Summer Photos

Summer Vacation 2010: East Coast

Mr. Intimidator

Remington and David (cousin) driving around the farm!


The best transportation--golf cart!

I took this photo simply for Michael's mom and aunt--Look at the HUGE mate!

Worn out--no question!

Our nation's capitol-on a humid August afternoon.

The White House!

The Gray's!

Mr. Gray in front of Obama's house.

Shh!

The Treasury!

Say it isn't so--another summer coming to a close!

It is hard to believe summer is almost gone. And for the Gray family it didn't really begin until the last week of July when Michael got a 3 week break from grad school! (1 more year baby!) So we packed up the kiddo and headed East for 10 days of no cell phone service and internet connection that seriously is slower than a turle in a 5k. Which means that life turns a little slower and reality tv transforms from Bravo to sitting on the front porch watching your neighbors.

One thing that was a little bit faster pace was Remington and his excursions on the battery operated truck. I have a video of it, but blogger is being a loser right now and won't load it.

While in North Carolina Michael and I went on a couple of adventures: 1) Raleigh, where we explored the State Capitol building--also known as Michael didn't believe it was that small. 2) Road trip to Washingon, D.C. where we got to stay in the Ritz Carlton (AMAZING) and have a little adult time because Remington stayed with Grandma Melva. 3)Carowinds was a fun day trip too. We went with two of my brothers and my brothers fiance and her family. I have no an ounce of adventure in my body, but Michael and my brothers acted like teenagers again and rode almost every ride there. 4)Homemade ice cream at Myra's house--this stuff is my favorite and one of the reasons I wanted to come home during the summer. 5)Hot dogs--now you can get hot dogs anywhere but there is nothing like a Carolina Dog at the end of a hot and humid day. Thanks to Dad/Bonnie and Grandma Hawkins! 6)Rascoe-Dameron Road Country Club also known as Vernon and Brenda's pool was a favorite of mine while we were there too. 7)Watching my 101 year old Grandpa on his tractor mowing--we call it bush hoggin! 8) Riding the golf cart as our mode of transportation. 9) Hanging out at Leslie's house because she has ESPN and Diet Dr. Pepper--not to mention she is so much fun and Remington is in love with her. 10) Getting pedicures multiple times from my cousin Kalynn (I am not sure if you spell her name that way or not).

Overall it was a great vacation. And fun to spend time with the family that we hardly ever see.

Just a reminder, I'm still allergic.

This past week Michael and I took Remington to his allergist for a regular check-up to see if anything had changed with his nut and egg allergies. The doctor told us about a new treatment they are doing on people with allergies to try to reverse the allergy. However, Remington's are too severe to try to do this treatment. Remington is almost guaranteed to have a reaction when given nuts or eggs. His levels are almost off the charts for both meaning that the reaction is potentially life threatening.

The doctor reminded us that we have to be dilligent in keeping Remington away from all nuts and eggs. The doctor has counseled us to not bring Remington into environments where nuts and eggs are served. I know Michael and I have relaxed ourselves a little bit about this rule, but going to the doctor was a strong reinforcement for me. We are asking our friends and family to please be more aware that Remington is seriously allergic to several food items. If Remington is in your home please do not serve food with eggs and nuts while he is there. There is too great of a risk for cross contamination, especially with other children in the mix who go lick the same toys or share a sippy and may have eaten something Remington is allergic to. Luckily we haven't had any severe issues, but there have been instances where we have had to give Remington benadryl to try and prevent a reaction due to contact with food he is allergic to in other peoples homes.

We love our Remington and we know that our friends and family do as well. Please join us in making play dates, dinner parties, sleepovers, etc. more enjoyable for everyone by not serving food that has come in contact w/ egg and nuts. Once Remington is older and he can manage food himself, we may not have to ask this of our friends and family. But until Remington understands the importance of not putting things from the floor in his mouth, nor licking toys or sharing sippy cups this needs to be the new norm. Thank you so much in advance for helping Michael and I keep our sweet pea safe.

cursed

About 2 years ago I sold my 1st wedding dress to a girl whose brother-in-law I work with. I sold it for barely 1/10 of what I originally paid, but I didn't care I just wanted it to be used. No sense in the dress hanging in a closet and being moved from house to house with me. I hadn't really thought about this girl that I sold the dress to until yesterday when the topic of weddings were brought up in a meeting. Her brother-in-law happen to be in the meeting so I asked if he had any photos of her wedding. That dress is cursed. Apparently the guy she was engaged to went a little crazy and the wedding was called off shortly before they were to be married. SAME thing happen to me with that dress. I feel bad that I sold the dress and the bad spirit followed with it. I truly believe that my Heavenly Father was looking out for me when my first engagement didn't turn out as expected. I hope the same for this girl. My life is so blessed and I am so thankful that I married to Michael. He is an amazing father and even better best friend. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the same blessing will find its way to this girl who bought the dress.

FINALLY more pics of Remingtons' birthday

Do they come any better than this?

We are so in love with our little boy! These pictures were taken by my friend Channing a few weeks ago. Channing is 7 months pregnant--what a trooper to still come out and take photos of our little man.

Remington being 2 is going to be so much fun for us this year. His personality is unforgetable and he is starting to get smarter than his mom and dad. Once he gets potty trained we will put him in Challenger, a private pre-school that is known for its excellent academics. I believe his cousin Zoe is going to start there soon as well. The other night Remington started counting to 10 in spanish--just out of the blue! Michael is trying to teach him to count in Thai.

We love our little boy who is surely going to be a man before we know it! I just hope he doesn't grow up too fast because that will mean I will have to have another baby!

My Boys!

