Bear Lake

We finally made it up to Bear Lake for the Jettie Family Reunion. We missed last year because Justin was in Florida so we were excited to attend. We drove up with Pop, Nana and Becky and I think Easton talked the whole 2 1/2 hours. We haven't hooked up a DVD system in our car yet because the kid entertains himself by looking out the window. We saw trains and "big trucks" and once we got into Logan, he loved all the horseys. Plus he questioned everyone in the car..."Momma, Dad, Pop, Nana...what's that?". It was pretty funny. I don't know if our passengers enjoyed it as much. I guess you get used to answering 200 questions a day from your two-year-old. When we arrived, the Hansen kids were excited to see Easton. Jade and Sage wanted to hold him but unfortunately Easton was having any of that. Jade was more fascinated with the new baby coming and told me that when I had her, I would have to stay inside for a few weeks so my tummy gets better and that I will breastfeed. Thank you Jade for that info! After Smores and fireworks we headed to bed around midnight. Easton slept for only about 45 minutes on the way up so I thought he would be out for the night. Wrong. Our family slept in Soni's living room with me on the futon, Justin on the air mattress and Easton next to us in the LoveSac. We woke up about 2am to find Easton's head on the LoveSac but the rest of his body on the floor and he was wide awake. Good times!

The next morning we headed out for the beach. It is neat up there because the kids can go out pretty far and the water only goes to the top of their legs. Easton played in the water for awhile and then the sand and then he took to walking up and down the beach looking at people's "big trucks" and seeing what else was going on. He is so nosy! Poor Aunt Jill or "troll" as Easton calls her, followed him up and down the beach. By 2pm the poor kid had had it so we layed him down on a blanket and he was out. After dinner and of course a raspberry shake, we headed home. And again, Easton talked the whole way home. He even talked to Nana even though she was asleep. We had a great time and can't wait to go up next year. Thanks to Amy and Soni for hosting us! And I loved seeing all the small towns up there. I am leaning more and more towards moving to a small town. I love them! The only thing is that I would need is my Broadway fix every now and again!

Easton and Chase up in the tree. Chase is Easton's favorite. Probably cuz Chase will do anything Easton wants! He is always asking for the "Chase".

Easton getting ready to take a swing at Chase. Did I say he was Easton's favorite?

Playing in the sand

I also wanted to add these pictures. My parent's neighbors, Dave and Wendy called us last week to bring Easton over to see the "big truck". Dave is a truck driver and occasionally brings his truck home. Easton loved it. I think the kid is a natural behind the wheel!

Our child has been replaced by someone else. We went to Cancun and came back to a kid who is definately in his terrible twos! Easton has always had a problem with hitting when he is mad. We finally got him to stop for a couple of months but now it is back and in full force. He hits his mommy, daddy and even layed one on Grandma Dixie. The other day, Justin was holding him and Easton just stared him in the eyes and shook his fists at him. So we have been spending a lot of time in time out. He is good the majority of the time but when he doesn't want to do something...look out. I know he has a lot of my temper in him, the stubborn little guy. This past Sunday at church he was being difficult so Justin stuck him under the bench with his blanket. That has proven to calm him down before. Well about 20 minutes went by and he was unusually quiet. Justin reached under and pulled him up. Lo and behold the kid had a wad of green gum stuck to his forehead and was chewing on a piece of stale gum. We were laughing so hard. It is moments like this that make the terrible twos bearable!

