Christmas 2010

Paul and I had a great Christmas. We were able to go to Thatcher for the weekend, and spend Christmas with his family. We had a nice visit, but it is always good to come home. There is no place like home.

Christmas morning I woke up three times. Finally, around 5:30 I decided if I was going to be awake, Paul was going to be awake too. Paul and I laid in bed until we heard more people get up. Finally around 7:00 we heard footsteps upstairs, so we got up. I was surprised how long everyone stayed asleep. Paul's family usually wakes up really early.

Santa was very good to us this year. He even let me buy some of the presents myself, so I knew what I was getting. Thank you Black Friday!

We have a new comforter set that Santa let me buy on Black Friday. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law, Carly for braving Walmart at midnight to get it. Here is a picture. I love it!



My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to attempt to learn how to sew again, so my parents gave me this.



Knowing how to sew will definitely come in handy. Especially when I have to sew patches onto scout shirts. I will be doing that soon enough. Wish me luck, and pray my mom has the patience to teach me. Last time I attempted to learn how to sew it didn't go so well, but I was also a young teenager (that says enough right there). I do have some sewing projects in mind for Gavin's room. I hope they turn out.

Before we left Paul surprised me with a Glider. I am so excited. It is our first big purchase for the baby.

Paul also had a great Christmas. He has been enjoying his Christmas present since October, when he bought it without me knowing.



One of his friends from work bought him Call of Duty 4, so he has been preoccupied, and will continue to be while he is on his break from school.

I bought him another controller so he can have someone to play with. It is more fun that way, right?

I also bought him Shrek 4. We watched it for the first time, while in Thatcher. It is a cute movie.

His mom gave him some t-shirts. One of them said Hardwork pays off in the future, laziness pays off now. He liked that one.

Our little Gavin thought it would be a good idea to buy us a camcorder for when he is born.



I bought the camcorder on Black Friday. I asked Paul if he wanted it to be to him, or if he wanted it to be to me. My mom suggested it be from Gavin. I thought that was a good idea, so that's what I did.

Gavin even got his first Christmas present from his great-grandparents. He got a Winnie the Pooh blanket(it is so soft) with a little Winnie the Pooh cap. He will love it, when he is able to use it.

We had a wonderful Christmas! We hope all of our family and friends had a Merry Christmas. I can't believe it has already come and gone. Happy New Year to all!

P.S I know I am terrible at taking pictures. I will be better when baby Gavin is here....hopefully.

Oreo Balls

A lot of people have been asking me for this recipe so here it is.

Ingredients

1 Package of Oreos (Do not use Double Stuff Oreos)

1 8oz Package of Cream Cheese

1 Package of Chocolate or White Chocolate Candy Coating or Almond Bark.

1 Package of the Andes Mints baking chips (optional but very tasty)

Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Melt one package of Candy Coating or Almond Bark.
*Add one tablespoon of Vegetable Shortening to the melting chocolate. (Optional but a
good idea)

Add one package of the Andes Mint baking chips once the chocolate is melted.(Optional but very tasty).

*Do not melt the chocolate until the oreo balls are ready to be dipped.

Directions

-Crush one package of Oreos in a blender or food processor, until finely crushed.

- Mix the Oreos and Cream Cheese together. Mix until both are completely mixed
together.

-Put in the freezer for 15 minutes

-Roll into the size of ball you want.

-Put in freezer for 45 minutes or until chilled.

-Melt the chocolate while the oreo balls are in the freezer.

-Once the rolls are chilled you can dip them in the chocolate.

-After dipping, put the oreo balls back in the refrigerator or freezer long enough
for them to chill

Enjoy!

23 Weeks and Update

It has been awhile since I have posted. This is a pictureless post. I have been busy packing and getting ready to move. We will be moving this weekend. I will tell you that I will never move again while pregnant for two reasons. 1. Working all day+packing when I get home from work=one exhausted pregnant lady. 2. I can't do all the lifting I want to do. I could get a lot more packed if I didn't have to wait for Paul to do all the heavy lifting. Oh well....that's life. We are slowly but surely getting it all packed.

