Entertaining ourselves at the park

Sydney learned to swing (pump her legs) to keep herself going. Yes! I'm so excited I only have to push Jordyn now. There's a video you can watch at the end of this post to see Sydney swing by herself. 

Watching her got old after a awhile so Jeff and I made up some games to play. We played who could jump off the swing the furthest. Jeff won. We played who could, from a complete stand still,  pump legs to see who get the highest the fastest. Jeff claims he won, but it's debatable. Our last game was who could get the most creative pose in the air while jumping off the swing. I think Jeff won this category too. But he was lame when it came to pushing the button at the right moment to capture my creative poses. I got him in the air at the perfect moment. Here are the funny pictures we took. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. It was a ton of fun for us and the other adults who were watching us.

After watching us, Sydney had to jump too. I love that Syd tries everything and she's not afraid to try either. 

This was the funniest because I realized that Jeff is more flexible than myself. That's scary. I was laughing while I was taking this photo that I didn't get his face, but I got him almost doing the splits. When he landed, he immediately grabbed at his sorely stretched-out legs.

Buddha pose by Jeff
Give me a big hug pose.
Karate kick pose
Sliding into home base pose.
I'm a dork pose

here's sydney video.

Month in Cedar 4/09

 Some pictures of our time in Cedar. We did lots of fun things. We went to the circus. Sydney rode on top of a 45 year old elephant.
Jordyn playing dress up with her hat and purse ready to go. We also drove up to SLC to see the temple and to Provo to visit BYU.

It was so cool to visit the temple. We rode the train in and walked around everywhere. We took a tour of Brigham Young's house too.

Of course I had to walk around the campus and show the girls where I went to college. It brought back so many memories. None of those memories included any outstanding academic lectures I heard, although I know many devotionals touched my heart. The memories surround the awesome people I hung out with and met and the activities we did together. One of the best times in my life was here.

Finally!

Kitchen - duh

TV room on main level.

Back porch.

Backyard from back porch

Backyard picture from our Master bedroom upstairs.

We're finally in Alaska and I'm finally posting some info and pictures. In April me and the girls flew to Cedar City for a month while our stuff was being shipped to AK. (I'll post some cute pictures of our time in Cedar next) Jeff was away to various cities for trainings and other job stuff for that month. On Mother's Day Jeff and I flew to Hawaii for an award trip while my mom and sister watched the girls. (I'll also post some pictures of our time in Hawaii). It was awesome! We hiked to Diamond Head, flew in a helicopter around the island, took surfing lessons, and got in a shark cage all expenses paid:) It was none other than luxury for us. Right after that trip we flew from St. George to Anchorage. We were so excited to finally be in AK. The idea of AK had been around every since the beginning of December so I was just happy that we didn't have to talk in the future tense anymore....it was the present now and it was such a great feeling. Jeff had come to AK before and bought a house. When we got off the plane I laughed to myself as I saw a moose's head on the wall and saw a map with a city named UNALASKA. (they couldn't pick a better name for a city?) The ride to our house was spent observing my surrounding and flooded in my one thought that I couldn't get rid of, "I can't believe AK is my home." The home is very nice. Jeff did a great job. Our home is in a city called Eagle River. It's about 15 minutes from Anchorage. Our address is 17001 Yellowstone Dr, Eagle River, AK 99577 (for family members who have been asking). Our house is very spacious. 3 stories, 4200 sq. feet, 6 bedrooms, 4 toilets, and one forest in our backyard. Some adjustments we've had to make: black out blinds. The other day Sydney came in our room with a fever. It was light out and me and Jeff just suspected it was morning. Well when Jeff looked at the clock it said 3:30. I haven't seen the moon or stars since we've been here and don't expect we will for several months. Another adjustment: Animals. Like I mentioned our backyard is a forest. There are a ton of trees. Our backyard looks out into a forest with a river, Eagle River, that lies on the bottom of this valley. It makes for a beautiful view. Anyhow there are bears, moose, and wolves that have been spotted in our area. But then again it seems that there is no area in AK that doesn't have this problem. Last week we went on a hike with bear spray. I didn't know there was such a thing called bear spray, but there is and that's what people use. So we took our bear spray and whistle and never felt quite calm walking in the middle of nowhere. It's not like they have much in the way of search and rescue because the forest is so dense. When people go "missing", they are gone for good. After jeff told me about wolves I was all about buying a gun. Guns kinda scare me, but I know I won't feel safe without it. I really don't want to be a meal for any animal. The girls love it here. We have a play group on Thurs. we go to. In the summer it's at a park. We have a different play group we go to on Tues. This one is a hiking group. The kids love to go out and play and get as dirty as humanly possible. I love interacting with other women and learning the ins and outs of AK. I want to spend as much time outside since I know our outside time will be limited when winter hits. Things I love about our house: laundry room upstairs, central vac, the scenery, and having the windows open. Most of the trees have a thin trunk and exceed the height of our home. While sitting on my bed, I can see outside. When it is windy, the trees sway and the leaves hitting each other in the wind make for some wonderful music. Just think... at 11pm I'm laying in bed, the window is open listening and watching the trees, and it is totally bright outside. It's beautiful and weird at the same time. I hope some of these pictures and words can paint somewhat of a picture about our new life here in Eagle River.

