Ice Skating

While in Utah for Christmas break we went ice skating with Dwayne's sister Dani and her hubby Steve, and Dwayne's other sisters kids. It was a ton of fun, we took Dylon for the fist time. He skated like a champ considering it was his first time on skates of any kind. It's become a tradition to go skating in Logan when we go visit. Dylon and Maya were done after about 1/2 hour, thank goodness the snack bar had popcorn to keep them occupied while the rest of us took turns skating a little longer. Can't wait to go the next time we go up and visit!

This year flew by in the blink of an eye!

Dwayne finished his first year of dental school, took and passed his first set of boards and is already half way though his second year. He has started his Public Health class which keeps him very busy, and they are now working on each other and assisting in the dental clinic. He is also now working with the Young Men in the ward which he is enjoying; he has already gone on two camp outs in the short time that he has been serving in the calling. (I guess that makes up for the lack of camping trips that we have been able to go on.)

Marie has been busy with Dylon and Malia and her new calling in the Primary. I'm lucky enough to be able to stay home with the kiddos right now. We try to get out during the week to spend time with friends. We have a play date almost every week with other Dental Wives and their kids and have been going to a Music Makers with other ladies in our ward.

Dylon is learning new things every day. He is full of energy and is starting to test his independence. He is adjusting to having a new sister; he loves her so much and hates it when he thinks she is being left behind. (which of course only happens if Dwayne is home with her.)

Malia joined us in June and has been such a good baby. She is a good sleeper and is such a happy little girl. She lights up with whoever is willing to give her attention. It's amazing how fast she has been growing, we wish time could slow down a little bit so she can stay small a little longer.

We hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year!!

Hiking in Arizona

Early November we went hiking here in the desert. Dwayne has gone many times already with Dylon but this time I finally went with. (I was pregnant and sick most of the previous times) Well, what you see in the pictures is what you get. I took a few landscape only shots but they pretty much all looked the same. Dirt, rocks, shrubs, and cacti. So for the first half of the hike poor Dwayne had to listen to me talk about how I miss the Utah mountains and hiking there. How there just wasn't anything interesting here to look at except for that which I mentioned before. Then I realized how annoying it probably was for Dwayne to hear me complain about the landscape. I started looking around with more positive thoughts in mind and started seeing the beauty of that around us. First off, we definitely would not have been hiking in shorts and short sleeves in Utah in November. Then I started thinking of all the creations around us and realizing that was all created for us and for our enjoyment. Although Arizona doesn't have the big mountains that the Wasatch Front does, it does have some smaller ones that are very diverse and beautiful. The landscape that surrounded us was exquisit in that each plant, rock and spec of dirt was put there by our creator, how blessed we are. I still do miss many things about Utah, but I look at things in a little different way now.

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

5 months already!!

Our baby girl is already 5 months, where does the time go. It seems like with Dylon we were so excited for the next step that time went a little slower when he was a baby. Not only is time passing faster this time around, but she is getting bigger so much faster. Literally!!

What is Malia up to these days:

• Rolling over from her back to her stomach.
• She loves to laugh and is very ticklish.
• She is finally in her crib, she looks so small and alone in the middle of of it.
• She has very curious hands, loves to touch and grab anything and everything.
• She is always watching her brother. (hopefully only taking note of the good things he does)
• She is finally eating solids, she has tasted a few veggies and oatmeal cereal. Still isn't too sure about the veggies.
• Likes to sit on your lap and observe what is going on around her.

Halloween Recap

This year Halloween came and went. It's never been my favorite holiday so I've never gotten too into it all. Sadly, because of that this is the first year we have carved pumpkins with Dylon (I have always liked carving pumpkins, it just sits on the back burner to more important things). We've bought them in the past just never had/taken the time to actually do anything with them. Dylon loved it and though it was gross all at the same time. We will definitely have to do it every year from now on.

Apparently this holiday isn't Dylon's favorite either. Well at least this year, I think he'll love it in years to come. Every time we would walk past Halloween decorations in stores he would lose it. Not just a little whimper, I mean he would stand up in the cart and jump to me screaming and crying. He especially wasn't so fond of all of those Halloween decorations that you walk past and they make creepy sounds. (The creepy stuff is the part I've never liked.) Every time we would go look at costumes he would start crying and want to leave the isle. Even when I tried to put his monkey costume on from last year he would have nothing of it. Finally I asked a neighbor if she had something we could possibly borrow. She has some pirate costumes so we gave it a try. Dylon wouldn't let us get near it with him for Dwayne's school Halloween party. We got a little closer for our ward party. (the picture with all of us, Dylon is missing a hat if you notice.) Then I told him if he wanted candy he had to wear the hat when we went around to a few of our neighbors. I ended up holding it the last few houses, I guess I get those pieces of candy ;)

His little cousin Olivia is the adorable little bug next to him in the pictures. We love having Dwayne's cousins family close to us. Sadly we didn't get any better pics of Malia, I'll have to dress her up again and take some of our chunky little pumpkin!

