Cross the Plains

It was finally time for us the PACK UP and leave Iowa. My mom and Randy's dad came to help us with everything and we are SOOO glad they did! I know everyone says you don't realize how much work moving is until you have to do it - but it is TRUE. I had a good excuse to get out of the heavy lifting, with the pregnant belly and all, but to clean EVERYTHING was such a big deal by itself.

Here are the kids with the last few items right before we left our empty house:

Randy and his Dad drove the biggest Penske truck available with a car in tow. You will have to ask Randy how he almost took out a few parked cars in California. Glad I wasn't them:

The kids, my Mom, and I left the next morning at a LEISURELY pace to travel to southern Utah. Our first stop was the Omaha Zoo.

We drove about 7-8 hours for 3 days, stopping at parks and hotels along the way - for the kids' sanity (and mine). And then a LOT of breaks for stretching. We made it to my parents' house in southern Utah just in time for the 4th of July. We enjoyed an awesome fireworks display off the porch, compliments of my brother Paul and his wife Natalia. Caroline was NOT a fan of the noise, but liked the lights.

Meanwhile, Randy and his Dad drove to California, moved ALL of our furniture in to our house, set EVERYTHING up (even tried to organize the kitchen). Randy studied and took his Board Exam, then they drove to southern Utah to see us. Randy was in need of R&R, so they took off on the motorcycles!

And we hiked Red Cliffs:

Feeling a bit recovered, we joined my family and cousins at the Renaissance Fair. Cooper and Tyler had fun beating each other with foam swords and running around the park with the other cousins.

I think they're talking "strategy" here.

Cindy and I wore dresses compliments of my Mom's amazing sewing ability.

Enough of the fair, time to go fishing at Kids Pond up Cedar Canyon.

Anybody need a worm?

Then to northern Utah to visit more cousins!

And what vacation would be complete without a little mountain biking. Neither Greg nor Randy had been for a while, so when I dropped them off at the top of the canyon I figured I should take a picture in case the police needed a recent photo - just kidding boys (kind of).

And one more picture with the Grey cousins before we head to California!

 I found that you can bribe a kid to do anything for an ICEE.

Saying Goodbye to Iowa

We are settled in to our new home in southern California... but I need to post goodbyes from our home for the last FIVE YEARS in beautiful Iowa.

Goodbye to my AWESOME preschool co-op for the last 2 years. It was fun to watch each of your children learn and grow - and teach Cooper as well. He keeps saying how he wants to do "Mommy's preschool" again.

Such a happy kid:

Goodbye to camping at Sugar Bottom with the BUGS and the HEAT - these boys (Randy & Jon) had to get one last camp in before we left. I came to visit them around 8:30pm and was SWEATING even after the sun went down. I lasted 15 minutes before I said goodbye and went home to shower and sleep like a sane person.



Goodbye to Wisconsin Dells. Four hours away we took one last trip with good friends, the Boyers, this Spring. Despite Randy's look in this picture HE was the one who pushed for this trip and he had FUN.

Goodbye to T-Ball with all of Cooper's buddies. I think Cooper was the BEST outfield dirt-digger in the group. He said he loved it and when I asked him why he told me, "because of the treats!" Kid knows what he likes.

Goodbye to swimming lessons with Becky. Cooper's turned in to quite the swimmer! He doesn't like water slides but will jump in to any pool... no matter how deep. (Don't know if that's a GOOD thing.)

Goodbye to HERKIE - our kids' favorite mascot.

Goodbye to lots of FRIENDS who made Iowa such a great place to live! Here are just a few of my favorite girls I laughed with, cried with, helped me become a better mom with, loved spending time with and if you're NOT pictured here... it's only because I have minimal pictures saved on my computer (since the move) right now.



Goodbye to our sweet neighbor, "Grandpa Frank". Cooper and Caroline keep asking when he is going to come and visit or if we can go to his house. Such a good neighbor - we will miss you.

Lots more goodbyes to a wonderful FIVE years that went by too fast (in retrospect).

Caroline in the GREEN grass I will miss terribly.

Had to add this one just for laughs. Randy teases me that I should shave instead of wax - never going to happen, even if you've convinced CJ it is fun (razor was removed for this activity).

Our LARGE moving truck before it was filled... but that is another post. GOODBYE IOWA!

Springtime Fun!

Cooper started playing t-ball this spring - whew! He's still getting his enthusiasm for running the bases, mostly he just likes to play in the dirt. I LOVE how they work it here. Everyone gets to hit the ball - first by pitching and then on the T. Then everyone gets to run the bases, there are no outs. What a positive way to introduce the sport! In my competitive nature, we bought Cooper a bat, T & balls for his birthday so he could practice. He wasn't thrilled with the present at first, but now loves it and is hitting the pitches.