Cancun

We are back from Cancun! But before I get to all of that, an exciting piece of information. We had our ultrasound this morning and we are having a ... Girl! Justin is in shock and I can't wait to start shopping. I'm sorry, but girl clothes are just so much cuter! We are very excited. I'm sure Easton will be rough with her but then again she will probably end up being a tom-boy. Her and Easton have to share a room and right now it is decorated with baseballs and basketballs. We might have to rethink the decor in there. Everything look good so it is time to start thinking pink!
We returned from Cancun this week. It was hard to leave. I'm telling laying on the beach and being waited on hand and foot is something you can get used to pretty quickly. Easton stayed with Justin's parents and was spoiled rotten. We know he is a busy boy and we appreciate them taking on the task of watching him. His aunt Jillby also took care of Kira and Fishie which we were so thankful for. We took Easton over the night before because we had an early flight. He is pretty good when we leave but this time he knew something was up. He would not let go of Justin and when we finally left, he was sobbing. Heartbreaker! Karla said it took about 45 minutes for him to calm down. We were sad to leave him but once we got to Cancun we realized it would of been too hard to take him with us. It is not exactly kid-friendly. Plus, me and Justin needed a little together time. We stayed in a place where all the food was inclusive. You had five restaurants to choose from. We ate our heads off. I swear, everything revolved around food. Big breakfast in the morning and then we would go to the pool and of course they are serving food down there so of course you have to eat something. Then lunch and dinner and late night ice cream. It was nice being pregnant for that reason because I could go overboard on the eating and not feel too bad about it. Every night the hotel put on a show in their theater. They a "Cirque de Soleil" show the first night and the second night was Michael Jackson. Yes...a spanish Michael Jackson. It was hilarious. This guy looked a lot like him and had all the moves down. They did his videos and it was complete with dancers and everything. We were dying because it was so funny! We spent most of the time at the pool and the beach. Justin and my dad are fish and spent every moment in the ocean trying to bodysurf. We also went to this place called Xacaret which is like a zoo but it has these underground rivers that you float through. That was neat to be floating through a cave. I felt like I was in "Goonies". It was a very relaxing trip. I couldn't do too much. The ocean had some big waves so Justin and Dad got on either side of me to hold me up so I wouldn't get knocked down. I think I was in the ocean for maybe five minutes total. We almost lost Dixie as she tried to make her way into the ocean and kept getting knocked down. Then she would start laughing. My dad was trying to drag her to shore and this other guy saw the dilemna and ran down to help. They finally dragged her up onto the beach with everyone on the beach laughing at the spectacle.

Justin tried to find something that I could do. They found this snorkeling tour where they take you out on boats and then drop you off and go snorkeling. Justin and my dad got it all set up and I was excited to go because my activities were really limited. I had my life jacket on and then I see this guy talking to Justin in spanish and then Justin just gives me this sad look. Apparently, they were not boats they took you out on but jetskis and they didn't allow pregnant ladies. I wish they would have told us that when we signed up. I was bummed. I started crying. It wasn't a big deal but I think my hormones got the best of me because it looked so fun. So here I am crying and all these little Spanish guys come up and are trying to comfort me. I finally calmed down and me and my mom stayed back and hit the pool instead.

During that week we had called Easton when we got there. Wrong thing to do. As soon as he heard our voices, he started crying and then we started crying. Towards the end of the trip, we called just to check in but not talk to him. We missed him a ton but had a fun time reconnecting with one another. It was nice to just have some one-on-one time since life is so busy and your kids become the center of everything.

So now we are back and it is back to reality. I love being home but a part of me wishing I was still in my lounge chair, drinking a cherry coke and reading a book...instead of doing the laundry! Here are some memorable moments:

• Justin being offered cocaine five times at the flea market.
• Gregg wheeling and dealing with the store owners so we could get the best price on a soccer jersey for Easton. We would be in one store and Gregg would come in with two other offers.
• Eating pancakes and eggs for breakfast every morning!
• Me and my mom almost getting hit by a bus.
• My dad talking to everyone...you would of thought he was a little Spanish man. Of course, Justin had to do the translating.
• Justin breaking his boogey board in half after riding the waves.
• Watching my husband excel with his Spanish. It was fun to see him use the language.
• Me being the only pregnant tourist down there...and the only redhead...yes people...I look at recognize those things.
• My dad getting yelled at in the Customs line in SLC. Everyone was so nice in Mexico and then you get back to the States and everyone is rude!
• Being thankful for all the many luxuries we have here in the U.S.
• Getting told to be quiet on the jungle tour at Xcaret and then we all started laughing because we couldn't be quiet.
• Jill and Jamie jetskiing in the ocean and Jill driving like a crazy woman. She flipped Jamie off and we didn't think she would be able to get back on.
• Taking a bus to meet a tour bus to go to Xcaret. While on the first bus, the guy stopped and told us to follow him into this store. Gregg was convinced we were all going to be sold into slavery.

Here are some pictures from the trip...I don't know how to do that slide show feature...if anyone can clue me in I would appreciate it!

Easton helping me pack

First day there and we head to the beach...sorry pic is blurry!

Our first full day there it rained until about 4pm...so we headed over the local mall

Waiting for the rain to stop

The rain has stopped...beach time!


Every room had a jacuzzi. That was nice!

Our day at Xcaret...my sister Jamie is thrilled to be there.

Watching Jill and Justin go on the snorkeling tour while I stay on the dock...alone...unable to go because I am with child.

Me and Jill drinking out of our "sippy cups"

The seductive flower pose

On our way home!

