An Update...

Ella decorating eggies! She likes to be silly!

A better look at her face!

Ella with her Easter Basket and goodies!

Ella showing us she got a Barbie Movie!

Daddy and Ella blowing out the candles on his brownie dessert!

I know, I know I have been such a slacker, but I will finally post what we have been up to.

We had a great Easter this year. Ella woke up early to find eggies and her basket. She had told us for about a month before that the Easter bunny was going to bring her Barbie in a Mermaid Tale movie. She was very excited when she found that in there, and also some Tinkerbell bubble bath. She loves taking baths especially when she has lots, and lots of bubbles. Then we went to my parents and had a big easter egg hunt with all the cousins and ate lots of food. We didn't do much but it is always nice to relax and hang out with family. We missed our other family down in St. George this year, but we will for sure be there next year!

We took one last quick trip down to St. George to visit everyone. Zach had training from Monday to Thursday so he finally got a weekend off. The drive was a little too long for me this time, but we definitely had a lot of fun seeing everyone. Ella always loves going to Grandma Keri's house. She knows that there is going to be lots of toys, books, and all the attention on her. Can't wait to see everyone again when the baby gets here.

Zach celebrated his 25th birthday last Wednesday! I told him that it is down hill from there, since I would know because I am so old according to him. Ella and I woke up and made him some French Toast. Then we went to go do something fun, but instead got stuck in a huge hail and rain storm. So we went to In-n-Out and ate lunch. Then that night we went to Lonestar Steakhouse so Zach could get a steak. It was a great day even though all we really did was eat, but let's be honest who doesn't love to eat! I got Zach some tickets to the AMA Supercross at Rice Eccles for Saturday, so that is when we will be doing our big birthday date/last date before the baby comes.

Ella has been busy growing up and being such a big girl. She sometimes acts like she is 16, but is reminded quickly that she is not in charge. She knows lots of songs, loves to read books, can spell her name, tries to write her name, talks about going to dance and school everyday, comes up with new sayings everyday. Her latest one was to Zach she said, "Daddy is this really necessary?" She is definitely a really smart girl and full of energy sometimes I don't know how to keep up with her. We love her more and more everyday and can't wait to see her as a big sister. I know she will be so good with her baby brother, and help him so much!

I have just been working and trying to last until next month. I am now to the uncomfortable, can't sleep, breath, sit, bend over, nothing fits, etc. stage. I have also had a lot of Braxton-hicks contractions, some are worse then others, but nothing consistent. I also start my weekly appointments this week which means I am going to start getting checked (the fun part.) Let's hope all the contractions, and walking I have been doing are helping me progress. I am excited for this little guy to join us, but also get nervous about having two kids. Zach is really excited for him to come, he asks Ella everyday if she is excited for baby brother. Ella is excited, but also thinks baby sister is coming, I am a little scared what is going to happen when it is just baby brother and not baby sister.

Other than working and preparing for this little guy to join our family we haven't been up too much. I will try to be better about posting.

Ella's Easter Dress

Since next week is General Conference Ella got to wear her new Easter dress to church today. She picked out her new dress all by herself and was so excited to wear it. We did her hair like a princess, and put on her new jelly shoes. Ella also decided to put on some of my colorstay lip gloss so it was stained around her mouth, but she still looked beautiful! She was definitely the cutest little girl at church today!

Ella's First Sleepover

Ella had her first sleepover at our house with her cousin McKaylee. She was so excited and they had so much fun. They watched Strawberry Shortcake and ate lots of treats. Then we made a big bed for them in the living room, and watched Dora as they fell asleep. They both had purple Dora pajamas that they had to wear so they could match. Then the next day they went up to my sister's house to play, and then had another sleepover over there. Ella did really well and I was so glad she got to have some fun with her cousins. All my sisters live in the same Stake so their kids get to play together a lot. I am glad to see Ella finally getting to have some fun with them also. Thanks McKaylee for coming over and playing!

