Happy Birthday, Jack!

Jack turned one tonight.  We had some friends and family join us for a celebration.  We opened presents and ate cupcakes and ice cream.  Actually, Jack got his own cake instead of an animal cupcake. 

Jack is a happy, happy kid.  He still doesn't crawl but just scoots around.  He's showing more interest in walking.  He loves dogs and anybody wearing sunglasses.  He's a great eater and even better sleeper.  How did we get so lucky?

A family snapshot

Singing Happy Birthday

Jack preferred to keep his hands clean and just use his mouth.  He'll be great in a pie eating contest someday.

After cake and ice cream, we headed outside to play with Jack's new wagon.  He did walk with it a little but preferred being pushed in it by his cousin Matthew.

(Don't you love the frog balloon?! It's one of the few pictures I have with an animal balloon we made for the kids.)

Adjusting to Suburbia

Reasons I know I'm adjusting to suburbia:

• I have stopped looking for the closest parking spot and now look for the shadiest parking spot.  (rookie mistake)
  
• I browsed through Macy's shoe section today and didn't once think I could never wear a pair of shoes.  In surburbia, you can wear any shoe to church if you just have to walk from the parking lot 45 feet to your church bench.
  
• I plan to run errands around Jack's nap.  In the city, I would just go when I wanted.  Jack could easily sleep in his stroller if he needed a nap.  Here getting in and out of a car frequently don't make errands and napping go hand-in-hand.
  
• I am now efficient when I go to a drive-up window at the bank.  I know exactly what to do.  The first time was a little rough.  (Conversation with myself...  Are you supposed to hit "call" or just hit "send carrier".  Is it rude to just send the carrier without saying hello or telling the teller what you need.  What if I just hit send carrier and the teller doesn't see it arrive?  Soot! I parked to far away.  I can't reach the carrier.  I guess I'll just take my seat belt off and open the door to reach it.)
  
• I have a season pass to the waterpark - Seven Peaks.  My sister had an extra ticket and was nice enough to share it with me.  Jack and I try to go once a week and meet up with his cousins.

Answers to Housing Questions

No, we still haven't sold our apartment in NY.

No, we haven't found a home to buy in Las Vegas.

No, we don't know where we will live in September.  We're currently thinking we'd like to rent a little apartment and build a home.

Yes, our lives are still in the air. So fun!!! :)

June in Review

We officially left New York on June 10th.  Almost a month has flown by and it feels like this "vacation" should be coming to an end.  It feels like tonight we will need to pack our bags to catch an early flight home.  Instead, Bryce will be setting an alarm clock for his 1st day at the office.  :)  

I'm thinking that sometime this week (when Bryce isn't around all day) it will finally hit me that this isn't a vacation.

Here's a recap of what we've been up to this past month:

1) Swimming and sunning in St. George 

Jack loved the pool and playing with his cousins.  He cried when it was time to get out.  He loves to play, play, play!

2) Surgery #1  -  June 13th  (as Bryce previously mentioned)

Bryce was quite chatty in the recovery room.  He insisted on naming every song and artist that being played on the background radio music.   "Daniel, My Lover... This is Elton John... Elton is a fruity guy I think..."  The nurses and I were laughing hysterically.  

3) Wasatch Back Relay - June 20th and 21st

My family competed as the "Gene Pool Joggers" in the 2008 Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay.  We finished in 28 hours and 19 minutes.  We averaged 9:23 minute miles.  Not so bad.  I was probably the slowest runner on the team but had a ton of fun!  I want to do it again next year. 

Both my parents ran as well as 12-year old nephew, Ben and almost 12-year old niece, Lindsey.  That means we had 3 generations running on our team.  Impressive.

Signage on Van #2.

At Exchange #12 -- Snow Basin.  At this exchange Van #2 (Whitney) passed off to Van #1 (Jane). 

Mark running up the mountain from Heber to Park City.  One of the steepest legs!

Robert running "Ragnar".  The race was named after this leg.  Robert ran the whole way. Impressive again.

Most impressive of all was Julie running her last leg - 7 miles.  Here she stopped for some water but believe me she ran the whole thing.  She earned my respect as her leg was full of steep downhills and hills.  From the car, her leg never seemed to end.  I can't imagine how she felt.  Most impressive performance.

 

4) Surgery #2 - June 23rd

This time it was arthroscopic shoulder surgery to remove a bone spur and large calcium deposit.  Of course, it was Bryce's right shoulder which makes him look like his right side was in a serious accident.

5) Quilting

I'm participating in my family's round robin quilt exchange.  (You start the quilt, pass it on to the next person, they add to it, and pass it on.  You don't know what they will be adding so  the end result is a big surprise.  The final reveal takes place at Quilt Retreat in the spring and is quite exciting).  I thought I would make a quilt worthy of hanging in our new home.  I decided to piece a simple background and then hand applique a tree.  I'm almost finished.  I just need to add a few more leaves.

Oh yeah, I'm late too... the deadline was July 1st.

6) Teething and Growing Hair

Jack finally got some teeth at 10 1/2 months!  Hooray!  Suddenly, he's showing more interest in solid foods especially soda crackers.

He's also starting to grow some hair.  It can almost blow in the wind now.