CONNIE MACK PARADE

Every year we go to the Connie Mack baseball games. This year I only made it to one, and that was with my sidekick, Gavin. We had a good time watching the game, eating popcorn and all the goodies. He was expecially interested in climbing the bleachers and all the team flags at the top. Gavin sat with Dave in front of the bank he works at while Hailey stayed with Grandpa P and slept while all the excitement was going on.
I also got volunteered to drive this hot car in the parade. Can't believe they trusted a girl, but come on. I am a Peterson who literally grew up with all boys. I know how to hold my own and drive a stick shift.

HAILEY'S 1ST BIRTHDAY

Princess Hailey - 1 years old

Family Dinner & Party at the Busch Palace

SUMMER PARTIES

Fun party outside with lots of water slides and water games. Hailey loved splashing while Gavin ran wild with the girls.

The kids also loved the jumphouses. Bouncin' all night long.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Dave loves to watch the UFC fights. I got an Xtreme Couture Tee which makes him look tough (so he thinks).
He also got Guitar Hero Metallica. His all time favorite band who he saw in concert last year,
&
breakfast in bed
&
a nap
&
a nice dinner
&
love from his wife & kids...

HAILEY IS WALKING BEFORE HER 1ST BIRTHDAY

Tiiiimmmbbbeeerrr...

I can't believe little sista is walking before her first birthday. Gavin started walking about 3 weeks after his first birthday while we were vacationing in Hawaii and he stayed with Gpa & Gma Peterson. I think she is trying to keep up with her big brother Gavin. She still acts a little drunk, but gets around pretty good.

I am fan of these headbands because she doesn't have much hair.

We can thank her dad for this.

Her favorite person right now is her dadda. She doesn't say mama, but dadda, dadda.... She knows when the front door opens and he is home. She also loves her bath and hugs her towel like a blankie.

She makes the cutest fish lips ever and eats anything.

She tolerates Gavin putting stickers all over her head because he also feeds her chocolate chips from the trail mix.

She says:

She is very active and on the go. She naps 2 times per day and sleeps 12 hours at night. The catch is... she wants her bed and her bed only!

THOMAS THE TRAIN - CHOO CHOO!

Over the weekend we took the kids to Thomas the Train in Durango. The weather was slightly overcast in the mountains, but we had a great time. After the train and outdoor activities like the petting zoo, bubble, animal exhibits and jump houses, we ate lunch at the park down by the river and headed home. It was a fun family day!

Gavin aboard the train with squirrelly eyes
Hailey aboard the train
The whole family aboard and ready to ride. I think our favorite part was crossing the river and waving to the river rafters.
Train Museum after the train ride

We can always tell when Hailey Boo is sleepy. She sucks her fingers like this.

MEMORIAL DAY

Every Memorial Day we visit the cemetary as a family to pay our respects and place flowers on the graves of our loved ones. This has been a family tradition since I was a little girl. We also had the chance to find the headstones for Dave's grandparents. It's been about 15 years since Dave visited the cemetary where they were buried and has been inspired to find their headstones since. Adair Family
Gma Sheri & Hailey

Family Pic

10 years ago Dave's dad, Ernie died in a car wreck. Gavin only met his Granpa Ernie in heaven, but not on earth. This year was a neat experience for Gavin to learn about the plan of Heavenly Father and returning to live with him someday. When asked who planted all the grass at the cemetary Gavin replied, "Jesus planted all the grass". Clever little boy.

This is my Uncle Tom's family. He has lost 2 of his 6 children. Zachary died right after his first birthday and Nate died right after high school graduation. Tom is someone we all love and admire so much. He has more love and compassion than anyone else I know. At Nate's funeral he spoke and stated, "I am thankful for the 18 years I had with him." This is something Dave and I refer to quite frequently. To be thankful for the time we have with each other and our loved ones. As we well know, it can be gone tomorrow.

Gavin's Preschool Graduation

Gavin is a role model at a special preschool for children who are delayed in different areas. Most of the children are speech delayed. This is his second year at the preschool and he loves it! He has learned so much and been such a good example and friend to the other children. His teacher, Miss Katie is the best! She is so fun, energetic and organized. Gavin has participated in so many hands on activities and developed quite the imagination. We thank his teacher for a job well done!