I am now 23 weeks. Baby is moving quite a bit more. He is not keeping me up at night yet. What a good little boy. We went to the doctor on November 16th. We talked about the results of the big ultrasound. He is doing great. They do want me to have another ultrasound to make sure everything is okay with his large head. The doctor told us that his head is border line normal. They also added all their medical gar-gin, and I don't remember it all. I had to laugh when the doctor told me this, because if you have Jones genes it is very likely you will have a large head. After my doctor told me this, she kept reassuring me that she is sure nothing is wrong, they just want to make sure everything is okay. I told her I am not worried, and that I am sure it is just a Jones head. The only reassuring I am going to need is when I am in labor and pushing. So needless to say I will be having another ultrasound next week to check our little man.

When I left the doctor I called my mom. I told her what my doctor said, she laughed. That is what the doctor told her when she was pregnant with me. This is just what I get in return. It will be worth it though.

Well that's all for now.

It's a Boy!

I already posted this on facebook, but I am adding it to my blog for journaling purposes. On October 20th Paul and I found out that we are having a boy. At first I was a little shocked/confused, because everyone was telling me that for sure it was a girl. I wanted to tell the ultrasound tech to check again. The tech checked everything and everything seems to be looking very good. We have another appointment on November 16th.

Paul and I are both very excited. We are going to name him Gavin Jason Battraw. Paul will be able to have his little buddy now to play sports with and all the other boy activities. I am thinking that I want his room to have a sports theme to it. Paul loves sports, so we should start our little guy young, right? It is going to be so much fun decorating and getting ready for him. We are going to be moving at the end of the month, so then I can start getting his room ready.

Here is a little side note. I work at an elementary school as a kindergarten aide. There are five staff members pregnant. Four of us are due in March, and we are all due within two time period. One of the teachers and I are due on the same day and we are both having boys. To make things more interesting, we are both naming our boys Gavin. I told her that it would be funny we both actually delivered on our due date.

Here is a picture of our little man



and here I am at 20 weeks



I really can't believe I am already half way. Time is really flying by.

I know I say this all the time, but Paul is going to be a great dad. He is always texting me throughout the day to see how his baby is doing. I love it.

Well that's all for now.

Kids....too cute.

I have said it many times and I will say it again....I love teaching primary. Yesterday I was getting ready to give the lesson and visiting with my class, and I was standing up while doing this. All of the sudden one of my girls said this.

R: Sister Battraw has a baby in her tummy.
Me:(caught off guard) R what did you say.
R: Silent.
Me: Did you say I have a baby in my tummy?
R: ( HUGE GRIN, LAUGHING, AND NODDING) Yes!
Me: Your right, I do have a baby in my tummy.

I know you had to be there and know R, but it was so cute. I love teaching primary.

16 Weeks

I am now 16 weeks. We went to the doctor on September 28th. I was 15 weeks at that appointment. Baby is doing great and was moving a lot. The heartbeat was nice and strong. While we were there baby was yawning and talking to us. We decided that baby was saying Happy Birthday, Daddy! The appointment was on Paul's birthday. We tried to see the gender, but the baby's legs were crossed. We have the big ultrasound on October 20th to find out the gender. I still haven't felt the baby move, but it will happen soon enough. Paul has been so helpful and always asks how I am feeling. We are both so excited.
This week is Fall break, so I will be spending a lot of time cleaning out and organizing the baby's room. Time is going by quick, so I need to get to get started.

Here are pictures of me at 7 weeks and 15 weeks.


7 weeks


15 weeks

That's all for now.

Baby Update

Paul and I went to the doctor this last Tuesday. I am now 11 weeks. We were able to see our baby, and hear the heartbeat. It was really neat. Our baby waved to us during the ultra sound. I love being able to see our little munchkin. My next appointment is at the end of the month. I am hoping we will be able to see if we are having a boy or a girl, but we'll see. I will only be 15 weeks at my next appointment, so it might difficult to see.

