It's a Neon Bible

W-O-W! That pretty much sums up the concert. For a more in-depth review, read on... (just as a warning, this post is much longer than our normal ones and contains nothing about Zoe. You have been warned.)

So the second we walked across the field with the music of LCD Soundsystem blaring in my ears, I immediately remembered why I love live music SO much. The show was great. There is just something about having music at a "decent" volume level that is just amazing. It was awesome just to stand there and listen and feel as the bass literally vibrated my clothing. It felt like I had another heartbeat. And then the beat is so amazing, after nearly 3 hours on my feet it was down right painful NOT to move to it. My muscles would tighten with every beat. Plus I could sing at the top of my lungs and not even hear myself or have to worry about anyone hearing me either. It was seriously amazing. Not a bad "seat" in the house, either, being that it was in an ampitheather. Which reminds me that Utah is realy cold in the early Fall, especially at night...

LCD Soundsystem was really great. It's what I imagine a rave would be like if the music were live - in a good way. Kind of one of those "you had to be there" bands that defy explanation. Incredible bass lines though.


The Arcade Fire is astonishing live. There are like 10 people in the band, all playing everything from french horns to the organ to a motorcycle helmet. Seriously. Sometimes these guys were just running around with drumsticks banging on everything. Oh and they have megaphones too. You can kind of see the organ pipes in the picture above, along with the neon bible projected on a red curtain on stage. The stuff off of Neon Bible (their newest album) was good but all the songs from Funeral were the best. I was just wishing they had played my favorite song, "Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)." But we got our money's worth and then some so I'd say we are happy.

Thinking about being at this concert also brought back every good memory I've ever had from a concert, even the ones I am slightly embarrassed that I attended (bear with me as I indulge myself).

• My first concert ever- Matchbox 20 - My parents just dropped me and my friends off and we got to fend for ourselves, and Everclear was opening for them and I was really into them at the time. It was then that I realized how loud music should really be and why concerts are better than cds.
  
• Rod Stewart - I took my dad for father's day and that old guy can put on a killer show (Rod, not my dad, although...)
• Lynard Skynard - My brother took me for my birthday after I had just had my wisdom teeth out. He bought me a stuffed eagle and when I went home I ate an entire quart of sherbet because I couldn't take my pain pills for my teeth since I had to drive and I was hurting!
• Kiltergrey, Pity for Pete, and various other bands in the Rexburg area summer of 2001 - I started to learn that local bands can be awesome (even in Rexburg) and I learned that I liked music that wasn't played on the radio more than anything I'd ever heard.
• Lenny Kravitz - I'm not even a fan but a friend was visiting from AZ and wanted to do something, so we went. And we got airbrush tattoos.
  
• Counting Crows - I've never had more fun standing in line for a free concert for a band that I was apathetic about, but it was great. Plus the chick that opened for them was a nut job and tried to tell the audience to be quiet for her "quiet song."
  
• Lifehouse - I went under the influence of friends but it ended up being alright because I got to punch a really annoying girl... in the butt. Long story...
• The Shins - My first concert with James. We saw the band on the street as we were driving to the show. They made fun of James' car and were disappointed that we couldn't point them in the direction of a decent bar.
• Grandaddy - because all the lame emo jerks that were there for Saves the Day left when Grandaddy started playing and we had the place nearly to ourselves. And I totally showed up cousin Jessie when I downed a whole Beto's burrito afterwards. He was awestruck, albeit tipsy.
• Wilco - enough said. They're just amazing. Plus it was the first concert James and I went to after being married and they played the song we danced to at our wedding and James danced with me at the concert.
• U2 - The last concert of our pre-parenting days. If only stupid Kanye West hadn't opened. What a waste. It could have been The Killers or Arcade Fire, but Noooooooo. And thus we have come full circle
• The Arcade Fire - I got to feel like an adult enjoying my own interests for a few hours. Between Zoe, Garth, and James being back in school, I have been feeling like a mom most of the time, which is fine, but I needed a break. And oh what a break I got.

Ok, I guess that is enough ranting for now. Don't worry, I'll post a bunch of pictures of Zoe soon to make up for her absence from this post.

We Are Survivors!

In more ways than one...

