Halloween

We joined the Powells and our old Desert Hills Ward on Halloween for their trunk-or-treat. It was so nice to see old friends and hang out with family. Zander got in some more trick or treating and got way more candy then he'll ever need. He also got to learn some new moves from cousin Clayton who had the crowd wowed with his dance moves. For dinner, there was a chili cook judged on by the bishopric and Mason's chili won.

Two Years + 5 Months

* Is so excited to learn. He can recognize all of his ABCs and numbers 1 - 10. He is getting better at distinguishing between his colors. We are trying to teach him 11-20 and shapes. * Will call us babe because that's what Devin and I call each other. *He found out that he's going to be a big brother. He knows that mama's baby is in her tummy and says he has a baby in his tummy too. * Says "help you" when he needs help with something. * Conversations with him normally go something like this. Z: Yo Gabbas, Me: No Gabbas, Z: Cue Cues, Me: No Blues Clues, Z: Aggas, Me: No Backyardigans, Z: Bonge Bob, Me: No Sponge Bob. Z: Dora, Me: No Dora. I think he's addicted to tv. He'll even start talking to other people about this and they have no clue what he is saying. * Is so stubborn about eating all food. Normally dinner time will involve a time out and then he'll decide that he wants to join us at the table to eat. * Loves to hide under blankets. He'll say "hide, hide" and then as soon as he is under the blankets, he says "I stuck" and then rolls around in circles. * Is getting better at feeding himself even though he makes a huge mess in the process. There is always food on the floor or on his chair, but I'm trying to be less OCD and controlling about it. He definitely knows what I'm thinking as he'll say "it's a mess" after he's done. * Talks about the scary lions all the time. *

Trunk-or-Treat 2012

Ashley Heights Ward held their trunk-or-treat the weekend before Halloween. Zander was so excited to suit up as DJ Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba. Daddy surprised him with a matching costume. Mum & Al joined us for the weekend so they were able to come with us for the bbq dinner, hay ride, and trunk or treat around the parking lot. This was the first time that I didn't dressed up and actually passed out candy. There are a lot of kids in our ward! Zander walked around with Dad and Grandma Judi. He would say trick-or-treat and then tell everyone about the scary lions. He is all about candy these days so I'm sure he'll be excited to attend our old ward's trunk-or-treat with his cousins on Halloween.

High Five Friday

1. Even though our ward incorporates three neighborhoods within a square mile, it is huge! If you don't get to church on time, there aren't any parking spaces and you have to sit in the back of the cultural hall. With 600+ members, we knew that a split would be soon. On Sunday, we found out that they will be taking our ward and the ward to the north of us and make 3 new wards. It should be interesting to see the new boundaries and if our callings will remain the same. Another week until we find out. 

2. We went to the Powell's for Sunday dinner and found out what the kids would do for a Klondike bar. Poor Clayton did not like his choices - kiss his sister's butt or eat the ice cream in his underwear. He was offering to lick the toilet instead. The night got interesting when we were about to leave as their neighbors found a rattlesnake. Devin, Stevan, and Mason went over to help get the snake out from under the bushes and killed it.

3. On my way home from work on Wednesday, I got in a car accident. My second accident ever. I was waiting at a red light and caught a glimpse of the car coming up behind me in my rear view mirror. It trying to break, but it wasn't fast enough and I knew it was going to hit me. Luckily this happened right before I picked up Zander so he wasn't in the car with me. My back is a bit sore, but overall thought that things could have been a lot worse.

4. I had Friday off of work so got to spend the day with Zander. We ran a few errands and then had a lunch date at Chick-fil-a. Every time we pass one of their locations, Zander points to it and says "that one." This time, he tried to play with some older kids. He followed them around the play area and even walked up the slide.

5. We went to Devin's cousin wedding on Friday evening. The ceremony was outside with the beautiful Arizona desert in the background. Zander enjoyed playing with cousin Manessa and dancing with the flower girl and ring bearer.

Pregnancy Diaries - 7 Weeks

• It's been two weeks since we found out that I was pregnant and I'm definitely feeling it. While I'm not throwing up, I'm feeling more nauseous than last time and it lasts all day long. I've found that saltine crackers and wint-o-green LifeSavers helps. I may get a prescription from my doctor if it continues much longer.

• I am tired all the time and naps have become a welcomed friend. This also contributes to my extreme case of laziness. Making dinner has become a chore so we've been eating lots of cereal. My poor hubby and child (although Zander loves cereal so I'm sure he's ok with it).

