Our Little Lady

I had a follow up visit with our specialist yesterday. Our little lady is absolutely perfect! The tech laughed and asked if I could stay there all day. Since this practice is one that deals strictly with complex pregnancy's she said it was a breath of fresh air to tell someone their baby was perfect. Ethnie is still small but her heart and brain look wonderful. Yesterday I was spoiled with an hour long ultrasound. First the tech did her thing and then there was a student who got to play around and take some measurements. It was so wonderful being able to see our little girl up close and personal for such and extended period of time. However, a picture just isn't cutting it anymore. February needs to get here so I can hold her! I am continually amazed by how much one can love something they haven't even met. The bond between parent and child is incredible. I am so grateful for our little girl and the joy that she already brings into our lives.

With A Thankful Heart

I have been seriously looking forward to Thanksgiving for over a month now. I'm sure you would be too if you got to go to Aunt Nancy's. She is a phenomenal cook with her signature green beans as a serious highlight. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Before we arrived at Lorin and Nancy's Mom and Dad took me to see the new bridge. (Jakob was studying for his CFA exam this weekend.)

I'm not much for heights but this thing was a piece of cake! I would really like to rappel off of it. "At 840 feet above the Colorado River, this bridge is the second-highest one in the United States, following the Royal Gorge Bridge." (Quoted from Wikipedia) We walked across the entire thing and had to stop to snap a photo of us straddling the state line. Do you think of A Walk to Remember too??

They're in two places at once. Gosh I love that movie!

Aren't they simply adorable?

It was a little bit chilly so we buzzed over to Lorin and Nancy's for dinner!!

Uncle Lorin wrestling with the turkey.

As per usual everything was simply delicious. I didn't want to stop eating! Thank you to the Palmers for inviting us into your home for this Holiday season. This thanksgiving my heart is full of gratitude for all that I have been blessed with. I am so thankful for my darling husband. I know I've said it a time or two as of late but he is a wonderful man who is dedicated, funny, charming, and will be the most amazing father. I am so thankful that I get to spend all of eternity with him. I am thankful for my family both near and far. Every single one of you has had a roll in shaping me into the woman I am today and I appreciate your patience, love and wisdom that has been shared throughout the years. I am thankful for my job which allows me to help provide for my family and do something that I love! I am thankful for our home, what a blessing it has been to move and to meet new people. Which brings me to the church, I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who I can see his hand leading and guiding me and for the church and their never failing support. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends who have been etched into my heart forever! Thank you for the laughter, joy and encouragement. I am and will be eternally grateful for the opportunity I have to become a mother. I can see no greater blessing in my life. I am so overwhelmed with love, I hope that this Thanksgiving was a wonderful one for you and yours.

A Golden Star Birthday

This year was my Golden Star Birthday. For those of you who have never heard of such a thing I shall explain: I was born November 22nd, this year I turned 22 on the 22nd thus my golden birthday. Jakob had to work and attend class until 11 p.m on my actual birthday so we celebrated the next day. He did leave me an already opened box of my favorite breakfast cereal and met me for lunch. What a charmer. I then went to Savers with Mom Tobler who surprised me with a shopping spree. It was so much fun! I was then spoiled further with a delicious dinner at Mom and Dad's. It was a wonderful birthday.

The celebration continued the following day. Do you love the balloons? Here's a secret, they're not helium. Jakob blew up all 75 of them (even though I am a clown and have a balloon pump) and then we taped them to the ceiling. Much cheaper :)

How many of you have seen Tangled? You know the Rapunzel movie? As soon as I saw those lanterns I decided that I had to do it! They were huge! Jakob was a little nervous about setting off an open flame out into the desert. He really didn't want to get arrested. What a party pooper. I will put everyone's concerns to rest, we did not start a desert fire.

I wrote a wish on mine for our little girl as we waited for them to warm up for take off.

Still waiting, thank goodness David brought his blow torch!! It made things a lot faster :)

And we have lift off!! Let me just say I would highly reccomend setting of lanterns for your next special occasion. It was a blast and they looked amazing! Thanks to Jenna for the pictures! Have you ever tried taking pictures in the dark with a bunch of moving subjects? Let me tell you it is not easy! Jenna you rock!

We then returned back to our casa for dessert and to open presents. I already knew I was getting a camera for my birthday/ Christmas present from Jakob however the day I would receive said camera was a little bit fuzzy. I opened my book from Jakob and excitedly exclaimed "Where is my camera?!"

At this stage I was beginning to realize there might not be a camera... but I still thought it might be a joke.

Nope, no camera. It was on it's way... needless to say I was less than thrilled. Jakob said I had to read the book before I got my camera so I would know how to use it properly. James then came over to show me the last three pictures I posted from happy to sad. I was so embarrassed by my reaction that I started to cry right then and there while everyone was watching me. I'm blaming it on being a hormonal prego. It was humiliating!! Everyone thought I was actually upset about the camera, don't get me wrong I was surprised, but I knew it would be here eventually. My dang emotions have always been wired directly to my tear ducts. I laugh to hard... I cry. I get embarrassed... I cry. It has been a problem that has cursed me my entire life only this time I was seriously overreacting!

Trying not to create more of a scene we moved onto cake. How many men does it take to open a cake lid? Four!

Jakob's favorite pose, holding my ever growing belly.

He is such a goof! Gosh I love him!

My birthday ended with man night. Most of the boys stayed to play games while the ladies abandoned them. I love man night, those boys are hilarious. It was a wonderful birthday! Thank you to all who attended and made me feel so special! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends and such an amazing husband!

