Family, family, family

We just got back from Tony's annual family camp out. We went on Friday to Palisades State Park and camped out there until this afternoon. But before that Wendy and her family came for a visit on Tuesday. So Tyler and I got to spend some fun times with them and the rest of my family earlier in the week.
Tony had to work the night shift this week and he spent his mornings putting a new roof on our garage. He had a couple of the ward boys who came and helped him and we helped pay their way to football camp. In the end, I am sure that we got the better end of the deal. It was a really hot week and it took a little longer then we thought it would. But by Friday, they got most of it done and it looks really good.

Tuesday, after work, I went to my mom's and met up with the rest of my family. All the kids played nice together and all of us siblings and our parents were all there chatting. It was really nice being all together in one room. We ate some dinner and hung out, it was really fun. Most of them then went up to the cabin to spend a couple days, while Tyler and I went home. On Wednesday afternoon Tyler and I headed up there for dinner and four wheeling with the family. It was really nice up there and we had a good time. I wish that Tony could have come, but a man's gotta work.

Thursday I had my Midwife's appointment in the morning. She had to rush the appointment because she had a lady in labor, but everything looks good so far. I am starting my every two week appointments now and that is really exciting, scary, but exciting. Later that day Tyler and I went back to my parents and we went swimming and ate dinner. All the kids seem to really play well together, so it works nice.
Since we were leaving Friday for the camp out, I decided to have my family over to my house for breakfast. It was nice having them here and doing some fireworks together. It went by way too quickly and I can't wait to see them all again.

THEN...we backed up the car and headed to Palisades. We got there and set up our tent and got our things settled and then just hung out. Tyler LOVED the water and wanted to "fish" all the time. We couldn't keep him away from the water. He mostly just loved to throw rooks in the water and take a stick and pretend to fish. We did end up buying him a kids fishing pole and he seemed to like that. He didn't really get casting or any real fishing techniques, but he liked to pretend. Tony and I went on a fun four wheeling ride with his uncle and we went on some fun trails. Tyler played with the kids and with all the sporting things, he had a good time.

Saturday evening they played Horse Shoes and Tyler loved being just like them and playing with the play shoes. He played during three games of adult horse shoes and had a great time. I wish that I would have taken pictures, but I didn't think about it at the time.

Sunday we got up and went to church, where the power went out after the first 10 minutes. But they still went on and it got so hot in the chapel. I ended up sitting out side and Tyler thought with the lights out that it was play time. Silly kid. So Tony and I didn't get much out of church today, but we did get the sacrament, which is most important. I was not feeling very good so I went back a laid in the tent for a while, and then we packed up the tent and our stuff and headed home. All in all it was lots of fun and I think that we all had a good time.

Fun times at the cabin

We decided to go up to the cabin on Friday morning. We stopped at the Outlets in Park City to see if the Crocs store had any good sales. I got some flip flops for $15, so that was good. We also found a couple things for Tyler and the baby on the way. Then we picked up some lunch and headed up to the cabin. Tyler wanted to play once we got there, but we wanted him to take his nap. We finally won that battle, but it took a while. While he was napping I decided to play me a little Dr. Mario. I am not really into video games, but that one is my favorite. I got to level 19 and then died. So sad.
Julie and her two kids came up after Tyler's nap and that made it lots of fun. Tony made some yummy steak and potatoes for dinner and then after Tony, Tyler, Averee and I went on a nice long four-wheeler ride. Averee started falling asleep on the ride, so we decided we had to head back to the cabin. They went back home soon after that.
It took a while, but we finally got Tyler to settle down in the bed room, but he didn't actually go to sleep until after 10:30. Something about sleeping some where else, Tyler just didn't sleep very well. The next morning we made some breakfast and then went for another long ride before we headed home. All and all it was a really nice trip. We love going four wheeling and I love seeing and hearing Tyler's excitement when we go. He likes it the most when we go fast, typical boy.
Then we have been just hanging around the house and doing stuff here. It is nice to all be home and spending time with each other. Good times.

