Home

So, I made it home...finally! It was an adventure to say the least. I'll post pictures of my visit a little later. I have way too much other "stuff" to catch up on before I post about my Idaho visit. But, I wanted to share a little about our amazing family and friends that made our Christmas much better than it could have been.

Most of Christmas day was spent with my family in Malad watching it blizzard outside. It seriously dropped about 14 inches of snow that day. My mom and dad ended up driving me to Ririe, to Shayne's family, that night so I could catch my plane in Idaho Falls the next morning at 6am. What should have taken 1 1/2 hours took over 3 to get to Ririe. It was pretty insane. About 1/2 hour after getting to Ririe, my little brother Bowdrie called to say that Alaska Airlines had called my parents house to say that my Idaho Falls to Boise flight for the next morning was canceled! If I were to reschedule that flight, I wouldn't fly out until Sunday the 28th, this was after already being delayed three days from my original flight. However, Shayne's family saved the day. They knew how bad I wanted to get home, so Shayne's dad, Dana, and his littlest brother, Dallan, offered to drive me to Boise to catch the second leg of my flight into Anchorage. My flight was scheduled to leave Boise at 10am, so we left at 4am to make sure we got there on time. What should have taken 4 hours, took 5 because of the terrible road conditions. However, they got me to the airport on time and I was able to catch my flight into Seattle, and then Seattle onto Ancorage. Dana and Dallan drove all the way back to Ririe after dropping me off on worse road conditions than on the drive to Boise.

I flew into Anchorage around 5pm and Shayne was there waiting for me at the airport. When our friends in Anchorage,Kaye and Jared, found out I wasn't making it back to Alaska for Christmas, they decided Shayne needed some company. So, Jared left on Christmas morning at 4am to drive down to Soldotna to pick up Shayne after he had worked the night before. He picked him up and drove him back to Anchorage so Shayne would have some "family" to spend Christmas with, and so Shayne would be in Anchorage when I flew in.

So, while it was a crazy Christmas for Shayne and I, and we didn't get to spend our first Christmas with Lachlan together, we were very blessed. We had plenty of Christmas Angels making sure we were taken care of.

We both have the best families anyone could ask for. My mom and dad drove me to Idaho Falls/Ririe twice. They also bought me a some small Christmas gifts so I had something to open on Christmas day. Shayne's mom got up at 3:30am to fix me some food for my flights and make sure that everything was taken care of, and his dad and brother drove me 5 hours to catch my flight on terrible roads. How incredible are our families?! I love them all so much!!

We also have some pretty incredible friends here in Alaska. The Hanson's and Swanson's made sure Shayne was taken care of while I was gone, and then the Tuia's made sure he wasn't alone on Christmas.

I am so grateful for all of our friends and family this past Christmas season. I'm especially grateful to be home with Shayne. It so nice to be together as a family again. There's nothing better.

Stuck!!

So...I was excited to come home to Alaska and see my lonely husband. However, here's how my day went today:

Get to the Idaho Falls Airport...after driving through snow, and hearing about how much snow has dumped on Seattle, and how many people have been delayed...to check in.

Lady at the counter says, "Hmmm...your flight out of IF is delayed and you're not going to make your Seattle connection." (Keep in mind I was "supposed" to have a 3 hour layover in Seattle, so this delay was a fairly substantial one.) On with the conversation: "So, let's see what we can find for you into Anchorage... ... ... ..." after about 20-25 minutes she informs me that the soonest I can fly out of Seattle into Anchorage is on Dec. 26th!!! I hate snow!!!

So here I am, still in Idaho. It coule be much worse, and I know this. I could be stuck in a Seattle airport for two days, b/c I was also informed there are zero hotel rooms in Seattle b/c of the flight delays due to all the snow. It's nice that I get to spend Christmas with both my family and later that day with Shayne's family. However, if I had my choice I would spend it with Shayne. He's my best friend, and who better to spend the holidays with than your best friend? It's also Lachlan's first Christmas, and we don't get to spend it as a family.

Ok...enough of my pity party. I know it could be worse, but it could be better.

