all things new...long overdue!

Finally, I have a working computer again! Now a little updating...

First. With a expanding family comes the demand for a larger vehicle. So here it is.

And with a perfectionist for a husband comes the demand for a spotless yard. Not that I am complaining, the results of his hard work are fabulous. It's been a year in the making and we love the yard! Great job Brad!

Of course my last blog was about our best news yet, our baby GIRL, but here is her debut...

And in case you couldn't tell I'm excited, I have already learned to make flower clips for her hair. I spent an afternoon with a couple of my friends here in the neighborhood and we made tons of them. Best part is they were so cheap and easy to make. I only spent about $12 on supplies and ended up with all the clips you see below!

While we're talking about hair, Jack finally got his first haircut...much overdue.

Before...

...and after. So much better.

Now that the yard is finished and summer is winding down, we've been able to see much more of Brad on Saturdays, so the boys and I are taking full advantage. Last weekend we went to the barn at Thanksgiving Point (we really can't get enough of that place) and for the first time Dad was able to come along.

The boys had a great day, topped off with scoops of ice cream!

Our final and latest news is... my baby can walk!!! Can you believe it! He is so cute teetering around! He still can't manage to stand up on his own, but once he's up there's no stopping him. He's off from one side of the room to another.

They grow up too fast.

It's Official...

We are having a baby GIRL!!!

Yesterday was our 20 week ultrasound and, without a doubt, number three is not a boy! I've had a feeling for the past month or so that this was a girl, but tried not to get my hopes up. I didn't really stick to the "no hopes up" plan as I bought a few girl clothes here and there. Sure enough, as I drove to our appointment, I thought there might be a few tears if I was told this baby was another boy. Lucky for me, my intuition (or whatever it is) was right and I couldn't be more excited!

Pictures are coming, but I am having a few technical problems with my computer. I'll post more as soon as I can.

Girls, Girls, Girls... in San Francisco

I know it's only been a few months, but it definitely was time for another girls trip. I met up with some of my dearest friends for a great weekend together in San Francisco. I won't be able to tell you all we did, and saw, and ate (and I'm sure you wouldn't want me to)... but I'll touch on a few of the highlights.

Lauren, Brit, Emily, and I all arrived early Thursday afternoon and immediately set out for what? You guessed it... a good meal! We ate at the most delicious seafood restaurant, right on the pier, called The Franciscan. Over the meal we planned our next few days, which pretty much consisted of us narrowing down where we wanted to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then filling in the rest of the day with various sites. Do you think we like food much? Thanks to Brit's hard work, she came ready with tons of highly recommended suggestions, none of which let us down. Over the next few days we had the best pastries, seafood, chinese, and desserts. Truly, a yummy trip.

OK, besides eating, we saw lots of great things. After quite the adventure in finding the right location, we visited the Palace of Fine Arts (as seen in many movies) and it was more beautiful then I expected. Of course, the funniest girls I know, couldn't help but model their most appropriate statuesque poses.

We took a taxi down Lombard St., the "crooked street", and the picutre just doesn't do it justice.

The Golden Gate Bridge was spectacular. Really, every time we saw it, it could take your breath away.

I was lucky enough to also see Shaylyn while in San Francisco (she lives about an hour and a half away and drove in for dinner). I love her and couldn't have been more excited to spend a night with all of my best friends.

Like I said, I really can't touch on everything, but to sum up...

I loved this vacation... I LOVE my friends!!!

And in case you were wondering what happened to my kids, Brad stayed home with them all weekend and had the best time. When I got home Jack even showed off his newly acquired sword fighting skills. Way to go Brad.

"Larson Grandma"

"Larson Grandma", as Wesley calls her, had been visiting us for the past week. And, as usual after she leaves, Wesley is devastated. Yesterday at lunch he asked to call her and as soon as she answered he said "Grandma, I miss you!" in seriously the most pitiful little voice.

Then a few minutes ago as I was checking out a few of my favorite blogs, I heard Wesley say to his brother "Jackie, do you want to go to Larson Grandma's house and be a beach boy baby?".

So Cute. You gotta love Grandmas.

Stars, Stripes, and the rides?

I love the fourth, but this year may have been my favorite yet. It started off great with my parents coming to town on Thursday. At the last minute on Friday we met our friends, Kurt and Jill, at the West Jordan Carnival. Wesley loves their kids and the fair was much better than it has been the last couple of times I've been, or maybe it just seemed better because Wesley was having the time of his life. He went on almost every ride (for kids), played on the gigantic playground (you should check it out if you haven't already), and ate handfulls of fresh kettle corn (my most favorite snack, only available on select occasions). After the fair we spent a few minutes enjoying the unusually beautiful July weather in our front yard. I love summer nights!

Apparently we hadn't had enough of the fun, so we went back for more... First thing on Saturday morning we took my parents to the Riverton Carnival. Again we had a fantastic time. There's nothing like watching you child giggle out loud from pure joy. Each ride was like Christmas, he never wanted it to end.

I know I haven't even metioned Jack yet, and there's not much to say except isn't he so cute? This was his first ride on a carousel and he loved it!

(This is my cousin Kindred, she also came up to Utah with my parents and is staying with us for a couple weeks.)

This was Wesley's first roller coaster and, small as it was, it clearly gave him a thrill. You should have seen his face in person...Priceless.

Grandma brought Wesley this spyglass from Disneyland and he hardly has put it down all weekend, even while we were at the carnival. I think he's excited he's one step closer to being a real pirate.

Seriously, the fun never stopped. We barbequed at Reed and Shanna's that evening with her family, Grandma and Grandpa, and Katherine and Shane. Life is good.

And once again it was confirmed, Jack is Grandpa's twin. Dark eyes, big ears, and all.

Really, our Fourth of July was the best. After taking the boys home to bed, Brad and I sat on the front porch and enjoyed the fireworks courtesy of our neighbor. They were as good as any of the city shows, maybe not completely legal, but very enjoyable.

Hope your Indepence Day was all you wished for! Ours was.

9 months

I can't believe how the months have flown by. Jack just had his 9 month check up and, in case you hadn't noticed, he truly is a bean pole. He is still in the 90% for height (like father, like son), but only the 15% for weight! I swear I'm not starving him, he is just super active.
And really, look how adorable he is...

Jack follows Wesley around everywhere and honestly I think Wesley really likes having a playmate. He can tell Jack what to do (not that Jack responds)

and he has someone else to recognize how cool he is. Life is good.

I love my kids.

he can't even read!

For the past few weeks Wesley stays up, for at least a half an hour after we put him to bed, "reading" books. He's fairly quiet so I don't really mind that he's awake, plus I'm happy he has such an interest in books. But this might be taking it too far...

Life is full of SURPRISES!

These are our favorite things from the past month...

Baby Curtis...Due January 6, 2010!!!