Big Family Weekend

This past weekend was a fabulous weekend full of family fun. My father came up from Florida for Pepper's blessing and so did Cody's brother Khan and his family. We are so grateful to finally be living somewhat close to family (four hours is close right?!).

Here are lots of pictures from our jam packed weekend of excitement! Last week we visited Cody at work for lunch but first stopped at the Smucker's sponsored children's area at the local Orville library. Morgan LOVED the trains...we will have to visit Daddy more often. Friday afternoon my dad flew in and we once again went to Orville to visit the Smucker's Store and Cafe. We are big fans. Saturday morning we drove up to Kirtland to visit the temple and visitor's center.

The visitor's center has a video and some displays and then some sister missionaries take you on a tour of Newel K. Whitney's home/store and some other buildings from the time of Joseph Smith.

Outside the store. Upstairs is where Joseph and Emma lived for awhile and the School of the Prophets. Very cool to see.

The Whitney home. Pepper never makes an appearance in the pics because, like a good little baby, she slept the whole time. Oh and this is our new family bus...I mean double stroller.

While at the visitor's center, I kept staring at another member of our tour group. I recognized her but couldn't figure out from where. We had both gone to Rick's but couldn't figure out why we knew each other. We finally figured out we worked together at Nebo Credit Union in Spanish Fork, Utah. Such a small world! And why I didn't get a picture of the two of us I haven't figured out yet! Anyway, it was nice seeing you again Julie!

The Kirtland Temple.

Papa and Gramma Goodier

(looking lovely in lavender)

Morgan taking the time to smell the flowers.

After we got home from Kirtland, Khan and his family were there to greet us. We had a little bbq at a patio area in our complex. It was so fun to sit outside and let the kids play. Oh yeah, and eat yummy food!

Cousin William who shares Morgan's cute cheeks and dimples!

little buddies

Morgan's new chair

Manly men cooking

On Sunday we blessed Pepper. It was wonderful having so much family there to support us.

Everyone at church kept telling me what a beautiful blessing Cody gave to Pepper.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude at being married to a worthy priesthood holder.

Thank you Cody for blessing all of us!

Papa, Gramma and our little angel.

Our not so little angel.

I couldn't stop myself from taking a little photo shoot of my pretty little girl.

Thanks Auntie Jill for letting us borrow this beautiful dress!

And thank you Grandma Adams for the perfectly beautiful blanket!

Papa Goodier playing back up guitar for Morgan.

Morgan loves to hold Pepper and she just smiled at him today and he loved it!

Now his mission in life is to get her to do it again.

Who wouldn't want to smile at that face?!

Here's a video of the moment:

On Sunday we celebrated Cody's 30th birthday a bit early (it's on the 2nd of June) since so much family was here. Morgan helped Daddy blow out his trick candles a few times and gave him a few goodies I had picked out.

On Monday Memorial Day, my parents joined our little family on a trip to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. It is located right on Lake Erie and near this submarine, the USS COD.

We prepped Morgan by telling him we were going to a guitar museum. He was psyched from the beginning and these BIG guitars just helped get him more excited.

A huge guitar covered in animals...basically equals Morgan's idea of heaven!

The flying "W" for all you Weezer fans.

You're not allowed to take pictures inside so that is why we don't have a million pictures of Morgan and guitars. He ran around the whole time screaming and pointing out every guitar and going "OOHH look at that!" I thought he might get bummed since he couldn't hold them or play them but he was just so happy to look at all them. They have short videos all over the place that Morgan (and the rest of us) enjoyed. It was a little pricey but all in all a great place to visit.

Gramma and Papa with the Cleveland skyline.

Enjoying the cool air and sunshine.

Playing airplane at a little park along the water.

Cody and Morgan wrestling on the pretty green grass:

Lake Erie.

After the museum we went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. So yummy!

Thank you Gramma and Papa for a perfectly wonderful day!

Morgan's guitar painties have now gone to his head...literally.

Morgan loves to help bring in the groceries from the car. Besides carrying bags, he always insists on carrying the milk jug. It's not always perfectly round on the bottom by the time he's done but he feels pretty good about himself. I love my little strong man!

