PuMpKiN PaTcH fUn

Hey everyone! So Jared and Courtney and there kids were here this weekend and I really wanted to take them all to a pumpkin patch. So Courtney found a few and we picked one out and went. It was so much fun! I think I probably had more fun than anyone though because I loved taking pics of the kiddos with the pumpkins. I am getting addicted to photography lately and I love getting good pics and editing them in cute ways. It started with scrapbooking which I got into when Peyton was in the NICU. Now its progressed. I love it and I really wish I could get a nice camera and take some classes. Anyway, I did my best. It was a really cute family run place out in the country part of Houston. Normally the place is an exotic pet farm but during the holidays they add on the pumpkin patch and stuff. It was adorable! They had normal farm animals, goats, horses, etc. and then some not so normal animals like llamas, a pot belly pig, a little tiny deer (i'm not kidding it was tiny like 10 inches and SO CUTE), and some lemur type thing, and (my favorite) a little JOEY (thats a baby kangaroo). The joey just hopped around the patch and would come right up to you and let you feed it and pet it. The kids LOVED it! So did I! I REALLY want one for myself (too bad they grow up...too bad anything grows up!). They also had face painting and pumpkin decorating as well as a scarecrow dress up area. It was really fun. I told Daniel that when we have our little house in the country out there someday I'm definately going to do a pumpkin patch. I got a million pics so I picked a few of my favorites to post on here! Hope you like them!

Park Play

Hey everyone! I know its been a while but what can I say...not much has happened. Daniel continues to enjoy his job (somewhat) and I am just hanging out enjoying the spring-ish weather here in Houston.
Daniel and I have recently taken up tennis which we are both decidedly terrible at. But its fun and we go after Peyton's in bed so its nice to get out.
We also finally took Peyton to the park to "play" for the first time ever! He really didn't know what to do on the equipment but he loved the swing and had a great time playing in the rocks. Anyway, it was probably most fun for me. I took a bunch of cute pictures!
Thats really all for now. I know. Pretty boring. I will try to do something exciting this week to tell y'all about.

Back in Houston

Hello everyone! (This post is for everyone this time). Peyton and I made it back to Houston after being in Idaho for a week and a half visiting my folks. We flew in on Friday, slept, and got back in the car on Saturday to go to SanAntonio to my nephew Jack's blessing. Then we slept at Daniel's brothers apartment and got back in the car Sunday and drove back to Houston. So now...after a VERY long weekend of traveling...we are finally home.
Now to catch you up...Cici and Poppy's (mom and dad Carter) place was so nice. I got to spend a lot more time than usual with my family and got to take Andrew to the MTC which was really sad and exciting at the same time. I hung out and went shopping with my mom and sisters and got to spend some time with one of my best friends Gari. Of course I couldn't get through the visit without everyone hitting me up for some free design consultations! I spent a lot of the time there painting walls, shopping for furniture, and hanging pictures. But it was so much fun and I love doing it. I will post some pics of a few of my "home makeover" projects when I get them. It was also really nice to be away from hurricane Ike cleanup in Houston. My inlaws didn't even get power until the day Peyton and I came home! They went for 2 weeks without it and that was definately long enough. I'm glad we skipped out of most of that hot and humid "camping" experience.
Speaking of Ike, this place still carries the battle wounds. There are still a LOT of trees down all over and lots of tarps over roofs. Its kinda crazy. I guess a lot of people were pretty unprepared which is ridiculous to me considering they had been warning us for a week before it actually hit. The coast is wiped out, houses and land is completely lost in Galveston. We got pretty lucky in our area. We had 95 mph winds but we were on higher ground and didn't get any flooding. Just makes you realize how important it is to have a plan and be prepared for anything.
Enough of that. So I decided I will NEVER travel again with a baby by myself. It was SOOO exhausting and I would rather pay someone to fly with me than do it again. Don't get me wrong, Peyton is generally a really happy easy-going kid but he is now one (adjusted age) and he will NOT sit still for longer than two seconds! Plus, he will NOT sleep in public, hes too busy looking around at everyone and everything. So there I was with my big suitcase, carseat, diaper bag, and a one year old strapped to me, running through the Denver airport trying to catch a flight that was about to leave. Then once we got on the plane, we sat for an hour before it took off due to "weather conditions". Peyton hadn't slept at all since 8 am and it was 6:30 pm. He kept climbing up me to look at the people in the seats behind us. The man next to us had a laptop out and was trying to ignore the fact that Peyton's only goal of the trip was to drool all over it. I kept wishing that the guy would just get a clue and put it away which would've made my job of keeping Peyton from annoying the other passengers significantly easier. But no. He just kept on acting like he didn't see me fighting Peyton's grimy hands away from the glowing screen. It was like a mosquito to a bug zapper. Oh and did I mention that Peyton is in to biting now? Oh yes, he finally got a top tooth in and now when I try to restrain him or take something from him he bites me. Where the heck did he learn that?!! For all the other moms out there, what is the best way to discipline your kids in public without people calling the child protective services on you? I'm serious...I'd really like to know. Or are we supposed to just hide out in a padded room with our children until they turn 10? Anyway, NEVER again.
So I guess I should do something productive now...I'll post more when I have more to post!

