ROMAN

My newest little nephew, ROMAN!

He really belongs to Natalie and Paul, he's their first. But I want to steal him I think.

He's so, so sweet. And I want to go see him again, like every day.

Roman was born Wednesday morning at about 11 a.m. and weighed in at 7 lb 11 oz and 20.5 inches long. Ginger and I went to see him Wednesday evening at the hospital. Natalie entertained us with labor stories, and she and Paul just seemed so relaxed about everything. Already pro parents I'm sure.

To me, he looks a whole lot like Natalie and like her newborn pictures. But babies change so fast so we'll give him a couple weeks before we make any final calls.

Isn't he just adorable? Since Natalie doesn't have a blog, yet, I get to do the honors of showing him off.

Aggie Football

Naomi, Henry and Dawson with Big Blue!

The Aggie game Saturday night was equal parts fun, tiring, and disappointing.

I took my chicos and met Dave and Erica with their boys at the pre-game tailgate. The kids were excited and got to meet Big Blue! Everyone but James was thrilled to see him.

He actually started crying and clutched me in terror when I tried to put him down by him. Who knew? He always waves to him from afar and looks for him at the games, like they are besties!

James turned out to be a real keeper during this game. Dave, Erica and I all made the executive decision that the kids are not invited next time. That's the BYU game.

We did have a lot of fun most of the time, but between the cannons for the touchdowns and cheering on the Aggies, there was a lot of this:

"sit down", "don't touch that", "leave him/her alone", "stop kicking!" The poor people in front of us... And it gets better.

Erica and her boys got to run out of the tunnel for the first ever Junior Aggies stampede, it was super cute. Naomi and James liked the excitement and the band music and especially the treats.

I got us some chips and salsa, Chili's was selling at the game again. Yum.

Naomi and James wore matchy game-day t-shirts and looked so cute. I don't get to dress them alike often enough.

I ran Naomi to the bathroom at one point and talked James into staying put next to Erica and G. Jesse. When we got back Erica was laughing her head off and James was a bawling mess. He had somehow managed to gag himself, maybe on a skittle? And then threw up. And it got on the people's stuff in front of us. Ooops.

Yeah, that's disgusting. I felt really bad, but what could I do besides clean it off, it wasn't much, and say I was really sorry.

I did some musical shirts with Naomi and James, N had two layers on. Jackets went on and we were as good as new. Whew.

At that point, or sometime in the game around then, Erica turned to me, and talking about the spirit squad, said, "I know what happens in the fourth quarter..." and I interrupted with "yeah, the Aggies loose".

And they did. They just fell apart. It was so disappointing but sadly, really familiar and not much of a surprise. Dang Aggies.

I hate to be a fair-weather fan. But come on Aggies. I'm hoping for the rest of the season to be better. And the BYU game will be huge. Can they do it? Maybe.

It's fun to take my kids to the games, it's a lot of work, but they love it, I love it.

Next time I take them I need to remember to bring lots more treats, snacks, goodies and drinks.

Go Aggies!

Dave and G. Jesse

James eating my creamy, it's all yours baby...

Naomi looking awesome

Go Aggies!

Wellsville Mountains

Last Saturday I went hiking with my parents. It was fun, I felt a little like I was a young again, just me, hanging out with the 'rents.

I invited them to hike the Wellsvilles with me, it had been since I was about 14 since any of us had done that hike. Last time it was Jesse, Me, Natalie and my Mom and Dad. I remember a lot of bugs and the beautiful view from the top.

This time we went late enough in the season to miss the bugs, yay! But we also missed the wildflowers.

We drove to the Cold Water trail head in Mendon after stopping to ask directions. We couldn't remember how to get there, it had been too long. I packed my water, granola bars and some candy and started hiking! We stared out pretty solid, but slowed down once we started gaining elevation quickly. My mom decided she was done about 3/4 of the way and my Dad and I hiked on without her to the top. That last bit was seriously steep and we were kinda tired. But we made it!

It was really a beautiful hike, lots of shade and challenging but not killer. I was not being smart that morning and thought it would be a good idea to wear shorts, so I wouldn't be so hot. My shins are nice and scratched now. I love being so brilliant.