Public Service Announcment on a onesie. One of the many goodies in our hospital diaper bag.

My dad got a free upgrade with his car rental and the only thing available was a Mustang. My dad was real broken up about it. As was everyone else. Cody, Khan and his kids took turns riding in it and taking pictures. We finally and sadly had to say good-bye to Gramma Goodier on Tuesday morning after 6 glorious weeks. I don't know how we would have survived without her. Besides helping out around the house and with Pepper, I was so grateful for her company.

It was such a wonderful weekend full of fun. We're glad to be settling in to our little routines but it sure was great to have all our family around.

Thanks everyone for loving and supporting us. You mean the world to us!

Guitar Panties

So in keeping with his rockstar lifestyle and image, Morgan now has a pair of panties that he hangs from the end of his guitar. A little early for such suggestive decorations you ask?!
Well, I blame the juvenile lyrics of the Barenaked Ladies. On the live concert video he watches with them, during their song "Pinch Me" there is a line that goes, "I will hide out under there, I just made you say underwear." When the band says that line the audience throws underwear on stage (mainly granny panties for humors sake). Morgan decided he needed to mimic his guitar mentors and insisted on finding a suitable copy. Luckily we had some brand new underwear with the tags still on that Morgan could use. If he ever has friends over, who knows how we'll explain this one to their parents!

When the rockstar isn't jamming out on his guitars, he likes to snooze with his new blanky from Grandma Adams.

Morgan is a huge Cars fan and loves to name the characters. Thank you Grandma for being so talented and generous! We miss you!

Enjoying some down time with Pepper on Mother's Day.

Pepper taking it easy on Daddy's lap.

It's a rough life but somebody has to make it look easy!

Pepper had her one month checkup yesterday, Friday, and according to the doctor she is perfect! She now weighs a whopping 10 lbs 12 ozs and is 21 1/2 in long. She is in the 80th percentile, so basically she's a big girl. The doctor told us to keep doing what we're doing because it seems to be working. Yay for happy, healthy babies!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! My baby girl is sweetly sleeping so I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to capture a moment with my first born. I am so grateful for Morgan and his bravery in being my foray into motherhood. Although dealing with a two year old can be a bit challenging at times, he is at such a fun age and learns something new everday. I am so lucky to be a part of his life and I love him very much!
Since my Mom is still here with us, my Dad sent her two dozen roses for Mother's Day. We were enjoying those when Cody and Morgan showed up Saturday afternoon with a dozed lavender tulips for Gramma (her favorite color) and a dozen roses for me (my favorite flower).
Such sweet gentlemen!

In case you didn't notice in the first picture, my mother treated me to a haircut on Saturday morning as an early Mother's Day present. I decided I needed a radical change since I was feeling frumpy after having Pepper. I'm excited to have a new look and that I can actually do my hair in five minutes! Thanks Mom!

Three generations of Goodier women.

(You can't really see her but Pepper is hiding behind the flowers.)

A few days ago we got out a playmat for Pepper to enoy. Big brother Morgan decided to show her how it was properly used. These are moments that overwhelm me with joy in being a mother and having an eternal family.

My lovely and talented friend Sarah made this baby wrap for Pepper and me to enjoy. It worked great until Pepper kept nestling into my armpit and ended up in a very awkward position. We may have to stick to the sling for a few more weeks.

But thanks again Sarah, it is beautiful and works great!

(the string hanging down is a binky leash, in case anyone was confused)

With my mom's help, I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things as far as feeding my family is concerned. I decided to make homemade pizzas the other night and I must say the results were pretty fabulous! Just a shout out to my bread machine:)

For anyone trying to decorate with vinyl lettering or Uppercase Living products, here are some examples of what I've done in our new place.

Well, once again I hope and pray that all mothers, grandmothers, potential mothers and women with a mothers heart know how special they are today and how grateful we are for their love and examples. I know I would be lost without my mother and mother-in-law! They are both such amazing women who do and give so much for their families and friends. I know as a mother I will be forever in their debt.

We love mothers!