C is for Cookie...

This semester some of us Dental Wives have been trying to get together once a week. A lot of times we just go to a park and let the kids play while we talk. When the weather is cooler, that is definitely my favorite thing to do. A few weeks ago we go together to decorate cookies. The kids loved it - well mostly just eating the cookies and candy!

Girls night + the kiddos

Just a few weeks ago during the priesthood session and few friends and I got together with our kiddos for a play date. When you have kids the "girls nights" you used to have during priesthood session dramatically change. One thing does stay the same though, having a good time talking. We had Wendy's for dinner and played at a park in one of the gals neighborhood. I love this park, it isn't too busy and there is a covering for the playground which is a necessity down here.

Dylon and Heidi

These are two of his FAVORITE friends!!

Kyden, Heidi, and Dylon

Isn't Heidi the lucky one!?

(thanks for the pics Emily :D)

Lessons Learned

Last Saturday night we went to a Diamond Backs game. It was "give kids a smile" night and some of the proceeds went to Dwayne's school. We had decided to go to the game a little over a month ago and we were excited because it was our fist game and we thought Dylon would love it. He LOVES balls and sports as most boys do. Dwayne's dad at the last minute got a run down here for work so they came along with us.

Malia's eyes are so big from all the noise.

Dylon sitting for the briefest of moments, only because he has food.

*Warning, slightly long*

So, you wonder, why is this entry entitled "Lessons Learned"? When Dwayne's parents decided to come I debated whether or not we should even get more tickets. It could just be a guys night out, then his mom and I and Malia could go to the General Relief Society Conference. (which I didn't realize was this night when we first got the tickets.) We after some hesitation of going back and forth finally I decided that it would be fun to go, after all I could watch the conference online later, right?

We decided to take the train there because we didn't want to deal with traffic. We parked at the lot closest to us to avoid traffic. A few stops in our train stopped. We wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Dylon pushed the Emergency button, but I'm sure it didn't. (Side note, what is it with kids and buttons. He also pushed the Emergency button at the splash pad. They really shouldn't make them so appealing and red, nor at a level where it is easily accessed by a child!) Okay, back to story. We sat there for a few minutes while the conductor/driver walked frantically around with a walkie talkie. Okay, no big deal, we would be a little late. Well, about 20 mins later after exiting the train we were on they had us getting onto a new train. So we finally get there during the 6th inning. Finally!! So the men go get the food and by the time they get back Dylon is already super restless from our 40+ min train ride. Dwayne walked around with him for a while and took him up to the "sandlot" that they have there for kids. Meanwhile Malia is bawling and HATING all the noise. Guess I should have realized. So finally after a long 3 innings we decide we need to leave because it is getting late and we need to get Dylon home to bed. We get on a train easily with open seats, yay!! After a few stops they say that this train is shutting down for the night and we have to get off. SERIOUSLY!!! So we get off the train, wait a good 10 - 15 mins for another train. By this time the game had ended and the next one to come was PACKED. The conductor said that another train was right behind him. Did you hear that, "RIGHT". I don't know if 20 mins is "right behind". So Dylon was fairly good on this whole adventure, I admit. But by this time it was way past his bedtime. I was just annoyed by this time. Mostly because I wished I had just gone to the conference like a "good girl" would have. Oh and the fact that we had about 50 extra minutes of waiting time tacked onto our night by the dumb train!

Later I was talking to Dwayne explaining my frustrations, if his mom and I had just gone then all the timing would have been different and they would have missed all the dud trains. Then he proceeds to tell me it took him 3 times logging in to get the 2 extra tickets. The system was giving him problems. Maybe it was coincidence, maybe it was a sign, I don't know. All I know is that I learned my lesson and I will TRY to NEVER miss Relief Society Conference again!!

All that and I still don't know who won the game. Go Diamond Backs!!

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...

For FHE on Monday we had a lesson on being happy. We sang "If You're Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands". Ignore our voices and focus on Dylon, he was cracking us up. Hopefully you'll get a smile on your face too :D

Dwayne's sister and fam have a bounce house and they set it up while we were there. Dylon wasn't too sure about it at first, but loved it once he got the hang of it. He loved playing with his cousin AJ in there.

