A Burley Trip

Day 1 & 2
We travelled to Burley, Idaho on Saturday to see our new nephew Noah. Grandma Abbotts funeral was that morning at 10am. It was a beautiful service and a celebration of her life. We left Vegas at 12:30pm and arrived in Burley at 9pm. It was a long day for everyone especially Niamh who decided not to take a nap all day. We had breakfast with Trudi & Tyler on Sunday morning and spent lots of time with their sweet baby Noah. He is a little angel. I didn't hear him cry once when we were there. He slept and made the cutest faces in his sleep. I could have cuddled him forever. Trudi is a great mom and a natural and Tyler is such a doting dad. I actually heard him volunteer to change Noah's dirty diaper. What man does that? He's a keeper. We went to church with Tyler and had pizza for dinner. I've missed my sister, it was so fun to catch up and gossip about everyone. I wish we could have stayed longer. We'll be returning to Burley in May for Noah's blessing.

Day 3 & 4
On Monday, we headed to Salt Lake City. We went to Temple Square and spent time taking pictures and walking around. We love to visit Temple Square, I always get such a special feeling while I am there. Seeing a city that was settled in the middle of the mountains by the early pioneers. All the sacrifices they made to travel to the Salt Lake Valley. The magnificant Salt Lake Temple, that took 40 years to construct. It's just beautiful. Some of our ancestors from Lucas' side actually worked on the Temple. It was great to watch the curiosity that the boys and Niamh had for all the temple square sites. Tyrone kept saying that it reminded him of Disneyland.
That evening we visited with Lucas' grandparents. The kids were a little tired after the long day so we didn't stay long, but it was fun to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma Wood. We wish we lived closer and could spend more time with them.
The hotel had an indoor pool, which was heated and felt like a really warm bath. Needless to say, we spent hours swimming. We made a breakthrough with Tyrone. He had a scary experience in my sister's pool last summer and has been terrified to get in any pool since then. We were able to help him overcome his fear and he trusted himself to once again embrace the pool and had a great time swimming around. It was hard to get him out when it was time to leave. I'm so relieved that he has been able to overcome this fear of water. I'm very proud of him.
We headed home on Tuesday morning. It was nice to get away and we look forward to our next trip.

Life

Lots of stuff has been going on. Gavin had his second game last Saturday. The Blazers vs. The Jitterbuggs. Don't underestimate them by their name. They killed the blazers. The final score was 29-3. I'm pleased to announce that Gavin scored two of his teams goals. He is learning a lot and is really enjoying playing soccer. He also lost 2 teeth in 2 days. Lucas was worried that he was too young to start losing teeth, but I assured him that he wasn't. Gavin was very excited to put his teeth under his pillow and even more excited when the tooth fairy visited his house two nights in a row.
Lucas went to a 2 day gang conference and did a ride along with the gang bureau. He is interested in testing for the detective bureau but is unsure what area he wants to go into. He had a good experience riding along with the gang bureau, but he decided its not for him right now. We only have one car so a lot of these decisions are affected by that. We both hope this is the last year Lucas has to work the graveyard shift. It definitely takes its toll and I know Lucas is ready for a change.
My sister Trudi and her husband Tyler welcomed their first baby into the world on March 18. Noah Vann Matlock was born 4 weeks early. He weighed 7lbs 2oz. My mam was able to be in Idaho with Trudi and Tyler during this time. Little Noah had to spend a week in the hospital as his lungs were underdeveloped. My sister Trudi was a superwoman and Tyler is such a rock to her. I know this was such a trying, emotional time for both of them. Many prayers were said on behalf of little Noah. Each day Noah showed his "fighting Irish" side and surprised the doctors and nurses and improved and made sure he got to go home within a week. He is a little fighter and a gorgeous little soul. We are heading to Burley, Idaho this week to visit The Matlock Family. I can't wait to hold my little nephew.

Lucas' grandmother Thelma McKnight Abbott left this world this past Tuesday. She was 95 years old. What a woman! She was the epitomy of hard work and service. She was always working in her garden and served many years in the temple. She left an impressive legacy of 50 grandchildren and 161 great grandchildren and 18 great great grandchildren. She will be missed by many but we find comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her husband and other family members.

I have been thinking a lot this week about the arrivals and departures of life. My little nephew Noah has just begun his journey in this life. There is so much for him to learn and accomplish throughout his life. The world will change, he will see much. Then I think of grandma Thelma, she was born in 1915. She often spoke of the first vacation that she remembers, traveling in a covered wagon. She witnessed technological advances, a man on the moon, each decade with it's trends and pioneers. What a rich life she led. It really puts it into perspective that this life is really a journey and not a destination. I'm grateful for these life lessons.