This ones for Tiff...

So I know a bunch of people read this but if you're not Tiff then I give you permission to skip this post...or if you're really bored or just plain curious I guess you can read it. Tiff! I miss you like crazy! I am the most horrible long-distance friend and I am so sorry! We keep playing phone tag so I knew you would check your blog so I thought I would use this as a means to reach my bestest friend. :) Oh my gosh! I was in a freaking hurricane! It was so cool but Daniel wouldn't wake up to come outside with me and I was too scared to go out by myself in case a tree or something landed on me. I really wanted to get a picture and video tape. I tried to get a little on tape but it just sounds like static and you can't really see anything because the power went out and it was the middle of the night. I was bummed about that. Why do natural disasters seem to always happen in the middle of the night? Anyway, we could've had so much fun in a hurricane! I really wish you were there! (People who might be reading this who aren't you are probably like "great friend she is. wanting to drag someone into a hurricane with her." but I know you get me, thats whats so fun about you).
Now I'm in Middleton and you're not here and that really stinks. I tried to get my family to go through Rexburg after we took Andrew to the MTC. They said it was too far out of the way. I wish you were here! Hey, whay aren't you here? You're best friend is within driving distance and you won't even go see her!? Whats that about. I guess I just love you more than you love me. Oh well, I'm leaving to go back down to Jumanji on Monday. Daniel says they STILL don't have power. And it is HOT. Oh well, maybe I can sweat off the last 10 pounds I have to lose.
OK. Really. We need to start formulating our plan here soon. Our husbands are graduating soon (somewhat) and we are going to start needing to break them down so that we end up being neighbors for the rest of our lives. We need to make it happen Tiff. Because seriously, I don't think I can live without you. I am scouting out a nice spot of land in Magnolia...it has our names written all over it...if only we could convince the Daniels...
So you "tagged" me, I didn't even know I was playing, but I guess that means its my turn to answer your questions. Here it is:
1. 3 Joys
Tiffany Dunn
Breyers Rocky Road
Really good kisses (but not from Tiffany Dunn)

2. 3 Fears
That everyone I love will die and go to heaven and I will be left alive and alone.
Going crazy.
Living a boring and unhappy life.

3. Current Goals
Get my hubby graduated
Get my son walking
Get myself together

4. Current Obsessions
Scrapbooking
Interior Decorating
Self-help

5. Random facts about me
I am more fun around Tiffany Dunn than anyone else in the world.
I have a fifth grade picture of myself that looks just like Legolus off of Lord of the Rings.
I secretly wish I was a rockstar and I can't wait to be old so that I have an excuse to act completely ridiculous and wear outrageous hats. (those last two things were oddly unrelated)


There you go Tiff! NOw I guess I'm sposed to tag someone...I tag Aubrey and Lisa! Tiff! I love you and miss you tons! I will be better at ccalling you! I hope you enjoyed your own little post from me to you!

Gettin Outta Town!

Hey everyone! Sorry its been a while since I last posted. There hasn't been a whole lot going on but at the same time its been soooo busy (how does that make any sense?)! Daniel is trying very hard to enjoy his internship. He has definately learned what he DOES NOT want to do for a career. At least hes getting that much out of the experience. Along with work he is taking some online classes. I am also taking three online classes in an attempt to graduate with some form of a degree in April alongside Daniel. I haven't taken classes since 2005 so I am very rusty and new to the online classroom thing. It will be interesting and difficult to get back into school mode. We'll see how it goes.
In other news, hurricane Ike looks like it might hit us in a few days. Conveniently on the day that I was supposed to be flying out to Boise to take my little brother to the MTC. So I had to change my flight to leave a day sooner. Hopefully that will be good enough to dodge that storm. It will be a very INTERESTING experience flying with Peyton and no help. I don't know if I even have enough arms to cart everything around. Hes pretty active now and is starting to definately express himself which could be very bad news on a long flight. All I can ask is this...PRAY FOR ME. :) Peyton and I will be in Middleton until the 22nd. Daniel doesn't like the idea much considering the fact that the longest hes been away from me was 9 days a couple years ago and the longest hes been away from Peyton was 5. Good thing hes got his parents and friends to keep him entertained. Peyton and I are very excited to see Uncle Andrew off for his 2 year mission with the church to Mexico City and we are also very excited to show CiCi and Poppy our new "tricks" (waving byebye and bear crawling etc.).
Anyway, thats pretty much all I've got right now...Oh! Nona and I have totally redone her kitchen the last week and a half! I will post the before and after pics soon. It looks amazing and we love it! Write more when I get back!

