Baby Stuff

I have been asked by many what we still want or need for the baby. I am having a baby shower in 2 weeks so I figured this is a good place to list items for those who need help. I don't need anyone to feel they have to get us anything, this is just a list for those who have asked.

• 0-3 months summer clothes


• 3-6 months winter clothes


• 3-6 months onesies


• 3-6 months sleepers


• crib sheets (white, blue or brown)


• baby toys (rattles, rings etc.)


• infant Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Gas Drops


• front carrier for baby to sit in while I get stuff done


• burp cloths


• bibs


• hooded bath towel


• bath stuff (lotion, soap, shampoo etc.)


• baby blankets


• diapers (any size)


• diaper/wipe holder

I was also told to put a few bigger items for those who want to go in on a gift.

• baby monitor


• sit n' stand stroller

Some of This Some of That

I will briefly go over what we have been doing the past couple of weeks.

- The Rain. Well unlike most people I have loved the rain. It made June fly by for me and one month of Summer is now gone. I was dreading being in my third trimester during the hottest months and now I find it more bearable. I am not loving the fast switch between the cold and rain to HOT though. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

- Yard Sale. Our community holds a yard sale once a year and we try to participate every year. Darren thinks this day is as great as Christmas. He spends a good two weeks going through the house and getting rid of anything we haven't used in one month. I have to put the reins on him!!! We did take advantage of this years sale to sell all our baby girl things. We had so many girl clothes and we sold maybe 1/3 of them. I am really sick of looking at them.

- Park City, Darren's Birthday, Father's Day. Well this past weekend after the yard sale Darren and I dropped off the kids and went up to Park City for the weekend. Our friends Jared and Tina also came which made it all the more fun. We wanted to celebrate Darren's birthday and have fun shopping. Well it rained all weekend and so we just went to different restaurants and told funny stories and hung out. It really was so much fun!!! Sunday, Darren's birthday and Father's Day, we went to breakfast and spent about an hour at the outlet stores. We then got the kids and I cooked a nice dinner and made a birthday cake. It was nice to combine both holidays for me!!! Darren got a new big flat screen t.v. and PlayStation 3 for himself and then my mom and sister got him Psych on DVD. So he really had a nice weekend.

-Lagoon. We took the kids to Lagoon yesterday. We got some tickets from my father in law and so it made it possible for us to go this year. The kids absolutely loved it. Darren had fun going on all the rides with them. I, on the other hand, sat in the shade at any chance I could. It was a very hot day and being 7 1/2 months pregnant didn't help. We did have a fun time and I want to thank my in laws for the chance to go!!!

-Pregnancy. I am getting bigger and bigger and getting uncomfortable. I am glad that 6 weeks from now I should be holding my little guy. We have decided on his name. It will be Lucas. So thanks to all those who voted. I am glad I can start calling him by his name rather than "this kid".

Well that's it!

Madison Graduates Pre-School

Madison graduated preschool yesterday. I, of course, was in tears most of the program. I couldn't believe she is done. I just dropped her off on her first day. She has come so far since then. Her self esteem has improved, and she is such a good friend to others. She has learned so much and for that I am grateful to her teacher. The students started the program off by singing the songs they have learned all year, including one in sign language. They had a really cute slide show of the kids throughout the year and then finished the program off with a mini-graduation walk. Like I said I was a mess, I blame the pregnancy hormones. Darren was there and said he can't imagine how I will be on the first day of Kindergarten. I know she will do well and this preschool experience was a great educational foundation for her. We love you Madison Jo!!!!

Swimming Fun

I was behind them so this picture is not upside down

Marli and Darren, the beached whale

Darren, Madison, Marli, Jared, Tina and Clayton

My cute family

Our good friends!! Jared, Clayton and Tina

We went this past weekend swimming with our friends. This is our first time swimming this year and the girls were so excited to get in the water. We went to Fairmont Pool and it was a really fun indoor pool. You will notice in all of the pictures that I am not in them. I am not loving pictures of me right now. We had a great time and hope to do it again really soon.

