50 Mile Bike Ride

Yes, folks, that's right. 50 miles on a bike. Oh the joys of scouting. Brian has been working with his boys for the last few weeks on getting their biking merit badge. They started out doing two 15 milers, then they did two 25 milers. To complete the badge, they had to do a 50 mile bike ride. They rode their bikes all the way to Riverdale, Idaho. They ended at a pretty ghetto water park and most stayed to play in the water for a while. I had to go pick up Brian from the park and he was so exhausted from the ride, he didn't want to swim (plus anyone who knows Brian, knows he's not big on swimming in public areas). We stayed for a few minutes to chat with some people who are in our ward and who used to be in our ward. Then we came home and just chilled the rest of the day at home. Brian was too tired and sore to do much of anything. 50 miles on a bike is a LONG way when you aren't used to it. Poor guy. But he did it and so did all his scouts. Yay for Brian! It's done!

And of course, our section on Ethan. He is sitting up really well and won't stay on his back for more than ten seconds anymore. The only problem with him rolling is that he rolls to his belly in his crib then can't roll back so he just starts screaming. He doesn't get the naps he needs anymore thanks to rolling over. Rolling onto his tummy wakes him up and then he won't go back to sleep. Little stinker. I wish he would just roll back to his back. He knows how but won't and then gets really mad. Its so funny to watch him sometimes though. He is getting so big and Brian and I can't believe he's almost 7 months old already. Our little baby is growing up so fast. I have to say that I really like this stage he's in though. He is starting to play with us more, laugh more, and just shows so much personality. He has found his tongue the last few days so he clicks it on accident and sometimes surprises himself. Its so funny! I love this kid!

Memorial Day

This weekend started out pretty busy and ended pretty busy.  Saturday, Brian helped my brother-in-law, Mason, put in a new main water line because their existing one was leaking somewhere and running up their water bill like crazy.  It was a lot of hard work but it worked and they no longer have a leak! So I just hung out with my wonderful sister, Tara. We had a lot of fun just chilling out at her house and playing with our babes. It was a lot of fun. Then Sunday rolled around and I woke up with a really bad headache. I went to my presidency meeting that morning but by the time I got home, my head hurt so bad I could hardly keep my eyes open.  So needless to say, I didn't go to church.  Brian, being the good husband that he is, stayed home for most of it to help me with Ethan.  He went for Young Men's though so that was good.  

Monday was a blast.  We went up Providence canyon with most of my family to just hang out by the camp fire and chat.  All the boys and Heidi and Heather played a few rounds of paintball, so they had a ton of fun.  It got really chilly for a little bit but that made it more fun to just huddle around the fire.  By the time we left to go home, it was absolutely beautiful outside and warm. Too bad it wasn't like that the whole time.  It was still a lot of fun and I can't wait to do more things like that this summer with Ethan.  He loved being outside all day and was just so happy the whole time.  Except when my nephew Payton put a worm in Heidi's face while she was holding Ethan.  That scared him pretty bad because Heidi screamed.  I just love his little sad face.  And I love being the one who comforts him. I just love being a mom!

Updates on Ethan:  He rolls from his back to his tummy like a mad man but will not for the life of him roll back to his back.  I don't get it but whatever.  And I've decided that our trip to Oregon was a cure-all for him. He is such a happy baby now.  He is fine with whoever holds him now, he poops very regularly, and he sleeps longer at night.  He didn't do that on our trip but since we've been home, he sleeps till about seven. Its really nice! And I have to mention that his bumbo has now become the "poop chair".  Almost everytime we put him in it, within a few minutes he has pooped.  It is amazing. Enough about poop. Enjoy the pics! 

I just love this picture. He was so happy and playful this bath!

Look at those big blue eyes. So handsome!

Here's Brian before paintball, all decked out.

Not an attractive one of me but I just loved how cuddley Ethan was being.  He was so worn out from having so much fun outside.

Handsome Brennan, my nephew.  He is just so dang cute!

Laura in her pretty pink sunglasses. You can't see but there was awesome bling on the sides. Her husband got them for her because they looked so cool!

And here's Carson, another nephew.  He was having so much fun throwing rocks into the river.  I just love kids! They are so cute!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to my wonderful, loving husband, Brian. He turns 26 today. I love him so much and I am so proud of all that he does. I am going to put a few things on here that I absolutely love about my babe. 

