Number 2 (two months late)

The man himself... and our AWESOME seats! I can't say enough good about Brad Paisley. First of all he had watched the music video they had made with the local kids before he met them. He came out and knew Trey's name before even talking to us. It went a little bit like this!

BRAD: Hey buddy! Is your name Trey?

Trey: Um, yeah. (with a bit of a flabbergasted look on his face)

BRAD: Hey Trey, I just want you to know how honored I feel to have you here and in my video tonight. You look like a pretty cool guy, Trey.

TREY: You ah a pwetty cool guy too. And I like ya song, ya know da one wewcom to da fewcha?
BRAD: (laugh) Yeah I like it too!

From that point on they were buddies! For some reason Brad really singled Trey out. He spent by far the most time with Trey, and he continued to come back to Trey over and over again. He was so sweet I could hardly believe that he is a celebrity!
Backstage and my FAVORITE picture!
They let the kids ask Brad questions if they wanted... This was Trey's: "Hey Bwad? What do YOU wanna be when you gwow up"?!!? To which everyone had to laugh! He was just so sweet and innocent.
WOW! What beautiful brown eyes you have, BRAD! This was NO zoom! I was sitting on my chair and this is how close he was to me!
Once again, Brad is taking care of Trey and made sure to keep him safe!
Trey LOVED every minute of this night!
The cutest little boy EVER!!! He wanted to mock everything Brad did in every picture. If Brad changed his "stance"...so did Trey!
Dinner at Pei Wei! We love it.
Lainey and Adi. The two cutest girls at the concert! They were so cute and funny!
This is the lady from the radio station! Trey fell in love with her! We spent a lot of time with her before meeting Brad. She took to Trey as well and was so sweet. Trey had to hold her hand while I carried him. He would kiss her hand and tell her he loved her! And it was all over... an iphone!
Lainey, Me, Adi, Jim, Trey and Kimmi, and our awesome shirts we got made!
This is kind of a long one...so hang in there. So Trey had told me a couple of weeks before the concert that he was going to be famous and I was going to have to be really nice to him. (see previous post) While Trey and I were backstage, the rest of our group were watching the opening acts. I guess Lainey was so excited to tell EVERYONE that her brother and her mom were backstage meeting Brad Paisley! When we came out there was people by us who asked Trey if he was Trey and if he had been backstage. He of course said yes and told them all about it. They were hysterical and telling him how famous he was now. To which he said "I KNOW". wow! So they of course proceeded to ask him to AUTOGRAPH things for them, water bottles, blankets and my fave, A HOODIE! He just thought it was normal, I guess! When he had signed several things, he had to ask "ya sha ya don't want me to sign anything ewse? Boy did that go to his head!
The radio station also had given us general admission seats, but then when we got there, they upgraded them! This pic was also taken from my seat with no zoom! It was amazing!
Lain and Trey...Best Buds
WOW!
Starting to get tired! He fell asleep the song before his famous video was on the ginormous screen. I woke him up and he was so mad at me! He finally got over it when he saw himself about 3 stories big!
What pretty little buddies!
And the end of it... the pins coming out of his elbow. It was finally all healed and he was allowed to start kindergarten 6 weeks late. He is making good progress now and we are even done with the wheelchair. YAY! He is a smart little man and is constantly reminding us that he doesn't need to go to school because he "ahwedy knows evwy fing day teach"!
I know, kind of gross, but he made me promise I would put this picture on to show Grandpa Mac and Taylor! He already has the CHICKS DIG SCARS thing down I guess!

