Surprise Weekend

My friend Beth asked if she could throw me a baby shower. It was super hero themed and was so cute!! She really did a great job. I had told Shanna about it just because we talk frequently and she usually knows what is going on. What I didn't know was that Shan later contacted Cole to see if her, Ciera and Kayla (they are all in Utah right now) could come up to surprise me and then stay the weekend. He told them of course. He played it so well. He told me his sister and her husband wanted to come visit for the weekend because he knew I would want to get some things done if company was going to be there. Then right before the shower he told me his sister was sick and not coming. So off I went to the shower. Some people started coming and then all of sudden they were at the door screaming surprise!! I was kind of in shock.
Here is the video:

I wish I had a picture from my end. All three of them standing in the doorway, huge smiles, and all excited and hoping I was surprised. It was so fun!! And I was totally surprised. It was just what I needed. I have been feeling blah about being in a new place, not having many friends, feeling not myself because of the pregnancy so this was a much needed boost!! Then they stayed till Sunday afternoon. We watched conference and hung out. The kids loved it too.

Rylee kind of attached herself to Ciera.

Rylee was in tears when they were leaving. She loved being surrounded by lots of other girls! Thanks sisters for the fun weekend!!! :)

** Baby update-Today was my 37 week appointment (although I will be 38 weeks soon) and I am at a 3 and 75% effaced. Head is down and lots of kicking. Things are moving right along!

Idaho Lately

Things have been pretty slow here lately. Literally, I move very slowly these days. I am down to less than a month before this baby comes. It has really been quite the physical trial. I have had to seriously lower my expectations. And it ultimately effects the whole family: house not quite as clean, eating meals a bit late, mom being kinda grouchy, not very creative with the kids, and if it requires mom doing much moving or getting up it is probably not going to happen. But baby seems to be doing well so that is good. We are all very much anticipating the arrival of this new baby (and for mom to get back to normal!).

The mornings and evenings are the roughest for me. The kids have gotten used to entertaining themselves a lot since I am usually not in a position to do so. It makes me sad but I am glad they are a bit older and can do that. And we are all still getting used to getting to know Idaho and the fun things to do: it is a little sparse at the moment. I found the kids bird watching the other morning (in pajamas and snow boots). Literally, Cade had paper and pen and they were counting how many different birds flew by. Honestly, I think there were only a couple that kept flying by again and again but they were pretty impressed at how many they counted!

But we have had a couple, fun, noteworthy things happen. The first was Cade's Kindergarten Circus. His class put on a circus for the families to come and watch. Our first school performance! Cole was even able to come (it was during the day). Cade was a lion. It was really cute and Cade was pretty excited about it. The lions got to do somersaults through the hoop.

Then a couple weekends ago there was a faculty day at the BYU-I ropes course. Obviously I am in no position to do anything fun and crazy and Cole was a good sport and just wanted it to be a family day. So we stuck around the kid stuff. But it was really nice to get out of the house and have something different to do. There was a huge sledding hill Cole took the kids on. Cade would fly down that thing holding on for dear life. And enjoyed every minute of it. Rylee had enough and I took her to get her face painted.

There were some crafts and snacks as well. Here are the kids just being goofy.

 Fun day and nice to explore a little more of the area. I am excited to be able to explore more as the weather warms up and I get more physical abilities!