Our Little Juggernaut!

When Colt first met his Uncle Frank (Jeff's best friend Frank Martin), Frank looked at Colt and said, "He looks like a Juggernaut". From there, the name has stuck with our little goober. He is our Juggernaut and Cash is our Bug. Needless to say, we love our children and love to give them names!

Yesterday (August 9th) I took Colt to his 9 month appointment and was really looking forward to see what his measurements were going to be. I like to compare everything to Cash's stats - partly due to the fact that they are almost exactly a year apart.

We have the best pediatrician and it's always nice to get compliments from him when we go to see him. The first thing he said when he walked in was "CASH!" He loves Cash and tells me every time he sees him that he wants to steal him from me. He looked at Colt and was like, "you guys seriously have the recipe down to make cute cute kids". Needless to say it made me happy :D

Well here is what the doc said: Colt is doing very well with his development and he is happy to see that he has turned his fussiness around.

Colt's 9 month Stats:
Weight - 23.5 lbs (86%)
Height - 29.75 inches (87%)

So far Colt is ahead of where Cash was. Cash was 21.23 pounds at 9 months and was 28.75 inches tall.

I'm so proud of where my boys are development wise and it makes me a very happy mama!!

Some "Me" Time!

A week ago today I started off on a four hour journey to sunny St. George! I was headed to play in the Heat Stroker Softball Tournament with some of my family members. Not only was I looking forward to playing in this tournament, I was looking forward to getting a little "me" time - which I NEVER GET! I have only been away from Cash for a little bit when I had Colt, and I have never been away from Colt overnight, so this was a nice change.

I had a little adventure when I headed down and had to make a pit stop in Cedar City due to the fact that I forgot every pair of softball shorts I was supposed to pack. I think I was just so excited to leave that I forgot a few things. So I stop in Cedar City and I can tell you that I did not recognize the area over by Wal-Mart. It has become double the size and all of a sudden there are all these restaurants and stores. I had a little bit of trouble getting out of the parking lot and onto the freeway, but once I was headed to St. George I was stoked. I think I danced and sang the whole 35 minutes it took to get there.

I haven't been to St. George for at least 7 years and the last time I lived there was from August 1997-May 1999. I could not believe the growth that has taken place there. I honestly was surprised that the feeling I had was comfortable and I felt like I was headed back to school. I can tell you that the two years I spent as a Rebel (now they have changed the mascot) was the best two years I have ever had. I grew so much while living down there, it literally helped make me the person I am today.

Once I got to Ali's, I was greeted by the warm hugs from my family - cousins and uncle. I love my cousins and it was so fun being around them and their families. It takes me back to the days when we were younger and hung out all the time. I think I lived at my cousins during the summer when we were younger.

After some quick batting practice we headed over to the Canyon Softball Fields and basically played our first game in a wind storm. At least it didn't rain much, but I would have preferred that over the wind that was going on. I think we had the record for the fastest game completed too.

"The Fam" - pic courtesy of Ali's blog :D

 In the second game, we showed that we can hit the ball and a lot of us just kept rounding the bases. That game was a blast. The third game we played at 2:50 a.m. and lost. We shouldn't have, but we did and ended up playing at 6:15 a.m. During the break we had a lot of laughs - mainly because we made fun of the team we played at 2:50 and we were all so tired and delirious. After we got done winning our game at 6:15, I calculated that I had officially been up for 26 hours! That's a long time! I barely made into the shower and into bed when we got home. I ended up not even eating because I was so tired. I slept til about 1:30 and we had a birthday party for my cousin Brooke and her son Johnny. We went swimming and then slept for a couple more hours. The time swimming was nice. I was able to catch up with Ali, Shem and Brooke and I didn't have to worry about kids at all - let me tell you how nice that was. I was able to get some more sleep and talk to Jeff, who had the boys all too himself for Saturday and Sunday.

After some grub and warming up, we went and played two more games. I felt so bad because I went O'FER in both games and didn't get a hit. We ended up losing out when I know we could have played at least three or four more games. We ended up going home and on the way home listened to some kick-ass country music that we grew up on. Some Tanya Tucker and some Lorrie Morgan! We played a game of Catch Phrase when we got done showering and went to bed. I ended up getting up at 8 and headed out early. I missed my three boys so much I just couldn't wait to get to them. I drove to Helper to meet up with them and they were so excited to see me.

Even though I missed my boys, the time I spent with my cousins and playing softball was a much needed break I needed. I feel like i need to do that more often because I come back a better wife and mother. Needless to say, I can't wait for another "me" break.

On a side note, we ended up having to take Raider to the vet to get his ear fixed. When I got into Helper on Sunday, Jeff told me that Raider had split his ear open on the big field sprinklers. It wouldn't close, so we ended up taking him straight to the vet on Tuesday to get his ear sewn up. He is doing really well, but has to wear that big satellite collar on his head and he hates it!

