Strawberry Days Rodeo

We have a tradition with Zach's dad. Every year we go to the Strawberry Days Rodeo for his Father's Day present. We seriously have such a good time, just the three of us. Even though next year Baby Girl will have to tag along, this is still one of my favorite traditions. Usually we dress up but I am currently too big for my rodeo clothes (bump alert!) and Zach had just hurried and gotten off work and didn't have time to change. So Dad represented the entire crew this year. 

We may have had to sit there in 90 degree weather but at least we got cool hand stamps, right?

Their "half time show" as I like to call it, was a couple of motocross guys. 

They set up two ramps and did some amazing tricks. 

We love everything from the wild cow milking, to the slightly inappropriate rodeo clown but the thing we love most about the Strawberry Days rodeo is the STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM. YUM!

Its quite simple but still so delish. Sliced strawberries with heavy cream, sugar and a little vanilla extract. 

Happy Father's day Dad. 

And to my Daddy back home, I am so lucky to call you MY Dad. You have had a rough year but you have been strong and continue to be a great example to both Zach and me. We love you!

May/June

5 1/2 months. Yay baby!

Sophie and the flowers we planted 3 years ago for my wedding!

At the food trucks with Momma

I had a fun trip home in May to spend some time with my family. The flight home was horrible. My pregnancy motion sickness got the best of me and I unexpectedly threw up on myself. Yes, that's right, I said ON MYSELF! I was completely embarrassed. I will save the horrific details. I'm still trying to mentally block them from my memory. The sleeping conditions were rough but I always love coming home. This is the first time in my life I went an ENTIRE week without fighting with my brother. Anyone that knows my brother and I will understand just how amazing that is. I was able to go to the beach twice, visit with a couple friends, ate yummy food and just relax. I drove back home with my Dad and made several stops along the way doing some sight seeing. I think that is the most time I have ever spent with my Dad my entire life. It was fun. We didn't want to kill each other by the end of it so I consider it a success. We stopped by my cousins house in St. George where she showered me with the baby items she no longer needed. What a HUGE blessing. Then my Mom finished up her business trip and met us in Utah. We spent the week shopping for the baby, fixing my house, eating tons of good food, more shopping for baby, making things for baby and spending time together. We were completely spoiled. I mean COMPLETELY. Thank you Mom and Dad for everything you have done for us. We don't know what we would do without you. THANK YOU!

 It was so great to have them here and I miss them already. I always like having them around. 

Can you tell I love my dog just a little too much?

Quilts I finished the month. I'm getting better!

And I had to sneak this picture as proof to baby girl that her Grandmother (who does NOT sew) made her a little blanket. This means that even though you are not here yet, she already loves you too much. She did a great job. The fabric says "I love Grandma" all over it and I refused to make it. If its going to say that, then it needs to be MADE by her Grandma. Plus, I was working on the quilt for her anyways.

So far in the month of June:

* Zach and I went for several beautiful drives in search of flowers for his botany class.  

* Family came to visit and had a blast

* I hit 6 months of pregnancy and everything is going great!

* I ate way to much food. 

* Aaron and Lindsay finished their half marathon and we are so proud. 

* The house we are currently living in sold, so we have been on the hunt for a place to live

* Zach was in the Springville and Orem city parades. 

Just when I thought

I couldn't possibly love my husband any more I find this....

Yup, a playlist he created for HIMSELF on my computer while I was away.  He will probably be upset I posted this. I just wanted to point out that they are all songs from musicals. 

That's right, I have finally rubbed off on him.

And I love it.  

I did it!

 I made my first thing for the baby today. I feel so accomplished. Now, don't look closely, I am not great at sewing. I always TRY to do it, and well I think I lose my patience so quickly and never can finish. But I finally did! 

 I fell in love with this fabric about a week ago and could not decide what to do with it. The colors don't quite show up but its more coral, seafoam and grey with a cream background. The whole thing is very simple, but for someone that does not sew it is still a challenge. The back is minky dots which I love so much and if it was not so expensive I would make all my blankets out of this stuff. There are two huge layers of batting in the middle because baby girl will be born in the end of fall early winter and I wanted to make sure she is toasty. This made the blanket a little bit more difficult to work with but I knew the end result would be worth it. 

 Finally finished, it only needed one more step. Since I have the dog about the size of a new born everything is "Puppy Tested, Mommy Approved". So here is Sophie testing out the swaddling capabilities of the blanket for her little sister. Its a little big but that makes it extra comfy! 

P.S. Have you ever met a dog that willingly laid on their back while their master swaddled them? 

Then STAYED there?

I seriously have the best dog in the world. 

 Silly girl cuddled right in and almost fell asleep. 

 She was a little upset when I unwrapped her and would NOT get off of the blanket. Guess she wants one of her own. 

So that being said, maybe I don't suck completely at this crafting thing and I will give it another go. The best part was feeling baby girl go CRAZY while making it and the smile on my face knowing its all worth it. 