bad luck & BRAD PAISLEY

The bad news is our sweet Trey has had a bit of bad luck! He was jumping on the trampoline....yep we are going there! Somehow he managed a pretty severe break on his arm. It was Saturday night, August 22nd. He had eaten 15 minutes before the accident. I was at work and was able to meet Jim and Trey at the ER. It was VERY OBVIOUSLY broken. They took us back and sure enough, it was a "pretty good" break. His humourous (bone above the elbow) was snapped into a few pieces as well as the bone on the side of the elbow broken off and shoved up behind his humurous. HOW DO WE FIX THAT? S-U-R-G-E-R-Y! But because he had eaten so recently, they couldn't do surgery until his stomach emptied. They admitted to the hospital for pain control until they could do surgery on Sunday.
He had to have two rods placed, and the ends stick out of his skin. The doctor was not comfortable with Trey walking, because he is worried about re-fracturing or moving the rods out of place. He now has a wheelchair, and is not allowed to start kindergarten until his arm is ALL THE WAY healed. He has been a trooper and as you can see, is brave and STILL SMILING! I can't believe what a happy guy he is! Such a smart guy!
Trey IS a LADY'S MAN! In the middle of a bunch of girls is where he wants to be! It has been almost 3 weeks, and he is healing. We are doing kindergarten at home, which isn't going over that great! He is sure he knows more than I do, but loves coloring and cutting with scissors!
Now, the good news...BRAD PAISLEY is coming in concert to SLC on the 19th. I ADORE that man's music! He has a new song WELCOME TO THE FUTURE. (click here to watch the music video) It features children telling what they want to be when they grow up. The radio stations had a contest for local kids and they are making a SLC version of the music video that will be played at the concert. We decided we would enter Trey. When I asked him the night before what he wanted to be when he grew up the list was LONG...a dentist, a scientist, a cook, a dwivah, a stoah wuhkah, a doctah, an ahtist and a video game pwogwamah! WHAT? How does he even know what that is? Then next day we went and shot the video. I told him to choose ONE thing he wanted to be... A SCIENTIST! We submitted the video to the radio station and today at 2 o'clock today the radio station called to let us know Trey is one of the 5 first place winners! WOO HOO! We are so excited! His clip will be featured in the video, he gets 2 tickets to the concert, backstage passes, photos with BRAD PAISLEY, and he will be involved in a press conference with BRAD PAISLEY!!! I can't express how happy I am as his mom! This makes him feel like such a star! I love seeing my kids thrilled about things! CONGRATULAITIONS TREY, on being THE PERFECT TREY!!!

Trey is FABULOUS FIVE!

My DEAR, SWEET Trey is 5! I can't even believe it! What a little man. I can't tell you enough about my little buddy! He is walking like a star, going to start kindergarten (we are sure!) and has a vocabulary that could exceed the average 20 year old! He loves Lainey and wants to do everything she does! He is a lady's man. If you ask him how many girlfriends he has, he will tell you "at weest five hundwed"! He is so tender hearted. He always says to Taylor "come and sit by me, Guhlfwend, so you can howd my hand"!!! One day he said he was going to take her on a date, she asked where...the reply...McDonalds! She asked how he was going to get money to pay for it, he said she was paying!!! Then he asked how he was going to drive her there, he said he wasn't! Siwy Taywah, you ah going to dwive! Boy do we have some teaching to do!

Last night I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up...he went through a list... a cook, a scientist, a stoah wukah, an ahtist, a dwivah, axuwy, foahget aw of dat. I guess I am going to be a video game pwogwamah!!! Where in the world he knows about that, I have no idea! What a funny boy.
Oh the excitement of video games! He tells me he has to practice all the time cause he is going to play Grandpa Mac and beat him when he comes home from his mission!
SPOILED!
Dad and Lainey made his most rainbowish cake! He was completely thrilled!
Self-portrait!
Houston, we could have a problem... VIDIOTS. aka too much game time!
The boys can't get enough of the GAMES!!! Aren't they cute?
Yeah, Grayson took a dive off of one of the rides! I picked him up and held him close while I loudly asked "Oh little boy! Are you ok? Where is your mommy?!!?" Made me feel better for a minute! Happy BIRTHDAY Mister TREY! WE LOVE YOU!

THe start of something new...blogging again

Trey Salli and Kenna. What a group of funny buddies!
This is the beginning of blog-catch-up 101! Hopefully I can get a bunch done in the next few days, cause heaven knows I just downloaded 500 pictures! This is our FABULOUS trip to BUHHHHH WAKE (Trey and Porter think it is FWEEZING!) with Jim's family. We had soooo much fun. We had wave runners and 4 wheelers and a TON of dirty, happy kids! We can't wait for Grandpa and Grandma to get back and come along with us!

Here is proof that my kids (Trey) spent a lot of time in the sun this year! They had to have a quick rinse in the lake before we went back to the camp site.

