Our Dinosaur Park Jurassic Adventure!

A couple of Saturdays ago was a crazy last day of a very crazy week. I had dealt with a fussy baby for days on end, not getting to the housework, a demanding three-year old, not showering in days, getting hardly any sleep, and honestly spending most of my day trying not to completely fall apart with all the stress, but that did not stop me from rushing the Teriyaki Chicken and rice crock-pot dinner I had made, wiping myself off with wet wipes, getting dressed and ready in under 15 minutes, and getting me and all the boys out the door when my good friend texted letting me know at 6 p.m. that Dinosaur Park was having FREE admission until 8 that night! I had been wanting to take our family for a while as Ben had never been before and Jayden was only one the last time we went. I am SO glad that we made it work despite the last minute stress. It was a BLAST and we even got a whole 45 minutes of family fun before Tristan got really fussy again. I am happy to say that thus far this particular week has been my only really difficult one as far as adjusting to being the mommy of two. Cheers to a crazy but fun and free family date night! :)

Jayden was more than a little terrified of these large beasts. Especially the Mystery Trail that came complete with roaring sound effects, but that has not kept him from begging to go back every day since. :)

Tristan seemed a lot less terrified of this particular adventure than his big brother.

 

RUN!!! Jayden was particularly scared of getting so close to this one. Good thing he had Daddy to keep him safe.

When he did get brave enough to touch the dinosaurs, he would only do so from behind. Smart boy!

It took a lot of convincing to get Jayden to go with Daddy into the cave.

Yup…;)

Jayden’s favorite part by far was the playground-naturally.

Gotta love family fun especially when it is FREE! :)

Our 7 Year Anniversary!

Well folks, this pregnancy brain/having a newborn child brain was intense this time around because I just about forgot about our anniversary this year! I cant believe it! I look forward to it every year! That being said plans and pictures on my part were a little unorganized and every picture was a mobile one. Lucky for me, my amazing hubby did not forget and even made all the plans this year. Thanks babe!

We were sitting on the couch in our bedroom the week of our anniversary when Ben looked at me and said “I want to talk to you about plans for Saturday”. I kissed the top of Tristan’s head before looking up at him vacantly, my eyes searching for what could be happening Saturday. Was that the Saturday he was finally going to be a regular carrier with the post office? No, that was not for three more Saturdays. Did we have a family event that day. No, I did not recall any upcoming events. Ben stared at me in disbelief before asking “You really don’t remember?”  “No.” I admitted a little embarrassed as I waiting for him to clue me in. “It is our anniversary.” He stated with a bit of a smile-the disbelief still apparent on his face. “Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! “I exclaimed. “Yes! Tell me what you were thinking for it.”

He went on to tell me he wanted to take me out. I got a little excited before my heart sank a little. I did not want to further let him down, but I was not ready to take Tristan out with nursing and the fussing that comes with adjusting to a newborn and I did not want to leave him with a sitter for an entire date night. Ben assured me he had taken that all into consideration and told me he wanted to take me on a drive-in themed date night. drive-in for dinner, drive-in movie-PERFECT! I could nurse in the comfort and privacy of our car and Tristan’s fussing would not be a bother to anyone! I LOVE that man of mine for his thoughtfulness and I looked forward to our date the rest of the week! It was so nice to have something to look forward to as it was a difficult week of adjusting to being the mother of two.

Lucky number 7 did not disappoint, and it turned out to be a SPECTACULAR 3 days of celebrating our love for one another! I actually got ready for the first time that week! I am talking shower, legs shaved, hair curled, makeup and all thanks to a very good and easy day with the boys. It was AMAZING! Ben was also able to get off work at a very decent time and we headed up north to take Jayden to my parents for a sleepover party since the drive-in movie would go so late.

When we got there, my parents were happy to watch Tristan for a bit too while we grabbed dinner up north before heading back south with Tristan to go to the movie. I had pumped milk just in case it was easier than nursing while we were out and about so it worked out great, even if it was a little hard to leave and be five minutes away for an hour (new mommy emotions).