I had to insert the Dr. yearly check-up photos because I love to robes they give the kids:

And Cooper is writing his name by himself now!!



Randy will complete his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the end of June - WAHOO! We've had many fun dinners with the Department Staff and fellow residents the past few months. Here he is at a dinner with the guys and Dr.s Marsh & Buckwalter after they were given custom Hawkeye scrub caps:

Cooper also played soccer this spring. What a difference a year makes! Last fall he and his buddies would dance and do cartwheels in the field instead of chase the ball. Now he is one of the fastest players on his team - and LOVES to score goals.

He did get a little discouraged when it was hot, or when his Dad told him he couldn't push the girls.

And for Cooper's birthday we went to a WATER PARK (per his insistent request). My good friends Heather, Darci & Jessica braved it with me as we maneuvered 9 kids, 4 toddlers & a baby. Here are a few of Coop's buddies who joined us:

 

I can't go without posting at least a little pic of Caroline. Here she is with Cooper & Luke, ready for a t-ball game. She had just finished her LAST laser treatment for a while. What a tough princess!



And... I keep forgetting to post this because I NEVER seem to take pictures of myself (especially right now). If you've seen me you already know:

We have BABY #3 on the way! We are ecstatic for our 3rd little miracle. Lots of TLC from U of Iowa Hospital to get our family to where it is now. I feel so blessed! I am due October 21st with a baby BOY. Feeling pretty good but my doctor told me I had to cut the running a week ago - he didn't understand why I couldn't just lay around and get fat like I was suppose to.... um, do you not know me at all!! Besides, I gain about 55-60 lbs. each pregnancy, gaining weight is NEVER an issue.

SALE & the Easter Bunny

Great news - We sold our house the first part of April! I knew it would all work out, even calming my realtor's worries that it may not sell in such a bad market. Who wouldn't want this charming house?! I'm going to miss the neighborhood, walking the pond, raising our children here...

I'll be over it once I don't have to be around for winter - hahahaha.

Here are the kids celebrating:

If you have been to my house you know I like it CLEAN but in honor of our house sale I let Cooper & CJ paint all afternoon and make a BIG mess (washable paints of course). I think I need to let my guard down a little more because Cooper kept saying it was the most fun he'd EVER had!

Sorry I'm such a clean freak little guy - I'll do better!

This is what happens when a 2-year-old is given a pain brush...

and she likes to watch her mommoy put on makeup.

I LOVE that my children will allow me to place bunny ears on their heads

in order to find their Easter baskets! How long will they allow this torture?

Ah, the chase for CANDY - I remember it well.

Found it!



And all hopped up on sugar we are FINALLY ready for church.

Caroline turns 2

This month has been CRAZY busy. I know, welcome to my life, but it REALLY has (more information on this to come).
Caroline turned 2 on April Fool's Day (no joking) so of course we had a party, GC weekend, between the last session and priesthood session. The kids searched for Easter eggs and we ate too much pizza, salad, cake, you know how it goes. Fun times.... Here are a few pics of what a PERSONALITY this girl is growing into:

This sweetie is ALWAYS up for a picture

 and is SUPER curious.

If she wants something, she finds a WAY to get it.

She loves her friends! Yes, she already know who they are.



Whatever Cooper gets to do, she wants to do... better.

I love my sassy little girl. Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Another Jock in the Family...

I had to post this... I know it's annoying when people go on and ON about their kids but this is MY blog, so I can if I WANT. :)

I wanted to RUN to our Rec Center today where Cooper was having swimming lessons and he INSISTED on running with me. Ok, only 1/2 a mile, if that, no big deal. He ran the whole way and then swam his little heart out. THEN Randy came home and after dinner we decided to stick the kids in the bike trailer and go for a ride. Cooper wasn't having it and ARGUED that he could ride his BIG WHEEL just as fast as we could ride our BIKES. We wanted to ride to the movie store and back - a good 2+ miles - not a big deal for us. We decided to humor him until he got tired and wanted in the trailer (he calls it the BABY trailer). I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I took the rear of our caravan. His little legs just kept pumping and his upper body swayed back and forth when it got steep. Much to our surprise he PEDALED his little heart our, made it there AND BACK and then wanted to ride MORE.

I love my kids!!! Thanks for the entertaining afternoon of exercise Super Cooper!

10 Years Today

I have to give some LOVE to my #1 honey today - our 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY is here! I could not have predicted our life together but I can't imagine anything else. Thank you for loving me and marrying me in the Temple FOREVER, for our 2 AMAZING children who teach me every day (mostly patience), thank you for seeing me when I look my WORST and still thinking I'm beautiful.

I love you Randy!

Since everything is in STORAGE right now, here are just a FEW pics down memory lane: