Back to REALITY

Well, I must say I was a little shocked to see that my last post was nearly a month ago. I have a feeling that September will bring more updates.... I hope.

There is nothing fantastic to report. The rest of my shutters will be installed this week. I guess that I what I am looking forward to most in the near future. I will post pictures, because the ones in my room are very lovely. Our home is great. It is kind of one big SHELL of a house. It is fun though, to SLOWLY fill it-- I guess.

It has been CHILLY! Yikes. Greg and I have been joking with our neighbors, who moved in just before us, and who have landscaped (we have not), that we are praying for early snow this year (to hide our DIRT). We didn't really mean it! It rained and hailed most of the day on Monday, and it has been FREEZING ever since. Of course when I say "freezing" I mean it for me who most recently lived in Florida and before that in Las Vegas, but few will deny that it has been cold. See, this is what happens when I don't have a reason to post--I BLAB about nothing. I hope no one is wasting their time reading this rubbish.

On a more interesting note, Tyson is talking like a 3 year old. That is fun. I hope my next baby only stays in the "newborn stage" for a couple weeks (because I love that just-from-heaven newness), then jumps right on in to 18-24 months. His jabbering may have something to do with the fact that he is the one I speak to all day. We are boosom buddies out here. I guess I should find him a friend. Greg is a titch worried about the amount of time we spend together, although he was VERY impressed when Tyson sang the Itsy-Bitsy Spider to him when I said one night, "Let's sing Daddy a song." We tried to get it on video, and OF COURSE, he could not remember the words. He is a funny little guy.

We have no complaints out here... just miss a few people we have left along the way. It seems to be taking a long time to make friends, but then again, I have been basically hanging out with Jon and Kate and their 8. (I just love that show--Jon needs to stand up for himself though).

Hope Fall is bringing in a little cool weather and relaxation to you all!

2 weddings and a move

I am SLOWLY recovering from July... Tyson and I got here on the 1st or 2nd (kind of foggy on exact details) and then Greg arrived the NEXT DAY-- he drove, we flew, and he almost beat us! Do you think he was ready to be done with school?!?! Anyway, I will spare you the sweaty, dirty details, of unloading the truck, and just say that with the help of Lacey (my sis) and Jeff (Greg's brother), we got unloaded and settled in just 2 1/2 days. If Scott had been here I am sure it would have taken just 1/2 the time---oh well, at least we got his help loading the truck--Thanks again!

On the 3rd day at our new home, my family arrived to get ready for the "double trouble" weddings. We took off for the weekend for a quick 4th of July get-a-way at Bear Lake (our summer hangout)... It was nice to be forced into relaxation, if only for a couple days. Once home we got back to finalizing things for the weddingS.

The weddings were wonderful.... That is all I can say. It was lots of fun to be a part of the duel celebration (that kept on going, and going, and going. Tyson and I just got home a few days ago from the LAST reception in Lafayette, CA. We are done traveling--until next week when we go BACK to CA for Court's homecoming..... YIKES! When will summer be over!).

Here are a few pictures from the past 6 week. Skipping the move, and beginning with the Bear Lake vacation.

Tyson and his best cuz Kaden riding a “4-willer” at Bear Lake. Notice the large protruding mass blocking his eyesight—that would be from his kamikaze ride down the CEMENT basement stairs a few days after we got here. Yes, it was Greg who was “watching” him.

Another shot of the HUGE forehead

Happy 4th of July!

Tyson and Kaden hanging out in Grammies special pool. She fills the pool with warm water for these little boys. Aren't they lucky?? (PS--I don't think she ever did that for us)

Amidst all of the craziness at our house, Daddy decided that it was time for the Pacifier Fairy to visit. So, much to my dismay, she did. It took Tyson a week of sadness to get over the loss of his little buddies.

Tyson wandering in our backyard. Isn't it pretty?

Wedding Pictures

Lacey and Jeff got married on Tuesday, in Timpanogos, and Faith and Shaun got married the next day in Salt Lake. Each couple had a luncheon on their wedding day, and then we had a joint reception on Wednesday night, after Faith and Shaun's luncheon.

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A quick shot of my mom on the morning of Lacey's wedding. Did I mention she went to the emergency room two nights before the first wedding with TWO kidney stones! Greg's sister, who is an angel and an ER nurse, rescued us by hooking her up to an IV the entire day before the wedding. We finally flushed out one of the stones, but due to LOTS of pain and nausea medicine, my mom was kind of a ZOMBIE at the first wedding, and still part-zombie the next day.

Greg and Tyson on "Pink Day"--Lacey's wedding day.

Tyson kickin' it in Grammie's wheel chair... She was so EMBARRASSED to use this!

Lacey with the kids-- Madison and Kaden (Leticia's kids), and of course, Tyson.
A quick little family photo at Lacey's wedding. Tyson, like his father, loves the warmth of my "neck". Any woman who is holding him, soon discovers this. He is such a boy!

Faith and Shaun Garff (with a tired little boy, "Ty-sooon", as they so lovingly refer to him)

I made Tyler take this picture of us. Greg and I got married in the Salt Lake Temple and our photographer, like every other photographer, stuck us up in this cavity for a picture. I thought it fitting to get an updated family picture. (PS-Tyler has NO interest in photography, so we were VERY lucky to get his one and only shot.)

