It's Snowing!!!!

It really is snowing-and not just a little! What fun, now I can legally get out all my sweaters and jackets (the only thing is that I don't fit in them anymore darn it!) Now that that is out of my system, this last week we went down to Salt Lake and went to the Hogle Zoo with my mom and sister. It was lots of fun - so here are some pictures in no particular order!!!

Joel thought this was the funniest thing at the zoo-- just kidding!

Mike just being Mike. I told him it was going on the blog- so here it is! And I've wondered why when Joel shows you where his or anyone else's nose is- he sticks his finger up the nose. Hmmm I think my questions answered!
Family Picture!

The Giraffe's

Group Kiss! Joel loves to give kisses right now!

Mike and Joel being cute!

There is a brand new baby elephant at the zoo. And it is about the CUTEST thing you've ever seen in your life! It is so small!

Joel loves the monkeys!

A Few Crafts And Projects

So, these last few weeks I have been on a craft kick! I have been able to spend Joel's nap time (a good 2.5-3hrs!) doing crafts and projects. I like to see what other people have done, so I thought I would share a few things that I have done too.

A very fun watch done at our wards craft night ( i think this one could be slightly addicting!)

A rag blanket I did for baby
A close up of the fabric

Some burp cloths and bib for baby

A matching pair of pj pants. One for Joel and one for baby. I can't wait to see them wear them together! (yes, I will probably be one of those moms that hunts for matching things for them, one big and one little -matching is an addiction for me ;))

A cute idea I found somewhere on the internet. Now I can put up Joel's beautiful art work (scribbles)!

I finally finished my dining room and kitchen (I'll post pictures sometime when it's actually clean so you can see!) These are some things I made to go above the cupboards (yes, I did climb on the cupboards to get the pictures - but when you are as short as I am- it's a very well practiced procedure- even when pregnant!)

This magnet board I copied from one of my cousins. I thought it was way cute!

This one, I need some honest opinions. I love the pictures at Deseret Book that are black and white with the texture over the top, however, for right now they are a little out of my price range (I've got other more important things to get - like a crib!). So, I decided to try and take one and edit it to get the same idea. (I've got a great idea for a family picture wall) I'm still trying to decide if it's worthy of framing and hanging. What do you think? Worth it, or do I keep saving my pennies?!!

Thanks for looking and I hope I didn't make anyone fall asleep for too long!!!

The Fair

On Tuesday we went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair and found out that Joel LOVES goats! We go to the fair every year so I can have a Tiger Ear (a really big scone with cinnamon and honey butter- yum yum!). Yes, I will admit that that is the biggest draw to the fair for me, but while we were there we took Joel to the petting zoo. He loved it! He liked it last year, but was a little to small to know what was going on. He came home saying "goat" over and over again. Here are a few pictures at the petting zoo.

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Another Funny Joel Moment

My son is quite the character, and it is funny to see the way that he tries to get the things that he wants. This morning after my doctors appointment Joel decides he wants a cookie (nilla wafers) and asks me for one. The general rule is no cookies until after lunch. I told him not until after lunch.
He went off and played with his toys for about 2 minutes and comes to me points in his mouth and says "mouth owie." I asked him if he needed kisses (the cure for everything hurt). Joel said "no, cookie" pointing in his mouth where his "owie" was. I asked him if a cookie would make his mouth better. He, of course, said "yah."
Now seriously, I didn't think kids that little would be able to reason like that. I guess you learn something new every day!

Alaska!

A couple of weeks ago Mike and I had the opportunity to accompany my family on an Alaskan cruise! (Joel stayed with his very sweet aunt, uncle, and cousin for the week- and we missed him tons and tons, but it was very fun to go without him too!) It was a 7 day cruise leaving from Seattle and stopping at Ketchikan, Juneau, Sawyer Glacier, Skagway, and Prince Rupert Canada. Here a some highlights from our trip.
Kethikan:

The welcome Gate

One of the docks

Mike and his new friend (just kidding!)

We also went to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show. It was very cool and slightly crazy at the different things they would do.

My very handsome husband (just had to throw this one in!)

My smarty pants brothersJuneau:

This is picture of the tourist side of Juneau. Mike and I spent the time in here riding the public transit system to Fred Meyers (it was here or walmart) to find a going home outfit for baby. It is very cute and well worth our time! Pictures to come in about 4 months!

Sawyer Glacier:

We went up one of the Fjords in Alaska to see the famous Sawyer Glacier. Here is a picture of me and my very cute little sister waiting why we traversed icebergs to see the glaciers!

One of the icebergs that we passed. And yes, the coloring is correct- they are baby blue in coloring. Very cool!

Mike and my brothers in the hot tub waiting to see the glacier. It was a good thought, considering it was sleeting outside and very cold. I felt justified in not being in it though when Mike told me the water was only about 75 degrees! Brrr

Just a pretty picture

I made Mike get out and take a picture with me in my winter coat and he in his swimsuit in front of the Glacier (way in the background in the picture!)

The famous Sawyer Glacier (once again, baby blue!)

My cute mom and dad giving Eskimo kisses in Alaska!

Skagway Alaska:

The boys went salmon fishing. They only caught one little 24ish lb fish that was too small to keep.

Skagway White Pass Train Monument

This building is for the Alaskan Brotherhood and is decorated with wood sticks on the outside. It looks very cool and is at least 65% origional.

Thanks to mom and dad for a wonderful vacation!

Roar!

Just a quick funny story from today. We had our denists appointments today and after Joel and I were done we went downstairs at the dental office where they have some jungle gym toys to play and wait for daddy. There was a boy about 5 years old who was playing with Joel. He came around the corner by the stairs and said "Roar!" Joel thought this was hillarious and started laughing and stomping around. So, then Joel goes around the corner and jumps out saying "Mooo!" I laughed for about 5 minutes. I don't think it had quite the effect that he was looking for. For some reason Moo isn't as scary as Roar!

Joel's Should Have Been 18 Month Pictures

I love taking pictures, however, sitting Joel down and getting pictures for those big mile stones always seems to come a little late. These were supposed to be 18 month pictures -- but 20 months is close enough isn't it??? We had the Bailey Family pictures 2 weeks ago and since we were all dressed up I brought my camera along and played around too. I even relinquised my camera a few times! So, here are a few of my favorites!