We went to the Willow Park Zoo in Logan with some of Dwayne's family, if you haven't been you should go, it is quite the experience. It is only a $1.00 per person and you just put it in a little box at the entrance. It was just the right size for Dylon at this age. I was sure sad though, the bear that they used to have has passed on. I was sure it was dead in years past and just stuffed, it was always curled up in the same exact spot. He was the main attraction of the zoo for years and years. The turtles got in a fight while we were there and one turned the other over. The zoo keeper had to come and turn it back over, we learned that if a turtle gets flipped over it will die. Interesting eh!?!

We went and got some shaved ice and then went to Willow Park for awhile so the kids could play around and get some energy out. Every time I'm in Logan I'm reminded how much I like it. It is so beautiful up there!

When we were at first dam we had a little water fight with water guns, Dylon was loved it.

Geocaching

While we were in Utah in July we went geocaching with Dwayne's family. I've never been so I was kind of excited to see what we might find. We were looking for whatever was/is hidden at first dam in Logan.

Unfortunately this is the only thing that we found that looked out of place! (He looked far too comfortable strolling around in his speedo!!)

24th of July Carnival

My family has a tradition where every 24th of July we get together and have a carnival for the kids. It is something that I didn't want the kids or me for that matter to miss out on, so this year we headed up to join in on all the fun. We had a huge maze, fishing, painting, necklace making, tug of war and so much more. Even the adults got involved in the bag races this year, the kids loved that one. This year we had a our cousin Chris and his family and one of my sister Michelle's friend and her kids join us in the fun.

This was my favorite pic of all. We couldn't get them all smiling and looking at the camera but we got this great candid one showing many of their personalities. Poor Parker is getting it in the eye from Dylon!

This is a pic with our cousin Christopher's boys joining the clan. It was fun having them there this year with to join in on the fun.

Malia

I've been really behind on posting for the last few months and I plan to try to do better. Here is a pic of Malia at 2 weeks, I can't believe that this was taken one month ago!! I will update more in the next few days, but here is a start.

Jumping Marie

Watch Marie land a back/front flip 4 weeks after having a baby...

Oreo Cookies...Dad's new Solution to Everything!

Ummm...Oreo cookies!!!

So, we have been challenged lately by our ability to feed Malia.

Poor Girl hasn't taken to feeding well--including the bottle. It has been frustrating for all but for Mom especially. On Monday, we were all at the end of our rope and needed a solution to the problem.

Dad (that's me writing this blog), being a man, was trying to come up with solution after solution--that's what we're good at you know. We finally decided, Mom would go to the big Baby store (BabiesRus) and find a different bottle type.

Meanwhile back at the nest Dad was holding sad, sad, Malia and trying to get her to feed. Dad was unsuccessful and really hungry himself. Dad kept on eyeing the Oreo cookies that Grandma and Grandpa had brought to the nest. Dad could not resist the Oreo temptation and let the bottle go. He rested it on Malia while he went for the grab of a nice sweet Oreo. "I got it," Dad said to himself with a big smile and then looked down to make sure the bottle was still in Malia's mouth. To his surprise, it was, and Malia was feeding. "What?" he said, "No, way?" "Is she really feeding?" So, Dad left the bottle rested on Malia and ate another Oreo cookie. It continued to work! Malia was drinking her milk and Dad was feeding himself. She finished the bottle and Dad warmed up another to see if it would work again. It worked again! She had drunken 3.5ozs of milk; the most she has ever drank at a time.

Dad had to show Mom when she came back from the big Baby store. He was so proud. Mom, didn't believe him but now that the "resting-bottle technique" has worked for 3 days Mom believes him and has taught it to Grandma. To say the least, Dad is very, very happy and laughs to himself when he thinks of the solution...Oreos?

She's Here!!!

Malia Camille Gentry was born June 22, 2009 at 6:01pm, 7lbs 8oz, 20.25 inches

5 Years and so many more to come!!

5 years of marriage

4 years + of schooling (and more to come)

3 moves

2 kids (almost)

1 deployment and year apart

5 years ago we decided to "elope" and I'm so glad we did. We've had many adventures already, and I know we have so many more to come. I'm so glad I get to share them all with my best friend!

Happy Anniversary Babe!!

The Price of Children

This is something my father in law sent me and I really liked it so I thought I would share it. It is kind of long but worth reading, it will give you a little smile I'm sure!

The Price of Children

Here's something absolutely positive for a change. I have seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice.

The government recently calculated the cost of a raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160.140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down.

It translates into:

*$8,896.66 a year,

*$741.38 a month

*$171.08 a week,

*A mere $24.24 a day!

*Just over a dollar an hour.

Still you might think the best financial advice is; don't have children if you want to be 'rich'. Actually it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140.00?

