The Happenings

The past few weeks have been so special and packed. I feel like it was just a day ago we welcomed wee William into the world but it's been 4 weeks. We have jam packed his first weeks of life to the brim! We flew to the beautiful area of the northwest and it made us a bit homesick. James and I both love this part of the country and miss it a great deal. It was wonderful to be back and visiting. Both kiddos did amazing on the flight and were troopers the whole trip.

Our big event that took us traveling was James' grandmothers 80th birthday celebration. He had not seen or talked to many of these great people for 15+ years. It was so special to rekindle the relationships and for me to finally meet this family I'd yearned to know. We felt so blessed to be there and I wish we could have stayed and been with them longer. They truly were a wonderful group of people!

It was special also for James and I to visit with dear friends. My roommate Christina and her sweet family, our friend Katie, my close neighbors from childhood, our awesome group Taylor, Emma & Jared, my dear friend Rachelle, my wonderful sweet co-worker Alverna, and so many others. It was impossible to see everyone we care about but it was quite special to get to see so many!

Another big event that occurred during this fast trip was Williams Blessing. James and I decided it would be extra special to have priesthood men he'd been raised by in the prayer circle, so very last minute the plans were pulled together. It was a beautiful blessing and the spirit was very strong. I am so thankful for James and the father he is. Little William is blessed and lucky to have such a man to look up to.

Being at Bop and Grammys was fun. They have so many toys and awesome things to play with. Jane loved their m&m machine!!

My birthday ends the week of craziness. While home my family celebrated on the very last night we were with them. They had golden presents (28 of them) and gold dishes and foods. It was special! The "cake" was doughnuts piled high. This year is a birthday I've been waiting for my whole life, my "Golden Birthday!" I turn 28 on the 28th. I have looked forward to this birthday for so long and now that it's here it feels just like another day. 28 years.....there has been a lot packed in those years!

The very last huzzah of the week was having James' dad Reid, and fiancé Brigit, into our home. They were only here a day but it was really special. It was wonderful to see James with his dad, and to watch his dad interact with his grandkids. Life is precious and Love is spelled T-I-M-E. We are grateful, even though it was tough and straining at moments, that we were able to take the time for family this month!

NW Day 5

Jane and I got to venture to the Spencer's!! James' older brother, Anthony, lives in WA and it was so fun to visit with his sweet family and see their new abode. It's like a treehouse cabin! And they've decorated it so cozy!

I loved watching Jane play with her fun cousin Evelyn. She was adorable and had told Krystal she wanted to "match baby Jane." She shared all her blocks, toys and even army crawled with Jane! It was adorable.

It was so wonderful to catch up with them in person. Skype is great and all, but the real deal is soooo much better! They are a great family!!!

Then we had some fun play time with Grammy before falling asleep! That old rocking horse was a hit! How fun Grammy and Bops house is!

Now we need some good luck fairy dust for a long 14 hour drive to UT!!!!!!!

NW Day 3

Jane and I visited Bops Ranch today and enjoyed seeing all the animals in the rain.

We got to see the chickens, horses, alpacas, and the cows. And Jane got a ride on the Gator. Bop loves showing off his work to his Grandkids!

Then I got to make a bunch of little "Party Animals" for Mollys birthday. They are so cute, I need to make a little set for me ;).

In the evening we got to go to my dear friend Jessica Beans wedding! I met her husband, Gary, saw a lot of amazing people I grew up with and enjoyed hearing special words at a wedding. I loved the thoughts said about marriage. Especially the fact on continuing to date one another, for the husband to be more deaf and the wife to be more blind ;), and to wake up each morning wanting to be the best spouse every day! I love weddings, and this was a special one to be at!!

NW Day 2

Jane got to experience a classic Seattle day; rain! We went on an adventure to my all time favorite park, Farrel McWhirter. It feels like a National Park and is beautiful!  

We explored the barn where the kiddos saw a giant pig, goats, bunnies and sheep. It was so fun to be out in the wetness!

The colors of WA are incredible, check out that moss!

Miss Nora was helping Jane walk around the house. So sweet and special cousin time. I love these two little ladies.

For dinner we celebrated miss Mollys birthday. She had lots of beautiful details and mom made an amazing salad to accompany pizza. My family sure makes food and birthdays special.

The ending of the day was attending my home Church Wards Friday of crafts/classes. Lara and I took our babes in arm and joined in the AMAZING Elsie's chocolate making class and then I sneaked in to Janalee Leavitt/Tauyna Covingtons class on sharing the message of Christ during Christmas in your home and to others. It was a fun, and yummy, evening.

NW Day 1

We started our first day off right here in the Pacific Northwest by going on a morning walk! Grammy is so good and tries to exercise each morning, so we joined her. I LOVE this "Monet Bridge" that's in our neighborhood and just had to show Jane!

She enjoyed Cheerios as mom and I caught up and talked about things we've been up to. Little moments like this are my all time FAVORITE!! I wish life would slow down more for moments like this. They are so special! I love being outdoors, especially when with some of my favorite people (minus my Mr.James! who I'm already missing).

Jane has never seen such huge trees or big leafs before. And oh does the Northwest air smell and feel good! It is amazing after living in Idaho so long I had forgotten how hilly, wet and forested this beautiful place is!

In the afternoon I had the luck to go and visit my favorite co-workers I have ever had!!!!!!!! Packaging Specialties is my all time favorite little shop, Jane quite enjoyed the wrapping paper tubes and pointing at all the ribbon. Joan, Lexi and Alverna (3 of my Faves!) were all there!! It was so fun to have them meet Jane!! And to catch up with them in their lives! I love these women!

Pit Stops

During our drive to and from UT this last weekend for my brothers wedding we stopped in Malad Idaho to feed Jane and take a car break. It is the neatest little city. It made me realize that even the little tiny cities of this country have a rich heritage and a people of ingenuity. We ate at a ma&pa BBQ joint on the way down. It had picnic tables, sunflowers, a firepit and bark on the ground. It was a blast eating there.

Then on our way back we looked up a park to go feed Jane and enjoy the beautiful weather. It was located right next to their LDS Chapel. It was the most beautiful church building I've ever seen. It was built in 1913, had stained glass windows, balcony seating and an amazing old organ. They even let James play it for a little while....he was a giddy little boy!

While we ate and played at the park James looked up the city in Wikipedia and learned some really neat facts: the 5th JCPenny was opened here!, the town is the 2nd most Welsh populated area other than Wales, they've had a major flood and earthquake, they have a Welsh festival each year (we missed it by 1 weekend, but heard them practicing music at the church!)....there were so many neat things to learn about the small town. I've decided that on every road trip we should stop I small cities and look up thier history. It was so much fun and we even had a short treasure hunt to find some of the things talked about! I feel we "walked in the shoes" of the Malad people for just a brief moment in time.