November in UTAH!

I know it seems like we just went to Utah not too long ago and that is because we did. Seems like we have been down a lot this year. Right now it might not sound like I am too excited about it, but with everything going on it was great to get away. We are in the final steps to buying our first house. I will be posting pictures  on here as soon as we get it. It isn't anything fancy. It is our first house though and we can't be more thrilled to have something that is ours... and the banks for now.

So while we were going through all the crazy steps to buying the house we decided to go down one last time to Utah. We mainly went for Kali's baby's blessing, but it is the last time that we will be down until after March. We can't afford to fly and driving is a little risky! This time was no exception. Pure craziness. The roads in the passes were not great. One pass had a snow storm. There were trucks chaining up and too many cars having problems for my liking. Luckily, we made it back safely. Hans and I decided that from Nov. to March we will be staying in Washington. No going to Utah unless we fly.

Arlee had a lot of fun playing in the leaves.

Hans was playing fetch with the dog.

About the week before we were supposed to head to Utah, I got a call. My sister, Abbie asked me, "How much do you like soccer?" I was just thinking that is a weird question, she should already know the answer to this. Well turns out that she got some playoff tickets! Problem being, we wouldn't be getting in until the day of the game. I had to switch cleaning around and cancel babysitting for my friend, but it all worked out. We were able to go down the day before and go to the game with Abbie and Matt. It was a blast.

 Calm before the storm....

 Matt and Abbie before the game.

I was pretty excited about the game getting closer. Matt, Abbie and Hans were too!

The storm of streamers at kick off. There is a little video before the game that says please don't throw anything on the field, but it doesn't seem to phase anyone.

They even have plenty of staff ready to clean it up. I think they must be expecting it. What do you think?

 After we got back to my parents after the game we went to bed. My mom had the girls already in bed; which was so nice. (THANK YOU MOM!) Then when we woke up. This was outside. I never felt more cold! I guess I am used to the cold now, but the snow just makes it seem all that much more cold. It was horrible. During our visit it easily snowed 10 inches. The first day Arlee was hot in long sleeves. The rest of the time we were freezing in anything.

 Since it was snowing and yucky outside we decided to go and ride the Ferris Wheel at Scheels (kind of like Cabella's) with Hans' family. The kids enjoyed the ride, but were a little bored with the wait.

Kiddos looking up at the Ferris Wheel.

 FINALLY!!!!! We made it. We had a turn and the kids enjoyed it.

 Every kid, but Lydia. She had to wait. Amy wasn't up for the ride (being prego and all). She stayed with her.
Lydia also decided that it would be a good idea to start the teething process when we got to Utah, so she wasn't all that happy.

 Since we went down the day before, Abbie agreed to do the reveal party while we were there. Rather than when they got into their new house. The picture with my dashing husband looking so aware of me is when everyone was trying to figure out what they were having.
Matt and Abbie had fortune cookies and cupcakes. They said that one thing on the table revealed what they were having. So everyone was trying to figure it out.

After about 10 long minutes and me cutting through a cupcake and thinking about finishing all the rest with a cut and breaking all the cookies. Matt's brother grabbed this cute bear by the head and put it down. Then Hans grabbed it by its arm- Matt then grabbed it from him and told everyone to sit down. Matt and Abbie got up together and started this little spill about why they did what they did.... blah blah blah.... Just kidding.

The picture with them holding the bear together is right before they told us. They built it at the Build A Bear Workshop. It had a voice thing in it that said what they were having.

They had Arlee push it for them. When she did it said, "IT A.........................................GIRL!!!! Arlee started crying and said, "I don't want a baby sister!" She ran over to me and sat on the floor crying. Abbie was recording her at this point. 'Arlee what is the matter?' 'I don't want a baby sister!' She said. 'I want a baby brother!' Once I told her that it was Abbie and Matt's baby she was okay. I guess she thought that even though we were there for Abbie and Matt that I was the one having the baby.
I have to say that this made me a little bit nervous for the next baby. I hope Arlee isn't as set on having a baby brother when the time comes. If we have a girl again. I am sure she will get over it, but it was pretty funny.
Arlee always tells me that she wants a baby brother Landon. We have 3 families that we are close with that have a little brother, Landon in them. Oddly enough they are the 2nd child in all of them. I am sure that is where she gets it from.
We are so excited for Abbie and Matt. Girls are so much fun. I think they might require a little bit more hair styling and pink things, but either is fine for me.

Until next time.

The Hoges