Bball Provincials and an Engagement Party

Every year, Garth helps out with coaching the Churchill Basketball Team. As his different semesters proved to be less busy, normally busy or extremely busy, he took on different responsibilities as Head coach or assistant coach. As badly as he wanted to head coach the junior team this year, his 4th year of school proved to be in the "extremely busy" category, so instead he helped coach the Senior Team with his brother Jace. No matter how busy he seems to be, I think it is admirable how dedicated Garth has been to the Churchill basketball program, since he graduated.

This year was especially exciting because the Sr. Boys made it to the Provincial Final and to make it even more exciting Churchill was hosting. So after Grant's wonderful birthday party on March 22, we all got on our blue and orange and headed to the game to cheer them on. 

This picture cracks me up, if you knew those two you would know why :)

I don't know if it was because it was 6:30 in the evening, or if was because he just had a crazy afternoon or if his first piece of chocolate cake caught up to him, but Grant was not too happy to be at the game. Being a provincial final, the gym was packed and it was louder than most games. Everytime a loud cheer erupted, grant would jump and then start to cry. By the third quarter he finally got used to it.

Unfortunately, the other team just couldn't miss their shots and even though the boys put in a valiant effort, they couldn't quite pull through for a win. It was a fun game to watch though and we were proud of them for making it that far!

The next weekend, after we got back from Utah we had lots of fun in Calgary. Two of my good friends from high school Jackie and Ian got engaged a couple months ago and luckily we were in Calgary that weekend for their engagement party! Those two have been dating on and off since they were 15 years old so this engagement was a long time coming. I am so excited for their wedding in July!

Right after the party, I headed over to the church to watch the General Women's Broadcast with my Mom, Grandma, Aunt Julie, Carissa, Mikayla and Jocelyn. I think it is awesome that they changed it from the Relief Society Broadcast to the Women's Broadcast, allowing girls as young as 8 to come and listen. It was awesome seeing all those Young Women and Primary girls in the chapel. It was so uplifting and wonderful to hear those divine messages that were shared!

Afterwards, we headed to Dairy Queen for some Blizzards and then went home and made a horror movie. (What else would you do on a Saturday night?)

Here is the Trailer:

And..... the movie:

You won't be dissapointed. I promise.

-A.

Our Trip to Utah

When I got word that Vivint was putting on a women's event in Provo, and they were looking for a musician to perform, I sent in one of my songs, mostly just to get my name out there. When they invited me to perform at the event I was so excited! 

Not only was I able to fly to Utah to do the one thing I love most, I was able to bring Garth and make a trip out of it. Flights, car and hotel were all covered, so we got to have a nice, unexpected getaway!

On Wednesday morning, March 26th, we left Grant with my parents and headed to the Calgary Airport. It was my first time being on a charter flight and it was a lot more laid back then the usual check-in process. They also let me bring my guitar on the plane!! That was one of the things I was stressing about so I was so happy it didn't have to leave my sight.

Once we got to Salt Lake City, we got our bags, our car and GPS system and headed out to explore. Unfortunately we turned the GPS on in the parkade which pretty much broke it and it had no idea where we were the whole time so we ended up going for a little ride. It managed to fix itself after a little while.

After we got our bearings straight, we headed for the mall for some shopping, we also headed to Nordstrom Rack because I had a gift card I really wanted to use and I found nothing at Nordstrom. We hit the jackpot there and I ended up buying a really pretty Free People dress that I am in love with! Garth also got a gorgeous tie. It's funny how all my favorite ties of his are from there.

After shopping we headed to Provo and checked into our hotel.

For dinner we went to this really yummy sushi place called The Happy Sumo. It was amazing and our favorite roll of the night was the "Vegas Roll".

After dinner we wanted to go see the Provo Temple.

We then went back to our hotel room and I fell asleep at 9:30. Anyone who knows me, knows that I haven't gone to bed that early since elementary school. Actually!

The next morning after getting ready, we grabbed some Jamba Juice and headed to soundcheck.

The event was so organized and soundcheck went so smoothly which made me so happy! The sound guy also commented on how nice of an acoustic amp I have, which I already knew, but Garth was super happy to hear that he spoiled me (like always!)

The event was really well attended and very nice with a catered lunch, presentations, games and giveaways. I actually won some luggage among other things playing "I've Never". Apparently I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to other Vivint wives haha because the questions were like "I've never spent $200 on a pair of shoes..." or "I've never had a spray tan" or "I've never gotten eyelash extensions" etc. I was one of the last people standing. The question that got me out was "I've never dyed my hair." 

