Big Man on Campus!

Happy Birthday Aaron, 28 and still lookin' great!

This year we had a week long celebration of my handsome husbands big day. I know that most people only celebrate their birthday one day a year but this year I wanted to do a little more. I have always said that Aaron is an outstanding father and husband but the last month or so he has really out done himself. Never have I seen a more selfless and loving man than my best friend Poy.

Saturday night we went out to Standford's for dinner with the Wagner's and the Sajovics. Aaron's birthday was Sunday and Jordan's was Monday so we decided to celebrate together with a delicious dinner out. We had never been to Stanford's before but it's Jord's favorite restaurant and we were not disappointed! After dinner we thought it would be fun to surprise Dust and Lyndz with a visit since they couldn't make it to dinner (they were watching our boy's!!! So grateful!) Jord even brought over his self made double layer rainbow chip cake with rainbow chip icing and a raspberry cream cheese filling! Again there was no disappointment involved.

Sunday morning AJ made Dad some Johnny Bread for breakfast, made him a birthday card ALL BY HIMSELF, and got him two of his favorite new games, Dad was pretty impressed!

Miles was pretty excited about the whole thing as well.




The Tolmans joined us for Fettichine Alfredo and banana cream pie later that day, which turned out pretty good since it was my first go at his favorite dish! I still can't belive I forgot to take a picture!

The following Friday Lyndz and I organized a big BBQ to celebrate another year of Dust & Poy. It was great food, good friends, and a little bit of bottci ball! We couldn't have asked for a better turn out or a more beautiful day.



Thanks to Lynz for this colage, which I stole from her blog!
Then for one last birthday surprise, Aaron's Dad surprised him with a birthday visit! All weekend long I kept telling Aaron not to plan on getting any study time in after Saturday night because I had planned something for the family to do on Monday. At first he was really curious and excited but as time went on he thought I was bluffing. Then Sunday after church a knock comes on the door and who could it be.... Dad!



Aaron was surprised to say the least and even more surprised to find out that they had a tee time booked the following morning for 7:30. It was so fun to be in cahoots with Al and really pull one over on Poy. After Golfing 18 holes and a little shopping they came to pick up me and the boys and Papa treated us to dinner at Red Robins!

CRAZY FACE CONTEST

Having Papa around was so much fun, we sure are going to miss him. Well that about sums up Aaron's birthday week. It was a lot of fun and I can't think of a more deserving person. I am so greatful to have you as my husband, you are my best friend and one of the top three blessings I have in my life. (It's a toss up between You, Age, and Smiles!) Love ya tonz!

Making the Rounds

One of the main reasons I wanted to go home was so everyone could meet Miles before he was six months old. I know that babies aren't very exciting when they are so new, but they are so cute! Me and the boys spent a lot of time on the road during our stay. We went between Fort Macleod, Lethbridge, Stirling, Taber, and Barnwell hitting each town on more than one occasion. Busy, Busy.

I would love to blog all about our trip and the time we spent with everyone but I am getting so far behind I just need to get it done. This post is going to be a quick summary of our family fun while up in our home and native land.

Most of you know about Grandpa Dick and the amazing man that he is. When I am down in Portland he is one of the people I miss the most and find myself wishing I could visit. It wasn't until we lost Grandma that I realized what an incredible woman she was and the vast amount of knowledge she had to share. Looking back I wish that I would have taken the time to learn more about her and the stories of her life. Now that I understand how much our Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc. have to share with us I want to learn as much as I can from them while I still have the chance.

We made sure to see Grandpa Dick on a few different occasions and always had a great time. I can see him slowly becoming a hero to AJ just like he is to me, which means everything to me.
This is the best we could do with no one else around to take our picture, NOT GREAT LACE!


Next up was the Poytress family. Grandma and Grandpa Poytress are two of the most loving people I have ever met. I still remember the first day I met them almost 5 years ago. It was Christmas Day and Aaron had invited me to their family dinner even though we had only been dating a month. I was a little nervous, especially when I saw 6 foot 7" grandpa Chuck coming over to great us, but nerves were forgotten as he scooped me up in a big hug and welcomed me in. After dinner the boys were playing basketball and I was standing around feeling awkward when Grandma came up, put her arm around my waist and said, "why don't you join us in the kitchen, dear?" She saved me! I was so grateful for the way they made me feel right at home and I have felt that way ever since. Love you guys!!

Grandma was happy to play host to all the Aunts and Uncles so that they could see us too. It was so great be home with our family again. I had a friend tell me what a good wife I was to go spend time with my husband's side of the family without him, but honestly I feel just as comfortable with them as I do with my own family. I love the Poytress Family and can't remember what it was like to not be a part of them.




We also spent some time out at Aunt Dixie's and Uncle Rick's. I didn't take any pictures with them, because I apparently went brain dead, but I did take some pictures of AJ after Uncle Rick took him out to explore the farm. He had a blast! Not only did he see the cows and feed the horses but he also got to play on one of the tractors.
WHAT A MESSY LITTLE BOY!




I already blogged about my time with the Fairbanks family, which was also amazing! I love that we have such a great extended family. I have always been very close with my mom's side of the family, Dixie is basically a second Mom to me, and over the past few years we have just become closer and closer with the Nelson's as well. Anyways this is getting really long so here are a few pictures I got while hanging with the fam!

Moter Bike!

Since AJ's second street wheelers weekend, the first he was old enough to remember, he has been obsessed with Motor bikes. It's kind of sad, since it was decided long before he was even born, that he will never own or even ride on one for that matter. Ha ha ha.

They seriously scare me and I can't imagine the anxity it would cause me to know that one of my family members was out on one. Anyway's while were where in Canada AJ was able to get an up close look at uncle Shaw's bike with Grandpa Poytress.



At first he was a little nervous but he got over that real quick and was lovin' it. Grandpa showed him all the bells and whistles and then they started it up so Age could hear how loud it was. It was so much fun to watch him and Grandpa bonding over something he loves so much!

Baby Bree.

I can't remember if I blogged about my Aunt Lana, but she and I were pregnant at the same time and ended up having the same due date! Crazy eh?! Anyways she had a beautiful baby girl on June 20th named Bree Marcel Johnson. She is gorgeous and I just couldn't wait to get up there and get a few pictures of her and Miles. Unfortunately Miles was not in the mood for a photo shoot so we didn't get to many of them together but Bree was a real trooper!






After getting all these shots Bree was pretty done with the whole situation and Miles was just gearing up to go. I know these aren't great but it was the best we could do with such little time and Two babies on opposite schedules!