Can't stop

I don't know what it is (maybe being pregnant!) but I cannot get enough of these lately...

Oh my, they are heaven! In an attempt to be good, I bought a box of the sugar free fudgsicles last week, and they just didn't do the trick. I figure these are a much better choice than the hotdogs and hardboiled eggs I was craving a few months ago! (How nasty is that?!?) Right? Mmmm...I think I'll go have another...

MUD

Yesterday we ventured to "the beach" with the ward. Maumee Bay is actually a pretty darn good beach considering we live in Ohio. The swimming bay is perfect for kids...shallow, sandy, warm, and yesterday MUDDY! Sam was in total heaven. After watching several kids get dirty, he decided to join in. The kids took turns doing cannon balls into the mud pit. It was hilarious to watch and Sam just loved it!

Let's just say, we're still digging dirt out of Sam's ears.

Fashion statement!

Should I be worried?

Latest obsession!

Sam has fallen in LOVE with tractors! He's started sleeping in a toddler bed this week, and he insists that his 2 favorite tractors sleep with him. So far those 2 tractors seem to be doing the trick...he's yet to climb out of his bed! He even waits on his bed in the morning until I come and get him....this is too good to be true! Let's cross our fingers that this new habit is long lasting!

Home sweet home!

It's good to be back in Holy Toledo! Back to a routine, my own bed, and my husband! But I do have to say that Sam and I had a great time in SLC! I love that place...and we're already missing this:

We don't know when we'll back in Utah, which is SO weird! With a new baby coming right near all of the holidays, we don't think we'll make it home for quite a while (2009??). I can't even think about it because it just makes my nose hurt!

Farewell, SLC! 'Til next time.

Road Trip!

I keep telling Eric that he should just retire now. The past few weeks with him home, and study-less have been absolutely wonderful! So last week, we decided to take advantage of Eric's mini-retirement and go on a road trip. First stop...Niagara Falls!

We were total touristy nerds and tried to cram in as much at the falls as possible. We rode on "The Maid of Mist" boat tour, which was really fun. It took us right up to the falls and got us soaked. They cram TONS of people on these little boats and honestly, it made me a little nervous. I could just see our little boat getting sucked under the falls never to resurface, but thankfully we survived! I was grateful for the lovely blue ponchos they gave us to wear...but must say that they are definitely not the most flattering item of clothing to don as a pregnant woman.

After the boat ride we put on ponchos again and headed on "The Journey Behind the Falls." We went on a long elevator ride down to the base of the falls and once again got soaked! Sam loved splashing in all of the puddles, and we loved the view. Just beautiful!

We stayed on the Canada side of the falls and loved it. We spent time strolling in the park overlooking the falls, where Eric took TONS of pictures. The weather was great. Not too hot, not too humid. I'm convinced that June is the time to go!

Stop #2: Palmyra, New York!

The drive to Palmyra was a little interesting...thanks to Mapquest. We got lost on some absolutely gorgeous country roads, and ended up arriving a couple hours later than planned. I just loved Palmyra though. Our first stop here was the Smith Family Farm and the Sacred Grove. It was amazing to be in the place where Joseph Smith lived, worked, and most importantly received the First Vision. The spirit and feeling in the Sacred Grove is overwhelming. What a beautiful place! We then headed to Hill Cumorah. Another beautiful place...and quite the little workout to walk to the top of that hill! :) Last stop...The Gradin Print Shop, where the first Book of Mormon was published. Sam was a little restless at this point, so Eric and I missed out on a lot of the info given on this tour, but it was another great stop. Palmyra is such a cute, quaint place.

On the road again...

Stop #3: Scranton, PA??

We had no idea we'd be driving right through the hometown of Dwight Schrute, Jim Halpert, and Pam Beesly! That's right, for all of you Office fans, we drove through good old Scranton. Now we thought for sure we'd find something to do with The Office here, but it was a struggle. The only thing we found was an ugly display set up at the mall....too bad!

Stop #4: Hershey, PA

What could be better than stopping at the Hershey Chocolate Factory?! We took a quick trolley tour of Hershey, let Sam assist in packaging chocolate Kisses, and ate our fair share of free samples! YUM!

Stop #5: Lancaster, PA

We had to stop and get a little look at the Amish while we were in Pennsylvania! I just loved the countryside in Lancaster...the city itself was pretty ugly and run down, but the Amish farms were just beautiful! We took a ride in an authentic Amish buggy, ate some good Amish cooking at a family-style restaurant (where we dined at the same table with complete strangers), and decided that life with electricity suits us well! It was fun to see all of the buggies on the streets and Sam was in love with the horses.

Sam also persuaded us to go for a train ride in Strasburg, PA. It took us through more of the Amish countryside, and Sam was in absolute HEAVEN!

Stop #6: Progressive Field in Cleveland for a little taste of baseball!

Of course when Eric heard that his beloved SF Giants were going to be in Cleveland we just HAD to go. We were late to the game (another thanks to Mapquest), but there ended up being a rain delay so all was good. We only stayed a few innings, as we still had to drive home that night, but the game was fun. Sam loved looking through the binoculars. GO GIANTS!

We had a great trip and thoroughly enjoyed being together! Here's to retirement! :)

Rainy!

So, our plans of hanging out at the pool to celebrate the 4th of July are officially out. Check out these pictures:


We had quite the rain storm last night! The little creek running behind our complex flooded and filled up the tennis court, playground, and pool! The pool is now full of brown, muddy, and mulchy water. Yuck! I thought that all of you Toledoans, and especially Heather Hillers, vacationing in good old Utah would like these pics. Happy 4th of July!