While You've Been Gone...

2012-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Andrew,

It's been just over 4 months and I must say it's gone by fast and slow. I have for sure had my hard times and my good times, maybe not good times because you aren't here but endurable times. I just want you to know that having you gone has been one of the hardest things I have had to endure, but has made my love for you grow even more than I could even imagine. My dad has always said absences makes a heart grow founder, so I guess he was right. Not that I didn't love you before you left, but it's just made me appreciate you even more and realize without you in my life I don't know where I would be. I can't wait to see your cute smile with your crooked bottom tooth, to be able to hold your hand(I may even miss your stubby finger), to wake up next to you and yes I miss your random remarks, when I just look and you and say "what did you say"? So I just want you to know that I love you and miss you so much! Only a couple of more months to go!!!!

we were invited to watch Jordyn's first dance recital!

2011-12-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

we met Becky and her Dad at the high school to see Jordyn's first dance recital. We all were so excited to watch her come out and DANCE!

Luckily we didn't have to wait that long! She was act number 4 I think. It was so cute watching all those little girls in the cutest dresses come out and find there spots. You can tell they were so nervous but so excited.

Go Jordyn!

We brought her some flowers, and as friends could not be more proud of her!

Here is a short video of some of the dance!

Christmas Party 2011 with FRIENDS

2011-12-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

HI Andrew! Here is a quick re cap of my photo's of our Friends Christmas party this year. It was so much fun! Sarah, Savannah and Kristie hosted and decorated. Of course not the same with out you, but we managed to have fun anyways ;)

and that's it! So much YUMMY food and GREAT company! See ya soon!

YOUR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!

2011-12-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

Today I took some quick pictures of your pretty girls, and thought I would share some with you! Enjoy!

TWILIGHT

2011-11-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Awesome Becky invited Savannah and I to go see all 4 Twilights! And it was so much fun! We went to the theater in Farmington, and those seats were comfy! Maybe that's why we were able to sit there so long.

And go Becky, she only slept for about 10 min the whole time! LOL. We were there from 4pm to 2am! The theater was so fun, it was like one big pajama party! Those Twilight fans were crazy fun! Becky and had fun joining in on the cheering and clapping whenever Edward or Jacob came on the screen to make Savannah mad :)

So fun! Thanks girls! Can't wait for you to see it Andrew! Next year we will all go see all 5!

11-11-11 PARTY

2011-11-14T19:35:00.000-08:00

Jonny decided to celebrate 11-11-11! And we had so much fun! Missed you though of course!

Stupid Domino's wouldn't put the pepperoni on the pizza's in 11's, so Jonny did it himself. Doesn't it look yummy??

Jonny and I both made a one, can you tell who's is who's? (mine is on the left ;) )

Our FUN picture - too bad it was 11:12pm... dang it.

The Vanwagoner's brought puupy chow

Angie won the trophy! Jonny went to DI and got a trophy, put 11-11-11 on it, and put 11 pieces of taffy in it, and 11 suckers and 11 straws. I think this trophy should be used at all friends functions.

Angie also brought baggies of 11 gummy bears.

Savannah made yummy cookies

Jonny even made an 11 shirt! He got way into it as you could imagine.

And Jonny had us play this awesome drinking dice game. You roll the dice and if it adds up to 11 or two 1's, you have to take 2 shots of your choice of drink, before you finish those two shots, the person will continue rolling and every time they get the dice to add up to 11 or two 1's you have to take 2 more shots etc. Some people were having to drink like 12+ more shots! It was hilarious. I got some good video, can't wait to show you.

HAPPY 11-11-11!

Hanging at papa's celebrating November birthdays

2011-11-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

We had fun hanging out celebrating the birthdays for November. We wish you could have been there to celebrate your birthday with us. Love you and miss you.
The cutest baby ever!!! Who I call Big Mac! He is so precious I love being around him, he is such a good baby.

Our adorable nephew Jaxon.

Hanging out at papa's house celebrating all the birthdays

2011-11-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

After along night of trick or treating. It was really nice having Angie and Kailee join us, we had a great time. Andrew we missed not having you there, it's just not the same without you.

Jordyn and Kailee having to hold hands and walk.

Kung Fu Panda

We had to tell them seveal times not to run because someone would fall. Let alone Kailee fell not so long after. Silly kids.

2011-11-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

All of the kiddos ready to go trick or treating, we also had a cute little guest Kailee. We had so much fun!

