More Photos

What is it with taking family photos in November?

I have to admit in the three years that Michael and I have been together we have paid folks to take our pictures three times: Engagement/Wedding and then two years of family photos. And for some reason I can never think to get it done prior to a few days before or after Thanksgiving. This year was just the same--freezing outside and of course I am determined to get the perfect photo for our handmade Christmas cards.

Below are a few of our favorites. Thanks Channing for the wonderful job and for going out in the cold with us!

Homemade Christmas Cards

Okay it is that time of year again--and yes they are homemade. I need your address for christmas cards. Send me an email at z_beth_2002@yahoo.com

TODAY Show: Here I come

It isn't a secret, I have a crush on Matt Lauer from the TODAY Show. It's true an older man makes me flush. It's okay Michael agrees with my crush in fact he encourages it every morning when he turns on the TV to wake me up for work.

My dream is finally coming true. I am going to the TODAY Show and there is a pretty BIG possibility that I may be meeting him as I will get backstage credentials. That's right I got my company on the TODAY Show. More details to come...

But for sure I will have a story to tell about my experience with Matt.

Tune in you may see me out on the plaza.

Halloween at Work!

http://www.youtube.com/user/allisonnicole007#p/a

http://www.youtube.com/user/allisonnicole007#p/a/u/1/eydDQwQ8IAI

Guts and Seeds: Pumpking Carving at the Gray House

We carved 2 pumpkins last night. A large one which, Michael took over and a smaller one which turned into mine. Remy was only excited for the first 5 miutes (he does have the attention span of his mom after all). And plus Remy was more excited to get a sugar rush from the Halloween candy I had bought earlier in the day. I found a handful of items that he could actually eat with Skittles being his favorite of the choices. He was seriously bouncing off the walls last night after eating his candy, jumping on his bed, etc. It was pretty hilarious.

Michael looking a little slimmer, so proud of his choice to eat healthier with me. 15 pounds lost 10 more to go--cutting out carbs and sugar has been a miracle weightloss helper. Although Michael is still enjoying his coke every now and then. And Michael can now hear (BETTER) he got fitted for a hearing aid yesterday and so far so good. We just have to figure out how to pay for it now, they are expensive and our insurance doesn't cover it--$2100 just for one ear.

Yep--he got it!

Yep, Remington has the H1N1 flu. We took him to the emergency room Saturday night because he was running a temp of 103 and we couldn't break it. After 2 hours the doctor told us that he has the h1n1 and gave us anti-viral prescription. We are about 5 days in and Remy is doing fine, his fever has finally stopped for the time being.

After days of having his temperature taken, Remington decided he wanted to care for him Elmo. Here are a few pictures of his doctor skills. He even knows to look at it after he is done. Seriously could our child get any smarter?

Speaking of smart. Remington can sing his ABC's to the letter G. He knows just about everyone in our families name. Hearing him say Michael is priceless. And he can sing several songs with Bumble Bee, Happy Birthday and Popcorn Popping being his favorites. He also knows a variety of objects, when we are out in stores he will tell me what color things are. Considering he has a mom and dad that are home very little--he is doing well.

Gosh Darn H1N1

*Warning you are about to read a venting session of an overworked mother of one, who has extreme guilt about working and having a kid--but it is what it is*

Having a child who is allergic to eggs, nuts, shellfish and asthmatic isn't very easy. I just spent over 1 1/2 hours today trying to figure out where I could get Remington vacinated for H1N1. (The shot kind is in Utah, for any moms with kids under age 2 who couldn't get the nasal spray. Big vaccination fair this weekend, check the SLC Health Department Web site for more info. PLEASE GET YOUR KID VACCINATED, since we can't at this time)