Can't wait to meet her in a few months. 

To the beautiful women in my life

I know I say this alot but I have been so blessed in my life. I have so many wonderful women influence my life! They are wonderful examples of the kind of women I want to be in my life.

My Grandmother is amazing. I have really grown to love and appreciate the wonderful quialities she possesses. My grandmother sees the beauty in everything. She appreciates a beautiful note in a song, or a flower just ready to bloom. I think, how often do I stop and think about the things around me? Not enough. 

Being a mother of eight, Grandma knows compassionate. She is BEYOND compassionate for everyone. She has adopted every neighborhood kid and they frequently visit the house for cookies and a tea party. Her door and pantry is always open. My grandmother has a strong testimony. She knows her beliefs and will tell anyone who will listen. We were privileged to share our first few year of marriage living with her and my Grandfather, and see their wonderful examples of a happy marriage.

My mom taught me about life. She taught me the value of a dollar. She put up with the crazy teen years. She indulges with me in the occasional spa night. She still lets me cuddle in her bed when I come to visit. She taught me discipline and how to clean the house. She pushed me to use my talents and to try my hardest in everything that I do. Though she may be the busiest women I know, she always made time for our family. She came to every baseball game (including being the coach) and choir concert without fail. She taught me that life isn't fair but that is ok. She taught me to not gossip and to try and find the best in every person and situation. My mother is always willing to listen to my problems and to help figure out a solution. She has kissed every ouchie better and nursed every cold. She really has taught me everything I know and she continues to teach me as I prepare to become a mother as well. 

My mother in law has now been in my life for almost four years. She is great. I have loved getting to know her over the years and learn all about her life as a mother of FIVE boys. She is a trooper to say the least.  She frequently reminds me that there is nothing better then sitting on the beach with a good book and your toes in the sand... unless you include a pack of Dr. Pepper and some red vines, then that is heaven. She is very creative and is always working on a project for church or sewing an outfit for herself or her grandkids. She is a thrift store master, this woman always seems to find a diamond in the rough.. and is always willing to share her amazing finds with me! She is always coming up with fun new things to do with her grandchildren and I think she really loves being a grandma. She has had almost seven years of experience to get the hang of it. My mother in law does a great job of including people and trying to never leave anyone out. We always have a good time when we are at their house. She has made me appreciate the little things in life. 

I truly love these women. 

I am excited to be a Mother because of them. Mothers hold such a dear place in our hearts that can never be replaced. They teach us how to grow. How to love. How to live.
Mothers are amazing.

I'm not good at keeping secrets....

So for those of you who have been waiting and wanting to know what we're expecting....

 We are thrilled! Yes, its true. We were waiting till Mothers day to share the news. BUT we have known for almost a month now and its just too hard to keep referring to her as "it". We were waiting to share the news because Zach's younger brother Josh is currently serving a mission. He will be calling Mothers day, and since he was not here to share the news that we were pregnant, we figured at least he could be the first to know if it was a boy or girl. Then after much deliberation, we decided that with 5 brothers, none of them are really going to even care... and they will care even less when they find out its a girl. That being said we slowly started leaking the information to our friends and family. The brothers still don't know. The parents do. And any friend we happen to see we tell them as well. So there you have it. My little one is a girl. I will have a daughter. Wow. Poor Zach, is becoming out numbered 3-1. 

Boys are gross

Last week we I have been packing. Zach was busy studying for the MCAT and his finals. 

This week, I am still packing and Zach is out of town on a conference. Perfect timing all around.

There are piles of stuff in every room. Our house is a mess. Honestly, I will miss this place. There was plenty of space and everything is clean. The lights may not all work and it may have its fair share of problems but it was our home and it was nice. 

 Progress is being made slowly, eventually it will all be done and we will move.

He was home one afternoon and I put him to work for a few hours. I miss him, he is a huge help. Mostly because I am too weak and fat to carry the heavy stuff right now. So I pack boxes and leave them everywhere and he has to be the one to put the in the same room.  

Then yesterday we got the keys to our new place. We weren't able to move in yet because the place is dirty! (AND Zach isn't home and I'm not quite finished packing.) I went over yesterday and  the deep cleaning began. 6 hours and a couple friends later, we made a slight dent in the place. That black bucket of crud? Shampooing ONE small area on the carpet. Gross. That mattress? Found in one of the rooms. Barf. There was an inch of dust on EVERYTHING. BOYS. ARE.GROSS.

Dear Mothers, Raise your boys to be clean freaks. Teach them to freak out over dirt. Show them how to use a vacuum and wash a dish. They need these life skills, and their future wife will love them for it. Not to mention that you may reap the benefits until they move away.

The good part is that this have given me something to do and really helped with my "nesting urge". Sadly its for nothing baby related but I still have a while to go before I need to worry about that.