.5 ounces of BIG news

After:

- 8 months of "trying"

- 9 home pregnancy tests (yes, 9)

- 1 definite miscarriage

- 1 suspected miscarriage

- 4 OB appointments

- 12 weeks of pregnancy

- And 8 weeks of waiting to tell...

We are thrilled to finally announce that I AM PREGNANT.  Hollahh!!    

T-Minus 14 Days

I can't believe we are leaving 2 weeks from today.  Crazy.  We actually won't be arriving in London until the 29th, but we've scheduled a "Tribute to America" vacation that will have us spending time in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C. for about 6 days prior to our UK arrival.  I'm very much looking forward to the trip.  All our stops will be firsts for me: the White House, Gettysburg, Lincoln Memorial, and all those other classic tourist places over there.  So fun, and so appropriate before our overseas move.  

We have so much to do between now and the 23rd, but I'd have to say my biggest concern right now is selling our car.  Anyone interested in an '04 Honda Pilot??  I wish so badly we could take it with us, but we might as well buy a brand new Mercedes Benz once we get there with what the shipping costs would be.  Plus, I'm not really sure their cobblestone streets are big enough for our American SUVs over there.  It is such a great car, and I will be very sad, yet very relieved to see it go.     

Last Hoorah to Summer

We took a spontaneous trip to Tahoe over Labor Day weekend. It was beautiful (as Tahoe always is), a little chilly, but even that was enjoyable in comparison to the hot temps we've been having at home. It was fun to take one last family vacation before Justin, Cody, and I leave for England in just a couple weeks. We enjoyed the beach, an intense game of miniature golf (congratulations to Winner Cody), a crowded hotel room, lots of good food, strolling through the shops, and some of us even enjoyed some classic casino gambling (Way to go, Mom! +$100; Better luck next time, Casey and Justin. -$100 accumulative).

Me & my cute hubby

I'm going to miss my mom!

What a good/semi-questionable looking group!

Cody's girlfriend, Victoria, came with us. She is so cute and fun. We like her a lot.

Cody, Casey, and Victoria braved the cold wind for some fun times on a wave runner.

Utah Trip

Last week I took a trip to Utah.  I love to go visit family, friends, and "my kids" at least once a year.  This was a extra special trip though because it will most likely be 3 years or so before I see many of these people again.  Each time I see my kids I'm shocked by how much they've grown; I can't imagine what it will be like when 3 years of growing takes place before seeing them next.  

My wonderful brother Jonathan agreed to accompany me on the trip so I didn't have to do the 11+ hour drive by myself.  Last year I drove solo and nearly went crazy from boredom.  Thank you, Jonathan!  You're the best!

I didn't get pictures with everyone I saw (what was I thinking?!), but I'm so glad everyone made time to visit.  It was fun to see everyone!  

  

These are the kids I used to nanny for (aka: "my kids") taking a break after a stroll through the Museum of Art at BYU.  I was so impressed by how into the art they all were.  They studied each piece, noticed details, and read the plaques.  Wow!!

Posing by the beautiful flowers on BYU campus.  Aren't they so darn cute??  (The kids, not the flowers).  Everytime I see them my heart swells with love and affection.  I could brag about their smarts, humor, sensitivity, etc. all day long.  I love you guys!  

Playing with the exhibits in the Eyring Science Center

Look at how big they all are!  When I started working for the family Zack was 3, now he's 8!  He's so funny and smart.  Victoria (11, almost 12) is almost as tall as I am.  She is very mature and well-read.  I would love to be in a book club with that girl!  Ali (9, soon-to-be 10) still has the exact same, sweet face and personality, but is growing taller by the minute. 

After our adventures at BYU, we headed over to Brick Oven to meet the rest of the family for dinner.  I had a great time catching up with Kurt and Tara.  They make me feel like I'm just part of the family.  

We got to go out on the boat with some friends of my aunt and uncle.  Jonathan was digging "surfing."  It's a pretty sweet idea.  It was Jonathan's first time, but he rode the wave like an expert.  

Jonathan and cousin Kiersten

 I'm not sure if Jonathan was a BYU football fan before this trip, but after spending 3 days with my Uncle Jon I think it's impossible not to become one.  They went to a BYU practice, sat in exclusive Legacy seats, bought matching hats from the exclusive Legacy closet, and talked football till the sun went down.

 

The Jonathans

Aside from missing my husband (this was only the 2nd time we've been apart in our nearly 3 years of marriage!), I had a great trip.  When I got home I talked with Justin about all the things I love and miss about Utah.  When I first moved there I remember thinking it was so ugly, but I was astounded at how many areas caught my eye with such brilliant beauty on this trip.  He was surprisingly open-minded and in agreement with a lot of the comments I made.  I never thought in a million years I'd say it, but could Utah be a settling place for us some day?...maybe.  

Feeding the Ducks

I've been watching my sister-in-law's kids a couple days a week this summer.  A couple weeks ago we decided to go feed the ducks.  These ducks must be the most over-fed ducks in the world because they could not have been less interested in the hot dog buns the kids were throwing in the water.  Nevertheless, we had a good time.

Summer Visits

Two of my very best friends from high school (and still today) came to visit a couple of weeks ago.  It was so fun to see both of them.  Unfortunately I didn't think to take any pictures with Joanie, but Katy was on top of it.  

Please save your pennies for a trip to England, girls.  I can't go 3 years without seeing you!

Snapshots

On Sunday I was thinking about some of the great pictures I have of my grandparents when they were young.  This picture is one of them:

Don't you love it?  My grandparents were the epitome of debonaire.  The caption on the back of this photograph doesn't indicate any sort of special occasion, just a snapshot on the way to church.  I love that one of my very favorite pictures of them is a just because, no reason, snapshot.  It got me thinking that maybe I should be taking more snapshots so that someday my grandkids might have something to adore, just as I have this photo.  So, with a couple minutes to spare before church started Justin and I took this just because, no reason, snapshot. 

 It doesn't even come close to comparing with the classy charm of Mamo and Grandad's photo, but I figure that if we take enough there will eventually be one that may appeal to the posterity.