Apparently there isn't a single place in the WHOLE STATE OF UTAH that can currently give it to him because of his egg allergy--even though he meets the age guidelines to be given priority for it, he is in contact with other kids constantly (due to daycare) and all of his doctor's are encouraging him to get it because he does have asthma and is at greater risk. NOT even the allergist who gave him his normal flu shot--which he did fine with becuase he was being supervised. The health departments in Utah have the shots currently and they will not give to a egg allergy kid because of side effects and the inability to give the vaccine properly to a kid with a potential allergy. The health department expects to start distributing to pediatrician offices in the near future, but no confirmed date or at least that is what the Director of the Salt Lake County Health Deparment said. (Yep called him too!) However, the health department currently can't distribute to my allergist because of legal implications. So what's a working mom to do who can't stay at home and keep her kid safe from the germs of other sick kids? And to make it worse it seems like people who are sick don't feel the needs to stay away from others. Or at least that is my experience--a kid in his daycare was sent home yesterday for having a 104 degree temperature and is now being treated for swine flu.

My gosh Obama care, I can't even get a H1N1 vaccination given to my allergist so Remington can get it. (believe me I even offered to pick up the vaccine from the health department and take it to the allergist, and NOPE 'cause of legal issues) Seriously this is messed up, but for those of you who can get it. GET IT at least then you will be one less person who can spread it to my baby who is sitting in daycare today with a huge sign on his forehead that says "Please give me swine flu, since you were eligible to get vaccinated and didn't".

Oh the joys of being a mom and having to let your baby go out in the germy world without a protective shield. Okay I am done venting.

Mascara

A few weeks ago I was getting ready and before I knew it Remington had gotten into my make-up bag. Now we all know that is a no no, because the cost of mommy's make-up is going to be a reason why Remington pays for his own college education. Ha Ha...

Anyway he had gotten into my mascara and opened it and proceeded to paint on his face. It was too cute, so i had to take a picture.

Scariest Day Ever!

In Business Doing it for Ourselves!

Oh I almost forgot! Michael now has his own business. He is still working at the same place, but now he is running his own deal in addition to being the right hand man to Justin. We were excited, he sold his first car under the Michael Gray LLC last week and it is super sweet to get more than just a percentage on every car sold.

Three cheers for my hubby and his business! We wish the business much success and hopefully in the long run it will mean he can be at home more with us.

Birthdays, Pumpkins and 7 pounds

Call me crazy but 25 feels just like 24. Thursday was my birthday and I started out the day kind of bummed because I wasn't standing on the plaza in New York watching the Today Show as Michael and I had planned almost 6 months ago. Long story of why not...

However, once I arrived at work my day got a little better. I walked in to realize that my desk had been decorated by my co-workers and my sweet husband had snuck into my office and left a beautiful flower arrangement and a chocolate chocolate chip bunt cake. My coworker Spencer even made me German chocolate cupcakes--from scratch. Then later that night we went out to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant--Lugano's. We learned about this place from Vanessa and Kevin--they had their rehearsal dinner here and we had wanted to go back for some time. The night was lovely and simple--just the way I like it. Although I still missed Matt Lauer and getting to see him on my birthday--maybe next year.

Then on Saturday I took Remington to pick out a pumpkin or two. He had so much fun--for some reason he thinks pumpkins are babies. Random! Below are a few shots of our pumpkin excursion.


Once again I have embarked on a weight loss regimine. This time I am having success, I have lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks by cutting out carbs, fat and sugar. Which has also helped my horrible stomach issues, Dr. said it isn't celiac. However I still get sick whenever I eat bread, pasta, etc. I tried pasta for the first time on my birthday and I got sick before we could even get back to Michael's moms to pick up Remy. So we are thinking it is a gluten intolerance instead of full-blown celiac.

Eating at the Gray household is pretty fun: no eggs, no nuts, no shellfish and now limited gluten. However I love pasta so i don't think I could ever give it up completley. I will just have to stay close to home if and when I eat it.

Oh and here are a few shots of our house... Not nearly the whole place, but the living room on the main floor.

