Santa Claus is coming to town...

I took the girls to see Santa today and they were very good girls!! They cozied up next to him and even linked arms. They were not scared at all...

unlike last year...

IT'S A GIRL!!!

It's official, we're having another girl!

Josh will definitely be out numbered, poor guy!

We are extremely happy because she is doing well and has no problems that they can see!

WE LOVE YOU BABY GIRL!!!

Rocky Mountain National Park

Back in August we took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with G & G Bates in their new trailer. I don't know that I can go back to tent camping. We did some hiking, fishing, sitting around the campfire, and riding the gondolas (?).

They loved all the little pine cones.

They just couldn't knock that pole down.

Ayva loves to climb.

Grandma and the girls on a little hike.

Ayva loves to pose.

Daddy and grandpa getting ready for some fishing.

Ayva loves to run too!

They had fun using the "noculars"

Feeding the squirrels.

Ayva and Grandpa

Daddy's photography skills.

Gondola's in Breckenridge.

Sweet girls!!!

A very late post but we had a great time!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

what would i do without zofran?

Apparently I'm not doing much better.

Yesterday and today I've been off the medication (not voluntarily, I ran out) and I've been sick as a dog today. I finally was able to keep dinner down but that's it...burritos...of all things I kept down burritos.

Josh was fantastic in doing all the dishes and my massive pile of laundry! What a great guy, I love him so much!!!

Hopefully I can get more of that magic little pill tomorrow!

The Smallest Prayers Can Save The Day

Holy cow, long post!

I know I have a bunch of other posts to work on but I just had to share this. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. I seriously wish I had some to share with you, so you can see what it was really like.

For those of you who don't know this, my husband is quite the outdoorsman. He loves to be in the great outdoors. He had a hunt yesterday in the Glenwood Springs, CO area and the girls and I decided to go with him. The plan was to go with him yesterday to start the hunt, just driving around, I'm not about to go out hiking around a mountain with two little girls and pregnant. Then do my kind of camping, get a hotel room in Silverthorne which has a big outlet mall. Friday he was going to do some work and go back out hunting while mommy and the girls did our own hunting (shopping, hehe).

So we started the day at 2am, I know I'm crazy for doing this. Another thing to inform you of, a snow storm was predicted for this area. Apparently, it's a good thing because it drives the deer off the mountain.

We got to the area he wanted to do some hiking. So we dropped him off and the girls and I went into Glenwood Springs, had breakfast and while they watched a couple new movies, mommy took a nap in the car. What a bum I am, I know. Very adventurous! Well that comes later.

When we left Josh to his hiking, less than a mile down I-70 from where he was I saw about 4 or 5 deer just on the other side of the cement barrier. That comes in later.

When we picked him up about 10am, he walked to the truck with nothing. He was very disappointed. He saw everything except for what he was hunting for. So I told him I saw them right off the highway. We drove past and they were still there. He didn't know the laws for killing a deer off the side of the highway so he decided not to do it. Could you imagine driving down a major highway and you see a guy with a rifle shooting at a deer right on the side of the road? I can't either but apparently Josh found out this morning that you only have to be 50 feet from the center line of the highway, that's not very far people. So he is now mad at himself for not knowing this information before he went out.

So we finally went up the access road to his hunt boundaries, this part I can handle. It's just driving around and looking out the window. This road takes you all the way up the mountain to about 10 to 11,000 feet in elevation. On our way up there we found nothing and towards the top it started snowing more and more. We kept going because it wasn't that deep yet. Josh spotted some tracks going down the mountain and into some trees. We found a little road going downhill right next to the tracks, so we went down---big mistake!!!

We started downhill in the truck and realized it might be tricky getting back up. It was icy with snow on top. We got to a point where we decided to turn back. No luck people! The truck was sliding around like it was on an ice skating rink. As soon as the tires would spin it would turn the snow into a sheet of ice. It was 8 degrees by the way and our GPS said our elevation was over 10,000 feet. Josh and I got out to assess the situation and figure out a way to get out of this. Oh, there was no one in sight, by the way.

We worked on it a few times, found some small logs to put in front of the tires to get some friction. Remember there's snow everywhere and it started snowing harder and harder. The snow storm was over us at this point. Again, I wish I had gotten my camera out at this point but I was a little preoccupied. When you are a parent and are in these situations, it makes it more scary and urgent.

Stuff to remember....10 to 11,000 feet in elevation (not a whole lot of oxygen), I'm pregnant and not in good shape and it's about 8 degrees and snowing hard. Oh and no one in sight on the top of this mountain. Yah, we were not that smart, we know!!! Needless to say I was not much help! Poor Josh has to do all the work.

So he got a shovel out and tried to dig up the ground in front of the tires--thick thick ice. The ground was an ice block. He worked so hard, getting worn out from trying to break the ground. Poor guy!

Josh suggested to say a prayer. I thought, duh, perfect idea. Since Josh and I were trying desperately to get us out of there, I asked Ayva if she would say a prayer with Cheyenne and ask Heavenly Father would help us get out of this. As I was closing the door I heard her sweet little voice starting her prayer. Believe it or not at that moment I felt extremely blessed and grateful that we have taught our children how to pray, even at a young age.

