Friday Flashback 8 ~ Bionic Baby

{I wanna say sometime in 1984}

Isn't he just the cutest little munchkin you've ever seen!? These pictures make me laugh. A tutu and Bionic Baby t-shirt? Silly boy.

I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. He wore the exact same outfit last week. :)

I just look at this picture and I love this little boy so much! I just want to squeeze his little cheeks and give him kisses! I can only imagine how it's going to be when we have a baby of our own. I can already feel how much I'm going to love the little guy and I just can't wait!

Birthday Fun

{July 24}

Erich had school and work on my birthday so unfortunately I didn't get to spend all day with him. We did get to meet up between his school and work break and have lunch so that was nice. Afterwards I went and met up with my friends Jacee and Ryan. Jacee is one of my best friends from St. George. We actually met on my 14th birthday so we've been friends for 9 years now. She met Ryan in Salt Lake while he was there going to school. Well Ryan is from up here so after he graduated they moved back and got married in the Seattle temple in May of 2008 and have been here ever since. How cool is that?!

We went floating down the Cedar river and it was so much fun! It was a perfect 85 degrees out and there just isn't anything better than relaxing on a tube and floating down the river on a hot day! We came down this same river together last year and found this spot to jump off of. Lots of fun! The only thing that could have made it better was if Erich could have been there. :(

It was such a nice and relaxing day. And I have giant feet if you didn't notice.

Later that night I went and met up with Erich in Issaquah for dinner during his "lunch" break. We went to the Red Robin that's right next to his work and then walked around and enjoyed the beautiful evening for a bit. It was fun to see where Erich spends all his work days. Not too shabby!

There are four Corporate Costco bldg's and they are all surrounded by this. Not bad, not bad at all.

New toy

I have the best husband!

He got me exactly what I wanted for my birthday.

He even wrapped it all pretty and everything.

Introducing the newest member of our family...

The Bird is the Word

I made this fun little thing a while ago. It's a portable chalk board. I know I don't really have a kid that can use it yet but they were making them for Enrichment and I couldn't pass it up. It's just too cute and I'll have use for it one day!

I guess for now I'll bring it to church to keep Erich occupied. :) 

And I love love love this fabric!
I need to go buy some more and make something else because it's just so cute!

Ten months

We have been married for 10 months. Geez time is just flyin' by.

Also, we had a disagreement tonight. 

We went on a walk and I proceeded to say, "don't step on a crack or you'll fall and break your back."

Because, naturally that's what you say when you're walking.

Erich then tells me I'm wrong. That it's, "don't step on a crack or you'll break your mothers back."

I'm pretty sure I'm right.

Although, he does say we grew up in different "times".

Maybe during his "time" that's what they said.

Friday Flashback 7 ~ My 5th Birthday

I don't remember too much about the years I lived in Canada, but for some reason my 5th birthday is a really vivid memory. I think it's so vivid because it's the last birthday I spent there before my parents split up and we moved to Utah with our mom. I see this cute little girl and know that she had no idea what was about to be in store for her. Her life was about to change big time. And while it wasn't the most ideal of circumstances, I know it was the best situation my mom could have put us in to give us the best life. I'm really thankful for her because if it wasn't for that decision, I probably wouldn't be spending my 23rd birthday with a wonderful husband and this wonderful life.
I guess sometimes you have to pass through the darkness in order to find the light.

{July 24, 1992}

So cute. So happy.

Celebrating my birthday at McDonald's. 

They hosted a whole birthday party with games made up of hamburger boxes and the whole nine yards.
I remember they forgot to take the cake out of their freezer
and we couldn't cut it because it was hard as a rock. 

We (the kids) were not happy.

I remember every single one of these presents!

Me and Kayla baby.

Me and Rusty. Our guardian angel.

The big 2-3

It's weird to think I'm turning 23 on Saturday. I remember being younger and being so excited to grow up. And now I feel like time is going by so fast. I'm going to be an old lady before I know it I swear! Yes, I know that 23 is not that old but I just can't believe how fast the past 23 years have gone. And I know the next 23 are going to go by just as quick.

It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating my birthday like this:

{July 24, 1994}

Oh yeah...I was a fan of Tweetie.

It's a hamburger, but it's also a cake.

I figured since I did one of these for Erich I should do one for me also.
I would have Erich do it but he's ridiculously busy with school and work
so I wont do that to him. 

 So here it is, a few things about me:

• I can be really shy.
• I go out of my way to step on crunchy looking leaves.
• I love a good bike ride.
• I'm a little socially retarded.
• I think cotton candy is one of the greatest things that was ever invented. 
• I think the most horrible smell in the whole world in the smell of black licorice.   
• I'm horrible at directions. I get lost a lot.
• I wait until the very last moment to get gas before my tank runs out. I have it timed perfectly. I have about 40 miles after my gas light comes on. This drives Erich nuts but I just really don't like getting gas.
• I'm trying to change this habit though because being bad with directions and getting lost is not a good combination when you're low on gas. I've ran out and been stranded on more than one occasion.
• I also have a problem with not charging my phone and having it die on me at the most inconvenient times. Like when I'm lost and stranded with no gas. :)
• When I was younger I was obsessed with the Spice Girls. I had their posters, dolls, all their cd's, and their movie. Yeah, I was really cool.
• I want at least 5 kids, maybe 6 to round it off. (if we're blessed with that many)
• I think my mom is the most amazing person in the whole world. 
• One of my favorite things to eat are pancakes. Breakfast for dinner happens regularly in our house.
• I really like cleaning and organizing. I just feel better when I have a tidy house.
• My favorite (and hardest) job I've ever had was a caregiver for mentally challenged people. Best job ever.
• I want to travel the world.
• One place I really, really want to go is India. And tied with that is Egypt.
• I wanted to be a Veterinarian for a long time until I realized I really wouldn't like it at all.
• I was surprised at how fast I ended up loving it up here in Seattle. People back home kept telling me I would hate the rain and that I'd be wanting to get back to sunny St. G but within the first couple weeks I was hooked and knew I wouldn't be leaving for a long time. If ever. Turns out I was right.
• I married the most rad dude ever on September 26, 2009 in the St. George temple.
• I just look at him and feel so happy that I get to have him for forever.
• When I get in my car after a really hot day here in Seattle (which is rare) and burn my hand on the steering wheel or my arm on the seat belt it makes me smile because I remember back to all my summers in St. George when I'd almost burst into flames just getting into my car. Or almost get into an accident because the steering wheel was so hot I could barely touch it. Oh the things you end up missing. :)
• It took me a long time to say yes to Erich when he kept asking me out. Poor thing was stuck in the "friend zone" for a long time. I'm really thankful he was persistent.
•  My most favorite thing to do is float down the river on an inner tube.
• I'm not a huge fan of big crowds.
• I really, really want twins- a boy and a girl. It runs in both our families so I'm hoping we'll get lucky!
• Sometimes I worry I won't be able to physically have kids and that thought kind of scares me.
• I hate bugs, but don't want to kill them because I feel bad. I have to catch them and let them outside. Correction- Erich has to catch them and let them outside.
• I haven't painted my finger nails in years. I think it looks weird. (on me anyway)
• I love the smell of camp fires.
• I want to go sky diving so bad, but at the same time thinking about it makes my stomach turn.
• I don't like confrontation.
• One of my most favorite movies of all time is Elf. I think we should all try and be a little more like Buddy.
• I used to think sour dough bread was disgusting, now I think it's the most fabulous thing since sliced bread. (no pun intended)
• I also used to hate barbecue sauce. Now I see how ridiculous I was being.
• I love crafting and sewing and hope to have a designated room in our house just for that stuff.
• I love being on top of a big mountain right after hiking it, sitting there soaking up the views and enjoying the peace and quiet.
• I can be a big procrastinator. But I tell myself it's okay because I work really well under pressure.
• I love cake decorating shows. We don't have cable but when I get a chance to watch TV, that's what I'm watching. Cake Boss is one of my favorites.
• I ran cross country in High School. I'm not very fast, but I have the endurance!
• I'm really paranoid about who cuts or highlights my hair. I've had some really bad experiences. Like really, really bad. There is only one person I trust and she lives in St. George. So that means I get my hair done about once a year.
• I'm terrified of sharks. I don't even like to be in a swimming pool alone because it gives me the heebie jeebies. That's just ridiculous I know, but it's true. Dang you Jaws 1, 2, and 3!
• I make friends that are boys more easily than I make friends that are girls. I'm not sure why.
• I love going to the temple. It makes me happy knowing I have a place to go to get out of this crazy world.
• When I watch movies I like to stay and watch the names in the credits to see if there are any I like. I'm always looking for ones I might want to write down to remember for our future kids.
• When I go to Cold Stone I get chocolate ice cream with oreos and gummy bears. Last time I was there and I gave the guy my order he said, "right on!" and it made me feel like I was a cool person.
• If I had a choice over candy or a full course dinner, I would choose the candy.
• I love baking. Maybe some day I'll be good at it.
• Erich and I can be watching a TV show, me watching intently and him doing homework and not even paying attention, and I still have to ask him what's going on. He can give me a full run down of what's been happening from start to finish. I'm not sure if he's just really awesome or I'm just a total dork.
• I love taking pictures. And I'm thankful I have a really photogenic husband who is always willing to pose for me with a smile on his face.
• I can down a bag of Swedish Fish no problem.
• I doesn't bother me anymore that Erich forgets to put the toilet seat down. I realized I don't lift it up for him so he shouldn't have to put it down for me. I know, I'm a very reasonable wife. :)
• If I wouldn't have met Erich I think I definitely would have went on a mission.
• It's still weird for me when people call me Mrs. Winkler. Or when I say the words my husband. I still can't believe I'm a wife. It's crazy!
• I really want a dog, but I'm making myself hold off until we have a house and a yard.
• I'm surprisingly good at ping pong.
• Someone gave me a baby names book as a wedding gift and on the inside page I write down names that I like. Every time I think of a new one I write it there so I don't forget.
• I competed in the Ivins Princess Pageant when I was 16. It was something totally out of character for me and I was really out of my element but it was actually a lot if fun and a really good experience.
• Erich is always telling me to slow down because I walk too fast. He says I walk like I'm on a mission. He can thank my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Haws who always made us power walk every where we went.
• Speaking of Mrs. Haws, she was a really cool teacher.
• I'm glad I listened to the 7-Eleven worker when she said their brownies were really good. Because they were really, really good.
• I'm terrified at the thought of doing a back flip on a trampoline. I have no idea why but it just really freaks me out. I've promised myself I'll attempt it before I die though.
• I'm also weirdly afraid of diving. I've made lame attempts just off the side of the pool. Some day I'll try and be a big girl and do it off the diving board. 
• I get really bothered when people use they're, their, and there and two, too, and to wrong. I drives me nuts.
• I own my own pair of bowling shoes.
• I have a really bad habit of cracking my knuckles. I seriously can't stop!
• I made a goal 5 years ago to not watch rated R movies. So far so good.
• Crows kind of freak me out. Even more so knowing a flock of them is called a Murder. 
• I love salsa and spaghetti sauce but you can't pay me to eat just a raw tomato. Yuck.
• I used to hate the color purple. Now it's my favorite.
• I love being a wife.
• And I really, really love my husband.

That about sums it up. Happy Birthday to me!! :)