Gavin and Miss Katie

Snapshot before the punch and cookies.

Sissy and Gavin

GAVIN'S 4TH BIRTHDAY

Just 4 years ago, Gavin joined our family wieghing in at 8 lbs. 1 oz.

For his 4th birthday Gavin decided he wanted an "army man" party. We made dirt cups with oreo cookies and gummy worms for all of his friends at school. We planned the first family affair at the new Busch residence, but it took mom awhile to get things in order. Better late than never. We ate Spare Rib BBQ with lots of good eats.

Gavin and I baked his cake this year. He is quite the little cook and helper and was so proud of his cake. Chocolate is his favorite with mint "green" chocolate chip ice-cream.

Love the hat!

Gma Sheri & Papa Pete

Gma La La

Hailey was partied out and already in her jammies ready for bed.
Gavin has grown into a kind hearted, smart, avid learner, handsome boy who loves to hum and sing, ride his bike and/or scooter, play anything pirates and be a great big brother and friend to others! He has such a creative imagination. We love you!!

BOO BOO'S BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Hailey Brooke a/k/a Boo Boo (Gavin's nickname) and Boo Boo Bear (Daddy's nickname) has always been an active baby girl. Here are a few of her latest accomplishments:

1) About the time we started moving she decided to crawl. She has been all over the place and now pulling herself up on the furniture. Gavin ran in the room the other day and said, "mom Hailey is doing a trick". To my suprise she had pulled herself up, holding onto the end table and standing up.

2) She loves to get a hold of blingy jewelry.

3) Her favorite thing to eat right now is paper. She would be happy in a pile of newspaper all day long if I would let her. I busted her in my People "trash magazine" catching up on the celebs. At least she has good taste.

4) She sleep 11 hours straight at night and gets estatic when Gavin greets her at her crib in the morning.

5) She eats cereal, vegies, fruits and anything you put in front of her. Papa Pete fed her ice-cream at Danielle's (SIL) birthday party. She decided today she likes icing thanks to Gma Sheri.

6) Her hair is grewing little by little, while keeping her dark brown eyes. Her cheeks are filling out with two bottom teeth and a top tooth breaking through.

THE BIG MOVE

I know I committed to being a better blogger, but I do have a good excuse this time. We moved! Weeks of packing, loading trailers and moving box after box after box. I literally purchased every box Mayflower had on hand and even conned the owner into some moving blankets. We had our own "Mayflower" moving company going on. With a little help from a young man in the ward I convinced Dave he was a pack horse and could do it all. Every time he cusses me and swears he is not physically moving our family again. We are thankful to our family and friends who helped along the way. My brother, Brent definintely proved his moving skills when he picked my dryer up over his head. What a beefcake! We decided that 99% of the crap was definitely Dave's stuff... No, not really. I do take credit for the tubs full of scarecrows, Halloween spiders and spider webs, sewing materials, ice-cream maker and breadmaker from our 2000 wedding still in the boxes and never used. I just know I am going to need them some day. Once we got everything packed to the ceiling in the 3 car garage and our beds set up, Dave said, "no offense, but I am excited to go back to work". Little by little we are getting settled. I will post pictures of the progress soon.

WILL I BE EMBARRASSED TO BUY THAT?

Valentine's Day is all about sugar cookies, conversation hearts, cards exchanged, "I LUV YOU'S"and sexy lingerie (this is probably more along a man's train of thought, not necessarily women). When I opened Dave's present I got what every girl wants. A CHI FLAT IRON. You betcha'! I knew he had some direction from the mother-in-law department. He asked my mom, "Am I going to be embarassed buying a Chi". Let's just say Dave swallowed his manhood and is now educated in Chi flat irons. He knows I am not a real romantic and this is the best gift.

VIVA LAS VEGAS - WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

Dave and I had the opportunity to attend the "Wings of Hope" benefit dinner prior to Valentine's Day. Everyone who purchased a ticket attended a formal dinner and dance at the airport. All proceeds benefit a local medical foundation and children who need medical care/treatment in extended areas. Althought this was a charity event, at the end of the evening there would be a ticket drawn for one lucky couple to hop on a private plane and fly to Las Vegas, NV for the weekend. Everyone who attended was required to pack their bags, bring them to dinner and be ready for a weekend in Vegas if their name was drawn. Private flight, limousine, hotel, food, shopping & slot machines for a warm weekend in Vegas. Who could turn this down? Keep reading..................

