Quick Getaway...

John and I decided that we needed---and earned----a quick getaway, after surviving busy season and before baby #2 comes along. We took a quick 4 day cruise through Carnival Cruises. We left from San Diego and stopped at Catalina, Ensenada and came back to San Diego. It was so nice to get to have my hubby all to myself. We had a blast exploring the ship, visiting with people aboard, seeing the shows and eating, eating, eating.

San Diego Port.

It was a really quick boarding process, they didn't mess around getting you aboard the ship. It was really awesome how smoothly everything went.

Carnival Elation

It was a huge ship, equipped with 9 holes of mini golf, a race track, ping pong, oversized chess, water slide, pool and hot tubs. Unfortunately it was too cold, for me, to take advatage of the pool and hot tub, but we never wanted for things to do and see.

John got pulled out of the crowd to "volunteer" in a hip hop dance of verses other unfortunate "volunteers."

I died laughing and to my happy amusement John's team schooled the other team. After which the professionals showed up the crowd and did some amazing stunts.

The dressy night out/night at sea. To my shock, I grew out of many of my regular clothes while on the trip and had to improvise many of the essential outfits and such. John got a good laugh at me trying to find clothes that would fit my ever expanding midsection.

Catalina, our first port.

It was my favorite port. We went on a glass bottome boat and saw SO many fish pressed together to eat, we couldn't get a good look at a single one of them!

We explored the island on foot and took in some of the many shops in the area too. I don't think I would mind visiting Catalina again, it was really beautiful.

Ensenada, our last port.

It was a smelly place, perhaps only enhanced by my sensitive pregnant nose. We just decided to wander around and find inexpensive toys to take home to Jackson. It really isn't that exciting of a place. I honestly don't know why it's even a port of call, but oh well. John and I enjoyed navagating the street and couldn't bring ourselves to bargin on prices due to the extreme poverty in that area.

Having armed military cruising the street didn't give me the warm and fuzzy feeling of safety that I think they were trying to project. We were glad to get back to the boat and hang out the rest of the day there.

I miss not having daily room service and meals provided, but am glad to be home with Jackson. I don't think he missed us at all. Grandma's houses always seem to have that effect. ;)

Here's to another unknown amount of time before John and I vacation alone again! But here's to many more fun memories!

We're having a....

...BOY!!!

We were a little surprised, as I have felt much smaller with this one and thought that might mean it was a girl. However, we couldn't be more happy to have another little boy. It will be so much fun to see our 2 boys playing---nicely---with each other. The ultrasound made me ache to hold him. John is quick to remind me that I am holding him all the time, but just not in my arms. Spoken like a true supportive husband! He is healthy and all the routine measurement and such were right on target for our orginal due date October 9th!

18 months and All's Well...

Our young man is now 18 months old. He is just as busy as ever and such a joy to have. He is always quick to find new activities, but his favorite is to play "chase" with Mommy or Daddy. Other fun activities he has started in on is: coloring, playing cars, wrestling, mimicing Mommy and Daddy and "fixing" things with his tools. He loves playing at the park and has mastered going down the slide by himself, and practices at home by climbing on everything. He is good to throw kisses and can be caught giving kisses to even strangers, but loves to give snuggles to his stuffed animals the most.

His favorite food is cheese and fruit snacks. Infact he repeatedly requested cheese one afternoon after his nap. Like a true little boy, he struggles to eat veggies, but will generally eat most anything else...after some coaxing. He loves to watch me cook and has started to be my little assistant chef with dinner and baking.

He can say a plethora of words and phrases like "here go," "where go," "mama" (finally),
"love you," "see ya" and too many others to list. He jabbers almost all day, and is often the self-appointed welcome committee where ever he goes, especially at grocery stores. He is so friendly and loving to everyone and is often complimented on how happy he is.

He had his first Sunday in Nursery last week and just waltzed in like he owned the place and didn't seem to have any trouble at all. We will see what happens from here on out. He is just as big as most of the 2-3 yr olds in nursery.

18 month stats

Height: 34"

90th percentile

Weight: 27 lbs 4 oz

75th percentile

Life would be so boring without our life-loving Jackson. We love you!

The Hunt...

We practiced really hard for the Easter Egg Hunts this year. We started pulling out the easter eggs at the beginning of April and tried to coach Jackson how to pick them up and put them in his basket. He got the hang of things just a few days before his first hunt at Dan's Grocery Store.

But once he saw his competition, he was mezmerized and couldn't pay attention to the tasks at hand.(...namely getting candy for himself, Mommy and Daddy. You parents out there know it's true :)

He got his picture with the Easter bunny and we saw a repeat of Christmas, tears and more tears. But this bunny is a little scary looking, can't really blame him.

Next the hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Andersen's. It was not as intense and we were sure he would come home with spoils for all....and he did. But how do you not at Grandma's house, right!

Jackson and Mason finding the grass more interesting at the moment.

What a lucky and cute looking crew.

Our Easter Egg hunters have graduated to another year of fun filled competition. And I look forward to it too! Of course family, friends and General Conference made the holiday all the more better. Until next year!

We are happy to announce...

...that we are going to have another baby!

We are so excited to have another little one to bless our home. We don't know what we would do without Jackson in our lives and can't wait to hold this little one in our arms. I am currently 12 weeks pregnant and am due on October 9th, just 2 1/2 weeks away from Jackson's 2nd birthday.

Keep us in your prayers that I will have an uneventful pregnancy this time.

We'll keep you posted!

Another Day Stuck Inside...

On one cold day in March I decided to build a fort for us to play in. I put two of our kitchen chairs a few feet apart, put the baby gate over the tops of the chairs, and covered them with blankets. It turned out to be really fun for the both of us.

Jackson favorite spot was to sit in the big boy chair. Keeping watch ;)

Inside, enjoying the spoils of our labors. Just big enough for the two of us.

(...and yes, the battle of the binkie is in hot pursuit these days!)

Happy smiley boy, finally a smiling picture!

We both are excited for warmer weather, until then, we'll have to be creative. Ideas are always welcome.

Valentines Day Recap...

Jackson and I started the Valentines weekend by making homemade Valentine treats for our cousins and family. He was actually very interested for about 10 minutes in making the treats and then of course it turned into a mommy only thing...The gold candy bars are Utah Truffles, they are to die for and a very hot commodity in our house.

Next, we decorated John's closet door with paper hearts and window stickers. Jackson was very helpful in this too! Although Jackson decided that the hearts needed to be in pieces, artistic liberties.

The finished product, I decided that maybe I should take a picture to ensure that John got the see it before it was quickly rearranged to Jackson's liking again...

John and I got our little sweetheart this Big Monkey. He loves it! He can tackle it and pull it around and he is continually kissing/biting this thing.

I got spoiled with a pedicure gift certificate for my boys! Can't wait to cash it in...

Happy Valentines Day!

Ahhh memories!