Lake Tahoe, July 2011

We spent a fun few days up in Tahoe a few weeks ago.  Ashley and Kyle drove out from Salt Lake and it was so fun to see them.  I have been incredibly awful with my camera lately.  I didn't take any pictures of Scarlett swimming at the pool.  This little lady loves the water.  She takes a "noo" (noodle) in with her and off she goes.  She swims by herself and doesn't want anyone's help.

The first night, after dinner, Scarlett saw these kids hooked in to harnesses and jumping really high on trampolines.  She decided she wanted to do it, and thanks to the encouragement of Aunt Ashees, I went and bought her a ticket.

Waiting, ever so patiently, for her turn.

This face really says it all.

  Still waiting....

 And finally, after waiting an hour, it was Scarlett's turn.  She chickened out.  I knew she would.

 We enjoyed some popcorn and chips and salsa in the afternoons at the hotel.

 Outside there was a band playing and as soon as that music started, her booty started shaking.

 We met Jackson the horse and loved petting him and saying "neigh!".

 On our last day in Tahoe we headed down to the Hippie Show (that's what we grew up calling it, which is completely politically incorrect, it is an Art Festival- but will forever be called the Hippie Show in my family).  Scarlett was exhausted.  Too much swimming- not enough naps!

Scarlett did sleep in a big girl bed for the first time on this trip- Rob and I got a two room suite so we could have a bedroom, and Scarlett could have her own room, she definitely needs her wind down time away from everyone else.  I think she liked it.  Maybe we'll transition soon...?

Utah in June

Back in June, Scarlett and I flew to Utah on a Sunday to hang out with my brother and sister, and my mom also happened to be visiting that week.  Rob joined us on Wednesday night and we stayed with his parents through Monday, and after spending Monday with Ashley and Kyle, we flew home.  It was a fun trip, but a little long.  Scarlett is such a homebody at night- we have always known this, and I was really nervous about how she would do at bed time, and sure enough, it was a nightmare.  Sunday night she was sleeping with me in Kyle's room and she didn't go to sleep until after midnight, then was awake for about an hour in the middle of the night, and then was awake for the day just before 7am.  Being 8 weeks pregnant, I was sick and puking, so I called my inlaws and asked if Scar and I could sleep at their place so Scarlett could have her own room and space.  Scarlett does not sleep well in a pack'n'play, and therefore slept in bed with me Monday night- not great for me- and then my sweet father-in-law went out and bought a crib Tuesday so Scarlett could have her own place, and I could actually get some sleep.  Thank you, Doug!  Tuesday was like a dream- she went to bed without a peep, and slept until 8am.  It was fabulous.  Things had been so bad at night that I actually changed Rob's flight from Thursday morning to Wednesday evening so he could deal with her at night.  Once she had her own bed, things were a million times better, and there are plenty of grandkids who will benefit from Scarlett being so high maintenance.

I didn't pull my camera out once the entire 9 days we were there!  Sunday-Wednesday with my family was full of shopping, Park City, eating out... it was a lot of fun.  And Scarlett loves Ashees and Ky Ky and had a blast hanging out with them.  When I picked Rob up from the airport Wednesday evening we went down to Riverton to visit my college roommate Annie and her husband Dan.  I miss those two!  Annie is due in just about a month with her first and it was so fun to see her cute belly, and their new house.  Thursday morning we went down to Provo (sad to say, but I actually really miss Provo!) and had breakfast at Maglby's with Cameron and Shea (I really can't believe I didn't take any pictures).  Then Rob dropped Scarlett and me off at the mall with Kyle and my Mom while he met with some investors, and then we headed out to West Jordan to hang out with Brooke and Chris, and their three adorable girls, Hallie, Lucy and Claire.  Scarlett had so much fun with them- it almost convinced me to move to Utah  ;)  After the busyness of the day, we went back to Rob's parents' and had dinner with all of his siblings and their kids.  It had been over a year since we had all been together, it was a lot of fun.  Friday we headed up to Park City with Rob's family to do the Alpine Slide and Coaster- thanks to Kat for the photos!