By this time the truck had slipped and sled all over this area and we had tried many ways to get out. Josh and I started to get worried and anxious. It had been a couple hours and a lot of work. I told Josh if he somehow got the truck going to just KEEP going and not stop to get me because we wouldn't get out of there. We had two little girls, I didn't want to take any chances.

The second time we tried it after Ayva's prayer the truck went and kept going and going up this hill. I stood there in shock and threw my hands in the air and said, "go, go, go!!!" It was a wonderful sight to see that truck going up the hill, all I could do was cry and thank Heavenly Father aloud. I've never done that before, aloud that is, but my emotions were just so fresh I couldn't hold back.

Then I realized, huh, that's quite a ways up to the truck!

I grabbed the shovels and hammer and started to run, how dumb! I lost it after a few feet. My throat and lungs started burning and I couldn't catch my breath very well. Josh started down after me but I waved him off, I didn't want the girls to be up there by themselves. It took me a while but I made it up.

Now this is just ridiculous but as we started to drive away Josh spotted those deer just down the hill again and they were maybe 50 ft from where we were stuck. Poor Josh was just not having any luck!!!

Just a funny side note. As Josh would get in the truck and try to get us unstuck (because I would have no idea where to begin on steering that thing out of there), I was behind the truck trying to push it! HAHAHA What makes me think I could have any impact in pushing this F-150 full of gear and people, not to mention the overall size of that monster. HAHAHA!!! What a funny sight, huh!

We thanked Ayva for her prayer and told her that because of her sweet prayer we made it out of there and that her prayer saved the day!!! She was very happy!

Josh had no luck and we decided just to go back home.

No "hunting" for me! :(

If anyone is up for crazy adventures, you could always come with us!!!

Happy late Halloween...haha

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Cheyenne was excited to be the elephant this year and Ayva wanted to be the Little Mermaid. Where the Little Mermaid thing came from, I have no idea.

I know blog, I've been neglecting you for a while now. Things have been crazy around here, I will work on getting this thing updated.

Our Rocky Mountain National Park trip

Josh and the girls trip to Utah, my alone time

pumpkin patch

Cheyenne's Birthday

and

random updates

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!

I can't believe you are 3! Where does the time go?!

Cheyenne has become quite the little drama queen. She's very dramatic in everything she does and says.

But she is also my little cuddle bug and gives great hugs.

She follows her sister around where ever she goes and copies everything she says.

She, of course, loves animals.

She loves dressing up like a princess with crown, shoes, purse and all.

She's very strong and has a mind of her own.

She's very adventurous and has no fear, well sometimes!

We can't imagine life without you!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Our little peanut!!!

Baby is doing well, IT was wiggling all around!

Josh is seriously hoping for a boy but I'm thinking IT'S another girl. The poor guy, he just wants someone he can take fishing and hunting.

I'm 12 weeks now and still feeling sick, ugh!!! Will this ever end?!!!

I've been taking an online class and tomorrow I start another class but this one I have to go to the school. OH I'm so nervous, who likes going to class when you're feeling sick? Wish me luck!!!

I still have yet to post about our camping trip with G & G Bates to Rocky Mountain National Park.

9 weeks down...31 to go

I know, I know I'm probably announcing too early! Oh well, I'm excited!!

I'M PREGNANT!!!

It's been 2 long years of trying, an emotional roller coaster I don't wish on anyone. I know there are some of you out there that maybe tried for longer than 2 years and my heart goes out to you.

So I've been on my deathbed for the past couple weeks but certainly not as bad as Ayva's pregnancy. This is the time when I wish we lived by family so someone could come and baby me, take care of my kids, housework, maybe some school work too (haha). Yes I'm taking classes this semester too. I'm also the Beehive teacher. Anyone have any other ideas to keep me busy?

Josh has been wonderful in taking care of the girls, doing the dishes, keeping the downstairs picked up for me, laundry, dinners and taking care of me. He's great, I don't know what I'd do without him. He's great in every way for me!!!

Well if you'll excuse me, I need to visit my porcelain friend.

Hiking and some randomness...

We took the girls hiking a few times on this trail and they have loved it.

They love being outside and they love to run!

They were drawing maps to grandma's house.

Ayva loves posing and walking around all funny like.

Off in the distance you'll see a horse, the girls were chasing them.

A little water fun.

A little picnic.

My first day of clinicals. Seriously, white scrubs...oh I'm so glad that's done!

Oh, for those of you that don't know I went through the CNA course in June and just finished clinicals yesterday. The plan is to go on for RN. Call me Crazy!

Girls enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone.

That's kind of been our thing this summer. I'll go out sit with them and we'll tell "ghost stories." That's what Ayva calls them. They're just made up little stories that they tell. They consist of horses, dogs, cats and all sorts of silly scenarios--funny girls!

Arches and Canyonlands adventure

We spent a day going around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

It was HOT, HOT, HOT but it was very fun.

Thanks everyone for the fun memories!!!

How do you go from the above....

to this?

MY LOVE!!!

This is what it looks like trying to get a family picture.

Canyonlands

Just SPECTACULAR views! Loved it!!

It was such a fun trip, thanks to G & G for making it happen and everyone else who came!!