Ready to Work

Hello everyone! Thought I'd post real quick about Daniel's internship stuff. So Daniel DID fet hired on with a great company (phew) here in Houston. Their called Goodman something or other (Daniel will not be happy that I can't remember the name) and they are the 2nd largest manufacturer and distributor of heating and air conditioning systems. Daniel will be working on a pretty big project that has to do with international sales which he is pretty excited about and will look great on a resume. He will most likely start next week although we're waiting to find out when exactly and they have offered to start him at $15 an hour which is more than what we were expecting (always nice). Daniel has had a long month off to sleep in and "do nothing" so he is well rested and ready to work. Along with his internship, it looks like I might be taking over Travis's job (Daniel's little brother) when he goes back up to school in a couple weeks. It will be a very laid back job with decent pay working in the laundry facilities at the LDS temple which happens to be just around the corner from here. If they decide they need me, I will be getting $9 an hour and will be working no more than 20 hours a week. Nona has offered to watch Peyton so it will work out great if I get it. A little extra money would be nice plus it would get me out of the house. We will see!
For family news we are pleased to announce that we have a new nephew! Daniel's older brother's wife Courtney had their second baby a few days ago, a very cute 9 lb baby boy they named Jack. I can't believe how big he is! Courtney is so tiny you would never think a 9 lb baby would be possible for her! Jack is literally more than 8 times the size of Peyton when he was born! Of course that isn't that unusual considering Peyton was a 1 lb baby! :) Anyway, we are all headed to San Antonio tomorrow to meet Jack and see his mommy and daddy and I can't wait! I know its going to make me very baby hungry! I already am! It is funny that I spent so much energy wishing for Peyton to grow and now that he has gotten so big I wish he would stop and just stay my little cute baby! Its crazy what a baby will do to a girl. It makes us all googley eyed and loopy.

On the road again...

Hey everyone! Sorry its been so long since we've blogged! We've had a super busy month an d a half. Heres a little list of what we've been up to:
-I worked my tail off all through July to finish decorating a 6 bedroom 4 bath home in Idaho Falls which looks great (if I do say so myself)...I'll post pics when the finishing touches are done.
-Peyton began army crawling finally and is now a little soldier army crawling at amazing speeds and getting into everything he can. He also recently learned to pull himself up stairs and onto his feet with some support.
-Daniel was very relieved to finally finish his summer semester at BYU-ID and was very proud to say that his Taco Rapido IBC company came in 2nd place for revenue by a hair. He also was able to maintain excellent grades and is now looking toward graduation in the spring.
-We all flew to Houston at the end of June for Daniel's grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. Peyton and I went a little early to spend time with everyone and let me tell ya, that boy got so spoiled! The anniversary celebration was great and it was so good to show Peyton off to those family members who hadn't met him yet.
-After Houston, Peyton and I drove down to Middleton to see my family and extended family on my mom's side and to decorate Jenna's (my little sis) room for her 13th birthday. It was so much fun and it was somewhat bittersweet because my grandpa (who everyone had come to see) was just diagnosed with pretty advanced cancer along with a serious heart condition. That could be the last time we see him so it was very good that we were able to go. We worked hard on Jenna's room and it turned out so cute, I'll post pics of that later too.
-After the traveling we got busy packing and cleaning the apartment and moving our stuff into Daniel's grandparent's empty grain siloh for storage in Shelley. It was SOOOO exhausting but we finally got it done and somehow managed to leave by the 27th of July to make our way south for the summer/fall.
-The day before we left for Houston I did pictures with a great photographer in the NICU for one last time. She did a great job and promised to volunteer her time and her talent once a month to go in and take beautiful professional pics of the NICU babies and their parents. I was so glad to have found her and so touched by her willingness to help and I am glad to have left that volunteer experience on such a good note. After she did the NICU pics we went and did some Peyton pics in downtown IF. I'll post some of them because they are ADORABLE!
-I can't believe how we fit all our stuff into our ford taurus to move down to Houston. I kept looking at the pile and telling Daniel that there was no way it would fit. Miraculously and with a lot of careful puzzelwork we fit it all in the car with the help of a bungee cord to strap the over-flowing trunk shut. Peyton was in a cave in the backseat which actually worked out well because it shielded him from the sun and tuned out some of the noise. He did really well on the trip and we made it here in three days. The total driving time ended up to about 31 hours but we split it up and it actually wasn't too bad.
And thats where we are now. We are living with Daniel's very generous parents and Daniel is interviewing for a few various internships. We are hoping he will find a good one soon so that he can begin working. He is SO glad to have a break from classes since he has been going to school nonstop for the past two years. Peyton and I are loving the pool that Daniel's parents have in the back yard and I am also doing a little bit of catering with a friends catering business while we're here. It'll be a good change of scenery for a while and we plan to return to finish Daniel's last semester at BYU-ID in January.