SALSA

Last night Michael and I bonded over canning salsa. That's right I canned without my Mama. I grew up canning--gosh summer was spent under Myra's porch snapping beans and shelling peas, shucking corn, etc. So I guess you could say it is in my blood to be domestic and can food, but I haven't done it since I left home more than 7 years ago. So earlier this week I went to the organic produce stand and bought lots of yummy tomatos and chili peppers (I know lame that I don't have a garden, but I just barely got an attached garage, so i guess 1 thing at a time) and last night we experimented with making salsa. It was quite the experience, but everything turned out fabulous and the results were nice and spicy--just the way we like it.

I will post pictures of my lovely canned salsa sitting on top of my counter all happy and spicy!

Thanks hubby for inspiring me to get back to my roots and do some canning. And thanks Megan Strong for the fabulous salsa recipe.

If Michael ever becomes a Bishop....

I read this fabulous article yesterday in the Deseret News--Soda swilling bishop's wife is caught in act!

Long story short--as I read this article I knew it was telling my future. I really either need to kick my Dr. Pepper habbit or pray that Michael never becomes a Bishop. Read the article and you will know why I made that comment.

On another note!
Day 2 of grad school--Michael loves it! He said that he feels like he is on the TV show Apprentice.
Our new home--fabulous all three of us love it! It is so wild to have so much space again. When we had our home it was just the two of us so it seemed so large--then we downsized to living with in-laws and basements and then an apartment and finally back to a house (ALL WITHIN A YEAR). We love our new home and feel so blessed that we have such a wonderful place to live. I will post pics of the new place with our furniture soon.

Studying, Convention, Moving and School

Wow the past two weeks have been CRAZY! First off Michael was studying like crazy with his own personal tutor to take and pass a math equivalency exam so that he can start his MBA. It was lame, but since he made a high enough score on his ACT to get into college he didn't have to take a math class unless his major required it. Lucky him he is a political science major--no math needed. However, now that he was accepted to the MBA program at the University of Utah, he had to produce a math credit for college algebra. Hince the personal tutor and studying for 2 weeks to take the test.

While all of that was going on I had Convention for work--which means long days and EARLY mornings. If you know me I am not a morning person, so having to wake up at 5:45 every morning to drive downtown wasn't my favorite. But it was so worth it to see all of the wonderful ladies who love our products. I even got to see my possee--that's right I have a possee. It seems that every employee where I work has a set of woman that attach themselves to you. They always look to find you at every convention and want to catch up on your life. It is super fun to have a possee.

While all of that is going on Michael and I are moving--yep we can't stay put in one place too long. So in my spare time and when Remy isn't watching I pack a thing or two away. Remy loves unpacking what I have packed--it is quite a game.

I am happy to say that yesterday Michael took his test and passed--he needed a 50 and he got a 50! WOO HOO! So that means i get him home at night for 3 more days (luckily we are offically moving the day before he starts school) and then he starts school on saturday. So for the next 2 years we will probably only see each other on sundays and late at night. Oh well--my hubby is getting an education!

Celebrating 100 Years!

Remington and I just returned from a week long vacation in North Carolina. We went out for my grandfather's 100th birthday party.

Those of you interested can hear all about his good ole' life tomorrow morning on NBC's The Today Show. Williard Scott will be wishing my grandpa a happy birthday sometime between 7:00-9:00 am. Set your TiVo and hear all about my grandpa.

Also Curry is up for Dickie's hardest worker of the year.http://www.workeroftheyear.com/

I think you can still vote for him, so go and see... Curry Phillip Aldridge, Burlington North Carolina.

Our New Home!

I am so excited. In fact I have had a hard time even managing to work today because I am just so excited. Michael and I are getting a home, no we aren't buying. But we are renting a nice town home in South Jordan. We get to stay in the same ward (woo hoo we may even make it to the 1 year mark in the same ward). Our first 2 1/2 years of marriage we have had 5 wards.



It turns out the house we inquired about renting is my visiting teachers home. They just bought a new home and haven't been able to sell their own. Pictures are below. It has 3 bedrooms, 4 baths and a full walk-out basement. Anyone want to come have a slumber party with me? We are moving in mid-August. Yippee

Kitchen

Kitchen/dinning room

Living room

Basement

At the Utah Symphony--eating chips under the stars

Remington is going through a faze where he is attached to his stuff animals. Yesterday he even pulled one into the bathtub with him for a swim

Remington became friends with a minature poodle

4th of July in the park

Eating cookie dough for the first time--EGG free!

