9 months and counting....

Last week Andy and I had a great opportunity to fly back west to Klamath Falls, Oregon for a site interview. As of right now, I don't know what we are doing, but everything about the visit was wonderful. It was a great, small town, and a place we would be very happy to live. Andy was offered the position, so now we are just putting are ducks in a row, and trying to figure out what is best for us and the kids. We have 9 months until he is done with residency and things with us are in full swing, it is both stressful and exciting, but also just the next step for us.


The hospital


Lake of the Woods is just 25 minutes down the road.


Andy and I at the lake, and I have decided that we need a new couple pose for pics.


Gorgeous!!

None of this could have happened without Andy's amazing mother KayLee who came out and watched all 4 of the kids so we could go and do this alone, another thank you to her!!

When we got back we had a few more days with Grandma before she left and were so excited that she got to go to the homecoming parade with us, it is always so fun.


Getting the candy, and I love the Bay Village Rocket, it is so cool.




Oh man, look at how cute this girl is. And she lost her second tooth, Grandma helped pull it out!


Marin in the middle of her talking, it is hilarious.


Porter and his loot. He got some serious candy!!

Estrogen Day (a triathlon and Country Living Fair).....

For about nine months I have been planning on a doing a sprint triathlon with my friends Jill and Hillary, all the talk, anxiety, and gear planning is over. It was a great day, we met up early at Jill's and drove down to Akron together. I was lucky to have KayLee here from Utah so she came with me (which was awesome because she has never been to any of my races). Once we got signed in, markered on, and set up our transition area, it was time to walk down to the start. Jill and I are pretty equivalent for swim times, so were started next to each other! The swim was good, pretty tough and Jill and I kept bumping into a lady who started herself to soon (she was slower), so that was annoying. Then it was onto the bike. The course was just two laps, but mostly uphill, my legs were on fire. After I hopped off my bike I had to get into running mode. It was so cold that day, I felt like I was barely moving and frozen all over, I honestly couldn't tell if I was moving or not. The run was on gravel, a partial trail run, and thankfully it was marked clearly! It was a good experience and felt good to be doing something that I was familiar with.

I have to give special props to Jill and Hillary. Jill for sticking it out and going for it, doing something she had never done before and finishing it!! And to Hill, who does not enjoy swimming at all, who started way after me, and who passed a ton of people, only to finish a minute after me!! These girls are amazing (thanks for the motivation ladies!) Here are the tri pics....


Me, Hillary, Jill just arriving at Portage Lakes State Park in Akron. (and yeah I am rocking my Utah sweatshirt for the Utah vs. BYU game that night, I don't need to say anymore on that.)


Walking down to the swim.


Waiting our turn to get in the water.


Getting ready to get on the bike.


Running, I think.....it was so cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


All DONE!!


The ladies after we had all finished.

After the tri, I plugged in the gps and KayLee and I drove two hours to Columbus for the Country Living Fair. I have wanted to go to this every year since we have moved here, but haven't been able to with Andy's work schedule, but this was my last chance, so I had to make it happen. I don't know that I have ever been to a craft event quite this big, but it was wonderful. Overall it was worth going and seeing what it was all about and the food there was amazing!! But I have to say that people are crazy about what they charge for stuff, like aprons and skirts for $90, HELLO, does it automatically make you a size 2 when you put it on, yeah, I didn't think so. The thing that I left there still thinking about was a quilt kit for that they were charging $120 for, which really was a good price with everything you got, but there is no way Andy would ever understand that. Maybe one day I can track it down or do layaway or something. KayLee did buy me a blue mason jar, they are so cute and I have some flowers in it right now, oh and I bought myself a CLF t-shirt that I love.

It was a great day. I loved being with my girls and also being able to spend the day with KayLee, we always make some good memories and have good laughs (remember the lady we sat and had lunch with KayLee!!)


The fair is at the Ohio historical society, the building there are so awesome!


The pumpkins made me excited for fall.