My performance took place during the second half of the event. I sang one of my original songs called "Sparks" and then followed with a cover of "Team" by Lorde. I was really happy with how it went, how everything sounded and when it was over I was not ready to get off that stage, I was having too much fun! 

After the event, they gave everyone a grab bag and they also gave me a cute little gift bag for performing which I thought was so incredibly nice of them!!! I felt so grateful for the amount of positive feedback I received from so many people after my performance and I was so grateful for the opportunity they gave me to be there and sing.

They also had a guy outside taking pictures so Kensey and I jumped in and snagged a picture together.

Prizes! Unfortunately I lost that grey and blue hoodie which was the comfiest hoodie I have ever worn, boo :(

Bath & Body Works, Cupcake and Nordstrom Shopping Spree, like I said TOO NICE!!!

After the event was over we headed over the Vivint building and scored some tickets to see Magic Johnson! It was actually a lot of fun hearing his stories and he was a pretty good motivational speaker! It was pretty intense at the doors because everyone was trying to sneak in to see him.

He stood so close to me a lot of the time that I could have touched him if I wanted to, but I didn't.

Afterwards we did a little window shopping and then a bunch of people went for dinner at Tucanos Brazillian Grill, so good!

The rest of our night was spent swimming, shopping at the grocery store for American goodies, Taco bell and chocolate cake.

Only in Utah...

We spent most of Friday in Temple Square. Not only do you have the most gorgeous temple to see, there is so many cool buildings, paintings and so much church history to learn about, we barely scratched the surface.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day so all those brides and grooms taking pictures at the temple were super lucky to pick that day in March. My favorite part besides taking in the gorgeous temple view and the beginning of spring was the tour of Brigham Young's house. It was seriously so cool and they had the most beautiful music room.

It really was the perfect end to a perfect week.

And of course we had to go to In-N-out for some burgers.

Around 4:00 we had to head back to the airport and take a shuttle out to a smaller airport where our plane was. We went through security in a tiny little room and hopped straight on the plane. I could get used to flying like this! haha

I am so grateful for the fun weekend that we had, it was such a random getaway in the middle of a busy hectic semester.

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to perform, I don't think I could be happier doing anything else.

-A.

One Fantastic Year.

Yep, our boy is one.

That is so hard to comprehend, we have a toddler.

I know I usually give a monthly update, but the reason I waited so long to write this, other than the fact that I have been extremely busy, is nothing really changed during his 12th month at all. No growth spurts, no milestones, no teeth, nothing.

Except...

- He has been giving us this look over the past couple months and I finally caught it on camera. It consists of him tiilting his head forward but still keeps his gaze on you. And if you are really lucky and he does it when he is eating, he will grip his highchair  with both hands, arch his back slightly and then give the "look." It cracks us up!

-He has started biting me and everything else. He must have teeth or something because it has been constant biting and it scares me sometimes when I am around him. 

Scares me enough to retreat to higher ground...

But he is good at waiting me out.

- He has been doing great at waving "bye-bye" when you wave at him.

- He is a full on stomach sleeper

Here are a couple more random pictures from the month:

To celebrate Grant's first birthday we had a nautical party for him which you can read about HERE.

He also had some other visitors come and wish him a happy birthday who couldn't make it to the party.  Eric and Katie came by on Sunday and Neil, Michelle and the kids stopped by Monday evening and we had Family Home Evening with them. We even had the boat still set up from the party so we got some pictures of Grant with Porter and Rigby. Rigby was using the buoy as a steering wheel, which was hilarious.

The night before his birthday he was being so cute so I had to take some pictures. And then he fell asleep in daddy's arms.

On his actual birthday, we had a pretty low key day. We woke up, played in bed and then had pancakes and Grant got to try syrup for the first time! 

Then he had a bubble bath!

We gave him his presents from us, dad left for school and Grant played all day while I packed. 

His bday presents from us! (minus the book of colors from Neil, Michelle and kids)

When Garth got home for school we headed to Calgary, as we were leaving on a flight to Utah the next morning!

We feel so overwhelmed when we think about how blessed we are to have Grant in our family. He is the cutest, funniest, most perfect little boy with the biggest personality. Everyone who knows him has commented on how much personality he has had from Day 1, how aware he was as a newborn and how he commands every room he is in.  I agree with them. I will never forget his first night in the world, how he kept his wide-eyes glued to me all night. That look he gave me when I first met him changed me forever.

I love my Grant, I love documenting everything, watching him grow and I love watching him explore this world. Hopefully I can take a lesson from him and explore it the same way he does, with a big grin on my face.

-A.

PS- Garth and I put together a video of Grant's 1st year, enjoy!