On another side note... (haha) I am going on a sexy date with my husband tomorrow and we are hitting up the Tim McGraw concert! I'm so excited!!!!

Mud Time!

Yesterday the boys and I went out to the park and were playing around when I saw this mud puddle over by homeplate. I decided to see what the boys would do if they saw mud and they did exactly what I thought they would - go right in!

Cash wasn't so sure what to think of it and just like to walk through it, while Colt went all out. He was eating it and rolling in it and loving every single minute of it! 

Here are some pictures of my cuties!

Lucky Girl!

I'm such a lucky girl I have decided. Not only do I have the BEST husband in the world, I have the two BEST kids in the world!

8 1/2 months old

This post is about Colt because I am in awe of him right now. He is growing up so fast and I just can't get enough of my chunk! He is such a cuddle bug and it's nice because the only time Cash wants to cuddle is when he doesn't feel good or he is REALLY tired.

Colt has fully started crawling and currently has three teeth breaking through his gums. In fact, I give it a month and he'll have all his teeth because his gums are all bubbled. He is such a curious baby and hates being in the exersaucer because he loves to roam and look at what he hasn't been able to look at before. He will have his 9 month appointment here in a month or so, so it will be fun to see where his stats are at. His head is currently the size of Cash's (haha) probably due to the fact that he has my head. He is starting to clap at everything and loves to watch any football program on TV. I have a feeling I'm going to be overruled in our house when it comes to watching football on tv. I love football, but towards the end of each season I'm ready for a break haha.

Anyways, I just wanted to brag about him a little and tell him how much joy he has brought into our family. It was a rough go for the first six months of his life, but now that he is getting older, he is finally showing his personality and making us so proud of him!

We love you Colty!!!

Random!

Okay this is random and I don't know why I was thinking about this, but this morning when I was walking my dogs I figured out the most random thing.

I have 17 cousins just on my dad's side. Out of those 17 cousins, 10 have children. If you got us all together, aunt, uncles, cousins, their families, etc... That is one HUGE party!!

Another random thing - most of my cousins are married to "J" names haha

Here's how it all breaks down and for my cousin's reading this, you are the only ones who would probably find this so very fascinating hahaha And yes I thought about this while walking at five in the morning with my dogs.

My Dad's side of the fam:
UNCLE DON - Four Children and two adopted
Jake (R.I.P) has 1 child
Shemri has 3 kids
Ali has 3 kids
Brooke has 4 kids
Kenny has 1
Brad has 1 (I believe if I was told correctly)

UNCLE BOB - TWO CHILDREN
Derek has 1 child
Tyrel has 1 child

My Dad SCOTT - TWO CHILDREN
Courtney has 2 children
Garrett has 2 children

UNCLE JOHN - THREE CHILDREN
Amber has 2 children
Ashley has a 1/2 child (one on the way)
Whitney has 0 children

AUNT GAYLA- THREE CHILDREN
Nick has 0 children
Alyssa has 0 children
Alex has 0 children

AUNT TERESA- TWO CHILDREN
Micah has 0 children
Colton has 0 children

UNCLE FRANK - ONE CHILD
I can't remember her name at the moment, but she has 0 children.

Now you know are family and the fact that all the children have had more kids then our parents! Crazy Gressmen family!!! hahahaha

Told you it was random!

Crazy Busy!

I just realized that I really haven't blogged about our life since Mother's Day and I'm sorry about that. Having two little guys has really taken over my life and not a lot of things get done in a timely manner. Needless to say, some things get put on the back burner and blogging seems to be one of them.

Since we have been going back and forth between our home in Sandy - wait, let me rephrase that...our box of an apartment - and Helper, we have been on the road quite a bit. In between that, Jeff has been working a ton and I have started playing softball again after being on hiatus for two years due to being pregnant.

On top of all that, I have been able to take the boys to do a few things. I have also been able to catch up with some friends and even some of my cousins :D

Okay - now to get it out of the way. Since Mother's Day, I have been playing co-ed softball and our team won the League Championship :D We ended up taking second in the tournament. Basically when it comes down to the tournament championship we always seem to fold, which I don't know why.

Jeff and I celebrated our second year wedding anniversary on June 6 and we didn't do anything, but it was nice to know that I have found the love of my life. Colt has officially started crawling - which is making me go even faster then I already move and I was able to take the boys to the zoo for the first time. I ended up going with my cousins Ali and Shemri and we met up with a high school friend of mine and Ali's - Elizabeth and her son Connor. Cash loved Ali's boys and hugged them anytime they were near the stroller. I did learn that it's hard to have little guys at the zoo, but we managed just fine :D

Our house in Helper is great. We love going down there because we have so much room and the dogs and kids have a yard to play in. Jeff's Uncle Mike bought the boys a kiddy pool and we got it out this weekend since Jeff finally had a good block of time off. He has been working so much that the past six days have been a blessing and it was so much fun spending time together as a family. We tried to go camping, but everything back-fired on us and we ended up coming home. Everywhere we tried to go it cost to camp. Seriously!? Back in the day all we did was camp because we could just pack everything up and just go. Now it seems like you have to pay for everything. And really, who takes cash with them while they go camping? We basically drove around looking for a spot close to Electric Lake and Cleveland Lake and couldn't find anything that doesn't cost. We should have just gone with our original plan and head up Ferron, but we decided to try something different. Makes me wonder if you have to pay to go camp up Diamond Fork. I miss our old Gressmen Circle Camp and would love to take my boys there one day to show them where I spent a lot of time for either hunting or play.

