It's a Girl!

At our 20 week appointment we found out we are having a baby girl!  The room fell silent when the ultrasound tech told us the gender.  We both thought we were having another boy (I guess we really believe the ring test.)  We were just in shock.  We are extremely excited.  I have really loved having a little boy and I can't wait to have a little girl too!  Brandon is already getting stressed about protecting a girl.  We are very blessed.

Brandon's Birthday

Friday was Brandon's birthday. Gratefully, I arrived home from work Thursday night. Brandon had to service a few homes in the morning on Friday. Broden and I gave Brandon an iPhone, well actually, money for an iPhone. He's had his phone over 4 years and it is slow as molasses. I didn't purchase the actual phone because I heard the new one is coming out in September. We went with my parents to lunch at Kilted Cod (a food truck that serves amazing battered fish.) We ran a few errands including a stop at Wal-mart to get Broden a little tricycle. He didn't want to let us take it up to the front to pay. He had to sit on it while it was in the cart. Then we went to an organic farm. We picked some apples and black berries for applesauce and jam. Broden loved it! I really want my own fruit trees and plants. Friday night we hired a baby sitter and went to dinner at Brick 29. Mom, Dad, Myca, Jared, Ryan and Nena all joined us. We've been to Brick 29 three times now and it is definitely one of our favorites.

Saturday we bought some shoes for Broden. His feet are so fat, wide and thick. It is difficult to find anything that works. But we found him some cute little Toms. 

 While Broden was sleeping Brandon and I attended the temple. I was really touched by the new video. It was very well done. This weekend we planned a fast in behalf of my Dad. We wanted to extend our fasting and prayer to include temple service as well. I'm really grateful we had the opportunity to attend the temple together.

Ryan and the kids came by for awhile in the evening. Then Ryan was off to play a few soccer games and the kids stayed to play.

It was a quick but enjoyable two days at home. Brandon was called out today on his first wild land fire fighting assignment. I'm glad we were both home together before he received the call.

First Haircut

Last weekend, we finally broke down and gave Broden a haircut. He kind of had a little mullet going on in the back. I was really impressed. He actually sat very still while Brandon worked his magic.

Wedding

Our good friend, Brittany Brown, was married on Friday in the Draper temple. I arrived home from work on Thursday night. Brandon was down in Arizona. Broden and I flew to Salt Lake City early Friday morning and Brandon met up with us a few hours later. My friend, Amanda Rich, picked us up from the airport and let us use their car for the day. Brittany had a breakfast/reception on Friday morning before the sealing at a reception center in Draper. We brought Broden along. Each table introduced themselves and then we had breakfast. We only had a moment to give Brittany a hug. We dashed out early due to the disruptive nature of our son. I left with so many questions. Brandon and I had not met her fiancé, Greg, before that day. We didn't know how they met, what his story was, and what their plans were. She did look very happy though.

We dropped Broden at Amanda's house and headed back to the sealing. It was short and sweet. We planned on leaving right away but Lucy, Brittany's mom, told us not to leave until she had a chance to talk with us. We were among the very last to leave. It was nice getting caught up with Lucy, who was one of my mother-in-laws closest friends.

Two funny stories. First, Brandon was trying to entertain Parx, Brittany's two year old son from her first marriage. Parx wanted his mom but his mom was still taking pictures so Brandon took him around the temple grounds to find bugs. After awhile they passes by some young women and Brandon told Parx to say hi. Parx said hi and then pointed to Brandon and said "this is my dad." When it was time for Parx to return to his mom and Greg, he didn't want to go. It looks like Brandon won him over. Next, while we were at a stop light, Brandon mentioned that the guy in the truck next to us was staring over in our direction. So Brandon waved. Then Brandon started to roll down his window (I guess the other guy rolled his down first.) We thought that maybe he saw something wrong with the car. He proceeded to say something along the lines of "your wife is very beautiful. I hope you take good care of her. I tell it like it is and she is beautiful....etc." I didn't expect this at all and said thank you but totally started blushing. It was flattering even though he was in his mid-fifties. 