"Mom, I am afraid of Picki"

Picki is Remington's monster. Yes monster! For the past 2 weeks Remington has been telling Michael and I stories of his monster Picki. The story is always the same, which blows my mind that they a kid his age can remember exactly what he has already told you! I thought I would share a typical conversation with Remington when he is telling us about Picki.

Remington: Mom, I see Picki.

Mom: Where is Picki, sweetie?

Remington: He is in the grass. I'm scared.

Mom: Who is Picki and why is he in the grass?

Remington: Picki is a monster and he lives in the grass. I see him Mom!

Mom: Is Picki a nice monster or a bad monster?

Remington: Bad monster, I'm scared.

Mom: What does Picki say that scares you?

Remington: He goes "grrrr"

Mom: Wow that doesn't sound too good. What does Picki look like?

Remington: He's red

Saw these and it made me think of home!

Remington exloring the soft drinks hidden under Grandma Hawkin's bar.

My handsome nephew David Gray Hawkins! Yep, my brother liked my last name so much he named his son after us.

The best macaroni and cheese maker in the world!

Buckaroo Turns 2

Remington turned 2 a week ago! I know I am so late to the game posting photos of the fun occasion, but here they are--well at least some of them! I still do not have a good photo of the cake, Charlie took that photo and I haven't been able to get it from her yet.

Details of the party: Invitations were handmade, but I bought them from a lady in the midwest. Being a full-time working mom you do not always have the time to do everything you want to do yourself. Sometimes you just have to pull out your credit card and get someone else to do them. Thanks Diane for great invitations and party favor bags.


Remington's cake was made from scratch. Every single last morsel of it. I practiced for about 1 1/2 months prior to his birthday to make an egg-free cake that was delicious. Seriously we had some gross cakes. But the final cake turned out perfect and moist. I even bought $60 worth of professional baking pans to make sure everything was perfect. Seriously I am a sucker for my little boy. FYI--you can totally tell a difference in cheap walmart pans and professional pans. Cheap Walmart pans always make my cakes stick, these expensive pans had the cake come out perfect. The creation of Remington's cake took almost 1 1/2 days, I started on Friday night and didn't get done until a little bit before the party started on Sunday.



Remington cuddling with his cousin Eden. Eden is so gorgeous she has be best smile and Remington is just obsessed with her. From the very beginning he has thought the world of her.

Studying the present he just recieved from Grandma and Grandpa Erb and his auntie's. They gave him this great coloring set with super cool crayons. He loves it--thanks so much!

The handsome Remington in his new spring outfit.

Remington and his Dad playing with his new toys.

Remington loves Spiderman--so the Erb's wrapped his gift in Spiderman paper. The day before the party, Remington was over at the Erb's and he found his wrapping paper and you should have seen how excited his was for the wrapping paper. He was running around the house just in love! Next year I suggest we just buy him a tube of wrapping paper.

We just love this little man! So darn cute and just growing up so fast.

Blowing out his candles. The top part of his delicious egg-free cake. Seriously this egg-free baking is not so bad now that i have foung my magic egg-free baking ingredient of choice. Thanks Grandma Melva for helping us figure it out.

Aunt Charlie and Mom singing Happy Birthday to Remington. Charlie came over the day before to help me with the cake and cleaning up. It is so nice to have such a great friend who is always there for you. Especially since Michael is always at work or school--it can be hard to get everything done.

Look how skinny my arm is--we were watching a video that was taken at his last birthday before the party and seriously my arm used to be twice this big.

Remington also recieved lots of other great goodies for his birthday--he was seriously spoiled.

1. Nona and Poppy sent a Thomas the Train set.

2. Marme and Dave gave Remington a train table.

3. Grandma Hawkins sent a wonderful card and some money that went into Remington's savings account.

4. Grandma Aldridge sent a handmade card and money for Remington's savings account.

5. The Mecham's gave Remington a Handy Manny toolbox. He loves the saw.

6. The Ewell's gave Remington an outfit and some books which now live in our car because he loves them.

7. Daniella gave Remington her stuffed monkey. So stinkin sweet of her.

8. Irene and family brought Remington spiderman swim trunks. I can't wait for him to use them.

9. Cousin Zoe and family gave Remington a lego Thomas the Train set with a carnival theme. The morning after his party he woke up and saw this toy and said "WOW, Mommy--look."

10. Cousin Leslie sent Remington a gorgeous blue polo shirt and a tractor. She said he needed to keep a little John Deere in him. So sweet of her to think of our little one.

If I have forgotten someone I am so sorry. I hope I haven't! Seriously thank you so much for celebrating Remington's birthday with us.

Happy Birthday Remington Michael Louis Gray

Size 5---Woo Hoo!

Last night I purchased a pair of size 5 jeans from Nordstrom. Whoo Hoo! I can hardly believe it myself, but even Remington was dancing in the dressing room with his sexy Mama.

I am off to Anaheim for Craft & Hobby Show! I hear it is raining, who goes to California in January for rain? Hopefully I will have some nice sunny days while I am there. I told Remington I was going to hang out with Disneyland for a few days--he said he wanted to go too! Agh- I am going to miss that little man.

I seriously think one of the hardest parts of being a working mother is to have to travel and leave your little one behind. But luckily I have the best adopted family in the WORLD-- The Erb's are helping watch Remington while I am gone so that Michael can go to school. It is so comforting to have a wonderful family that you know loves your kid as much as you do! It is wild to think that since I have lived in Utah I have grown so close to the Erb's, they are my family and I am truly appreciative to their love and support. Especially my best friend and soul sister--Charlie.

Happy Birthday Michael!

It is Michael's birthday today and I just wanted him to know how much I love him. Michael is such an amazing father to our son Remington and I get goose bumps everytime I see the two interact. It is truly priceless.

Thank you Michael for all you do for our family. I am so proud of you to be running a business, going to grad school and still finding time to be the amazing man I married.