Peek-A-Boo!

Bexley turns one in just a couple weeks & we're so excited Granny Garcia will be in town for the party!

Until then, we'll just keep playing her new favorite games: Peek-A-Boo and blowing kisses & waving to every car that drives by our living room window!

Mommy & Me

We finally got our family portraits taken! And not a moment too soon! A couple days after, Bexley busted her lip open on the new stove, then bopped her head at church and got a big bruise that's STILL THERE! (Yes, Lizeth, I'll try the butter thing! Anything to help it go away!)

When we got our pictures taken, Mitch asked our photographer to focus more on Mommy & Bexley... Since I'm always the one behind the camera, he figured it was a great chance to get some pictures with her I could be really proud of.... I love them! So does Mitch... and Grandma, and everyone else who sees them!

This is the first time Bexley really stood on her own! Can you believe a photographer was there to catch the moment! This picture is already enlarged and in her nursery! I love it!

What's Cooking? OUR NEW STOVE, that's what!

Today Bexley's temperature of 102 finally subsided! Poor girl has been in a lot of pain from teething this week..... That, and Tuesday she bashed her mouth on the new stove and busted her lip! There was SO much blood that I was convinced that she had bitten straight through her lip and needed a stitch or two. So off to the Emergency Room we went, where two nurses helped me assess the damage. Since the wait was long, one suggested I'd be seen faster at my doctor & that I'd only need to come back if Bexley needed stitches. The other nurse said we should just stay and wait; she was convinced by the blood & swelling that stitches were a given. I decided the faster, the better.... So off to Bexley's Dr's we went. To make a long story short, no stitches needed. Her lip looked like there was a huge grape INSIDE it! By the time we got home, she just wanted to sleep...

Unfortunately, Bexley bopped her mouth on the stove less than an hour before our friend, Martin Ramirez, was supposed to come install it. He came over later, and did an awesome job. I love our new stove! Especially the part where I don't have to worry about it randomly shutting off while I'm baking or beeping loudly at 2am for no reason! Since Monday, I've already baked Zucchini Bread & Peanut Butter Cookies,... & cooked dinner every night.... which Mitch will tell you is a rarity in our house! But who wouldn't want to cook on this thing! I feel like a chef!

BEFORE

AFTER

Cantina Garcia is open for business!

My sisters and I finally opened up a website to collect all our favorite recipes! Don't know what to cook for dinner? Check out our site for suggestions!

www.cantinagarcia.blogspot.com

Utah State, Hey Aggies all the way!

On our way back from the family reunion, we got to stop at our old stomping grounds at Utah State! It's amazing how much Logan has grown! It was nice to talk to see some of our old friends and all the new buildings.

Since I've never really been a made a "True Aggie," Mitch took the honors.... I think it counts just as much at high noon as it does at midnight.

We only bought one of these hats.... can you guess which one???

Vikings & Dragons

This post is "Under Construction!" Just put them up for Mama Michele to get a look at the party! I'll fix it later, enjoy the sneak peek!

Circle of Love..

When Bexley fell asleep today on my bed, I didn't want to try to move her but I knew I couldn't leave her there alone... She crawls in her sleep! So, I took every pillow we own (literally) and made a little bumper for her. Yes, I've become that Mom.

Hello Face, Meet Floor

Poor Bexley, she lives in a house covered with hardwood floors! Trying to go from sitting to crawling, she slipped a little and POW- she fell face first on the floor! What a tough little girl! After the initial shock, she went right back to her giggly, happy self!... It happened while we were on Skype with Granny Garcia- I think she was more traumatized than Bexley!

For better or worse....

Whenever I go to weddings I reminisce on my own wedding day.... Several things did not go the way they were supposed to; Mitch forgot his white shirt for the temple and had to take the one off his brother's back, a massive, tragic car accident hindered the arrival of our friends & family (and added two hours to the trip for some!), the DJ played a Cyndi Lauper song for my dance with my Dad instead of the song we wanted, the sparklers for our exit were forgotten, and the hall saved the top of our cake-when we asked them NOT to-and lots of people didn't get cake because of it. And my favorite: My Mom, bless her heart, said she'd order a limo for us but didn't because, "They only had black limos, and black limos are for funerals."