As for me, I am doing great for the most part. I still have my days, but it is bearable. One thing I would like more of is sleep. I am tired all the time.

That's our update for now. I will post pictures soon.

Summer 2010

Paul and I have had a great summer. At the beginning of June we were able to fly to Vegas and spend time with Paul's sister, and her family. It was my first time visiting Vegas. While we there we were able to meet this little cutie.



Isn't she just precious? We definitely didn't want to leave. Every chance Paul had to hold Hailey, he was holding her. It was so cute watching him with her. He is going to be a great dad.

We went on the strip and went through all of the hotels. I loved the Belliagio. The flower garden was beautiful. I was hoping they would have the Fourth of July display, but we were too early for that. It was still great. I really liked the water show the Bellagio puts on. That was really neat watching that.



I thought all of the hotels were really neat. They were all unique in their own way.




We walked passed the Wax Museum, and got a picture with The Rock.

We really enjoyed walking down the Strip. The weather was perfect.





We were also able to spend time with these handsome boys.



They are so much fun. We were able to go to church with them, and listen to them practice the song they sang for Father's day. They did a great job.

It was great to go on a little vacation. We will definitely be going back. We always love spending time with family.


Our next vacation is pictureless, but it was nice and relaxing. We went to Thatcher for a week. We went down for the 24th of July Celebration, and I was going to take pictures there, but it rained and it poured. It stopped for a little bit, but when the parade started it began to rain. It started to ease up when it was ending. Two of our little nieces were soaked, so we took them home. I was told that it began to rain again, and it kept raining until the fireworks show. I am glad that we left early.

The rest of the time Paul and I just enjoyed sleeping in, playing games, and do absolutely nothing. It was hard to come home and get back into the real world.

Lastly, Paul and I found out before we went to Thatcher that I am pregnant. I am 8 weeks pregnant and my due date it March 23rd. I had our second appointment on August 3rd and our little peanut(as my doctor says) is growing. We saw the heartbeat and it was a nice strong one. Paul and I couldn't be more happy. We are so excited. He thinks that it is a girl, but we will both be happy with a boy or girl.

I have had morning sickness or should I say all day sickness. I am looking forward to it being over, but it is definitely worth it. I am also tired all the time. My doctor told me welcome to motherhood when I told her I was tired all the time. Very true.

Paul has been so good to help out and help while I have been sick. He will be a great dad. He has already told me that we need to by a rocking chair so he can rock his baby to sleep. Sounds good to me.

Well I guess that is our update for now.


P.S. To my family who lives out of state/country. No worries, I will post pictures.

UGH!

First off, I really wish I was still in Vegas. My week would have been much better.

Tonight I was in my first car accident. It is was more frustrating than anything. I was minding my own business driving in the far left lane, approaching the intersection at Cooper and Warner. A green Silverado slowly started to pull of out the gas station on the corner, over the two middle lanes. It looked as though it was going to let me drive passed, before going.Boy was I fooled. I start honking for the truck to pay attention, but it didn't do a bit of good. Because.....they side swiped me. I kept honking and seeing if the truck was going to stop. Did it stop and pull over? Oh no, it kept driving. I hurried at got the plate number and the description of the truck and the driver. Drum roll please.....Old lady who looks like she is in her 70's trying to drive a truck 100 times her size. I called Paul and told him what just happened. He said that he was coming. Then I called the police. The police came, and asked what happened. I told him the truck pulled out and side swiped me. Then he asked me how it happened. Are you kidding? I just told you. Well I told him I don't know "how" it happened. He gave me the information paper to fill out, and he was going to go find the driver. I am grateful he was able to find the driver. He brought her back, and she started telling me she REALLY had no idea she hit someone. Did she miss the fact that I was laying on my horn? The police officer then asked me if I wanted to file a report. He said that she would be cited if I did. She started begging me to not file a report and she would pay for it. Also told me not to do it, because it would cost her more money if I did. Really lady? You just caused and accident and kept driving. Of course I am filing a report. She kept begging and pleading, so the police officer said that he will file a report, but that she wouldn't be cited. WHAT! She caused an accident and kept driving. The officer had to go to her house to pick her up. She got off scott free....until next time. I am sure there will be a next time for her. She really needs to be more alert, and drive a truck that isn't 100 times her size. It is too dangerous for her. There were so many things I wanted to say to the lady, but I controlled myself.

