Leaving Day

My baby sister (well she is not a baby anymore but 19 yrs old) decided to join the military. The Marines to be exact. She was looking for something that the Marines had to offer and she signed up. She left today for boot camp in Parris Island South Caroling. It was an emotional day to know that we would have 0 contact with her for the 13 weeks she would be in boot camp (expect for letters, we can write letters to each other) and knowing that she only has a 3 week window before Hannah is born to make it back in time for her delivery. So I hope she makes it back in time. The whole family (minus Cole who had to work) went to her swearing in. Stu got off work for his lunch break but still missed her swearing in because the military will tell you one thing (be there at 9:30) but not get going till an hour later, so Stu had to get back to work. By joining the Marines, Leah will be able to call herself "The Few the Proud the Marines". She was really excited to go and of course sad to say good bye to family, her boyfriend and dog. We are so proud of her and know she will come back a totally different person, stronger and more grounded.

Sarah, Leah and Stu before Leah's swearing in (taken in the holding room) Dad, Leah and Mom

Leah saying good bye to Hannah and telling her she has to be born on July 28th. (Leah has a 10 day leave after boot camp and she is hoping Hannah will be born during this leave so she doesn't have to take vacation waiting for her birth).

Mom and Leah

Leah in the swearing in room waiting for the commanding officer to come in to give them their oath.

Leah and her boyfriend Justin after her swearing in

Cole, Leah and Sarah (missing Cole) after Leah's swearing in.

If you would like to know more about the Marines boot camp, please see here

Love you Leah and Miss you already!

A Snowy Wedding Day

One of my dearest friends got married today. Liz has been waiting for her 'match' for a LONG time, so this day was special to her but just as equally special to her friends and family. Despite the weather (typical spring day...snow), I think the day was magical.

This is how is looked outside, and it was not the fluffy snow, it was wet, wet snow. Liz and Mike had their reception the night before in the same place as their luncheon. Here is a view of the luncheon tables.

The beautiful bride and groom. They kissed every time someone kinked their glass.

The happy couple getting ready to leave for their honeymoon.

The honeymooners leaving the luncheon. I think the snow could not dampen their excitement of starting their lives together.

Spring Cleaning begins

Not only am I starting to get the 'nesting' bug but Stu is getting it to. We have NOT done any home improvements on our house since we moved in 4 years ago. Stu has a lot of ideas of what we want to spend our taxes on to improve our house, so I will have to post those pictures upon construction-but in the mean time I have been complaining about our kitchen tile more specifically the grout. How dirty it is. Stu found this hand held steamer on Overstock.com and ordered it. Check out how well it works...

Here is the box of the steamer
Check out the grout, it is sooo dirty

This is just a small section that Stu attacked with the steamer. It is almost like we laid new tile.

This is a shot of the whole area-- you can see the dirty and the clean grout. Crazy huh? It will be a process to clean the whole area simply because the machine is not too big and when you add the water you have to wait for it to heat up, but I think Stu has found a new toy. I caught him steaming the tile this morning before he left for the gym :)

Ultrasound

Monday March 7th was the day we were having our ultrasound. I was a few days short of 19 weeks so we were hoping to find out what we are having. As it would be, earlier that day the system at the University shut down and my ultrasound that was set for 3PM was canceled. The Grandma's were coming up for the ultrasound, and rather than 'cancel' them I was still praying the ultrasound would still happen. 1PM came upon me and the systems started running again and so the ultrasound stood. Thankfully it came up, if not I would have had to wait till Friday.
The ultrasound was great and we got a DVD of the whole thing. I had the tech check all kinds of things and everything seems to be perfect. We got all the toes and fingers, spine looks good, head looks good and we found out what we are having...

Sarah, Grandma Nicholls, Grandma Reeder
Stu and Sarah

Picture of our little one sucking their thumb

And we are having a GIRL! Stu and I had these favors made for our family. We actually found out a week and half before this ultrasound. I am all about presentation and just saying "its a Girl" was not good enough. So we found out and had these M & M's made. They were pink and had "Stu and Sarah say..." on 1 M & M and the other M & M said "Its a GIRL!". We gave these to the mom's after the ultrasound. Then we took them around to family after the ultrasound to announce the great news.

Can you see the writing on the M & M's? It was fun to make these. I told Stu that we are not finding out the sex on the next one so we wanted to do something big this time around.

This is the first grandchild on my side and the first grand daughter on Stu's side. She is already getting spoiled! We could not be more excited!

4th anniversary

Really..I have been married for 4 years? Snaps time really does fly when you are having fun. Our 4th wedding anniversary was on Monday the 3rd. Since we were coming back from the wedding Stu thought it might be fun to stay in a bed and breakfast in St. George for our anniversary night. (This year it was his turn to plan the anniversary). We stated at the Green Gate Village in St. George. It was so cute and so fun. The room we stayed in was HUGE. The breakfast the next morning was AWESOME. This was so fun because we always have a place to stay in St. George with my G & G living there. So this was so fun to try something new.

The house we stayed in. This house has 3 rooms. Our was the room on the left
The room we stayed in. I felt like we could start a fire and read a book. (this picture taken from the bed)

The bed (taken from the fireplace area)

My G & G were so great and took us to dinner for our anniversary. It was so nice because we asked them to join us and then they paid.

1st wedding of the year

January 2nd marked the 1st of the weddings we will be attending this year. My dearest friend Emily Grubbs got married in Laguna Beach California. Stu wanted to fly us out- but with flight prices going for close to $400, we decided to rent a car and drive down instead. We were able to break it up and stopped in St. George to see my G & G for New Years Eve (plus they were watching Blue) before we left for California on the 1st.
Emily and Joseph's wedding was so beautiful and magically. It rained all day but that just brought a new fresh feeling in the air. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception after was so fun. I even got Stu to dance with me

The table that were set up for the guests. Each place setting had their "Thank you for coming" which was a pot with rocks in the bottom, soil and a package of seeds. Their saying was Grow with us
Stu, Sarah, Joseph and Emily

Stu and Sarah

The wedding called for a "Creative Black Tie". We were not sure what that was so we dressed in all black. I must admit we looked hot!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I hope 2011 brings you joys and blessings. Since Stu was so excited to bring in the New Year and spilled the beans on facebook I thought maybe I should blog it now.
We are expecting...again :) We are super excited and nervous. I am almost out of my 1st trimester and I am excited to cross that bridge. We have had a few ultrasounds and saw the heartbeat which was so promising. There is just 1 in there this time. The funny part is that we are due on August 4th...the same day our twins were due. I guess I can only get pregnant once a year :)

This was how I told Stu we were pregnant. (Don't mind the belly flab or the red waist band mark from my pants)