Living/Dining/Family room. I always get mixed up with these 3. Either way it's a room where we all hang in to eat, play, visit, and and do everything but watch TV in.

View from out our front door.

Funny-looking milk carton. And might I add milk is only 2.50 a gallon at Costco. Several people informed me milk was super expensive.

Here is what bear spray looks like. I thought it was a joke at first. Who knows if it even serves its purpose. I don't really want to test it.

Arctic Valley

Today I thought I would check out what ward/church we would be attending in Eagle River. My jaw dropped and laughter followed when I saw that we will be in the Arctic Valley Ward. It didn't hit me that I was literally going to live in the arctic. I looked on wikipedia to verify that yes, Alaska is part of the arctic region. I know it is beautiful country and I look forward to many great pictures. I don't think we have the appropriate clothes and equipment to bear arctic weather. I'm secretly hoping that global warming will heat up the arctic so much that maybe Alaska will be a tropical paradise come October. I'm sure weirder things have happen before :)

Syd's first haircut

SYDNEY'S 1st haircut

This is the final product. I'm working backwards here. Yes Sydney finally got her first haircut and she's 3 now. She has curly hair and so I never realize how long it actually is and how uneven and dry the ends were. We went to this cute place for kids called "Lollilocks." Sydney loved sitting on the pink elephant and talked this lady's ear off.

This is always my favorite part of getting my haircut. Sydney was indifferent.

This is just a picture of Sydney in front of our "For Sale" sign. Speaking of our house on the market, I'll be glad when the house doesn't have to be cleaned in 15 minutes because people are wanting to go through it. We did purchase a house in Eagle river, AK, about 15 minutes from Anchorage. So now we just need to sell this one.....QUICKLY.

This is Sydney in her gymnastics outfit. She LOVES going to gymnastics to hang upside down on the rings, do flips on the bars, walk backwards on the beam, or just to jump on the trampoline and other things. She has learned quite a bit in the few short months and will be sad when I tell her that she won't be going for awhile, until we find something in Alaska.

Sigh of Relief

Yesterday morning was a little overwhelming. I will try and paint the picture. I was standing in an all white operating room wearing a white jumper and blue shower cap on my head looking down at Sydney whose eyes started to roll back. My eyes became glossed over with tears that I couldn't see. I gently kissed her on the cheek and longed to see her awake again. 

Sydney got her adnoids removed and tubes placed in her ears. I know it's a frequent procedure but I will always have that reaction when I see my child be put to sleep. Sydney has been a big snore(er), girl with many ear infections and illnesses, and recently she started placing toys next to her ear (that was the straw that broke the camel's back) and I went to see an ENT. He saw fluid in her ear (big surprise) and suspected she had large adnoids. So we set up the procedure rather quickly since we'll be gone soon.  Once the swelling goes down, I should notice results--no more snoring or apnea-type symptoms. Since yesterday she has not said, "Can you turn it up? What? or Louder." The ENT doctor guesses the enlarged adnoids were blocking 75-90% of her air passage and that the fluid was so thick that it would have never drained by itself.  I'm glad the procedure is done and breathed a sigh a relief when Sydney woke up an hour later and was begging to climb and jump of this huge rock outside the hospital.

On a side note, on Sunday Syd bore her testimony in sacrament for the first time. She brought it up to me when she saw my friend bear her testimony. I told her if she really wanted to go up there (I wanted to make sure the desire was there because I didn't want her  to go up just to breathe heavily in the mic) she needed to find Jeff (he was in the hall with Jordyn). My other motive was then I wouldn't have to go up with her....Jeff would:) So she went up with Jeff and said this all by herself, "Jesus loves me. Jesus fixes my toys. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." I doubt anyone else could understand her; she was close to the mic and was breathing heavy. It was still so cute to me and cute that she was so proud of herself. I love Sydney (and Jordyn).