Ella's surgery

Today Ella had to go in and get an out patient surgery done at Primary Children's. Her four back molars had really deep pits. So they had to go in and get them taken care of before they went to the root, and caused even more problems for her. We had to be there at 6:00 AM so we could check in and they could check all of her vitals and everything to make sure she was ok. Then they gave her some medicine in a syringe to make her tired before taking her in for the procedure. They took her about 7:30, and it only took about an hour. They had to put in a breathing tube in her nose. So they had to wait until she woke up to take it out, and then I could see her. As soon as I got back to see her she sat up, took the blankets off, wanted to take off all of the monitors and her little IV and said lets go. But we had to wait until she would drink some water or eat a popsicle to make sure she was ok to go home. She threw up a little blood one time at the hospital (which they say is normal from having the breathing tube in), but ate a popsicle right after. Then they released us, and she got to ride in a little wagon to the doors. As soon as we got home we cuddled on the couch and took a nap. She has been doing well since she got home. She gets really happy and wants to play then gets tired again, and just wants to watch Cartoons. She did such a great job for not having a clue what was about to happen to her. I am so proud of my little Ella bug for being so brave! Love you bug!

I did take some pictures on my phone, but wiil post them later.

Ride Along

Salt Lake County Weekend Grave Crew

Three weeks ago I got to finally go out with Zach on a ride along. It was a lot of fun! I meet up with him at his office about 5:30 to start his shift. First off he had to do a blood draw for another Trooper. The guy whose blood he drew was just arrested for leading the trooper on a pursuit and DUI among other things. The guy wasn't very cooperative so I got to see Zach let him know who was in charge. I thought it was great. After that we got to go out and stop some cars. For the first part of the night we stayed on the freeways. We didn't have any crashes happen that night. Then after going to eat with Zach's crew we went out and got to do Zach's favorite thing, looking for DUIs. We had some bad luck at first and had to stop a few cars before we found something. Finally we found one and it was definitely worth the wait. It was a transvestite(a guy wearing a mini skirt and high heels.) He/she/it was about 1 and 1/2 times the legal limit for alcohol. We booked he/she/it into jail and that was about it for the night. I stayed out with him for his whole shift so we got home about 5:15 AM. It was a lot of fun, and I was so happy to finally go with him. All of these guys are such hard workers, and put their lives on the line everyday for all of us. Thanks babe for taking me! Can't wait to go with you again!

27 weeks and a Valentine

I am finally posting a picture of me. I can't believe that I am already 27 weeks. Only 13 weeks left. Hopefully he comes 10 days early like Ella did. This pregnancy has been a lot easier then my first one with Ella. The only real problem I have had is my Sciatic Nerve. Sometimes it will get so bad that I can barely walk, lay down, or move. But I would take it over being sick for 6 months all day long.

Ella is so excited for baby brother to come. She tells us how he is going to come out and play with her toys, and talk to her. It is so cute. She is going to be such a big helper.




This other picture is from Valentine's Day. She wanted to make daddy a Valentine's and give it to him. She was so excited and woke him up with the Valentine on her face. She also helped me make daddy some french toast for breakfast. She definitely made his day! We are so lucky to have her. I love my little family and can't wait for the new baby to join us. I love you Zach and my Ella Bug!

Mexican Riviera Cruise

We had such a great time on our cruise. We stopped in 3 cities and then we were at sea for 3 full days.

First stop was Cabo San Lucas. Zach, Chanlie, and Keri went on a 2 bay snorkeling excursion. While Ella, Jade, and me went to a resort and got to lay out on the beach all day. We took Ella to the ocean and a wave came and knocked her over. She started crying so I went and picked her up, then a big wave came and knocked us both over. That ruined her wanting to be in the water. She was content playing in the sand the rest of the time.

Second stop was Mazatlan. All of us went on an excursion to Stone Island. They first took us around the Island on a boat to see different sites. Then they took us to a really pretty beach where we ate lunch and hung out. You could choose to do a couple of different things like snorkeling, kayaking, etc. It was nice to that we were all able to go together.

Third stop was Puerto Vallarta. Zach, Jade, Chanlie, Grandpa-great, and Grandma-great went and did the zipline. Since Ella was too young and I am pregnant we couldn't go. So Keri was nice enough to hang out with us. We went downtown and did some shopping. That day while we were out and about they someone called in a bomb threat to the ship. They took all the precautions and had to evacuate some floors, but nothing was found. They just searched us a little better when we got back on the boat.

We enjoyed our time with the Randall family. It was nice to relax, eat, enjoy the 80 degree temperatures, and eat. We all gained at least 5 pounds, but that is what you are supposed to do when you are on vacation right? Thanks Jade and Keri for hanging out with me since Ella and I couldn't do anything really.

Thanks so much Sheldon and Keri for the great Christmas present. We really enjoyed ourselves and glad that we could make these memories with you. We love you guys so much!

Mexican Riviera Cruise