A little "Rocky" trip to Mexico!

Gubler Familia

Bathing Beauty

Wind surfing?

The "favorite"

Captain Rob

The other "favorites"

She loves her gpa and gma

Momma and me

One of these aren't like the other??

Captain Serious,,,?

The other twins...

Rob's Familia, Emma and Robert

Glamorous Bird Island???

Happy Swimmer

Daddy and me

Sitting on the deck

another Gubler Famillia picture

hot stuff in those shades

Buddies

Two peas in a pod!

So my big bro Rob recently moved to Rocky Point, Mexico back in June. One of his main reasons was due to his kids moved to Phoenix where it is about 3 to 4 hours away. He likes the laid back living on the beach, getting taken care of, easy life in Mexico. He has really liked it and for for the Fall Break from school the whole Lichfield Clan, minus Loni and LeNae piled together in the great white 15 passenger van and drove the drooling 10 hour drive to Rocky Point. It started out not so bad, leaving around 1pm, Audrey was pretty good, but due to so much going on and being a social girl had a hard time falling asleep to take a nap. She was sitting behind the driver's seat, where my dad was seating, and eveytime Roger who was sitting in the passenger seat turned to talk to my dad, she thought he was talking to her so she very proudly said, "HI-ya" and kept saying it until he acknowledge her. She really became attached to Roger. So she finally fell asleep like aroun 5pm, but we had to take a potty break, which is understandable with a van full of people and we all have our own bodily needs. So of course she only slept for 20 mins, little did I know we woke the sleeping giant. She easily woke up and was amused by everyone and everything going on. She was good for another couple of hours. However when we stopped in Phoenix to pick up Robbie's kids. She was well on her way to wearing down for her bedtime. So we gave her a bottle and she drank, but still was wining, she then full on went into crying and no matter what we did she wouldn't stop crying. She we let her "cry it out" in a full van of people. I felt so bad, here she had such a good track record. She had driven the 10 hour drive to Rocky Point when she was 7 months old, and such a trooper, she drove the 30 hour one way trip to Ohio, there and back, and was such a trooper when she was 9 months old, she drove the brutual 10 hour drive to Montana, in the van full of people when she was 11 months old, still such a dream of a toddler traveler. Well, as we know not all good things last, so sure enough she cried and screamed for like 20 mins before she finally feel asleep. The worst was she slept for like 30 mins, and somehow she woke up, and it was that wake up of frustration, of not wanting to wake up, to be back asleep and frustrated she coudln't. So we got her out and tried to hold her, and sure enough she threw her head back, and just screamed and cried for another 20 mins. My mom finally took her trying to use her "special touch" and she still would calm down. We finally meet up with Robbie in Ajo, right next to the border, where we got her out, and she was happy again, we walked her around, got her in her pajamas. My mom said she was the most stubborn baby, she had never seen one so stubborn to not fall asleep. I thought really, I wonder where she gets that from :) It's all good, it's all part of Karma, when I was about her age, my mom drove with her brother Blair for a two hour ride, the whole time I cried merciless and he said he would never drive with me again. So I guess it was pay back. It was honestly one of the worst time and feeling I had as a parent just feeling so helpless. Audrey was pretty good to know what to do to help sooth her and when she just needed to cry it out, you can leave her in her crib and walk away. There we had to sit with it, and then you felt bad you can't help her, she's so miserable and it's affecting all these other people's joyous experience on the dreaded 10 hour drive. Anyways needless to say at that point I was strongly regretting the decision to come on this fun family filled trip with a toddler and six months pregnant. But I am sure glad I did, that really was the worst of it. After we got her to calm down she fell asleep the rest of the way, and we arrived late at night and got her put her in bed and asleep.

It was really good to see Robbie, he was so happy to show us his pad and all the new changes he made with the garage to like a kids room with bunkbeds. He seemed to be so happy and doing well to get back on his feet and reunite with his kids. He really is a loving and generous brother. He was so nice to let Nathan and I sleep in his nice master bedroom and bathroom, and was so polite when he needed to come in to get his stuff, he was like, "excuse me, sorry."

So the next day I think we were all recovering from the trip. I felt so sore, I felt like I expanded over night, and weighed about 10 lbs more. I don't know if it was from the great eating we had on the way down or that I was retaining water from the traveling. But I wasn't feelling up to it, and just wanted to relax. Which I rarely do, but think it was good for my body to do so, I forget sometimes how much my body is working to creating this life and how sometimes I do need share my body, energy and needs for it, mother nature's way of getting one ready for motherhood.

