A crazy month!

Over the past few weeks this is what has happened to our family...

Jon graduated from AIT!!! We drove out to is graduation the end of September. My Dad was wonderful and offered to drive me and Cohen out there. He is the best to drive 13 1/2 hours with us. We couldn't have done it with out my Dad. We really appreciated it! You would think it would be a long and whiny drive for Cohen right? WRONG! He was amazing. I don't think he even cried once...not lying! He was so GOOD! It nice to be with Jon again! We are so proud of him! He worked so hard! We're finally a little family again. We love seeing Jon everyday! Cohen sure loves his Daddy!

We made it to El Paso! It was quite an adventure. There were a few hicupps along the way but we made it and are loving it. After driving for 2 days and being in the car for 14 hours we arrived on the 11th of October to find that our apartment wasn't ready for us...I'm not going to lie I was really frustrated. I blame in on the lack of sleep and how emotional I was from the move. It just meant more time in a hotel and more lack of sleep. It was finally ready on the 14th. We pulled in with our U-haul and as we started unpacking I thought to myself this is going to be a really long day! As we started climbing the stairs with our stuff a man who was working on the outside of our building approached me and Jon and asked if he could help. He said he had a few guys and there were still on the clock and needed something to do (right? Just being nice). He said he saw that we had a little boy and noitced it was just the two of us and wanted to help. It was an answer to prayers. What would have taken us at least 5 hours to do we did it in an hour. We are so grateful for the help we recieved! It really was a blessing!

We left at about 5 am on Oct. 10th

Cohen looks just like Jon!

We couldn't leave Utah without saying goodbye. My sisters gave us a going away party Texan style. My sister who recently moved back to Utah just spent the last 2 years in Texas. Through their help and my other sister looking up stuff they were able to tell me all that I needed to know about moving here! They had great decorations and of course great desserts! Thanks for all you did to help make the transition with the move easier for me. I hope you all know how much I miss you! You know me there have been tears but things are getting better!

We are going to miss you all in Utah! We figured that Cohen and I were in the car for about 50 hours. Crazy! Cohen was so good in the car. Seriously amazing! He is a good little boy! He was sure exhausted...

We are ready to settle in and get into a routine. We are excited to see what El Paso is like and met new people! We look forward to the adventure!

Halloween

This year we weren't planning on dressing up. When we found out about the trunk or treat we threw together our costumes. With what we had we went with a sports theme! I know I know so creative, right?!

As you can tell Jon was a football player, Cohen was a basketball player (he is pretty good a shooting hoops!)and I was a soccer player. Cohen went around to get candy. At first he wasn't sure about the whole thing but after he saw that he got candy he was ecstatic and wouldn't let go of his pumpkin bag. The rest of the night he kept on signing "candy"! We sure had a fun night at the trunk or treat!

A litle R & R

This past week my mom, Cohen and I made a trip down to Monticello to see Grandma. It was a great few days of great company, great food and great weather. It honestly feels like you just get to get escape from reality for a while when you are at Grandma's house. I don't have a care in the world! We took a drive up into the mountains and it was beautiful. The leaves were just starting to change color. I love the fall weather and the changes that happen. I am glad I got to enjoy it!

Our anniversary

Today is my anniversary. I can't believe it! Jon and I have been married for four years. I sit back and think about that day and have such fond memories. It was perfect, the most amazing day. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband! I am sad that Jon isn't here today but I am so excited to see him in just a few days. We have had so much change lately but I wouldn't have it any other way. It has helped us grow individually and together. It has been four wonderful years with many more to come!

Labor day weekend surprise...

Jon flew home to SURPRISE me! I had NO idea and didn't even expect him to do this. Needless to say I was very HAPPY! I was at lunch with my friends when I got a call from my father in-law saying he had a present for Cohen. I thought nothing of it. Funny thing was I was planing on going to Goshen that night to spend the weekend at their house. I wondered why he didn't just give it to me then but gullible me fell for it. My father in-law said he would meet me so I could take the "present" home today. Well...when they pulled up I did a double take...THERE WAS JON in the passenger seat...I was shocked! Jon had put this together a few weeks ago. Come to find out everyone else knew about it in my family and Jon's family. I so grateful that he planned this! It was so good to see him and spend time with him! Best surprise ever! Love you babe! (just a side note...good job on getting a 100% on your final test Jon. Now you just have the FTX!)

Here is our weekend...

Cohen sure loved being with his dad. He didn't want Jon to leave his sight!


Cohen loved riding the lawn mower!






Went to Ihop with Jon's family

We sure miss you Jon. Only THREE weeks and we will be together again!