Happy Independence Day

I love the 4th of July! It is just such a fun time a year. My family always gets together and celebrates in style. This year was no different. Since a lot of us went to the Stadium of Fire at BYU on Saturday, we decided to get together and do fire works at my parents house on Friday night. My sisters and I went and get pedicures on Friday afternoon and then after Tony, Tyler, and I got to go to dinner with Tony's grandparents. They live in St. George and wanted to come up and take all of their grandchildren out to dinner. It was really nice spending time with them and enjoying a yummy meal. They have always been so sweet and welcoming to me, they are the bestest.

After dinner and spending some time with Nana and Papa, we went back to my parents for the fire works. I always like to do the "Snakes" and then I handed out the "Poppers" to all the kids. They enjoyed popping them on everything. Then we got out the real fire works and chairs and got the party started. Tyler really loves fire works and did really good watching them. He even asked for more when it was all done.

The next morning we got up early and went to my parents to walk over to the Murray Parade. My dad goes early and sets up the chairs for all of us and then he also takes his PA system and announces the parade. It makes it that much more fun. They had a lot of entries this year. Tyler really loved it until about entry #75 out of #100. Then he was ready to go. They throw lots of candy and that was fun for all the kids to collect the treats.

After the parade, we went back to my parents and hung out for a while before we started the BBQ. We had a lot of family in town, so that made the BBQ lot of fun. It is always nice to see family that you haven't seen in a while. After a long morning and afternoon, we took Tyler home and put him to bed. Then later that day, we got ready and headed down to BYU for the Stadium of Fire. It was lots of fun. Tyler had a really good time dancing to the music and watching the fire works display. I was concerned that it would be too loud and he might not like it, but he did really great. He let me cover his ears through the really loud stuff, so I was really glad about that. It was a fun, but late night. Thanks to Sherri for giving us the tickets and for sitting by us. We really did have a good time.

My extended family was in town as well this weekend because my cousin Vikki blessed her baby today. Brandy, Ryan, and her four boys stayed at our house again. It is always fun to have them stay with us. Brandy and I could talk forever. I went to the blessing with my sister Julie, and my cousin Robin. It was nice. The church was hot and the kids were all crazy, but it was a good time. After we went and had a nice lunch in, it was hot there too. Really I am always hot, so no big shocker there.

I am so grateful to live in this country. We are so lucky to have our freedoms and privileged that we have. I love that I get to go to church and stand and sing the Nation Anthem. I always get emotional when I sing it, and it is awesome. I just hope that we can keep some of these freedoms that we enjoy so much. It is a little scary what might happen in the future and scary to think where our government might take us. Lets just pray that Heavenly Father will continue to bless us.

Back from camp...

I got back from girls camp yesterday. It was okay. I usually really like girls camp and it always is a such a fun and spiritual experience. I didn't really feel like that this time. I went up a day later then everyone else, and I just felt kind of left out after that. It rained a lot and that made a lot of the scheduled activities change to "down time" aka do nothing. They didn't sing much and that is a part that I really enjoy. I am sure that it is just my attitude, but it was kind of a disappointment. I think that the girls had fun and that is what is really important.
I haven't been my normal happy, perky self lately. Something about this pregnancy - I have just been more down. It is kind of weird. I am a little worried that it will only get worse as it gets hotter. The hotter that it is the worse that I feel. Today was a rough day at church. It was so hot and stuffy and I just felt yucky. I fear that is how it is going to be this summer in the heat. I will just have to try and stay cool.
Tony is so awesome and such a great husband and dad. While I was at camp Tony winged Tyler from his binky and has him sleeping in is own bed all night long. I am such a sucker when it comes to hearing Tyler cry and not making him happy, so Tony was good to take on that task. I have been doing a good job at keeping up with what he has started, so I feel good about it all. We really wanted to get Tyler off the binky and staying in his bed at night before we have this next baby, so it is good. Now it is just getting him potty trained. He really doesn't show any interest in it and I don't think that he knows really when he needs to go. I am not sure if we will try and tackle that before the baby or wait until the baby comes and the newness of it has set in. Any ideas?