The next day we went out on a boat ride to bird island, where everyone except for like my mom and I went snorkling with the fish and sea lions. It was a fun, Audrey LOVED being in the boat, she loved looking at the waves and wanted to go in it so bad, she's still at the phase of NO FEAR or NO Wisdom, so we had to watch her close. She is such an adventurous and happy girl, so this made her day. She went into the water with her daddy, and LOVED it, don't mind it was extra salty, she loves experiencing everything life has to offer. That is one thing that is so fun about little one's everything is so new and exciting, too bad we don't have the same enthusiasm. The drive back wasn't so glamorous, due to it being rocky and big waves we had to go slower and still got hit with water, so on the way to Bird Island was only an hour, the way back was almost 3 hours! Needless to say we were STARVING. But we went to the great little quick fish taco place and ate yummy fish tacos and stopped by Dreyer's for some tasty ice cream. We then headed back for a little nightly devotional, but it was starting late, and we put Audrey down and was TIRED, so we missed it. I guess we really missed out, because Roger and Tavia presented it on prayer and paitenence and announced that after many years of trying, Tavia is expecting! She is about 4 months along!!!!! Such a pleasant and great surprise. I am so happy to have someone else to be pregnant with, and so close, it will be fun to have a partner in crime. Her kids, especially Addison were overjoyed!!!! We are sooo excited. I found out when my mom and I went walking on the beach the next morning, we did it almost every morning, great way to start the day. Then it was pamper day on Saturday. Robbie was so sweet and booked a four hour long pamper service day for my mom, Janelle, Tavia and I. We got facials, massages, petti's and mani's. The girl who did mine grew up in Phoenix and looked and reminded me so much of Monique, beautiful girl, fun to talk to and was very sweet about me being pregnant. Then the whole gang came to pick us up and we went to eat some lunch at this yummy mexican place with a huge cement sombrero, nose and mustache outside of the restaurant. Had great mexican food. We then headed back, relaxed and all went swimming in the pool, Audrey LOVED it. She is such a fish, she kept climbing over the kiddy pool into the big pool and back and forth. The kids did chicken fights, football and it was just fun all around mostly to have all the family out playing together. We then came in, and went to bed early. I get tired easilly here. We then woke up on Sunday, had a yummy breakfast, said goodbye to Robbie, his kids and Reagan, then had a little devotional, got packed, and left back to home.

First "proper" crawl step.

At my mom's today while reading a book to Audreyz she at first had no interest in. Then saw it at something she could really sink her mouth into. She went into her scout/crawl stance. And tool a correct form of crawling forward (not backwards) towards the book. Yes, it looks like my child will be very aggressive with her education. What else would you expect from me :)

Happy Easter!

This special time of year with spring in the air, leaves turning green again, blossom trees and rays of sunshine rather than rain. Spring is my favorite time of year, it's a time a new, change, transformation and it's constant. We always know after the dark and gloomy days of winter, there will be light and green again. I feel it's so symbolic of life. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel and know matter how dark, deary or heavy our task or trial maybe there will be light, joy and peace will come. No better holiday or celebration to represent spring more than the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Yes. I am a christian. Yes I am a mormon. Yes I am a believer. Ironically Easter was never too big of a celebration secularly in my family. It was hit or miss with Easter egg hunts, baskets and even pretty frilly dresses. But it was always on a Sunday and we always went to church and it was always focused on the savior. For that I am most grateful. This Easter Holiday was extra special. Maybe because it was a beautiful sunny day. Or maybe because it was the first in a while to have some down time. Or maybe and most likely I was able to spend quality time with those I love. I am so grateful for a fun and close family. 

Saturday we were invited to brunch at my brother Roger's house, it was such yummy food and fun to enjoy the backyard, I so frequently did back in the day. Then Nathan and Roger took turns playing with Audrey. Then the kids colored eggs, while Nathan and I, and Audrey took a nice stroll. Then later that night we were invited to a small quaint BBQ at our friends. It was great food and company as always.

Then Sunday morning was a great treat. My grandmother Lichfield is quite the little music writer in her day. The ward choir was singing an Easter Song she wrote. So my dad opt to come in attendance. It was great fun to have him there and brought back old memories. It was a great service and I have to admit, Audrey looked so cute in her cute little purple Easter Dress :)

The irony of the whole day is that usually there should be a big Easter Dinner. For such an occasion we would usually go to my mom's. However she went up North to visit her mother. So we were going to get frozen pizza's and cook them. But we got to them too late last night and they were closed. So we pulled something together, and I made a yummy cafe rio style chicken salad with a fruit salad. Needless to say everyone (nathan, lana and my dad) we're all impressed, including me. Gives me confidence on my cooking project.

Audrey's 7 months

Our little girl is growing up. Well more like maturing. She hasn't drastically physically grown much. But we are definetly seeing her maturing into her own little person. She is still pleasant as ever and quite sociable. Easily smiles at new friends and lives being held. She has become a little attached to momma and has a bit of separation anxiety. But if her dad is around its all smiles, coo's, squeals and thrills. He lives holding her with one hand and throwing her up in the air. They have a special playful relationship :) She is loving to explore things and often gets bored if she doesn't have a toy nearby. The fun part about this age is I will give her my watch over and over again and everytime it's like a near toy, I love her curiousity and enthusiasm for exploration. She lives pulling her socks off her feet and sucking on them, more cause she can. She LOVES eating food and drinking water out of a cup. She is so much fun and brings joy to all around her.

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Yeah for your own changing oil equip

Happy family

Curious of the BIG present

So excited!

Happy Birthday to the man in my life. I am so grateful and blessed to have such a great husband and partner in my life. He is the greatest dad to Audrey, he loves to play with her and spend as much time with her as he can. I knew he would be a great dad, but didn't realize he would be even better than I expected. People always comment on never seeing a dad as involved in the childcare of their child as he is. He is always so giving, thoughtful and loving. He is also very fun and loves a little challenge, especially when it comes to fixing things. I am so grateful to be able share my life and family with him and love him very much. Here is to another great year at the great age of 24!

For Nathan's birthday. We were lucky to be able to spend it with his family, where his mom made him the seven layer nacho dip and his dad gave him a new oil change equipment- Yeah! Best part was they watched Audrey for our first overnight. My mom had a voucher for the Courtyard Marriott in St.George, so we went there for a little nice night get away. Thanks mom and Lisa!

Gubfield Christmas

Our little family

Gubler kids: Johnny, Megan, Marie, Stephen and Jessica

Grandpa and his favorite grandchild

Audrey and Grandpa Gubler

Emma and Audrey

Audrey LOVED sucking on LeNae's chin

Great Grandpa and Grandma Gubler, Marie, Johnny and Megan

Gubler Cousins-Audrey and Marie

Johnny, Megan, Marie and us

Gubler Brothers- Loving their new toy helicopters

Like father like son

Nathan's favorite gift- the helicopter

Baby Loving

Sunday's Best?

Gubler Siblings- Johnny, Nathan, Stephen and Jessica

Brothers

Goofing off like always

Gubler Girls: Megan, Jessica and Me

Enjoying the baby's nap

Sweet little Marie

Lichfield Clan- mom, Reagan, Robert, Lana and LeNae

Lichfield Kiddos- Reagan, Lana and LeNae

Buddies- Audrey and Emma

The Whole Lichfield Gang: mom, Emma, Robert, Reagan, Lana, LeNae and Dad

Great Grandpa and Grandma Gubler

Still playing with the helicopters

This was kind of a crazy Christmas. I always thought how nice it is to live close to both families then you get the best of both worlds. But I realized, you just get shared time and experience and you don't get as much quality time with the family. So we spent our wild Christmas Eve night with my family and then headed over to spend Christmas Day and dinner with the Gublers in Diamond Valley. It was a lovely day, Spencer called from Brazil I think around 11, he was on skype and we were able all to talk to him and see him on the TV.  And then since it was a Sunday we all went to church, and then hung out for a bit and ate a yummy meal. It was fun to see what Santa brought and just to catch up and hang out. And Grandma and Grandpa Gubler joined us for dinner as well. I remember we played one of my favorite games, Rummingcube, however Grandma Gubler is a stickler with the rules, so it wasn't as fun as I remember :) We then stopped by my mom's for a little bit, it was fun too. It was fun to spend a little more time with Reagan and LeNae, and eat the yummy Carmel corn pops my mom makes. So here's the first Gubfield Christmas. I think we are going to try to simplify and focus on one family each year... we'll see how that goes.