Moving and What Not

Well, I have a lot of updating to do. So I will start from the beginning. Just before we headed out of Houston our wonderful neighbors had us over for dinner. We will seriously miss them so much. We have been fortunate to have really awesome neighbors all the way around us. Bertha and her mother Nancy live next door to our place in Houston. They are always so kind to us and especially to Summer. Bertha is like a grandma to her. It was just nice to be with great people before we left and it only made it harder to leave. Oh, and yes we were all wearing summer clothes.

On Philip's last day of work at Merrill Lynch he was able to get this photo of all his colleagues. I know he misses them greatly. Our family is very fortunate to have had them all in our lives and provide so much growth and learning to Philip. They really are the best team.
On Summer's last day of school each of her classmates made a goodbye card for her. It was so cute. Most of them were of Summer and the classmate with tears in there eyes. The pictures and notes were very fun to read.

She is going to miss her teacher so much. She was such a great teacher. Really I will miss the school as well. This is Summer and her teacher.
I had to get a picture in front of the school entrance so we went back after all the kids had been let out so we could take one last picture.
Now on to the actual move. We ended up with a 26' truck and we are glad we got it because anything smaller would not have worked. It is amazing how much we accumulated over 4 years.

Summer had a lot of fun with her good friends while the men packed everything up. Here they are teaching E. how to ride a bike.
Thanks to all our friends who came to help us out. They worked hard and got it all packed within an hour. Way to go. We really could not have been so lucky to have all the help.
On to the actual move. We headed out late afternoon on Saturday the 26th. We drove what we thought was a great route until Philip realized he packed the directions. So we just looked at a map and decided on our own. I think we ended up taking the scenic route. Summer was so exhausted and this is how she ended up sleeping most nights until we made it to a hotel. It looks very uncomfortable.
I am not sure where we stayed the first night, but it was somewhere in Texas since the state is so huge. Our second night we stayed somewhere in New Mexico and the next morning as we started driving Summer finally saw what she was hoping to see. SNOW! She took many pictures of the snow and even asked if she could play in it.

Summer taking more pictures.
Summer and aunt Laurel. Having fun while we were stuck on the Mountain.
Yes, we got to the top of the mountain and had to come to a complete stop. At first we were nervous because there is no way Philip would have been able to turn that huge truck around. Apparently there was an orange snow plow that was in front of us that had gotten stuck in the snow drift. They asked us for a shovel thinking with all the stuff we had in the Uhaul we had to have one. Little did they know we don't use snow shovels in Houston.

Finally the snow plow got out and was able to clear the huge drift that was blocking the entire road. We were so lucky there was a snow plow up there or who knows how long we would have been at the top of that mountain.
Finally we were on the road again and we drove and drove. Reminds me a little bit of Dumb and Dumber.
When we saw the Utah sign we were all so happy and excited because that means we were almost half way finished with the drive. And the roads would become more familiar.

This is in Moab. Really the scenery in Southern Utah is quite interesting.

I guess this is where we were just wishing we were there already and we stopped taking pictures. Anyhow, we finally made it on Wednesday March 30th. The border didn't take as long as we thought, however, it was more expensive than we thought it would be. We were just happy to finally be done driving.

Well that is the short version of the trip details. We will really miss Texas, as well as America. Fortunately we are about 25-30 minutes from the border. We will be visiting often.

A Flight, A Wedding, and Bon Jovi

We went to Langley, BC for a wedding last week and this was us on the longest flight of our lives.

It was 9 hours on the same plane without getting off once. It was horrible. Our flight got canceled that morning and we got on a flight that was just a half an hour later, but it was also a 9 hour flight because of the stops it made.

It was action packed as well since on our way from Tulsa, OK to Phoenix a lady across from us got up to use the bathroom and passed out. They had to ask over the intercom for medical doctors in which there were 5 aboard the plane. It turns out she had low blood sugar or something. Anyways, I was glad she was safe and that there were so many people to assist her.

Finally we arrived in Seattle only to learn that Summer's luggage was not there. We waited for it to come in on the next flight and received a voucher for our dilemma since Southwest won't ship luggage into Canada.

We were so happy to be on the road and to finally arrive at grandma and grandpa Harvey's house.

On Saturday the 12th Philip's sister Leanne married Nathan. We look forward to getting to know him more.

Here is the happy couple coming out of the temple. Look at them gleaming.

We especially liked this photo of Nathan. Note: Don't hire Philip as your photographer unless you want some really candid photos.

Summer and her cute little cousin Abby at the reception. I think they were eyeing the cake. At one point Summer brought me a rose and I knew she took it from the cake so of course I made her put it back. I wonder if they poked holes in the cake too.

We made a couple trips to the USA to set up mail service and stuff. Summer sure had a lot of fun in the line up to enter.