Gavins 1st Game

Gavin's soccer team, The Blazers had their first game against The Avatars this past Saturday. Gavin liked the Avatar's uniforms because they were his favorite color, blue. The game started, 3 on 3. The Avatars looked older and much taller than Gavin and his teammates. The Avatars scored goal after goal. Then one of Gavin's teammates scored a goal. Yay Blazers! Lucas was at a Gang Conference on Saturday but was able to drop by the game on his lunch break. He really wanted to see Gavin score a goal, but we didn't think it would happen this first game. The second half started and out of nowhere Gavin got a new boost of energy and zest and scored a goal. Several minutes later he got the ball from midfield and took it to the goal, scoring a second goal. I was yelling and screaming from the sidelines, so proud and happy of my little soccer star. The final score was Avatars 11 Blazers 3. Gavin didn't notice the team's loss, but celebrated his personal victory with a slurpee.

Tyrone turns 4.

My Tyroney turned 4 on March 9. He was really looking forward to his birthday. We woke him early, singing Happy Birthday. I heard Gavin ask Tyrone if he needed any help opening his presents and Tyrone told him "No, I can do it all by myself, I'm 4 now." He loved all his gifts and was very excited that this was his day. He had a few meltdowns throughout the day and I really had to bite my tongue several times and tell myself, if there was a day that he can get away with such things, it's his birthday. We had a small family/friends party, well there were 32 people there, so I guess it wasn't too small. Tyrone wanted a Wolverine cake. He was so excited to blow his candles out. He loved all the gifts that he got. He took time to play with each of them one by one before moving on to the next one. He has been entertained all week long and he is good enough to share with Gavin & Niamh. He is growing up so fast.

Tyrone is such an affectionate little boy. He always knows the days when I need to hear "I love you Mommy." He always tells Lucas "She's all mine." I love that he is able to express himself and he makes me smile. He has always acted older than he is and I can really depend on him. I know it's hard being a middle child and he does have his moments but he really is such a character. He is always dressing up and role playing and I love his imagination. We love him so much and life wouldn't be the same without him. Happy Birthday, Tyrone Connor Wolverine (he added that part) Abbott.

Gavin starts Soccer

Our big boy Gavin started Soccer yesterday. We signed him up with Henderson United Youth Soccer. His team is called The Blazers and Gavin is so excited to be part of a team. There are 6 other boys on the team and there is actually another Gavin on the team. His first practice went really well, Gavin was excited to be out on the pitch and he had no inhibitions. When practice was over he got upset because he thought he was supposed to get a gold medal. Lucas had to explain to him that he will probably get a medal at the end of the soccer season. It was kind of hard having Tyrone at the practice. He didn't understand why he couldn't be out there playing and kicking the ball into the goal. We found out that he is old enough to play, but we don't want them to be on the same team. We're debating putting Tyrone in Soccer or something like Taekwondo. Lucas was so excited and proud for Gavin to start Soccer. Lucas played Soccer as a kid for many years. His mom has a photo album with photos of him as a little kid, in his uniform and photos of him playing with his different teams each season. He was so cute.
I got a great photo of Gavin making a goal and he jumped really high, I was so stoked that I caught that shot.

Captured Moments

So, I was out in the backyard yesterday trying to get used to my new camera. Tyrone and Niamh were playing in the backyard with our dog Duke. It was a beautiful day, blue sky, sun shining down. Perfect. I took some pics of them. They turned out pretty good and I was just thinking how great it is to be able to capture moments in time. You can never get those moments back. Especially with children. Every day they are one day older and they are constantly changing and growing. It's amazing!

Beverley & Lewis are married.

My little sister Beverley was married to the love of her life on Saturday, February 27. The day began with a rainstorm that never seemed to end. The wedding was at noon and right before, the sun came through the clouds for a short time. The event was held at a very fancy Italian Restaurant called Solare Ristorante in San Diego. The restaurant opens in the evening, so the whole place was reserved for the wedding. It was a perfect venue. Beverley and Lewis were married by Lewis' best friend Paul. He did a great job. They exchanged vows that they had written. It was so sweet to see Lewis break down as he professed his love for Beverley. After the ceremony, they shared their first dance to Michael Buble's "You and I." We then went into the dining room for a three course lunch of rich, authentic Italian food. The food, table presentation and service was all superb. While everyone was eating, my sister, mam and I along with my two nieces sang "Two is better than one" by Boys like Girls. It's a little tradition that my family has sung at everyone's wedding. Then, my brother Scott sang "Only you can love me this way." by Keith Urban. They are a beautiful couple. I'm so happy for them and can't wait for them to begin their lives together.

The Newlyweds

Beverley & Lewis (with the nieces and nephews)

My sister Kim and I

The boys up at the bar, ordering drinks


First Dance Together