I didn't realize you had to ride the chair lift for about 20 minutes up the mountain for the slide, and we took Scarlett with us, she loved it, but I was so freaked out she was going to fall the whole time, it was the longest 20 minutes of my life.  She thought the slide was awesome! 

 All the Fuller cousins; JT, Luke, Harrison, Zach and Scarlett.

 Friday night was a big Farnsworth (Rob's mom's side) family reunion BBQ at Jon and Kat's.  It was really fun to see everyone.  Saturday was Meri's baby shower- I was glad to be in town to help with the food.  After the shower, everyone hung out at Rob's parents' and we ordered Chinese for dinner.  We put Scarlett's cute "I'm going to be a big sister" shirt on and waited for people to notice.  Troy was poking her in the tummy and making her giggle for a few minutes before he noticed. 

Scarlett was loving wrestling with Luke.

 "Hi, I'm Scarlett.  And I'm really too cute for my own good."

 "Really, really, too cute."

Sunday was more Fuller family time, and on Monday we met Ashley and Kyle at the Gateway, shopped a little, had lunch, then hung out at their place before heading to the airport.  It felt so good to get back home.  It was a great trip, but I have come to realize, vacations are NOT vacations when you travel with toddlers.  What am I going to do with two?!

Twenty-One Months

... and excited to announce...

01.22.2012

July 4, 2011

I taught Relief Society on the 3rd and showed an amazing DVD about a woman from Sierra Leone who has lived through unbelievable adversity in her life.  Through her trials, she found God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has a beautiful testimony and story to share.  I never show videos when I teach but thought this was perfect for the 4th of July- to remind us of the freedoms we enjoy due to living in this wonderful country.

We loved our 4th this year.  Not only did we get to celebrate our freedom as a Nation, but we also got to spend the whole day together as a family.  We started the morning at Emmy Lou's for breakfast with my parents and my two great-aunts.  We then headed to the outlets for a little shopping (great sales!), and then home so Scarlett could nap since we kept her out so late the night before. 

We joined a private pool this summer and spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening swimming, and enjoying a catered barbecue.

Scarlett is such a little fish.  She loves swimming, and I think Granddad loves swimming with her even more.

 She hates the little life vest.  She wore it for about 3 minutes before throwing a fit saying "get off!"  She hasn't worn it again since.  But she is amazing with a noodle.  She holds on and kicks herself around, lies on her back... I might have her swimming by the end of the summer!  ;)

 "Just one more..." as she holds her pointer finger up.  She says this every time you do something she likes, just one more turns in to 10 or 20 more.  But she loves to "go high!"

Poor Rob and his lily-whiteness.  Don't worry, I am taking him to Tahoe this weekend to remedy that!

We didn't go out for fireworks on the 4th, Scarlett was pretty exhausted, but we can watch them from almost any one of the windows at our house.  What a fun day. 

Much love to all our troops- and their families- THANK YOU for protecting my family.

Our Little Firecracker

After church on Sunday, the 3rd, I went to Sacramento to visit my Grandpa with my parents, and left Rob in charge of snapping a few cute pictures of our little girl in her 4th of July attire.

 

 Sweet and innocent?  Or is she scheming...?

 Jump for freedom!

 She met up with Pearl and picked blackberries in one of our neighbors yards.

A little lovin'.

When I got back from Sacramento we headed straight out to Silverado for their annual 3rd of July fireworks show.  We met up with the Hisermans.  Scarlett loved running around on the golf course until the "big booms!" started.  She wasn't loving the noise.  Granddad saved her and walked back to our car so she could still watch, but the fireworks wouldn't be quite so loud.  Thanks a million, Granddad!

Scarlett will tell you that they went "big boom!  big boom!" but she will also tell you they were "really loud.  Too loud" and that Granddad "took me away".  What a doll face.

Happy Independence Day.