We had a great time visiting with community friends, yummy dinner and background piano player. My boss actually sent Dave and I on behalf of my company, because he was donating the private plane and flight for the night. When I agreed to go he said if I won the trip to Vegas I had to decline because I was a representative of the company. You know when you have that feeling, "I could really win", but what are the chances? Towards the end of the night the drawing approached. Guess who won................................... NOT DAVE AND I, but a local doctor and his wife. I am sure they will have a great time. Wait a minute.......... Doc and his wife CAN'T GO for undisclosed reasons. Okay, it's only fair to draw again. Right? Well, you guessed it. "DAVID & LYNDLEY BUSCH, THE PLANE IS WAITING, GRAB YOUR BAGS AND BOARD FOR A WEEKEND IN VEGAS." What did they just say? I was so excited, but torn at the same time. One side of me said, "forget what your boss said because by the time he finds out you will already be in Vegas", but the other side said, "no you need to let someone else go, it's not fair". NOT FAIR FOR WHO? ME!!

What are the chances of winning out of hundreds of people?

I really need a vacation right now!

I deserve a vacation!

I rightfully won!

I could be in Las Vegas 1 hour from now!

Limo!

Night Life and Lights!

Shopping!

Fun!

No kids! Would Laura (Dave's mom) freak out if I didn't come home for a few days?? Oh well, she would manage. She would have to.

Dave's face said Vegas all over it, but I knew deep down I better do the right thing. I stood up in front of hundreds of people and said, "I am sorry, but I have to decline". Who turns down that opportunity? I had to okay, but let me tell you I was the biggest baby and pouted all night. I went home thinking, "I could be landing in Vegas right now". I eventually got over it, but still needed to blog about it. Someonelse had a fabulous weekend and trip. I guess that's all that matters.

HOMELESS FAMILY NEEDS HELP

Okay, so my mother-in-law said she is going to write a book about the drama and chaos in the Busch family's life. Let me start off by saying most of the chaos referenced below is SELF-INFLICTED (Dave would be the first one to tell you, it's not him but me. Sorry is your wife is a little ambitious and crazy at the same time).

Before the holidays Dave was offered a job to work for the AZ State Retirement System managing 6 billion dollars. Wow that's alot of money! We had big hopes and dreams to move on to the "big city". The job was there, a place to live, family, friends and most importantly the shopping. Well, after much debate we decided Dave could not make enough money to support our family, if Lyndley lived in the "big city" where the shopping was endless. At least in good ol' Farmington I am limited to Target, Maurices and the Buckle. The real reason we stayed was because our employers told us we couldn't go, and my family said I wouldn't last being away from them anyways. After it was all said and done it made more economical sense for our family to stay.

Well we got over that hurdle. Then, we had a few spec houses to sell. One sold right away. The other lagged behind way too long.................. Bad econimical times, high gas prices, election, holidays and cold weather. The house sat there vacant. We decided to sell our house and move up the street in the exact same house. Ours has a few more amentities and our realtor says, "it has the WOW factor." Well, the "WOW factor" worked because the first person that came to see our house bought it. I thought to myself, "that was so easy, now let's move of the street" and put the "WOW factor'' in that house. Not so soon, hold your horses... 3 days later the spec house sold. The good news: both houses sold. The bad news: where was the Busch family going to live? Lots of options to weigh out: 1)Rent 2)Build 3)Buy 4)Live in a van down by the river 5)Live with parents. After much thought and discussion we decided to buy an existing house. Now onto the house hunt with Mr. Realtor. A few days of endless internet searching and driving the neighborhoods like a stalker, we found a few houses to look at. Only one problem. They were way more expensive than our house and not nearly as nice. I was disgusted. What did I just do, what did I just give up? Dave constantly reminded me that I can not tackle another house building project right now. As much as I think I can, I can't right now. Who am kidding? He said, "let's spend our summer having fun and enjoying life" and "PROMISE ME NO MORE PROJECTS FOR AWHILE". Okay, I agreed.

