Major Catching Up!!!

So, I know that it has been a couple months since I have posted anything, but I'm going to use the lame excuse of being pregnant. hehehe. In August, our little man, JD, turned four! He was so excited to be turning four. We didn't do too much for his birthday, since all he wanted to do was go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I took him to some fountains, took him out to lunch, and got him a new book. I can't believe how big he has gotten and what a blessing he is to our lives. He is such a good boy, so smart, and a walking bunch of energy.


On September 1st, I had my ultrasound. I really wanted to be surprised with this one, but JD was really anxious for a little brother, so we decided to find out... just in case. It only took a minute or two of the tech moving the wand around until we got a very clear picture of a little girl! Yes, we are having a little girl enter our family. JD was very disappointed and started to cry along with saying " Oh crap! I wanted a brother!". He wanted a brother very badly. After Reed has explained to him the great things about sisters and the awesome job of being a big brother to a little sister, JD has warmed up to having a sister and continually likes to talk to her. We are excited to have her coming to us.

Reed and I have reached our seven year anniversary. I can't believe that we have been together that long, because sometimes it seems longer and then shorter. Reed is such a hard worker, amazing father, and a wonderful husband. I love him to pieces. Our move out to Vegas is happening in a few weeks, and we are getting very anxious to get going. We are happy that we are getting out before the cold really hits, but we are going to miss having the four seasons around us. But, we are ready for new scenery and a new adventure (like having a second baby wasn't a new adventure enough, hehehe). But that is what has been happening with us lately. We are pretty boring, but very ready to get going and have some excitement going on.

New York Trip #3

On our last day up in New York, we made our way towards Niagara Falls. Once again, the weather was just beautiful, but too cool to really want to get soaked by the falls. So, this year we decided to just do the Maid of the Mist boat ride up to the falls. If it had been a really warm day, then we probably would have done more of the hikes right up to the falls. JD knew where we were as soon as he saw the water fall. He was very excited to see it again. We really did have a great trip together. Made us a little sad to think that we won't be able to do this next summer, since we will be in the west once again. We are very excited to move, but at the same time, we will miss the experiences that we have had out here.

JDs first encounter with Seagulls

In line for the Maid of the Mist. He had to give me his Jedi look.

Getting ready to go

Got just a little wet

Mommy and JD

New York Trip #2

So this post won't be as long, since all we did on our second day was go to the zoo and did some shopping. I was pretty worn out that day (thanks to being pregnant) and couldn't really handle doing something really big. The weather was gorgeous, low 70's and sunny! JD was very excited to go to the zoo, since he loves seeing all the animals. He was such a good little guy. There was a little... water hole... i guess you can call it, where kids could wade in the water and play. The water was freezing, but that never bothers JD. If there is water to play in, he is all for it! We had a great day spending it with eachother. Excuse my pics of the animals. Since I have gotten my new camera, I have been trying my hand out with taking pics of nature and animals.

JD and Reed

The skull of a wolf

An annoyed mountain lion

The three little bears

The tusk was surprisingly heavy!

Happy boy playing in the water

I love bald eagles

This one was really pretty

Trip to New York #1

On a spur of the moment decision, we decided to head up to Palmyra, NY to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant and other sites. I'm so glad that we did, since this might be the last time that we will live close enough to it. We left early in the morning and got up to Rochester in the early afternoon (it's about a seven hour drive). When we arrived, it was pouring rain. I just said a prayer in my heart that it would stop in time for the Pageant that night.

My Uncle Tom, Aunt Jana, and their daughter Tami (along with her friend, Anna) were up there at the same time. When we got to Palmyra around 3 in the afternoon, the sun was out and it was beautiful (besides the ground being soaked and soggy). We stopped at the stage first to lay down some stuff (two coats, a blanket, and a towel) on the chairs for seven people. We met up with Tom and Jana at the Sacred Grove. I wasn't able to get that many pics cause you really had to watch where you were stepping or you could slide in the mud. After spending time in the Sacred Grove and getting some dinner, we got to the Pageant about an hour before it started. The weather was great, with clouds only in the distance. JD was very excited for it to start. He remembered seeing it last year and wanted to see "Jesus" again.

