Graham Thomas Murray

He is here!!

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Graham Thomas Murray was born on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 12:46 am. He was 8 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long! Such a big boy! We are so excited that he is here and we love him more than anything!

Now for the "story" of his arrival...

I went in to be induced on Monday morning at 9 am. The week before at my doctor's appointment my doctor said that based on the fact that my weight and measurements were right on he thought the baby would be in the high 7 lbs-range and that we could schedule an induction for the day before my due date (Monday the 26th). I was nervous that by inducing I would be in for a harder labor, etc, but I didn't want the baby to get too big for my body. So Monday morning Nick and I woke up around 6 am, went on a walk, ate breakfast, and got ready to go to the hospital.

Once there, I was hooked up to the monitors and IV and within an hour they had started the Pitocin. They did an ultrasound and found that the baby was face up...and so they had me turn over from side to side every half-hour to try to get him to turn face down. I was feeling great...the contractions weren't that bad and I was surprised how little it was hurting. Nick and I watched movies and played cards to pass the time. I progressed pretty well and at about noon I was at a 4 and they broke my water. It was amazing because within the next 10 contractions of them breaking my water, the pain level went from about a 3 to an 8 really quickly! Luckily, I was given my epidural within that time and once it kicked in, I was in heaven! I couldn't feel any pain at all...I was asking my mom and Nick if I was having a contraction or not! I was really excited because with the epidural I knew that I would be able to handle the pain of pushing him out, and I was really looking forward to that! But it turned out that that wasn't in the plan for the day...

The doctor came once my water was broken and said that he now thought that the baby would be on the high-8 lbs side...this was the first sign of trouble. Then, once I got to an 8, I stopped progressing for about three hours. Also in that time, I got a fever and was shaking pretty badly. From about 8 pm to midnight my fever persisted and I wasn't able to dilate to more than 9.5 because the baby's head was still face up. Also, his heart-rate started rising, and I knew that they wouldn't let me go on much longer like this. The nurse finally came in around midnight after 18 hours of labor and said that the doctor wanted to do a C-section. I was crushed...even though they said it had to happen and I only wanted the baby to be healthy and safe, I was so close and really wanted the experience of pushing him out...not to mention I was terrified of the actual surgery, scar, and recovery! But it had to be done, and within a few minutes they were ready to take me to the OR. My dad and Nick gave me a blessing and were able to come into the room with me.

At this point, I was shaking so badly and was so exhausted that I really don't remember much from the delivery...I couldn't keep my eyes open and I was in a weird state of half-there half- not! I remember the doctor holding the baby up and saying that he was huge and that he never would have fit, Nick coming and telling me that he was beautiful, had a full head of hair, and was 8 lbs 11oz, and hearing him cry. I couldn't believe he was so so big!! How did he fit inside me?!

First Moments

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First Introductions

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After a long day and an unexpected ending, we finally had our baby! We still hadn't decided on a name when he was born, but we both said at the same time that we thought he looked like Graham, and so it stuck! He is beautiful! He as a full head of ginger-red hair that he got from me...(I was born with a full head of copper-red hair)...beautiful hands that his Grandma Thomas loves, and a precious little nose.

We both had fevers and elevated white blood cell counts, so they watched us pretty closely and unfortunately had to do several blood tests on the little guy...his poor little heels!! Nick was so amazing in the hospital...I couldn't really even hold Graham because of the C-section, and could barely get out of the bed, so he did everything! He was an instant wonder-dad!! My mom and dad came to the hospital a lot as well and we loved watching them fall in love with our little guy! They are so cute with him and can't get enough of their first grandchild!

Hospital Moments

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We were in the hospital until Thursday afternoon and were ready to get home! My sisters came in that weekend to help us out as my parents had to go out of town, and they were life-savers, especially since with the surgery I was only allowed to go upstairs one time a day and so I was stuck downstairs! We had fun watching Graham's faces and dressing him in a bunch of his outfits, including his Halloween costume that aunt Mindy made, making carmel apples and popcorn balls, and enjoying being together. Nick and I are so grateful for everyone's help!

First Days Home

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Halloween

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Graham is doing so well! He is 3 weeks old today and I can't believe it! Time is flying by and he is getting so big! He had lost a pound after he was born but then gained it back in a week, and now he is 9lbs 10 oz! He definitely doesn't look like a newborn! He is adorable though... from his grunts and squeaks that sound like a little horse to his coy smiles when he is waking up...I can't get enough of him! He is so strong and we are amazed at how he can already push off of us and scoot forward when he is on his tummy! It is amazing how he has blessed our lives! I am so grateful that he is here safe and sound! Being a mother is such an amazing thing- I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father trusts us with this precious spirit!