First off, we survived nearly 3 months without a steady internet connection. Today we are officially online again, and at lightning fast speeds, might I add. So if you haven't checked out the blog in the last couple days scroll down to see the video and pictures I've just added. On Monday our router will arrive and then our neighbors will join us in online bliss.

Secondly, Survivor China started on Thursday! I am giddy. I seriously got goosebumps watching the show. And every few minutes I literally squealed in delight. Just so you know, I am really not all that involved in reality programming in general, but something about Survivor just strikes a chord. The only drawback is that this season I will not be able to watch with Erin Wimmer since she is inconveniently residing in Iowa. We watched shows together and dissected every episode and talked endlessly about the players. I miss her so much! Although James seems to understand and has been nicer than usual about this particular obsession. So far...

Dancing Queen

Here are some videos from the wedding reception we went to at the beginning of the month.





Also, some kitchen dancing.

Birthday Shenanigans

September 17

First I have to say Happy Birthday to James. You make 31 look GOOD!
So, how does one celebrate being 31? Oh, the usual - cake, ice cream, presents, friends, cleaning up vomit.

Yup, Zoe decided to get sick after we put her to bed. She threw up 5 times, soiling enough clothing, bedding, and towels for 2 loads of laundry. This was definitely a first for all of us. Zoe was a remarkably clean baby - she never spit up much and she quickly outgrew the spitting up phase. Plus she never had any majorly explosive diapers. I've never thrown away one piece of her clothing because it was too disgusting/stained to salvage. Not even close. And I have to admit I have been dreading physical ickiness since she was born. I cringe every time someone else talks about their kid puking because I was just sure I would flip out the first time it happened to me.

And I guess I did, for about a tenth of a second after James announced that Zoe had just thrown up everywhere. And then some secret compartment of my brain which I've never had to use before just kicked into gear and there I was, cleaning up upchuckings for the better part of the night, never minding it once.

Oddly enough, it gave me hope for myself as a mother. I'm a lot stronger than I thought I would be and I found myself proud as I hurried to change Zoe's pajamas and bedding without spreading the mess too much farther.

James was amazing as well. Apparently his brain has some unused portion as well, just waiting to shine. If it had happened on my birthday I probably would have cried. I guess he just figured that his birthday made him want to puke, so why should it have a different effect on anyone else?

After all was said and puked, Zoe is feeling much better and James is happy knowing that he won't have to endure another birthday for another year.

Bite Me!

Early September

I have utterly neglected my family and home over the last week! Why is this so exciting to me? Because I was finally able to read the Twilight series of books that my friends and neighbors have been talking about for months. It's a bit cheesy and I have to admit it is about vampires and such, but it was really enjoyable and addicting. All of you familiar with the series will probably agree that "addicting" is an understatement. As a side note - if anyone is interested in getting MORE Twilight before the 4th book comes out, visit StephenieMeyer.com for outtakes and extras.

So yeah, I got the first book last week and started to read during Zoe's afternoon nap (around 1). I finished the first book at 4 in the morning. Then I woke up at 8 and started the second book, which I polished off by 11:30 that night. I took a day off and then started the next book and made short work of it as well.

If you can't tell, I'm not the type of person to do things half-way. Maybe that's why I avoid really delving into any hobbies. Poor Zoe, she's such a trooper. I started the reading craze only days after finishing a sewing craze...

And the picture - this is what my kitchen looks like when Zoe is left to her own devices for a few chapters.

Sew Crazy

September 1

My neighbor, and friend, Sue was getting married in the temple but had a "little" problem. Her wedding dress was sleeveless. So I mustered up some mad sewing skills and made a little satin jacket to go with the dress. Since I was using satin, of course I had to make a couple prototypes first, just in case. In the end everything worked out perfectly. I was glad I could help. We all had a blast at the reception. Zoe danced (I'll post video later) and kept laying down on the sidewalk. Congrats Richard and Sue!

Back to the Grind

August 22

James is back in school - O Woe is Me! We had such an idyllic summer, it's hard to believe it's over. Now James will be in class 3 nights a week, on top of his work schedule and church assignments. Summer has just come to a screeching halt. I guess it had to. The bright side of all of this is that James is quite nearly finished. And I know it seems like I've been saying that he has 2 years left ever since we were married 3 years ago, but really, the end is in sight!

The Newest Garth in the Family

August 21

If any of you don't know, Garth is a family name for the Eldridges. That being said, I am not pregnant.