With not having Tristan, Ben brought up the idea of actually going into the restaurant at Maddox instead of just the drive-in for dinner..um…yes please! We were a little worried about getting in on a Saturday night without a reservation, but we got right in and seated at a table with no wait at all! It and the food, and the company, and the complimentary anniversary pie was all so INCREDIBLE!

Our luck took a bit of a sour turn when we did not get to the drive-in as early as we had hoped due to me trying to nurse at home before leaving, and then having to go to Wal-mart to get cash and we ended up waiting in a big line of cars to get in to the drive-in for a half hour just to find out that Jurassic World had sold out. We pulled over to the side of the road and tried to decide what to do since we had already coordinated so much with the boys to make this possible. We ended up getting back in line in the hopes of getting in to see San Andreas instead. Luckily it was not sold out by the time we got up to the window and it was an AMAZING movie that both Ben and I thoroughly enjoyed despite being bummed about the other show not working out even though we had been excited to see it for months. We got all the same thrills and excitement as the other movie would have offered. Tristan was also good as gold and did not fuss at all other than to nurse one time before falling back asleep. Our luck really ended up paying off when we got pulled over for “not coming to a complete stop” at the 4-way stop by our house and getting off without even a warning and just being told what a cute baby we had! Talk about lucky! Pretty sure it is all thanks to our cute Tristan.

The next day we enjoyed some goodies as a family to celebrate our family being established 7 years ago, after the boys and I had spent the day at my parent’s while Ben worked hard on school. We had our favorite chocolate pie and some of our favorite fruits. YUM!

On Monday my parents were awesome and volunteered to watch both boys while Ben and I caught an early evening showing of Jurassic World since we had missed it at the drive-in. Ben got off in time-thank goodness and we made sure to get there with plenty of time to spare by grabbing food and cash in advance from Wal-mart and then picnicking in the car in the theater parking lot. We got tickets for the 3D show! We were SO excited!!! The movie was AMAZING and we both really enjoyed it even if I did feel a little weird without my boys with me. So glad we went and made it happen though since my family enjoyed our boys as much as our boys enjoyed being there. They definitely have plenty of people to love on them there and give them oodles of attention-that is for sure. :)

 

Happy 7 Years to us!!! Thanks for a WONDERFUL anniversary! Sure love you, babe!!!!!

May’s Magnificent Moments in Mobile Pictures!

May was magnificent! The best part? Our Tristan’s arrival!

I have an incredible man in my life! Mopping the floor and then having a movie date night with me while waiting for it to dry so he could put all the furniture back.

LOVE this boy!!!

Baby prep-washing all the baby clothes, blankets, burp cloths, bedding, etc…and then playing games on the Wii with our not-so-baby little guy.

 

I fall more and more in love with this man every day as I watch him with our children.

 

He does so much to show us he loves us each and every day. He had the day off so he made breakfast, played with Jayden, and we all went to the Treehouse for a family date day out together.

 

Jayden made the knights kiss. Ha ha!

LOVE this adorable kiddo who wanted to wear his hat the “cool way”! Ha ha!

I LOVE Spring storms! We got a LOT this year! We had thunderstorms and down pours for weeks on end which we really needed after a very dry Winter.

I sure LOVE my date nights with this studmufffin! Avengers baby!

We got to watch this cute little mister for an afternoon and it made Jayden and me VERY excited for our own little baby’s arrival a couple weeks later. Jayden was SO cute and good with him!

SO SO true!!!

After a VERY stressful couple of days, we binged on some comfort food! We strongly believe in going big or going home if you can’t tell by my rather large donut.

 

I just LOVE being this little guy’s Mommy!

We love play days with friends!

Guess who FINALLY got their Christmas lights taken down? In May…ha ha ha!

Helping Daddy work on school and scripture study as a family.

Deep cleaning the garage and front porch. I had great helpers for the nesting period of my pregnancy-which was really intense this time around.

We then continued on to deep cleaning the car and grabbed more donuts since Macy’s was right there!

Having a BLAST at Baby Animal Days!

Jayden helping me to open a gift from my Grandma.

Gifts from “Grandma” Shirleen for Baby Tristan! SO cute!!! She even brought Me a Mother’s Day rose. :)

Happy Mother’s Day to me! My guy rocks! This was the perfect thing to wake up to after a night of being in the hospital with bad contractions just to be sent home.