I told our realtor, "We are homeless and need a place to live in 3 weeks". The options were narrowed real quick. There's a lot to build and there's a bunch of houses you don't like. I was so discouraged and a little panicky. I think I ate way too many oreo cookies with Gavin that week. I think this is longest I have ever blogged. It must be a way for women to vent without getting cut off by their husbands. Back to the house. We drove past a few houses, and I happened to mention to Mr. Realtor that I liked the style of those houses. A light bulb went off! See the following dialog:
Mr. Realtor: well the builder who built those houses lives in one right around the corner
Lyndley: What?? You think he would sell his house even though it is not for sale?
Mr. Realtor: Everything is negotiable. I know him so let's call him and see.
To make a long story short, we loved the house, the builder agreed to move and let us move in a few days early. Yeah!!
MORAL OF THE STORY: We are no longer the homeless family. We transferred that title over to someonelse. Much better them than me.
Move date is February 19th.

2009 BLOGGING GOAL A LITTLE LATE

Okay, is it already February with Valentine's Day right around the corner? I want to start my new years resolutions for 2009. Better late than never, right! It is so fun to stay updated on all our friends and family's blogs with pictures to tell each story. I tracked down some of my friends from the past on other blogs, so I hope no one minds. Besides I don't think I am the only one who has done this. Hope no one is offended, and if they are oh well. LOL. Okay now I am on to read some of your blogs and post a comment here or there. I guess you could say, "a girl's gotta have some down time - right?".

DAVE TURNS 31

Dave's brother Steffan wrote a short tribute to him for his birthday. I decided to steal the tribute and post it on our blog. There were several references made that I knew exactly what Steffan was referring to. Besides, he has actually lived with Dave longer than I have to date, but some things never change. Read it for yourself:

Every year on January 24th we celebrate the birthday of a special person. It is the day that Stevo's...ahem...little brother Big Dave was born. My birthday present to Big Dave this year will be my obligatory blog roast of him! I know him better than most, so this should be easy! I can sense Big Dave getting a little squeamish right about now...Big Dave and I are just 18 months apart in age, so we bascially spent our entire childhoods together. Dave was tall for his age, so we were always the same size as kids. The closeness in size and age resulted in us often times being treated like twins by our parents and other people in our lives. We also fought constantly! It typically started with words and ended in physical violence. As time went on, we were often critized by Ol' Ern for our gigantic eating habits...we eventually had to resort to covert operations to obtain necessary nutrients (snacks) without Ol' Ern hearing us! For if we were caught, we should surely die! Viva La Revolution!!! Character traits as a child- very ticklish, could make friends with anybody and had a great love of little lost puppies...he would bring them home and name them "Sport". He would love his "Sport" until Ma Busch sent the little lost puppy packin' down the road. He's always had a big heart and cares deeply for the feelings of others...some might say "sensitive"...until you pissed him off, then he turned into a dragon. As a teenager, Big Dave frequented many girlfriends. His hobbies included Nintendo, making mixed tapes complete with Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Poison for his girlfriends and of course drinking Kool-Aid while watching his favorite movie, "Grease II". He also hosted numerous "chip N dip" parties to attract the ladies!As an adult, Big Dave has grown into a fruitful and productive citizen (accessories include bachelor's degree, well paying job and family). He has become quite the banker financial economist...guy. He always did well in math and it is now paying dividends...no Dave, I don't need an explanation of how exactly it is paying dividends!In summary, Big Dave is one of my best friends and confidantes...I tell him things I don't tell anyone else. I could write volumes on our childhood and the pychology behind it. He is absolutely one of my favorite people and if you haven't already met him, I highly recommend you go out of your way and make an effort to.

WHAT'S GAVIN BEEN UP TO?

Every day is some type of dress-up. You can count on a pirate/cowboy/police officer/firefighter/soldier all-in-one. It looks like he is a skeleton/knight in this picture.

Doing a little jig on the fireplace with his favorite pirate hat.

This was after he hit his head on the table and decided we needed the world's biggest band-aid to put on the cut and make it all feel better. When I took it off I think a little bit of hair came out with the band-aid. Opps!

Have you every been so tired you couldn't even stay awake for take-out Outback?