Garth Neptune is a 6-year old that lives down the street. We don't know the family particularly well, but we could be considered acquaintances. One night his mom came over and asked me to babysit him - 6 hours a day, 3 days a week! I was really flattered that she would think so highly of me to ask, but it also seemed a little weird (I have a hard time asking really good friends to watch Zoe for an hour or two).

So now, Tuesday-Thursday, Garth comes to our house after school and hangs out with us. I help him with homework, we go to the park, it's great. Plus I am bringing in some extra cash (that's why I didn't even have to blink before deciding we should go to the concert next week). And he's a really good kid. Zoe definitely likes him too. Plus I am way excited for the experience. I'm not what you would call "kid-friendly" mostly because I've never had to be. With no younger siblings and not many babysitting opportunities living in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, I wasn't bothered much by ankle biters. To top it all off, I get to help out with the school stuff and I LOVE that. Seriously. I am a grade-A nerd (literally) and I miss school so much. Poor Garth, he will always get his homework done. Oh well, welcome to the family!

3 Years Down...

August 17

James and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary! We didn't do much to celebrate it, but that's beside the point. I can't believe three years can go by so quickly and so happily. Here's to another 3 (or maybe even more)!

The Best Worst Day at the Lake

August 16

Every year James and his coworkers have a little summer shin dig at the lake. This year they decided to go to Yuba lake (about an hour south of here) because it's way nicer than the mud puddle we have here. We were all so excited to get into some type of large body of water with the incredible heat we've had. Of course, when we arrived at the lake, the wind was blowing and the storm clouds were gathering. It rained on us for a while. After we ate, the wind died down so we decided to take the boat out (it belongs to James' boss).

I got to try my "hand" at knee boarding and had a blast. Unfortunately, the wind picked up again and we had to head for the shores. The swells were so huge that everyone on the boat was getting drenched. It ended up being a good thing that we forgot to bring our cameras with us. Upon arriving back at the beach, we found that the wind had pretty much blown away all of our stuff and tipped over a catamaran that James' coworker brought.

Incredibly, I enjoyed myself immensely. I remembered being little and going to the beach and playing in the wet sand and not caring about how dirty I was or how dirty the car was going to get and I just let everything go and had a great time. At least it was better than last year's retreat when I wanted to go so bad, but Zoe was 2 weeks old and I just wasn't ready physically or emotionally for a huge outing. Maybe next time will be even better.

Happy Ikea Day to Me!

August 13*

I mean, Birthday. All I wanted for my birthday this year was some extra cash and a day at Ikea. I got both. James took off work so he could go with me to supervise Zoe. And, for once, we had money set aside for my birthday - this usually doesn't happen because we get paid on the 15th and my birthday is the 13th. Plus my mom and mother-in-law were super generous, so I even got another shopping spree after I was finished at Ikea.

We went out to dinner at Cafe Rio and then after Zoe went to bed we had cake. We didn't really mean to exclude her, we just plain forgot about the whole birthday cake thing until after she was in bed.

* in an attempt to bring some order to this blog, I have gathered my thoughts and will be posting in chronological order starting from August.

All the Roominess of a Clown Car

August 24

Just how many people can fit into our tiny apartment for dinner? We've recently set the record at 14 - although technically, some of the kids ate on the porch, but let's not split hairs.

With a day's warning, we learned that James' sister Fern and her family would be gracing the state of Utah with their presence. They would mostly be in Eagle Mountain, with Josh's family, but we were determined to see them. I was already planning lasagna for dinner so we invited them, in the hopes of luring them to Orem. It worked a little too well. We ended up with 14 people in our home - Fern's family, Josh's brother's family, and their dad.

It really wasn't too bad. There was enough food to go around and luckily we had the house in some sort of order. The kids played in Zoe's room and outside, while the adults got to enjoy being around each other. We got some good pictures and had a ton of fun. Of all the family that threatens to visit, the Iveys were the last we'd really expected to see. We only wished we could have had more time with them. Maybe next time...

We're On Fire!

Arcade Fire, that is.