Another Month Gone!

Wow! I know I say it every time I get around to posting, but time is going by so quickly!! September and the being of October have been super busy and lots of fun! Nick's been doing great in school, we've been getting ready for our little boy, Nick's been in two athletic races, my mom's friends threw me a beautiful shower, and I've been feeling great aside from a week and half bout with the flu! I'll try to fill you in on all of our activities: (Sorry about the length of this post, but I'm trying to get updated with everything before we have a little munchin to fill our blog!)

~Pregnancy~

Today I am 39 weeks pregnant, and I can't believe that he will be here any day! I was telling Nick today on our morning walk (we have been walking a lot trying to get this baby to make his debut) that somedays it feels like it was just yesterday that we found out I was pregnant but that others it feels like that was so long ago! I have truly loved being pregnant...yes I am swollen, my back aches, and I'm the size of a house, but I love feeling him move and experiencing all of the amazing moments throughout my pregnancy and being blessed to have the ability to be pregnant! I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for answering our prayers and blessing us with this opportunity! There was a point that we didn't know if I'd be able to be pregnant, so I am thankful everyday for the tender mercies we've experienced! I can't believe that I'm already at the end of my pregnancy! I have been really lucky and it has been pretty smooth sailing!

I am still feeling and doing well! My weight and measurements are spot on and any day now we will have our little guy here with us! I did have a bad 10 days a few weeks ago when I caught a flu bug that even sent me to the hospital due to high fever. After an IV, blood work, and 5 hours at the hospital, they sent me home with bed-rest restrictions until I was better, which ended up being almost another week! Nick was amazing the whole time I was sick and took care of my every need! I am so lucky to have such a great husband! Other than that episode, I have felt great all month! Here's my "belly shots" from week 31 and from last week (38 weeks)...

31 weeks

38 weeks

~Life in General~

Nick and I have been spending a lot of time together and going on a lot of "mini" dates to a bunch of our favorite restaurants and to some new places that we've been wanting to try. One highlight was going to Serendipity 3, the sister restaurant to the one in New York, and Nick had "the best burger he has ever had" and we had the infamous delicious "frozen hot chocolate!"

Our entire stake was realigned a few weeks ago, and with the changes we are now in the Town Center Ward and my parents are in the ward with us! I'm excited about the changes and about getting to know new people in our new ward! I am also in awe of our Stake Presidency and how inspired they are!

~My "Surprise"~

Nick told me one day in September that I needed to leave the afternoon of the next Wednesday free and that that was all I was going to know until then. Then, on the morning of the "surprise" day, my phone alarm went off, telling me to be ready to be somewhere at 4 and even how I should dress! I got a call from Nick around 3:30 and he told me to go to the salon that I usually go to and that someone would be there to meet me. As I walked in, my dear friend Natalie Grimaldo walked in behind me and told me that we were getting mani's and pedi's and that Nick had arranged the whole thing a week before, including paying and tipping the girls, so that "I would feel pretty before my baby shower that weekend!" I was so surprised and impressed with my amazing husband!! We had a great two hours of relaxing and catching up, and I loved being pampered! When I got home, I was greeted by the yummy smell of chocolate cake and found Nick in the kitchen frosting a cake that he'd just pulled out of the oven! I had been saying for a few days that I was craving a piece of chocolate cake with chocolate icing! What a prince! Finally, as if that wasn't enough, he ushered me back to the car and we went to a new restaurant that we'd been wanting to try. He is so amazing to me and treats me like a princess! I am the luckiest girl ever!! Thanks for all the pampering, baby!!

~My Shower~

My mom's friends Anita Canfield and Heather Coulthard graciously offered to throw me a shower in the middle of September. They are such fun and amazing women, and I am so grateful to them! I had most of our family there and it was so great to see everyone! The shower was at Anita's beautiful home and everything from the flowers to the lunch to the yummy desserts was wonderful! And the gifts were overwhelming! This little boy is already so loved! Thank you to everyone that made the day so special...especially to everyone that traveled so far to be there! Here are a few picts from the day...

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~Nick's Races~

My amazing husband has been an killer athlete in the last few months! First, on a whim, Nick decided to run in a 5k race for a charity one weekend, and he finished eleventh out of 240 people! I was so proud!