Well, on top of all that, we are keepin' on keepin' on and moving along. I am looking forward to the end of July, when I get to go play in a softball tournament with my cousins and uncle. It should be a great time and I can't wait! I'm also starting up my women's league in Heber next week, so that should be exciting. It's been nice playing up there because I miss all my friends there and the boys get to hang out with their grandma and grandpa on those days I play.

Anyways, here are some pictures to show you what we have been up too. Hope everyone keeps smiling!

Playin in the pool Uncle Mike got for the boys

Bug's first haircut - a shaved head!

Colt's first buzz!

A man and his sons - all buzzed!

He is so happy now! We love Colty Wolty!

Sorry it's sideways - the boys' first trip to the zoo

Cash's first train ride at Hogle Zoo

Colt's first train ride at Hogle Zoo

Happy boy!

Checkin out the elephants

Showin some third cousin love! haha

Trying to ride on Raider while I get a picture haha

Playing on the slip n' slide!

Can't make it up camping, get a fire pit!

Cash's first ride on the four wheeler - and not his last!

Did I mention I cut a ton off my hair and made the drastic change back to dark chocolate brown with ruby red high lights! Looks better in person, but wanted to show you a pic. When I had Colt my hair was at the top of my butt!

What is Your Favorite Album?

Alright, this is probably the most random post, but the 30 Day Song Challenge I have been doing on Facebook has got me thinking... What is my favorite album? In the coming days I have to post a video of the first song off my favorite album, then the next day I have to post a video of the last song off my favorite album. The problem is, I have about four or five favorite albums. The way I figured this out is by the gazillon times I have played these albums and how I know every song off them by heart! I did a lot of traveling when I worked for the paper and when I went back and forth while I was going to school in St. George, so needless to say I listened to a lot of music.  So I have decided that I'm going to listen my favorite albums on here and the reasons why I love them so much so you can get an idea.

Favorite Album #1

This CD burned a hole in my CD player. Not literally, but seriously, I played it over and over and over. I don't know what it is about this CD but I am never sick of it and I am really sad the Dixie Chicks aren't together anymore. I really loved their music and they had some good messages and some really fun songs. This CD brings back a lot of memories and I seriously could sing every song by heart. Maybe I'll bust out into song right now! hehe






Favorite Album #2

Oh boy! See, this is why it's so hard. How can you not absolutely love you some Miss Christina! When she released this album I was in heaven. "Dirrty" is still one of my favorite songs to this day and how can you not love "Fighter", "Keep Singing My Song", etc... This is her best album to date and I wish she would recreate an album like this one. Oh, and if you are ever down about yourself, just turn on "Beautiful". Love Christina!!!






Favorite Album #3

I love me some Mariah. Overall, Mariah is probably one of my favorite artists of all time. This CD got played over and over and over and over while I was at Dixie College and the three other girls who were my BFF's can agree with me on this. I don't have much more to say then the fact that this CD is CLASSIC AND ALWAYS WILL BE! "Won't you be my Sweetheart!!" Again, I love me some Mariah Carey!!!






Favorite Album #4

US.HER... RA.YM.OND!!  Oh Usher, how I love thee! This CD is so raw and I fell in love with it as soon as I heard "Burn". I probably played this CD more then any of my other CD's (minus the one's listed) and still to this day listen to it over and over on my IPOD. Love me some Usher!









Favorite Album #5

All of Jason Aldean's Cd's are so good. But the reason I chose this one is due to the song "Asphalt Cowboy". This song is on my Top 10 lists of favorite songs of all time. I am a country girl and love rodeos, etc... so this song just makes me want to bust out singing! Plus, Hicktown - ya that sums up a lot of my life. Love love love this album!








Favorite Album #6

Hot! This album is just plain out sexy and so is Justin. This album brings back so many memories it's not even funny. I so wish Justin would release another album, but raw like this one and not like "Sexy Back" even though I'm not complaining, because that CD was good too. But "Cry Me a River"... it's you right in the gut! Love it!









See, this is why it's so hard to pick a CD to use for my songs I have to list. When I have six Cd's right off the bat I can name as my favorites, it's hard! I could keep going too, but I will stop for now.

So my question to you is. If you could pick a CD that is your all-time favorite, what would you pick?