good here in the McFarlane house. Audrey is still growing like crazy. She can now reach for people, grab food off Mommy and Daddy's plates, and sit and stand with some help. We're thinking she might actually walk before she crawls, since she still doesn't like being on her tummy for very long. We also discovered that she doesn't like leaves. Mommy was taking Audrey around the yard showing her things, and she handed Audrey a dead leaf. Audrey almost started to cry. The same thing happened with a green leaf. She may not be an outdoorsy girl. We've been trying to sell the white Camry, with little success. Many people are interested, but none are buying, but it will happen eventually. Nicole is excited because she gets to go to the Relief Society General Broadcast on Saturday, so that will be really neat, and Samuel still keeps busy with the Young Men.

August...

2009-08-31T17:39:00.000-07:00

The second weekend of August, Mommy and Audrey went to visit the Navajo side of the family on the reservation. While we both missed Daddy a lot, it was really good that we made the trip.

This is Audrey with her Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Holly.

This is Nicole's Aunt Julia and Uncle Lester.

Here is Audrey, getting a kick out of her cousins.

This is Nicole's Cousin Jose, Aunt Charlotte, and Cousin Christian, ( in the Navajo way, they are Audrey's Uncle Jose, Grandma Charlotte, and Uncle Christian).

For Navajos, a baby's first laugh is a big deal, so they throw a big dinner and have a ceremony for the baby. This is part of the ceremony for Audrey's first laugh dinner.

Here is Audrey with her Uncle Antonio.

Here is Audrey with her Grandma Charlotte.

Audrey with Grandma Julia.

It was really neat for Audrey to meet that side of the family for the first time. Everyone loved her and she had fun with her aunts and uncles and cousins.

Last week in retrospective....

2009-07-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pics at the temple after Marie and Kagen's sealing.

love this picture of the happy couple (check out Kagen).

Good picture of the whole family. Great to have everyone together.

The groom and his groomsmen.

Little Ryder in his tux. Just hanging out with Mommy.

The beautiful bride.

Daddy and Audrey waiting for the bride and groom to come out of the temple.

All the cousins in a row...

We had a barbecue on the patio with the McFarlane side of the family on the 4th of July.

Audrey in the cute outfit Daddy's cousin Melanie made for her.

Audrey and Uncle Brian.

Last Friday, since Shari and Ryder were in town, we went with them and Grandma and Grandpa to Hogle Zoo...

Here's Grandma, Grandpa and Ryder at the elephant exhibit.

Daddy and Audrey. Rafiki is in the background too if you look closely. I don't think Audrey enjoyed the primate house.

Grandpa and Cousin Ryder just hanging out.

Here is a picture of the black bear enjoying the cool water on a hot day.

Here is a camel whose hump is drooping. I'd be drooping too if I had to live in a zoo...

Audrey's growing like a weed!

2009-06-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

-Audrey is finally over her flu. She's back to her happy little self and she's growing up like crazy. She's starting to show even more personality. She loves to touch her hair while she's eating and it's so cute to watch her little fingers. She also crinkles her nose sometimes when she smiles, which is also cute. (I don't think there is anything un-cute about this baby.) She's really beginning to let Mommy and Daddy know what she like and what she doesn't. She's cooing like crazy now, which is really fun, because sometimes she really seems to know how conversations work. Her eyes are still blue, which is kind of crazy, because neither Mommy or Daddy or any of her grandparents have blue eyes. In any case, they're beautiful.
-She went to her first family reunion in Springville this weekend. It was fun, but also a very long day. Grandma Kaye bought her the first Newman Reunion souvenir at the family auction this year, which is neat. She is now the proud owner or a teddy bear with a handmade blanket. Mommy also was able to buy a wooden chair , so it was a successful reuion.
-As always, Audrey has Daddy wrapped around her finger and is the apple of Mommy's eye.

Audrey's blessing!

2009-06-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

We almost forgot to post an entry about Audrey's blessing! It was so neat! Daddy was very excited and nervous to bless her and Mommy was so excited to find the perfect dress. :) We were able to have a wonderful, spiritual Sunday and Audrey was a perfect little lady. She didn't cry during the blessing and she looked like a little angel in her white dress. We were also excited to have some close friends and family able to attend the blessing and celebrate with us.

Audrey is sick! :(

2009-06-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Well, Audrey is sick. Saturday night she started getting fussy and Sunday she was coughing. So Monday we took her to the doctor and she tested positive for parainfluenza. It basically is a viral infection with the same symptons as the common cold. The infection has the potential to spread down through her airways all the way down to her bronchioles. There isn't an antibiotic, since it's a virus, so we just have to keep her nose clear and wait it out. She's been a real trooper. She's still a very happy baby, and only gets fussy when we have to suction her nose and when she's hungry. We're so blessed to have such a wonderful baby. It's been rough on Mommy and Daddy to see their little girl sick, but we've been trying to take very good care of her and hope she gets better soon. Here is a picture of her before we went for a follow-up today. She's not happy, but very cute. (I think she knew she was going to the doctor).

More Audrey!!!

2009-06-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

Well, Audrey is growing like a weed. Like a very beautiful weed. :) She is a little angel and her mommy and daddy are having so much fun with her. She is learning about sounds and she loves to have her hair brushed. She also is enjoying her baths better. Well, if not enjoying, at least tolerating. Her daddy is also having so much fun playing with her. She likes to lay on mommy and daddy's bed and be bounced. She's starting to coo a little more and make more noises. She also likes to smile at mommy and daddy, which they both love.

More Audrey news

2009-05-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

Well, Audrey is 3 weeks old today. She had a blood clot on her little belly button, but that has come off and is looking really good. She is getting stronger by the day and it's amazing how much she grows and progresses every day. Her little legs are getting stronger, as well as her ability to hold up her head. She has the cutest little face ever, and it's very expressive, like her mommy, even though she looks like her daddy. Mommy and Daddy are totally gone over this adorable baby girl.

Audrey's development

2009-05-01T19:28:00.001-07:00

Well, Audrey is now 15 days old and developing incredibly fast! She has lost her umbilical cord and is getting very very strong. She's already pushing herself up from her belly and lifts her head up. She can't keep it up very long or hold it very steady, but it's up! We're having a ton of fun with her! She sleeps four hours at a stretch, which is really nice at night, and she's a wonderful baby. Will post more pictures soon!

We're online baby!

2009-04-24T17:59:00.001-07:00

This is our first blog ever and we're excited to include baby Audrey! We brought her home from the hospital on Sunday and have been busy ever since. We will update with pictures of our little baby soon!