*Naming rights. First Middle and last!

*Glimpses of God every day.

*Giggles under the covers every night.

*More love then your heart can hold.

*Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.

*Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.

*A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.

*A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.

*Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:

*finger-paint,

*carve pumpkins,

*play hide-and-seek,

*catch lightening bugs,

*never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:

*Keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,

*watch morning cartoons, (too bad they aren't as good as when we were little)

*go to Disney movies, and wish on stars.

*You get to frame rainbows, hearts and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day and cards with backward letters for Fathers day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for you buck.

You get to be a hero just for:

*Retrieving a frisbee off the garage roof,

*taking the training wheels off a bike,

*removing a splinter,

*filling a wading pool,

*coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and

*coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:

*first step,

*first word,

*first date,

*first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!

Love and enjoy you children and grand children and great grandchildren! It is the best investment you'll ever make!

Sunday Entertainment - Part II

Pop Goes Dylon!!

Sunday's we are always trying to find something to do without the TV being involved. Dwayne had already done this a few times with Dylon. I finally decided that I needed to get the camera and this time he happened to fly much higher than any other time with a little twist involved. He loved every minute of it. He has the best dad always coming up with something fun to do :)

Dixie Cups

So, some of you may know that one of my email addresses is dixie1800. Some have asked about the dixie, what it means. I normally just brush it off because I've always been a little embarrassed of how I got it. I had quite the wild imagination when I was a child. So I realize that I am now revealing that secret, but it is due to the fact that I just found out about a certain product. When I was 3 or 4 years old my best friend was a boy. I was always jealous that he could pee faster than me, and that he didn't have to sit down. One day while I was in the bathroom some dixie cups caught my eye (we had small bathroom dixie cups in there). So I got an idea, I'll just poke a hole in the bottom and pee through that. I only ever ended up doing it once. (It must not have been too successful or something, I don't really remember the reasoning.) Well, what I didn't realize is that I was onto something ahead of my time. I was reading one of my friends blogs and she mentioned an item called the Sani-Fem. (you'll have to go to the link so you can see a picture!!) I found it pretty amusing, and if you notice it has 4 1/2 stars. Obviously I jumped off the train way too soon on this one.

Happy Birthday Little One!!

Two years ago we had a new little bundle come our way. I can't believe that it has already been two years since he was born. You always hear that time flies and it is so true.

Last year on Dylon's birthday he was taking some of his first steps, in the process he fell on his face and got a bloody nose. Well, sticking to tradition this year he slipped fell down some stairs at a splash pad and got a huge bump/bruise/scratch on the side of his head. That is the 3rd time in this month so far that he has fallen on his head and gotten a bruise. Poor kid!! Anyway, he has been so much fun the last two years. Here are a few things about Dylon right now.

5 things Dylon likes to do: 1 - Play in huts, boxes or blanket huts. 2 - He likes to run up to you grab your legs and tackle you. (Can you tell he's all boy!) 3 - He loves to watch Bolt 4 - He likes to play with balls of any kind 5 - He likes to sing. (we get lots of looks at church from the younger kids, he is very off key!)

5 things Dylon loves right now: 1 - He loves Daddy's new truck, and loves to help Daddy with everything. 2 - He loves rocks. (what is it with kids and rocks?) 3 - He loves pancakes. (never should have introduced him to syrup) 4 - He loves to be chased. (he always runs off with the hand towels laughing) 5 - He loves doing things on his own, he is becoming very independent.

5 things that Dylon says often: 1 - "night night" (I think it has become an excuse to get out of things he doesn't want to do. ie: go to nursery) 2 - "Shoot" (He picked up on this one after one time of hearing it, We try to not give it attention, but I'm ready for him to stop. On the plus side at least it isn't a swear word, and he does use it in the right context!) 3 - "Oh no, Mess!!" (he always puts his hands on his cheeks like it is the end of the world.) 4 - "blue eye" (we have no idea what that means, but he says it all the time, or at least that is what it sounds like) 5 - "bye, see you"

Easter Egg Hunt

I'm obviously a little behind on the blogging. Last Saturday we got together with some friends and had an Easter Egg hunt for the kids and a potluck after. It was a good time for all, there were 6 toddlers from 20 months to just over 2 years. It was fun this year because Dylon actually knew to look for the eggs and was excited about it. As you can tell in the bottom left pic, he was getting as many at a time as he could. Last year he would just pick one up hold it and be be content with just that one egg. We had one early in the morning with our ward, but it was rainy and cold the whole time. We were so glad when the clouds cleared for the afternoon egg hunt. We're so grateful that we have good friends around that we can spend time with since none of us are close to our families.