Another boring baby update...

Thanks to all the good care of everyone, I am pretty much the same as I was last week. I guess that was the goal, but now I am feeling extremely anxious. I am the same dialated and he said the baby's head was right there... I am not sure what the scientific name for that is. What it means to me: I have time to be madly cleaning. Things haven't gotten too dirty because Grace and Isaac have been away so much, but when you are laying down for the good part of two weeks, it gives you time to contemplate why the windows haven't gotten clean, the couch is full of popcorn, etc. Halloween should be a nice diversion if I can calm down enough to enjoy it. Happy Halloween everyone and I'll keep you posted... (maybe next time some cute pictures of Grace and Isaac!)

Almost there...

So today I had another baby appointment and it looks okay if I just keep doing nothing. I am another cm or so dialated and 85 percent so whatever that means. At least we are another week down and if the baby comes there is a better chance for no problems. Have Jake around would be a luxury... so someone tell baby Sam he really isn't due for another month! I am so grateful for all of the help! Poor Ruth is the majority of the craziness. Grace and Isaac are doing good, but are certainly noticing the change in routine. Jesse took them to Wendy's and the park yesterday and they both came back quite pleased with the outing. Today, Trisa is earning her sainthood for taking the kids for the afternoon! The weekend sounds like it will be full of treats! I am so spoiled. I, on the other hand, am starting to get antzy. Who want to lay around with all of this fun going on? especially when I don't have cable!!! Luckily, James made me 9 cds of "labor and delivery party" music. I have been relaxing to it, and envisioning myself as the calm, controlled amazon woman you all know me to be! I'll keep you posted...

Pregnancy Update...

As of today, I am taking it easy. It is hard to do less when I already do so very little! The reason... the baby may try to make his appearance early. On Wednesday, I found out I am 2-3 cm dialated and 80 percent effaced. I just need to make it another week and a half! (There is nothing wrong with me or the baby, mostly I am worried about the extra expense of an early baby!) Say a little prayer for me. I am optimistic that we can make it. Jake gets home the 27th so that is the goal! Please no one plan on a long visit at my house as it will be a WRECK for the next week and a half! I'll keep you posted...

More summer memories...

California here we come! Santa Monica was so fun. I really had a great time and I think it was because Grace and Isaac were having so much fun. Jake, Grace, and Isaac made castles and even a little pool. Everytime it would fill will water, Isaac would jump up suprised! We had a wonderful hotel room just a few blocks away, but Grace was so exhausted she never had enough energy to make it very far! This is Grace after she collapsed on the wooden pier and waited for us. The wind was blowing just right to lift her dress up. She didn't care that about 10 people walked by...

Next to the hotel was a restaurant that had a big shell up against the wall. Jake called it the "magic shell." Grace would climb behind it and Jake would say "Magic shell, are you there? What should we do today?" Grace would answer accordingly and she never got tired of being the "magic shell." Last, but not least, we made it to Sea World. Grace actually sat through the shamu show without freaking out about the theatrical music, and she would like a big swimming pool for Christmas so Shamu can come to visit. Isaac really loved the pet show with the dogs, cats, birds, ducks, and pig. We went twice. I hope we get a chance to go to California next year. I know it was worth the long drive.

Next up was our trip to Jackson Hole, WY. I don't have alot of pictures of the fun parts like the boat ride Grace went on with cousins (Isaac was sleeping). Isaac helped Grandpa shuck corn for one of our many delicious meals, and I was amazed that we herded the kids around the buffalo and got them all looking in the same direction. I think they must be growing up... or maybe we promised them a trip to the candy store around the corner. For those of you who can't tell what this next picture is.... it is Russ, Grandma, GlobeHead... I mean Logan with a globe on his head, and Isaac. Ellis/Tidwells are so funny! (At least, we think we are.) I am sorry my camera doesn't take better pictures. Thanks for one last fun family trip of the summer.

I must now pay tribute to my last summer fling with Ann in Vegas. This is us at the Blue Man Group. They give you white crepe paper to dress up with. We (Ann, Kaitlyn, and I) were in the front row so we had to wear panchos. I am so glad the we avoided to spewing chewed up food. With that note, it was a great show! Is it just me, or are the blue men attractive in a mysterious sort of way? Thanks, Ann, for the great trip. I just wish you were actually relaxing instead of posing as if you were relaxing!!! The food was amazing, the view was amazing, and I can't imagine a better way to have ended the summer of fun. With so much changing in my life right now, I, at least, had the summer!

Looking back at the summer...

