Happy 2nd Birthday Frankie Jane

 My Cute little nugget is 2 today! Where has the time gone??? I am so lucky to have such a loving, spirited, beautiful niece. Erik assembled and decorated this cute train cake. She loved it and kept shouting "choo-choo"

 Megan's birthday is the day before she we went to cheesecake factory for dinner and then back to my house for cheesecake. Perfect night to celebrate my wonderful sister-in-law

 I bought Frankie her own chair! She felt very special and it matches my adult sized patio chairs so it is win-win!

 Goofy Family!

 Frankie sure did get spoiled this year...G.G. and Grandpa got her a classic radio flyer red tricycle. She is riding in style!

 I'd say my hurricane bubble maker was a hit!

Bet you wish your Niece was cute like mine

Sorry, but how cute is my niece?!

BYU Volleyball and their awesome coach!!!

Just in case you all aren't as obsessed with BYU Volleyball as I am, I thought I would share that BYU came in 2nd this year in the NCAA Championship. And who got coach of the year?! That would be my amazingly talented and oh so handsome cousin, Chris McGown. I am so proud of him and his team!!!

Family Adventure day

With Mom and Dad in town more often we can actually spend more time doing fun things rather than forcing dad to fix everything that needs fixing. There was so much snow when they were here last that we took the sled and headed to the neighbors iced over driveway. Frankie did great for her first time sledding, she didn't smile...but she didn't cry either.

 

And the person who had the best time....GG!!!

And then off for some snow shoeing with Mom and Dad while everyone else went back for a nap. There are such amazing views from the top of our trail. We didn't go too far, but it really is an amazing workout

Little Snow Monkey

She stole my heart the day I met her and she makes the world seem right when all else is wrong. I love my little Nugget!!! More pictures to come from our sledding adventure with GG and Grandpa

John Figgat

I have been meaning to blog about this for a while but am just now figuring out how to be logged in to 2 gmail accounts at one time so I can blog.
Just a few weeks ago after a fall and a trip to the hospital, they discovered that my Sister-in-laws Father, John has 3 brain tumors. They started a blog to keep everyone up to date on what his doctors are saying, you can find it here.
The Figgats have been so amazing to have in my family. This is a hard time for them but words from friends and family are helping them through this. If you could pray for them and send them your well wishes, I know they would appreciate it.

                                           Papa John, Grandma Tanya and little Frankie

Tiny little baby

Well when Frankie was born Mom and Dad decided they would fly back with me so they could meet their first little grandbaby. They were pretty smitten but who can blame them?! We poked her and stretched her out straight. (She loves being in a tiny little ball). She hardly cries and is so much fun to look at. I love having a niece!!! I just wish I could see her daily, i'd just kiss and pinch and poke and love her all the time! (Yes i know, I am kinda mean but she is too cute to leave alone)

I just love this tiny little nugget!

Frankie Jane

June 9th at 9:36 am

6 lbs 7 ounces

19 inches

Well I guess I am no longer the cutest Hammond. I will happily give my title to my new little niece Frankie. Im so sad I am in california, but I get to see her saturday morning. Meg and baby are doing great from what I hear, Erik is tired but is loving every minute of being a dad so far. Since they do not have a blog I feel it is my right to share these pictures to all my readers. There is no doubt Frankie will be a spoiled little stink but I will fully admit to being apart of that. I promise you will get more pictures when I get to utah, but here is a taste from the ones Erik sent.

My sweet Fred

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."
— Josh Billings

On Tuesday our sweet puppy passed away. I know he is technically not a puppy, but that was the reason he got the name. So even when he was an old puppy dog, he would still feel young at heart. And I believe he did.

Freddy, you will be missed and my heart breaks when I think about being at home and you not there. Thank you for being such a love and being a part of our family. I hope you are running and howling like you use to. xoxo

Thanksgiving Point

We had a fabulous family girls day at Thanksgiving points tulip festival. It was so fun being all together, it feels like its been months. Holly made a yummy picnic that we ate first, then strolled through the beautiful gardens.

Lucas was a great sport for being the only boy. But such a handsome one
Meg and Me...I just love that she is finally looking pregnant, I can only hope I am as lucky as her when the time comes

Lola loved the fish, she has grown up so much and has the cutest spunky personality...but watch out, she gives some dirty looks!

So happy Lola and Kara made it. Just a great day with some beautiful women I am lucky enough to be related to

We couldn't have asked for a better day. The sun was out and the tulips were gorgeous. Just wish grandma had been feeling better, she would've loved it

Finally looking prego

I finally got some pictures of my sister-in-law with her cute baby belly. She is 8 months almost and looks so tiny. Now if only we knew what gender the little duck is, I'd be even more excited. Kidding Meg...sorta

girls just want to have fun

Finally got around to looking through some of the pictures I took at Thanksgiving. The woman in my family sure are pretty. Think we look like we are related??

Its amazing to me how our bodies and minds work. How we are capable of pushing aside pain and feelings until the proper time. Sometimes completely unaware of what is going on inside our own bodies. Im not saying I didnt know these feelings existed but I am surprised that I am able to surpress my feelings about Hutch. I know I miss him and how heartbreaking it is that he is gone, but until I sit and picture him in my head, I think im ok. The truth is when someone passes away we never forget and honestly I dont think anyone is ever ok. But life does go on and we are some how able to push our feelings aside. They never go away, and it is never made right but slowly we feel less and less. Until you stop and think

Thats my problem.

Im thinking.

It has been 2 years since Hutch passed away and as I let myself think of how much I love and miss him. How much I wish he could spend everyday with his beautiful wife and daughter. It hurts.

Kara- I can only imagine what it is like for you. I admire you so much for your strength and positive attitude.

Happy Birthday dear Hutch, Happy birthday to you

Today is my Hutchie's birthday, and man do I miss him. Kara, his wife, posted a sweet tribute for him in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it here

Hutch, we miss you so much. But as Kara said, thank you for sending that sweet little girl down to earth. I love her to pieces. She looks so much like you, I can not wait to see how many other of your qualities she has. xoxo

Lets get together, yea yea yea!

I can not believe it is already they middle of August. I really don't want September to come. I love long sunny days, hours at the pool, Saturdays spent at the lake, and warm summer night concerts. It seems like summer is flying by and while it feels like I haven't done much, looking back this has been a great summer.

Mom and Dad came into town for the week and we got to go boating up at Deer Creek. Chris and his family came, along with uncle Carl, and Uncle Steven, Cashia, and Rob too. Even though we had to be on the boat the whole time (no beaching allowed in the rental) it was surprising fun and not too cramped.

Uncle Steven and Presley bonded

Chris trying his skills out on the surfboard (love the face!)
Beautiful Tara
I did not like this tube. I got whiplash. But at least I got in the water :)
Uncle Carl

Captain Bob

Went bowling one night in Park City with some of the group I met down at Lake Powell this year.

Jodie and I sporting some super sweet bowling socks! (I still really love my heart bowling shoes)

Our winning team!

Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum came to Usana, we decided the day of we wanted to go. We made some calls and got 4 tickets for free, we needed 8. The concert was sold out so we missed lady A, but managed to find a scalper just in time to get in for Tim McGraw. I forgot how great he is live. It was so fun!!!

Me and my friend Klay

Lynsey, Me, Savannah, and Josh

Ashley, Nicole, with Tim in the background