New Ward

Jakob and I have taken the plunge and jumped into our new ward. Upon first inspection it was held in a older building with a beautiful organ, the second councilor seemed to have a sense of humor and you could tell the bishop had seen us walk in. After the completion of sacrament Jakob and I didn't even have a chance to stand before the bishop flanked by the second councilor and secretary were standing in front of us welcoming us to our new ward; and they weren't the only ones. It was very strange coming from our old ward where it took 6 months for anyone to realize you were there to this! I was slightly overwhelmed by all of the smiling faces and I couldn't remember a name to save my life. We have also discovered that EVERYONE has a connection to either Pasco, St. George or a Tobler. I tried to simply say that we moved within Vegas but then they'd ask me where I went to high school, I'd reply explaining that I grew up in Canada and they would look at me confused saying "So you're not from Vegas?" In summation I suppose it is difficult to miss Palo when Westcliff is so dang friendly. I do still miss everyone but I am excited to see what is in store for us with our new ward family. :)

Jakob's Admirer's

Back when Jakob still worked at Claim Jumper he got a lot of "fan mail." Most of them we threw away but some where just too precious and he hung them up on the bulletin board. Unfortunately they did not make the cut once we made the move but I took a picture of some of our personal favorites.

Nothing says "Your Sexy" quite like misspelled words and a food stained napkin. Mmmm yummy!

Jakob's personal favorite, the law clerk. Boy did she want him to remember her or what? A napkin just wouldn't do, it had to be a business card complete with a note and cell phone number on the back!

This one however has got to be my favorite a simple phone number, ..., and a kiss. Mysterious, a little cheesy but she has my vote. What cute memories, thank you ladies for making my husband smile!

That's A Rap!

This brings us to the end of Chad and Janet's visit, however I don't think it would be fair unless we shared some of our photography bloopers.

I really don't like balloons, however I have never seen a parents photos after a party before. Mom Toblers were riddled with my silly facial expressions and my mouth was open in just about all of them!!

I'm not sure what Violet told me but once again I need to demonstrate some control of my facial expressions.

Something made Grandma nervous?

Black sprinkles + Violet = One black mouth!

I think she was pretending to pee on the snake? It was such a fun visit with family!

11/11/11

What were you doing on 11/11/11 at 11:11? Did you make a wish? Clearly I was on Pinterest... no surprise there! :)

Family

What a classy group of people.

{Baby} Love

One evening Chad and Janet sneak attacked us with a mini baby shower. I say mini because it was just us and I say shower because we were showered with love! You guys spoil us!! We had a little helper to help open everything up. Thanks Violet :)

Some of our treasures included a hand made hooter hider! Thanks for keeping me modest Janet!

And the most adorable car seat cover! This was a total surprise, I thought we were going to make them together and here she had it already made! Thanks Janet, you rock!!

A few days later a Sister in our previous ward asked if she and Mare could throw me a baby shower. I felt so excited yet overwhelmed having only been to one baby shower before in my life! There is something with me and showers... I had never been to a bridal shower before my own either. Janet suggested that we register. Once again I was super thankful to have her experience with me, having never registered for our wedding I was lost! I had no clue what I was supposed to be looking for, what brands, how many?? It was such a relief to have her by my side... and super fun! :)

Date Night

One fine evening Chad, Janet, Jakob and I headed down to the strip for a night on the town. We went out to eat at Claim Jumper and were treated like royalty. We had so much food it was absurd. After finishing our meal we were so full we couldn't do much but wander the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio.

The Bellagio is by far my favorite hotel simply for these gardens and the beautiful fountains outside which we didn't get to look at because it was once again too cold! Do you see the size of that pumpkin? Some of those bad boys are over 900 lbs!

I've never understood a bond between sisters having never had one. Janet was so sweet as always and we had so much fun shopping, laughing and sharing stories. I am truly blessed to have married into such a wonderful family where I not only have one sister but 4!

Chad and Janet looking classy as always!

What a cute scarecrow!

Thank you to Chad and Janet for a night out on the town. I promise next time I won't feel so horrible and we can go dancing!! Jakob and I are in desperate need of some new moves!

One Big Apple

I just couldn't believe how massive this apple was. It was the size of Violet's head!

What a pretty little girl! I love her to bits!!

Fun With the Girls

If there is one thing that is definite, it's that we had a lot of fun with our nieces! Grandma had serveal fun activities planed to keep these busy girls just that... busy. There was cookie decorating....

... and maybe some cookie tasting.

Grandma bought the girls some new pajamas and a book that had a pajama dance in it. This is the pajama dance :)

What precious girls!

Lucy Lou just rocking away! That little horse was just her size and she could rock all on her own! She did run over her toe a time or two hence her feet up on the air.

Uncle Jakob introduced Violet to Gummie Bears the TV show. I'm not sure who liked it more Violet or Uncle Jakob.

Some days we started off playing in the dirt. I have yet to figure out why children always seem to want to put a fist full of dirt in their mouths yet will refuse perfectly good food?? Go figure!

Of course no evening is complete without playing in a box or two.

Grandma even thought for us to go to Red Rock to go exploring. We hadn't planned on it being so stinking cold though so we stuck to the visitors center. There were a lot of fun things to look at and climb on though.

Riding Max. Unfortunately Mojave Max was hibernating already so this is the closest we got to seeing a turtle.

Peek-a-boo!!

Kisses for the snake! We had so much fun with the girls! They are full of energy. Uncle Jakob is looking forward to seeing them come December 3rd!!