1. He loves me and puts up with me. I am so grateful that he does!

2. He is such a good dad. Ethan just loves his daddy and can't wait to see him every night. 

3. He loves the gospel.  I admire him so much for his testimony and how devoted he is to serving in his calling.  

4. He is so willing to serve anyone.  I love that he wants to be a good person and he is.

5. He rubs my feet. I know this is selfish of me but he rubs my feet a lot and I absolutely love it. He is so good to me.

6. He is such a hard worker. He works so hard so that he can provide for his family and let me stay home to raise our baby.

7. He is so dang good looking. I love his smile the best. And those blue eyes, can't get enough.

8. He is so smart. Whenever Brian has something he wants to know, he researches it until there is no leaf unturned. He really knows a lot about a lot.

9. He is so easy going.  Whenever I get worked up, he is the one who is always the cool headed one, hence why we've still never had a real fight.

10. He is a great artist and I wish he had more time to do what he loves. He is so good at everything he does but art is something he is really talented in.

Happy birthday babe! I love you so much and I am so grateful you decided to spend the rest of your life and eternity with me.  I hope you have a good day!

4 years, 6 months, and a trip to Oregon

This post will be very long because I have a lot to update on. I know its only been about a week and a half since I wrote but A LOT has happened. First off, I have to report that Ethan is still as stubborn as ever and will not roll over unless he is in the mood. I try every single day and some days he'll roll over like he's a pro and others he'll just scream his head off until I roll him over. Its getting kind of ridiculous but what do I do? Just keeping trying I guess. And Ethan can sit up by himself for at least 10 seconds. He still tips over every time but he is getting so much better at it. He's just growing so fast, it makes me happy and sad at the same time.

Okay, so news on the ward. I have received a new calling and the first counselor in the bishopric came over the night before I left on my trip to call me to be the secretary in Relief Society. What's so funny is that I saw a lady from our old ward who is now in the newly formed ward and asked her if she had received a calling yet. She had been called to be the second counselor in Relief Society and I gave her a hard time about it because we always teased about being in Relief Society forever. Then two hours later, I'm called to be the secretary. I guess I am eating my own words. I am actually really excited about the calling. I had our whole trip to think about it and get excited. Now to Brian's calling. He's going on his first camp out tonight. They are going to bike 25 miles into the camp and stay the night. Then tomorrow morning they are going to bike the 25 miles home. I hope he does okay. He's done two 15 mile bike rides so far but this is going to be a lot to do in two days. But to make up for his absence my beautiful friend, Jacque, is coming to stay the night with me. I absolutely love that girl and I'm super excited to spend some time with her.

Onto my road trip. It was fantastic to get away and Ethan was an angel the whole time. He probably had only one breakdown and it was one night he was just exhausted. He was perfect on the ride there and home. He slept most the time and when he was awake, we couldn't even tell half the time because he would play quietly with his toys. So we drove there all day Thursday and got to our hotel around eight o'clock Oregon's time. We stayed at a hotel that was on the Columbia River, which is the border for Oregon and Washington. The river is huge by the way. I didn't know it was so big and beautiful. Anyway, Friday Missy's cousin and her fiance went through the temple so I stayed at the hotel with the little ones. It was a lot of fun for them since they had been cooped up in a car all day. Then Saturday was the wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. I love how green everything is in Oregon and Washington. And the Portland Temple was gorgeous. It was a very busy but fun day. We had lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory and it was fantastic. The reception was a lot of fun and it was decorated beautifully.

Then Sunday, we went over to Missy aunt and uncle's house to watch Emily and Brad open their gifts. Later, we went to a place called the Rose Gardens. It was really pretty but unfortunately none of the roses were in bloom yet. They had other flowers and bushes that were really pretty though and it was in the middle of a forest on the side of the mountain. So pretty! We also took Abbi and Ethan swimming for the first time. The pool was broken so we were only in it a few seconds when someone told us to get out. So we went to the hot tub, which wasn't really hot. They had a blast because they thought it was a huge bath. So Monday we went to see some waterfalls. We took what's called the old highway, which was awesome because it took us through some really pretty parts of Oregon. We stopped at this place called Vista Point, which was on a cliff. It was really cool and had a beautiful view. Then we drove on to see Multonomah Falls. It was so amazing. I love to see waterfalls because it just amazes me on how beautiful they can be. This whole time Ethan was doing so good. He slept a lot during the trip, which is why I think he was so good. Him and Abbi had such a good time together. Later that evening, we took a walk along the river. It was so fun to see the ports and all the ducks. We had a really good time.

