Another Year Later

Well it is officially another year since I last posted! I keep thinking that my life will slow down, but it just keeps going faster! Here is a little recap of a few things.. *In December we celebrate Braxton's 1st birthday! We love having him in our family. He is such a happy boy! *In the spring Josh and I decided to go skydiving! It was so much fun! *In June I decided to stop teaching,which was the hardest decision. I cried for days, had knots in my stomach and then finally decided to apply for the job as Achievement Coach. I was ecstatic when I got the job. I started in August. I still get to do some teaching and am working with an incredible principal and faculty. *My sister Erica and her family came to visit over the summer. It has nice to spend time with them (we hadn't seen Erica's husband and kids since my Dad had died). We had fun hiking and going everywhere! *I decided to get my ESL (English as A Second Language) endorsement and my reading endorsement. I am learning lots, but starting to think I am crazy for taking on so much! Josh is being a good sport since that means he has to watch the kids a few nights a week. *Just a few weeks ago my mom got remarried. It is a little different I will admit, but it is nice for to see her happy again. Her husband, Darcy Rusel is a great guy. he treats her well and my boys love their new grandpa. *Josh starts working in outside sales with his current company beginning in December. He is excited for a new position and doing something just a little different. *Josh and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary in a few weeks. It seems like the time has flown. I am so grateful for a wonderful spouse who is supportive of my endeavors. He is an amazing dad to our wonderful two boys. Here are a few pictures to recap...

October Festivities

I can't believe that it is already November! October flew by so quickly, but we enjoyed it all. Some of our top highlights were when my sister Erica and her youngest, Megan, came for visit over fall break. We had a picnic at the park, went hiking, shopping, and enjoyed everyone's company. For Halloween I took the boys to school with me. It's always fun to have my class see me as a mom, and for my boys (well mostly Jaxson) to see the kids I teach. Jaxson had lots of fun participating in all the activities that had been planned by my room mother. We also carved our pumpkins

We're Back!

We're back! Well, at least for this post! I can't believe it has seriously been almost 2 years since I last posted. So many things have happened (good, bad, happy and sad)! I have been so busy and blogging just wasn't quite on the top priority list. I will highlight a few seeing as I am behind a few years!

*In March of 2010 we found out that we would be expecting baby 2! We were super excited to later find out that another boy would be coming!
* July 29, 2010 my dad passed away after his battle with cancer. We miss him like crazy, but I know that he is in a better place where he is pain free!
* In September of 2010 I decided that I would pursue a Master's degree with a math endorsement. Those that know me, know I totally HATE math. I am however getting better at math, but most important becoming a better math teacher. I actually enjoy *gasp* teaching math! I will finish my endorsement in May of 2012 and my Master's in August of 2012. It has been lots of work and a juggle with two kids! I can't wait to be finished!
* December 16, 2010 Braxton Chad was born to our family! We totally love him. He is such a sweet boy. Jaxson loves being a big brother. Both boys LOVE tractors, but most things about them are unique!



* Josh has been doing great with his sales at work! We (well, really he but I reap the benefits) have gotten an itouch, ipad2, Cannon camera (with case and memory card), and American Express gift cards. We are hoping that he will get to move to outside sales soon!
* We said goodbye to the Ford. It was kind of bittersweet. We had the truck ever since before we were married. We decided that it would be much easier to have 4 doors (as opposed to an extended cab) to get kids into the back. We now have a Dodge. Of course Josh picked the one that was already pimped out! It has an enormous lift, but I guess it keeps my muscles a little stronger and flexible!
* We did lots of camping Midway as usual. It is so nice to get away and be in nature. The boys totally love it there.

I will try to keep things better updated (now no more texts and e-mails about how I SO behind)!

Family Pictures

Here are the family pictures we had done in December with my family.

Here are my parents with their 7 grandchildren!

My parents and & siblings

Our family of 3!

Fall In A Nutshell!

I asked where did summer go and now it is winter! Things have been pretty crazy around our house, but lots of fun too! Halloween was great. Jaxson had lots of fun with pumpkins and dressing up as a monkey. Josh and Jaxson went trick or treating and he sure made out with lots of treats for being 17 months old!

My sister Lisa had baby Courtney in September. They blessed her at their home so that everyone could make it! Pictured below is my Dad and Courtney.

Thanksgiving we spent with my family. We get together with my mom's whole side of the family, so we go to a church. It was nice to have everyone around.
Jaxson's loves Papa's golfing M&M holder. He knows he can get Papa to give him M&M's anytime he wants! In the beginning of December my Dad had some surgery due to pain he had been experiencing since August. We found out that his cancer came back and this time it is terminal. We don't know how long we have left with him, but we are praying for him to be able to fight a little longer, as long as he has quality of life. He is undergoing chemo again, but this is just in hopes that is might shrink the many tumors in his abdominal cavity. If the chemo does do something it might help with the pain and prolong his life just a little longer. He has chemo for two weeks in a row and then one week off. He is on lots of pain medication, but is making the best of what he has been dealt. We had family pictures in December and once I can I will post some of those picture. I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that have been continuous for me and my family.