We are so excited to see this band in concert in a couple weeks. Almost as excited as we are to have an end in sight to our internet hiatus. It has been ages since we caught a good concert and I think James is still upset about missing The Shins because Zoe was still nursing and it wasn't practical for me to be in Salt Lake all evening. Darn kids, ruining our good time! But now that she is a "big girl" we are totally blowing this pop stand. Plus the concert is at Thanksgiving Point so we won't be too far away. Anyone want to carpool?

As a side note - we will be trying to backtrack our blogging from the last time our internet worked. I was just so excited about the concert AND the internet that I had to share. So, this should be the first of many, many, many blogs to come in the next couple weeks. Just a little more patience, it is a virtue after all (maybe not one that I have, but that shouldn't stop you...)

What, No News?

Sorry everyone about the lack of recent posts. We are no happier about this than you are. We are literally bursting at the seems with cool information that we want to share with you. Unfortunately, we do not have internet access at the present time. The situation is being looked into and we hope to have a solution in the somewhat near future. Please don't give up or forget about us.

Stay tuned. Great things are coming.

“No No No”

That is what Zoe says as she sticks her finger half way up her nose. How adorable. Here are some more pictures of the kid. Yes, she is actually folding her arms for a prayer. Sorry about posting 6 times without any pictures. Hope this makes up for it. I also put some pictures in our “Camping in NM” entry if you haven’t checked that out.

The Doug Days of Summer

It’s not much of a coincidence that my brother’s name is Doug because he was born just days before my dad, Doug’s, birthday. It’s kind of a coincidence that James has a best friend named Doug. The mind-blowing coincidence is that James’ friend Doug’s birthday is in the same week as my brother Doug (we call him Grady – to avoid confusion, of course) and my dad Doug’s . That’s right. The 23^rd, 25^th, and 26^th of July are all Doug birthdays. If there are any other Dougs out there reading this thinking, “Hey my birthday is right around then too….,” let us know so we can celebrate you too!

To One Year from Now and BEYOND!

Prompted by all of our friends moving out of the ward and on with their lives, James and I sat down and made a one-year plan. We want a house. And we’ve decided that if we buckle down and sacrifice now to pay off our car, we could be in one as early as late spring/early Summer 2008. So, to all our family, we probably won’t be seeing you for the holidays and the gifts we send you will be “less expensive” (wait, how is that any different…?) but you will all be welcome in our HOME. We are way excited to be working toward something. It makes living in a rapidly shrinking apartment in our “colorful” little neighborhood much more tolerable. And by much I mean a little. No one wants to end up in a two bedroom apartment living next to “Felon” circle………..or DO they?

Transformers (Parents in Disguise)

Two weeks ago, James and I had a great night out. We ate dinner at Chile’s (in celebration of James’ awesome and huge raise) and then hit a showing of Transformers. And where was Zoe, you might be asking? At home, asleep, with a babysitter. It was really a great night. Hopefully the first of many. We can never say “Thank You!” enough to Mary Kay for making it possible. The food was great and it was nice to see a movie in a theater other than the dollar theater.

The Winds of Change Are A Blowin’

James stayed home from work on Monday, July 23 for two reasons –

1) to make it a four-day weekend with Pioneer Day on the 24^th; and
2) to move our desk and computer out of Zoe’s room once and for all.

And we did it! We can now work on the computer while Zoe is napping or down for the night. So we will really be in great shape once our internet is more reliable in August. Already, this move has enabled this recent explosion of posts.

In other changing news, Zoe is in her big girl, forward-facing car seat. She isn’t quite up to the weight requirement, but she is so long we just couldn’t keep cramming her in and feel good about ourselves as parents. We’ve only taken her out for a small spin, but facing forward totally blew her mind. She just stared out the window with the biggest eyes. Is she really this big?

She’s A Maniac On the Floor…

...and she’s walking like she's never walked before. Shortly after her first birthday, Zoe got the walking bug. She is pretty much a biped. She still crawls if she is in a hurry, but she usually walks, especially if she needs to carry something. It’s still weird to see her toddling around the house.

She’s a kid now.

Anyone Headed to DC?

Congrats to our friend Aaron. He is getting married in October to Amy, who we got to meet when they both stayed with us. They will be sealed in the DC temple so we are starting to look for good deals on a plane ticket for James. Aaron flew out for our wedding (and pretty much every other wedding he has ever been invited to) so we are going to do everything to get James out to DC for his wedding. I wish I could come too.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Zoe turned one year old and we all had a blast! My parents came to visit for the week and stayed at the KOA, so it was also a mini vacation for us. We got to go swimming and just hang out in the shade with them.