In the middile of all this, she asked if Paul was my dad. Paul does not look like he is 50 thank you very much. She then said that we look to young to be married. Paul told her we have been married for almost four years. She then proceeded to tell us that she has been married for almost 40, but maybe not after that night. I guess this was her way to calm things down. Nice try.

Well that's about it.

The Vegas post will have to be for another day.

Excited

I am so excited for next week, because I get to see these cuties. My brother Blaine is getting married, so they get to come and visit. So excited.

James

He is such a stud. I love this little boy.

Sweet Kayli

She is such a sweetie.

Miss Hazel

I am so excited to hear all of her knock jokes, and make cupcakes with sprinkles.

And

Travis

I love this little guy's laugh. It is too cute. He has grown so much since Thanksgiving, so I am so excited see him.

And then there is Brisa who can't wait to see her cousins. Everytime show her pictures of them she just gets a big smile on her face.
.

It is more exciting that my brother's Mission President said that they can call any Sunday they want this month, so he is going to call when everyone is visiting. YAY!

24

I am 24 years young. I celebrated my birthday last weekend and it was very nice. I can't believe next year I will be a quarter of a century old, but I will deal with it when it happens. For my birthday I decided I wanted to go to the zoo because the weather was perfect. Paul and I invited my sister and my niece to come. It was fun watching my niece's reaction to the animals. She is a cutie. We got there right when the zoo opened so all of the animals were awake and walking around. We were able to see the lions and tiger be fed. Normally when we go to the zoo the lions and tigers are laying down. It was nice seeing them walking around. Here are a few pics from the zoo.





The baby Zebra is only 2 weeks old is this picture.















Side Note- I don't remember the Cheetahs fence being so low. I should have taken a picture to show. It just didn't seem safe.

Anyway, we had a nice time at the zoo. There was a mild breeze and the weather was in the high 70's. Perfect weather for the zoo.

After the zoo we went to Sweet Tomatoes. I love their home made chicken noodle soup. My niece was pretty much done with life after lunch, so we went back to my sisters house, so she could have a nap. Paul and I went to Arizona Mills to do some shopping. I haven't been to that mall is so long. It was a successful shopping trip.

We went to my parents house on Sunday and my mom made a delicious meatball and baked potato dinner. My grandparents came over and all of my family that live here.

Paul was so sweet and bought me two pictures that I absolutely love.





Overall I had a very nice birthday. It was very relaxing which I loved. Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

P.S Emilie, I updated my blog. Now it is your turn.

Brother and Sister Batman

As many of you already know, Paul and I teach primary. We absolutely love it. This year we are able to teach the CTR 4 class. We have six cute little girls. The first week we taught them, one of the girls was so excited she got new teachers. When she went home she excitedly told her family that she has new teachers, and their names are Brother and Sister Batman. How cute....and funny. Her mom told us the following week and it was just so funny. The little girl was embarrassed though that her mom told us that.
We have another little girl that went home and told her family that she LOVES her new primary teachers and that she wants to go every week. Hopefully we can always live up to that.
And the last one. We have a little girl that is very active and makes herself known. The first week, during class time, I had to keep telling her to use her inside voice and to not yell in the church. During the closing prayer, the little girl saying it innocently said "Please bless that Kimber will use her inside voice and talk quietly." I could not help but chuckle a little bit. Children listen to everything you say and remember it. I had no idea she was going to say that. It was just so cute.
Working in primary is the greatest calling, I think. They want to learn, and their testimonies are just so sweet. Primary is humorous, too. I have so many stories from working in primary. I love it.