Back in July when he was working for the Nevada Cancer Institute, Nick told me that they were major sponsors in a bike event called "Viva Bike Vegas" which had 3 different bike rides around the valley which were 38, 62, and 118 miles and that he wanted to do the 118! I must admitmy initial reaction was that while he had done a lot of mountain biking, he had never done road cycling and never that far, and that we would get to the date of the race and he wouldn't do it. (Doubting Thomas, I know!) Well, he and our friend David Jaramillo (18 yrs old) trained from that point on 4-5 days a week, waking up most of the time at 5 am to go on 2-3 hour long bike rides. I was amazed at his dedication!! The day of the race came (Oct 10th), and they were ready! The race started at 6:30 in the middle of town at the government buildings, and from there they rode out to Lake Mead, up through Boulder City, all the way back to the government buildings in the middle of town via Boulder Highway, up Alta to the most west part of the valley, out to Blue Diamond (the southern part of the valley), around Red Rock, and back down Alta to the finish at the government buildings. I drove out to Boulder City and watched them come up the long Boulder hill, then to the top of Alta at one of the rest stops, then as they rode through Red Rock, and then met them at the finish line. They did so well! They did it in 7 hours 30 min (which they said about 40 mins of which was waiting at stop lights) and were in the top thirty riders out of 840!!! I am so proud of Nick and for the way he stuck to his goal!! As an added bonus, Nick's parents and aunt and uncle were in town for a wedding and were able to watch Nick cross the finish line! Here are some shots I got along their ride...

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We've had a great, busy month! We have also been working a lot on the nursery, and it is almost done!! I'll post pictures of it this week! We are about 97% ready for baby and can't wait!

Time is Flying By!

Only 9 more weeks until our little one is here, and I can't believe how fast time is going by and how much we still have to do! We still are working on the nursery, bedding, name, and gathering all the needed supplies. I feel the need to "nest," and have a million projects that I want to get done before he gets here, but I know that with work, life, and everything else going on, I'll probably only get a few of them done!

We are at 31 weeks and I am feeling great!...big, tired, can't see my feet, but honestly loving being pregnant! I am really going to miss feeling him moving all the time! It really an amazing feeling to be able to tell when he is awake and moving or when he is calm or asleep! Nick and I love to sit and watch my belly move as he does his "kickboxing routines!" He does this thing where he stretches his head and bum out on either side of my belly, which flattens my belly except for these two bumps on the sides! It is really funny to see...he is probably so cramped in there that he is trying to make more room! I feel like I already have a relationship with him just from these months we have spent together, and I can't believe that in 9-10 weeks he will be in my arms! I can't wait to see what he looks like, smell his sweet baby skin, discover his personality, and have him add to our little family! I go to the doctor every 2 weeks now, and at my appointment this week my weight gain and measurements are perfect, so everything is going well! I keep hoping that the doctor will do another ultrasound and confirm that he is a boy, as we still have never had a 100% confirmation (the last ultrasound tech "forgot to check" at 21 weeks) and I have heard 6 stories in the last month of women being told it was a boy and then having girls! What a surprise that would be!! Not that I wouldn't love to have a girl, but I would be 100% unprepared! I guess only time will tell!! Here is a belly shot from week 28 (about 3 weeks ago)...July and August have gone by so quickly as we count down the weeks 'till our little guys gets here!! In the middle of July we got to see Keith Urban's concert with my mom, Elina, and our friend David, and it was awesome!! Nick and I love Keith and I could definitely be a roadie on his tour! It was such fun night! (The video clip was when he was at the center stage and had his back to us.)

The next weekend, Nick and I headed to San Diego for what I guess you could call our "babymoon"...our last trip as just the two of us. We had a wonderful time relaxing, shopping, eating, and enjoying each other's company. Right after landing Thursday night, we headed to the Fish Market restaurant for my favorite fish and chips and Nick's tasty halibut, and we loved the meal so much that we ended up eating there 3 more times that trip! On Friday we went to the San Diego Temple to do a session as neither Nick nor I had been inside before, and we were amazed at how beautiful it was there! That afternoon we went shopping at Nordstrom Rack which has great clothes at huge discounts and is where, even before we were pregnant, we always had said we'd go shopping for baby clothes as you can get great stuff for more than half the price! It was so fun to see Nick picking out little clothes, and we got a ton of cute outfits! Later that night we added up the original tag prices and compared it what we paid, and we saved over 60%! Can't beat that!! Friday night I had surprised Nick with tickets to see Joel McHale (host of The Soup on E!) who was so funny we were crying throughout his performance! I highly recommend his show! Saturday and Sunday were spent relaxing, shopping, going to the beach, eating more great meals, and enjoying being together. Overall, it was such a great get-away, and I love all the time that I get to spend with my best friend!

