Friday, August 22, 2008

Hello Again

As previously promised, here is a run-down of our latest activities during the last month or so...

On July 15th, we moved into our new home. We are still renting a home in the same neighborhood that we were in before, but this new home has several features that our last one didn't (a front porch, a huge fenced backyard, a deck, etc.) and the fact that we are paying $400 less per month in rent doesn't hurt either! Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. We still have plenty of room for guests so feel free to pay us a visit anytime (hint, hint!!)

Right after moving into our home, we left on our big summer vacation to Colorado/Utah. We flew into Denver, rented a car and drove to Grand Junction where we enjoyed a brief visit with my family before driving to Heber where Jason's parents had rented a cabin for a few days. We had a great time seeing everyone again and letting the cousins play together. After a few days in the cabin, we headed a few miles up the road to Heber Valley Camp where we enjoyed a huge "Call Reunion" with Jason's dad's family. It was fun to be out West again and we were reminded just how beautiful it really is.

We enjoyed getting settled into our home for a bit before my sister Lara came to visit us last weekend. We had a great time with her and she enjoyed playing with Abby and seeing Landon for the first time. Next weekend we are looking forward to having Jason's parents and my other sister Tasha and her family come for Landon's blessing.

Speaking of Mr. Landon, he is growing up way too fast. At his two month check-up, he was 13 lbs (75th percentile) and 26 inches (off the charts!) We have a feeling he's going to be a pretty tall boy! He has recently discovered his hands and the ceiling fan, both of which can provide endless hours of entertainment. He is just the sweetest baby and we couldn't love him anymore than we do. He has fit in perfectly with our little family and has added so much joy to our lives. It's difficult to imagine life without him.

Abby really loves being a big sister and is always anxious to help me when I am taking care of Landon. It's cute to watch her play "mommy" to her little stuffed doggie too. She feeds him (she actually lifts up her shirt and "nurses' him) and she will also wrap him up in a blanket, rock him and sing him "Rock-a-Bye-Baby." She is also talking up a storm now and she gives me quite the laugh sometimes at the things that come out of her mouth. Just today we were driving down the road when she blurts out..."Mommy, I wanna go to the temple so I can wear garments." She definitely keeps us on our toes!!
We have enjoyed going to the library and park this summer together, and now that Landon is old enough, we have all enjoyed going back to the gym (me especially!!) I'm back to running 3-5 miles most days of the week and I hope to do another race soon (not a marathon yet, but perhaps another half-marathon again before too long.) I also enjoyed attending my first "Zumba" class this last week. It was pretty fun to do and I'm sure it was even more entertaning to watch!

Our ward had a waterslide activity a couple of weeks ago. We thought that Abby would really enjoy it since it combined her two great loves in life (water and slides), but she was pretty wary about the whole thing (as you can tell from the first picture). All of the older girls volunteered to go down with her though, and she decided that having someone to go down with was a lot more fun!
We have also been having fun going to Greenbrier State Park with our ward playgroup each week. Abby loves playing in the sand and then "swimming" in the water. Maybe next summer when we can enroll her in lessons, our "little fish" will actually learn how to swim.

And of course I can't end any post these days without a cute shot of our two adorable kids together. I am reminded each and every day just how lucky I am to be married to such a great man and have two wonderful children. They melt my heart each time they smile and make each day worth living. I absolutely love being a wife and a mother and I wouldn't trade it for anything!


Well, that pretty much catches everyone up on our latest comings and goings. Hopefully now I can stay a little more on top of things (although I am making no promises!!)

6 comments:

Amy said...

I was just thinking about you yesterday wondering how you were doing. I'm glad everything is going so well for you.

Landon is a total cutie!

All those visits must be fun. Having a family reunion at Heber Valley Camp would be a blast. It was patterned after the camp my stake went to when I was growing up so it always brings back great memories.

Your house looks fun--I LOVE the porches.

losing my needles said...

You might be able to get into the Baltimore half marathon still. It is on Oct 11th. Jesse is running that.
Greenbriar is a great park. We love to go camping there. And kids in carseats are free! Score!
Now that you're back, we totally need to get together. I was up in Hagerstown yesterday, but had to go all over the place, so I knew that the kids wouldn't handle anything else.

Alona said...

Great pictures! Landon sure is a cutie. Abby's hilarious! She's got such a fun (and funny) personality!

Stephanie said...

I really like the new house. It is great that you got all those additional features you wanted for less. Landon is so cute, and I love the pictures of him and Abby. It is so hilarious how older siblings pick up the little things. Especially girls, I think. Katie does that too, she loves taking her baby dolls, diapering them, changing their clothes, nursing them, and burping them. I love that Abby talks so much and I'm glad she's so excited about garments! Keep having fun and sharing those cute pictures.

Jennifer said...

You've had a busy summer. Your house looks awesome. I love the porch. The house next door to the bushman's is up for sell. I wish I had money to buy it.Mostly because it has a porch. Landon is so cute. Wish I could come up with mom and dad this next weekend.

If you have any pictures of the family reunion will you send them to me. Or give mom and dad a disk of them, when they are up there. Thanks
Love you guys

Heidi said...

Great to read the catch up. Sounds like life is a lot of fun. So... are you renting two houses at the same time? And way to get back to the gym. I hope I'm so on top of it when my little gal is finally born.