Philip and I on the other hand were wishing we had a Nexus pass. We waited about 40 minutes and I am sure that is nothing compared to other days when it is even more backed up. The American flag is just near the pine trees on the right in the far background of the picture.

Once we got home we left the next night to San Antonio to see Bon Jovi in concert. Philip has always wanted to see Bon Jovi, so he finally got his chance.

I am sure he won't be happy I posted this picture but oh well. This is him singing along with the crowd.

Enjoying ourselves.

I must get a camera that takes distant pictures. All of my pictures are horrible and this is the best one it could muster. It was a lot of fun and we are super happy we had the opportunity to go.

With all these awesome events March has gone by fast for us. We move on Saturday and I really hope we are ready by then. Anyways it was fun to enjoy some vacation moments before we take off.

My Little Reader

It is nice to see Summer grabbing a stack of books and reading to herself. Today while I was making dinner she was doing something in the living room. I went out and found her reading and actually reading the words instead of making up the story. She has been able to read for a while now since she has been in kindergarten but she never really has tried just picking up a book and read it on her own just for fun.

She even made herself a little faux beach to read at. I guess whatever it takes to get her to like reading. Unfortunately I was not a reader until just a few years ago, so I really hope she likes it much earlier than I did.

It sure is fun to watch her grow and learn new things. She loves school. One of the things they do at her school that I love is the reading buddy program. Older kids come in to her class every Friday and they get to help the kids in Summer's class read books. Summer loves her reading buddy and looks forward to reading with her on Fridays. I sure hope they have something like that in her new school. It is a great program.

Anyhow, now I need to grab a book and get reading. Any good recommendations?

Baby #3 Update

I went to the doctor today for my second secondary ultrasound. Basically it is a really in depth ultrasound that lasts about 20 minutes compared to my other appointment ultrasounds that are more like 2-3 minutes. I am very blessed to be able to have so many ultrasounds and this one is no exception. I have been looking forward to it since my last one in January. However, at the same time I get nervous and intense as the doctor ask me all sorts of questions that make me wonder if something is wrong. The good news is that this baby is healthy. He weighs approximately 1 lb. 6 oz. Yay what a relief!

Here is a 4D picture that he printed out for me in January when I was 16 weeks. This one is the best because most of his body is visible and I think he might have his thumb in his mouth.

This picture below was from today at 23 weeks. That is almost 6 months for those of you who don't go by weeks. Dr. K tried so hard to get a good picture, and after pushing on my belly for a long time he finally gave up and decide this was good enough. I was glad too because it wasn't comfortable and I am sure the baby was wishing he would stop poking at him. The picture is hard to make out, but if you look hard you will see his profile. He also has his hand and fingers covering his mouth and nose (the three white dots in the middle).

This one is just another profile picture, but without the hand on the face.

Like I said the earlier picture is way better because you can actually tell what you are looking at. Summer came home and looked at them today and she got it right off the bat. She said, "Mom, I can she his head." Philip on the other hand still can't make out anything.

Anyhow, we are super glad he is healthy and growing well. Now we just have to keep being patient until he finally gets here. We can't wait.

Bittersweet Move

Well our time here in Houston has come to a bittersweet end. Philip has accepted a job offer in Vancouver, British Columbia. We will be moving there at the end of March. It is so soon I can't believe it.

We are super sad to leave our friends here who have really become our family away from our family. We love them all so much and it will be hard to leave. There are also a lot of things I will really miss about Houston too. A few of them include our friends, Philip's co-workers, the zoo, Pappasitos, brisket because I don't think they sell it up North, the elementary school Summer' attends, her teacher of course, Brazo's Bend the alligator park, and the list goes on.

Although we are leaving these wonderful things we are also moving to a place with a lot of perks. The first being closer to family, and look in the picture below and tell me what you see.

Yes, those are mountains in the distance. It is absolutely beautiful there. I will have to buy some rain boots to keep my feet and pants dry though. Although there will probably be an increase in spiders, I don't think I will see too many roaches or silverfish. Those I definitely will not miss.

I have been to Vancouver several times since being married to Philip. Still I have not seen half of it. There are these amazing gardens I would love to see.

Too bad that won't be my back yard.

The fun suspension bridges. I have been on one of them, but I am pretty sure it was not this one since this one looks really big.

Summer will have to change schools two months before she will finish kindergarten, but I am sure she will do fine. We will also be having our 3rd baby 2 1/2 months after we move. I am a little nervous about that especially because I really like my doctor here. He was the one that delivered Scott and knows all about the high risk stuff for me during pregnancy. It will work out and I will find a doctor who is capable of delivering a healthy baby.

