Hmmm.. How can I put off packing? I know! I'll update my blog!

There's a great excuse huh? I thought so too! Well, we have less than a week left here in good ol' Rexburg and I can't exactly say I've been counting down the days! Warning! This post will feature some venting. Leave now if you don't want to hear it!

Aside from the agonizing chore of packing, I have been feeling a lot of pressure from people over the past month. It's as if everything I do offends someone in some way and it is exhausting. Those who I thought knew me well have begun to assume outrageously and it is just insulting. The other night I was so wound up my head hurt, my neck hurt, my shoulders hurt.. I almost felt like I was going to be sick. It's hard to blow things off and give people the benefit of the doubt before you start to feel like a door mat, or worry that you are going to scream at them the next time you see them. Okay, my rant is finished. Thank you for your patience :)

Anyway, Axel continues to grow and amaze us! He is about 3 months and 2 weeks old now and his developments are so far pretty by-the-book. He loves to stand (not on his own of course) and sit up. We are working on his balance while sitting but he's not quite ready to do it on his own yet. He loves bath time more than anything (except his Mommy of course)! For awhile we were taking baths together because he outgrew his baby bath, and I LOVED taking baths with him, but it became a bit time consuming drying both of us off and getting both of us dressed every time. Now, I fill up the bath about 3 inches and he lays on his back and splashes away! He is also old enough to "play" with all his little baby toys. This has been really fun for me to watch. He'll sit in my lap and I will hold a toy up for him, or shake it or do whatever with it that it is supposed to do and Axel will bat at the toy and try to grip it, and as of today try to put it in his mouth! Yes, the everything-in-the-mouth phase has begun!




CAPTAIN DROOLY PANTS!

Thanksgiving, Fingers & Toes

Wow. What a fantastic Thanksgiving break we had! I think this one was extra special because the three of us had so much time to hang out together! As I've mentioned before, Jordan stays pretty busy with school, so having him all to ourselves for an entire week was quite a treat for Axel and I!

Our holiday vacation started with a drive to Boise. When we first arrived, we went to see our dear friend Sarah Nokleby sing in "Hymns of Thanksgiving". About 10 minutes into the program, Axel must have decided he wanted to be involved too because he started screaming at the top of his lungs and we had to leave.



We spent the next couple of days visiting friends from Jordans mission and running errands. I also had to teach two classes at one of the beauty schools in Boise while we were there, so that took up pretty much an entire day for us. On Wednesday morning we woke up early, piled into the van (yes, in case you didn't know.. we drive a minivan.. and I LOVE it... never say never folks..).. and headed to San Francisco! Last year Jordan and I went to San Fran for Thanksgiving and we wanted to do it again this year since we most likely wont be able to go there as easy when we're living in Wisconsin. The drive took up the rest of the day, but we had a nice time just being together. Axel did so well in the car! He really amazes me every day! He seems to be over his fussiness and is like a normal baby now! He only cries when he needs something or is tired. It makes my life so much easier, and his too! When we arrived in San Francisco we checked into our hotel, and to stretch our legs from the ride decided to walk around downtown. Axel got a lot of attention, and I loved every bit of it! There are so many babies here in Rexburg it's never really a big deal to anyone, but the people of San Francisco seemed very excited to see one and we were happy to show him off!

The next day was Thanksgiving! We tried to keep the same tradition as our holiday last year. Our first stop was Safeway, where we bought gourmet deli salads, sandwiches, drinks and other snacks for our Thanksgiving Picnic Feast :) Then we drove to Big Basin in the Redwood Forest where we walked around and enjoyed the beautiful scenery! All the tall trees, with their beautiful colors were absolutely breathtaking! I wish we lived closer and could enjoy it more often! I guess that makes visiting so much more special though.






After the redwoods we drove to Santa Cruz where we had our picnic. We sat in the same lovely spot as last year, and we weren't the only ones trying to make this a tradition. We recognized a few other people from last year who had their same spots as well. It was kinda cool. As we sat and ate, I had an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude for my sweet little family and the happiness that they bring to my life. I'm actually tearing up as I write this. Sometimes I just cannot believe how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life. After all the different experiences I've had, and the good and bad choices I've made, I feel so grateful to be where I am today. I never imagined I could be so happy.