Next time I want to start at Deep Water canyon, also from Mendon, and hike up, and then along the ridge all the way over to the canyon. You have to leave a car at each end and it would be a longer hike, but you would enjoy the views for so much longer. Hiking is awesome, and it saved me from doing a long run that I was feeling super unmotivated for that day.

It is such a spectacular view from the top. Amazing. You can see for what feels like forever from there. Those mountains are the world’s steepest range (as measured by the ratio of width to height).

My Dad, view of Box Elder county- West

About half-way up, this is the Cutler marsh/wetland area in Cache Valley

At the trail head

Baby Shower!

Natalie, my gorgeous little sister is expecting her first baby. She and Paul are the cutest, they are so excited. Really, Natalie is just ready to be done being pregnant. I remember feeling like that. I wanted nothing more in my life than to just lie down on my stomach and go to sleep. You take stuff like that for granted when you're not pregnant.

So we Low girls threw her a baby shower! Holly graciously hosted. Her house always looks so great. I love it. Natalie was teasing her that it looked like pottery barn. I wish my house did!

It was fun getting together with my sisters and Mom, but we missed Aimee and Brooke. And it was nice to finally meet Paul's sister and sister-in-law's. We really had a good time, lot's of laughs. And some delicious food. What's a party without good eats?

We played a game where we all measured out a piece of string the length we thought was how big around Natalie was. Ginger, who initially said "Oh I cut mine too short!" was almost exactly right on. The rest of us..... way, way overestimated. Sorry Nat!

We also played the game where you guess the baby food. Kinda disgusto. But funny. I actually missed one, I mixed up peas and beans. It's been a while I guess. At least we didn't have to sample them, just smell.

Natalie is now a little better prepared for this little guy, and hopefully he won't keep her waiting too long. Early babies are always welcomed!

Probably this is overkill with the photos, but it's fun, right?

I love these girls.

Ginger and Holly

Erica and Me

Natalie and Me

Erica playing paparazzi

My cupcakes, I am obsessed, I know. I added blue sprinkles too.

Natalie showing off her belly!

This was such a cute present! Our cousin Debbie made this little matchbox car holder. It's cloth and folds into thirds and velcros shut for taking along with you, like to church, in the car, etc. Win. The cars "park" in the tan corduroy slots. I want to make one, has anyone done this before?

My mom holding baby Sophia, This is Holly's baby, and she was the only babe allowed, good thing she's so stinking cute.

Erica and Ginger

Sophia posing for us, she kept getting into this position, it was so funny.

Me and Nat

Doesn't she look great?

Weekender

Labor Day weekend I took the kids and we made a run for the warm weather down South.

Thursday afternoon we packed it up and drove into the night, we made it to St. George before midnight and the kids were both asleep by that time.

Friday we played at the pool all day with Talia, Wes, Dylan and Trey, and Brooke and Hailey. I love having family there and it's so good to see them more often now. That's such a perk about living back in Utah now, I get to see all my family, a lot.

St George was so nice! We had been having some cold weather up here and going to the pool was just what we needed! My parents so generously let me use their place there, it's wonderful. And I knew that with school starting that things were going to get busy quickly, so one last trip to end the Summer.

Saturday we all headed down to Las Vegas for the Battle of The Bands! Wes's band, (and Mike and Justin's band too) Shallow Day competed in the finals at the Hard Rock Cafe. They rocked the house, it was great. They didn't end up winning but it was such a fun show. Talia and I made iron-on t-shirts for our kids the night before. Whoever said that kind of stuff is fun was a few screws loose. We hate iron-on's now. It was a pain. But they ended up looking super cute! My kids seriously love their "Shallow Day" shirts. They say "Rock On" on the back. I caught a random guy at the show snapping a pic of James from the back while he was wearing his new t-shirt and his noise cancelling headphones. He did look adorable.

After the show was over and the winner announced I headed back to St. George. In and out, Vegas is not my favorite place to play, especially with my little ones.

We had a fun remainder of the weekend just hanging out with family. It involved playing fugitive in the dark on the golf course, cupcakes, good food and Chad running through the screen door. Awesome.