The brand new Rich family, at Faith's luncheon

Zach and our FAVORITE sister-in-law, Jenny

As mentioned before, we had a reception in Utah and then two more in CA that followed. Due to my responsibilities as sister to two brides, I did not take pictures at those 3 events. They were fun, though, so I will try to get my hands on a few pictures, just to make sure I hold the World Record for longest post. (I feel like I am playing Settlers of Catan, and I already have the "Longest Road" bonus points, but just to ensure that I keep it, I am going to build a few more roads... That is what I will be doing when I add to this post.)

Oh David!

If I wasn't feeling that it was time to have another baby about 3 months ago when Tyson started talking up a storm--I am REALLY feeling it now. Here is Tyson reading his FAVORITE book to Greg. PS-I used to hate this book.... BORING, until I saw how much Tyson loved it and could [possibly] relate to it. Enjoy while I finish composing the marathon "catch-up" blog post.... my specialty.


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Long Overdue

This little "FYI" is long overdue, but I just wanted to let anyone reading my blog to know about this cool new hair accessory I have stumbled across. One of my good friends out here in Florida has started an awesome new company--knotheads. These little hair things are very functional and fashion friendly. Check out the website for ways to order and how to use them (not hard at all!). I love them (and so do the contestants on American Idol. I believe they have even been featured in a couple magazines). Check the site out when you get a chance... very cool.

I attached a picture to peak your interest--and you know that it would be a picture of me if Greg would take one! But, since he won't... Here is my favorite use for Knotheads on a hair model...

Tyson FINALLY gets a baby

My boy (a bit like his momma) has a slight obsession with BABIES. So, as we were scanning the isles of Dollar General for some coloring books and play dough (I was babysitting my friends kids and didn't have much for them to do, with most of my stuff being packed up and all), when Tyson started yelling "Beeby, Beeby" instead of the usual, "Ball, Ball" it got my attention.

He has an unusual interest in babies (I am sure I have rubbed off on him slightly), and since this interest is a good one, I decided not to squelch it--I gave in (it was tough for me) and bought him his first baby doll (at least we found the one wearing blue!).

Once we had checked out with our coloring books, play dough and baby doll, I loaded Tyson in the car and called my mom (it was only 6:00 am in CA). She was sooo happy. She has a whole collection of the mini baby dolls herself. She was my easy reveal-- I was a little concerned as to what Greg's reaction would be.

He generally doesn't care if Tyson plays with "girl stuff" (we aren't too worried about him.. he is pretty much ALL boy. We both figure that a little Barbie/dress-up play is only softening our little rock). When Greg came home for lunch Tyson had moved on from his baby, but I made him show his dad what he got. Greg said, “What do you have, buddy? Oh, a baby. Can you give it a love? Good boy.” And that was the end of that.

So Tyson gets to keep on loving his baby doll!! Yahoo! Maybe it will bring us good luck :)

PS--I did NOT pose that pic... I snuck up on my loving boy. He is a natural!

Jax Ponderings

We have just 9 days left here in Jacksonville. I can't believe it. I have been packing like crazy and trying to squeeze all I can into our last week here.

The humidity is pushing me out... I am grateful for it, only because I would want to stay if it weren't here. So the one negative to Jacksonville (the humidity--REALLY bad for my hair), becomes a new positive, sending us off to bigger, better things.

I will always have fond memories of our time here. I had my first baby here! No one but my mother expected that to happen. I remember when I was in Las Vegas, a mere 3 hours away from her, dying to be pregnant. She told me that I wouldn't have a baby there--- it would be too much fun for us. I was very sad to see that she was right. Anyway, thanks to St. Luke's Memorial Hospital for my AMAZING baby (and delivery, too). I have tracked our time here in Jax with Tyson. Now that he is trying to be a 2 year old, it is time to go. He needs a backyard and some grandparents near. And his mom needs his dad to have a job. :)

I have been taking pictures and videos (of course) of my Tyce (<--- new nickname in honor of SYTYCD), so here is just a little update of my boy SPECIFICALLY FOR LINDSAY who requested it. Sorry for my STILL annoying voice and commentary, but Lindsay insists that those are the reasons the videos are fun to watch. Hope you all enjoy the clips at my expense :)


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books



Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Yes, I love that he says "no", "no way", "ewww" and "yuck"...

A Plug for Sandy

A dear friend of mine, Joan Jolley, gave me some books for Tyson before he was born. I don't think I read any of them before he arrived, but we read them all of the time now. All of the books were written by Sandra Boynton. She is a very clever little rhymer. My favorite book of hers is called Hippos Go Berserk! I just read it to Tyson last night, and, again, was amused.Other books by her that we have and love: But not the Hippopotamus, The Going to Bed Book, and Moo, Baa, La La La!

ALOHA

Here are just a few pictures from our fun trip. ENJOY!

First, our home away from home

The view outside our bedroom window

Here's our group:

Greg and myself, (we are the TAN ones with smiles on our faces), Greg's brother, Chris (future business partner), his wife Sheri, and Greg's only sister, Laurie (front and center).

