Life with the Birds

Randy's job sure can be interesting. For example at some point during this weekend our garage acted as a stop over point for a turkey, a duck, and a gull. Mitch was sure excited to check out the critters. Randy also helped out a barn owl with a broken wing. (Photo from a few weeks ago)

February though Easter

This little munchkin sure has turned our world upside - for the better.

Some how life keeps flying by a light speed, but I'm doing my best to hold on to this little girl and convince her she doesn't have to grow up so fast. She has six teeth, is walking everywhere, loves asparagus, oranges, and raspberries, and we finally found a pair of shoes that don't induce tears. (moccasins for the win!) She is independent and likes to do things in her own timetable. Her favorite toys are anything that is not a toy (think empty water bottles, a belt buckle, cat toys). She gets this silly surprised look on her face when she does something she knows she's not supposed to and its hard to be mad at her. 

Our Valentines day this year included purchasing a new knife set, a meat thermometer, and going out to eat- Corbin's Grill and Coldstone Creamery. Is this what adults do?

The first week of March we drove down to Las Vegas. I attended a veterinary conference at one of the resorts. We stayed with my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jeff where we were spoiled rotten with delicious meals. Chantel and Wes came with us and my mom flew down later that week. While there, Roo tried out swinging solo for the first time and we went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. I enjoyed the conference and was able to see a few of my classmates I hadn't seen since graduation. On our way back home, we stopped in St. George to see my grandpa Sheets.

For Easter this year, Randy did all the preparations and my mom purchased this beautiful dress. We spent Easter Sunday with my parents and siblings. Below are a few of my favorite moments from the past few months.How I adore this little family of mine.

Family Photos December 2017

Another big thank you to my dear friend Brittany for always making us look so good. Now I just need to pick one to hang on the wall.

Finally sat down and wrote this out

As you can see I have lost my zeal for keeping up with our blog. Time is slipping away, and many moments have passed that didn't seem significant, but now I don't want to forget them. So here is my attempt to catch up from October.

• Our first night away from Roo was some time in the fall. Randy and I both came down with a nasty stomach bug that left us basically bed ridden. My wonderful parents took Roo for us so we could recover (and really, I was too sick to care for her).  
• I didn't buy a costume for Halloween, but I did find a cute vest in her closet with bears ears that she wore that day. My mom took a bunch of photos of her that day. When I got to my mom's house to pick Roo up after work- my mom, Jason, Chantel were outside trying to get Roo to smile for the pictures. When Roo saw me, her whole face lit up and she started kicking. That was a winning moment for me.
•  On Thanksgiving, most of my family (minus Roo and Randy) as well as the Cox family served lunch at one of the local soup kitchens. My job was to direct people to their seats. The dining hall was decorated so nicely and kids had colored the place mats.We had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. I made the pies. Roo tried mashed potatoes for the first time. She wasn't sure what to think. 
• The Christmas season was busy. Brittany watched Roo one night so we could go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. My parents, Jason, Ashley and Preston also came. ( Big thank you to Ashley and Preston for getting the tickets. All three shows were sold out in less then 15 minutes). That was a really cool experience. Randy forgot to take off his pocket knife before leaving for the concert so he hid it in a flower pot. Thankfully, it was still there afterwards. 
• Randy's parents came down for Christmas. We went to the Aquarium and the Lights at Temple Square on Saturday. Randy's sister Shannon purchased a year membership to the Aquarium for our family for Roo's Christmas present. On Christmas Eve, we drove down to Provo to see Randy's uncle and family. Christmas Day started at our house and ended at my parents'. Roo wasn't as excited about the wrapping paper as I thought she would be. She did get some really cute outfits, toys, and Randy's parents made a busy board - its a wooden easel that one side is covered in wheels, light switches, a mirror, and locks.  Randy's dad made prime rib for everyone for Christmas dinner. I don't really like prime rib, but this was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! It took over 6 hours to make.
• Randy's birthday celebration stretched over a week period. He took the day before his birthday off. We went to Salt Lake to the Natural History Museum. Roo's favorite part was watching the other kids and trying to eat the exhibits (mostly the rocks). That evening we went out to dinner to Tokyo Station with the Akagis and the Vocklers. Randy had no idea where we were going. He had never been to a hibachi style restaurant before. The food was soo so good. Last night we celebrated Randy's birthday with my family. Randy wanted stir fry and he volunteered to cook it. I made an Irish Creme chocolate trifle. He didn't want me to light the candles, he kept blowing them out as I tried to light them. 
• We were able to attend the temple this past weekend for the first time in a while. It was lovely to take a few hours and enjoy the peace the temple offers. A month ago or so, I was able to help clean the temple on a Monday. I had never done that before. Everyone still wore white, even our shoes. I cleaned the stairs, dusted the credenzas and end tables, and combed the white carpet (I didn't know you could comb carpet). 
• At the end of last month, we drove up to Pocatello to meet up with our good friends Brooklin and Brett. Brooklin was one of my best friends in Pullman and I hadn't seen her since graduation. We had lunch at Panera Bread and visited long after our food was gone.
• On New Years Day, we found out we needed to replace both our AC and our furnace. That was bit unexpected and so expensive. The more efficient systems better lower our month costs for energy.      
• Exciting News: Randy has been accepted into the Educational Assistance Program which means that he will start his masters degree this fall!!!!!!!!!!!! Randy has worked very hard for a long time to achieve this goal. I am so proud of his dedication. 
• Randy and I attended our first ever Jazz basketball game. One of the companies work orders from provided the tickets and dinner. We sate up in one of the sky boxes which were super nice but all the way up at the top of the arena. Its a good thing there were huge screens because it was hard to see the players. 
  