Updates

Nothing too crazy or exciting has happened lately, but it has been a long time since I have posted, so I thought that I would give an update on our lives:

* It has been raining here tons for the past couple of weeks. I have loved it. I thought that it was getting so hot before and it was only in the 80's. Also, we haven't needed to water our lawn in a while, so that has been awesome. Our water bill should be nice for this month. The only problem is that I haven't been able to go walking as much or been able to let Tyler play outside. Because of that I am starting to get really tired of Curious George. Tyler loves that show and we bought some episodes on DVD, so we can watch hours of George - lucky me.

* I have gotten the opportunity to watch my sisters kids a couple times these past couple of weeks. Tyler loves playing with them, and for the most part they get along really well. Tyler does have a hard time going down for a nap while they are here because he wants to just play, but besides that a good time is generally had by all.

* Girls camp is next week. I don't have a huge role this year, but I am excited to go. I am in charge of the thoughts for each day and that has been fun putting them all together. I have always like girls camp. I am not going the whole time. I am leaving after Tony gets home from work on Thursday and then I get back on Saturday. Since I am 6 months pregnant and I don't have a specific role, I am just going to go and sit and be silly. I am good at that. I am a little worried about having to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. That is the worst. Wish me luck with that.

* I have to do my Glucose test sometime this week. My appointment in next Wednesday so I need to do it before then. I just hope that all is well. That is the last thing that I need to deal with right now, or ever. I need to be careful because I do like the sweet things.

* Tyler is great. He tests my patience often, but that is what a two year old is suppose to do. He also can be a great helper and listener. He is so much fun and I am so excited to see him with his little brother. He will be great!

Fun weekend with family

My cousin Brandy and her husband and four boys came down and stayed with us over the weekend. It was nice to see them and spend time with family. On Saturday we went to the zoo and had a good time. Tyler really likes to see animals and enjoyed the train ride. It was pretty hot by the time we left, so I was glad that we didn't stay any longer then we did. We did buy some yummy kettle corn, it was delicious!
After that Brandy and her family went to see her sister, Vikki, who just had a baby and we went home to put Tyler down for a nap. Then we went to Hoppers and ate dinner that night. It was pretty good food, but I didn't really like their home made root beer or cream soda.
Then on Sunday after church we all went up to the cabin and spent the afternoon. We had some yummy food and enjoyed the great mountains and the cool breeze. We did a little four wheeling and Tyler just loved that. We didn't stay up there too late because Tony had to come back and get to bed because he had to be at work at 3:00 am the next day.
Then Monday we went to the Oquirre Temple open house. It was really nice to see the temple and enjoy it with family. I did notice that even though it was nice and peaceful in the temple, it was a totally different feeling being in the temple open house verses being in a dedicated temple. It makes me want to go to the temple more often, we really need to go more often. It will only get harder when this next baby comes.
Speaking of the baby. I had my 24 week appointment on Friday. I am measuring at 26, so I am a little bigger then my weeks. I guess that is fun. I finally gain a couple pounds verses loosing weight, not so fun. I have to do my glucose test on my next appointment, good times. I hope that the test is all good and that I don't need to worry. Good times.

Trip to Auburn, CA

We just got back from our trip to California today.  We spent time with my sister and her family. We had a really good time. It all started on Tuesday when we left our house after work, at about 3:30 pm. Tyler got a cold on that day and so he had a really runny nose and was not feeling very well. He did pretty good on the way to Elko (where we stayed the night), but had a really hard time that night. He kept waking up every hour just whining and crying, it was really sad. Then the next day he had a hard time in the car. It is about 6 hours from Elko and Tyler only slept for one of the hours of the car ride and coughed most the time.