Grayson and daddy. Grayson enjoyed the sun and camping the least as the lake was cold and so were the nights. Luckily Grandpa Steve and Grandma Jill saved him and took him to their house one of the nights! THANKS SO MUCH!

Kenna, Lainey, Jake and Ethan. THe BIG kids!

Aren't they just the sweetest? These two have started to really love to play together. Porter is a big tease and knows how to push everyone's buttons, but usually Trey gets his feewings hut, and it is vewy sad! They sure are fun!

Jim and Salli (Twey's best buddy, no one ews's)

Our NUTTY little family! Of course Porter has to ham things up, and Grayson is sucking his thumb, Lainey is being a princess, and Trey is sure the camera is hooked to his toe!

My sweet baby is growing up. He finally gave in and decided to like the sand and water. It took a LONG time. He hates being exposed to new textures. I am so happy he was able to adapt!

Lainey LOVED being in the water and hardly ever took a break even to eat! She was so much fun to watch

Trey would get his life jacket on and not let anyone touch him for hours! By the time he would get out of the water his legs would hardly move!

Porter, Porter, Porter! I asked him what he was doing after I took this picture and he said "Dis says I LUV YOU MOM. Duh, Lainey awready showed me dis." As he rolled his eyes. PS-I do feed my children, this one just burns EVERY single calorie he eats!

My little buddy, my baby, my sugar. He is the most precious thing! (Except when he tells me Na NA Na Mommy. MINE, ME, DON'T) It makes me laugh, but here comes my sweet little baby into a toddler :( He is cruising around furniture and can stand by himself! Can we say MIRACLE!

Mac's summer of fun!

HOLY COW!!! I has been way too long since I have done a post! Life has been so busy, I can't even believe how time flies. Here are some highlights of stuff that has been going on, more stuff and pics to follow...

*I started working at the NICU! Crazy, but I LOVE it! So many friends and I have been working way too much the past bit, so Jim has been playing Mr. mom and doing a great job! Jim has grown a garden with little help from me! But I sure love it!

*Lainey switched cheer gyms and is LOVING her new one. Her best little friend converted us, and we are so glad. Taylor's cheer coach at BYU coaches there and he is awesome. She loves the cheer outfits and new shoes and is learning a lot. She is such a fabulous girl! I love her! She helps me a ton with everything and I love it. She is ready to start the second grade and "get on with life"!!! She Porter and Trey LOVE the line dance from the Hannah Montana movie. She has taught them the song and part of the dance, and I get to be constantly entertained! It is hilarious! She is a great teacher.

*Trey turned 5! I know I can't believe it either. He has spent a bit of time at Dr. appts and such because he has one leg that is longer than the other and ever-changing issues with his body. We will have surgery to help at some point, but hopefully not for a couple of years! I finally gave in and registered him for kindergarten, and cried! I am not sure how I am going to let him go. The principal and teachers are working with us to make it as good as possible for him. HE is still obsessed with the nintendo DS and computer games...SURPRISE, SURPRISE. I can't believe how good he is. Uncle Eric gave him new exercises to do everyday, and he is getting stronger! Thanks, Eric!

*Porter is growing like a weed and is so funny. He is one tan little dude. I am not sure where that came from! He is Lainey's little shadow and is constantly looking for ways to get into trouble. When we were visiting Grandpa Steve, grandpa was being helpful and pouring cereal for breakfast. Porter chose his kind and when grandpa poured the last little bit into Porter's bowl, Porter didn't think it was enough. All he could say is "Ah you stinkin' kiddin' me?" I could only guess where he learned that! He eats constantly and there is no evidence of it! He is skin and bones! He of course only has one gear and it is TURBO! I sure try to keep up, but Jim does a much better job.

*Grayson is getting HUGE! He is crawling on all fours, up the stairs and bum scooting everywhere still. He is increasing his vocabulary all the time. I can't believe it, but he is pulling himself to stand and cruising around furniture. It will be no time at all that I feel like there is no baby left in him! He loves his Daddy, but Mom is a close second. All of Jim's family calls him baby Rog, after Jim's dad because he looks EXACTLY like him! We will take that!