About half way through it, the wind started to pick up and the clouds that were so far away were alot closer now. I kept praying that it would just miss us and storm away. Samuel the Lamanite came on stage telling the people to repent. As he was preaching, there was lightning and thunder starting to happen. His line, " Thunder and lightning, eathquakes and fires..." that got quite a few laughs out of people. A few minutes latter, over the loud speaker, they told the cast to get off of the stage and that there will be a ten minute intermission. As soon as the cast was clear, a down pour of rain came! With the coats, blankets (the girls brought some more to sit on), and the towel, all seven of us hurried to huddle under what little cover we had. Many people started to run to their cars while some, like us, kept on the chairs and covered up. I made the remark that the special effects this year were really amazing.

After what seemed like forever, the rain stopped and everyone cheered. Unfortuntely, there was another storm coming after it, so it was canceled. I was sad that it was, but mostly for people (like my Uncle and Aunt) who traveled very far to see it. We all got a laugh about it, but it's a good memory for us. We did have a good time with our family and seeing what we could of the Pageant.

JD and Reed

Trying my hand out at some nature shots

The Sacred Grove

JD is showing off his Jedi face

Chelle, Tom, Jana, Tami, and Anna

The beginning with the whole cast!

Our makeshift shelter from the rain.

Thomas the Tank Engine!!

My mom came out for a visit to help me get my mind off of the early stages of being pregnant. While she was here, Reed decided to take the time off and that we should take a trip. We decided on Strasburg, PA. once again. We love going up to that area!! It's so pretty up there, relaxing, and the food is great!! While we were in Strasburg, it was the week that Thomas the Tank Engine was there! We weren't able to get tickets early, so we just showed up an hour before they opened. Luckily, we were one of the first to get tickets for the first ride that morning! There we alot of vendors there along with Amish selling their baked goods, wood work, and even one had little dwarf bunnies for sale! SO CUTE!!! We found one tent that was all Thomas the Tank Engine! Of course, JD was staying right by the toys and kept telling Grandma that he wanted this one, now this one, and this one... I think you get the picture. JD was taking advantage of the fact that Grandma was there. Made us all laugh! When it was time for our train ride, JD did not like the idea of waiting in line. He just wanted to get on right then and get going!! I don't blame him. He was very excited. Seeing his excitement made the day the best day for me. I just love it when he gets so excited and is having so much fun! We had a great time on our trip. It rained a little and cooled down to the 60's, but we had a great time seeing the sights, Thomas, and getting some shopping done! I love having my mom come out to visit. I had so much fun with her and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Arriving before anyone else was there!

Thomas the Tank Engine made out of Legos!

JD and Thomas

JD and Grandma Olsen

He was so happy and excited to be there!

Rachelle, JD and Reed

Musical Boy

JD has really been getting into the musical, "Newsies". I was downloading music for my Ipod, along with some music for JD as well. Once I had the Newsies music downloaded and turned it on, JD started dancing around the room and singing along! I knew that I had to get it on camera before he wouldn't let me record him doing it at all. I'm glad to know that if sports don't work out for him in the future, there will always be.... THE THEATRE!!!!

Easter

We were so blessed to be able to spend Easter morning with some friends and their kids. We had our ham dinner at lunch time, did our Easter egg hunt, and then went to church. The weather was a little chilly, but we had so much fun with the everyone. We missed our family, but were able to talk with them via webcam and enjoy them. Hope everyone else had a good Easter.

The boys waiting to be let lose into the yard

And they are off!!!

JD started at one end and worked his way around the yard

I just love this pic with how deep in thought and cute he looks

The Bounty!

Egg Coloring

So, this was our first time coloring eggs with JD. He came down from his nap/quiet time and found the table with all sorts of cups with colored fluid in them. He was very excited! He had alot of fun coloring the eggs with daddy. I took pics most of the time. Can't wait for tomorrow for him to wear his cute outfit!

Colorful Fun!

My two boys having fun

He was fascinated with the color changes

Look at all those pretty eggs!

He was very excited to eat an egg

And he thought they were awesome!

Popcorn Popping!

Spring if here for us! The trees just started to blossom here this last week. Some are starting to lose the flowers and starting to get leaves, so I knew I had to hurry and get some pics of the trees. These are just a few of the blossoms happening right in our apartment complex. They smell good and are so pretty!