Still Here

I thought I would try to make it a whole month in between posts. I almost made it! Brian asked when I was going to update my blog and I said, "I don't have anything to update with!" We've just been busy with day-to-day things. I'll try to recap a few along with pictures mostly captured with my phone (e.g. poor quality! and sorry about the placement of the photos...kind of wonky):

I went on a field trip with Eliza and Libby's PI class. We went to the Rock Art Museum to look at the petroglyphs. The weather was great, the field trip was the perfect length of time, and lunch at the park after was a lot of fun.




A few weeks ago, we had the Primary Sacrament Program. I was somewhat hopeful that Libby would participate because she did her part with absolutely no problems both weeks they practiced. But the morning of the program, she thought otherwise. When we got to church, she just cried and quietly sobbed during the whole first part of church. I felt bad for her because I think she wants to do it and knows she can, but the nervous, reserved part of her takes hold and doesn't let go.

I've done a couple of photo shoots, although I am not doing them anymore. :) One was a newborn, one was an engagement and one was a family. I have a wedding to do this weekend and a family the next, then I will be done for a long while!




Last week was my mom's birthday, so my brother and his family, my parents and us met up at Buca di Beppo for dinner. We had a good time and got a good kick out of the people singing to my mom and the candlesticks she got to blow out. She loves that kind of attention. Haha!


I've been Christmas shopping and making some Christmas gifts--trying to get everything done before baby boy comes. Now if I can just find the time to wrap it all before, too! I had my baby shower this past week, which will be a post of its own, but we have been busy since washing clothes and getting things put away. It's been quite stressful for me in not knowing if we are going to be moving or not and if so, when, etc. So mix that with trying to figure out where the baby will go makes for one frantic mama. I think I have finally resigned myself to the fact that we won't move before he comes, so I just need to figure out where he'll be here for the first little while. We usually put newborns in our room or in our closet, so we set up a little make-shift nursery in there until we figure out our long term plan. It looks pretty cute for a temporary room.


I officially stopped hiking and walking the hills this past week. I would have kept it up, but I would get too tight and contract too much during and after, I felt it best to lay low for a while. I go to the doctor tomorrow, then from here on out I am on the once a week appointment schedule. He'll be here before we know it!

Family Halloween Party

This past Friday we had our family Halloween party at my parent's house. The kids always look forward to it with much anticipation.

They had early release from school, so it was torture having to wait to get their costumes on. They sure looked cute when they got all dressed up though.

Hattie the ballerina

Ellie the rock star

Libby the smartypants

Eliza the M&M

Ruby the cowgirl

And yes, Brian and I dressed up, too. Embarrassing. I feel like I came from the 80's. No one knew who we were though. Do we look familiar? We are Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar.

What do you think? Close?


First we had a spooky dinner.










Then each family did a game. Brian and Kamille did the one where you try to get the ball into the cup on your partner's head.


Dan and Chris did the pinata. I am glad no one lost a head from a flying bat.


And we did eating a donut off a string.



Then we went inside for the "fish pond" with Grandma the fish. The kids love that always.


Everyone visited and the kids ran around and played. It was a fun night!

Grand Canyon

A couple of weeks ago, Brian did rim to rim at the Grand Canyon. He's been working towards it for a little while now. He had a good time overall and it was a good experience, but he said the actual hike wasn't necessarily fun. During the hike, I think he thought, "I am never doing this again," but now he is already planning on doing it next year. I guess it's like childbirth when you say, "Never again," and then your forget and do it again (and again and again). :)

Soccer

This season, Eliza and Ellie are playing soccer. Eliza hasn't played for a few seasons because of either track or us needing a break. This year she is on an all girl team and she is really enjoying it. She is much more aggressive than she was last time she played. She has been doing great. She even scored a goal at her last game--with her left foot even!




This is Ellie's first year of playing soccer. She really is having a fun time, too. She is on the same team as her friend Chloe, so it's like a play date during practices and at the games! Ellie runs up and down the field, smiling the entire time. She scored a goal the first game. She makes a cute little goalie and does well on defense, too.

Grandpa Bert's Scooter

A couple of weeks ago for Family Home Evening, we went to my grandpa's house to visit. He provided dinner, which was so nice! My girls had lots of fun over there and loved raiding his candy shelf. OK--I did, too! I loved his peanut brittle he got from Disneyland. One highlight of the night, though, was getting to take a ride on his scooter. Forget Disneyland, just hop on his scooter!

Ruby's 2nd Birthday

Ruby turned two at the end of September. The day before her birthday, we went to Build-A-Bear with my parents for the traditional building of her first bear. She wasn't too terribly into it until it was time to choose an outfit. In fact, when the lady started stuffing the bear, the sound scared her. She jumped and said, "Scare me," and she started crying a little bit. Her new bear's name is Sally. Then we went to the Disney store where she helped pick out her gifts from my parents. She had fun in there for sure.




On her actual birthday, she opened presents--her favorite being her new Magna-Doodle thing. She is getting to be such a big girl.





I had to include this picture from her 1st birthday. This year's isn't as good, but look how much she has changed!

At two year's old, Ruby is still such a fun, sweet girl. She loves:
--getting kisses before going to bed
--going outside
--reading books, especially with Brian
--being with the "big girls"
--meeting Grandma and Grandpa (although right now she calls both "Grandma") at Target for lunch
--"coloring"
--playing blocks
--running up to Brian and hugging him when he gets home from work
--milk
--going to nursery
--saying "Mommy (or Daddy) home, yay!"

We love our Ruby!!

Mormon.org

Starting this month, there is a new media campaign in Phoenix for mormon.org. It's to dispel myths that people have about us, teach them about our belief in Jesus Christ and to let them know where they can go to visit a church service or to learn more.

There will be 30 second TV commercials on the major networks (I've seen two already today on channel 3) and billboards around the valley.

To learn more, you can go to Mormon.org. We love to watch the "I am Mormon" videos that are on the website. Eliza, Libby and Ellie LOVE to watch them and practically have each person's name down along with their story. Some of our favorites are...