Utah Trip

Getting to Utah: Hans took me and Arlee to the Portland Airport. We decided to head out a little early for one we didn't know what to do with ourselves and two we heard of some sites that we wanted to go and see. We first stopped at a waterfall off the freeway. It is really tall. Hans is the only one that got out of the car since it was raining. It looked like you could see everything that you needed to anyway. Turns out there is more to it that I noticed on the way back home 3 weeks later.

After we got into Portland we decided that we were going to go and see the temple. It is gorgeous.  I have to say I loved taking pictures of this one... as you might be able to tell.

 Arlee loved collecting the leaves and naming them. Mommy leaf, Daddy leaf and baby leaf

 This picture was captured by accident, but I am thrilled the way that it turned out. Notice the heart shape made up by the trees that I am looking through. Hans took a picture close to where I took this one and didn't see the same things that I saw. Pretty awesome if you ask me. It made me think of the song. I LOVE to see the Temple....

Hans and Arlee

Me and Arlee

 Arlee telling us to look at all the pretty flowers while playing in the little puddle of water.

After the temple we headed to the airport. We parked the car and rode a shuttle to get inside. I am so glad that Hans was willing to take us in the airport, because I really couldn't do it by myself. I had a heck of a time just getting through security with a couple of bags, a car seat and a stroller. Let alone you pretty much have to undress to get through the monitors and then get dressed back up.

Once we were through security it was a little bit better. Arlee needed to go to the bathroom after just going so I had to take her and do that plus all our stuff. Then we sat and waited. Once the plane was at our gate Arlee was excited and had a great time telling me and everyone else that was close enough to hear her screaming. "There is our plane!"  That made everything a little bit better.

 Arlee playing hide and seek

 Arlee pointing and telling me about something or other.

It was so nice to get off that plane. I got a bit sick. Luckily Arlee enjoyed every minute of it. By the time that I saw my mom I just bursted into tears. This meant that it was over and I could now go to her house and relax!

I told my mom that I brought Arlee's swimsuit and we should have her and Kasiah play out in the pool since it was almost 90 degrees. Well come to find out I didn't bring it... GREAT... oh well I guess She could just play in her clothes. They had a great time with the dogs, splashing and carrying on like little girls.

My sister in law, Amy asked us to go to Discovery Gateway with her, Brock and Landon. They had a great time playing together and apart.

 Landon and Arlee playing house

 Arlee and Brock playing with the trains.

 Brock playing in the Theater costumes

 Landon and Arlee didn't want to play in the costumes so they just played with some other toys there while Brock was putting on a play for us.

The main reason that we were in Utah was for Hans' brother's wedding. It was a rather cold day so I am glad that we were not outside for too long. Mainly just for pictures at the temple and the reception.

 Hans' dad, Alan, Landon, Hans' brother, Jens and Brock.

 Arlee and me in our reception outfits. Thanks again to my friend, Sara for lending me this dress. It worked out perfect!

 Alan!

 What a handsome looking guy. Seriously!

 Arlee, Hans' sister-Stine and her boyfriend- Jesse

 Me and Arlee cheesing it up!

 Arlee and Hans out on the dance floor.

 We all had a blast dancing and Arlee was really cute doing so. This is after a lot of the people got off.... Arlee was running around in a circle and sometimes skipping.

 Their car all made over. We forgot to do anything for it, but their friends were on the ball. Thank goodness.

 Hans and Arlee with a sparkler.

 Me and Arlee


The Sunday that Hans was in town with us (day after Sven's wedding) we went to some of our good friends' church for their baby girl's blessing. It was great to see them and especially her. This was our first time seeing her. Let me just say that she is so stinking cute. I am even more excited to see what Lydia is going to look like. It was a great reminder of what a little baby looks like. Hahaha! How can one forget? But it seemed like I did. Her dad did a great job giving her a blessing. His emotion about his little girl brought tears to my eyes.  All around a very special moment.

