Down but not out....

Yes, I am alive... perhaps just barely. The same could be said for my computer. I have yet to convience it to download my pictures so this is just a short (who are we kidding, I am never short), not exciting update. We traveled the majority of August and the first of September. First to Wisconsin and then Ohio, thank you James, Marmee, Papa, and Jessica. The trip was really fun. Grace is still talking about it. Two nights ago, she made up a story about the turtle shower hook and how it went to Wisconsin to visit Uncle James and saw alot of corn... and cheese. (It really is all about the food!) After two fun-filled weeks, we came back at two in the morning and left the next day for Santa Monica, California. Jake had a job there and we went to enjoy the beach by day and get a glimpse of Jake in the evenings. (Jake's job didn't work out so we just had a great vacation.) Grace and Isaac loved the beach. They stayed at the water's edge for hours, even without any toys! I will be posting pictures... eventually. Grace also decided what she wants to be when she grows up (drum roll, please) a shamu trainer at Seaworld. She would like to dive with Shamu. After our week in California, we rested for a few days and headed up to Jackson Hole, WY with Grandma and Grandpa for a cousin baptism. Jackson is gorgeous and between the candy store, the boat ride, Russ's niece, and all the cousins, Grace can't wait to go back. Thanks, Joanie and family! That catches us up to the second week in September, though not traveling, I still felt like I was on vacation because my dearest friend, Ann, came and stayed for the week. Since she lives a luxurious life in Hawaii, I don't get to see her too often. Luckily, she'll be back on the main land soon. Every time Ann had come to visit she has to help with a medical emergency. Once it was Grace sticking her finger in a pencil sharpener, but this time it was just Grace running full speed into a fence and getting her first bloodly nose. Surprise? maybe only that this is Grace's first bloodly nose.... Meanwhile, Jake is in New York and comes home just in time for me to drive with Ann back to Las Vegas. It only took me about four hours to get over the anxiety of leaving Grace and Isaac, so I was ready to relax for the night and fly back to SLC the next evening. Little did I know that Ann had many surprises up her sleeve! We picked up her sister and then drove to Vegas to stay at the Bellagio! The water show was even more amazing viewed from the twentieth floor!!! Then we ate at the buffet. Baby Sam was in heaven with the gourmet desserts. The fun didn't stop there... Ann got us tickets to the Blue Man Group. I really enjoyed it. And yes, there are pictures.... (I am sorry!) The next morning I ate a chocolate muffin while I read my book club book in bed. Then Ann and I got pedicures, lunch and had just enough time to hit a book store before I got back on the plane to reality.... Shortly before landing, I cried. Yes, folks... I'd like to blame it on the baby (hopefully, anyone who saw me thought it was the book I was reading) but I just can't believe I am so luckily to have such wonderful friends and family. I don't deserve all the kindnesses given to me. I have certainly never displayed or will ever be able to measure up to all the wonderful people in my life. Anyway, this is already longer than anyone will read. A few other notable events, we went to the BYU vs Wyoming game with Uncle Justin (thanks for the ticket, Allie), the contract with the house and the bank fell through, Jake quit working for his employer, I CANNED peaches (thanks, Leanne!), my BYU application is almost done, and I am turning into a huge (I have to force myself to eat fruits and veggies, it is going to take me years to lose this weight!) emotional wreck! I'm just about to reach week 32 and probably won't make it to week 38. Then I'll be an emotional wreck with a baby!!!! Sorry for the blogging absence. Hopefully my next update will contain pictures!!!

Tagged

As I am new to blogging, this is the first time I have been "tagged". Thanks for thinking of me, Leanne! I am sure most of you wonder what I could say that I haven't already said... I wonder that, too!
Three Joys:
1. my children
2. being warm
3. the gospel
Three Fears:
1. bridges: drivers who look over the edge, please keep your eyes on the road
2. people who sleep walk, talk.... may attack me in the night
3. talking on the phone, talking to much, saying the wrong thing....
Three Goals:
1. be healthly.... I may have to cut back on the reese's cups, after I am pregnant!
2. finish school
3. document (baby books, scrapbooks, photo albums, blogging...) my childrens' lives
Three Obsessions:
1. reading
2. eating popcorn
3. my children
Three surprising facts about me:
1. I attended an aerobic boxing class at 6 am during the summers while attending high school.
2. I have played 5 instruments and now I play the radio. Sorry mom!
3. People used to think I looked like Julia Roberts.... yes, folks things have gone down hill.
Three people I'm tagging: ...you are all off the hook!

