Fourth of July Part II

Saturday evening was spent down at the Provo High football practicing field waiting for the Stadium of Fire fireworks, as is tradition.

Tadd's parents brought down their pool trampoline for the kids to play on, and also a pack-n-play for any babies that might fall asleep. Lately Samson has loved to play in his crib, so he was content to hang out in there for awhile and play. Naturally, he wanted to sport some sweet shades as well.

The firework show was one of the best I'd seen the SOF do in a long time, so waiting until 10 PM was totally worth it!

Four Parts of the Fourth

What a holiday! Stretched out over the weekend; we were more than exhausted once it was all over.

The 4th has always been my favorite holiday, but I quickly realized this year that having a kid definitely put a hampering on festivities, and it's so easy to get stressed out with the details and traditions. I just need to remind myself to let my hair down and ENJOY!

We kicked off the weekend on friday night at Chris and Tysen's gorging ourselves on quintessential summer sweets and treats and enjoying fireworks.

As I write this post, my heart is heavy for Chris and Tysen and his family. Chris' dear father, Larry, passed away last night. Although he's struggled with health issues the last few months his death was such a shock, and I cannot even imagine the heartache his sweet wife and kids are experiencing. As someone who has only known him about ten years, and has only experienced a small amount of the love, kindness and generosity he had to offer, I am so sad, so I cannot imagine what they are going through.

Larry was somewhat of a second dad to Tadd, and was there for him a lot in his teenage years. Larry is a lot of the reason Tadd made it as far as he did with his golf career, and I cannot thank him enough for all the support and encouragement he gave to Tadd over the years. He has deeply influenced Tadd, and will be sorely missed by the both of us.

Samson really enjoyed the little push car, and beeped that little horn to his heart's content!

Every time I turned around, Samson had something new in his mouth. Whether it was watermelon, ice cubes, sno cones or popcorn, he was well fed that evening and happy as a clam!

We were the party poopers of the evening, and left before dark. I figured missing one night of fireworks to put Samson down for the night at a decent time was well worth it, so we weren't dealing with a grouchy monster all weekend!

Midway Cabin

A couple weeks ago the girls and kids headed up to the Coxes cabin in Midway for a week of mountain air, crafting and good times.

Samson and I only went up one night, since I'm at the salon most nights. We went up with Shaley and Lucy on Wednesday without the intention of staying over, but Kecia coerced us into staying. And besides, before we knew it we had chatted and played so long it was late and dark out, and the canyon is pretty scary at night!

The kids love to mattress surf at the cabin, so I sent Samson down with Mazie a couple times to see what he thought of it. No change in expression. Sometimes this kid is SO his father.

Shaley, Lucy and I went down to a cute fabric store/boutique and a bakery Wednesday afternoon for a little outing. It was Lucy's first time in an umbrella stroller; she looks so tiny!

Sam loved to roam around the cabin getting into things we shouldn't, of course, and playing out on the back deck. The surroundings are so beautiful up there, and it was so nice falling asleep to the sound of the river below the cabin through my open window.

Unfortunately my sleep was short-lived. Sam decided to wake up at 4 AM, he doesn't do so well when he isn't in his own bed, so I tried to let him soothe himself back to sleep, but he wasn't having it, so in hopes that he wouldn't wake anyone else up, I picked him up only to find out he had soaked through his diaper, pajamas and sleepsack, and he was freezing from being wet. It was a nightmare trying to get him into new clothes, give him a bottle, and get him back to sleep all while trying not to wake anyone else up in the nearby rooms and in the family room. Then by the time we were back in our room, I had to sneak around in the dark and lie very still so he wouldn't know I was in his room with him.

Samson loves cousin Madi, and the two of them always have a great time together. She is also always such a great help to me!

Giving grandma a brief cuddle before bed.

Poor Bug

Our poor little bug has asthma. Whether it's cold induced, allery induced, or just plain asthma, it still just makes me sad!

We've got ourselves a nebulizer now, which is loads of fun since it's basically a wrestling match for five minutes when trying to give Samson a breathing treatment. Here's to hoping he only has bouts like this a few times a year!

Be Still My Heart

This is quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen my little munchkin do.

Vegas Round Two

I am a spoiled, spoiled brat. Two trips to Vegas in two months? Granted this second one was for a hair show (hello tax write off), but it was still enjoyable. I am incredibly fortunate to work with great people who I geniuenly enjoy being around.

Driving down to The Vegs with Chelsea and Julie. Oh, you don't know this slang? It's totes all the rage.

We stayed at my friends, Jessie and Erica's, house Friday night and stayed up into the wee hours of the night acting like three girls in high school, giggling and chatting.

