Christmas!

First off, I feel kind of dumb because not too long ago I was complaining about this. We are expecting our second baby in the middle of August. I don't have an exact due date since I haven't been to the doctor yet. Rex is convinced that this baby is a girl. So far I have been feeling fine. We have tried explaining to Ian, but he doesn't get it, maybe he will when I get bigger.

We went down to Draper on the 22nd. We went to the temple on the 23rd with Alex, Rex's brother Christen's fiancee. We spent Christmas Eve and day with Rex's family. Ian made sure everyone got up early (6 am) to open presents. He actually got up earlier but we wouldn't let him wake anyone else up. We were also able to talk to Danielle, Rex's sister on a mission in Romania. We were going to go back to my parents on Christmas, but there was too much snow. It snowed all day. So we came back today and opened presents with my family. Ian got lots of presents, toys and some clothes. He now has two teddy bears, which he loves. He already had one, but having two is even better. It is so funny to watch him with them. We got a camcorder, so now we can take videos and post them.

We got jobs!

Both Rex and I got part time jobs. I got a job at an elementary school here in Ogden. I am a tutor in kindergarden. They are starting a new kindergarden early reading intervention program in the district. I haven't actually started tutoring yet becuase they still need to hire two more tutors, but I have been helping the kindergarden teachers and getting to know them.
Rex got a job with Ogden Recreation, something with sports supervision. He hasn't started yet, but will soon. We are excited to have jobs now and will hopefully be able to move into our own place soon.

Funny Story

Okay, some background first. We had a family Christmas party tonight for my dad's side of the family. So there are 5 siblings married and that have kids. It is kind of divided on who socializes with who (I think partly because of the kids' ages-meaning all the cousins).
So my cousin, Anna, was talking to another cousin, and introducing her boyfriend. So our cousin could not remember Anna's name and was really red in the face (literally). Then he was like, "You're the one with the funny wedding announcements, something with power rangers." (That was my sister Kristi). So Anna's mom said, "No, she's not married, this is her um friend."

Anna, thanks for bringing your boy so I could finally meet him. He is really nice and you two look good together.

Cake!

So I made a cake for our Thanksgiving meal at the Jones' today (we had the Thanksgiving meal today). I have to say that I am very proud of my cake. It is my best one ever. So if anyone is in Utah and wants me to make a cake for them (for a minimal charge) just let me know.

I'm never doing that again

I'm never going to a movie opening night (at midnight) again. I did not get much sleep last night and I need sleep to function. My sister and I didn't get home until 2:30 and then Ian woke up at 2:45 and didn't get back to sleep until 4:15 and woke up at 7. I don't know why Ian had such a hard time. He would fall asleep in my arms or laying down on me but as soon as I put him in his crib he would start screaming. There has been only one other night this bad and it was like when he was three months old. Rex let me sleep in this morning, but I could still hear them, so I didn't sleep much after 7.
The movie was alright. I didn't really like the people chosen for Edward, Jasper, and Alice. And Edward and Jasper had really wierd hair dos. Personally I liked Bella better in the movie than the book because you don't hear all her thoughts. There were also other little things that weren't right that bugged me. I thought Jacob was a good pick, but I did not think he would have long hair, until he started becoming a werewolf. I also really liked Rosalie's character, she was so good at hating Bella.

Twilight and Cake Decorating and other random stuff

Tonight my sister and I are going to see the Twilight movie. I am excited, but am afraid that I will disappointed with the movie (as often is the case when I see a movie and have read the book before). I don't even know if I will be able to stay awake through the movie, but my sister says going to movies opening night is way fun, you get to see all the fanatics and people who dress up. I don't think I have ever seen a movie on opening night, so it will be fun.

On another note, my sister and I have been taking cake decorating classes. We are now in the second course and loving it. It is fun and nice to see it is something that I can actually do. Our teacher is great too.

Also, I am making most of the Christmas gifts we will be giving since we have no money (Rex quit his job a couple weeks ago and is looking for a new one). I actually started one back in January becuase I knew that one would take a long time. I can't say what they are because the people receiving these gifts most likely will read this.

Okay, today I'm just going to ramble on various subjects. I have found a really good receipe for white bread and everyone loves it. I think I also make bread better without my KitchenAide (I can tell when it needs more flour when I knead it by hand). Our KitchenAide is at Rex's parents until we get our own place (hopefully sooner than later).

I want to have another baby. I have wanted to for some time now. We were trying the first time, it took a year to get pregnant (which was good). But all that year, I was jealous whenever I found out that someone else I knew was pregnant (which happened a lot). And now that jealousy is coming back, but only when I hear that friends are pregnant with their second or third child. I am trying really hard not to, but it isn't working very well. I know that I am blessed and I have to remember that. I have a healthy, happy, energitic son, who I love very much.

Sorry, no pictures this time.

Playing in the Leaves

Ian loves to play in the leaves when we are raking. He will occasionally help rake. He helps put them in the garbage can.