Sara, Adam, and the boys came through Vegas on their way to California, and we had so much fun hanging out and playing with them! Nick loves having Adam around, and they had a great day out at the Speedway with the Super Car Life boys driving Ferraris, Lambos, and Porsches. Alexander loved lounging with pups, and it was good to get them used to having kids around!

Nick and I took a weekend and painted the bathroom that we will be using for kids and installed a closet system in the nursery. It was so fun to work on these home improvement projects together! I'll post picts later when the rooms are done!

My mom, Nick, and I headed to San Francisco for a quick two-day trip and had a great time shopping for fabric for the nursery's bedding. My mom is an amazing seamstress and can sew just about anything...she made my crib bedding when I was little and now is going to make ours! Vegas has a severe lack of fabric stores, and so we decided to head to San Fran and were thrilled with what we found! We also got to see my uncle Art and Corin and Seth, and took a walk in Golden Gate Park, which is so green and beautiful!! I'm excited to start the sewing project with her and will post picts when the room is put together!

Last week was a big one as Nick started his second year of Law School and Elina headed up to BYU! My parents are officially empty-nesters! We helped her get all packed up and she and Mom drove up on Thursday! I am really excited for her and hope that she has an amazing experience and meets lots of new friends, but I am also so sad she is gone! It is so weird still and I haven't gotten used to it, and won't for a bit I guess! She is such a beautiful, funny, smart girl, and I know she is going to have a blast! Love you Bee...Thanks for being such an amazing sister!

What a Month!

I can't believe that another month has already flown by! We've been so busy and have done so many fun things so I'll have to give a short recap!

Elina graduated from high school as a Valedictorian in June and gave an amazing speech! She is headed to BYU next month, which means my parents are going to be empty-nesters...but they'll have a little munchin to fill some of that room soon! I'm going to miss Elina Bee so much though...she better come home a lot, or I'll be making lots of trips to Provo!!

Sara came down with the boys to see her grandparents, and we got to spend a few hours with them at the park and at lunch. We had so much fun flying kites and playing with the boys!! Nick was so adorable with them...he got some good practice in!

We headed up to Sun Valley, ID for a week vacation with my family, but on the way we stopped and saw Toni, Pete, and their beautiful 6 day-old Trystan! Toni looked great as always and we were so excited to see them before they moved to Reno!

Sun Valley was wonderful! We have never seen the hills so green...they have had so much rain this year! We got to spend a lot of time with Grandma & Grandpa Thomas, who had a health scare last month but is recovering slowly but surely! We also got to celebrate his 88th birthday...what a milestone! After a week of biking, hiking, and relaxing, we were still sad to have to go home!

We spent the next weekend in Joseph, UT for the 4th of July with my Grandma & Grandpa Parker and most of the Parker family. It was so fun to see the farm and all the work that Grandpa has done! Nick got up early every morning to help Grandpa feed the horses and muck out the stalls...he was in heaven! On the 4th we went to the Richfield parade (where we saw the best float ever!), and then to the park for the fair, where we all took turns riding the mechanical bull! Well, my ride was actually a photo opportunity with a minor buck, but lots of women in the crowd were gasping as I got on! Probably the first time they'd seen a 6-month prego on a bull! We had so much fun with our whole family up there, and really enjoyed the small-town activities for the 4th!

The month was great for me as a prego! I finally felt the baby move about 5 weeks ago, and he hasn't stopped since! It is so funny to see his reactions to things...he always will be very active about 30 mins after I eat or right before I go to bed, and if we are watching a movie at home he is usually kicking the whole time! Nick felt him about a week after I started too, and the look on his face was priceless!! The baby responds to us talking to him...he'll stop moving when Nick starts talking to him, and then will start up again a few seconds after Nick is quiet! He also loves to shove a knee or elbow straight out and then move it around in circles! Elina laughs because we'll be lounging around or in church and she can see my belly move as he kicks! Babies are amazing! I finally am getting around to posting a "belly" shot, although this one was from week 21 so not up to date. I'll take some more this week! I still love seeing the faces of people that can't tell I'm pregnant from the back and then are surprised to see my belly when I turn around!