Adoption

These two beautiful people are my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Rob's sister) Mike and Jenny.  They were recently approved through LDS Family Services to become adoptive parents.  Mike and Jenny are two of the most selfless, intelligent, kind, fun, honest, genuine and down to earth people I have met.  They will make the most amazing parents one day.  If you, or any one you know, is considering adoption, please see their profile here and consider them.  They really are a wonderful couple with so much love to share- they will truly bless the lives of the children they will one day have in their home.

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Monday doing A LOT of fun things.  We started the day at Sonoma's Train Town, riding a few rides, and taking the train to the petting zoo.

The Moores joined us for the day.  Love their little boys.  I-I, and baby Ashee (Asher).

 Scarlett watched Ira go on the Ferris Wheel and we thought she would give it a go- but she fought Rob until he gave up.

 "Cheese!"  Scarlett is the only kid I know who refuses to sit on a horse on a Merry-Go-Round, but runs up to the only bench like she is the luckiest girl in the world.

 I told Scarlett to say hi to the llamas, she said "Hi Mamas!"

 The goat kept licking her hand... she thought that was pretty great.

After Train Town we hit up a little diner on the side of Highway 12 for lunch, and it was absolutely delicious.  Then we went home to lay Scarlett down for a nap (which are few and far between these days, I think I get one nap a week).  While she snoozed, I went to my friend Dolly's to see her new little baby- then we headed to my parents house for a BBQ with the Hisermans.  After we ate, we went up to the church and played indoor baseball (boys v. girls- girls won, of course).  Not pictured is all the fun we had.  Also not pictured, is about 30 minutes in to playing, 4 of the 5 children were crying (some even lying on the floor).  It was quite a sight.

Bieber Fever

What is it about Justin Bieber that makes little girls go goo-goo-ga-ga?  It must be the hair. 

Our sweet friend Maddie is a huge Bieber fan and hosted an amazing Bieber Fever Party.  We ate the Biebs favorite meal for dinner, spaghetti and meatballs, and then all the kids gathered around the TV with their popcorn and candy to watch.... NEVER SAY NEVER!

 I think my favorite part of the evening was Dylan (the only boy) telling me he only came because he wanted to be able to say he had been to two parties in one day, and that he HATES, REALLY HATES, Justin Bieber.

Sweet Maddie was really dedicated to her Bieber.  When all of her friends left to go play upstairs, she stayed.  Lisa, Mom and I ended up going and watching the end with her so she wasn't alone.

The documentary was hilarious!  9 year old girls were screaming, and sobbing "I am so in love with him!".  So funny.

Scarlett has been a fan of the Bieb for the last few months- ever since her friend Ben serenaded her at Cold Stone singing- "baby, baby, baby, oh!".  Scarlett sings it loud and proud, and often.  She actually sat for the first few minutes of the movie... and then went from person to person checking out their candy stash.

Thanks for a great evening, Maddie!  And, thank you, Justin.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...

Look at our garden grow!

Back in April, Rob and my Dad spent a Saturday getting compost (stunk up our whole neighborhood for a day or two), using the rototiller, and planting an amazing garden.  Rob has wanted a garden since before I met him.  When we were first married, he was taking a philosophy of food class and he had this big red book of gardening and before bed each night he would read a little.  He has made spreadsheets of what grows well next to each other, how many of each plant he should have, how much water is best... and so on, and so on.  Sound a little nerdy?  Yes.  But, he is very dedicated to our garden and takes a lot of pride in what he is doing, and I love and respect that about him.

Rob did the whole irrigation system himself, and literally spent 9 hours planting that Saturday.

 Scarlett was, of course, a huge helper.  She made sure Granddad had just the right measurements for where to plant the corn.

 She was also excellent at getting dirt from various spots in the garden to place where she felt it was needed.

 A few short weeks later... look at all that greenery!

 I can't wait to taste this sweet corn.

 We have several types of lettuces, tomatoes, beans, peppers, and onions.  Corn, spinach, cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin and watermelon.

 B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.