Zoo Visit in August.

We went to the zoo in August when my sister and her husband came to visit. Here are some pictures from that adventure.

Halloween Costumes and Painting Pumpkins

We got a couple of pumpkins today and decided to paint them so Ian could join in. He had fun painting the pumpkins and himself.
We had a ward trunk or treat last night. We decided Ian would be a ghost because he loves putting things over his head. He didn't like it as much when we did it, so therefore the big hole for his face. He loved trunk or treating though. He said boo instead of trick or treat. He got lots of candy.

Rex's Job

Rex got a job at the Boys and Girls Club in Brigham City. It is just part time, but he needs to get experience to get a full time job with any city in their recreation departments. He has had this job for about a month and half, I'm just slow in blogging. We are planning on moving up there soon. We are still living with my parents. We have found an apartment that we like, but we have to be on a waiting list so it may be a couple months.
I will get pictures up soon now that the laptop is working, I just have to find the camera cord.

Josh McAdams

I am proud of my cousin's husband, Josh. He had a dream to run in the Olympics and he did! He ran in the steeple chase. He didn't qualify to go to the next round, but it was amazing that he tried. He may try again the next Olympics even.

This made the Olympics more real for me because I actually know him. Before they were just athletes and not real to me.

His wife Whitney is also amazing. She has supported him in his running and school.

Leaving Wymoung and Provo

We moved out of our apartment in Wymont on the 26th of July, after three years. This was our first apartment together. It was very sad to leave. We made many friends there and hopefully we will be able to keep it contact. We had a great ward and a loving Bishop. Thanks for everyone who helped us move and cared for us.
It was also sad to leave Provo. I lived there for almost 5 years and was familar with it. We are living with my parents here in Roy (near Ogden) and though my parents have lived here over five years I don't know where anything is.
I also miss the Provo library. It has great kids' programs and story times all through the week and a great selection of books and movies (easy to find).

We are excited to move onto the next chapter in our lives though. Rex is still looking for a job. He just had an interview with the recreation department here in Roy and applying to a lot of different jobs all over the country so hopefully something will pan out soon.

Ian loves being at his grandparents' house. There is more room to play, more things to get into, and more people to play with (except not his age). He is cuter everyday and is talking more and more. He is a very active boy and hardly lets me rest all day (except when he takes his naps).

Breaking Dawn

I finished reading Breaking Dawn this weekend, just because I had to see what happened. It was so much like a soap opera. I don't see why this series is so big, it was not that well written and there was too much description on some parts. And there were parts of it that didn't really make sense with the rest of the story and were never really explained, like why it was so easy for Bella after she became a vampire.
It is a very easy read though, which is good and is probably the reason why a lot of people read it.

Walking and Climbing

Ian started walking shortly after his birthday. He is now everywhere and into everything. He has also recently discovered that he can climb on the rocking chair and the couch all by himself. Right after he started walking, he thought he could walk down the stairs. As a result, after throwing a ball down some stairs outside, he tried to go down and fell down a few (cement) steps. He didn't cry very long and then he wanted his ball, but we had to come in to clean his scrapes up.
He has several word that he says. He now says shoe, if we say it first. Other words are ball, bear, bird, clock (more like glock), dog, fish, etc. Cats are dogs to him. He loves animals. He will chase the cats at our parents' houses around, they just walk away from him. My parents' cat, Chip, will let him pet her sometimes, but then Ian gets disinterested and leaves.

Rex is still looking for a job. He has had several interviews, but no luck so far. We are moving out on the 26th, so we have started packing some of our stuff. If Rex does not get a job before then, we will stay with my parents.

We have been busy. We went up to Idaho to visit our grandparents for the first time since before Ian was born. He actually did alright on the long car rides. We had a party at my grandma's house for her birthday. My parents came and aunts and uncles and some cousins. We have gone to visit our parents several times this summer, so we have not gone to our own ward here that much this summer. There have been many new people moving into our ward and we haven't met many of them.

Happy Birthday, Ian!

We had a party on Ian's birthday up at Rex's parents' house. Rex's uncle Eric and some of his family came for a few minutes. He got a book with stickers from them. Thanks Eric and Cynthia! Ian enjoyed us singing Happy Birthday to him, he got this kind of smile and was excited. He blew out the candle on his cake with the help of Mommy and Daddy. Ian opened his presents with the help of Mom. He really liked the cow ball that moos. He also enjoyed the cake. At first he wasn't sure about it and then he decided he liked it. He got some bath toys which he loves, a basket and some balls and rubber ducks. He got a push toy (kind of car) from my parents which he loves to push around.

Rex had his interview in Tennessee. It went well. He even had a second interview the next day before he left, but we still haven't heard back from them. Rex has called but the Director is never in. Last Monday he had an interview in Ogden. We should hear back soon from that one hopefully. He is still continuing to apply all over the country, even in Alaska.

