Sarah's birthday Party in SL

Since we celebrated Sarah's 3rd birthday at Cottonwood with my family, we decided to celebrate Sarah's birthday in Salt Lake with Jordan's side of the family. It was a lot of fun. We had a hot dog roast and cake. Daddy, ie Jordan, made the cake and let Sarah chose what to put in it. Of course, my little choco-holic decided on M&M's. So she had a vanilla cake with chocolate bits in it. From what everyone told me, it was a good cake. I got to decorate the cake for her. That's my favorite part anyway. I made another princess cake, similar to the one I made for her at Cottonwood, and decorated it up. She loved it.

After cake, we opened presents. Sarah got some new crayons, a Cinderella crown, earrings, bracelet, and necklace, some sidewalk chalk, and a new bike (that one was from Mommy and Daddy). Uncle Robert also promised to get her "Hannah Montana the Movie" which I know Sarah will love.

It was great getting together and spending some family time. I still can't believe my little baby is three!!! Time sure flies!!

Cottonwood and Sarah's 3rd Birthday!

This year we spent Sarah's 3rd birthday at Cottonwood, my heaven on earth. What a lucky girl to be able to spend her birthday in the one place everyone feels so at peace at. We arrived at Cottonwood early Thursday afternoon with Nana. We managed, Jordan, Sarah, Nana, and I, to squeeze into the truck and bus together since Dad wasn't leaving for Cottonwood until Friday night. Once we arrived we quickly unpacked and Sarah went down for a nap (poor girl didn't get much time before she had to take her nap). When she woke up Liz, Mike, Abby, and Aiden had arrived.

Thursday was rainy and cold, but last year was certainly worse weather. By the time dinner came around it had stopped raining, but hadn't warmed back up again since the sun was setting. That evening after dinner Becca and Adam arrived.

Friday morning was a beautiful day, just breezy. But it kept the flies down, so no complaints here. We were able to go for a boat ride together and get some fishing in as well. Sarah made sure everyone on the boat was safe and wearing their lifejaket, even Uncle Adam was told he had to wear his lifejacket.

Even though it was really hard for me to get in and out of a boat, being 8 months pregnant, I did it for the sake of fishing. Jordan was wonderful and was always ready to help me so I wouldn't trip of fall into the water. I'm not a fan of the pontoon boat, aka tooney boat, but I got in it and went with the flow (just as long as NO ONE MOVED!). I wasn't about to become a frozen pregnant popcicle at the bottom of Cottonwood Lake. When I caught a fish, Sarah was nice enough to help me reel it in. She's such a helper!

Becca, Abby, and Sarah spent some time on the boat together, and with my camera, so they caught some cute pictures while Jordan and I were fishing.

On Friday we also went for a treasure hunt adventure. Abby had waited a long time for her treasure hunt and was very patient. Everyone joined and watched as the kids went on search for their treasure. Jordan helped Sarah walk around the cabin area and through the meadow just to make sure she wouldn't slip and fall. With as many tree roots there are as pine needles, someone was bound to trip and fall. Luckily on the treasure hunt no one did.

The boys played rounds and rounds of horeshoes and Jordan even won a game against Mike. Jordan also won Settlers of Catan against Mike so he has the bragging rights for the year now! Jordan isn't one to boast, but he will stand by his winnings. One game of horseshoes and one game of Settlers. He's pretty proud right now.

On Saturday we had the best weather of the trip. It was nice and sunny and not even breezy. To me it was hot, but to everyone else it was perfect. We fed the squirrel, went fishing, played more horseshoe games and also had a birthday party for Sarah (since it was that very day indeed). Sarah wanted a princess party, so I made sure to give her just want she asked for. She was so excited to see Ariel on her cake and also on her tablecloth. She made sure to tell everyone who Ariel was as well.

Sarah recived a large art eisle from Auntie Becca, Uncle Adam, Auntie Liz, Uncle Mike, Abby, and Aiden. She was so excited! She wanted to open it right then, but I told her she'd have to wait so we wouldn't lose any peices.

Sarah received a Bitty Baby from Nana and Grandpa who she named Rosie. She loves her little baby doll. She even told me when she was hungry and when it was time for little Rosie to take her nap. Sarah's very nurturing. She had a wonderful party with her cousins and Aunties and Uncles.

On Sunday it was time to go home. We stopped in Logan for lunch, and for a driving break, before heading back into Salt Lake. It was a grumbling 4 1/2 hour trip back home. But, we did it! It was worth the traffic and the grumbling just to be able to go to Cottonwood. I'm grateful we're able to go there every year. I hope to make it there at least twice next year!

Pioneer Weekend

Pioneer Weekend was a lot of fun. We spent our time off at Bear Lake. There we celebrated cousin/nephew Aiden's 2nd birthday. Wow, time sure flies! I remember when he was born and it seems like yesterday!! Sarah's birthday is right around the corner and we'll be celebrating it at Cottonwood this year since that's where we'll be. Princess' can live in the woods, right?

Sarah had a lot of fun playing in the sun and sand. She could hardly stand not being in her swim suit all the time! Between turning into a mermaid on the beach and swimming in the lake with the fishes, it was an adventureous weekend all round.