Alaska bound

For the past 4 months I would say, Jeff's job has laid many people off. We found out in January that Jeff's job would no longer be a position, thus sending our nerves flying with trying to find another job within his company or looking for another altogether. A job opened up in Alaska as a state manager. He would be responsible for the entire state. It would be a huge promotion and honestly I prepared myself that he would not get it. However, today we found out he got the promotion. We are just so grateful that he has a job especially considering todays economy. We feel humbled that the Lord wants us to be there and excited for the new experiences that will come our way. I'm sure I will have some fun posts in the future wether it's random wild animals, extreme climate, or environmental differences. Either way right now we're just elated that the anticipation of having a job is over and looking forward to the anticipation of Alaska living.

last time we were at the temple we parked our car as we usually do. When we came back, this Alaska car was parked right next to us. I took a picture because I thought it was a "sign," at least I was hoping it was.

My bachelor date

I know you're thinking, "Wow those outfits are hot." Luckily Jeff and I have been married for awhile now. This isn't something you want to do on a first date. You realize how ugly a person looks like with googles smashed to their face and a funky type of space suit on. As if that isn't bad enough, when you're in the chamber with huge amounts of wind, you see just how much excess skin is on someone's face. It totally flaps everywhere and if you open your mouth, drool will fly out. But it's worth it. If you don't have fun, you definitely have fun watching other people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgu9ry7RUg Here is a link to watch a minute clip of myself skydiving indoors.

Jeff had a surprise date fo me yesterday. When we showed up to this indoor skydiving place the thought crossed my mind that this was like "The Bachelor" sort of date: exciting, adventurous, and with a hot guy to enjoy it with. We were in this chamber that blew tons of wind and flew in the air like we were skydiving. It was a ton of fun. I would recommend this activity to anyone who is curious to feel the sensation of skydiving without the cost of really jumping out of a plane and skydiving. After this, Jeff gave me another surprise and had made a reservation at a nice restaurant close by. It was great to do something that got me a little nervous. There was much fun "screaming" coming out of my mouth. Jeff was a little disappointed when he quickly realized that you can't just jump in the chamber and do backflips. There is quite a bit of coordination and experience involved to get to that level.

Sydney and Jordyn updates

I know there are a ton of pictures but some people have been wanting an update on the girls. In these first few pictures the girls are together. Sydney and Jordyn are really starting to play and interact together. It very cute to see them talk and play together and the added bonus--I'm able to fold laundry and unload the dishwasher without them helping me.

We like to take the girls to the temple. This time however, Sydney had a strong desire to go inside. Once we weren't looking and I had to run across the huge lawn chasing after Sydney. She was running towards the doors screaming, "Jesus I want to see you." Of course the tears began to flow when I finally got a hold of her telling her she couldn't go inside. Thank you for visitor centers and the big statue of Jesus.

Here's Jordyn. She is growing so much. Sometimes I look at her and think, "how did she get so tall." Her first tooth finally broke through 2 days ago. At this point it will be strange to see her with teeth. She runs and is a climber just like her big sis. She climbs on chairs and the dinner table and anything else she can figure out. I really have to keep an eye on these two.

Jordyn is fascinated with the dryer. She loves to pull the dryer vent thing out.

I caught Jordyn in the drawer in our kitchen. She also loves to play with any kitchen utensils, mostly measuring cups. Another favorite is chewing on toothbrushes.

Just a great picture of her going down the slide. I told Syd to give her a push because she was sitting there for about 5 minutes.

NOW FOR SYDNEY.

She's been in gymnastics now for about a month. She loves to attempt handstands, cartwheels, and backbends. So our living room floor is now her floor exercise routine. She also uses our couch as vault for backflips. Like I mentioned earlier I have to keep my eyes on these two.

Syd at the park the other day. It was such a nice warm day that we had to take advantage of the outdoors.

Sydney is a treat to have around the house. She is a great help and is becoming such a big girl. Shey may be getting her adnoids out. We have an appt. the beginning of March so we'll see what the doctors say. She recognizes all her letters now (mostly the capital letters. We're still working on the lower case ones) and she is learning the sounds of them too. She picks up things quickly.

Syd loves to do her little flip from the bar. I hope this update of the girls give you a good sense of the things they're are doing and learning. Life is so much fun with them in our life and we love them so much.