Camping, Puppies, and Bears

Gabe has been obsessed with putting blankets on himself like capes. He usually puts the blanket over his head too like a hood.

Driving up to Rollins Lake --- Jill and me

I still can't get over how weird Jill looks in this picture. She looks like a Brat doll that mated with a Chihuahua hahahaha. So funny.

Jill and Dad hanging by the campfire

Two of my favorite boys -- Zander and Keaton (love K's smile)

Chillin' with Keaton .... this was after he recovered from holding a flamin hot briquet  from the campfire. He was crying and screaming for about an hour and a half. Thankfully his dad was able to give him a father's blessing to help speed up the recovery :(

Gabe cannot sleep without all his buddies ...and yes, he is usually having this good of a time when he's going to bed! 

We went up to Rollins Lake last weekend for a little camping trip. Well, actually, Gabe and I didn't actually camp. We just went up for a couple of hours. I moved into a new apartment the day before, so it wasn't really feasible for us to stay over night. I should've taken a picture of how much he was covered in dirt when we left. He LOVED touching, eating, and throwing the dirt and rocks. What a boy! :)

Growing Up: The Cute Version

Riding his trike isn't the same without Franklin (his puppy)

Zoey and Gabe looking through the fence at a neighbor mowing his lawn. So cute to see them together.

Little buddies

Gabe's dad sent him this little piano that he had when he was little.
Gabe loves pounding on it :)

So.Freakin.Handsome

Gabe's into his terrible twos. Can't help but think he's still cute when I look back at these pictures
(not when it's happening) ... He didn't get that long of a nap before church; this is him throwing a fit about having to get up and go

Can't wait to show these pictures to him when he's older. hahahahaha.

Spaghetti Sauce mustache and goatee. Somebody loves him spaghetti!


Now, on to Gabriel and growing up. He's getting so big. I love watching him discover and learn new things every day. He is very curious and watches everything I do. I have to be careful what I say and do because he catches on really fast. He is definitely in the "terrible twos" stage. He throws fits at the slightest thing, such as not getting his milk right away, or getting put in his car seat when he just wants to run and play. I am beyond happy that I am his mom. I wouldn't change that for anything!! I've learned more about life and myself by teaching and raising him than I think anything else could have. Thank you Gabriel for making me so happy!!

I am currently in the process of looking for a teaching job for next year. Can I just say how much I hate looking for jobs? Especially teaching ones? It is soooo much work and then sometimes you don't even get an interview. It's hard and tedious. Yuck. But I know I'll find something, so I keep on at it. :) For the summer I don't have any work, and I am still trying to find something.. Which also stinks looking for something. On the bright side, I still get paid for two months of the summer, school gets out May 26th (six working days left), and I get to spend more time with Gabe. So wish me luck in the job search!

Ballons & Aunties

 

 Playing with Aunt Jilly before she left for Idaho

We will/do miss her so much!

Does his face look fake here, or is it just me?

 

I still don't understand how Jill thinks she can take pictures on my camera and NOT expect me to put them somewhere on the internet. Does she ever learn?!

Almost nothing makes me laugh harder than good ugly pictures. 

What would life be like with out uglies to make me laugh?

RED RACE!

My little cutie patootie

Gabe and Zoey. They're best pals.

Before the race, sportin' our numbers

Sissies!

After the race!

Headband buddies

"Touch my water bottle, you die." --Gabe

We had so much fun at this run! Gabe hung out with Grandpa on the sidelines and he did such a great job!

The Grinch

I feel like I should say something that I should've said a few months ago. I haven't because I wasn't ready to. As some of you may know, from Facebook, or hearing from me in person, Alejandro and I are separated and going through a divorce right now. Sorry if you have searched my blog or Facebook to find out what happened and have found nothing. I haven't really told the "public" because it's been really hard for me to do that. The divorce will actually be final here in a few weeks; we started the process in September, and its just taken a long time to get through some issues. With that said, I want you to know that I know without a doubt that I made the right choice to leave. I have had that confirmed numerous times in the last few months.

