Have you ever tasted non pasturized FRESH apple cider? Well I have and it is GOOD! On Saturday Paul, myself and Caleb went for a drive to an apple orchard. Typically you can pick your own apples but unfortunately the season was over for that. But we enjoyed some freshly baked apple cider donuts, fresh (i mean fresh!) apple cider, and we picked a couple of pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. I thought for sure Caleb would be excited to pick a pumpkin because he's just recently learned what a pumpkin is and he even tries saying it, "nkin" as he calls them. (He hasn't gotten two syllables yet). But, as you can see, he was more interested in the dozens of cars, wagons, bikes and playgrounds they had at the apple orchard.
The pumking picking was fun. And we also did some bird watching, but no birds.
And a quick look at what the rest of Saturday was like...
Amelia turned 23 a few days ago and to celebrate we thought we would take a trip down to Boston. By the time we got down there it was pouring rain so we didnt get to do very much. We went to this outdoor mall called faneuil market and did some shopping but because of the rain we werent able to explore the city like we had planned, but we'll be here awhile so I'm sure we'll get to one day. It has been so great to be back with Amelia, two months is way too long to be separated from her. Happy Birthday dear, I love you!
Amelia tried lobster for the first time
This was a really cool bridge we drove under
Caleb kept growling at the lobster, but he chowed down on our calamari
Paul refuses to study near me, he says I'm too "distracting". So here I am on the comfortable couch while he studies at the kitchen table. I'm band from making any noise and I've been repremanded twice already. Sheesh! This guy has lived by himself for too long! He's amazed at all the laundry we have in just 3 days, the dishes stacked up 3 times faster and the floor is covered in dried oatmeal, banana and toys. He's forgotten what it's like to live with a toddler and wife.
New Hampshire is beautiful! It's so great to be back with Paul and I now see how much Caleb missed his dad. Caleb will play with Paul every second he can, push is trucks around with dad, play basketball and giggle, sometimes just lay on dad's stomach and squeeze his neck. It's adorable to watch these two try to make up for lost time.
I left my camera cord in Utah, so there won't be pictures for a while..or until I take some with our other camera.
This is what happens when Amelia is not around. I have never tried to grow facial hair before so I thought that since Amelia isn't here with me yet now was the time. Its been four weeks since I shaved, and I'm pretty proud of myself. My sideburns dont grow very well as you see but my goat is good at least. I still have some catching up to do to be even with sam and jason, but i'm atleast on my way.
School has been crazy busy so far, I have five exams in five days and than I get a one day break before two more exams. I have been doing really good on all my tests so far, lets pray I can keep it up. The house is really lonely without Amelia and Caleb, I can not wait to be with them again. These past 7 weeks have been extremely hard for me, I would not recommend being seperated for that long. I am so greatful for the knowledge of eternal families, it has helped me to get through this ordeal. I used to complain when caleb would wake up early but now I long for those moments, I would give anything just to have him here with me. Its interesting how things change when you become a parent. I honestly could care less if I have things as long as my child is happy and being taken care of. It has given me greater prespective on how our Father in Heaven must feel with us. He does everything He can to provide for us and take of us. I am just so thankful for the gospel and the eternal truths that it brings to our lives, I would be lost without it. I have never truly been alone out here, He has always been with me, and I know HE always will as long as we follow His commandments.
Again, this post is mainly for Paul, but you are welcome to keep reading... Caleb is still growing like a weed. From when I leave in the morning and when I get home from work in the evening Caleb seems to be taller and smarter. I am going to keep a tally to see how many words Caleb can say this week. What's normal for a 16 month old? Maybe I'm just a niave mother but I think he is so smart!
This video is just fun to watch. Caleb doesn't do anything super exciting or funny but it's just how he plays. We had a blast playing with this cupboard for at least 20 minutes. He is sporting his new Halloween PJ's. Halloween is big in New Hampshire so we're trying to get prepared before we go.
Being away from dad and having mom gone all day 5 days/week has been an adjustment for Caleb. It has been extremely hard for me and I can only see what Caleb must be feeling too. This video is just a small reaction to what Paul gets every time we talk on Skype.
