michigan + visitors + a hair cut + valentines day love

playing catch up....again.

why am I so lazy about blogging??

in January, Graham and I took a last minute trip to Michigan to visit my brother and his family.
spending extra time with them was definitely something I was looking forward to. I was also anxious to see where my mom and dad lived while he went to school there some years ago. Graham's obsession with his cousins Tate, Finn, and Tuck was definitely an added perk.

not my best moment

all I can say is that Michigan is the most charming place in the world. it helped to have wonderful hosts (why don't I have one picture of Wyatt from the trip?). thanks for letting us come! we'll definitely be back..

these lovely people came into town right after our trip. our lives get SO boring when they leave. it's like heaven on earth when they visit.

we went to a movie during sundance. pat, thanks for being so cool and getting us tickets AND not killing us driving to Ogden in the snow. I had a minor heart attack on the way there.

shortly after his birthday, Graham got his first hair cut. I was immediately sad about it after. he's such a grown up now. but, quite handsome.

before

during

after
he loves anything that results in a sucker, so he was a happy man.

my mom throws the best valentines dinner. it even has heart shaped ice cubes and professionally made decorations (by her of course). we got some of the beauties in the corner of this pic. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of the table. it was perfect.

also, just wanted to give a little shout out to Matt. how did I score a husband that is constantly (literally 24/7) thinking of ways to provide a perfect life for me and Graham (and future babies), forces me out of the house at least once a week to have "me" time, stays up extremely late to play mario party with me and then wakes up with Graham in the morning so I can sleep in (I think he has slept past 7:30 twice since Graham was born), and cleans up after every meal I ever make...not to mention keeping me and Graham laughing in the process with his accents and other things. these are just a couple of things I appreciate about this all around perfect man.

we promised not to do gifts this valentines. of course I was greeted with this when he walked in the door from work. he knows me well. I've wanted one for ages.

now we're recovering from a little case of croup. this winter has been rough on us.

we sure did celebrate.

we loved celebrating this little ones birthday.
I still can't believe he's one.
he was a little on the crabby side during his big day, but we still made it a hoot by opening presents, eating pizza, having a little party with family/friends, and going to the children's museum with the three of us.
he definitely loved it.

he loved his cake...

and his presents.

no, he really did love his presents. he has some seriously awesome family and friends.

love this little man.

happy birthday, little man

graham-
you have made this year more memorable than any we have ever had before.
we now have a special place in our hearts for elevators, pickles, bread, remotes, balls, books, toilets, flashlights, holes, cords, stairs, stairs, and did I mention stairs? these are your favorite things.
thank you for bringing such a sweet spirit into our lives.
you have given us meaning, driven us to be better, and helped us to have the happiest days we have ever known.
we can't wait to watch you continue to grow.
we love you and hope you have a very happy birthday!!
love, mom and dad

it's the most wonderful time of the year

we were kind of failures at pictures this christmas. I was feeling extremely lazy all christmas season and I guess we were just enjoying making it magical for little graham, even though he doesn't get it at all. I actually don't think he ever even noticed that we had a christmas tree in our living room. little unobservant sweetheart.
thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you for the gifts and christmas cards. they were wonderful! I also failed at doing that this year, so just know that we love you and hope you had a great christmas!
welcome 2012...

mischievous man with a creepy smile

can't believe this little man is 11 months old today. as you can see he'll get into just about anything and loves to protect those 4 top teeth when he smiles. my favorite things about graham lately are his love for elevators, how he points his toes when he's concentrating, his 7 teeth and mullet hair that matt won't let me cut, his babbling, how he can spot goodnight moon in any pile of books, a daredevil through and through, when he lays his head on my shoulder when i'm trying to put him in his car seat (he's a smart fella and he knows i'll sit and snuggle with him instead of put him in the car). we can't wait to celebrate his birthday in a month. CRAZY!

he has ear infections in both ears and a sinus infection at the moment (he definitely has my immune system. sorry, buddy.). his bubble gum flavored medicine reminds me of my childhood. we're spending the day watching christmas movies and doing crafts found on pinterest. he's ecstatic about it.

my sweet grandma

Rhoda Cutler Wiscomb

1922 ~ 2011

Rhoda Cutler Wiscomb died peacefully on December 1, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born May 24, 1922 in Salt Lake City to Heber Charles Cutler and Emma Conder Cutler. Attended East High School and the University of Utah, where she was affiliated with Chi Omega Sorority. She had a large group of friends, many of whom she had known since childhood. They maintained their friendships until the end.
Early on Rhoda worked for Auerbach's, United Airlines, and the Remington Arms Plant. For 33 years, she worked at the University of Utah in Admissions and as Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Student Affairs and lastly at the Alumni House. She married Douglas Cahoon in June of 1944, a pilot in World War II, who was killed in action. She later married William Donald Wiscomb on April 7, 1947. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. They were married for 54 years and had 3 wonderful children whom she adored, Nan Mead (Bill), Pat Horsley (Rolfe) and Don Wiscomb (Jill). She adores even more her 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, with more to follow. She considered her family her greatest accomplishment. She served in various LDS Church callings and as a hostess in the Beehive House and the Relief Society Building. She loved planning and giving parties and was a gracious hostess. Rhoda loved her family and was a great example to all. Special thanks to the dedicated staff at Emeritus Care Center and her hospice nurses (thanks Debi).
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Chapel, 2350 East 1300 South, where friends and family may call one hour prior to services. Interment prior to funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive.

on Saturday we got to celebrate my grandma's life.

she was an extraordinary woman.

I have felt such a special spirit during this Thanksgiving and am so glad my grandma could spend it with us. mainly, I am thankful for eternal families this year, and the knowledge I have of the plan of salvation. how lucky to have a testimony of this principle to make times like this not quite so hard.
my grandma was beautiful with perfectly done hair and polished nails, charming, the best hostess in town, and always made everyone around her feel special.
I am so grateful for all she has done for me over the course of my life. I am also grateful that she raised the most wonderful woman in the world, my mom.
Here are some random pictures from the funeral/Thanksgiving:

I love you, grandma.