Natural Water Slide at Bryce Canyon

Here are some pictures of our time at Bryce Canyon where we found a waterfall and a natural water slide for the kids to play in. And boy, did they have fun! See for yourself:

Summer Vacation

This summer our family drove up to Idaho and had a family reunion with my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins and their kids. But having pregnant brain, my camera was not charged for that part, and I forgot to bring it the other part of the time. So, sorry I don't have any pictures to share from that part of our trip. It was lots of fun though. We all had a great time visiting, eating, playing, swimming, and eating. It was great to see everyone and renew all of those relationships.
After Idaho we drove to Salt Lake City and stayed there for a couple of nights. We went to Temple Square and Lagoon. It was my first time to Lagoon (I know, shocking right? I lived in Utah for 2.5 years and never went there). I am pregnant, so I was unable to ride any of the rides. I did take Lucy on the Merry-g0-round several times though. The kids had a great time.
After Salt Lake we drove to Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. And boy, if you haven't been there, you've got to go! It is so beautiful! I even went on a hike all the way down into the canyon and all the way back out! I was pretty proud of myself (even though I had to take several breaks). We camped (in tents) for 3 nights there, which was also very fun, except for the wind storms that nearly blew our tent over 2 nights in a row). On our last day there we went to see Mossy Cave and the Water fall and the kids had tons ov fun riding down a natural slide. They were soaked, but had so much fun! The kids also earned their Junior Ranger badges, which they were super-proud of.
After Bryce Canyon we drove farther south and visited Zion's National Park. And it ended up being their Centennial Celebration (and so everyone got in free that day!). We took another hike there and saw deer and other wildlife. And because of the kids Jr. Ranger training, they were able to identify various "scat", which is another word for animal poop.
When we finished our Zion's experience, we drove home. The kids were ready to be back in California, and back in their own beds, and so were we!
It was a really fun trip, but we ready to get back to normal life. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Ice Cream Fun

So it has been pretty hot this summer and you know that I am pregnant. So I took the kids to get some Thrifty ice cream occaisionally. And well ... Lucy loves chocolate, and Thrifty's was having a sale on the double scoops...so this was her after enjoying (very thoroughly) her double scoop chocolate ice cream cone. She loved it ... and then she got in the tub.

Spring Training at the Land's

So after FHE on Monday, Duane decided that it was high-time to teach Isaac how to do a proper baseball slide. So here is what happened: (the piece of paper represents the base)

Duane had to first, show them how it is done:

Here is Lucy (in her princess dress) showing her skills:

This is Isaac showing what he learned:

Our house has this really long hallway, that at first, I thought was odd, but I love it now, when I come home, the kids come racing down the hallway to the front door to give me big hugs. I love it! They do the same for Duane every day, when he comes home. And it has proven to be very useful in training for baseball.

It's a BOY!

Well, we had our ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and we saw our new little Land. It was fun because after the tech got all of the pictures that she needed, the kids and Duane got to come in and we all got to find out whether we would be having a boy or a girl. Isaac has been rooting for a boy and Lucy for a girl for a while now. So it was lucky that Lucy fell asleep and missed the unveiling. So while she snoozed we saw that we are having a boy. And it was pretty clear. Immediately, Isaac said, "YESSSS! I knew it!". He was so excited. Although when Lucy woke, she was not so thrilled. She is actually still in denial. She is sure this baby is a sister!

So, anyway, here is a picture of our little guy, it's his head (face) and abdomen.

Baseball Fun

Well, the season is over and the kids were all triumphant! They all got their trophies and some pizza too! They were all so cute after thier last game we had a team pizza party. Here are some pics of the event:
Isaac and his teammates were taking votes. "If you like pizza, raise your hand!" "If you like baseball raise your hand!" "If you like dirt, raise your hand!" Isaac has been so excited about our new baby that he yelled out. "If your mom has a baby in her tummy, raise your hand!"

This is Isaac after he received his trophy. A little excited, don't you think?

This is Lucy at the party, she found a lady bug. I thought that the light was so pretty on her face I took a picture of her too.

Pregnancy Update

18 weeks and couning!

So far, so good. My tummy is starting to grow, but not to the point where I look pregnant, just to the point where I look fat. My pants and skirts are too small, but I am not big enough for my maternity clothes yet. Fun times! Oh well, small price to pay. But I am really starting to feel this critter move! It is so much fun! Life keeps us pretty busy, so when I get to sit still for a moment, like right now, I get to feel little kicks and rolls. This is my favorite part of being pregnant. I have such a wonderful husband! He is so patient with me during the "tired-moody-cranky" phases that I go through. I really could not have asked for a better man. He takes such good care of our family. I love him!

We still don't know whether this baby is a girl or a boy, the ultrasound isn't till the end of May. I tend to call the baby "she" or "her", but I think that is just because my last baby was a girl. Isaac wants a brother so that he can get a bunk bed in his room. And Lucy wants a sister, probably for the same reason. I don't care which this baby is, as long as he/she is healthy.