On Zoe's actual birthday, my mom and I picked up Zoe’s birthday cake from Macy’s (it’s a grocery store here that gives you a free 1^st Birthday cake) and got Zoe’s picture taken at Kiddie Kand ids (not a fun experience, I’m sticking to Wal-mart for pictures from now on). That evening we bought a bunch of balloons and had dinner at Carl’s Jr. before coming home for cake and ice cream and presents.

Zoe had a great time with the cake and loved her balloons. She got some great toys, clothing,

and books and enjoyed them almost as much as she enjoyed the boxes and paper they came in. It was Zoe’s best birthday ever.

On Saturday (the day after her birthday), my

cousin from Hooper and her family came down for a BBQ. We were also joined by our good friends the Namannys.

As always, we had a great time. Zoe would have had a better time if we had just let her go and steal some other kid’s ball, but she coped.

For those of our readers who don’t get to see Zoe very often, here’s a little glimpse of her at one year. Zoe:

• Weighs about 18 pounds
  
• Measures almost 31 inches tall
  
• Takes a few steps
• Stands up on her own
• Dances
• Says – Ball, Balloon (Boooo), Bubble, Thank you (Di-doo), What’s that? (Whasat), Bye Bye (while she waves), no no no (while she wags her finger), and many other things which have yet to be deciphered.
• Loves – Mommy, Daddy, Tigger, food (except fruit), having her shoes on, balls, playing outside, swimming, rolling around on mommy and daddy’s bed, “helping” with the laundry, climbing up stairs, books (she brings them to me to read), milk (as long as it is strawberry-flavored)
• Only nurses once in the morning!
• Folds her arms for prayers (or whenever she feels like it)
• Has 2 bottom teeth and 1 top tooth (but at least 3 more on their way)
  

Happy 4th of July!

For the 4^th of July (Happy Birthday Papa) we got to watch the Stadium of Fire from our “spot.” James and I found this spot 3 years ago when we were dating but hadn’t been back since. We tried last year, but it was closed due to construction on the new Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni building. This year the construction is mostly done, and we were restored to our spot. It is perfect! And it’s a little hidden so it doesn’t get too crowded. We even convinced my parents to come and I think they enjoyed themselves. At least they enjoyed watching Zoe – and she was pretty entertaining. This year’s 4^th was probably the best we’ve had in a while.

An Excused Absence

To all of our loyal readers - I would like to apologize for the lack of recent content - especially pictures. Since our neighbors moved (tears tears) we have no reliable internet. In fact, we are using a non-protected, spotty-at-best network. To top it all off, we can only use it on James' work laptop which 1) is with James during the day and 2) doesn't have our pictures on it. So we have a ton to post from the 4th of July and Zoe's birthday and it will be posted eventually. Please keep checking back. In the meantime, feel free to re-read our old posts and leave witty comments. Thanks!

Our Big Little One Year Old Girl!

Happy 1st Birthday Zoe D'Lynn

Everything's coming up Roskelleys!

We've had a great weekend with our friends the Roskelleys. On Friday we went to the BS (Burger Supreme) and then hit some golf balls at a driving range. Then today we had them over for cake and some face time with the Wii. It has been especially great for me because I am missing the Counihans (who moved while we were in California) and the Wimmers (who moved Friday). I miss LaDonna and Erin EVERY day. Of course the Roskelleys are moving soon as well. Then who will we play with?

D I S N E Y L A N D !

We were in Anaheim for 6 days and 5 nights. We spent 4 of those days in Disneyland/California Adventure. So please bear with us as we try our best to get posts and pictures up. There is so much to cover!

Day 1
We got in to Anaheim at 3 in the afternoon (after a stop in Barstow for In-n-Out) and checked into the Disneyland Hotel. I KNOW! The freakin' Disneyland Hotel! Moving on. As James is checking in, guess who should show up - Goofy! Zoe's first character meeting and we hadn't even taken the camera out of the car. After we got settled into the room we walked around the Downtown Disney District and then met up with James' boss, coworkers, and their families and went out to dinner. Our room was nice - it was in the farthest tower of the 3 and had a great view of a large parking lot, but the front was amazing - huge waterfalls and ponds. At night they turned on lights under the fountains and it was really gorgeous.