• We've told Zander about the baby, but I'm not sure that he really gets it yet. One night, I was showing him my belly and talked to him about the baby in there. It melted my heart as he touched my belly, kissed it, and said "see ya soon" to his new baby brother or sister. He then proceeded to tell me how he had a baby in his belly too. 

• While I'm not certain if our little peanut is a girl or boy, EVERYONE keeps telling me it's a girl. My sister Kylie keeps having dreams about it. The Chinese charts says it's a girl. My friend at work stated something about the wise tale that girls take away your beauty (to which I was like, what is that supposed to mean? ha ha). I guess we will see in January. 

• Names the second time around are harder. We have a lot of time to decide, but Devin is pushing for Zoey. Ever since he was little, he's always talked about having a daughter named Zoey. 

• TMI: My boobs are huge and I have to pee all the time.

• In less than two weeks, I'll have my first OB appointment and ultrasound. I'm so excited to hear the baby's heart beat and see him/her for the first time.

Date Night - Jester'z

Acting out the new movie "Unicorns in Paradise"

 We had another fun date night with the Kietas. We started with dinner at Spinato's Pizzeria in Tempe and then headed over to Jester'Z Improv Comedy Club. Devin and I had never been before, but I knew we would have an enjoyable night since I love the show Who's Line Is It Anyway. In fact, I used to watch the show every night during my first semester in college. Jester'Z is similar to the premise of the show. There is a moderator who takes suggestions from the audience and a troupe of comediennes who act out crazy characters and situations on the spot. We haven't laughed this much in a long time and we will definitely go back soon. 

High Five Friday

1. After the one day cold front, this week saw 90 degree temperatures. What is happening to fall? I know I should be relishing in this beautiful weather and living it up in shorts and sandals, but I’m over it. Bring on the cold.

2. We met up with some of Devin’s aunts, uncles, and grandma at Joe’s BBQ for dinner.  It was fun to get to catch up with them. Zander was being super shy at first, but quickly warmed up. He was showing Nan and Aunt Jeannie how to dance and use iPhone apps.  He even tried to get Aunt Jeannie to buy some apps for him. 

3. I had to enroll in my medical benefits for 2013 and was so excited to find out that the new baby will only cost us $100 at the hospital!  Zander was a pricey $5000 and we are still paying him off in monthly payments 2 ½ years later.

4. It was a big week at work for Devin. He had his yearly review and got a 10% raise. 

5. We got together with the Reed cousins to celebrate what would have been Grandma Betty's 80th birthday. We had navajo tacos (thanks to Aunt Liddia) and ate pina colada cake which was Grandma's favorite. The older cousins were able to go to Grandpa's house and pick some keepsake items for themselves. The great grand kids each received one of Grandpa's socks filled with change. He started saving money this way many years ago and had piles of these socks under his bed. He dreamed of the smiles on their faces as they poured out the money and counted the change.

DeWitt Stables

We went to DeWitt Stables with the Clawsons and Kietas. There was lots of things to do for the little ones - mini hay maze, horse rides, jump house, hay ride, pumpkin patch, barrel train ride, and petting zoo. It was a nice way to welcome in fall and spend time with some friends.

High Five Friday

1. Devin experienced his first pedicure ever and loved it.

2. Zander has set his sights higher and is going after older women. When we were at a restaurant in Arkansas, he was playing with my phone. As the waitress passed by, the little flirt exclaimed "Call me". I think we are in trouble with this little one.

3.  Devin's been sporting a full beard lately. This week, he decided to trim it into a handle bar mustache for some laughs at work. His coworkers have been giving him a hard time for it calling him Tex so Devin decided to take his joke to the next level. On Friday, he showed up in a cowboy hat, boots, tight jeans, and a large belt buckle. The funny thing is that he dressed up on the same day as his company meeting. Since the bosses needed his IT expertise, he had to stand up in front of everyone dressed like this.

 

4.  First 70 degree weather day in Arizona meant it was time to break out the boots. I love fall! Sweaters, scarfs, hats, and boot weather.

5. Each quarter Devin sets goals at work to progress his business knowledge and career growth. For his career growth goals, he picks a different computer certification test to study for and take. The best part is that the company pays for study materials and tests instead of us. This past week, he finished the 2nd part of his Microsoft Certification and is now a Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Administrator.