Fun Filled Day

 Chris got to stay a day longer than my parents. It was the perfect time for some sibling bonding. He had been such a good sport grocery shopping, baby sitting and just chilling at the house for two weeks I figured we should make his last day fun! :) He has never seen the Hoover Dam so off we went! 

 

I decided that the new bridge was the best location for some pictures. It was SUPER windy and packed with people but we didn't let that stop us! 

 

 Straddling the state line. He's "in two places at once"(name that movie)

 

What a stud!

In an off hand comment Chris mentioned that he had wanted to go to an aquarium. I really wish the pools were open so we could go the the pool that has the water slide that goes through the aquarium! I mean honestly wouldn't that just be the coolest thing ever?!  Instead we settled for the Shark Reef Aquarium in Mandalay Bay.

 

My crazy inner mother bear kicked in as Chris put Ethnie near the Komodo Dragon exhibit. I realized it was all enclosed and such but I didn't like the thought of something lethal near my baby. Yup, I realize I'm way over protective... she's just going to have to live with that! :)

He didn't look in the mood to eat anyone however.

Christopher had to inform me that these are in fact called Lion fish. I simply called them spike. I thought it fit better :)

  

Peanut and I in front of the "Spike" fish! :)

 Have you ever seen a jellyfish in the water?? Golly they are beautiful! I kind of wanted to see them eat so I could watch them in action. They don't look all that dangerous. I mean where does that little fishy go? They are totally see through... on second thought, perhaps I'm glad I didn't have the opportunity to witness that. 

"I shall call him squishy and he shall be mine, and he shall be my squishy." (Name that movie)

 I know I've mentioned it before but I shall reiterate for those that do not remember... I am terrified of the ocean. I mean if I were in an airplane about to crash into the ocean and I had a chance to jump, it would be a serious toss up whether or not I would just go down with the plane. BIG, dark water where I have no clue what is under me, or worse yet I know what's under me and it's hungry. Yup, not okay. I am even freaked out by the mean whale in Pinocchio. Pathetic I know. Octopuses are one of those things. Cool in theory, even in cartoon, but in person... not okay. 

He came out to say hello, I'm very grateful for glass! 

Further testimony of big FREAKY things under the water. I do still want to go in a Shark cage, just for the experience. I'm almost positive I'll pee my pants, thankfully we'll be in the water so no one will know. Awkward.... Moving on. 

We got the opportunity to touch some sting rays. I'm pretty sure their stinger things were cut off or under developed. Most of them were pretty tiny aside from the one Chris touched.

 Oh boy they felt funny!! Like a rubbery leather. So weird!!

 

It was a lot of fun spending time with my little big brother! (Little because he's younger and big because he's much taller). Thank you so much for coming to visit us!! We love you!! 

Bye Bye Oma & Opa

  Oma and Opa's last day was an eventful one. We started out the morning by going to Red Rock buffet for breakfast. It doesn't get much cheaper than a $5 breakfast buffet! It was delicious! Red Rock only gives you the discount however if you sign up for their card. When you sign up you can get anywhere from $3 - $500 of free slot play as well. Daddy only got $3 but he made it back playing poker.

 Adam on the other hand was incredibly lucky and ended up getting $500!! He only came out with just over $100 but still... $100 is $100. 

 Oma, Peanut and I at some restaurant. We ate out an offal lot. I had to capture at least one restaurant experience. :) 

After a full day of adventures we came home and the rest of the afternoon was spent cuddling with our little love bug. 

She loved playing with Opa.

There were lots of kisses to be shared.

 

Our farewell photos.

Bye Oma and Opa!! It was so nice having you visit!! We can't wait to see you again in the summer!! Love you Lots and Lots!!

Uncle Chris

A week before my parents were due to arrive my younger brother Christopher called asking if I had heard the news. I informed him that I hadn't and he told me that he had bought a plane ticket to come and visit the same time as Mom and Dad so he could see Ethnie. I am so glad that he decided to come! It was so nice to see him as an Uncle.

Just like everyone else Chris was pretty smitten with Peanut from the start. It was a wonderful experience seeing him bond with her and become more and more comfortable around her. At first he'd hand her back after she'd begin to whimper but by the end he was changing diapers, singing songs and giving her lots of snuggles. Not too shabby considering she's only the second baby he's ever held.

The only disadvantage was that Uncle Chris is a little bit boney. Nevertheless she loved being held and all of the attention he'd give her! I just love her little grip on his shirt. So precious!

When he wasn't entertaining Ethnie he was entertaining me. That boy is a character and has an awesome sense of humor. He's never been big on affection however. He's not a big fan of hugs. Here's Mom trying to snuggle like how he does with Ethnie. He's obviously not very impressed! :)

Golly that bed looks comfortable. Chris just couldn't resist the temptation. :)

He also took a TON of pictures of peanut on his phone. I love this one! Her hand just looks so itty bitty!