Clearly moving to Canada might have some influence on my kids. I am sure they will have a Canadian accent and when we visit the States people will point it out to them. I wonder if Philip will get some of his back. Although we will be in Canada I we will always have American/Canadian pride in our home. I am going to have to invest in some American History books so I can make sure my kids know that stuff since it is part of who they are. We will definitely be waving the grand old flag at our house.

We look forward to this new chapter in our lives. Anyhow, if anyone ever wants to come and visit this wonderful place please feel free to come. You will have so much fun.

BOY! We're Excited for Baby #3

Well, we are excited to finally announce that we are having another baby. Baby number three is on its way and due to arrive June 26th, 2011. Since it will be a scheduled c-section it will most likely come a week or two early.

Today we found out we are having a boy. Phil about jumped out of the seat and jumped up and down with excitement. On the other hand I am just thankful that the baby seams to be healthy. Since Summer was at school and was not allowed to come to this special visit to the doctor we wanted to make it fun and special for her. I went to the cupcake shop and got the most boyish one I could find. It had blue green frosting on top.
Then I decorated the inside of the box like this and we told her that she could open the box to find out if she was going to get a sister (that's what she really wanted) or a brother. When she opened the box she was so excited by the cupcake that either a brother or sister was fine with her. She just wanted that cupcake.

We were at a special doctor today to have a secondary ultrasound to make sure everything is going well with the baby. Right off the bat the doctor said the baby does not have Anencephaly. We are so thankful. I can't even put into words what a relief that is. Then he checked the spine and everything else. He said for 16 weeks along everything looks fine and is going well, but he wants to see me in 8 weeks just to make sure of everything.

I don't think I will fully relax and feel relieved until the baby is born. I am so thankful for good doctors who really truly care. It is so amazing to enjoy the medical advances that we do today.

We have been waiting so long for this to finally be real, and we are so excited. The experience we had with Scott was very spiritual and enlightening. However, it was also the most difficult thing I have ever had to go through. I am so thankful that we don't have to experience that difficult ride this time. We love our son Scott, and feel that he will be happy and excited to have a baby brother and a growing family.

Now I can go ahead and finally buy baby clothes and items again. I am sure Phil will love that. Actually he probably will since it will be boy stuff.

Anyways, I don't think there is anything more exciting than having more children. They are a blessing in a way I never imagined. I sure do love mine.

Christmas 2010

I have been such a procrastinator with posting on my blog. So much has happened, and finally I am going to update mostly with pictures.

Aunt Laurel and Uncle Aaron came to visit us over Christmas from Vancouver, BC. It sure was nice to have family in town for the holiday. They were so nice too because they played a lot with Summer and inspired me to try a little harder to play with her more often. Here they are having a picnic.

Decorating sugar cookies with the family and the missionaries. Well, the missionaries stopped by to share a quick message and we gave them several of our sugar cookies because we had a ton.

Summer loved decorating. She loved putting a ton of frosting on each cookie. She was very particular making sure to get a little or a lot of each and every color on the cookies.

I thought I took a picture of the one she put so much frosting on that it turned brown with all the color mixing. It was fun to see her enjoy it so much.

Enjoying the heap of frosting with the tiny cookie underneath. Her shirt enjoyed it too.

Christmas Eve we went to the Houston Zoo to see the new African Forest that opened a few weeks prior.

Summer and Aunt Laurel banging on the conga drums. We also saw several chimps as well as rhinos. I could go and sit at the zoo in front of the chimps or the aragutan and just watch for a long time. They are definitely the most playful animals at the zoo.

This is not part of the African Forest since they are Asian elephants. The babies are so adorable. I love to go watch them play.

Phil's family has a tradition of tacos for Christmas eve dinner. I decided we should go to Papasitos to keep the tradition and share some of our favorite food here in Houston. I am really going to miss this place when we eventually move. Oh yeah, these to men came to our table and serenaded us.

Christmas morning I had to take a classic picture of Summer coming down the stairs.

Summer finding a note from Santa and the cookies and milk missing. She was so excited to see them gone.

Showing off her new pajamas and slippers. I hope it gets cold here so she can wear them a few more times.

All she really wanted Santa to bring her was a big girl doll like the American Girl doll her older cousin has. Well Santa did deliver on her wish, however, he went the inexpensive route which is a good thing because I predict some massive tangles coming on in all that hair of hers.

Here she is with her doll. Since Santa told me what he planned to bring her I went ahead and made these pajamas, slippers, and a dress for her doll. She loves it and sleeps with her every night.

Phil getting his lego on. He loves lego especially the Star Wars versions.

In the final days of their stay Aunt Laurel was nice enough to give Summer a pedicure. She even made it fun by pretending they were at a real salon and explained the whole process to her. Maybe I should have Summer give one to me now.

Anyhow, we had a lot of fun having family here and enjoying Christmas festivities. We are so thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ and for the blessing it is to know the true meaning of Christmas. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy a new year filled with happiness.