Graduation

Rex is finally graduated! He now has a bachelors of science in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership. We went to the University Commencement last Thursday (April 24), which was also Rex's birthday. Rex's parents were able to come down to it. It was nice. It took forever for all the graduates to come in. Elder Bednar spoke on learning to love learning. Afterwards, we met my cousin Anna, who also graduated with a masters in accounting. We took some pictures.

 

Rex, Ian, and I went out to eat that night at a southwestern bbq restaurant on University Avenue. The food was good. It was served in the paper hot dogs holder things.

Friday morning Ian woke up with a cold and slight fever, so we gave him Tylenol. Rex's parents and brother Bradley came down that morning. We went to meet the President at the Alumni Building. We were able to get a picture with President Samuelson. Bradley, who goes to the U, did not want to get a picture with the BYU president, but he was convinced to come in. Rex told president Samuelson that Bradley goes to the U and didn't want to get his picture taken with the BYU president. Then President Samuelson asked Bradley how many degrees he has from the U. Bradley said none and then President Samuelson said he has three more than that. We also went and got professional graduation pictures done. Ian was able to wear a little cap and gown for the pictures.

We then went and saw a couple of Rex's formers supervisors, Kathy and Chris Brittain. We had lunch at the Skyroom Restaurant. We all got the buffet, which was good. We then met Anna's family and took some pictures and headed down to the Smith Fieldhouse for Rex's college graduation. Christen met us down there and my parents made it just in time. My sister Teri did not come because she has mono. There was no order when they walked across the stage. When I graduated last year, we were lined up according to major and when we graduated (December or April). Rex was towards the end. After the graduation, they provided brownies and juice.

We then walked back up to our apartment. Rex opened birthday/graduation presents. His parents and Bradley then left. We went out to eat with my parents and Christen. We went to Los Hermonos. It was good and the first time we have been there.

Ian woke up Sunday morning throwing up and continued to do so throughout the morning. So I stayed home with him from church. He has been slowly recovering, he has been very tired and has no energy. He has been doing much better today. Monday night Rex got sick and received two blessings. Last night I got sick and have been weak all day.       

Oh, yes, Rex is still looking for a job. He has had a couple interviews, but he didn't get those jobs. He has an interview in Tennessee next week. He flying out Monday and will be back probably on Wednesday.

Easter

Easter weekend we went up to visit Rex's family. That Saturday, we had an Easter egg hunt. Ian sort of participated. Here are some pictures of him with his Easter basket and looking for eggs. He wasn't too interested in looking, he wanted to go into the pond when we were by it, or play with a ball or the dog. He did love being outside and with his aunts and uncles and grandparents.

Rex ran in the Rex Lee Run, the 5K, on March 15. His brother Garrett also ran. Both did well. Garrett placed seventh overall and second in his age group. Rex's time was under 25 minutes. I don't remember what it was exactly. This is the only picture we have from the race.

Rex is getting closer to graduation! But we still don't know where we are going. If anyone hears of any recreation openings where they are at, feel free to let us know. We are looking for recreation in different cities (anywhere in the country).

Bear

Ian's first word is bear. He says it when he hugs his teddy bear. It is so cute. He has also called me bear a couple times when he hugs me. Today when I asked him where his bear was, he crawled over to it and put his head down on it. It is so cute to watch him with his bear. He has started giving hugs when he feels like it. I love it when he hugs me!
Ian loves to push things around so he can walk. He has mad at me today when I took him away from something he was pushing around outside, he did not want to leave.
We went to Rex's flag football game tonight. I have to admit, I didn't pay that much attention as I was watching Ian. Josh, a little boy from our ward, was there and played with Ian. It got cold at the end. Rex's team won 18 to 12!!! They are playing the same team in basketball right now as well.

Pictures Finally!

One day, I guess I left the drawer with Ian's bowls and spoons open a tiny bit because next time I looked at Ian, he had out several of his bowls and was playing with them. He was sliding them on the floor and banging them.










Ian loves playing with and in boxes. We have two big boxes out for him to play with. He also likes to stand and walk with the boxes.











Ian found our skeleton from Halloween, he loves the flashing green eyes. He finds everything and keeps getting into things higher and higher.












Rex unzipped the side of the crib and got in. When Ian saw this, he was curious and had to go crawl into his crib to see why Daddy was in there. He kept crawling in and out.









Ian has loved clocks since he was born. We don't know why this is, but he is so excited if we get one down off the wall and let him play with it.

























These are pictures of Ian finding something on the floor and eating it. I think it was a cracker this time since we took pictures and didn't get it out of his mouth. He sees and smallest thing from far away and goes for it and if he gets it before we see what he is going for, in it goes into his mouth.

This is the corner with his toy box and bookshelves. He likes getting into his tor box to see what is in there and playing in this corner. He will sometimes climb into his Bumbo chair there.










i just love his expression in this picture.

































These two are of Ian playing and him just being happy.










Ian is inside a box in this picture, a diaper box I think.