Chris's favorite picture! The cross eyed poo face. What a princess we have! Thank you so much Uncle Chris for coming to visit us!! We had a lot of fun... but that's another post!! We love you!!!!

Little Bunny

My Favorite Easter

This Easter was my favorite Easter to date. (I didn't think I'd be able to top seeing General Conference on Easter two years ago.) We had the wonderful privilege of blessing precious Ethnie Lauren. It was such a wonderful day filled with the spirit, family, laughter, delicious food and love.

Oh, the dress. I have been envisioning Ethnie's blessing dress for quite some time. I spent several hours trying to find something that I liked. I must admit, I'm not a big fan of the waterfall gowns that stretch on for miles and miles. I wanted something elegant and classy with ruffles and lace. Since Mom Tobler had offered to make the dress I knew I could essentially have anything I wanted. I mean honestly, Mom Tobler can create anything. I showed her a picture off of pinterest, helped pick out the fabric and set her free to do as she wanted.

I can't even begin to describe how much I love this dress. It was so much better than the pictures! It was absolutely perfect and I couldn't have been happier!! Thank you so much Mom Tobler!!! (To see more pictures and read about the creative process visit Mom Toblers Blog)

Ethnie looked fabulous in her dress! She wore little pieces from everyone that she loves. The hair bow was from Oma, the dress from Grandma, the shoes from Mama (I just had to make some matching shoes!!), the bracelet from Aunt Janet, and the blanket from Aunt Nancy. She was so precious!

Our family headed to the temple to take some pictures before her blessing. It was so beautiful outside and the grounds looked wonderful!

Proud Mama and Papa. We sure do love our little princess.

I love the temple. It is such a beautiful place to be. I really enjoyed the experience of having our little family on the temple ground for the first time. It really set the mood for the rest of the afternoon.

I love this picture of Chris. He's such a character! I'm really glad he sacrificed so much to come down and visit us!

Oma & Opa

Three Generations.

Uncle Chris.

Jakob, Ethnie and their circle. Uncle Mark, Opa, Ethnie, Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Lorin & Bishop Astle.

Since this is our family journal I am going to include what we managed to write down of Ethnie's baby blessing. As I was sitting down before the service I once again caught a glimpse into eternity as we welcomed our family members with joy. I was filled with the spirit as these brethren took our daughter into the priesthood circle and as her father gave her a blessing. It being Easter you think about the Savior more often and his atoning sacrifice. My heart was especially full of gratitude for him and for the plan of salvation. Through him we are able to return to our Father in Heaven and be with our families forever. I couldn't have picked a better Sunday to bless our baby girl. These are some of the things that Jakob said in her blessing.

We bless you with a knowledge that you are a beautiful daughter of Heavenly Father and the love of the only begotten son and that you will return to live with him again. As you remember this truth you will find it a comfort and strength to you as you navigate through this tremulous world. I bless you with a heart that emulates that of the Saviors and that you will be charitable and kind. We bless you with the courage to stand up for what is right and that you will uplift those around you.We bless you that you will find a worthy companion and be sealed in the House of the Lord for all eternity. We bless you with love, that you will love those around you as your family loves you.

Grandma & Grandpa were also the speakers in Sacrament meeting. They made me cry on several occasions. I have been so incredibly blessed with such a wonderful family on both sides!

The three most important men in her life (and mine too!)

Uncle Lorin & Aunt Nancy (Thank you for coming!!!)

The California crew. Chad, Jessica, Uncle Mark, Aunt Brendalee, Jason & Adam. (Thank you so much for making the trip to come and visit!!)

We then headed over to Grandma & Grandpa's for dinner! It was delicious! I hardly got any of the dutch oven potatoes :). Once again a huge thank you to all of those who traveled and participated in making this such a special Easter for Jakob, Ethnie and I.

Popcorn Girl

Once upon a time I took a business class. One of the guest speakers in that class was the owner of the Popcorn Girl. This lady was so full of energy and joy that I decided that I wanted to go and visit her store to see what it was all about. When we moved I discovered that the shop was less than a 2 miles from our home. After a year I finally got to go to Popcorn Girl with my family.

This place was pretty fabulous. You got to have unlimited free samples (which we took advantage of simply because there are soooo many options to choose from) One of my favorites was the S'mores. Delicious. I also got to once again see the owner who informed me that they opened another shop in Henderson and that someone also is opening a Popcorn girl in Qatar. Talk about random but super cool!! It just goes to show that with a dream and hard work anything is possible.