Caleb kisses the computer screen to give Paul loves! So adorable! He does this and blows kisses multiple times while we talk to dad on Skype. Whenever Caleb sees Paul on the computer he flails his arms up and down, screams with excitement and begins babbling like I've never heard before. He tells Paul in baby language everything he's done that day, from walks with grandma, jumping on the tramp, looking at dogs through the fence and any new words he's learned. Caleb never talks to me like he does his dad.
Only 2 more weeks until Caleb and I will be on our way to our new home in New Hampshire!!
For our Labor Day break I dragged the family to hike Deseret Peak (4th highest in Utah) with me. Most of them were hesitant becuase I told them it was a 3-4 hour hike, 6 miles up 6 miles down. I was able to convince them to come and most of us made it to the top, but not without complaining a little. Deseret Peak is where Paul proposed to me but the morning we went we were not able to make it to the top due to pouring rain and freezing winds. He did, however, pop the question half way up where we could see over the trees and had a romantic view of the valley. This time, I was determined to make it to the top. The hike wasn't too difficult until the last mile. We were tired by that point and it was a steady climb to the top. All I heard from Tanner and Shanlee was, "I can't do it" "I'm going to stop when I get to that rock" "This high is good enough for me"...Sheesh! But so worth it! The view was beautiful and the accomplishment was awesome! The family was split up most of the way because my mom is as slow as molasses walking up hills. My dad and Shara stayed with her while Tanner, Shanlee and I hiked faster up the mountain. One day I want to do this hike with Paul and Caleb. This time Caleb spent a fun day with the Clarks.
This post is mainly for Paul...little Caleb is growing fast and here are some videos and pictures of him playing. I love just watching him play and figure things out. His most recent obsession is playing in the car. He enjoys his little car, but what he really likes is playing in grandma's BIG car. He ran her battery out the other day by leaving the door open and turning on the lights/brights but when he's in the car he's in heaven. He also has learned what keys are for. Immediately after we walk in the door he points to the keys hanging on the wall and wants to play with them. At the moment we can't find either set of keys for grandma's car, uh oh, I need to drive that car to work in the morning! He'll take the keys (any) and get on his tip toes reaching to unlock the doors. He's so proud if he can just get the key up there, forget actually getting it in the key hole. He's such a sweatheart too. He shares his most prized possession, his binky and "softie" with other baby's. He's always willing to share his toys and food, and he loves to watch other kids play. Caleb has learned how to be "soft" now and will even say it. If I tell him to be soft, he'll start petting my cheek, it's the sweetest thing. And if I tell him to squeeze me he runs to me, wraps his little arms around my neck and squeezes as hard as his little mucsles can squeeze. Other words Caleb has learned in the past few weeks are; meow, hot (he always say "hot" before he eats any food), soft, balloon, cookie, moo...and I can't think of the others right now. He seems to learn a new word everyday. And he understands SO much!
This is his 2nd breakfast today. He's dipping his waffle in whip cream.
Notice the sigh his gives after he drinks. He does that every time.
We had the Clark family reunion last week and got the city pool rented out. Caleb loved swimming!! He also loved a little chair that his cousin Landon had. He'd climb in the chair, sit there for a few seconds, climb out, and climb right back in. He kept him occupied for a good 15 minutes. I didn't take many pictures of the reunion but here are a few.
Caleb and Landon just stared at each other. It was funny, neither of them attempted to play with the other. (Landon is Caleb's cousin and just 3 days older than him.)
Hilary and Landon with Caleb and I. It's fun to see these boys react to each other.
I have survived a hurricane and my first week of PT school! I have been pretty busy since I left Utah two weeks ago. The 2600 mile trip was as long as you could imagine. I did it in 3 days, driving 12-14 hours every day, luckily I have friends from Nebraska and Ohio that let me stop and sleep at their house, thank you meg and laura. I stayed at a local members house until I was able to get an apartment, and I didnt move in until after the first day of school.
School has been really good thus far, except for a 100 question medical terminology test that we had today, which they taught us nothing about, we had to pretty much know it all already ugh. Other than that test I am really loving it. It is going to be really hard but it is stuff I love learning about so its all good. I usually have 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab every day, and then I have to find time to study after that. So far it hasnt been to bad because I am all alone. When Amelia and Caleb come I know that will change because I will just want to be with them all the time when I'm not at school. It has been really hard for me to be away from them for so long, buts its what we have to do for now. Every night I do skype with Caleb and he is always excited to see me on the computer. He always gets real close to the screen to talk and keeps giving my picture kisses. It makes me happy to know he misses me and is excited to see me, hopefully soon they will make it out here with me.