Two of his faves: Opening presents for Tristan and handing the lady the receipt at Costco to get a smiley face drawn on it.

Gifts from Ben’s manager. She even got Jayden a train so he would not feel left out.

More donuts (we were obsessed them last month) and a visit from Aunt Cami!

Helping Daddy on the grill for a BBQ with Cami and her boyfriend Brian!

 

The night Ben and Jayden got new toys. I was not left out of getting something because with Ben getting the bike, I would get more days with the car. :) His bike was supposed to be $1600, but we got it for $850! It is an all carbon frame Scott hybrid. He LOVES it!!!

After another week of contractions and finding there to be no progress at my appointment, Ben took me out to this adorable ice cream/soda shoppe to help cheer me up and you know what? It sure did! Thanks babe!

 

LOVE my boys!

 

My Mom scored this sweet play place for $20 at a garage sale! Grandma of the year that one! :) Jayden LOVES it!!!

Jocie’s 1st birthday party! Happy Birthday Jocelyn Diane Ahlstrom! We LOVE you!!!

We got Jocie a piggy bank. We figured it would be appropriate with Ryan being a financial advisor. They let us borrow one of their cars since we only have one and Ben was nervous about getting to me in time if I went into labor. They would not accept the gas money we offered, so we stuck it in the piggy bank. :)

My new bike!!! Vintage mint green with leather seat and handle bars and gears! Best hybrid ever!!! Thanks Ben! I LOVE it!!!!!

He’s here!!!!!!!!!!

 

Like father, like son!

We just adore this sweet little guy!

Who can hate waking up for middle of the night feedings with a cute little mister like this?

Milk mustache!

Picking up a few things on the way home from the hospital. Tristan’s first trip to the store.

Jayden is quite fond of him himself. He is such an AMAZING big brother!

Ben and I have tried to make sure that even with a newborn Jayden gets some good quality time with us that is all about him each day.

First bath at home.

All the boys konked out…except our alert little Tristan. :)

These moments are my favorite moments in life.

Our first outing as a family was for Memorial Day in Hunstville. This is Jayden in front of my Grandpa Ahlstrom’s grave.

 

Hot dog roast!

Ben is always working so hard at his studies. We miss a lot of time with him, but one day it will all be worth it.

My cousin Kendra came down from BYU-Idaho to meet Tristan, visit, and help me out! She was heaven sent! LOVE this girl!!!

Tristan’s one week check-up and first doctor’s appointment.

He grew two inches in a week! What?! He is growing WAY too fast!

We had Tristan’s newborn photo session the same day as his appointment, which also happened to be my first day flying solo. There were tears and chocolate by the end of it, but I made it!

We have ditched the strap guards, but not before snapping one picture because it was just too cute.

He looks so much like Jayden did and even burrows in the blankets to shield his eyes from the light just like Jayden did.

I took Jayden out for a special date night with me and got him this train set for being so good about adjusting to Tristan being here and for being such an incredible big brother. We could not resist spoiling him a little with this $10 price tag for a $60. Plus, who can blame us when the spoiling is so very well deserved?

No makeup, still in jammies, and a messy house, and no dinner ready when Ben got home from work, but oh so worth it for this cuddle session/nap on the couch together. :)

From awake and hungry to dead in a milk coma! :)

Daddy likes naps on the couch with the boys too.

Jayden is his brother’s keeper.

Caleb hiding from one of the many May thunderstorms between Daddy’s legs while he worked on school in the garage.

My sister Andrea came for a visit the weekend I ended up in the E.R. with bad bleeding and clotting. It was so nice to have the company and the help with the boys. She has always been quite the little Momma and my boys adore her! Since we had to go all the way to Layton to a 24 hour pharmacy to pick up my prescription, we made the most of it by going to the Sweet Tooth Fairy while waiting for it to be filled.

 

 

Nothing like a pizza and movie night at home after a rough day!

I love when Ben makes breakfast! It is always SO yummy!

Tristan’s first time at Grandma and Grandpa Ahlstrom’s. We go up on weekends while Ben works on school.

Both of my boys LOVE being outdoors!

 

It was such a blessed month!