Massive update: the past 4 months!

WARNING: There is a ridiculously long post! I'm sorry I've been so terrible about updating...I've been busy! Here's a recap of the last 4 months!

August
In August, we had a wonderful visit to Tennessee to see Brandon's dad, and spend time with all of his 7 siblings and their families! It was (as always) such a blast!

Jaxson and Grandpa TerryThen, my bestest friend Amie came home from her mission in Florida!Of course we took Jaxson to the fair to ride the rides. He would literally cry at the end of every ride because he had to get off. (By the way, I chopped my hair off).

September

I started student teaching! I couldn't even believe that it was actually happening...I am almost done with school!

My cute little first graders!

Jaxson is getting so big and is so much fun! It's hard going to school full time and spending so much time away from him, but I know I need to do it. Brandon also took the plunge to go back to school full time (online through Washington State University) and is doing really well. He should graduate next December!

October
October became very busy for our family with all of the school and work we were doing. I fully took over my class (student teaching) and was in charge of everything. Then, at the end of the month I had to help out with the Primary presentation at church, and of course we had Halloween!

Jax was the cutest little cow!Jax wasn't too sure about trick-or-treating at first, but once we met up with cousins and friends, he was SO excited. He would say "Trick-or-treat" then when I would tell him to say thank-you he'd say "you're welcome". Is trick-or-treating for the children (or the parents who eat all of their candy, or is that just me)?

November

As many of you may know, I am a personal trainer and actually really enjoy working out (usually). Well, I am also a very competitive person and often need an outlet to let my competitive juices flow. So, I have been thinking about getting more serious about running and competing in races in order to have some competition. There was a 5K race that some family friends were putting on to raise money for our local Cancer society and Brandon, Mariah (my sister in law) and I all decided we would be supportive and run in it. I was thinking I might enjoy it, but once the race was over all I could say was "why do people do that?". I was actually quite bored (and a 5K isn't even that long)- however, just because I was bored does not mean I wasn't tired. But, I'll admit, I was pretty proud of my time.

As I kept talking about how I have no desire to run in long distance races (and I literally had not worked out for 3 weeks after my first 5K), I got suckered in to running another one! On Thanksgiving day, Mariah and I ran in the "Turkey Trot" (which by the way Sarah Palin was running in as well-weird). Well, this race was a little more enjoyable and my time improved, but I still have no desire to continue running in them. I guess we'll see how that ends up.

After running in the Turkey trot, we headed to the fields to watch the boys play some football. This is my cute little nephew, Blake (who is actually not so little anymore). Most of this team is made up of my family (husband, brothers, and cousins) so it was pretty fun to watch all of those out of shape boys run around (just kidding, they weren't all of out shape).

We had such a great Thanksgiving weekend. We had lots of family come to visit and had a blast spending time with them. My mom's sister, Barb and most of her kids came (with their kids) and my grandparents came as well. However, it wasn't very much fun when about 4 people came down with the flu, including Jaxson who was throwing up compulsively for a whole day (probably the saddest thing I've ever seen). Lastly, it was also mine and Brandon's 4th Anniversary on Thanksgiving day! Needless to say we haven't really celebrated yet. (4 years! Can you believe it?) Oh and I can't forget to mention how crazy Brittney (my cousin's wife) and I were to go out shopping at 5am on black Friday (mainly so she could get a glorious camera (yes we waited for 2 hours in line at Best Buy! You're welcome Brit! But, it really was OK because she took some beautiful pictures for us the next day:-)Take a look...
I also would like to share some more beautiful family pictures we had taken earlier this month by my cousin Elaina. She has started a business called Graceful Photography and takes great pictures! Thanks to both of my cousins for the wonderful pictures!

Week 2 in Cali: San Francisco

After a week with Brandon's family in So. Cal, we all piled in to 3 cars to caravan up to San Francisco before we ventured into the mountains for a family reunion. We did lots of fun touristy stuff in San Fran and had a few "adventures" along the way.

Of course we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge and stopped for pictures on the other side. We even got all of the cousins (my adorable nieces and nephews) to pose together (kind of).