Easton's 2nd Birthday

Easton turned two on Friday. I can't believe I have a two-year-old. Oh, wait...he's throwing tantrums, starting to do his own thing...yes...I have a two-year-old. We woke up at 7am to open his presents. We didn't get him a lot of toys because he never plays with the ones he has. We decided to get him more stuff for the backyard. We got him a bounce house...not those huge ones...just a little 8x8 one that he can play around in. We were so excited so Justin went out early on his birthday to blow it up. Easton took one look at it and ran away. So much for that present. Instead he went to the garage and got his stroller and started pushing it around. Justin went and got him and threw him inside and he didn't get it at first but then he understood it was a "jump". Hopefully he will like it. We also got him a toy lawnmower because he loves to cut the lawn with dad. After that we went to see "Kung Fu Panda". Easton sat through it for about the first 20 minutes and then he wanted to climb up and down the stairs and then he fell asleep. Me and Justin enjoyed the movie at least. Later that night, we went over to my mom's for a swim party. Karla, Ray, Jillby, Jamie, Gregg and Troll "Jill" all came to help us celebrate. Easton even got a fish from Troll. So far, he has tried to pull it out of its tank five times. We had to move it to a higher location or "fishie" is not going to make it. Anyways...that was our fun filled day. Hopefully Easton enjoyed it as much as me and Justin!

Me and E waiting for the party to begin and yes, you can see my baby bump...I'm two cm ahead of schedule! Hopefully it is not another huge baby like E was!

Swimming with Dad and Pop

Trying to pose for a picture. Easton wanted the trains off his "Thomas the Train" Birthday cake!

Easton's favorite playmates have moved to Minnesota and we are sad! His cousins, Halle & Taylor are now in Minnesota. We are excited for their family as Uncle Chris is now a full-fledged doctor but we are sad to see them go. This past week, the kids were able to play almost everyday and Easton loved every minute of it. Every morning, he would wake up asking for Halle and Tay-Tay. They flew out Friday morning and Easton kept asking all day where they were. How do you tell a 2-year-old that they went "bye-bye" for a long time? I don't think he will realize they are gone until our next family party. Here are some pictures of them on Thursday night as we went over to say goodbye. We are excited about the chance to come visit them and see the Mall of America!

And here is a video of them in the "doghouse!". Excuse our backyard...we tend to move into houses that need to be completed renovated inside and out. We just finished re-sodding our front yard and now it is time to do the backyard. Unfortunately there is a lot of prep work like cutting down dead trees and leveling the entire yard. Hopefully we can have it finished by the end of summer.

Day out with Thomas

After months of waiting, the big day was finally here. It was our "Day out with Thomas". Easton has loved Thomas the Train since he was really little. I found out there was a national tour coming to the Heber Valley Railroad where you got to go on a ride on Thomas. I was so excited. So I got the tickets and couldn't wait for the big day. It is fun having kids because you get to be excited about a big blue train and not feel stupid about it. So we loaded up the van and headed out to Heber. Justin had to work so we took my mom and dad and sisters.

It was a pretty cute event. I always look at events and think of how to change them. They had some cute little activities but the highlight was the train ride. Thomas wasn't there when we arrived. But when we saw him pulling into the station, the reaction on Easton's face was priceless. He was stunned that Thomas could be real. He sat there for a moment trying to comprehend that Thomas was really there. Then he just started screaming "Choo Choo". It was hilarious. We boarded the train and you can sit in open cars. They take you down the track about 15 minutes and then you stop and go the back the way you came. I think my dad loved it as much as Easton. He is a train fanatic. We even had to get him a conductor hat. I tried to get Easton one but the kid would not keep it on his head. Too bad because they were stinkin cute. So after the train you can take a picture in front of Thomas and then that was it. Easton loved every minute of it and so did I.

On a side note, I must say I ate a ton at this thing! This baby is either going to really huge or I better watch it or I am going to gain like 60 pounds. I couldn't help it. My sisters were laughing because I was eating all the time!

Last Saturday my cousin Colby raced my sister Jamie's bulldog, Winston. Yes people...this is what they do on Saturdays. My brother-in-law, Gregg, made a video of the whole episode and you can watch it on you tube. It is pretty funny. Jamie's dog, Toby, was also in the race but gets absolutely no credit in the video. The next race is between Colby and Kira, our one-eyed Siberian Huskie. Colby will wear a patch over one eye to even out the playing field.

Click on Colby Vranes "Man vs. Beast"

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=colby+vranes&search_type=