Getting ready to leave with full hands!

Warrior Dash....

It started like this in an e-mail from Andy "Shay, sign us up. I would love to do this and it is only 2 hours away from our house. Call some of your friends and see if they want to do it with us. Love you."

So being a loving and supportive wife, I did what Andy asked, and I signed us up. I also e-mailed a bunch of people, and should have realized it was a bad sign when no one else wanted to do it with us. But I have wanted to do some sort of race with Andy for a while so I jumped at the chance.

Here is the link of the race we participated in.

We got to the race site and it was crazy, there were people everywhere and they were covered in mud. I knew I was in for that, but I didn't fully understand the extent of the race, the hills, the heights, the level of difficulty. I don't know the last time I was that scared and I remember thinking during the race that it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Now that it is all said and done, I am not sure about that, I think I would do it again, just not by choice. Overall the race was fun and Andy was amazing and helped me through the whole thing. If it was not for him I probably would still be up on the 40 foot rope climbing wall. Here are some pics....






A view of the whole set up.


Our clothes in the trunk, they were so nasty!


The parking lot. We were literally in the middle of nowhere.


Andy and I in the car on the way home.

Some of the obstacles we had to do were running up giant hills covered in mud up to my ankles, swim over giant logs, up another hill and through more terrible mud, climb up and over the 40 foot rope, jump up into and back out of giant metal garbage cans, tire jumping, another wall with ropes, tire dodging, climb across a spiderman type net, walk a across a series of plank, up over wood walls and under barbed wire 5 times, another huge 30 ft wall that I said I would not do but decided to do and then I almost peed my pants when I saw the other side and how there was no wall, only ropes, and then there were more hills and I was dying, we jumped over fire, then swan through the mud pit, and crossed the finish line!! I think I covered it all. Wow, going back and thinking about it is quite scary, I cannot believe I did it.

I would also like to ad here that Andy is a serious stud. He is so strong and fast and he has no fear. I know it was killing him to go so slow with me, but he never left me. And after doing that he has decided to train for this beast. I know he's crazy, but I love him.

Rascal, Bus, and a Wedding Dress....

Marin is always keeping me on my toes as she is into everything. She loves to play with the stuff in the pantry, but not until recently has she been pulling out the bottom drawer and sitting it, allowing her to access more items. She also enjoys sitting on the dishwasher and spreading the water around, which is funny when she gets out because her legs are slippery making crawling difficult.


Marin keeping busy.


I wonder what is going through her mind, does she have a plan for something....


What, I am just being cute.


And here she is in the dishwasher.


How long had the lego wheel been in her mouth, good thing she does not swallow little things.

We also just found out that we are getting the bus again this year, the kids are so excited. Carlee felt so special her first few times getting on and off the bus. And Porter was so cute in preparation for it all, talking about he would make sure she was in the right bus line etc. The first time Carlee got off the bus she was running to me, she just feel so big and she is fully aware of what a big deal it is. As for me, I am not sure I love the bus, I have to wait a while for it to come and I almost would rather just go to the school and get them, but oh well. It is so cute to see them sitting together when the bus is pulling up to our stop.


Walking to the bus. Also, look at Tessa on a big girl bike, she just learned a few days ago and is so proud if herself.


She calls it a two wheeler.


Carlee and some of her friends that happen to be at the same bus stop.


IT"S COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I had to force her to come back and give me a hug and a kiss.

And yes, I did it, I pulled out my wedding dress, and I may have tried it on. Carlee and I were looking at the Temples magazine and got to talking about where Andy and I were married, which led to discussion about my dress and she asked me if I still had it. So I got it out and with a little push from Carlee I put it on. Really all I have to say about me wearing that again was that I wish I appreciated the body I had back then a little more. Why are we always so critical of our selves. That attitude was ending right then for me and I vowed to not be so hard on myself ever again. Anyway, both of the girls tried on my dress and that was fun, I think the kicker was when they put on my veil, they looked so cute. I don't have any hopes or anything of them wearing my dress when they get married, but the veil, that would be cool.


