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.