Wish I could be there with you Shayne...I love you!

Idaho!!

Sorry no pics...yet. I'm still in Idaho and will be until next Tuesday. I spent a week in Ririe with Shayne's family and had such a wonderful time. It was fun to meet little PresLee. She's such a cute little girl, with such a great big attitude! :) They all loved Lachlan so much. It was hard to leave, but I was excited to see my family with all the new babies. At this point I've seen Holdan and Zane and will see Braylee today and Kinzie tomorrow. It's fun to see all the babies. Pretty incredible year. I just wanted to put up a post to let everyone know that all is well in Idaho. I'll post pictures when I get back.

I just have to say that I'm missing Shayne a lot. It will be so nice to see him again. I think he misses us too. He's been pretty lonely...it's nice to know he loves us! :)

Blog Posting

I thought I would do a quick post explaining my lack of posting on my friends' blogs. I will have each of you know that I spend WAY too much time checking out your blogs, and keeping track of your families. I feel guilty when I don't post, but seriously...takes too much time, there's too many of you, and time is precious when your baby is sleeping! :) So...even though I'm not posting, please know I love checking out your blogs.

Ok...enough of my justification and rationalization of my guilt for my lack of posting. How silly am I?

One another note...for those of you that want to meet up while I'm in Malad, email me at: pepper underscore pond at hotmail dot com so we can arrange all the details.

Two Months Old!!

So...Lachlan was two months old as of Nov. 29th. He had his 2 month appointment last week, and was 10lb 1 oz and 22 in long. He's still only in the 10% for his weight, but he's gaining the right amount, so we just chalk it up to him being small. However, I think he's getting so big. He also had his first set of vaccinations...no fun for mom! Good thing dad was there to hold him while getting his shots. That's the most I've heard him cry, which was horrible for me. We did find out that he does not like cherry flavored Tylenol, he's much more partial to the grape flavor...can't say as I blame him! :) He's really been smiling a lot, and has giggled a couple of times, but doesn't have it quite down yet. You can tell he really wants to though. He's cooing and talking, which is so much fun for me. He has been so much fun...he's really such a good baby.

Thanksgiving dinner was spent at the Pugh's house. She's a nurse that Shayne works with that he's good friends with. They live not far up the road, her husband is a chef...so dinner was delectable!! They are a great family that we love to hang out with. We spent the rest of the weekend just kind of hanging out. Actually, I surprised Shayne and got a baby sitter for Saturday night, so I could take him out to dinner. When I say baby-sitter...I mean our Bishop, Bishop Grant and his wife Diana! :) We love them...they are soon to have their first grandchild at the end of December, so I thought they could use a little practice. :) We only went to dinner so weren't gone too long, but it was nice of them to help me out. It was nice to go to dinner with just Shayne. He's been so patient and supportive while I've been in my "baby-fog" the past two months, that I thought I would do something nice for him.

Anyway...I've added an assortment of pictures from the past two weeks. I'm sure the grandma's and aunt's will appreciate them.

His 2 month picture with his teddy bear...he's grown so much from last month.

He always falls asleep in his carseat...this time his good feel over his face. I just thought it was a cute pic.

He's yelling at his dad...isn't that funny!!

The Pugh's w/ their dog Chloe. Such a great family!!

Smiling at Bo...had to get Bo's nose in there so you could see what he was smiling at.

The next couple of pics are of what he likes to best with dad...lay on his chest and lift his head up and look around. Dad's good at working on the strength stuff, while mom works on the brain stuff. He loves this though...just likes to look around and smile. How cute is he?!

Dad tickling his ear.

See...I do the "brain" stuff...when he's in the right mood he likes to sit under his toys and look at them. He likes to "talk" to them too...it's pretty cute.

This was the day he got his shots...he was pretty wore out...this was how he cuddled up to dad after dad took him out of his carseat...he stayed like that for awhile.

Doing some more "talking" to his toys...I also thought it was cute how he got ahold of his binky.

So...this is a funny pic, b/c it's the last time I put on a newborn outfit. I thought it might still fit...but I was wrong. It was kind of sad knowing he won't wear it again...notice the binky buddy. I got it from Val...I love them!!

