Birthday Fun

Jorel turned 1 last Thursday! I seriously can't believe how fast this year has gone! Since we've had volleyball, we celebrated his birthday this afternoon with some presents and cake. He loved it, mostly the frosting, but he loved it! He's walking like a pro now, has 5 teeth - that I've seen anyway, is pointing at everything, waving bye-bye, and is pretty close to saying his first words. He does say num-num and I think banana, or nana, but he uses nana for a few things. But he sure does babble a lot! We had his check up last Wednesday so he had to get his shots, poor guy. He now weighs 19 lbs 8 oz and is 28 1/2 inches long. He's adorable as ever and I sure love him!

Here's when he was truly a little guy - and even a chubby guy:

Lunch and Halloween Party

Saturday I got to meet up with 2 friends from high school, Tiffany and Lori, for some lunch. We decided to eat at the Player's Club, one of St. George's newest restaurants that none of us had been to. Tiff and I had about 6 years worth to catch up on and Lori and I had a little bit less, but needless to say we were full of chatter and I didn't even get a picture!! After lunch Tiff headed to the expo with her mom, so Lori and I ran around St. George to try and find Jorel and myself a costume. The simple costumes no longer exist. Mine was easily found at DI, but Jorel's wasn't easily found. I ended up settling on one at Kid to Kid, which definitely works for his first Halloween. I was late for Trina's Halloween party because of it, but that's okay, I just hope no one got too thirsty - sorry guys... We ate, sang some karaoke and watched the kids run around all over the place... these were Jorel and my costumes:

I was a 80's aerobic instructor - or 80's music video aerobic instructor - and Jorel was a football player. He had fun once I got him away from the cords to the microphones... and clearly was worn out. I had a good time too, of course :)

Immediate Family Reunion (kind of) Part 2

Wednesday, the 15th, my dad, Markus and I headed to California for our other side of our immediate family. Mika and his family couldn't make it cause they spent all their money for our IFR in Utah. We stayed at my sissy's and that night we went to Zankou's - a very yummy chicken place. They have pickled radish there and, of course, we fed some to Jorel, who seemed to like them even though they are pretty sour. It was great. Jaana gave Jorel his first present for his first birthday - it was the cutest outfit and I can't wait until it fits!

Thursday we went to Disneyland ALL day and I really felt like I was a little kid again! Jorel got to ride some rides, like a rocket ride, Toy Story, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion. He was such a trooper. I finally got to go to Disney's California Adventure which is the more thrilling of the two parks. It closes at five so we spent the first part of the day there and then headed across the way to Disneyland where we spent the rest of the evening - till about 11 pm. Jorel was a trooper as usual, although he wasn't too fond of his stroller at times... but we worked through it. At around 9:30 -every night - Disney does the most AMAZING fireworks show. Jorel fell asleep towards the end, but you seriously feel like your five watching the show. It truly is magical :)

The next day we decided to take it easy. Watched a couple of movies, ate at BJ's for dinner - YUMMY - and again plan around food, haha. Saturday we went to Griffith Park, they have a planetarium there and that was the main reason we went. They did some renovations to their shows in the recent years so we checked it out and it was actually pretty cool. After Griffith Park we met up with my bro's-in-law family for sushi at Octopus and they had birthday presents for Jorel - a Little People Noah's Ark set and a little pull toy puppy.

That night Jorel fell asleep before we could all go eat, again, so Jaana and Paul stayed behind while the rest of us went to our traditional stop - Bob's Big Boy, and again, YUMMY! We didn't get back until late with Jaana's food, sorry! And we needed to get to sleep since we had a long drive the next day. We took our time leaving, which probably wasn't the best idea cause we didn't get home until about 1 am! Oops, but we didn't want to pass up one last meal with the fam.

I'm pretty surprised we made it home alive since my dad was pretty sleepy. But here we are! Anyway, it was a another great trip!

Get Away

This last week Jorel and I left Southern Utah to head out to Southern Indiana - my old stomping grounds for college. All those softball girls - and others - had been dying to meet my sweet little guy. So on the first we headed to Las Vegas at 5 am (thanks SO much James!!!!) to catch our flight out at 8. Jorel stayed asleep until we got there and then I fed him while we waited to board our plane. He did so good on the trip! We even got compliments as we were getting off the plane that he did so good. We landed in Nashville, Tennessee to visit my bestest friend ever, Lindsey, for a couple of days. Jorel got to meet Ginger's sister, Queenie, and thought that she was the funniest things ever. He giggled so hard at her when she barked right in his face even. Its too bad that I didn't get to spend more time with her! She has the cutest apartment and seems to be doing so good! I was so glad to spend a couple of nights with her.

She teaches 1st grade so we went to their school's Fall Festival and had ice cream with her mom afterwards.

After having lunch with her on Friday - I took her Chick-Fil-A -YUMMY - Jorel and I headed up to Evansville. Its about a 3 hour trip and Jorel slept most of the time. I couldn't be more grateful. We got to my coach's house and ran up to campus to see a few people. Jenny bear came over that night and we watched movies. The next day was our alumni game so I got to see people that I hadn't seen in over 2 years! Kristin, my other bestest buddy, came down from Ohio to be there. It was so much fun to see every one. The game is nothing serious, but I went 2 for 4 with 2 strike outs - embarrassing, I know, and 2 singles. It was a hoot. It really lets you know how out of shape you are!

That night, after eating at Buffalo Wild Wings - the best wings ever - us girls went out on the town. Missy, Jenn, Kristin and I went to Ri Ra's and just chilled while coach babysat. The three of them are all engaged and getting married off next summer. It was good to catch up.

Sunday was just a relaxing day for Jorel and I. The team was playing in Indianapolis so we had the day to ourselves. Got in a little shopping and good food, and just took it easy. I think we both needed a day like that.

Monday the Fall Festival started - its a big deal there. It's supposedly the biggest outdoor event next to Mardi Gras or something. We went for lunch for some tenderloins and then again for dinner and I had the Hawaiian Burger - all so greasy and yummy.

Tuesday Jorel and I left around 7 and got to the airport in now time. Our flight wasn't until 1, and so we sat around for a couple of hours checking out the stores and eating while we waited for our flight. He was pretty warn out by this time and didn't want to have to sit on my lap for another 3 hours.

He eventually fell asleep and did pretty well the rest of the way home, but got really restless driving back from Vegas, but he made it. I ran over to the volleyball game as soon as we got back so I don't know that I've fully recovered from the trip! Hopefully I'll get in some rest this weekend.

The Hair

Just wanted to show my new hair :)