Baby Boy Hall Needs A Name

Okay we are 10 weeks away from welcoming our little boy. Darren and I have had the hardest time coming up with the perfect name for him. We are finally between two names and we need your help. Please vote for which name you like and this will be our deciding factor. The middle name is Robert so if that helps with your decision then great.

7 Years and Counting

I just wanted to wish my dear husband a Happy Anniversary. He is such a wonderful person. I thought I loved him on our wedding day, but seeing him with our children and with 7 years behind us I love him more today. He has become my best friend!! There are so many reasons I love and appreciate him. I just want him to know how much he truly means to me. I am grateful for all of our hard times and tests of our marriage, we are so much stronger now. He has taught me so much about myself and for that I will be forever in debt to him. He has so many amazing qualities that there are times I wonder how I lucked out to find him. I definitely married above myself and I consider myself very LUCKY!!!! I am so happy and am having the best time of my life with him and my kids.

I love you babe, Happy Anniversary!!!!

New York

Better late than never, right? One of my very best friends invited me to New York with her husband and her and it was so much fun. No kids, shopping, eating and relaxing - PERFECT trip!!! Here is my trip report.

-Monday-

Our flight left at 5:00 pm and I was really freaked out because I get motion sickness and this wasn't an hour or two flight. I was so surprised at how smooth it was and how fast it really went. I was able to play games and watch TV. The only bad thing was I had to keep getting up to use the bathroom and stretch my legs. We got to The Waldorf at 11:30 and we were all really hungry so we ordered room service and shortly went to bed.

-Tuesday-

Tina and I woke up and walked to a little cafe and had bagels and juice. We then walked over to Rockefeller Center to take their tour and go to the top. I was totally amazed at the size of all the buildings. People are everywhere walking and the only thing you see in the streets are yellow cabs and black limos. I was not in Utah, that was for sure. When we were at the top we got some amazing pictures of New York. The temperature was almost 90 so I was feeling uncomfortable after we were done there. We went shopping at H&M (coolest store!) and found some fun things. After shopping I was exhausted and so I went back to the room and slept while Tina went out and did more shopping. We got ready for WICKED and walked to Broadway to see the show. We stopped at this really cool 50's diner for dinner. The waiters and waitresses want to be on Broadway so they sing to you the whole time you are eating. It was really loud, but as soon as they started singing songs we liked we loved it, and sang along. We then went to the show and we were blown away by the details and singing. It was so much fun!!! We then met Jared at Juniors, a cheesecake place, and ate cheesecake. I hauled my first cab and we went back and fell right to sleep.

-Wednesday-

We got up and got ready for our breakfast reservations at Le Parker Meridian. We made the long walk (have I mentioned we walked a lot). Breakfast was so good. We each got the waffle that is covered in fruit and then creme brulee on top. Food in New York is not cheap!!! On average we would spend $20 on each meal. Believe me we weren't going to super nice places either. We then went shopping to the Disney Store, Gap, and FAO Schwartz. I loved that toy store, we spent so much time there. It was actually fun being there without kids to chase around. I got to get my picture on the piano featured in the movie BIG. We walked to Central Park and sat there for a while and then stopped in Trump Tower for ice cream. We went back to the room and ended up falling asleep for over 2 hours. It was a colder day so we weren't eager to leave the hotel. Jared got back and we went to eat at this really good place Houston's. I got a big hamburger and was in heaven. We went back to the room and watched TV and went to bed.

-Thursday-

We really slept in and took our time leaving the room. We checked out at noon and then went out shopping. We went back to H&M and hit some other stores. We decided for lunch to go back to Trump Tower for their lunch special. Jared ended up being done with work early and met us there. We didn't want to shop anymore and didn't have time to do much else so we went back to the Waldorf and got our bags and took a cab to the airport. We waited at the airport for quite sometime. Jared was SO nice and gave me his first class ticket. This was new for me and I loved it. The flight home was so long and I was so excited when I saw we were in Utah. I got home around midnight and went right to sleep.

This was such a fun trip!!! I couldn't believe how nice our hotel was. Thanks again to Jared and Tina for this once in a lifetime experience!!! Also a big thank you to Darren for staying home and watching the girls. You are the BEST!