We still don't have a name picked out, although our list is becoming shorter. But we have decided that we are so picky with names that we are going to take a couple that we like to the hospital when he is born and decide what he "looks" like or what feels right then. Sorry to keep everyone that has been asking wondering, but it will just have be a surprise when he comes!! We are working on the nursery more seriously now, and I ordered the crib last week, but that is about all we have decided on thus far. October seems so far away, until I think that it is really only 14 weeks away and Nick starts school in August and there is so much to do!! Hopefully this month won't fly by as quickly!

Nick's Dream Come True

A couple Saturdays ago, Nick had the day of his life!! My mom gave my dad a "super car experience" for an early Father's Day gift, and we all drove out to Pahrump to watch him drive a bunch of amazing cars. When we pulled up to the track, Nick (who for those that don't know him very well is a huge car lover) started shouting and getting so excited as they had all the cars lined up in front: top of the line Lamborghini Gallardo/Superleggera, Ferrari F430, Aston Martin DB9, Porsche 911 Turbo, and Mercedes CLK 63 Black series all on display!

Once my dad and the other participants had had their training, they headed out to the track to do some 0-70-0 exercises and we followed in a van to watch. Somehow it was discovered that Nick and whoever else would sign a waiver could ride along in the cars...Nick almost broke a window trying to get out of the van fast enough jump in my dad's Lambo! I have never seen him move so fast! My mom, sister, and I rode along with my dad as well, and Nick decided to just ask the other people participating who didn't have riders if he could jump in. After that exercise, we headed out to the real race track and got to watch and ride in the cars for the rest of the day.

The cars were amazing, and it was really incredible that they were letting amateurs race about $2 million in cars around a real race track at speeds up to 100 mph! They told us that each time they have to change the breaks on the Lambo or Ferrari it costs $14,000! Nick had the time of his life, and the next couple of days he just kept saying that he couldn't believe he rode in all of those incredible dream cars! I'm so glad that he had so much fun!

Worth the Wait!!

Ok....I know...it has been forever since I last posted and life has gone by so fast with a million things to share!  It's too overwhelming though, so I'll start over with the best memory from our blogging hiatus...

I AM PREGNANT!!!

Most of you already know, but I am 19 weeks pregnant and we are so excited!!  The baby is due October 27th, which has led my dad to give it the nickname "Spooks." This will be the first grandchild for my parents and the first Thomas great-grandchild, and everyone seems to be super excited.  We've been wanting to have a baby for a long time now, and without sharing too much of our personal struggles, this little one is truly a miracle baby! We are so blessed and know that Heavenly Father answered our prayers.  And thanks to all of those that were praying on our behalf!!  The whole experience of being pregnant and knowing that a baby is on its way is definitely worth the wait!  

I am feeling great and getting bigger every week...I feel like I am bigger than I am and I've been showing since around 12 weeks, but I've gained exactly how much I am supposed to and am trying to eat healthy and exercise consistently.  I haven't been sick since weeks 6-13, when I had 'all-day" morning sickness.  A few headaches and backaches here and there, but all in all, I have been loving being pregnant!  Nick has been great...he brings me flowers, calls to make sure I am eating enough, has such cute nicknames for our little one, and talks to my belly all the time! 

Some other news that we thought we wouldn't know for a few more weeks....

IT'S A BOY!! 

At my appointment on Friday, my doctor was so sweet and took pitty on me that was worried that I haven't felt the baby move yet, so he did an unplanned ultrasound and in the process he confirmed that it is a boy! (I still haven't felt the baby...at least I don't think I have, but the doctor said i will soon.)  We are so excited and Nick can't wait to have someone to teach all his "boy skills" too!  I'm nervous because I'm so used to girls with my sisters, but I know I have some great women to look to for examples!  (So be warned...you know who you are...I will be calling a lot!!)  We didn't have a preference as to what we have...we just wanted a healthy baby...but we are so happy!  Now I can finally start shopping and planning!! So much to do and it feels like so little time!!  My mom and Elina went shopping with me yesterday and we found a couple adorable things...it's so fun to know what the baby is so we can finally buy and not just look!

The doctor didn't get a picture this ultrasound other than the "gender shot" which I don't think I'll post (you never know...our little boy may grow up to be president..and you don't want those kinds of shots floating around the web!! :-} )  So instead, here are the picts from our previous two ultrasounds (I know...lots of ultrasounds...long story but because of a complication I have he does one almost every time.)  Our next appointment is in three weeks, and hopefully we will get an updated shot then! 

