It's a . . .

It's a girl. I'd show pictures for proof. But it's the same old usual pic. We are excited. My only concern for two girls in a row is hoping they are best friends rather than mortal enimies. Yes, I found out a couple weeks ago, but I just realized I hadn't posted it. Anyways, we are plum out of ideas for girl names so please leave me a list of ideas!

San Fran

Me and Aaron just got back from a four day trip to San Francisco. It was really fun, although, my favorite part wasn't necessarily the sites. Looking back my favorite part was visiting with Matt, Lacy, Reagan, and Nolan. They have done an amazing job on their house! I still feel back that I practically lost my voice and couldn't finish reading to Reagan, maybe next time :) Between Lacy's Gourmet cooking and Matt being our tour guide, you don't get much better hospitality!

After playing at the Rasmussen's Matt took us the next day to see some sights that would require driving. It was a foggy, wet day, and I was grateful for it! The rain, if you could can it that (more like a snow globe of mist in the air) and the coolness felt awesome now that I'm more insulated :)

First stop: A major life-changing site for me. These painted ladies (houses) were shown on Full House before every episode. I was an addict to this show as a kid. So it was fun to see such an impactful place in person. If only Uncle Jessie still lived there . . . . Then Matt took us to see San Frans "central park". This park is HUGE and with all the running paths I was itching to strap some rollerblades on and go explore! Here are some buffalo in a seperate field. Cool, but yes, a little random.

Next, to the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is Matt and Aaron checking out a sample of what the bridge cables are like.

Like I said, it was a foggy day, so yes, there isn't a "view". But I thought this view of the fog and the bridge was even cooler than your typical sight.

Driving over the bridge.

Other side of the bridge, aka, parting the veil and about to enter heaven, kind of looks that way right?

Then, our favorite site of the day, and perhaps trip: Muir woods. Aaron told me he was happy we got to see it when it was "misting" outside. It gave the whole park and cool affect.

Here's how massive these tree stumps are, and this isn't the biggest.

Aaron in front of a massive tree

Our tree home

Aaron made me turn around and take a different picture after this. Although, I like this one, becuase in the last two weeks of pregnancy especially, my behind feels about this big!

Yes, I loved how massive and amazing the trees were. But I really got a kick out of their "fur". Some of these trees looked almost like scary animals ready to pounce. As Matt pointed out I kept saying everything was "nuts!"

Aaron climbing to explore.

It was really fun to explore and be outside, and talk with Matt, something I don't get to do very often since I'm allergic to the phone:) We also enjoyed some In 'n Out, and Lambard street (the most crocked street). The hills these rodes are on were crazy, It seriously felt like a rollercoaster ride!

The next day me and Aaron took off to Fisherman's Warf, on a cable car. The station, along with all the shopping, was right outside our hotel. Cool ride, yes. Worth waiting an hour to get on, mmmmm. debatable.

hanging onto the cable car

After exploring some of the piers and getting lunch on pier 39, we headed to our Alcatraz tour. This sign I so badly want hanging in my house.

Our clearest view of Alcatraz. The fog would surround us one minute and then clear out. It moved so fast! I like this pic too because of how massive the barges were.

On our boat ride over the fog covered us. It added to the cool feeling of going to Alcatraz.

Seeing these showers reminded me that there is probably little difference in the housing facilities between Alcatraz and the MTC. I think they hold a lot of similarities :)

Aaron standing in front of the cell to show how small they were

Me and Aaron got a good laugh at this sign. He tries to enforce this rule in our house, but sadly, it is never obeyed.

This is our boat

Sweet view on our way back of the city

The next day I shopped. After two and a half days of walking non-stop! My pregnant body was exhausted. For two days I literally walked and stood for at least 10 hours. I am now aware that if I want a "relaxing" vacation it will require a beach. If it's a city, I just have to see as much of it as I can! We had fun eating out, and catching up on a few movies. My favorite being the last Harry Potter!

By Thursday I was ready to see my kids and be back to my usual routine. It funny how being adventurous can sometimes remind you that your non-adventurous life really is watch makes your life completely fulfilling!

Grandma said the kids were good. I'm sure they weren't as good as they should've been. But she gave them a passing grade. So on Friday we had a friends party as a reward. Wow, it was quite a party.

Hailey sampled the cupcakes for me.

Cupcakes and Halloween stickers to start.