Happy Pioneer Day Week!

Since we have been home Isaac has been diagnosed with a double ear infection and pink eye, making it possible to attempt an update my blog again due to large amounts of sleeping. He is feeling much better after the antibiotics, but since he had never had them before, he sure puts up a fight!

Grace has graduated from her session of swim lessons (not quite swimming yet), although it was almost like private lessons since she had two teachers and one of them spent the whole time with Grace. She loves the water and dives, belly flops, cannon balls off the side every chance she gets. Isaac failed to gradute his lessons due to illness. Grace was so proud, but disappointed I forgot my camera at the pool so I couldn't take a picture of her with the sucker she was given. For Pioneer Day we made to journey up to Allison's house and we were able to wave to the Prophet at the Pioneer Day Parade. The picnic at the park we planned was canceled due to extreme heat (or perhaps I am just starting to feel extremely pregnant). We had a picnic at Allison's apartment instead and Grace was able to watch the classic movie, Shaggy Dog. Thanks for the fun day, Allie. Jake is almost done driving across the country. It seems he goes about every 6 months. Although I have no picture, Jake was able to stop at the world's largest truck stop. He was able to restrain himself the first three times he passed it. Who can blame him for stopping the fourth time? The apricots are ready to be picked so say a prayer that my first attempt at canning will go smoothly!

Ellis Reunion

On Saturday afternoon, Jake's sister took us to an old fashion soda shop and we had a "world famous" huckleberry milkshake (the chocolate oreo was better) and Isaac loved it! The straws were huge....

After the non-stop excitment last week with Grace's eye (it was some sort of bug bite and she could open her eye by Tuesday afternoon), we had some actual fun at the Ellis Family Reunion. It was a beautiful weekend in Idaho, the condos were fabulous, and we couldn't have had better company! On Saturday we were able to go to the farm Tom moved to when he was 14. I think it was probably the highlight of the trip. Since it is a land trust now, we were able to walk around the house and the land. That night when we were saying our prayers Grace said the thing she was most grateful for was walking in the tall grass. It was wonderful to spend time with the cousins and family we don't get to see too often. There were no major problems. Grace fell in the small, but rushing, river only once and we take that as a blessing. Isaac spent the majority of his time in Grandpa's arms. They both slept thru the night, thanks to Jake who slept on the couch to keep his snoring muffled. Ahhhh, that is love. I was sad to see it end so quickly. Thanks to all those who made the trip so successful!

New Development!! I came around the corner yesterday and this is what I found. Isaac is climbing so nothing is safe now! He is determined too (at least Grace had a short attention span). Luckily his tantrums are him sprawled on the floor crying, even when he is bad, he is good.

Here we are at the Scottish Festival. Isaac loved the bands. We didn't stay for too long but we had alot of fun. Thanks Leanne for letting us in on it!

It's a boy! I'll try not to expect that he will be as good as Isaac! It was so fun to have family there especially since Jake couldn't make it.

Sorry for the goof up everyone! I'll get the hang of it. I decided this morning while Isaac is still asleep that another more flattering photo would be handy. Luckily Marmee was here with up last week so I took a few.

Poor Grace!

Perhaps not the most flattering picture for our blogging debut, sorry Grace.

Welcome!

This is my first attempt at blogging so here goes nothing! This is my attempt at staying in touch with family and friends scattered everywhere. I expect my words to be few and the pictures plentiful. Life is crazy. Everyone and everything change so quickly. Just today, for example, Grace woke up with her eye swollen shut. (Apparently, she was bit or stung by something on Saturday night.) I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but at least it will be documented. Oh, and on to more exciting news, we just found out we should be expecting a little boy this November! Reasonable name suggestions are welcomed.