Flash Back Friday!

I have failed to keep updated on the past year...here is my way of making up for it...Flash back Fridays. This one is all about Jon. Over just the past 6 months Jon has accomplished so much...it has been grueling and difficult but he has made it through it all. He left for basic training on March 1st. Needless to say he went through BASIC TRAINING...it was rough. We could only talk once a week. They marched, taught shooting skills, marched, worked as a unit, marched, did field exercises, marched...did I mention they marched?! After a long 10 weeks Cohen and I along with Jon's parents flew out to his graduation. It was wonderful to see Jon and spend a few hours with him! It wasn't until the day of graduation when we looked at the program that we really saw how well he had done. His name was on there 3 TIMES! Jon hasn't mentioned any of this...he received the Commanding Generals Award. It is the highest award at basic training that you can get. Not only did he receive that award but he also got High BRM (in my terms it is top marksmanship), and honor platoon. On top of his awards he was asked to speak at his graduation. It was such an honor to be there! Our trip was fun...we spent the time swimming, exploring the meramec caverns, and just catching up with Jon.

Time at the caverns...trying to pass the time before we could see Jon

We are so glad Jon's parent came with us!

This was the first time I had seen Jon in 10 weeks. He hadn't seen us yet...he wasn't allowed to look around. He was only to face forward or he would have been drilled!

We finally got to be together again!!! He finally got to hold Cohen again!

Because Jon received the Commanding General Award he had to lead them in the soldiers creed...he is the one the front.

Jon had just received his awards and had to wait in front

Now Jon is at AIT (Advanced training). This training is 19 weeks...long, I know. Jon has been working hard again. Everyday is an adventure for him. We are now only 5 weeks away from the AIT graduation...yay! It isn't coming fast enough for me...I sure miss Jon. The good news is we know where we will be together...we got our first orders. We will be headed to...Fort Bliss, Texas! It will be nice to finally be with Jon again. Can I just say what an amazing husband I have! I am so proud of him. I love you so much babe!

Cohen's First Birthday!!!

Wow...I don't know where the time went...my little boy is now a year old! Here are the stats of his growth over the past year:

2 weeks: height- 20 1/4 in (75%)
weight-6 lbs 5 oz (10%)

2 months: height-22 1/2 in (50%)
weight- 11 lbs (50%)

4 months: height-25 in (50%)
weight- 13 lbs 9 oz (25%)

6 months: height-26 1/4 in (50%)
weight- 16 lbs 1 oz (25%)

9 months: height- 27 1/4 in (25%)
weight- 17 lbs 11 oz(10%)

12 months: height- 29 3/4 in (50%)
weight- 18 lbs 7oz (3%)

He has grown so much! He has started walking this past week. I love to see his determination when he falls down. He is also getting another tooth...that makes a total of 5. We sure had fun celebrating his birthday. My sisters and mom were there to celebrate the day! Luckily Jon was able to skype for all of the fun stuff! We did bubbles, "Cohen" says, pizza, presents and CAKE! What could be better!

playing with bubbles










This is the game of Cohen says...we basically did everything that Cohen did


We had pizza...Cohen's favorite food!


Cake time!!


I made the cake!








Thanks Jackson and Ellie for making the banner!


He sure loves his cousins!

Cohen...

• says mark, get set...GO!
• he gives me loves
• walks all over
• loves Grandma and Grandpa
• loves playing with balls...will go anywhere to get one
• loves his Daddy. Whenever I say where is daddy he looks for my phone
• he has the cutest facial expressions
• will say mmm...ahhh after taking a drink of water or milk
• loves otter pops (hmmm I wonder where he gets that?)
  
• any time he hears a loud nose...will look around wide eyed and say ohhhhh
• has a great arm...I think he will be a pitcher some day
• loves bath time...well loves being in the water anywhere!
  

He is adorable and I love him so much! This year has been wonderful with having this sweet little boy in my life. I am glad he is my little man!

Happy Birthday Cohen!

My little man is ONE!

Summer Family Fun!

This summer has been filled with a lot of family and fun. Here's what we've been up to....


I got to go spend a few days with Jon! Best time ever...sure miss you babe!


We spent time with aunts, uncles and cousins!


We had the Fuller Reunion in La Sal and went to the parade in Monticello! This is probably one of my favorite pictures. Cohen loved watching all the tractors and floats come by. This is when the ambulance was passing by.


We spent time with Grandma and Grandpa Fuller during Goshen days!


Lake Powell! Cohen loves the water...he never wanted to get out!

Lots of memories and lots of fun!