Weekly Update

July 20, 2009

Beth, Isabella and I flew into Portland. Stan picked us up and took us HOME!! George and Dan had helped Stanley unload the trailer so when we got here it was just boxes to unpack. It thought I didn't like packing...I think I like it better than unpacking. Beth and George were such a help to us. We all worked together till late in the night getting things in order.

July 21-23, 2009

Dan is leaving to fly back to AZ today so the boys decided to go fishing while they were here. They spent the morning fishing. Stan caught a bass and Dan caught a perch. So it was a successful trip. Too soon Dan had to head home. We are really going to miss not living by family. We spent the rest of the day getting the house put together some more. It is humid here and most people us included don't have AC, so one of the first things we did is go out and buy fans. It gets "cold" at night so if we leave the windows open and the fans on all night and close the house up in the mid morning then the house stays cool all day. Its awesome that our house stays under 80degrees without AC. I am excited to see what our power bill will look like. :)

We spent most of Wednesday shopping and putting the house together and cleaning up from unpacking. George and Stan got the back yard all prepared so that we could plant grass. They moved bark chips to the side yard, tilled the ground and then planted grass. They also made me the cutes planter box. It is about 8ft long and 2ft wide. We have tomatoes, 2 kinds of peppers and zucchini to start with. If I can learn how to keep those alive then I will work up to a bigger garden.

Isabella loves to be outside. She scoots all over the porch and plays with whatever she can get her hand on. She decided after a few tastes that she doesn't like the taste of potting soil. hahaha however she does like to get all dirty with it. She still scoots when she is outside but mostly walks when she is inside and in familiar surroundings. She doesn't really hold onto the walls for support anymore. I am excited because that means she will be mostly independently walking when the baby comes. Stairs! Oh how Isabella loves stairs. It took her about 10 minutes to figure out how to climb, and now that is all she wants to do . She doesn't know how to get down but always wants to go up. She has already had a few bumps and bruises. So our next purchase was 2 gates for the top and bottom of the stairs. We still let her go up them sometimes and try and teach her how to go down, but this way she doesn't get hurt and I don't have to spend all day at the stairs.

Thursday I had a doctors appointment. I met with a midwife and a doctor to talk about doing a VBAC. They think I am a great candidate and the risk is minimal. I only have 4 weeks left so we are getting very excited! After that we took Beth and George to Multnomah Falls. It was so beautiful. Beth had her camera so I will have to post pictures later. It was a nice get away. We ate a picnic dinner and hiked around a bit. There are several falls all within a mile from this one so we stopped at each to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful scenery. It was a great way to end our week together.

Beth and George left Friday morning. We didn't feel much like being in doors so we checked out the park that is about a 2 minute walk from our house. Isabella had a great time. She just wanted to push the stroller around and play with the other kids. I think we will love being by the park.

Saturday we finished getting stuff for our house and then went to see the Temple. It is so beautiful. I am excited to be able to go sometime...after the baby probably. Sunday we went to our new ward. It is small compared to what are used to. The ward doesn't fill the whole chapel but the boundaries are at least 5 miles around. It will be a change but small wards can be nice because you can really get to know people. We are excited to see what are callings will be, but also enjoying having no callings and just enjoying church.

We are here!

Portland is wonderful so far. We are getting the house unpacked with tons of help from Stan's parents. They have been such a blessing. More details to come when I have more time.

This weekend

Since we will be leaving Arizona in less than 2 weeks we decided to take advantage of the three day weekend and spend time with visiting family. Wednesday Samira and Bella went camping with her family and Stan joined them Thursday after his tests. It was beautiful up North (and cooler!). Isabella liked being outside and getting spoiled with treats and playing in the water.

Saturday we went to spend time with Stan's family for a reunion. Isabella liked playing on the tractors and going on a hike with Grandma and Grandpa Brewer. We decided to stay with Stan's grandma that night instead of driving home. Isabella gets her middle name from her great grandma.

Saturday afternoon Stan's Mom took everyone to see Wicked. We loved it. Sunday morning we drove down to Tuscon. Chet and Cindy were blessing their newest addition Traivs. Isabella loved having so many kids around. Just just watched them and tried to scoot around after them as they played all over the house. She just can't wait to have a baby brother to play with. We went to dinner with Samira's family. Stan's cousin also blessed her baby Sunday so Sunday night we went over to see Stan's cousins who were in town for that. It was great to see everyone this weekend. We are going to miss everyone!