But we got to Wendy's house safely and we sure were glad to be there. Wendy had invited some friends over with their kids, so we all just hung out and let the kids play. Tyler loved all of her boys toys and playing with all the kids (and I am sure just being out of the car). Wendy has two boys (5 and 3) and so it is a little boys heaven at her house. Tyler took a liking to her three wheel scooter (we will have to go get him one) and also their big wheel jeep - what little kid wouldn't like that?!?

The next morning we went to a bounce house and let the kids play for a couple of hours. They really like it. Tony dislocated his finger while taking Tyler up a bounce slide and had to put it back into place him self. It swelled up pretty good and got purple and blue too.  Four days later it is starting to feel a little better. After that we went to Costco (our favorite) to have them check our tire because it was a little low. So we got some goodies and lunch there and then took the kids to take their naps. Later that day we just let the kids play and we just hung out. It was nice for us and for them.

On Friday we decided to go and check out a place that has lots of fun rides just for little kids. It was called Funderland. We weren't sure exactly what time it opened, so we went to the park first to kill some time. The kids had fun playing on the play ground and in the sand box. Wendy and I had fun playing volley ball. After the park we headed to Sacramento to Funderland. It was really fun. They had about ten rides and Tyler could go on all of them. They even had a little roller coaster that Tyler went on and he seemed to like it. He only did it once though. He really like the little log ride that they had. We spent a couple of hours there and then headed back to Wendy's house. The kids just played for the rest of Friday night.

On Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market and got some yummy strawberries. After that we went to the river and let the kids throw rocks into the water. It was really pretty and the boys had fun. Then we went back to Wendy's to play until it was time to go to the swimming pool. Her local pool just opened that day and had free admission, so we went and enjoyed the nice cool water. They had a little kid pool with a play set separate from the big pool and it was perfect weather. We enjoyed the sun and the water. It was cold at first, but felt really good after we got in. Tyler feel asleep in the car on the way to the pool, so he didn't last long at the pool. So we took him home to take a nap. Later that day we had some yummy tri-tip steak and let the kids play some more. It was really nice to be able to relax and let the kids play.

Sunday we got ready and let Tyler play some more. Wendy went through her stuff and gave us a lot of the things that she was no longer using. She gave us an old potty training toilet and Tyler thought it was a nice seat. After playing we headed on our way to Elko where we stayed the night again. Tyler did much better in the car this time. His cold was much better and he was able to enjoy some movies and sleep better too. It was kind of hard for me because this baby has moved and is right on my bladder so I felt like I had to pee every fifteen minutes. Luckily for Tony, I held it pretty good, but I did have to pee a lot. Ah, the joys of pregnancy. Well worth it though.

Then today we got up and ate breakfast and then headed all the way home. Here we are and it is so nice to be back. Over all it was a great trip and it was good to spend time with my sister, her husband, and their kids. Most of the time the kids played really well together, except when Tyler would bug his 3 year old cousin Alex. For some reason Tyler just looked to bug him and knew how to push his buttons. Amazing how quickly kids learn that kind of stuff.

It has been a while

Nothing too big has been happening at our house lately. Last night we went to my parent's ward picnic and it was lots of fun. On Friday night our ward had a dinner/auction to raise money for Girls Camp. They asked me to be the auctioneer and it was a big success. It was kind of hard to know how much to start the bidding or even what some of the items were, but besides that it went really well. I am glad that it is over, at least for this year.
The weather has been really nice lately, so we have been going for walks almost every day. Tyler loves stroller rides, especially when we go to feed the sheep or go over to the play ground. There is a really fun one close to our house that is really little kid friendly and Tyler loves it. We generally go with some neighbor friends and that makes the walks that much more entertaining, at least for me. But they do have little kids too and Tyler like them a lot. There is one little girl that holds out her hand and Tyler holds it, it is way cute.
On Thursday we took Tyler miniature golfing and he really liked it. It was fun to watch him hit the ball into the hole. He didn't quite get how to hold it properly, but he will get it. He was still able to hit the ball, just in his own Tyler manner.
The baby has been kicking so much lately. He is really strong, but Tony hasn't been able to feel him yet. It will be nice when he can feel it to so that he can feel more a part of the fun. We think that we are going to name the baby Joshua Clark Steenblik. We really like it and I think that it will fit him well. We have gotten a couple of cute little outfits, but I have to tell my self not to buy too much because I already have a lot of baby boy cloths. So I am trying to just get stuff that will supplement what I already have since this baby will be opposite seasons then Tyler was.
We leave to go to California on Tuesday to spend some time with my sister Wendy and her family. We are really excited and I can't wait to see how Tyler is with his cousins. We haven't seen them in over a year, so it should be tons of fun.