When we finished eating we walked along the beach and climbed over the rocks and such. Jordan had to hold Axel because last time I got really freaked out that I was going to fall in. Jordan does a great impression of that haha.. Axel seemed really calm down by the water. He probably liked the splashing sound of the waves (splashing is one of his favorite things to do! As soon as he gets in the bath he kicks and and slaps the water and gets a huge smile on his face when he makes a loud SPLASH!).





On our way home we stopped at Starbucks to get our new obsession, "Caramel Apple Spice". We discovered it in Boise and have become addicted.. (Jordan is more addicted than I am, but I wont say no when he wants to stop for one). We ended up getting one every day we were in San Francisco! It is delicious. If you haven't tried it, you must.

The next day was BLACK FRIDAY! This was my first time actually shopping on black friday! I know, where have I been right? We had fun, and the crowds weren't too bad, but I probably wouldn't do it again very early in the morning because I don't deal well with big crowds like that. I get very impatient and moody haha. Those of you who know me well can imagine my temperament. I have a hard time holding my comments under my breath when people are rude, and we all know I don't hide my emotions well at all. However, it was fun! GAP was having an amazing sale where everything in the store was 50% off before 10am, so I bought a pair of jeans I've been lusting after and waited in line 30 minutes to get them at an amazing price. I was worn out quick, but thankfully Axel slept pretty much the entire time! Later that day we went and took pictures by the Golden Gate Bridge. It is so beautiful! Axel wasn't too happy most of the time though. He rewarded me with a blow-out poo diaper that I got on my shirt! Oh well, I figured I could just lie and say it was mustard if anyone asked :)




That night we went to Fishermans Wharf. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the place because of how touristy it is but we had a nice time. We were pretty hungry by then, but trying to hold off for dinner, so Jordan got us some fried calamari. I liked the normal parts of it, but this portion had these nasty little octopus-like things and I wouldn't touch it. If someone can explain to me how Jordan and gulp those things down, but wont go near curry or thai food, I would appreciate it because I don't get it at all! As we walked around, Jordan entertained me by speaking in his horrible English accent to all the other people there. Oh, and I don't have a snaggletooth like the picture shows.




On our way back to the hotel for a rest we got a call from Jordans brother Shawn. He told us that he and his wife Traci are having a baby BOY! It was such exciting news and we are so happy and excited for them! Axel is thrilled to have a future cousin to do fun and naughty boy stuff with.

The next morning we woke up a little later than planned and headed to the farmers market. Unfortunately it was raining and pretty cold, and Axel wasn't too excited about it so we couldn't enjoy it as much as we would have liked. The environment was pretty though, even in the rain.




After the farmers market it was time to head back to Idaho. We stopped at starbucks of course to get our Caramel Apple Spice and left the city. We didn't get too far though before we heard that the hwy by Tahoe was closed because of snow.. if we would have waited it out we wouldn't have gotten home until 5am the next day. NO THANKS! So, we turned around and went back to San Francisco for one more night! We ended up getting a pretty sweet hotel room that over looked union square! It was really fun and Axel was King of the Castle in his big fancy bed.. (too bad he barely slept that night..)




Axel was such a good boy on the way home! He slept most of the day, and even that night! He is growing up so fast! He had a check-up today and he is in the 95th percentile! Last time he was in the 50th! He weights 14lbs and is 23 inches long. He has discovered his hands now and is always playing with his fingers and sucking on his fist. I'm not entirely sure, but I think he might be getting 2 bottom teeth! Yes, I know it's early, but it looks like there's little buds of something in there. Maybe not though. We'll see I suppose. He is a big talker and very dramatic! (Like his parents haha). He is so strong willed for a little baby! I'm not trying to give him more credit than is due.. I know he's only 3 months old, and I don't want to sound like I think he's a baby genius or something, but he just has such a strong personality! He smiles pretty much anytime you look at him, which completely melts my heart all day! I don't know what I would do without him.

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to take such a lovely vacation with my dear family. We have been so blessed! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!