4th of July Brawl!

So the 4th of July couldn't happen without a little bit of a brawl. That's right ladies the Gray girls got into a little altercation at the Sandy 4th of July Celebration. And no we weren't fighting each other! Michael and I along with Remington and then Stephanie, Grayson, Nate and Emilee all went to the Sandy fireworks on the 4th. We were minding our own business sitting on our blankets when all of a sudden I got hit in the eye with a football. It took me a second to realize what had happen as i am used to flying object since I am the proud mother of a 16 month old who thinks hitting is a nice thing to do.

So once I realized that i got hit with a ball, Emilee throws it back to the folks that hit me. The little girl that threw it with a little bit of hesitation finally said sorry. Which was fine--It wasn't like I was going to get angry at a little 8 year old. However, the adult that was with her proceeded to tell the little girl (OUT LOUD SO I COULD HEAR) that it wasn't a big deal she had hit me because it didn't hurt. Which put me into major witch mode--because it actually did hurt it hit me in the eye and my eye was blurry for at least 30 minutes afterwards. So I responded back, and said that it actually did hurt and I would be willing to throw the ball in their face so they could try it out since he didn't think it hurt me. And here comes the eruption--the guy proceeds to yell at me and tell me that I am over reacting. Which puts about to pop pregnant Stephanie into defense mode and Emilee too, so they start yelling at the guy with me. (it was a pretty good scene to watch) Then the guys wife (I think) gets into it and proceeds to tell us that she is blown away at the way we reacted to a little girl hitting me. And I wanted to proceed to stuff her fake boobs down her throat since I wasn't mad or upset at the little girl EVER! My discontent came when the dork she married said what he said. So once I realized that I was dealing with a complete jerk, I just shut my mouth and let Emilee and Stephanie yell at him.

And to top it all off in the end I felt like crying because I couldn't believe an adult would end up yelling at someone who his niece or child or whoever she was just hit. When I didn't do anything but tell him that it actually did hurt and I didn't think it was appropriate to say otherwise. The girl that was with him even caught Emilee's eye and made the most annoying face and waved at her. As to say we won.

I can't believe the nerve of some people. I know that if Michael would have been there when it happened he would have defended me. He was so annoyed when I told him what had happened.

Daily Funny!

Last night Michael told me the funniest story about an experience that had happen to him at work.

Michael has known his boss, Justin, for years. They even exchange clothing amongst each other. For the past several months Michael has noticed an infant carrier sometimes in Justin's wife's car and just thought maybe Justin's wife was babysitting and that is why she has an infant carrier. Yesterday Justin's wife is in their office and she has a baby with her and she is out in the open changing its stinky diaper. Michael takes Justin to the side and asks "Whose kid is that?", Justin responded "It's mine." Michael had no clue that his boss had a 6 month old baby. That to me is the funniest thing ever. How could you not know how many kids your boss has--especially in Michael's case where he has known Justin for years and been friends with him.

I couldn't believe this story, but it was so funny to me I had to share.

HE GOT IN!

I am so excited and proud of my hubby! We just learned that he got accepted into the business school at the University of Utah and that the business school has recommended that he be accepted into the MBA program.

Playing outside in Aunt Alicia's yard.

Playing in the pool with Verona.

I can't think of another picture to wrap up our feelings of our little boy--he is just a pleausre and a blessing everyday.

In Arizona with Marme.


Chillin' in his stroller by the pool.

Muscle man--too cool for the pool!

Playing outside at Wheeler Farm.

Playing with big cousin Zoey at Wheeler Farm.

Liz, Remy, Brandi and Zoey

Isn't my face priceless... There was a spastic duck at the farm who hissed at people and I was giving it my mean face to stay away from my boy.

Being a monkey, climbing on his stroller.