But none of it mattered, I was marrying the love of my life.

On Memorial Day weekend, we made the trek to St. Louis, MO to see my cousin Alvin marry his wonderful fiance; Beth. Before the wedding I gave Beth the same advice Mitch's aunt offered me on our wedding day. I said, "Regardless of what happens, just remember, the cake, the party, none of it matters, only the promises you make to each other do."

I wonder if that advice ran through Beth's head when she found out the fly on Alvin's tux was stuck permanently in the down position & there was no way to fix it ... or after his wedding ring didn't fit his finger when they exchanged vows. Maybe she reflected on it for a moment after her limo caught on fire or when she found out her wedding cake collapsed before the reception even began. Either way, Beth smiled and laughed through the whole day.... and I know why!

She was married to the love of her life.

Congrats you two! We love you!

Hope the honeymoon was more relaxing than the wedding!....

At the church, lighting the Unity Candle

Now we know why people use bubbles instead of bird seeds! These two were picking bird seeds out of who knows where for days!

Baby Bex & Tia Ivee

They're both so cute, I couldn't choose!

Tia Meli & Baby Bex bustin' a move at the reception

Mom in a photo? No way!

3 Generations of Gorgeous Garcia Girls

"Establish...a House of God"

Our modern version of American Gothic

I have really enjoyed our frequent visits to the Historic Kirtland while we've been living here in Ohio. Whenever we have visitors, a drive through Amish Country and a day in Kirtland is almost always a given. By this point, I have the tour almost memorized, so it has turned into fun photo sessions for me everytime now! Her are some pictures of our visit with Dev & Dixie! (Which was amazingly fun!)

Family Photo Opp.

"My Daddy loves me...."

Watch out for those Brown Boys & Brown Babies when their blood sugar gets low!

"FEED US NOW!"

Supermom Dixie Brown

I am very blessed to have married into a family where I have nothing but great examples of women! I can't think of a single one of my Sister-In-Laws that doesn't remind me of Superman... or "Supermom." But, I think Dixie officially wins the Supermom Award. This picture here is how Dixie spent a great part of her trip: on her cellphone!

Every couple of minutes, either her cell or Dev's cell would ring. 99% of the time, it was one of their kids....

Gabby needing help with the kids,

Jansen asking if he could take out the backseat of his car,

Delci needing to talk,

the girls missing their mom,

&

when they weren't calling, THEY WERE TEXTING!

In the middle of the trip Mitch turned to me and said, "I hope our kids feel just as comfortable calling to talk to us about anything." So true! I STILL call my Mom about 3-4 times a day!

Supermom's don't get much of a break, but at least Dixie got a little one on our motorcycle ride around Hoover Dam.... I think it was only cause the cell couldn't fit in the helmet!

Trading in ASAP for SPF.....

Puerto Rico was absolutely amazing! I know most of you didn't even know we were gone... I apologize for ignored cell phone calls, neglected emails, and anything else we missed while we were gone!... My internet access was minimal & Puerto Rico has some serious cell phone roaming charges. Plus- in true Amanda fashion- I lost my phone, again. Well worth it!

How did we end up in Puerto Rico? Mitch was sent to assist in bank closings. We anticipated him to be working 95% of the time we were there, but the trip took a surprising turn and ended up mostly vacation. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

Here's a sneak peek of our favorite part of Puerto Rico:

Flamenco Beach, Culebra Island

Since we went in the middle of the week, we had almost the whole island to ourselves... it was a true vacation...

SOME work, MORE play!

I somehow convinced Mitch to join Bexley and me for a swim before he went to work on Friday. It was worth getting up super early & skipping breakfast!

Mitch & Bex living it up!

Look an my little Michelin Girl!

Naptime.... again!