So much to tell...the first of many updates

I could go on and on about how ridiculous it is to be four months behind in sharing all that we've been up to since February but I'm afraid if I do I'll just get depressed again about how much there is to share and not touch this lovely blog for another four months! Life has been very busy, exciting, and eventful the last few months so without further adieu here is the first peek at what we've been up to:

At the end of March I took a trip out to Utah with my parents to meet the newest addition to our family, my precious new nephew, Aaron Helaman. He was such a sweet baby and hardly cried at all. He was just content to be cuddled and adored by everyone.

Grandma enjoying Aaron

Kristin with her sweet baby. Can you believe she just had a baby!? She is such a beautiful and wonderful mother and I really enjoyed watching her lovingly care for Aaron. It made me feel so blessed and grateful for the gift of family.

Aaron wasn't the only one to cuddle while we were there. Samuel is 2 now and is a very rambunctious little boy. I loved his giggles and squeals of delight as we played together. How can you resist those eyes!

He loved coloring with Grandpa or being apart of anything that Grandpa was involved in.

The week went way to quickly and it is always so hard to say goodbye! I wish we lived closer and am determined it won't be another year before we get to see them all again!

We are pleased to announce...

Just wanted to share our happy news! We had my 20 week ultrasound today and were thrilled to see our precious baby boy. We are very excited and can't wait to meet him in July!

Pluto's Christmas Tree

I was flipping through the channels the other night and happened upon this old classic. I loved this short little cartoon when I was little and it brought back so many memories! It was fun to see it again and made me remember how I wished I could be small like Chip & Dale and have my own adventures in our Christmas tree....I know, I had an active imagination! Don't you miss being a kid sometimes!
Anyway, I thought I'd share this memory with everyone :)

First Snow!!!!

It's SNOWING! There is something magical about the very first snow! I think it has to do with my mom's love of snow/Christmas/etc and since we were little, she would run to the stereo and blare Dean Martin's "Let it Snow" whenever the first snow appeared. She has passed that excitement on to me now and every time, no matter where, when the first snow comes I have to listen to that special song. So that's what I did....here at work :) And although I received some queer looks (I work with 99% family so they have to love me :) I know everyone secretly enjoyed it! It seriously just made my day and I can't seem to wipe the smile off my face :) I love this time of year!!!

A "Taste" of Halloween

I thought it fitting that I finished Bram Stoker's "Dracula" today of all days! I have to admit that the book freaked me out a bit and more than once as I've walked from my parent's house to our adjacent apartment at night I've convinced myself that I feel something breathing down my neck, ready to pounce. And though I felt silly the other night when I went to close our curtain, I found myself imagining Count Dracula crawling face down, lizard like, down the side of our house---like he does many times in the book. Crazy, I know but this is how the book starts to mess with your mind! My head has been swirling for days with Dr. Van Helsing, the three voluptuous "wives" of Dracula, and the poor, blood sucked victims. Oh...and on a side note, Count Dracula is not some suave, debonair character that sweeps everyone off their feet like the watered down teen heartthrobs from Twilight. Bram Stoker's vampire is nasty, hook nosed, and more ghastly then anything. Anyway, it was a really fun read for this time of year! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get the real story of Dracula.
To add to the fun, right after I finished reading about the grand Count's demise, I convinced Jared to curl up with me, a bowl of candy, and this vampire slaying movie:

It's been a great day! Happy Halloween!

Our Summer

We have had a very eventful summer and I thought it was sad that I've been so negligent in keeping up with everything! I figured it would be fun to share a collage of pictures of what we have been up to.

First, in May I went to Utah to visit my sister, Kristin and her little family. Samuel is growing like a weed and I can't believe how little he looks in these pictures compared with ones of him today. My parents also flew in from Washington so it was fun to play with everyone there!

Mom, Kristin, Samuel, & I by the Reflecting Pool. I haven't walked around Temple Square in ages so I really enjoyed seeing it again. I love the special spirit that emanates from everything there.

Samuel all ready to go to church....so cute!

On top of the Conference Center. I had never been inside--what an amazing building! Now I just need to make it to General Conference someday :)

Right after we moved up to Washington we went on a 4-wheeler ride with my Dad to show Jared what was left of the wild flowers and the views around my parent's property.

I love these mountains!

Me with all of the Lupine. The wildflowers are so pretty!

I love that this is our back yard :)

In July, Jared had the opportunity to fly out to Alabama to attend the Ludwig Von Mises Institute's week long economic conference. Needless to say, he was thrilled beyond belief to receive such a scholarship and enjoyed every minute of it. He came back filled to the brim with obscure and deep economic theories which he entertained me for weeks afterward with!

The highlight of his trip was hearing Judge Napalitano speak and then getting a picture with him. He was so excited! For all who might not know who this guy even is, he is a big FOX News contributor and subs for Glenn Beck a lot so ad all of that up and then you can see why Jared likes him :)

The crowning event to our summer was Jared's brother, Michael, getting married. We are so excited to have Megan as the newest addition to the Meyer family! The day was not without its challenges (never forget your marriage license if you intend to actually get married :) but in the end everything worked out and now Mike and Megan have some great memories to share for the rest of their lives together!

The happy couple. Their sealing was was wonderful and it was so special to have all of Jared's family in the temple together.

The beautiful bride

Jennie & Peter looking cute

Grandma Gordan (Jared's mom's mother) and I. It was so fun to spend a few days with her and really get to know her. She is such a feisty lady and so fun to be around! The last time we saw her was at our wedding almost 4 years ago so we were very excited to see her again.

A Time to Brag

I think there is a time in life when bragging is just a little bit okay :) Like when your sister successfully juggles being a full time mom and student and not only graduates but graduates MAGNA CUM LAUDE!! So in addition to the accolades she received at graduation, here is my little tribute to my brilliant and amazing sister, Kristin. You inspire me and I'm so proud of you!