Things are a lot different out here. I dont think there is a girl in this state that has shorts that cover here thigh and everyone has a funny accent. The ward is pretty small from what I have heard, about 150 come every week. Only 70 people were there last, I guess they were scared of the hurricane. I just wanted to give everyone a little update on whats going on out here. I miss you all and send my love!
Before Paul left for New Hampshire it was like we were all in a hurry to get one more family get together in. Well in doing so we had lots of fun in between our long days of packing, sorting and moving.
Here is some of it: (with the Robertson's)
We floated down the Green River last weekend. Cody couldn't find a babysitter for little Maxwell but Max was so tough and did very little crying. The Green River is fun, but what makes it even better every time we go is there is always something more than just floating in a raft that happens. This time we got rained on...no POURED on. There was lightening, thunder and LOTS of rain.
Cody and Dad
Tanner in one of the little "duckies" we rented.
A close up of this kid's muscles. Yes girls, he IS available.
After paddling in the rain for at least 1/2 hour we got out to take a break under the cover of some trees and had a little snack.
Mom is always willing to babysit her grandkids, even if that means 3 kids under the age of two. And they play ALL day long; swimming, wagon rides, toys, walks, "horsey rides"... Sam and Caleb in the wagon.
And with the Clarks we went to Lava Hot Springs;
We did lots of swimming, jumped off the platforms, went on the slides, snacked, took naps and enjoyed the sun. It was a great relaxing vacation.
Caleb fell asleep in my arms, he never does this so I enjoyed every minute of it.
We also went to the Hill Air Force Base Aerospace Meuseum. I kept thinking about how it would have been so neat to have my grandpa there to tell us about the planes he flew in World War II.
Just a quick update becuase I'm at work and should be working...but...
Paul is just a few hours from Concord, New Hampshire. And right now I would rather he be home with Caleb and I still working those awful weekend graveyard shifts.
I sure miss Paul but I'm sure happy I have Caleb. Poor Paul has neither of us and this is what Paul said to me on the phone today, I quote, "Don't take this the wrong way honey, but I can think about being away from you without crying, but when I think about being away from Caleb...(long pause)...I miss him so much."
It breaks my heart, both missing Paul myself and the fact that Paul is missing his son growing up every day.
This is rough and it's only been 3 days.
"This is just a phase, this is just a phase, he won't always be like this. It's just a phase, you didn't do anything wrong as a a mother to make him act like this. It's just a phase, he'll learn soon." This is what I tell myself many times throughout the day. Caleb throws fits. often. I think it's mostly because he can't communicate with words and it's frustrating to him, but when he screams he gets what he needs/wants very quickly. And other times I think he screams just to hear himself. For me it's very frustrating and I REALLY hope this is a phase. How do you discipline a 14 month old when he screams!?!?
I love the way my nieces belt this disney song out at the top of their lungs, "A whole new world..(humming cuz they don't know the words, then...) A whole new world!!" I wish they were here with me now to make "a whole new world" sound that exciting and help me be so enthusiastic about it. We're moving to New Hampshire. New Hampshire! That's 2,300 miles away from Ogden, Utah! Although it is a long way from home and we will only be able to bring our clothes with us, I am SO happy Paul got into Physical Therapy school and it brings us closer to being done with school. School starts for Paul on Aug. 29, yes, we only got 5 weeks notice. That puts things in a crunch. I've told my new boss that I will be leaving, and Paul only has to work 2 more weeks of those awful graveyard weekend shifts. WAHOOO!!!!
This is where we're going, Concord, New Hampshire.
And this is what we look forward to doing.
Making out here on New Years Eve along with thousands of other people.
Going to Niagra Falls
Seeing this lovely lady.
Wathching people do things like this at the beach.
Paul is looking forward to seeing the Yankee Statium. And so many more tourist attractions we can't miss.
So, New Hampshire won't be so bad. It will be an exciting, fun filled 2 years of our lives!