Tessa May feeling pretty


I wonder what the secret was.

First Day of School 2011....

This was a big day for us, not just because it was the first day of school, but also because it was Carlee's first day of Kindergarten! The morning was great the kids were so excited to wear their new clothes and shoes (that I bought last minute...), oh and Porter was so excited about his new messenger bag for a backpack. The only issue that morning was that I could not get Carlee to eat anything! So off we went to take Porter to school, which was very hard for Carlee, she so wanted to go with him so bad, but our half day Kindergarten does not permit that. After we got Porter to his class, we headed back home and for the next 2 hours I had to listen to Carlee ask how much longer until Kindergarten started, and yes, she wore her backpack all morning.


My P man lookin' all cute.


Best buds for life.


Porter in his class, can you tell he did not want me to take his picture.

Finally, it was Carlee's turn to go to school, and after forcing her to eat a half of a PB sandwich, we were off. For the first day of Kindergarten they asked the parents to go and be there with them to show them the ropes etc. So Andy and I were both able to be there and my friend watched the other girls for us. I really cannot explain enough how happy and excited Carlee was. She has been ready for this day for the past two years.


Carlee and her best bud Wesley.


We love our Car Car.


Carlee had to run to the school, she could not walk.


Making a kissing hand craft.


I surprised Carlee with a new charm for her charm braclet that she got from her Uncle Caleb and Aunt Lauren.

Overall the first day of school was wonderful. To stick with our tradidtion, after school we went to Malley's for some super yummy treats, (I don't know how I am going to live without that place when we move from here.) I did not shed a single tear the whole day, the kids, especially Carlee are ready for this and need it, I was just so happy.

Utah Part 2....

After my grandma's funeral I had two days of chill/hang out time with Andy's family. The timing was great that the kids hadn't started school yet, so there was major cousin time going on. The first day of chill I headed up to "Huupper" (as the Utah people say it) to Aubrey's house. It was great just being together, the kids were out on the tramp, on the slip n'slide, running around like the crazies they are, painting fingers, eating everything in Aub's house, just being kids. I made my famous bacon spaghetti for dinner, and by the time that was over I was pooped.


The kids on the tramp, yes, I let Carlee on.....


Little Logan, he played with the hose the whole time.


Luke and Porter are so much fun to watch together.


Madi chilled with Marin on the stairs and gave painted her toes for the first time!

The next day I made an executive decision that we were going to ride the Frontrunner train downtown to Salt Lake and go to temple square. We all met at the usual meeting place, then drove to the frontrunner station. Apparently there is a schedule you have to check before you go on the train, who would have thought, not me. So we ended up having to wait 1 hour for the next train. The only thing I could think of was to get creative with my camera, so while La La headed to the store for water and candy, I took pics of the kids.


I think that all of the cousins are in this picture, except for Oaklee and Fischer who are about to be born!! Okay, never mind, we are missing Cameron...


Boys


Girls


Porter and Luke doing a Spongebob thing.


Shoe power


D and her Logan


Camera Attack


The memories of Andy and I first dating all came flooding back when I looked up and saw this amazing place.


Here we are, the whole crew. This was the first time that us girls had done something without KayLee (you were missed.)


Little did I know what Porter was doing....


now I know....


Here is the peanut, she was so tired.


Abigail is so sweet with all of the babies.


More girls


The two together look like Four Arms


Love these girls


mainly because we really look like this and it's all good.

So yeah, it was a good time, the whole thing was bitter sweet. The drive home was good, the kids were amazing again and did not complain. Andy and I kept having moments where we would just randomly ask each other "where are we going to go". We never once had to ask what we were talking about because it is clear what is on our minds right now and 25 1/2 hours is a long time to think about it.

Once again I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped me through this journey. It was unexpected and crazy and I could not have done it without all of you. Love to all, love to all.