We are going to have another little...BOY!

We had our ultra sound today. We went to the IMC and found out that we are having a healthy little boy. Everything looks good and normal and he is measuring right on for the due date that I have, September 18th. After we went to the ultra sound, I had my regular appointment with my midwife. It seemed kind of pointless because I just saw the baby, but it was nice to get measured and hear the heart beat again. I am considering getting a new baby doctor after I have this baby. I really like my midwife, but she is moving her practice to Riverton and I really would rather stay closer to my house and Murray. I like delivering in Murray since Tony and my parents live so close. It makes it nice if I need a baby sitter to go to an appointment, or for them to come to the hospital after I have the baby. It might be nice to go to a "normal" OBGYN instead of a midwife. I guess we will see. When we got home today I told Tyler that he is going to have a little brother and he just keeps saying "no" - it is pretty silly. I am sure that he will be a great big brother.
After my appointment we went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was pretty good. It is kind of pricey, but they give you large portions, so we had enough to take home for dinner. After that we went into the mall to check out Motherhood Maternity. I thought that they would have more of a selection, but it was pretty sad today. I did get one pair of shorts, but that is all. Even on sale, it was still $25. I really liked this one shirt, but it was $35. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on just a shirt. I hope that I can find some good deals on line for some more cute shirts. Ah, the joys. So today was a pretty good day.

...and then he pooped on the floor...

So, today was a pretty good day. Tuesdays are the days that I go into work, and since Tony is still working nights, I didn't have to drop Tyler off early today. It is nice to be able to just go straight to work since it is pretty close to my house and driving into Murray is in the opposite direction then my work. I still would rather have to do that instead of having Tony work nights, but what can you do?

Work was good. I just finished a big project and spent most of my day catching up on my reports. I did leave early to go and get Tyler so that my mom didn't have him too late. When I got there Tyler was sleeping. I hate when Tyler takes a late nap, it just throws the whole rest of the day off. So he didn't wake up until like 4:15 (a good three hours later then he would normally wake up) and consequently didn't got to bed tonight until 9:30. It is hard because Tony drops off Tyler right at nap time, but when he gets to Grandma's he doesn't want to sleep - he wants to play. It is totally understandable, but still I don't like it. But then my sister and her kids came over and Tyler played with them for a couple hours outside. It was good fun chatting with the family and watching the kids play.

Then we came home and ate dinner and watched "Monsters, Inc." which is Tyler's favorite show. I asked him if he wanted to take a bath (first mistake) he said "no" so I decided to just clean him with some wet wipes and put on his pj's. Well, I took off his shorts and then his diaper and that is when he decided to get down and walk around with no diaper on. Normally nothing bad happens when I let him go "free" for a little while, but not tonight. He went into the other room for just a minute, then came back saying "a -o a-o." So I put on his diaper and pj's and then went to find out what it was that he was saying that to. Well in my bedroom there is was...Tyler poop on my carpet. He didn't have any on his bum, so I figured he must have squatted down and did it. I was a little unhappy, but pleased that he came and told me about it right away. If only I had been right by him maybe I could have put him on the toilet, but hey then what would I have to write about!?!