Hogle Zoo

From our trip to Hogle Zoo a while back.
Waiting to ride the train with Oma and Great-grandma:

The bird show:

B even gave the cockatoo a dollar.

We were so glad uncle Nate came with. Right now S is looking at the picture saying, "I like Natey. Nate is funny." The girls really warmed up and grew to love him a lot this trip. I warned him he would regret this as they were hanging, jumping on him, etc. ;)

Thanks for a fun time at the zoo!

Belly Pics

The pictures you've all been waiting for. haha.

Me in all my pregnancy glory at 9 months . . . and waiting for this kid to come. (my eyes look a little devilish I think).

So what name do you think we are leaning towards?? And which is the girls' idea?

Pictures courtesy of Monica W., my awesome neighbor.

Fellowship 2012

So where will E's professional career lead us next? ? ?



Here!!!

We are staying right here for E to complete a one year fellowship. The program is phenomenal, we don't have to sell our house (for another year), and they sent him home with chocolate cake for me after his interview dinner. :)

Oh yeah, and we get to spend a month not here (insert AZ, Fl, or Napa valley) which will be awesome.

We feel really guided and blessed for him to have this opportunity. It's really starting to feel like home.

Congrats on all your hard work that has brought you this far, babe!

Happy 24th of July

S says: "Happy Pioneer Day, Utahns, from us to you!"

Red, White, and Blue Shower

Upon my return from T's wedding, some friends threw me a shower for this little man. It was soooo cute! Check out the food and decor!!

Look at all those yummy treats!!

Here's some of the awesome ladies who came. Karen, my companion for visiting teaching (also radio personality and funny lady), Carrie, fellow prego lady with twins and and awesome attitude, and Jen, fellow Buckeye fan with her own little 6 week old, great lady to talk to.

And here's me with Mauri and her beautiful almost 1 year old baby Bri. Mauri's one of the first people who had us over when we moved here and is a party person. She has a great attitude and is very inviting. We were lucky enough to hang out at the park earlier that day and she showed up to the part-ay even though her hubby had been working 5 am til 10 pm most days that week.

And here are the beautiful hostess' of the party. Kaicie, Jayme, and Carrie. I can not say enough good things about each of these women. Kaicie, the party mastermind (seriously--this girl can throw a party and is so creative!), has been a true friend, and fellow transplant from Ohio, and our kids click super well right now which is so fun. Jayme--let's just say that girl is a hard worker and has more energy than I ever will. I was over at her house at 8:30 am last week and she had just finished mowing her lawn with all 3 kids in tow! And Carrie: hilarious. Talk to her and I dare you not to smile. All gorgeous women in their own right.

Unfortunately, I don't have more pictures of the other wonderful ladies here. And Jamie, who created and put together handmade invites for everyone.
I am so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing women that add so much depth and warmth to my life through our interactions, conversations, and service.

We hit the jackpot again when we moved here. We may be in a small town in the frozen tundra most months of the year, but we are surrounded with awesome people with warm hearts who make it such a special place.

And with that note, I will leave you hanging for another post of where we will end up for E's fellowship starting July 2012 . . .

Cousins

While we were in UT, we were able to meet baby Jacob, the first cousin that my girls have on my fam's side. Miss S was enamored and wanted to hold him and help give him his paci, bottle, etc.
While we have many pictures of her holding him, here's one that I like the best since it shows how happy she was to do it.

Baby J was the sweetest, seemed to sleep well, and was very tolerant of his 2 year old cousin and her constant attention--as was his beautiful mama. Thank you!
So glad we were able to meet him!

Wedding

So about 6 weeks ago, we were able to fly back to UT to see my sister, T, and "Dougy Bug," as my girls affectionately call him, get married in the Logan, UT temple.


B was the flower girl, and super excited about this because she thought she would get to throw flowers and really help the bride, etc. from reading a book about a flower girl.


This picture is out of order, but the pranksters (aka aunt A and Doug's fam) did an awesome job on the car.


Here they are before they cut the cake. No blackmail cake smashing pictures as they were very polite to each other.


I love this picture. Here's aunts A, R, and O, outside the temple waiting for the bride and groom to appear.

And here's me with little S. We told her she was the flower girl's assistant. She thought it was pretty cool she could help the flower girl . . . whatever that meant. On her forehead is a kiss mark from the bride.

S and Uncle N. I think you can tell they're related.

It was a great day and I hope it was a special, perfect one for Aunt T and Uncle D.
Congratulations!

Term

No baby yet, but I am past 37 weeks, so what is considered term.
I have had some light contractions (i.e. cramping, etc.) and was at a 1 last week, but who knows when this little guy will come.
I see my doc tomorrow.

I know I've let the blog slip, but I will hopefully post some pictures soon.