Baby at 10 Weeks

(I love this pict because this was when it all became real to me! I know it's upside down, but it is cuter this way!)

Baby at 14 weeks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!!!

Today my amazing husband turns 27!!!  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, handsome, caring, smart, spiritual man as my partner.  I don't know how I got so lucky!!  He is always willing to help anyone in need and doesn't hesitate to serve.  He is doing such a great job in law school and has been so good at balancing school and home life. I am eternally grateful that I chanced into meeting Nick and that he was interested in me.  

Nick's First Day

It's official...I'm a law school widow!! After cramming all the fun that we could into the summer months, August 18th brought the start of law school for Nick! He was excited to start this new adventure and I am so proud of him for all the hard work that he has put in to get to this point and all the hard work that he will do in the next three years!  

 

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that misses Nick when he is away at school for the 8-10 hours!  After one of the first days of school, Nick came home and decided to work out.  This is what I found when I came upstairs.  Pierre couldn't bare to stay away from him...he missed his best-bud all day!!

Two Cali Trips in One Month

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We loved California this summer! The second week of July we headed down to San Diego with our great friends Levi and Kim. It was Levi's birthday and so Kim planned a surprise trip to CA to the beach and Disneyland and we were lucky enough to be included!! The actual surprise took some planning and went down without much of a problem...Kim and I were supposed to get to the airport first and park in the valet and then hide while we waited for Nick and Levi (who were "going to the airport to pick up my brother-in-law and then heading to a meeting with a real estate pro"). Well, when we got to the airport, the valet and on-site parking were full, so we had to park off-site and take a shuttle. We ran up to the valet to hide and I bribed the valet guy to let Nick park there (I gave him the car's description.) Just as I finished talking to the valet, I saw Nick walking towards us. It turned out that he and Levi had just pulled up and he was bribing the other valet guy at the same time! He and Levi started walking toward the airport terminal and we jumped out and surprised them. Levi had no clue!!!! After arriving in San Diego on Friday, we had a great time shopping and had a great meal at The Fish Market. Saturday we drove to Disneyland and had so much fun with the "Disneyland Pros Kim and L6vi!" (Levi was given a birthday button that looked like it read 6 instead of E). The next day we went to see my parents boat, did some kayaking, and spent some time on the beach (complete with the boys spending an hour making a sand castle) before catching a flight back home. We had a great time!! Happy Birthday Levi!!

Two weeks later we drove down to Six Flags Magic Mountain with my parents, sisters, and cousin Kara. We got there before the park opened and were so excited for a long day of thrill rides. We started off in line for the "X" ride, which Elina, Nick and I had ridden a year earlier and LOVED! About an hour later, we had only moved about 10 feet and the ride had yet to run at all. So we pulled out of the line and headed up to tr a different one. Right before we got in the line, my mom and sisters headed to the bathroom while my dad, Nick and I waited outside. All of a sudden, I felt the earth moving beneath my feet, and I looked up and the bathroom "house" behind me was swaying back and forth! Some people next to me were asking out loud if it was an earthquake, and I realized that it must have been!! I went to tell my family, who had all felt it, and as we were talking we started to realize that the rides had all stopped. A couple of minutes later I looked at CNN on my phone and read that there had just been an earthquake! Now we had to make the decision to stay or go....at this point we had not even been on a ride yet but we knew we wouldn't get a refund! We watched as they ran several empty test rides on the various rides over the next 15 mins, and then we decided to go on at least one ride since we had driven all that way! We ended up riding several more rides, although the lines were so long we only were able to do a few in the time we had there. After a day of fun and thrills (and Wonder Woman capes!), we headed down to Newport for dinner at El Torito and then down to the boat in San Diego for the a couple of days. We had a great couple of days complete with a short boat ride, an exploration dinghy ride, kayaking to see the navy dolphins (where I realized that I missed my calling...why didn't my high school counselor tell me about that career?!), shopping at Nordstroms Rack, and great meals!

By Special Request

I forgot to add a video clip to our 4th of July post, and Nick was sorely disappointed that it wasn't there.  I promised to add it, and although that was 2 weeks ago...better late than never!

The last night we were in Blackfoot at Adam and Sara's, Kaleb wanted to have S'mores, so the boys set out to make a bonfire.  Nick called to us to "come and watch...and bring the video camera!"  This is what happened next...

How else would you light a fire on 4th of July weekend? Way to go boys! It was super fun to watch!!