*We can't get enough of the pool and being outside! We got to go to Bear Lake two weeks in a row, once for a family reunion with Jim's family, and it was a BLAST!!! We loved the dirt and sand, but most of all, the company!!!

*school and basketball will start shortly and we will be even crazier! We are livin' and lovin' life! MANY MANY pics and posts to come...PROMISE!!!

Princess Reagan

Since we constantly talk about the "Alabamans", many of you know who we mean, but for you who don't, meet Reagan. Without a doubt, the biggest miracle I have ever met. Reagan has some health issues, and by ALL medical laws shouldn't be alive. But, because our Father in Heaven has great plans for her, she is still here. Reagan has been going through a pretty hard time again and has, once again, narrowly escaped losing her life. She is a fighter. She is still pretty sick and having a tough time recovering from a perforated bowel surgery. We are asking that you all remember Reagan and her family in your prayers. We know there is a plan for Reagan, and ask for support for her family in whatever that may be.
Now, on to things I love about Reagan. I love how she closes her eyes and pretends you aren't there if she doesn't want to talk to you!
I LOVE just looking at her and you can't help but smile.
I love her family and the chance we have to be so close with them even when we are so far away.
I love that she is going to tell you like it is. If she doesn't want you near her, she tells you to GO AWAY! (luckily I never got the first part of "I don't like you")
Her big blue eyes and her funny looks she gives are the best. The way she sounds when she talks is THE cutest thing ever!
I love her pointing her finger and telling you what to do!
I love that Reagan introduced us to Alivin and the Chipmunks, the movie and the HILARIOUS stories that followed. (you know you got it made...) When they left to go home, they even left us a copy of the movie!
I love that instead of a blanket or stuffed animal, she wants a wet washcloth on her forehead!
I love that for months she looked forward to feeding baby Grayson his BLUE bottle! So when we finally got there, she did!
I love her big brother, Brennen and how sweet and gentle he is! He would always be so soft with Grayson and tell me " I am just used to taking care of Reagan and you have to be so soft with her because she has brittle bones". He takes such good care of her!
Quite possibly my favorite thing of all, is late night parties in Reagan's room, sometimes just her and I. Often until 2 am! She would have me read the book "Pinkalicious" over and over again. If I skipped a part, she would recite it from memory. We would laugh and laugh because she is so hilarious and would say the funniest things as she made me dance around her room! She would talk me into sneaking her "m and o's" (plain m&m's) in the middle of the night!!! She now calls me Tiff-a-no! If I told her I was going to go to bed, she would tell me I wasn't! We would watch princess movies over and over. Once I started to sing along with one of the songs and she told me to be quiet because she wanted to hear the movie! I would stay in her room until she was fast asleep and LOVE every second of it. I love you little sugar, and can't wait to see you again!

Random MAC events!

Trey's therapy organization had a 5k and 1 mile fun run that we all participated in. It was a lot of fun! We knew tons of people and laughed a lot. Trey loved that they had his picture blown up and on posters! He thought he was famous! He was such a funny boy the whole time. (not sure who was watching the missing children at this point! I hope they were close!!!)
Here is the crew at the starting line! Lainey and Porter rode scooters and Trey pushed the walker he had to bring! We kindly left it at the therapy center afterward so he didn't feel like he "needed" it again! Lainey was one of the first finishers and was so very proud!
This is how the boys feel about NEMO lately! I have to laugh when I see them all so interested in the same thing! Grayson tries to do the chant AH-ooh-WAH-HE-AH-HO-HO-HO. He yells it as he scoots around the floor as if he needs to be talking ALL the time! Who knows where he got that from?!!?
Lainey had her end of year program and it was SOOOO cute. I had so much fun watching it! She was one of about 10 kids who had a speaking part. She LOVED (that is probably an understatement) being the center of attention! She looked SO cute and was happy as could be.
Grayson and his favorite blankey! He couldn't live without it. HE sucks his thumb, but ONLY when he has the blue side of the blanket in the same hand. So SILLY! He scooted to the blanket which was on the floor and bent in half to lay his head down and suck his thumb. So yes, that is his foot! When Grayson is mad, he will also lay his head down on the floor and pout while in the same position.