welcome to the outside world my boy

I feel like Ethan and I have basically been living in a cave all winter. Babies aren't best suited for winter activities so as the warm weather has come here and there, we've tried to get out and enjoy it!

Wheeler Farm

Sitting up on the grass. Did you guys have that apple thing when you were little? I swear we've had it since the 70s. It's Ethan's fav.

At the park.

He's not that thrilled by the swings quite yet. He kinda just sits there like a blob. I'm excited for this summer though because I think he'll be that much older to really enjoy being outdoors. He loves animals so I can't wait to take him to the zoo! Anyone want to come?

And here's a few of him that I took yesterday.....

There's a mirror in his room (or as you may remember as my old room from back in the day) right next to the chair where I feed him. He loves to look into it. This is their reflection.

 Flipping off the camera.

 To prove he has some hair growth at last.

Just a little update on us: Bret has suddenly become a busy guy. He works part time at Home Depot which he really enjoys and he just got a job with Google that he's excited about which he'll do from home on the computer (I'm glad because that means he'll still be around a lot). They're both two good things for him to do while he studies for the GMAT and applies for business schools. He's always been interested in hospital administration so he's volunteering at the hospital ER one morning a week to get a feel for it and see if he'd like to go into that field. But as always, who knows where life will take us, eh?

Thought you'd think this was interesting....

So you're going to think I'm a nerd, but I read the SL Tribune and Deseret News most days, to see what I'm missing in SLC!  (Maybe you two out of staters can relate).  Well, I came across this article today.  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705370915/CBS-TV-movie-tells-story-of-Latter-day-Saint-and-educational-advocate-Stacey-Bess.html

It's funny because I LOVE Hallmark Hall of Fames, and always watch them.  (Surprise, right?)  I said we had to for sure watch this one this time.  Then I read this and saw what it was about.  I talked to Brandon about the book before, but that's pretty cool that she did this movie.  It will be interesting to see.  Thought you guys might want to watch.  Although you may be doing things with your families on Easter.  Anyway, I would have wanted you guys to pass it on, so I thought I would.  And since Miss is always in the know, I wanted to see if she knew about this.  So Miss... did you?  Interesting.

Speaking of Easter, do you guys have any fun traditions or cute ideas for Easter?  I'd love any ideas, and I'm sure you all have something up your sleeve... so fill us in.  And take pictures this Easter, to add here.  It's so fun to see what is going on in your lives, and pictures tell great stories.

Love you all!

Fayetteville

El and I went to Fayetteville, Arkansas a couple of weekends ago.  We wanted to go before the babe comes, and this was our last little hoorrah!  It is a quick 2 hour drive, through the country.  It is beautiful in the south this time of year, with all of the spring flowers and trees blooming, and it was just as gorgeous if not more beautiful in Arkansas.  It's in the Ozark Mountains, so it actually had hills, and I loved it.  (Oklahoma doesn't have one hill!  Just trees.)

There was a Farmer's Market on the Saturday after we got there, and it was so much fun to walk around, and check out the little town.  

This is President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton's first home.  It was actually really cute.  They were law professors (Danielle and Whit, does that tell you anything about them... Don't Brad and James tell you the most random stories?) at the University of Arkansas when they first began, so this is about a mile from campus.  They were also married in the front room.

This is the University that Chi O originated, and was founded at.  I've always wanted to go here, so it was neat to see.  Their house is HUGE!  It doesn't look that big, but it goes back for an entire block.  Allie, I bet they don't have any mice they have to catch themselves in this house!  It's too nice...  :)  They also have the big Chi Omega Amphitheater on campus, that Chi O dedicated.  Do you remember learning about that?  I had totally forgot.

This is the cute bed and breakfast that we stayed in.  It was the cutest little Inn, right on the main street in town.  I thought I was in a movie.  Everything was so charming.  It was the cutest town.  I can't wait to go back. (don't mind how pregnant I look in these...)

He's in!

This cute note was delivered yesterday to my work.  Cheesy I know, but I thought since I never post, I would let you all know that Stu got into the dental school in Utah.  Weird to think that we will still be in Utah but very exciting to know that he will start Dental school this fall.   