• My little sister Chantel gave birth to the most perfect little boy on Jan 9th. He has a head full of dark hair. I'm an AUNTIE!
  
• Roo has four teeth, is a super fast crawler, figured out how to crawl up stairs on Christmas, pulls up to a stand, can stand on her own for a second or two, and is the light of our lives.

Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend, Randy's parents came down for a visit. Randy and his dad worked on a myriad of projects - replacing the mailbox (ours was able to fall over), replacing the back steps (they were going to collapse in the next big storm), installing organizers, and working on the fire alarm that's near impossible to reach. Cindy and I went shopping with Roo and we bought craft supplies. This year I decided I wanted a fall wreath to put on the front door, but all of the ones I liked were 50 plus dollars. So Cindy helped me make one. I am in love with the beautiful fall season - changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and delicious treats. I think fall is going to replace summer as my favorite season.

Yesterday, Roo had her six month appointment. She is growing well and is over two feet tall. That evening we went to a pumpkin patch/corn maze. She LOVED sitting on the tractor and playing in the corn pit. She was curious about the animals at the petting zoo and liked sitting on the tractor tires. She then took a good nap while we went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse.

Thank you to Bob and Cindy for spending the weekend with us and spoiling us all. 

Its Beginning to Feel Like Fall

Last Friday, we enjoyed a huge rain and thunderstorm. I loved hearing the rain and thunder as we sat cozy in our home. The rain brought some relief to the hot temperatures we had been experiencing.

A few weeks ago I experienced a sudden case of laryngitis and lost my voice completely. This has never happened to be before. I never felt sick and my throat was never sore, but I could not speak. It started halfway though the afternoon one Tuesday and lasted until Friday. Friday evening my voice slowly started to come back, but it wasn't back to normal for a few more days. As I could not talk, I couldn't work. So I had an unexpected vacation. The sad part was, there was a wild fire near us and it was very smokey and I didn't want to do anything to stress my voice so I just sat around the house. I was supposed to take a week off this coming week, but alas it wasn't meant to be. At least I got to spend extra time with my Roo.

For Labor Day, my parents, some of the Coxs, Ashley, Preston, Jason, and I went tubing down the Weber River. It was a beautiful day and we had a BBQ at my parents' house that evening. Both my dad and Eric lost their sunglasses, and Cathy hit her knee during our trip down the river.

Roo is doing wonderfully. She is five months, eating cereal, drinking formula like its going out of style, takes only cat naps, usually sleeps through the night, is so close to being able to crawl, and has the biggest smile.

I am looking forward to these cooler temperatures, pumpkin, apple cider, cinnamon, and cozy evenings. I am excited to share the gifts of fall with Roo. I am hoping to take her to a pumpkin patch next month.

Shannon's Visit

Randy's sister Shannon flew in from California last week to meet Roo. Randy picked her up at the train station, but soon had to leave to go count elk that night. Shannon and I spent the evening chatting and playing with Roo. I hadn't seen Shannon in several years. Shannon brought several books and crinkly bat toy for Roo. Roo loves anything crinkly.

We had a lazy Friday morning, but that afternoon Shannon came with me to work. She hasn't worked with small animals since her forth year of vet school. That evening Randy treated us to chicken stir fry and after Roo went to bed we watched a movie.

Saturday we got up earlish for breakfast at Jeremiah's. Afterwards we drove down to the aquarium. Roo was such a good girl and she loved looking at the different fish. After enjoying all the exhibits we went to the Scheels, a large sporting good store; so large in fact that there is a fairs wheel inside. We had lunch at a local Jewish deli called Feldmans Deli. After a quick rest at home, we went over to Chris and Jamie's for a BBQ and games. Little Roo was a bit fussy, but eventually fell asleep for a bit. We played Oregon Trail the card game. Talk about a frustrating game. We lost by 2 cards, but the last few rounds were completed by a 6 year old and 3 year old.

Shannon had to head home this afternoon. Hopefully we will see her soon.