Day 2
James left for his convention (Infocomm) in the morning and then my mom and I took off for Disneyland. I decided to break our four days up by the different "lands" and day one was devoted to Fantasyland and Toon Town. The first ride of the day was Dumbo, then the Carousel. After that we did a couple dark rides (Pinocchio and Mr. Toad). Then we finished off the morning with Small World and the Storybook Land Canal boats. Zoe loved Dumbo and the Carousel, but was fairly indifferent to the other stuff - although she really hated standing in the lines. Just as we got her occupied with something we had to move. Oh well. We went home for lunch and naps. Then back to the park for Alice in Wonderland, then we met James and headed to Toontown. Zoe loved it. I regret that we spent so much time in Fantasyland when she loved Toontown - especially Goofy's playhouse (she had a meltdown when we left). She even got to meet Mickey Mouse! After we came back to the room we decided to swim a little before putting Zoe to bed, then James and I headed back to the park and went on the Matterhorn (my all-time favorite), Space Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Whew! What a day.

Day 3
On the menu for Wednesday was Frontierland, Adventureland, and Critter Country. I have to say - it was the BEST day of the four. We got to ride Indiana Jones, Thunder Mountain, Winnie the Pooh, and we met Tigger. Then Zoe fell asleep in the stroller (miracle of miracles) so we had lunch in the park - Rancho del Zocalo is amazing. Then we did the Jungle Cruise and the Tiki Room. We really milked the fast passes and rider switch tickets and got to do a ton of stuff. In the afternoon my friend Kelly Benson, who is in Anaheim selling pest control, came over and we laid out by the pool until James came back. So then we went on Splash Mountain (I got to go twice and got soaked the second time). And then Thunder Mountain (again) and dinner at Rancho del Zocalo again - so good. Then we got to walk right on to Pirates because everyone was crowding around for Fantasmic and the Fireworks. Right as we got out of Pirates, Fantasmic was in full swing and we had a pretty good view from the ride's exit. The greatest thing about the entire day was that we didn't have to wait in line with Zoe once!

Day 4
Thursday was reserved for California Adventure. But first my mom and I woke up super early to use our early entry to get into Disneyland. We walked as fast as could (no running in Disneyland) so we could get in line for the Finding Nemo submarine ride - it just opened up on the 11th and everyday there were huge lines (like 2-4 hours) so we went as early as we could. Then James got up with Zoe and brought her over a little later. We ended up not having to wait in line all that long (at least not for the ride) and it was awesome. Great ride. Before James had to leave us we got to meet Buzz Lightyear and ride Astroblasters. After he left, we went over to Toontown one more time for some pictures and autographs before heading to California Adventure. (As a side note, I have to say that the only disappointment I had was that there weren't many "roaming" characters. Each has a scheduled time to be in certain places and if you are not there at that time, you don't see them. We didn't see a single princess because I was not about to wait in line at the "Princess Faire" for a show I didn't care about to wade through hundreds of little girls for two seconds of face tilme with a princess! Maybe when it's not the peak season they are out and about.)
By the time we walked to the other park Zoe was asleep so we didn't get a whole lot done there before heading home for lunch. James met us in the room for lunch and then we headed back to California Adventure. We crammed in as much as possible in the few hours we had left - which really wasn't all that hard because there isn't that much to do in California Adventure. While James and I were checking out the park, my mom took Zoe over to a "puddle park" in A Bug's Land. While they were there, my mom said Zoe took 6 steps in a row (before this she has only been standing and taking one or two steps, or pivoting around one foot). Of course I forgot to leave the diaper bag and camera with my mom so we don't really have it documented. Anyway, Zoe loved A Bug's Land and had a fit when we had to leave. That night we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. That proved to be a bit much for me and Zoe after our already long day and I had to leave early to put her to bed. Phew! Almost done.