I already miss the summer. I know fall is fabulous, but this summer was so busy I haven't even looked at the pictures from all of our adventures. This is in Wisconsin at America's largest water park, Noah's Ark. It was a little chilly, but there was never a dull moment. Grace pooped in her swimming suit 5 minutes after we got there (to my horror), Allison shed a few tears before she made a courageous pludge down the super scary drop, everyone chased Isaac (he fell asleep the second we put him in the stroller), and Marmee made everyone's dreams come true with the strawberry fruit drink. Next up was the Zoo in Madison, WI. It is free and fabulous!!! Isaac saw a giraffe for the first time, he squealed and pointed. It had a large variety of animals and was very well taken care of. Uncle James went with them on the train ride. Grace was alittle upset that she had to wait in a line and it didn't help that it was close to lunch time! I know I mentioned to trip to WI in an earlier blog, but we really did have so much fun. I wish I could share more pictures, but do to my lack to computer knowledge I can't figure out how to rotate the pictures without having to save them to my computer. Sorry, folks! No picture of James, Grace and Isaac sitting on the alligator at the tree house at James's work. I wish I could quit my day job and work there!! I find myself cleaning toliets more often than any person should! Anyway, we love you James. If any person gets a job that includes the use of a tree house, I am glad it is you!

I will be less wordy with our trip to Ohio, more pictures! Corn was everywhere on our trip. We even had the chance to go the local corn festival. Tasty cornin the shade of a tree, the community band, face paint, and dollar earings make for a fun Saturday. Somewhere between chasing Grace and watching the Olympics, Marmee and Jessica found time to freeze a few quarts of corn. My dad had a work party at Young's Family Farm and they had the best slide. Grace spent the majority of the time making friends and taking them down the slide with her. Before we left, she even got the boy working there, Joey, to go down the slide with her! We loved Marmee and Papa's new backyard, too. We even played kickball. I think Grace played on both teams. That is the best way to be sure to win! Airplanes were constantly flying overhead and Isaac would point to the sky everytime he hear one. My parents are stationed at first air force base. It is the land the military bought for the Wright brothers to continue their work developing the airplane. (I think I got that right.) They have a great musuem there. Thanks for the great trip!

While we were there we made a mini trip to Kentucky to see MaMaw and PePaw (I have no clue how to spell that, my mom's parents). We also visited with my Aunt Kathy. Isaac got to meet them all for the first time. Everyone was kind to my wild children! (If I blamed their "activity" on the 3hr drive, would anyone believe me?) The trip was short, but luckily we will be visiting again during the Christmas holidays. I think I'll take a break before I head to my west coast trips. It is amazing how much I forgot happened even though it was only a few months ago!

IT IS AUTUMN TIME...

Happy Fall! This is my favorite season. I love the crisp air, the changing of the leaves, the harvest (not that I've ever had much to harvest), the anticipation for the holidays to come, and the beginning of the food fest. The first tradition is going to the Red Barn in Santaquin. First with Jake and then with Grandma, Grandpa, and cousins. We didn't ride on the big wagon with the school children this year, instead we just rode on this little one. Grace picked out a few little gourds and Isaac just threw them. The green behind Grace's leg are the weeds she picked in the pumpkin room. True to character, Isaac is smiling sweetly and Grace is talking. I think she is telling us how she wants to be a baby grasshopper for halloween. Before we left, we bought a candy apple to share and some apple syrup Jake supplies for a friend in New York. Apparently, it is pretty amazing stuff.

I think Isaac's favorite part about the trip was the stop before the pumpkin farm. We met Grandpa for a moment on his route. Isaac could have stayed and been Grandpa's helper all day!

Friday night we went up in the mountains for hot dogs and smores. The leaves were beautiful and we had fun with the cousins. Grace loved roaming, although I was slightly offended when she took a seat on a log with a different family. She doesn't know a stranger. Saturday night, we went to McDonalds with Ruth, Trisa and the cousins. Grace also moved her food to sit with a fun Grandpa and Grandma and kids. I wouldn't let her sit at their table, but she insisted on the next table over.

Oh, one last thing about Friday night, we hit a deer on the way back. Actually, it hit us. We slowed down for the mommy deer, but the baby we didn't see, and it ran right into the side of our car. No damage was done to the us, but the deer broke its neck. Jake dragged it off the road and wanted to bring it home to process. Thank heavens the division of wildlife will process it for the food bank. The last thing I want is a cooler full of deer meat bleeding out, along with a house to pack, a baby coming soon and a baby grasshopper costume to find. (Sorry, Jake, I didn't post the dead deer picture.)

Conference weekend was wonderful. Sunday, Allison and Justin came over for lunch and the last session, and Tom, Ruth, Trisa and cousins came over for dinner. It was nice to have everyone over here for a change. Grace reinacted the deer hitting the car for everyone. It was quite amusing (Jake was the car). I am looking forward to having Jake around alittle more.

Lets see, other updates, I did make it back into BYU, I believe Grace finally had a day at preschool where she didn't cry, Isaac is making more noise (does that lead to talking?) and Jake back in NY. Hopefully, I can get the summer pictures up now that a got these few up! Right now though, Isaac is poopy, Grace just stubbed her toe, and story time at the library awaits!