2011-11-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

We decorated the fileroom as a zoo and used crate paper to look like bars and most of us dessed up as some kind of animal. We had a gorilla, penguin,monkey, elephant and a panther. We also had tourist hence the two in the middle one with a camera. Then we had misty who was a fly, kind of random but i am sure there are many of those at the zoo.

Halloween PARTY 2011

2011-10-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

Andrew! We missed you at our party! Here is a wordless rundown of what happened:

And this is for your entertainment... the 'practice' shots to get the group picture
practice shot #1

Practice shot #2

Practice shot #3

and the final shot! LOL

The winners of the Halloween contest

Cool Jordyn

2011-10-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Just had to show you that you have one cool kid.

caramel apples and movie night!

2011-10-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Your awesome wife hosted an awesome night of caramel apple fun and a scary movie! Of course we all missed you though! YUM caramel apples!

HAHA- love how Emma is reaching for the apple!

Look at those two cute girls!

Our completed pumpkins!

2011-10-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

We got home from the pumpkin patch and put these faces on our pumpkins. I bought these kits at the store that are like the fake tatoos that you put on your pumpkin rather then having to carve it and make a huge mess. So fun and it was easy and Jordyn loved it.

Our visit to the pumpkin patch

2011-10-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Caramel Apples and Movie Night

2011-10-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

This was one of our October gatherings making Caramel Apples and watching a scary movie. We all decided to watch Darkness Falls for our scary movie, I remember when we watched it in the theathers and it scared us to death. Not so scary anymore but a good movie. We all missed you so much it's just not the same without you.

2011-10-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

2011-10-24T20:23:00.001-07:00

2011-10-24T20:21:00.001-07:00

2011-10-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

2011-10-24T19:14:00.001-07:00

Tea Party

2011-10-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Jordyn having a tea party.

2011-10-24T19:07:00.000-07:00

We were at my parents house and we were sitting in the kitchen talking and we noticed Jordyn was having a tea party with some stuffed animals and beating one of them. I told her to stop hitting the animal and that we don't hit people or even stuffed animals. So funny!

2011-10-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

Giving Jordyna kisses.

2011-10-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Our sad faces because Andrew was leaving us.

Hair Do's and Hair Don'ts

2011-10-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

Jordyn has been so sweet and has allowed me to play with her hair....a lot. Last Sunday morning Becky said that it would be okay if I played with Jordyn's hair for church. We put on Snow White and Jordyn sat on my bed with me while I curled every piece. She was so careful with her hair so it wouldn't ruin. Its a little difficult to tell in the picture but I promise...it was adorable. :)

Hair DO!!

There was another day that we were just playing around. We thought it would be funny to see how crazy we could get her hair. This is what we came up with. She is such a good little sport about it.

Hair DON'T!

Sneaky Jordyn

2011-10-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

So I have to tell you how much I have adored being around your sweet little daughter Jordyn. Yesterday morning she let me play with her hair. As usual she looked beautiful.

It was after I finished playing with her hair that I turned around and started to mine. My back was to the door and I couldn't hear much of anything with the blow dryer right in my ear. When I turned around I saw that Jordyn had placed her table and chairs in my room. I couldn't help but laugh. I have no idea how she had gotten all of this in my room and without me noticing.

Surprise Going Away Party

2011-10-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Andrew,
If you haven't already guessed...this blog is just for you! The intention of this blog is to let you know how much you are missed , loved while you are away serving our country and of course to keep you updated with all of the latest events. So we figure that the best way to start is at the beginning and that is where your wonderful wife planned a Surprise Going Away Party for you on September 10th 2011.

First is the beautiful venue that the party was held at. Here are just a few shots that hopefully show how amazing this place was. Also a token shot of Dan and Sarah. They enjoyed the upper level a little too much.

Next was your grand entrance! Your loving wife and daughter were right there to greet you as you came in.

Last but not least were your friends that were here to show you their love and support! We were all so glad that you were able to be there.

We miss you Andrew and hope that all is going well!

A Letter For You

2011-10-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Andrew,

I want you to know how proud of you I am! You're such an amazing husband, father and friend. The things you have sacrificed to serve our country are so selfless. I don't know what all of us would do without you in our lives. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to marry my best friend and to be sealed to you for all time and eternity. Our heavenly father blessed us with the most precious gift 3 years ago, our little one Jordyn; she adores you and loves her daddy so much, she asks for you every day. We have this amazing little family who is very proud of you for being such a great example to us and to everyone who surrounds you. Andrew I want you to know how much we all love you and miss you. Only 5 more months!

Forever and Always
Your Wife Becky