Mmmmm, flour

We are currently Webelo leaders (cub scouts - so fun!) and the other week we played "snowy mountain" as part of the activity -- whoever causes the flour mountain to collapse has to retrieve the chocolate chip with hands behind back. Can you tell who was a little too cocky when cutting away at the flour dome? Priceless!

Grown up

For what ever first-time-parent-reason, we had been cutting corn off the ear for Mason this summer. The other night I thought, why have I not just given him an ear? So, we broke off part of one and handed it to him... at which point he refused to pick it up until we put holders in it (how dare we just hand him a corn cob?!?)... at which point he then scarfed almost an entire ear of corn. It is official: he is grown up (whether we realize it or not) :)

Plugging Along

I am at a grand 37.5 weeks now and anxiously awaiting "d-day"! The weekly doctors appointments make you realize just how much of a ticking bomb you are and help make it feel like it is really about to happen. Other things also signal the end is here:

Waddling? check.

Walking at a comically slow pace? check.

Swelling (minimal, so far)? check.

Nesting? check.

All I can do is laugh at my body and its current antics! When I get up from laying or sitting I feel like I have to jump start my hips to get going! I have also been continuing walking 30 minutes 3-5 days a week and I can only laugh that even a turtle could probably beat me nowadays. And then the random projects that seem important... like reorganizing closets. We have only lived here a month and a half you know -- how much organizing could a closet need??

Come out anytime Lincoln - the closets are ready for you. :)

Bear Lake Bound

We really wanted to take some sort of a family vacation this summer and suddenly summer was passing us by and we realized we hadn't planned anything yet. Whoops! So, we brainstormed what our options were and we thought of Bear Lake - a nearby destination that neither of us had ever been to. Perfect! I found and booked a little condo for two nights and off we went -- armed with only the knowledge that we HAD to have a raspberry shake while we were there (that was the comment we heard out of every person who heard we were going).

Thankfully, Mason was a gem on the ride up and the ride back - maybe he'll be a good long distance car traveler yet! (I had to take a picture of him actually sleeping in the car because it is such a rare thing to witness!)

Here is our one bedroom condo we got -- and it was discounted because it wasn't "updated" -- what do we care if it isn't updated??? Sweet!

Saturday morning after breakfast we headed to rent one of these nifty bikes we saw as we drove in the night before --- I think we might have to buy one someday. How cute! Matt was a trooper and let me take breaks when I would have a contraction.. don't worry, he didn't have to peddle by himself too often :) We figured out later that we went about 5 miles or so round trip. Next time I told Mason he is peddling and I am sitting in the basket up front.

We were so lucky that Grandma & Papa were able to drive down from Wyoming Saturday and join us for the day! Mason was absolutely thrilled to see them & kept them playing hard all day. Do you see the look of pure joy on his face in the picture?? Love it! We ate lunch in this great "covered wagon" in the middle of town.

Some random pictures for you... yes, we had THE raspberry shake (at the joint the bike rental shop recommended, no less) and yes it was delicious! BUT, we bought some chocolate covered fresh raspberries at this chocolate shop in town and I must say... they were AMAZING. Seriously, forget the shake. I saw them being made when I walked in and I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I asked the owner what they recommended. The lady said her record was 347 bags sold in a day (small bags costing $3 a pop!). I now understand why - they're worth the $3. YUM.

Seeing as Bear Lake was a frigid 63 degrees, no swimming in the lake was to be had (we did go swimming in the condo pool). However, we did go and dip our toes in... Mason didn't want to leave. I am sure if he had gotten in further he would have changed his mind.

It was a great weekend and we are so glad we went!

36 weeks and counting

This week's picture is brought to you via Bear Lake! (that post will be coming later...)

I am counting. OK, maybe counting isn't the right word for it... more like 'I am continuously sending Lincoln subliminal messages that he can come out anytime now'. There is certainly a reason you're pregnant for around 40 weeks (besides all that developmental stuff... :) - because by the end you are SO ready to get "your" body back that you are ready for anything just to get that baby here. I am actually excited for labor! Sick, right??

Besides that aspect of it, we ARE truly excited to meet this little boy and welcome him into our family - and he'll be here SOON! Yay!

Little Fishy

Mason and I took the parent & tot swim class through a local public pool and just completed 2 weeks of swim-bliss. Ok, mostly bliss :) He still isn't a huge fan of laying on his back, but he is otherwise in love with water. Hooray! I have always loved to swim and hope he continues to feel the same way. We took the class with Mason's buddy, Packer, and it was so much fun! It was basically a bunch of games to get them accustomed to various activities in the water - blowing bubbles, paddling their arms, kicking their legs, going under, learning to turn around when the water gets too deep, etc. Hopefully we'll get in a lot more swimming before Lincoln arrives!

Illuminations indeed!

What a spectacular fourth of July weekend!! I think every holiday should be celebrated for at least 3 days like this one was -- dont you agree? We spent the weekend swimming, shopping, going to our first Stadium of Fire ever with the Lowells!, church, long naps for all of us, BBQing, fireworks in DC, Boston, and NY via TV, a great Freedom Festival breakfast w/the Footes, an over two hour long grand parade, checking out the booths downtown, more swimming and more BBQing! It was a little sad coming back to reality today :)

We are so grateful to live in this great country!!

God Bless the USA!

Stadium of Fire! We always watched the fireworks from a hillside which provided a great view - however, it was definitely better from inside! Good show!

Some snapshots from Mondays parade/time downtown -- Mason got this flag for free and it has become his newest prized possession.