Then, randomly I brought up the idea of a homemade pinata. The kids thought that was a great idea. So, out of an empty cereal box and some paper, boo, the ghost, was created.

They enjoyed a movie much more while they enjoyed their treats.

Life is good. Feels good to be home. Thanks A MILLION to my mom for the getaway. It was a great break, and a great reminder of how much I love being a mom. I think I'll need to remind myself this after I have this baby!

good busy

What a fun month September was. Beautiful weather, fun playing outside. This was our usual morning picture. I would either bike, rollerblade, or run to take Whitney to school. It eased her into school a little better and now she loves it. Plus, it was great for my workout routine! Conference weekend we headed up to bug my parents. They are so good to us! To my kids it's about as good as Disneyland. Saturday between sessions we headed up to eat lunch up Bountiful Canyon. I'm glad we did, since that's the last we'll probably see of the mountain colors, being that it was snowing outside a couple minutes ago!

As fun as the good weather was, I'm thankful for rainy days like this. Why? Because I'm exhausted. It's so refreshing to enjoy one another inside without any distractions. I'm enjoying the change of pace, for today at least.

Hailey is on a buckle kick lately. Buckles in her booster chair, carseat, and shopping cart provide lots of entertainment. I just have to undue them every 5 seconds to keep her happy.

Travis is finally having a "chill" day. He has become Mr. Social, always wanting a friend to play with. I think he will enjoy school next year :

Life is going good. There's an end in sight with Aaron's Football, my sickness isn't as bad lately (though my fatness is greatly increasing :)), and the holidays are providing the fall excitement that I love. Thank you fall!

Lack of Labor Day

Since obtaining a set from Grandma. Tea parties have been quite frequent at our house. Hailey plays along only if there really is something(water :)) in her cup. Whitney is sporting her new Halloween costume. I'm thrilled that she chose something other than a princess. Nothing against princesses. But it's Halloween. They're just, NOT, SCARY! I celebrate Labor day by a lack of Labor. Which to me is cleaning. So we went on a hike and enjoyed the great outdoors. Plus a trip to Red Robin always makes my day. Anytime I don't have to cook I'm happy. Here is the start of our excursion:

We ate in a "hideout" in the trees off the beaten path. The rocks were bumpy and we were getting attacked by mosquitoes. Of course as soon as we were done Aaron thought he saw something around the corner. Sure wish we would've found this outdoor house before we ate!

Towards the end there is a nice shallow river to play in. Hailey loves to throw rocks in water. Which makes me proud :)

I convinced Whit and Trav to cross the river with the incentive of icecream....

End result. Travis not very happy about his slightly wet pant leg that fell down and his freezing feet.

Whitney, our tough girl, on the other hand, happily made it there and back.

I don't know why pictures from the back are so cute to me lately. Maybe it describes my view lately, since I'm slowing down.

brag time

Since I don't have a lot to brag about when it comes to athletics or academics (I know, I never did in academics), I guess I'm trying new things. These new "skills" are laughable to me. Not because they aren't handy. But because I still can't picture myself doing them.

First example. Chicken pot pie, crust from scratch. I can't submit to the boxed chicken pot pies due to the insane amount of fat grams listed. But I love me a good pot pie.

My helper

One day I went out to the garden. Started picking tomatoes. Filled about 3 grocery bags full. Felt guilty. Why? Because I knew I had free bottles (from my grandma), a canning pot from my grandma, and a thousand tomatoes that would rot on my counter. Canning scares me. I feel like if I mess up I might blow up the house. But for a couple days in the beginning of September I tucked away my fear of failure and attempted canning salsa. It actual went surprisingly well. Will I do it again. Probably not willingly. Only if I have a thousand tomatoes on my counter again. But I did make 3 batches. Here's the first batch.

That's it. All I have to brag about. Oh, and I did cook a whooping' 70 hamburgers last night on the grill for some hungry freshman football players. That was the easy part. The hard part was the fly hunting I did all day to kill some 50 flies that came in my house during the party.

photo shoot

Since it was a picture day for Whitney I figured I pull the other kids and have a kid photo shoot. After searching for the camera for 5 min. we had about 2 min. to take pictures. Which as you can see was probably plenty. Not sure it was going to get any better. At least they provide laughs.

Backside shots are way easier!

forget the lighting. This pic was the best we could do :)