Day 5
We wanted to get a fairly early start to our day on Friday but it just didn't happen. We finally got up and made our way into Disneyland to get fast passes for Space Mountain, then went to California Adventure to finish up a few rides we had missed the day before. Then back to Disneyland! We didn't have much left on our to-do list so we just took it easy. We had Zoe's sillouhette cut and played on Tom Sawyer's island. There we ran into Captain Jack Sparrow - who licked Zoe's hand, gave James a lecture on the duties of a captain, and stole my wedding ring. Really. It was great. Then we had frozen lemonade, rode Space Mountain and headed home for dinner and a dip in the pool. And then we went BACK to Disneyland for the night. We still hadn't been in the Haunted Mansion so we did that, then I got to yell at some screaming teenagers in Pirates before heading to the Jungle cruise. We thought it would be closed at night but were pleased to find it running. We finished up our day with shopping on Main Street and got Zoe her first set of ears. They even have her name - how sweet!

Day 6
We got up early and finished packing up our stuff so we could get on the road. Everything went as planned and we got my mom to the Ontarionairport with plenty of time before her flight. Zoe slept from the moment we got on the freeway until we stopped in Las Vegas at In-n-Out (yes, again). Then we drove the strip (can you believe that was my first time?) and then headed home. We pulled back into our driveway around 10:30 pm for a trip time of 12 hours. Yikes, Zoe and I are not looking forward to ever being in the car again! But we had the greatest time ever and we are so lucky that we had the opportunity to go.

Camping in Jemez

Let me just say that I couldn't have picked a better time for Zoe to be sick - so much blogging to do and she is asleep on the floor. Perfect. Poor little girl - between allergies, a bunch of new teeth, the ULTIMATE vacation, and what seems to be a little cold - she can't seem to stay awake.

Anyway. On Tuesday June 12th we drove to New Mexico to go to a family reunion in the Jemez mountains. The morning that we left, my mom called to tell me that yet another great aunt (this time my grandma's sister Annie) had passed away and that we would be attending her funeral in the middle of the trip. So not the best way to start out a trip, but at least we were there for the funeral.

So, camping with Zoe. It was great. My parents have a 5th wheel trailer so we never had to completely rough it. Zoe had a great time playing outside all day. She made a game of seeing how many times she could put pine cones or rocks in her mouth before anyone noticed. She took her naps and slept through the night so everyone was happy. Plus lots of people brought their dogs so Zoe really was in camping heaven.

On Friday we drove back to Albuquerque for Annie's funeral. I got to see some more family that weren't at the reunion and because we weren't hauling the trailer, we took the more scenic route back through the Jemez tunnels. For those of you not familiar with the area, it was a logging community where my family worked and it is absolutely gorgeous. Every other year we have the Heath reunion there - that is my dad's mom's mom's side.

On Saturday my aunt Sharon and uncle Bill brought my Grandma up along with my cousin Carrie and her family - husband Gavin and kids Madeline and Shawn. Shawn is just a few months younger than Zoe so she had someone her age to play with. Later in the afternoon there was a huge potluck lunch and Garrett and Heather came for that. After lunch we had hand-churned ice cream - SO GOOD! Then we had to pack up and return to Algodones to do laundry and prepare for the next leg of the trip.

On Sunday we had a big father's day lunch (yay, James' first father's day!) with Garrett and Heather and then we (me, James, Zoe, and my mom) left for Kingman AZ - where we stayed on our way to Anaheim and DISNEYLAND!

We're Back!

We have been out of town since Tuesday the 12th. We just got back home last night at about 10:00pm. During our time away we had many adventures. Highlights include camping in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico and spending 6 days and 5 nights at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

Needless to say, we had a good time. More posts and pictures to follow.

Stay tuned.

Farewell BBQ

Two of our favorite families in the ward are moving in the coming weeks.

The Wimmers are our next door neighbors and it has been great to know them for the past 3 years. Christian and Erin and their two boys are moving to Iowa. The will be missed. Desta is especially close to Erin and is very sad to see them leaving.

Ben and LaDonna Counihan are also moving. Ben is going to dental school in San Francisco. As many of you know, Ben, Ladonna and I have been close friends since high school. It has been great to live so close to them for the past 3 years. They have helped us out in so many ways. We will certainly miss having their great examples close by. We look forward to visiting them in San Francisco just as soon as we possibly can.

On Monday night there was a "farewell" BBQ held at the park to say goodbye to these families. Many of our closest friends came. Everyone had a great time. Here are a few pictures.

Russ Lowry, Ben Counihan, Steve Namanny

Desta, Zoe and our new neighbors, The Chamberlains