It’s a wonderful life: July 2010

Happy Birthday Evan!!!

July 15, 2010

Evan's birthday was while we were at the cabin in Waterton. He woke up sick that morning and only got worse throughout the day. It was kind of a bummer birthday for him with lots of sleeping, but we tried to make it a special day regardless. (Unfortunately it means we don't have great pictures from that day because he really wasn't feeling well).

Evan was very excited that it was his birthday and kept announcing it all day long! To make the day extra special for him that night Mama and Daddy took him to the candy store where we told him he could pick out anything he wanted. Of course he went straight for the pretty lollipops!!! What kid wouldn't want that?

Evan loved his cake and his special birthday song and all of his presents. He got:
-some big boy underwear
-buzz light year potato head
-a cool book about the body
-some raquets
-a train whistle

JULY 14, 2007
We knew Evan's tummy Mommy was in labor and we were on pins and needles. We were expecting our first baby, we were praying that our tummy Mommy was alright. We were praying that the delivery would be an easy one for Mom and our baby girl (yes I said baby girl:-). We were pacing the house and decided that we just needed to get out of town. Justin and I drove to the Gulf Coast to hang out for the day. This was the last picture we took of us as a family of two.

We drove home late and admired the lightning storm. Sleep DID NOT come easily. Exhaustion finally took over around 2AM.

JULY 15, 2007
The phone rang at 4:00 in the morning and it was Evan's birth Grandma announcing that we had a beautiful baby BOY!!! That woke us up!!! Justin forgot to ask any other details, but it didn't matter. We knew that our baby was finally here, that he was healthy and that his blessed tummy Mommy was doing well.

We called Evan's tummy Mommy the next morning and together we decided on a name.
Evan Brian Joseph Palmer

This is our first picture as a family. It was taken the day that we got to meet our baby. We had prayed so hard that the day would come that we could become parents and now we finally were.

Evan, you amaze me everyday! I can't believe that you are such a big boy now. Just tonight I had a 10 minute conversation with you on the phone while I was out running an errand. You told me that you miss me, but that Daddy is your best friend. I didn't feel too hurt, I was your best friend yesterday. You have started to call me Mom instead of Mama, which at first made me sad, but it really is too cute. I kind of love it now! I vividly remember the emotions I felt when I first saw you (I saw your left foot first), when I looked at your perfect face, and as I held you for the first time. I will never forget the moment we took you home. The emotions of that day are so powerful and filled with happiness and overwhelming love for you and your birth family.

Evan, you have taught me the definition of true strength. You have taught me to never take anything for granted, even the smallest things! You have taught me what true love is. You have brought me such joy and I am honored to be your mother. If I am only remembered as that, then I will consider my life a success.

I love you Evan, more than words can say!
Always have ... Always will!!

Happy Birthday Evan
(I can't believe you are 3)

Palmer Reunion: WATERTON

For the sake of time I am posting all of the reunion in one post. If you want to see the pictures in a bit more detail just click on it and that picture will blow up. Enjoy ... (I think I might, just might catch up before I leave tomorrow!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the 7 years that I have been a Palmer this is my first reunion. It lived up to all that I have heard about it. I left a day early so I could go visit my cousin and her miracle baby! I was so excited to be able to meet Luke Blayne and I really couldn't be happier for Kari and Barrett. Isn't he a doll face??

This was a very cool reunion because almost the entire family was there. There were only 2 cousins that couldn't make it and Justin's step sisters couldn't come either. The yard of the cabin looked like a Sienna dealership, and we even took over the parking lot across the street.
(what is it with Palmers and red Siennas?

In true Palmer style the days in Waterton were jam packed with fun!
We went on a bunch of hikes and each one is beautiful in its own way. The first hike we did as a family was to Bertha Falls. From Bertha Falls some of us brave folk continued on to Bertha Lake, which is a decently long, very steep hike. Justin and I hiked it with an extra 25 lbs on our backs, but oh man it was worth it!!! The lake was gorgeous!!!! I just hope we didn't slow everyone else down too much. We were hurting on the way up!!

Later that day I fell down the stairs and REALLY hurt myself. I couldn't move my shoulders or neck at all so I opted out of the camp out that night. Justin took Evan, and those boys had a lot of fun, despite the many injuries the group came home with.

This year David was in charge of the "family olympics" and he included a game called "swing your thing". Everyone got a kick out of it :-)Another tradition in the family olympics is throwing children into the air with a parachute. These are three of my favorite in air shots (two are of my sweet nephews). Evan came home from the camp out sick (which really sucked because it was his birthday) and he desperately needed to sleep. While he was napping I took Landon to Red Rock Canyon. Since I had the baby and no wetsuit I didn't go down any slides this year, but it was so much fun for me to sit with Landon while he played in the ice water and talk with Michelle, and then later Angie. I love the Gayle Palmers!!! We ended the evening with a birthday song and cake (don't worry the birthday post is next) a talent show, and a family dance. Evan performed his foot phone as his talent and you HAVE to look at the picture of Landon dancing.

Evan's breathing got worse and I spent the next day in the emergency room with him while everyone else went to Wall Lake. My mother in law came to the hospital in Cardston with me so I wouldn't have to be alone. I have gotten so use to sitting by myself with Evan that it was a really nice surprise to have someone come with me. Up at Wall Lake I guess it is a tradition that the men who go take a picture with their shirts off holding Wonder Bars. I don't get it, but I think Landon has got to be the cutest thing I have ever seen.
(check out Logans face in the last picture)

Somewhere in the week we went water skiing (no pictures) and Evan and Mama had a date!

The week was loaded with lots of fun, candy, ice-cream, games, laughing, and family (not to mention the ridiculous amount of Advil and Muscle Relaxants I had to take so I could move my neck and take care of my children).
It is good to be a Palmer!

On the Drive Home

pre-reunion Day 2

As I mentioned before Stampede is HUGE here!!!! We all went and it was oh so much fun!!!

our cowboys

the Palmer men and their prizes :-)

Evan took this picture of me while we waited for the elevator after the dog show. It took 30 mins to get our turn at the elevator ... they really didn't think the location through very well! We were one of about 15 wheelchairs waiting in line.

You HAVE to get corn dogs!!! Evan got the baby dog, I got the medium dog, and Justin got the mega dog. Poor Landon will get one next year :-)
check out my skirt, it is almost indecent exposure ... I had no idea