Reunited and it feels so good...

We've been home since yesterday, but we're still not unpacked (I hate unpacking).

We had a great time.

We went camping at Bear lake, near Idaho, there were tents and trailers and a big open sky. Our family got to camp in one of the two cabins, which was a pretty nice luxury.

We were out in the middle of nowhere... just water, trees, dirt, critters and family to be seen. There were only a few mice sharing a pull out bed with us, nothing I couldn't handle. :) But, the last night, Andrew and I each took a child and slept on bunk beds and I got the top bunk. It was like a big slumber party. :)It was great to have all the grand kids together. They really enjoyed playing with each other.The lake was beautiful. The air was refreshing. The time away was relaxing. The company was splendid.

Imprints of the heart...

My father-in-law is so clever and thoughful with all of his grandkids. He always comes up with the most creative ways to engage them whenever they visit... This past weekend, Connor and Jeremy were in town, so he had four of his grandsons at his house and he decided to make it memorable. He gathered them together to pour and mix cement and with shovels and wheelbarrels in hand, all of the boys were in heaven (---even Aiden in the background). After the cement was mixed just right, the strong boys got to pour some cement into the box their Grandpa prepared......each of them placed their hands or feet into the cement to leave an imprint of themselves right next to his beautiful garden. It was so cool.

The Happiest Place on Earth♥

I had a decision to make...to go or not to go to Disneyland?

After much debating back and forth, I made my decison...

Sounds like the easiest decision ever, huh?

Well, I wasn't so sure, I thought a pregnant woman (sadly) had no place at an amusement park. It's hot, crowded, huge and the ride attractions are not designed for us. Add to that, I am an especially ridiculous pregnant woman... I'm out of breath just walking from my room to the front door, I can't stay hydrated on my own and my piccline needs to be protected from all elements of regular life.
How could a someone like me possibly have fun at Disneyland?
The Answer: A Wheelchair!!!

...and a big strong husband who doesn't mind pushing you around all day. :)

YES,

Disneyland is magical no matter what your body is going through.

Disneyland is fun no matter how old you feel.

Disneyland is happy no matter how many rides you can or can't ride.

It will always be a magical kingdom.

Here are my favorite pictures of the day...
(▲The boys)
(▲The weasels)

(▲The height requirements that are reached!)
(▲The Mickey Ears)
(The Grandparents▼)(The Disney Castle▼)(▲The very pregnant belly)(▲The wet ball of happiness)(▲The attraction which brought the most smiles)(▲The Line Up) (▲The perfect end...)

Everyone just hold still for a few seconds.....

We started this month off the best way ever, with baby Jeremys blessing day! It was great to spend a few days in Utah with family!

This is my favorite picture of the trip... Mom and Dad and their 11 grandchildren!

I can be spontaneous...

My phone rang around 11 am the other day. It was Andrew calling me from work. He said "What are you doing... do you wanna go to Utah?" I pretended he was a salesperson and said "no. thank you, sir, not today". I thought we were playing a game....to which he said "....no. for reals. We're going to leave in like, two hours."
So I did laundry. Fast. Packed us up and we hit the road!

We made it to Utah just in time for our newest, smallest and softest little nephew, Jeremy, to be born.
He is perfect.

We had a great time being with family, holding the new baby and playing in the snow.

I don't have any pictures of this trip, seeings how my camera's memory card mysterious erased itself.... aargh.
Yes, the adorable pictures of Ashton with his footprints in his first snow are gone.
Pictures of Ashton on his actual birthday day will never be seen.
The perfect little newborn baby just seconds old have disappeared. forever.
.....(deep sigh) I don't want to talk about it anymore....it hurts.

--but, the images will be forever remembered in my mind...... aww...optimism.
We did have a beautiful time on our spontaneous trip.
and I don't need pictures to know that.

I'm THANKFUL for the Umbrellas!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

I have so many things to be thankful for. I have a husband who is wonderful. A healthy little boy who makes me laugh every day. Great friends who make life fun. The best family EVER on Andrews side and my mine. Things I love to do. Places that are beautiful. And a testimony that gives my life purpose.
We had a great Thanksgiving this year. The meal was delicious and the company was great. One of my favorite parts of the day was when Andrews Dad suprised each of the grandkids with their own umberella. It was just a small thing, but so thoughtful and the kids loved them! I am grateful for the little things like that.

We're Back!

It's been a long time. After a trillion problems with the DSL people, we finally have the internet!!

We have been living in Victoville for over a month now and were enjoying all the space. :)
We had fun in Utah. Twice. Ashton got to play with all of his cute cousins.

We had a very hot, but very fun July Fourth. Ashton went swimming for the first time in Kim and Melaneys pool. He loved it.
We went to the University of Redlands Firework show. It has been a Terry tradition for several years and its always cool. Airplanes, skydivers, impersonaters and coverbands always make the wait worth it....we only wanted to wait in line for an hour...compared to the last time, which was like, 7 hours. We still got good spots on the lawn and the heat wasn't too horrible. Ashton liked the jets flying over us and he fell asleep right before the fireworks, but we woke him up, he watched the whole thing in awe, then fell back asleep as soon as it ended. Silly baby.

A Little of This and a Little of That.

It's been awhile I know. We just got back from a trip to Utah where we enjoyed a family reunion, birthday parties and a 60th wedding anniversary with Andrews family.

We have been so busy moving and moving some more. We havent and still dont have the internet yet.

I feel behind and disconnected from the world.

But...I had a fun birthday! I will post pictures later....maybe. :) Andrew spoiled me and I had fun with my mom getting pedicures and girly things like that.

Philip had his missionary farewell today. He gave a great talk and were taking him up to the MTC next week.... that means more Utah to come.

Anyway...life is busy and goin good. Pictures later....Out.

Brothers

Andrew and I were able to spend some quality time with our adorable nephews this week. We got to watch two of them while their mom spend some much needed time with her husband. We had so much fun watching movies, playing games (mostly Wii) and answering lots of questions! I love how interested these boys are in everything. Their questions make me laugh, make me remember and make me love them sooo much!!! Stuff like, "could you jump that high when you were my age?", " Are you a zoom kid?", "Do you eat egg whites?", "What would you do if an alien landed by your head?" and even "I know how babies come out, but how do they get in?" (Emily, I'm leaving that one up to you). :)
Andrew and I have found a new appreciation for mothers with several young children. Its hard work and somebody has to do it! :) My sista-in-law does it very well! Her 4 kids are smart, sweet and alot of fun! I am very impressed with how well they behaved all week! I just love them!!