We drove home all day Tuesday and it was a pretty uneventful drive. It was kind of funny though because when we left Portland, it was raining. Then we hit a canyon that was a blizzard and when we were exiting the canyon, the sun was out and it stopped snowing all of a sudden. Weird weather. Oh and the whole time we were in Portland, it didn't rain once. Apparently that is really weird weather for there too. I had a great vacation, thanks to Missy and her wonderful family. Especially her dad and step mom, Brenda. They let us stay in their hotel room and they helped a lot with the babies. Thanks again, Miss, for inviting me to come with you. I had a blast.

And now since I've been home we had our anniversary yesterday and Ethan's 6 month appointment today. Our anniversary was a lot of fun. Ethan's been a little sensitive since we've been home so we took him with us. Brian didn't have to work so we went to lunch at Winger's and then went and saw X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Brian's movie for the day. It was really good, definitely a guy's movie but I also enjoyed it. Ethan was really good the whole time. He slept for most the movie and lunch. Then we came home and just relaxed and watched Bride Wars, my movie for the day. The movie was okay, a good one to see once.

Ethan's appointment went well today. He is 26.5" long and weighs 16 pounds. He is in the 50% for his height, 30% for his weight and head. I thought he weighed more but I guess its because I hold him a lot so he just seems heavier. He's had a b.o. problem under his arms lately but the doctor said its just the new foods I'm giving him being sweat out. Not normal but also not a concern. I'm just glad Ethan is doing good and doesn't have anything wrong with him. He has yet to be sick, which we feel is a huge blessing. Still hasn't had any earaches or a cold which I hear is pretty strange for his age. But we feel very blessed to have him in our lives and to have such a healthy, chubby baby boy. He is the joy of our lives and we can't imagine life without him. I took a lot of pictures of my trip but I'm only putting a few on for now. I may post more later. Enjoy!

Here's Ethan at the temple. He was all smiles the whole time.

This is the Portland temple. It is huge and really gorgeous. What's weird is that it doesn't have any windows. It looks strange from the outside.

Here's a shot of the Rose Gardens. It was absolutely beautiful.

This is Ethan's first swim. He loved the warm water!

Abbi with her pretty mama! I love the swim suit. She looks so dang adorable!

And beautiful Abbi at the Rose Gardens. She is too cute!

This is Multonomah Falls, the bottom half. I didn't get a good shot of the whole thing, unfortunately. It was so pretty though as you can tell.

This is me and Ethan looking out from Vista Point. Such a gorgeous view.

And here's Ethan and Abbi taking a bath together. This was Ethan's first real bath. He wasn't a fan. He kept slipping and he didn't like having to sit up.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Babe! We've been married for four years today and I just wanted to tell Brian how much I love him. He is the best husband and father anyone could ask for and I feel so blessed to be his wife. I can't believe its already been four years. In some ways it seems like so much longer because we've done so much in four years but in another way, it seems like it has just flown by. We've known each other for almost five years. Crazy! Thanks for the best four years of my life babe! I love you!

Road Trip!

My wonderful best friend/sister-in-law Missy is going to Washington state for her cousin's wedding and invited me to join her. I'm very much in need of a change of scenery so I'm really excited. The only problem is that we're taking our little ones without our husbands. Her husband, Brad, just started two new jobs and Brian has to work. It's going to be me, Ethan(6 months), Missy and Abbi(10 1/2 months). We're driving there all day Thursday and we'll be driving home all day next Tuesday. The only thing I'm a little nervous for is the drive with Ethan. He's usually really good in the car but the longest he's been in the car is just over an hour. We'll be in the car for at least 11 hours. Any suggestions on how to keep him happy? I am very excited to have a girl's trip with Miss because its much needed I think for both of us. And I'm really excited to see her family. I grew up with Missy and her cousins would come to Utah every summer and I would spend a lot of time with them. Its going to be super fun to see them again. I'll take lots of pictures because I hear that Washington is absolutely beautiful. Please let me know if you have any ideas on how to keep Ethan occupied.