Quick Trip

Did you know we have alligators in Idaho? I didn't until a few months ago. This isn't exactly their natural habitat but someone thought it was a good idea to raise them in the warm water springs near Hagerman. I was thinking they would be sickly looking or small but it turns out alligators really thrive when they are fed the leftovers from the hatchery. These beasts are huge!

The guy who raises them also runs a warm water fish hatchery and graciously lets the public come and see the fish and alligators for free. Ellie loved it and absolutely did not want to leave. The only way we got her into the car was the promise that we would see more fish at Clear Lakes Hatchery. They have huge trout and sturgeon and they have an underwater viewing window so you can get up close and personal with the fish. It was so fun to see Ellie get excited about all the fish and the bugs and everything.

Checking out the huge trout and sturgeon

Looking for more fish at the upper pond

Hiatus

So all two of you who read my blog may have noticed that I haven't posted in a while. I've realized these last few months how much I reach for the computer throughout the day to kill time, relieve boredom, avoid housework, the list goes on and on. It was becoming a small problem. Not a huge one, mind you. I didn't sit in front of the computer for hours on end leaving Ellie to her own devices. I didn't forget to feed my family or do laundry or anything like that. Our home was still functioning like a home should. But each time I sat down to check my email or read blogs or check facebook, the few minutes I intended to take always turned into an hour here and an hour there. I would get sucked into anything and everything that looked interesting to me. So I decided to have my own little 'internet fast' for five days. Also, since I'm pregnant and can't do a regular no food or water fast I thought I would choose something I enjoy to give up for a little while. So I chose the internet.

I was actually looking forward to this little internet break for many reasons. I wanted to see how much more time I had (turns out there are lots of hours in the day when you don't waste them sitting in front of the computer!) and I also wanted to see how much willpower I have. My track record for self-control and willpower hasn't been the best so I knew this would be a challenge for me. Especially since my first day without internet was a Monday and on Monday mornings I work for my father-in-law at his auto repair business where I'm at the computer much of the time I'm there, working on estimates and invoices and the internet is just a click away. So I thought Monday morning would be pretty hard but it absolutely wasn't. I wasn't even tempted and I came home for lunch and told Rob how proud I was of myself :)

Anyway - I will spare you all the little details of the rest of the week but just know that I did it and I loved it and it was hard. But now that I am back on the internet I've found that I am much more aware of the time I spend on it and my most surprising discovery is that I find myself a little bored with it all now. I still enjoy reading emails and blogs but I rarely do much more than that unless I'm researching or shopping for something specific. I've really learned a lot and I encourage anyone out there to try it and see what it does for you.

Little Chubba Wubba

I was looking at old pictures and videos of Ellie the other day while she was napping and I thought I would share a few. I can't believe how roly poly she was!

Little cherub



Our little thumb-sucker


Daddy's girl

Giggle

10 Things I Love!

Wow - I feel so special - this is my first tagging :) Thanks Sarah!

These are the ten things in my life that I love, that make me feel alive and happy.

So here it goes - in no particular order:

1 - Rob. My husband and best friend. I love that he can still make me giggle like a little girl. He makes me feel so loved and safe.

2 - Elliett. The adventures are never-ending and she brings Rob and I a true joy that we had never known before.

3 - Being pregnant. Sure it has its miserable times but overall I LOVE being pregnant knowing there is a sweet little person developing and wiggling around in there. It is so amazing.

4 - Cookie dough. If I could I would live completely on cookie dough and milk.

5 - The Gospel and the healing power of the Atonement.

6 - Nature. I always wish I made more of an effort to spend time in nature because I always feel so at peace when I am surrounded by mountains and trees and rivers.

7 - Knowledge. I love learning about people. They never cease to amaze me. I also love learning about new things. I am a sucker for reading how-to books, information books, and researching things on the internet

8 - The great family I came from and the great family I married into. I honestly feel so blessed when I consider the people I am surrounded by on a daily basis.

9 - Sleep. I think this is self-explanatory :)

10 -Fly Fishing. I haven't been as much as I would like since starting a family but I love the calm of casting and wishing and waiting and I love the thrill of the first bite and reeling in a fish of any size.


Bri and Kelsie: Tag! You're it!

Gone Fishin'

Yup - Rob is gone fishing for the whole week. His dad and two brothers went with him to northern Idaho to fish for steelhead. I am so happy for him that he gets to take a vacation to do what he loves with people he loves. He truly deserves a great trip and I hope they catch the crap out of 'em!

So what am I going to do without a husband for a whole entire week? Well - right after he left today I promptly got Ellie and I ready and headed for my Mom and Dad's house for some company. I never used to get lonely but now that I'm married and we have Ellie and another babe on the way I've been feeling extremely lonely and somewhat vulnerable when Rob is gone. It's a good thing my parents live so close and they actually seem to like it when Ellie and I come over. Actually I think it's that they love it when Ellie comes over and they simply tolerate my presence but hey - I'll take what I can get :) My plans for when Ellie is in bed for the night involve several chick flicks, a jar of Nutella spread on fresh strawberries, knitting, and late night reading of several birth books. I realize I should be working on more productive things like painting the closet doors, cleaning out the garage, or working in the yard but where's the fun in that?

All Growed Up

I've been procrastinating this day for a long time knowing that once it came - there was no turning back. Yup, Ellie is officially "All growed up." She slept in her big girl bed last night for the first time and she was so excited. We brought it in and got it all set up in the early evening and while we were doing that she was picking out jammies and animals to sleep with. Her regular bedtime is around 9pm but by 7pm last night she was all ready to forego a tubby, stories, scriptures, prayers, and snuggles just so she could hurry and go to sleep in her big girl bed. We still took a tub, read scriptures and said prayers but she got in bed and stayed there all night (to our surprise!) I thought for sure I would find her awake at 3am playing with her toys or sneaking something from the treat drawer. Tonight she went to sleep with an army of stuffed animals and asked us to turn off her night light. It makes me so happy to see her growing up but I'm so sad at the same time.

"This is my favorite age!"

Every time we go to my Mom and Dad's house my Mom just loves to be around Ellie to see what Ellie will say or do to make us laugh. Nine visits out of ten my Mom will say something like, "This is my favorite age! Toddlers are so cute." And it is so true! I always heard about the terrible twos and how hard toddlers are but honestly, most days I am just in awe of our little daughter who has learned so much in just 2 1/2 short years and who always has something hilarious to say. Yes some days are frustrating but overall I wouldn't trade this time in our lives for anything. I wish everyone who reads this could spend time with Elliett to see what a sweet and funny little girl she is because you know pictures can only say so much. But here are some pictures anyway to show what kind of personality she has :)