This was the church outfit Grandma Price sent him...I love it! He looks like a little man in it...I get all kinds of comments on it at church. Again...notice the binky buddy...this one is Shayne's favorite...notice the fish.

Just some pics while hanging out with dad. His face looks kind of fat in some of them...but I just love the expressions he gets.

p.s. If you made it through the whole post, I'm impressed. Anyway...

To all my MHS friends: I'm going to be in Idaho, specifically Malad from Dec. 16-23. Anyone game to meet up at the Dude Ranch for a lunch or dinner? Is the Dude Ranch still open? Does anyone else have any suggestions. Would love to see the lot of you!

Go Dragons!!

I've reconnected with quite a few high school friends through the world of blogging, and this is the latest thing they are blogging about. So...I thought I would take a short break from baby posts and pics, and follow along like the sheep I am! :) It is fun though to read the different responses.

Malad High School - Class of 1994

Fill this out about your high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!! Re-post with the name of high school and graduating year.

1.Did you marry someone from your high school?
Nope

2.Did you car pool to school?
Ummm...I sometimes did and sometimes didn't. I had the two-toned twinkie my sophomore/junior year, but it wasn't real reliable so had to ride the bus, unless Krystal drove to school. However, my senior year I got a more reliable car and drove w/ Maysi and Kade (little sis & bro), and Krystal if she needed a ride.

3.What kind of car did you have?
Sophomore/Junior year the 1977 Volkswagen Bus...aka: Two-toned Twinkie! It was orange on top, brown on the bottom, w/ a yellow pin-stripe. I could go on and on about it, but I'll spare you all the ugly details. My friends loved it b/c we could take about 20 people in it to lunch! :) My senior year I got a 1984 Plymouth Reliant...it was passed down to all my siblings, and came to be known as "The Beast".

4. What kind of car do your drive now?
Subaru Forrester...gotta love the AWD!!

5.It's Friday night...where are YOU (then)?
Cruisin' the loop, hanging out at 4-points, and trying to "steal" someone else's car that was left at 4-points. Bill Weeks' souped-up truck was the funnest to "steal". After that we'd end up at Kristi's or Krystal's to spend the night.

6.It's Friday night..where are you (now)?
If my husband's working...at home w/ the baby. If he's not...at some sporting event if there is one, or just hanging out w/ him and the baby if there's not.

7.What kind of job did you have in high school?
Worked for my parents at the Malad Living Center. I did bookwork, cleaned, cooked, etc...

8.What do you do now?
Mom for the past 2 months. Until then science teacher for at-risk or troubled teens.

9.Were you a party animal?
Are you kidding me? Have you met my dad?! Have you met any of the parents of my close friends?

10.Were you considered a flirt?
Not really...I didn't need to flirt...I was best friends w/ most of the guys in my class. I was always "one of the guys" to them...totally depressing when you had a crazy crush on one of them! :)

11.Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Band until my sophomore year...played flute. Still do, and teach flute lessons.

12. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Are you kidding me? Again...have you met my dad?!

13. Can you sing the fight song?
"Joyous and ever loyal, let us root for our Malad High. Hearts ring and every voice sings, there's no time to grieve or sigh, ahhhh....It's ever onward our hearts pursuing, ne'r defeat nor our arduel cool. But united we will root for our Malad High School. Hey!!" (I'm not sure what "arduel cool" is or how to spell it...I just know what it supposed to sound like!) How sad am I? I can still sing this song...and like Trish I can do most of the dance that goes with it. I'm am such a dork!!

14.Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?
Mr. Cockett...whom ever girl had a crush on. But I also loved Mr. Knutsen...he was the coolest math teacher.

15. Where did you sit during lunch?
I wasn't cool enough to sit on the stage, so I was either at another table w/ my friends, or we left campus to eat at the Dude Ranch or the Flying J.

16. What was your school's full name?
Malad High School

17. What was your school mascot?
Dragon...it's a Welsh thing

18.If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Um, I'm not sure. I have a lot of great memories, but I also didn't like myself very much...I'm much happier where I'm at now.