I wanted to call each of you personally but I didn't want to seem braggy.  However this seems pretty braggy  as well.  Stu took a whole day to figure out how to tell me, I couldn't think of how to tell you guys.  Sorry!

Missouri: Kansas City, Independence and Liberty

Elliot and I drove to Kansas City, MO for the weekend a few weekends ago.  We've been wanting to see the church sites while we're here, and so we drove to Liberty and Independence which are just outside of Kansas City.  We had to make a detour on the way there to get Noodles & Co... I've been wanting that so badly. :)  It was such a fun drive, just the two of us, and a great weekend.  

 Saturday we went to Liberty Jail.  It was so neat to be there and learn about the prophet and his time in the jail.  It was so small, especially for 5 gown men, and they said it was so cold.  The cold here is different than Salt Lake, because it's so humid, so it really gets to you.  I can only imagine being there through the long winter months.  

You can see the rope and the men inside.  It struck a cord with me, as Joseph's brother had a baby while he was in jail.  The wife came to bring the baby to see him one time (from Nauvoo which must have taken them days of travel).  When they arrived they wouldn't let him come up to see his son, so the baby had to be lowered down to him in the jail.  Can you imagine taking your brand new baby to see their daddy in jail, and having him lowered down?  They also used the rope to get in and out of the jail when the guards would let them out to talk to their lawyers.

Here you go Danielle, you wanted a baby bump shot.  Although, this isn't just a bump anymore....

This is the front of the jail.  When Joseph arrived he'd been in jail I think already for a month, at another location.  But when he arrived at Liberty, many men were standing out front and the guards, and he sweetly said "Good afternoon gentlemen".  A sweet attitude even when going to jail.

We drove to Independence on Sunday and went to the visitors center.  It was neat to see the how the saints lived and survived.  Amazing.  This is Elliot's sister who is expecting 2 days before me.  We met them there since they are in Iowa for her husband Jordan's schooling.  You can see their little boy on the left, Walker.  Her second is also a boy.

This is the plot of land, not owned by our church anymore, but it was dedicated as the plot where the temple will be built.  We don't own it yet, another church does, but this is the plot of land.

This is the crazy temple that the Community of Church calls their temple.  Anyone can go inside, but it was closed on Sunday.  BUMMER!  I wanted to see it so bad.  Isn't it crazy.  Not the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

It was a very neat trip.  I was talking with El, have any of you ever been to any of these sites?  I couldn't remember talking about them ever with you guys.  I really want to go to Nauvoo before we move too!  That must be incredible.  Have any of you been there?  

Oh hey ladies!

So we're back from the fantasy life that we've been living, but in my mind I'm still there!!!  Here are some pics...

Marsh and I with the Hollywood stars

Mims and my mom buying ourselves birthday presents!  I tell you those two are the FUNNEST ladies to go shopping with!  I would try on a huge pair of maternity pants and they would both freak out at how "daaaaaarling" they were :)  I hope I'm like that when I'm a mom/grandma!  

If you look reallllllly close on this one you can see the Hollywood sign :)  I had never seen it before!  Have you guys?

ST THOMAS!!!!

2 pregos.  I was SO worried about getting the "pregnancy mask" that I was hiding under this hat the whole time.  Then you know me, by day 3 I was so annoyed that I was whiter than when we arrived, the hat came off and I scorched myself!  haha it was worth it.  And luckily I didn't get the mask :)

Brothers!

Seriously?  LOOK at those beaches!!  It was honestly the most beautiful place I've ever seen!

Bump watch!!  That was before these trips... I swear I'm even bigger since then!  I'm such a baby too, I went to a ballet class on Monday and have been complaining about my back ever since... This baby doesn't even weigh one pound yet and I'm complaining about my back!!  I'm toast.  

POST MORE PICS LADIES!!!  I want to see Ethan and Laurie loo!  I want to see preggo Les and everything else going on in your busy lives!  xoxoxo

Happy Birthday Danielle!

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!  Wish we were all gathered around a cake like this, singing to you.  Enjoy your day!

Much love Danners!