That night we stayed at Matt and Amanda's. We had Thai food for dinner and talked until we were all exhausted.

Matt took the funniest picture of Broden.

Irwin's and In-Laws

After completing his summer internship and a short visit to Salt Lake City, Corbin and Kelsie came to Boise on August 8th. They stayed until Sunday as their flight to Hawaii left from the Boise airport. Corb's car had been overheating so Brandon and Corbin worked on the car for a good part of the weekend. We had a great time catching up while they fixed the car and over dinner. 

Scott and Denise Irwin arrived Friday evening. They road their motorcycles from Logan. Scott and Denise are some of my parent's closest friends. They lived in Moses Lake for a few years while Scott was a seminary teacher there. I love those two. They are so much fun. My dad didn't make his commute home as early as he was hoping so we went to Flatbread for dinner without him. Then we had hot fudge sundaes at home. Myca and Jared came by with the kids for a little bit. Later that night, Brandon and I went and watched a movie with Myca, Jared, Corbin and Kelsie. It wasn't very good but at least the group was entertaining. 

Saturday morning my Brandon helped Brandon Earl change the oil in his motorcycle and continued helping Corbin with his car. All the guys were hanging around outside working and chatting. Broden was helping too. That afternoon Scott and Denise, my mom and dad, Brandon, Broden and I went to a boat shop. Broden loved it. He wanted to be in the driver's seat steering. That evening all my siblings (except Collin's group) came over with their families for a BBQ. Good food and good company. It doesn't get much better.

Melissa, Callen and their sweet baby boy came this weekend. I didn't get home until Saturday night. We ordered some pizza and watched Warm Bodies. 

Sunday morning Myca, Ryan and I sat down with my mom and dad. We wanted to express some concern about my dad's health and his commute to WA. We also know that the hearing coming up is of great significance to my parents future. We decided to have a family fast at the beginning of September regarding all three of these points.

Sunday we attended church together. It has been months since we've been able to go as a family. We had time that evening to get caught up with Melissa and Callen. I have been feeling pretty disconnected from Brandon's family so I'm so glad Melissa and Callen were able to come visit. 

Monday morning they dropped Callen's truck off to get some work done on it. Then Brandon and Callen hauled some dirt and compost in for our yard. My mom joined all of us for lunch at the Olive Garden. After lunch we went by a 10 acre property that we always admire when we drive by. Then I had to leave for work. I'm glad I actually had a few days off while they were in town.

Morning Workouts

It is pretty impossible to get a good workout in the mornings. I've tried working out outside while Broden plays but he still wants my attention to show me things. So it seems lately we've mostly been going on walks. Near the end of the walk we pass by a park by our house and Broden goes crazy wanting to get out of the stroller to go play. Last week we did. He is fearless. There are some areas in the top of the jungle gym that have to bars. As Broden would head that direction I would run over towards the opening to make sure he would fall out. He would start laughing hysterically and run towards the other opening. I was chasing back and forth. That little stinker. I hate trying to put sunblock on Broden so on occasion I put on this blue SPF 50 outfit instead. He looks so cute like a little smurf.

Nashville

I've been really hoping for a long Nashville overnight. I've stayed in Nashville a few times but they were only 9 hour stays. I finally had a long overnight this week. I have heard so many good things about the city and especially about the live music. I was not disappointed. I went to Broadway around noon. My flight attendant had some important emails to send and my first officer thought four hours wasn't enough time to go so I went alone. I went to Jack's BBQ for lunch and had a pork shoulder sandwich.  I walked all the way down Broadway and back up again popping in and out of stores. There were so many live music venues, it was hard to decide which establishment to hang around. I finally settled on Tooties because of the history. It's been around for a very long time and has been the stage for many successful artists. The music was great. I only wish I knew more of the songs. I don't know a lot of the old country songs. I had to return to the hotel around three. It was definitely a quick trip but I enjoyed every minute. I hope to take Brandon back with me sometime.