First item of business on Saturday? Hit the pool, of course. My goodness, Vegas produces some real weirdos. We had the pleasure of watching two strangers meet up at the bar and dirtily dance together. All the while in bathing suits, might I add. Guh-ross.

Saturday evening was shopping at the Forum shops and Cheesecake Factory. Isn't it glorious that H&M doesn't close until midnight!?

I want this elephant.

Hair show the next day, which was loads of fun. We attended a few classes, learned some new techniques, and explored all the booths. And yes, I witnessed a Nick Arrojo hair cut. I looked all around for Stacey and Clinton, but was disappointed to see that the three of them just aren't a packaged deal.

We were completely overwhelmed with the number of feather, tinsel and bling extension booths. Did I say overwhelmed? I meant disgusted. I basically want to rip these out of every head I see.

Dinner that night with all the stylists. See why I freaking love these girls?

We returned home on Monday, and the next day I couldn't keep this little one off of me, it was pretty much the most adorable thing.

Pool Prep

Summer...the most glorious time of the year.

BBQs, 4th of July, sun tans, sno cones, watermelon, diet coke (year round)...ahhh I could just keep going and going.

But what's summertime without a pool!? (Sorry Mom. Soon, very soon), and what's a pool without a proper cleaning? So the Cox family gathered together one Saturday (oh wait, I wasn't there. I'm useless when it comes to physical labor, OR actually I was at the salon), and helped Papa Steve get the pool and backyard ready for summer enjoyment!

Miss Mia is HOME!

Our newest niece is finally home!

After six months of planning, waiting, fundraising, praying and longing, and five weeks of Kris and Kecia away from home and family in Eastern Europe...they are finally home with little Mia.

She is the sweetest little thing, and such a joy to be around. We find ourselves just watching her every move; she is so dainty and full of life! It's so fun to be a part of her new life, and be able to experience some of her "firsts" in this new world she is experiencing.

We were able to catch glimpses of her perfect little personality and sense of humor through Kecia and Kris' blog while they were overseas, and boy was it just a tiny peek. She has so much to offer in this new world, and we couldn't have been prepared for what a little angel she truly is!

Awaiting their arrival! The tears started flowing even just when we saw their flight had landed (as Adrie points out above); we just knew we'd all be such a mess when they walked through those doors! The anticipation was almost tangible!

It was so neat seeing Kris and Kecia reunite with their three girls, and introduce them to their new sister! I so admire my BIL and SIL, and all they have done to raise awareness and give a litle girl a home and an eternal family!

A couple videos definitely worth watching!

Gotcha Day

Homecoming Day

The Monster's First Birthday

You'd think I didn't leave out a single picture. Nay, I tell you. (Nay?)

I cut out A LOT. So, deal.

So, I set myself some seriously high expectations for Samson's first birthday. I wanted it to be special, and I wanted to stretch myself in my 'DIY-ing' abilities, and for the most part...I failed. Alright, mostly just in the baking department. I do not belong in the kitchen. Luckily, I have some amazing friends who came over the day of to help repair whatever damage I'd done to Samson's cake, as well as help with a few of the decorations. I had absolutely planned on doing it all myself, and looking back now, I realize I was freakin' crazy; there was just no way.

Why did I go to all the trouble, you ask? I realize Samson isn't going to remember this, but it's a "first" and I find myself treasuring and documenting every "first" of his, so why would I treat his birthday any differently? Plus, this really was a celebration for me. Hello, I (we) kept him alive for a whole year. Yay us!

Some birthday prep.

Yarn balloon tutorial found here

After a frazzling day with a few tears on my part, everything turned out wonderfully, and the smiles on my boy's face made everything totally worth it.

#1 birthday shirt from Etsy

We held the party at a park down the street, and although it was a little colder than we would've liked, it was the perfect setting for the festivities.

I am in love with how the banner turned out, so much so that Samson's name now hangs in his nursery.

Another expectation I set for myself? Take a picture of Samson on the same background every Wednesday (the day he was born) for the first year. Eh, I made it six months. Not bad right?

Our little family of three

(I know you are only gazing at the adorable monster, but just in case your eyes meander to the upper left,

try to dismiss that rogue postpartum hair, as well as my somewhat helmet looking hair, which is actually worse in the next picture)

I love these two dudes, and am so grateful for the joy they add to my life.

Showing off his new walking skills, as best he can in those silly-nilly shoes.

Aunt Lola

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by family on both sides, as well as great friends. All of whom love our little Sammy, and came down to celebrate with us.