Monday we cleaned up, packed our bags and made it to the pool one last time. The last time for the year too I think.

Afterwards we stopped by Brooke and Mike's to say goodbye. Naomi loves Hailey, they are cute little buddies. She has a pet rat, it's pretty cool. Except that right before we left James came walking into the family room bawling his eyes out with blood all over his hand! He had stuck his hand in the rats cage and got a bite. Poor baby. It wasn't bad at all, but it was bleeding like crazy! He was traumatized, but just temporarily.

Remember when he was bit by a bunny last spring at Baby Animal Days? He must just be delicious.

It was a perfect weekend to end our awesome Summer.

My little bathing beauty

What a cutie. I could just eat him up!

Talia!

Can you see Naomi's sparkles? She was glammed out. And that's Dylan in the background.

Besties! Naomi and Hailey

Rocking out, James, Naomi, and Hailey

The end of the show with Shallow Day's biggest fan's on stage with them :)

Except for the part where...

Last Saturday I went to Gardeners Village with my sister Natalie, it has some fun shops and boutiques that I really liked. The quilt shop had so many lovely, beautiful and fun things.

Delish lunch at the Naborhood Bakery, a little bit like Great Harvest/Old Grist Mill. But some killer pastries. Yum.

Sassy Babies was awesome too, Teeny, tiny little shop but full of goodies. They had some Cake bags that are indeed gorgeous. But. they are so heavy. Cute hair clips, gave me new ideas, and lots of cute girl clothes.

This dress was exquisite. Really it was, it had beading all around the bodice and those tulle flowers were so sweet. I loved it so much I had to take a photo. Especially because I could never afford it, $200 +. Naomi would rock that dress.

Saturday morning I got up early, that's 7 a.m. for me. And picked up my Bountiful Basket. Right now I am swamped with fresh produce. Between the basket and food from my parents garden and the grapes Naomi just had to get at the grocery store today, my fridge is packed. We're eating it as fast as we can!

Tonight for dinner I made meatballs that were super yummy. That word is linked to the recipe. James pounded them. Naomi ate one, kinda. We had them with classic spaghetti and sauce. But then we added cucumbers, squash and beans to our dinner.

And the grapes. And we should have eaten tomatoes too.

And the cantaloupe.

I took this week off from bountiful baskets.

Also because I can't pick up anyway, I have my half marathon is on Saturday!!! Yikes. And Hooray!

I'm running tomorrow morning a good 4 or so miles and that's it until 7 a.m. Saturday. Send me good luck.

Today we made jello, and meatballs, and ran errands, and washed and folded clothes, and made cookie dough, and later cookies, and grocery shopped, and emptied garbages, and the kids got a bath, and now I need to frost some cookies and call it a day! It was a good one. Except for the part where I got mad at Naomi for waking James up from his nap. I was sorry and he went back to sleep anyway. Life with kids really is so great.

Today Naomi lined up on the window sill her Noah's ark turtles and the shrinky dink turtles she made with her Grandma Linda. It was a Turtle Family.

Naomi requested that I take a picture of her butterfly too. She also made this with Grandma Linda, and she keeps moving it all around that window.

Posers, Naomi does a pretty good kissy lips! Her hair in this photo is so awesome. So Naomi.

Bear Lake

A few weekends ago we went to Bear Lake and had a great little vacation! Saturday night Dave and I took our kiddos to Pickleville Playhouse to see Bandito Rides Again. Very funny. It was a fun trip all around. I didn't get any pics of Natalie and Paul but they did come this time!

Dawson just liked to lay on the warm, warm sand.

Joshua, isn't he cute? He's getting so old!

Mom and Dad loving Bear Lake.

Baby G, Henry and Dave hanging out.

Isaac buried at Bear Lake

Naomi and Jonathan trading secrets.

My Sweet Baby James.

What was this bird called again Dad?

Alyssa and Dad negotiating... something.

Isn't that a gorgeous lake?

Annie and Naomi navigating the "warm" water.

Sophia and Naomi with Grandma Stevie with matchy swimsuits! Super cute girls.

Look at Sophia's sweet smile!

James and Naomi all ready to hit the water.

James and Jonathan. Not throwing sand at the moment.