Me and My Boys

Sunday, July 31, 2011; almost 39 weeks

Ward Campout

Before the annual ward campout, a member of the bishopric gave me special instructions to not go into labor until after it was over. Sam was asked to give a talk/fireside at it. He did a great job, and I received a public thank you for not going into labor. (This was July 29-30; I went into labor on Aug. 2nd.) I always love this event and was really glad we could make it.

Sam starting the morning fire with a bunch of the kids. Ked had a great time being outside and getting really dirty. Obviously I failed at my attempt to teach him to not sit on the grill.

We had a great time playing in the creek by our campsite. The little fish were cool, but as usual, Ked mostly liked just throwing rocks in the water.

Feeling Spoiled

Our new home. Cheaper rent than our old 2-BR apartment (well, until you add utilities. . .), but 3 bedrooms, basement storage, much bigger kitchen, a balcony deck, a yard to call our own, parking right next to the door, and best of all, a washer and dryer. Lovin' it!

Sam with Ked playing in the sprinkler. (Another couple lives below us, which is one of the downsides, since the place is old and rickety and I'm sure we drive them crazy with all the noise we make on the hardwood floors. . . but they are nice!)

And yes, the day I have been waiting for!!!! A garden to call my own. Okay, so it's really small and doesn't get quite as many hours of sun as it should, but it's something, and I'm also putting garden containers on the balcony deck--the place even came with some!

36 weeks along

The Opportunistic Cowboy

Sometimes I think Ked purposely spills food so that I get down to clean it up and he can climb on top of me. This morning he even said, "G'yup!" when he got on.

His Enemy, My Love

I originally probably thought it was a little odd when my sister Ginger posted a picture of her "new best friends"--a washer and dryer--on her blog. http://jasondgingerd.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-new-best-friends.html Obviously that was before I had a kid. I LOVE having a washer and dryer.

Only problem is that this one buzzes REALLY loud and long when it's done (with no option to not have it come on, until we open it up and get to the wires. . . ). Ked is already known for being really sensitive to loud noises. He doesn't get as terrified as when we first moved in, and has learned to cover his ears, but it's still a little traumatic. This picture was taken probably half a minute after the buzzer had been off.

Elder Z

While I was home, I found these picture of my "baby brother." He is working hard and loving it as a missionary in New Jersey, Spanish speaking.

Derek left right when Ked was born and will be returning home soon after our #2 is born. Can't wait to see him again, and for him to meet two more of his nephews. He will be a great example for them to look up to.

Back at the Ranch

Ked was maybe a little too comfortable with the horses. . .

He kept offering them rocks. I finally showed him the tangerines and he was much more successful, though I kept fearing the horses would bite his whole hand off. They didn't, but they left plenty of orange slime on his hands.

Playing with Papa on all of Grampa's cool toys.

Hooray for Sam finally being there with us!

Picking berries with Holly and Lindy from bushes I planted years ago. They sure don't grow as easily there as out here in Virginia!

Some of the cousins born within a year of Ked.

Porter, Ked, Claire, and Dane. You can't tell here, but Porter started cracking up laughing so hard--it was awesome. Ked liked holding him.

And sometimes it was all just a little too much. . .

Ked, Lindy, Holly, Kaden, Brady, Dane

May 2011, Ked 19 months

Family Reunion May 2011

Once again, too many great people, experiences, and memories to even make mention of here. So just a sampling of the Z family reunion. I LOVE this time getting to be with my family!

My parents and most of their posterity. Sam flew in the next day, Clint couldn't make it, and we sure missed Ginger.

Having a toddler this time (and no husband until the last day) was sure a different experience. Utterly exausting. But I loved enjoying how much Ked loved it! His cousins, the water, the rocks, the sand, the sea gulls, the spa, the hose, the garbage can on wheels, the trains, the sticks, the shovels, etc.

Ked, Caleb, Reid?, Davis

Ked, Reid, Kai, Ethan, Gabe, Dane

He loved throwing rocks in the water. He got soaked doing so.

The humidity can do great things to my hair. . .

Lunch with the cousins

Maddi, Abigail, Ryan Jane, Ked, Brady, Gabe, Devonae, Kai, Kaden, Ethan

Mother's Day special dinner for all the mothers.

Jen, Amber, Brandi, Heidi, Monica, Monica's mom Deanne, Gramma Z, mom, Nat's mom Cathy, Natalie, Kate, Wendy, Summer