Coming January 2009

I can't believe I have almost forgot to post this. We are having a little girl! We are so excited but I'm already worried how she will survive with Andy-man as a big brother.

Wedding, Boston, & NYC

Kent and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to the east coast covering Boston, Albany, and NYC in a week. The reason for this trip was. . . .

my brother Brian married Christina. The wedding was perfect and they both looked amazing!

My 4 nieces looked so cute. They were probably smiling because Andy wasn't around to pull their hair.
I loved Concord and Walden Pond. Unfortunately we were running from a very big storm. About one minute after this picture was taken lighting and thunder where hitting at the same time and it was pouring buckets of water.
Boston was spectacular! The city was amazing and I loved all the history.
In NYC we stayed with Kent's cute cousin Jill and her husband Brandon. It was so nice to spend some time with them and see all the sites and eat at so many yummy restaurants. We had a great week but were happy to see Andy and once again drive our own cars.

One Giant Zuc!

Our neighbor brought this giant zucchini over to us last night. Any one have some good zucchini recipes?

Church

Andy started walking at 9 months and running at 11. Unfortunately he hasn't stopped running since then and church is an absolute disaster and doesn't seem to be getting any better. Every week I pack a bag full of great quiet activities from magnetic books to sticker books, slinky's to snacks. I don't think I have high expectations. He doesn't have to sit on my lap, but just stay in our row. I am ok taking him out to the hall but can't we stay in the meeting for 10, 5 or even 2 minutes. Lately he starts getting rowdy during the opening song. That is about 20 seconds into the meeting. This last week we hadn't even made it to our seats and he had started screaming. Within about 12 minutes he managed to pull the woman's hair in front of us (hard), throw his crackers all over the ground and jump on them before I could even grab him and then while we were trying to clean up his mess he slipped past Kent's hands and ran up to the front stand. Kent went after him and Andy decided it was a game, Kent would go one way, Andy would go another. It took him about 2 minutes to get him off the stand. After this he was banished to the hall for good. Kent and I come home totally exhausted, sweaty and ready for a nap. I need to take some before and after shots. They would be hilarious.

Silver Lake

This is the best little summer walk/hike with little kids. Its beautiful, the air is cool, the trail is flat, and easy fishing access.

Andy amazingly didn't even get wet!
* Jo & Niccole this is where we should have come last summer when we went on our "little hike" with andy man!

A Great Library Find

Andy and I stumbled on this great book while at the library. I think we picked it up because it had a car on the front and was next to a Thomas the Train book. Well the story is about a little girl that wants a bike and ends up getting her first low rider car, complete with flames, from her grandpa. She even wins a low rider bouncing competition. The story is accompanied by lots of Spanish phases that I butchered. It was a great change from our usual truck, train or airplane books and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Who Doesn't Love a Rolly Polley

Andy has discovered bugs. With all the time we spend outside he finds a lot of them. His favorite are the rolly pollys, but is quite taken with worms, snails, spiders and bees. I am just happy he doesn't try to eat any of them.

This day the bugs stayed outside but he has started to sneak them in. I am sure I will find a snail in his or my bed one of they days.

Lost & Found

A few days ago I had been out plant shopping with Andyman. Getting to the car is often the trickypart (as many of you moms can relate to). I was trying to juggle andy so he doesn't take off running, the plants I had just bought and my purse while trying to dig my keys out of my purse. At some point I put my wallet on the top of my car without realizing it and drove off. About 20 minutes later I got a call from American Express saying someone had found my wallet (I didn't even know it was gone at this point) and had called them to get in touch with me. Amer Express gave me this girls cell phone number who had my wallet. I called her and was able to go pick it up. She had found it a few blocks from where I had been, in the middle of the street, in a construction zone under an overpass and it was about 6pm. Talk about a major disaster diverted. I am so thankful for all the good honest people out there, and this girl in particular.

California Dreamin

My parents recently made a quick trip to Utah and so Andy and I accompanied them back to Cali. In case you were wondering Cali rocks, especially when it is winter in utah. This trip was as great as always which makes it hard to leave. We have been back in Utah a few days and it has already snowed 3 times. We miss Cali and can't wait to go back!
Andy making pancakes with grandpa. Andy adores my dad. He loved helping my dad feed the birds, go for walks around the yard and reservoir. Andy has recently become obsessed with fires and my dad would let him help make fires in the fireplace even though it was in th 80's.

Maybe next years easter egg decorating will work out a little better.

Andy loves his cousins so much. From the second he woke up in the morning to bed time he would play with his cousins. We are excited that these 2 cousins are coming to visit next week!

More cousins! Andy and Trent are like 4 weeks apart in age (though Trent is like double andy's size). They are a little competitive but I know they will be such good buddies as they get older!

Friends Forever

10 years ago, my freshman year at BYU, I met this amazing girl from Georgia named Erica. She loved to dance, flirt and have fun as much as I did and had this great southern accent. We became great friends and we still remain close to this day even though we haven't lived in the same state for like 7 years. We recently met up in Cali and braved 2 days at Disneyland with 2 1-year olds and a 5 year old. I laughed for most of the two days straight and we had a great time!


Thank goodness for our harness backpacks for andy and carolina!

Best part of the day :)