We kept thing simple. Hot dogs, both polish and beef (JDawgs sauce, present), fruit and water, and delicious cupcakes (that only caused me minimal grief). Tadd was the grill master, and executed his job perfectly.

The little boy who loves watermelon.

Making his kissy face. Also his I-love-what-I'm-eating face. Adorbs.

Aaahhh the infamous cake from hell. I was so excited for Samson's giant cupcake after borrowing the pan from Natalie, and seeing what a success hers was. But naturally, when you put Caitlyn in the kitchen, even with simple instructions, disaster ensues.

Basically, it was the cupcake liner made from almond bark that caused most of the problems, resulting in four attempts. I finally had to ditch my dream of an aqua cupcake liner (the food coloring seriously messed it up for some reason) with white frosting, and just swap the two.

There was one little{huge} hiccup with the cake itself, but it was nothing the frosting couldn't hide.

In the end, it was adorable. And gigantic.

Sam was so funny while we sang "happy birthday" to him. He got this shy face on and cocked his head to the side like he was trying to hide. Ironically, once I set his cupcake in front of him, it did hide him from view. It was so big!

He needed a little help at first understanding that he could dig right in, and once he did taste the frosting...

...here's what he thought of it.

He caught on pretty quickly, and had a ball playing in it.

But...it's all fun and games until the cake gets hurt (cheesy?).

And then tears begin.

Maybe it was the absence of the cupcake liner?

Either way, he got over it quick, and dug in some more.

Aahhh that face. How I love it so.

The multi colored cake turned out exactly how I had wanted it to, even if it was labor intensive.

Obviously the child needed a bath after having his cake and eating it too (cheesy?), so Aunt Whitney and Aunt Lauren whisked him away to our house for a quick bath and fresh clothes before opening gifts.

Everyone was so great to stick around in the chilly weather to wait for the birthday boy!

All the excitement and attention of the party must've gotten to the little dude because he had a hard time keeping it together until the end. Nothing more true than "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to". Am I right?

We are so thankful for everyone's generosity and love that we felt at Sam's party! Thank you to everyone for making his party just what I imagined it to be.

Recently...

Tasted O.J. Didn't hate it. Check out that belly that cannot be contained.

Tadd came home from a drink run one night with flowers! Collective "awwwww"!

The boy loves watermelon almost as much as I do. Success! Take that, Taddy dear!

Got to do these little ladies' hair and make up for their dance concert while their parents were overseas adopting!

Attempted making a german pancake, and reached for the 425 degree handle seconds after taking it out of the oven and setting it on the counter. Idiot.

Vroom vroom! No, I did not choose to set him in the pink car, he just has too many girl cousins with girl toys!

Taking the Cox girlies to Provo for one of the weeks their parents were gone.

Best $5 ever spent at a yard sale, Lindey!

"Ya wanna rumble???"

He really, really loves his books. But really.

Ok, this one I am guilty of. He needed an outfit change at Whitney's, and once the flowered shorts were on, Haley, Whitney and I just couldn't resist the pink shirt and bow. Just for a second though. Geez. Violet most certainly does NOT approve.

Once again, watermelon.

Have I ever told you if I was allowed one food for the rest of my life it would be watermelon?

Orem Fest, Summer Fest, Orem Summer...something like that.

Little Lyla enjoying every minute of it.

Little bug was content to sit in his stroller and watch the kids go on the rides.

We did let him out to ride the...rooster? Good heavens, what happened to horses!?

Can't blame me for the overload of pictures, can ya? He's just that cute. (Just wait for his birthday post. You'll be embarrassed for me. I have no self control.)

Our Crest ladies discovered this day that Tadd and I are married! They see us both daily but never together. My, were they surprised!

New birthday toy in use at the pool. The perfect gift, Tysen!

The pool is proving to be very popular with this little fish.

This one doesn't mind it much either.

I can't even stand how adorable this one piece suit is. Adorable and nerdy!

Miss Nora all stylish in her cover-up!

A grubby day in the Cox home. But wouldya look at that...a floor somewhat free of toys? Magical!

Caught redhanded hoarding the peanut butter from Violet behind a lawn chair on the deck at Grandma Sue's!

Later discovered...two teeny tiny peanut butter handprints!

Tadd's idea of feeding Sam cereal for breakfast. Bless his heart.

Like the best day of his life ever. Did anyone ever tell you that mud doesn't come out of clothes? Well, it doesn't. There. You've been warned.

Ma and Pa Peterson went on the Trek in their ward, and contrary to what this photo depicts, my father actually made it out alive.

Discovered this gem among my mother's iPhoto.