We saw the beautiful views and buildings of the city, did a quick visit in Chinatown, and a stop to see the seals at Pier 39.We even got to time travel like in Back to the Future. OK, not really, it was basically just a fancy outhouse. In reality it was just as gross as a regular outhouse, but it looked way cooler so it tricked you in to believing it was going to be something special. As you push the button waiting for the door to open and then step in feeling like Marty McFly, the door shuts and locks behind you, and you realize it was quite a mean joke as you're left with only a gross toilet (created slightly with a Back to the Future mindset since you're supposed to hover over it like a spacecraft) and talking directions telling you how to get out of this slightly creepy time capsule of a bathroom. But hey, it was an experience. Now, we also had a plan to go to the world famous Ghiradelli ice cream shop, and that within itself was an adventure (thanks Autumn :-), but before we get to that, on our way there, we stopped to be entertained by the "characters" that are posing with Brandon (and a shy and/or terrified Jaxson) along the way. I must first explain that whenever we are in some type of crowd (i.e. a comedy show, a cruise ship, a break dancing competition such as this one, etc.) Brandon, who never actually volunteers, is almost always called on to come up to do something. (As a side note this is a good time to reminisce about the dance competition he won on our cruise ship for booty dancing-that may have to surface on video here if I can figure out how to do it-very funny). Anyway, he was sitting down and was called up to stand there as a little 5'6 guy did a back flip over him (6'5)and another 6'7 guy as their arms were extended. Pretty impressive, but good participation Brandon!

Now, on to Ghiradelli. I want to start out by saying to Autumn that I was never mad during this adventure and now it is quite funny, but I was annoyed for a few reasons. 1. I was holding my almost 30lb toddler the entire time as we paced the streets of San Francisco, because he had finally fallen asleep and wouldn't go to anyone else, 2. We were told that "it was only a couple more blocks" at least 4 times, and 3. we passed like 3 perfectly delicious ice cream shops along the way. Well, Autumn said that this place was THE BEST so we all (and I mean all 9 adults and 9 children under the age of 10) began to walk looking for Ghiradelli, well as we walked and walked aimlessly, we realized it was up another street, and then another, and then when we saw the giant sign, it was still up another street or two. Needless to say, it was an adventure but we still had fun and the ice cream was great, and my arms are stronger from holding Jax! Love you Autumn! :-)

For a fantastic end to a wonderful trip, I got to see Siera, one of my very best friends from high school, and her husband Josh. Thanks for coming to visit guys, wish we could have seen more of you!

Week 1 in Cali: Sand, Sun, and Lots of fun

Another great time with family and friends in Southern California! We sure do love our visits there when we get to hang out with everyone (but you guys have still got some work to do if you really want us to move there)!

We had lots of fun beach days, including a great 4th of July! Jaxson loves his cousins!

He especially loved playing in (and eating) the sand like his cousin Ashtyn.

Brandon asked for a sexy Merman makeover and his wish was our command.

Of course we enjoyed all of the great and never ending supply of food (but not so much enjoyment when we looked at the results on the scale after we ate like that for 2 weeks)!

We also got to go to a great art exhibition and see "The Pageant of the Masters". It was incredible (and even more incredible that Jaxson did great with his 1st babysitters that weren't family, thank goodness his cousins were there!)

Annual Lake Chelan Vacation

For the past 20+ years my family has made many trips to a small town called Chelan in Central Washington where my parents have a condo on the lake. It is always a fun getaway where we get to play and relax with family. This year, Brandon, Jaxson, and I stayed for the whole week, so it was a special treat! Of course we spent lots of time swimming in the pool, but we also loved to go down to the lake to skip rocks and play in the sand. (It was a bit too cold to get me to swim in the lake, but I put my legs in and then Jaxson walked right in to the water up to his tummy like it was nothing).

Jaxson would have lived at the park and slept on the swings if he had a choice

However, he wasn't as fond of the cute little pony carriage ride that him and his cousin Tayson went on at the "farm". I thought this picture was so cute, but right after I took it they turned around and headed back to us because Jaxson was screaming once he realized he was sitting next to a stranger and mommy and daddy weren't there.There was also a big tractor at the "farm" that Jaxson swore he was driving and was so excited about it.

And there were lots of pretty flowers that helped me get some cute pictures.

Thanks to Gramma and Papa for another fun time at Lake Chelan! Now we're off to California for almost 2 weeks to see Grandma Lori, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins! We're so excited and can't wait to see you all!