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So here is a little Kauai Fun Fact: Kauai is full of CHICKENS! There are chickens all over Kauai, just running around free. Greg says that long, long ago there was a big hurricane and all of the chickens got out and they have been roaming free ever since. I think they are even protected--they don't mention that in the travel brochures :) It is so funny to be basking in the beauty of Hawaii and then hear the clucking of hens, and peeps of chicks in the bushes near you. And it is really funny (and by funny I mean annoying) to hear the "roost" of a rooster (what is the cock-a-doodle-doo called?) not only in the morning, but all throughout your vacationing day. Chicken haters: BEWARE.

Everything else about Hawaii is just as it is portrayed in the travel brochures. The temperature is always perfect, the occasionally storm lasts only an hour or so, then it's back to perfection. It is not too hot, or too breezy. It really is the most beautiful, relaxing place I have been (which, granted, is not saying much since I am not a world traveler--But I don't go around saying just anything is beautiful and/or relaxing).

So for the girls on the trip, laying out (away from kids) trying to get a little sun and catch up on the Hollywood gossip was FANTASTIC. It was too much relaxing for Greg and Chris, though, to sit and read magazines and lay out. They found other things to do while we were enjoying the sun. Here are some shots of them "laying out".

In addition to laying out, we did this amazing hike recommended to us by our good friends, Scott and Jessica. The hike was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! We hiked along the Napali Coast (shown in the pic of Greg and I) to Hanakapi'ai Falls. This is Greg and me at the beginning of the hike. We hiked in 4 miles to the waterfall, and then, yes, that's right, 4 miles back out. I do not think I have ever hiked 8 miles in my life. I was VERY tired, and my feet are still recovering, but it was definitely worth it. Please note pictures do not do this place justice.

Greg and his sister, Laurie.

The resting spot, 2 miles down the mountain.

The last 2 miles were hiking in the mountain and to the falls.

HERE THEY ARE! Pretty, huh?

After our strenuous activity (the hike) we spent the rest of the week relaxing/recovering. We did the sunset catamaran tour of the Napali Coast. Best buddies ;)

Our last night in Kauai we spent watching the sun set and being sad about our return to the "mainland".

So there it is--I was off having way too much fun to post on my blog. Hopefully I can learn how to balance it all, because with another crazy summer ahead of us, there may be another month of post free Trappy Trails.

Catching Up

I love my month long vacations, but I really dread catching up on my blogging (both reading and posting). This will either be another marathon post, or it will be a post of many pictures. Stay tuned to find out :P

We are back in FL for just one more month. We will be busy trying to pack everything we ever wanted to do here, into these next few weeks. Right now the weather is perfect... too hot to hang around the house, but not too hot for the beach (yesssss!). We plan to spend every spare moment we have soaking up the Florida sun. That is one thing Utah does not have. (We are trying to decide which we prefer: mountains or beach... too bad we can't find a place with both, that needs an orthodontist.)

Kauai was AMAZING, but I am sure you didn't need me to tell you that. Tyson survived without me--or more appropriately, I survived without him. Greg and I are so grateful to have a "grammie" who LOVES babies, and is happy to watch them. My mom watched Tyson while we were gone and he had the time of his life. There was so much going on that he didn't even know I had left--that is a very sad (for me), but serious statement. When I got home he smiled at me and then kept right on playing--like I had just been in another room for a couple minutes--not across the Pacific Ocean for a week! I really was happy to know that he wasn't sad. I guess we will be traveling MUCH more.

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Tyson had a great time with Grammie, Big Poppy, Auntie Shelby, and "TYYLAA"=Uncle Tyler.

Auntie Shelby let Ty borrow her sunglasses, and she taught him how to go down the stairs like a Big Boy. I am happy to say that [I was told that] there were no falls down the stairs. Yeah for Daddy's coordination!

He LOVED to POUND on the Piano. Sorry about that!

...And feeding Speedy, the turtle, became his daily chore.

HAWAII happened in between here, but we'll save those pics for my next post. I know you are all dying to see me in my bikini.... you'll have to wait a little longer.

After two weeks in CA (just one for me) Tyson and I headed to Utah to work on wedding plans. Two of Tyson's aunties (Faith and Lacey) are getting married in July. I was happy to be back with my boy, but he was not happy to be toted around to all of our appointments. However, due to my superior photo taking skills, you can't tell that he was being tortured.

Here are just a couple shots of us in Utah.

(Sometime after I left him in CA, he became a big boy).

Greetings from Kauai

WOW.. 7 days in Kauai have come and gone way too quickly. I FORCED Greg to do a photo shoot tonight while the sun was setting (b/c it's our last night here) so there will be a couple pics in the next coming weeks to document our trip. It has been fun break. Greg and I are both dreading the sadness that awaits us in FL (packing/saying goodbye/etc.). But, alas, I still have 2 more weeks of vacation in CA and UT, so I will not dwell on that sad subject. That's right, when I go on vacation, I really GO.

So, until the end of May, when I will get around to posting pictures, enjoy the sun of summer.