We had a great Christmas regardless of circumstances. We did the Washburn traditions of Christmas Street, Bible Street, and a Nativity. Jaxson thought Christmas day (and every day leading up to it) was awesome. I will post pictures from December soon (or maybe on my winter post!!!) We hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Where Did the Summer Go?

I can't believe it has honestly been since July when I posted last, but then again I totally can. Time has just flown by. It also would be helpful to have the internet at home...maybe someday!

Here are a few things that happened in August...

I am the ward camp director for the young woman in my ward. We went to Reid Ranch for camp. It was fun. We did lots of horseback riding. We had flushing toilets, cleaning services, food made for us, and basically it was like staying in a hotel...I am not sure how they call it camp! Our theme was You've Gotta Friend in Me. We worked on building friendships with each other and with our BEST friend, Jesus Christ. It was hard to leave Jaxson since I had never done it, but my mom & Josh were great to make sure he was taken care of.

We had lots of fun going to Bear Lake a couple times. The last time we went was for Raspberry Days. Our friends the Miles came up too. We went to the rodeo and enjoyed being at the lake. We enjoyed lots of yummy raspberry milkshakes!

We did lots of camping in Midway this summer. Our friends the Flowers came and stayed one night too. The weather wasn't great that weekend, but it was fun to have some company!

Jaxson kind of reminds me of what I would imagine Tom Sawyer could have looked like in this picture!

Jaxson is into everything and going everywhere. One day we were visiting at my parents and the poor kid fell off my parents porch and luckily into the bushes. Jaxson loves to play and tease. We are so lucky to have him around. He will light up anyone's day!

We did a little hike with Jaxson up to Donut Falls. He thought that was pretty fun and it was nice to get out into the mountains for some fresh air.


My Dad was given the opportunity to speak at regarding organ donation at the Salt Lake Library where the unveiled a wall that has tons of names of people who have donated. My Dad did an excellent job. I have a video of it, but am having issues uploading it! So maybe next time I will have it! He is doing pretty well. He is still really skinny and having a hard time eating. Everything is going great with his liver. His body hasn't shown any signs of rejection. He recently has some surgery this past weekend on two hernias, but he is doing his best to stay positive. It is GREAT to have him around! My parent both recently visited my sister in Maryland, which I am sure my nieces and nephew loved seeing grandpa up and around!


Those are just a few things we have done this past summer! Maybe next time I will get all caught up!

July Festivas!

I am finally out of school and have been enjoying every minute of summer! I love getting to be home with Jaxson. We have had lots of fun spending time with family and friends. Here are a few of our adventures and the things we have been up to! First, for the Fourth of July weekend we went to one of our favorite places, Midway.

Jaxson loved the sparklers!

Watching fireworks being set off on Memorial Hill

Jaxson playing with Angie (I love his face...and his little chub!)

Playing in the kiddie pool!

Second, Bear Lake with the Shaws. They have a cabin there and were generous enough to let us stay there too!

Jaxson and Doug on the wheeler, which of course Jaxson thought was great!
Us at the lake (Hewlett's, Us (Jaxson was asleep in the truck), & the Shaw's)
Rachel & I (doesn't she look so cute pregnant!?!)
Jaxson and Rachel hanging out on the beach, but of course on the wave runner!
Jaxson could have spent the whole day just sitting on the wave runner!

Next would be a few field trips. The first to Wheeler Farm with my friend Haley & her daughter and then to the Hogle Zoo with my sister and her kids. It is also just a coincidence that Jaxson is wearing the same outfit to both places because they occurred on different days and different weeks!

Future girlfriend? They had lots of fun together!
Enjoying some stinky animals!
Playing at the zoo on the playground.
He loved going in and out and on and off everything!
Payton, Jaxson, & Ashlee (oh and the gorilla of course)
Jaxson & Mommy looking at the black bears. Jaxson kept saying "rar" while he watched them!

My parents & Jordan came up to Midway to hang out one weekend with us. It was great to have them there (and I wish they would do it more often). I think my Dad really enjoyed being up there doing something he enjoys. Plus it is super awesome he could be there. He is getting better everyday! I am so proud of him for working at getting stronger!

Josh being Mr. Handyman working on his truck
(something with a clutch on the a/c compressor?)

My mom and Jordan. Jordan had some surgery on his ankle, hence the boot!
My Dad whipping up some breakfast!

My family was invited to the Palmer's (they live near my parents') house for a pool party. Jaxson had lots of fun playing in a pool and going down the slide...alone!
He loved going down!

I also have been enjoying reading some books and having lunch weekly with my team from work. Jaxson and I have also made weekly visits to Daddy's work to have lunch. I have a few more weeks off and this weekend we are headed back to Bear Lake-this time for Raspberry Days! Yummy! Then I head to Girl's Camp for three days at Reid Ranch!