 Arlee, me and Blakely

Hans and Blakely

 Seriously! How could anyone not want to just eat her up? She is adorable! Just saying...

 Arlee and Gage actually let us take a picture of both of them looking. In the past it has been pretty hard.  I think it turned out pretty good.  Just a reminder that Gage is 2 weeks older than Arlee.

 Arlee climbing through the doggy door at Kali's house.

 Kali wanted to see if she could still fit into her wedding dress. Of course she would! She was happy that it still fit. Here is there family picture. Shawn, Meeko and Kali. What a good looking family.

 Kali and Arlee just before she changed out of her dress.

We celebrated my brother in law's birthday a little bit late this year. Abbie was out of town, he had clinicals and then Shawn celebrated his birthday with a bunch of family and friends at their new house. My family only gets together every other week since most of the people live in Utah and so does the spouse's family.  That is why it was late, but at least Hans, Arlee and I could be there. My sister, also had some of their close friends come as well as Matt's parents. Abbie and my mom made his cake. Kali was going to do it, but she thought she should celebrate her anniversary instead. The cake turned out great! I think that most everyone was shocked how well it turned out.

 Abbie, Kate, Gracie, Arlee, Matt and Kasiah. Kate and Gracie are their friend's kids.

 Kali, Meeko and Shawn. Meeko is a complete baby. He loves to be held. We got this picture mainly, because he is wearing sunglasses and looks so smooth doing so.

On Monday, Hans had to go and pick up his diploma. While he was inside getting it I took a picture of his school. It is now called Roseman University, but I didn't really get the name in there. Hans was the last graduating class with the original name.

 Hans left on Tuesday. After he left my mom got Kasiah and we took them to Jungle Jim's.  This is Arlee's favorite place to go I think. I really like taking her here too.

 Kasiah and Arlee and the Merry Go Round

 Now on the roller coaster

 Arlee and Kasiah playing in the slides

 Kasiah is boosting Arlee up each level. There were plenty of times that Kasiah couldn't get her up with out several tries. I am so glad she is willing to do it though, because we had a lot of fun watching them laugh and talking to each other. Let alone I didn't have to climb in there 7 months pregnant. I have a hard enough time when I am not pregnant.

You really have to watch yourself going down these slides because you will go shooting out. Kasiah would try catching Arlee. She would start waiting to catch her, but then she would turn and start screaming as Arlee came down. This was really funny to watch. Have to say that I almost wet my pants a few times laughing at them.

 My mom and Arlee on the bumper cars. Arlee was just barely tall enough to ride, but not big enough to do it herself. My mom and Kasiah took her on them. As you can tell it was pretty tight when my mom took her on them. let alone having your legs jammed up on it when you got bumped by anyone.

 Kasiah's whole body would shake with anticipation when some was about to bump her. She would of course scream as loud as she could too.

 Kasiah being a 4 yr. old... acting like she was picking her nose.

 Kasiah and Arlee

Arlee again on the Merry Go Round. She loved riding on the small horses. Normally it is that she wants the big ones. This was a switch for sure.

We had a great time in Utah. We were there for 3 weeks and enjoyed all the time that we spent there. Have to say that we really missed Hans and our lives in Washington. It was great to get back home and back to the things we normally do.

We don't have that much longer until Lydia gets here and we can't wait. Arlee has been so cute about the thought of having her come. She hugs and kisses my stomach and tells me that she loves her baby sister. I know that she is going to be my big helper and I look forward to having my two girls together at last.

My mom has booked her ticket to come into town and help me. I talked to my doctor and asked her if she would consider inducing me. She told me that if I was at a 3 a week before my due date that she would. If not, I guess she will come when she comes and hopefully my mom is here. This is going to be the first of all the babies to be born outside of Utah. So I guess there is no good way to do this yet, but hopefully it all works out smoothly. That is the part that I am the most nervous about. But, there is nothing that I can do about it.