This is sad news and I'm sorry if this is the only way you've found out, but let me tell you that I am really happy. There were a lot of things in our marriage the last year that lead up to this point. I did move to California to be around my family and I am very lucky to be here with them. The first few months I lived with my sister Tiffany and her family, then when my little sister Jill moved back to Rexburg, I moved into my parents house. I don't know how I could do this whole single mother thing without them helping. I am working right now and looking to further my education in some form (not sure what yet).

  Gabe truly is one of the brightest joys in my life, along with the gospel of Jesus Christ. His big eyes and round, chubby cheeks make me so happy. I am so grateful to have him in my life. I know Heavenly Father sent him to me for a purpose, and I feel very lucky and blessed to have the privilege and honor of teaching him the gospel. I take that role very seriously.

I am, by nature, an optimistic person, so I do try and reflect that on my blog and on Facebook. So, after giving you the big "news," I would like to cheer you up with some yummy baby candy (in form of pictures) :

Silly boy in action .... his special "dance"

As soon as Great Grandpa shows up, Gabe rushes over to sit on his lap.

That's one suspicious look he's got goin' on

Grandma O and myself chillin'

Mid-afternoon snack: APPLE!

My heart just skipped a beat; he's so freakin' handsome!



And prepare yourself for this last picture ......




It's the title of this post ..........

The Grinch






HAHAHAHA!!!

Fuzzy Head's Many Costumes

G's had a busy week (as well as his parents)! He got a new, old walker to play in and he absolutely loves it -- as you can tell in the first picture below.

Still lovin' bath time!

Chico and I went to the Rexburg temple on Saturday, so G went over to Auntie J's apartment for a couple hours. According to rumors, he had the time of his life being dressed up and tossed around in his blanket. Here are some pictures from J's camera:

Mother Teresa? Yeah, I guess I can see the resemblance.

Bob Marley

(I guess J's roommate K gave G this Skittles bag and he would cry every time they took it away from him)

My personal favorite: some character from India

This is G eating his new found love: CHEESE!

And this is why we call G fuzzy head. Crazy hair after eating his bottle.

I also realize that we mostly have pictures of G on this blog -- and I never thought I would be that kind of a person. But really, he is my life and who I spend all my time with, so actually, I don't feel bad or sorry for this blog being about him. My life isn't nearly as exciting as documenting his ups and downs, and of course, everything he learns every day. If nothing else, it makes me happy, and I know my family loves to see him as well!

Who Doesn't Like the Snow?

So the snow has started once again here in South Eastern Idaho! Besides almost being stuck at South Fremont High School in St. Anthony, I don't mind the snow too much. :)

Crazy weather in our "front yard."

The first snow fall produces a snow man

**Special Update: We did not make this snow man -- it was made by a neighbor of ours. And I just noticed that there is a friendly little "friend" on the snow man. Pardon for the obsenities.**

Utah & Such

I went down to Utah on October 29 to November 2. My mom and younger sis Jill flew out there to go to our friends, the Allred's, daughter's wedding. So we hung out all weekend, but more importantly, we helped with the whole wedding. It was a lot of work, but I am glad I was able to spend time with my family. The groom's family is from Brazil, and may I just say that South Americans sure know how to throw a party! It was so much fun!! I know if we had all of Alejandro's relatives from Uruguay at our wedding, it would have been one big PARTY. Anyway, enjoy the update!

Hangin' at the reception. It was so much fun dancing with all the Brazilians!!

I love the temple! Here with my pretty mama!

Shalay (Allred) Cano and her new husband Gus. She looked beautiful


Jill with her sexy pants on in Target

Jill's artistic picture of me on the temple grounds.

We were waiting for the bride and groom to come out, so we took some pics around the temple

Me and Jilly out and about town