Sarah even had a chance to "jump" off the boat and into the lake. Of course, being 8 months pregnant, I didn't think it'd be wise for me to jump off too. Luckily Sarah has a loving Auntie Becca and Uncle Adam who were willing to jump into the water with her.

She was all about going in at first, then she realized how cold the water was. She wasn't too enthralled after that. But, she was the best out of the three kids. Aiden wanted to jump in too, but then quickly began screaming. Abby was apprehensive all around, but she got in and then quickly took herself right back out. Sarah lasted the longest by far. What a champ.

Saturday night we headed back to Logan and watched the North Logan Pioneer Day fireworks. Sarah is so confused now. Everytime we go to Nana and Grandpa's house she thinks we're going to see fireworks now. Well, firework season is over and Sarah will just have to wait another year to watch them. Unless, of course, I end up taking her to some football games this fall.

Well, Sarah is sure growing up quickly. I wish I could slow time down, but with this pregnancy I just want things to go quickly for a little while. 6 weeks and 6 days left. Whew, I can do this!!!

Garden

So, here are some pictures of my beautiful garden. I don't think I have a green thumb like my mother or any of my grandmothers, but I do like to grow things--especially lilies. Lilies have been my long time favorite flower. In fact, lilies were the main flower at my wedding nearly 7 years ago.
I like to think my garden is a little unique. I love planting flowers you can't buy just anywhere. Of course I do have some of the usual, like lavender, but I have other flowers and plants that haven't been seen in nurseries here in Salt Lake. Thier names? Well, that's for the gardener to keep to herself :o).
Thanks to my little sister for telling me what colors of plants to plant in my garden and for my mom who mainly designed the layout of my garden 5 years ago. Just goes to show someone who knows what their doing, ie my mother, beautiful gardens are created.

Delivery Date Scheduled

Well, I went to my doctor appointment today and scheduled the delivery date for my little guy. He will be born Wednesday September 15th at the bright and early hour of 6:30am. For those of you who want to visit while in the hospital, I'll give you details later. Please don't plan on visiting the day of the birth since I'll be in recovery till at least evening time and into the next day. Chances are mommy won't be looking or feeling her best and I do need time to recover.

July Update

Well, I haven't realized how long it's been since I've updated the blog. Normally I'm really good at this and it's already been over a week. Time flies, that's for certain.

July has been a lot of fun and it's also been really stressful. Sarah loves to swim! I wish I had a swimming pool in my backyard just for her. Perhaps she'll get a little kiddie one for her birthday come August. She asks me almost every day to let her run through the sprinklers out back. Since she's so cute, it's hard for me to resist.

We've gone to Bear Lake a couple of times this year already and each time has been a lot of fun, although a little chilly. We look forward to going again soon and hopefully the weather is more beach worthy than in the 70's.

Daisy also decided to tear her other ACL in the other back leg. So she's going in for surgery today. She just loves to chase tennis balls too much. Swimming is good for her, but running is what tore it last time and consequently this time as well. No more tennis balls Daisy!!

Baby seems to be doing well. I had to take the 1 hour glucose tolerance test and I failed. So they called me back in to take the longer 4 hour glucose test. I was high on the normal range scale, but my doctor told me to attend a diabetes class and also monitor my glucose. I was the same last time, borderline gestational diabetes, but he never told me to take a class. Last time, however, when I took the test, I was already on bed rest due to preeclampsia and I was only 23 and not 26. So I think age and history have something to do with his decision. Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are tied together. So now I'm restricted to a diabetes diet. I'm not too excited about this development, but I have to do what's best for the baby and myself. Who knows, maybe this new diet will not only be good for me, but the rest of the family as well.

My next appointment, which is Monday, I get to chose the date of my son's birth. Kind of weird, I know. But I'm having a planned c-section, so I get to choose. Unless, of course, something does go wrong as it did last time. When I know the date, I'll be sure to post it.

4th of July

My 4th of July was great. We started off the weekend by going to a Real SL soccer game on Friday. It was a blast with my entire, save Jon, family there. Justin and Lindsey were up from Arizona for a cousins wedding on her side and were able to spend part of the weekend with us. Real won 5-0 making for an exciting game. We saw fireworks and Sarah was just estatic. She kept laughing and pointing at the fireworks and announcing to everyone that those big sparkles in the sky were fireworks. It was adorable.

On Saturday we spent time at Bear Lake. It was great fun. I wish I could spend all my summer days there and at Cottonwood. That would be heaven to me. Sarah loved it. It was a bit chilly because of the wind, but all a kid needs is a bucket, a shovel, and an inch of water and they will have fun. Sarah loved spending time with her cousins Abby and Aiden as well. She loves them and is always asking to see them.

Sunday we spent in Logan. It was a nice, relaxing Sunday. That evening my sisters threw me a "sprinkle" baby shower. It was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who came! I had a blast. Also, Anna mentioned to me that she is planning a SLC baby shower for the end of July. So, I'm looking forward to that.

Monday and Tuesday were spent at Bear Lake. Jordan took those days off work so he was able to join us. We had a lot of fun. It was windy again, but I thought it felt pretty nice outside. Everyone else said it was a little chilly. I suppose being pregnant I am warmer blooded right now.

I wish the week lasted longer, but alas, life must return. Looking forward to Pioneer weekend.