19. What do you remember most about graduation?
Not a whole lot...staying up the whole night roaming around the high school, but mostly going to Brimhall's office the next morning to see how we did on her final...it was brutal!

20.Who did you take to prom Senior year?
Trent Goobler...not from Malad.

21. Did you have fun at Prom?
Yup...he was a very cool guy and tons of fun.

22.Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?
Nope, all I know from his cousin is that he's a dentist in California somewhere.

23.Are you planning on going to your 20 year reunion?
Ummm...not sure. Not b/c I don't want to, but b/c I live FOREVER away and might not be able to make it down.

24.Do you still talk to people from school?
Yes! Especially now that we have found each other through the wonderful world of blogging!

Okay - now your turn. What do you remember?

Baby Blessing and Smiles w/ Grammy Jo

We blessed Lachlan on Sunday, Nov. 2nd. Shayne's mom Jonette was able to come up on the 1st to stay for 10 days, so she was here for the blessing. Lachlan just stayed awake and looked around through the blessing...such a good baby. Shayne did a good job with the blessing, and then we had a "family" dinner afterward at the Hansen's. It was so nice to have Jonette, or Grammy Jo, here for awhile. She absolutely spoiled Lachlan! She gave him lots of loves and attention...in fact the day after she left I couldn't hardly get ready b/c he wouldn't let me put him down. He'd been held almost non-stop for the past 10 days by Grammy Jo! :) It was also nice having her here, b/c I got a nasty flu bug that made me miserable...if Grammy Jo hadn't been here to take care of Lachlan...I'm sure my life would have been even more miserable! She also made my raspberry jam the day I was sick. If you couldn't tell, we loved having her here. Wish we could see our grandma's more often, but it is what it is...we do what we can do.

Lachlan is growing...lots! We took him in this past week and he was 8lbs 14 oz. He's gained a pound in two weeks. He's really cooing and smiling and "talking" to us too. He's still an excellent baby. So easy going...you can talk him out of almost anything if he's fussy. We started doing infant massage this week, and he loves it. It's funny to watch him stretch and grunt as I massage his legs. Shayne watched and just laughed at him. You'll notice a theme to the pics with Shayne...he's the one who takes him after I feed, burps, and then puts him to sleep. I think it's an excuse to take a nap himself! :) I actually substitute taught yesterday, so Lachlan and Daddy got to hang out the whole day! Shayne did a great job...the best baby-sitter I could ever find.

On a totally different note...Did I mention that my littlest brother Bowdrie got his mission call a couple of weeks ago? I was going to do this big post, but never got to it...sorry Bowd! Anyway...he's headed to the Minnesota, Minneapolis mission on Dec. 31st. He's going to freeze to death, but he's excited. :) I'm hoping that we can make it down for his "farewell" the first couple of weeks of December, but we'll see what happens.

Anyway...enjoy the pics. Again...they are mostly for our family...namely the grandma's and the sister's who are always demanding more pics. But, everyone can enjoy them.

Grammy Jo took this pic of him smiling. He's been doing A LOT more of that in the past couple of weeks. It's so cute...just melts my heart.

Three generations...each of them is the oldest in their families.

He's started to get good at getting his hands to his mouth and licking or sucking on them. We've caught him a couple of times with his thumb in his mouth...Grammy Jo thought it was the cutest thing...I would have to agree!

Grammy Jo making my raspberry jam the day I was a lump on the couch b/c I had been horribly sick the night before.

My little boy in his blessing outfit. Grammy Jo made the blanket.

Blessing day, Nov. 2nd 2008

One Month Pics of Lachlan

We had Eric take pics for us this past Saturday, and they turned out GREAT!! I absolutely love them. I couldn't just pic 2 or 3 pics...I picked 30! It's a good thing Grammy Jo is here to hold Lachlan so I can upload all these pics! We've loved having her here...I get a lot more done.

Anywho...take some time, b/c w/ 30 pics it'll take you awhile to get through all the pics. Enjoy!!!