Lately.

So I still don't have a camera, so sorry no pictures! Just wanted to keep the journaling going so we can download our blog at the end of the year. Some happenings:

* I have been freezing food like crazy! Peaches, corn, tomatoes...we determined it would be in our best interest to purchase a deep freeze freezer. We love it! It is almost full so we are pretty much set for winter.

* We actually have an offer on our house in California! Hopefully the bank will accept it and there will be someone to take and love our house so we don't ever have to think about it again.

* I chopped Lily's hair off this weekend. Most of her ringlets are gone. It is sad but she looks SO cute and SO grown up! It's a cute little bob and either turns under or flips out.

* I have been called to be the choir pianist. I am also directing the music for the YW program that is the end of November.

* Dan is still going to school and working tons. We never see him but we are very grateful for all he is doing for our family.

* Dan had a birthday on Friday and turned 32. WOW! He's getting old! =0) We had a birthday party for his family on Saturday. We then had a birthday party for my family on Sunday. Busy but fun weekend.

24th of July

For the 24th of July we played it pretty low key. We had a great outside breakfast put on by The Mechams. Then we went to the 4th of July parade in Logan. It was only 2 blocks from our house so it was easy to park and walk. The rest of the afternoon was spent vegging and sleeping. Apparently we all needed to catch up.

Labor Day Weekend

For Labor Day weekend we went to Dan's parent's house in Rexburg (Clint and Heidi I tried to get a hold of you guys but I couldn't figure out how to leave a message on your blog! We'll catch you next time).

We stayed really busy freezing corn from the inlaw's garden, riding in the carousel, and feeding the ducks. Thanks for all the good food and thank you SO much for taking pictures for us. It was also fun to visit with Dan's niece and her hubby Kayla and Patrick as well as his cousin Scottie.

Eric & Christy's Wedding Reception (July)

K so I have the cutest pix of Eric and Christy but it's sideways:

I'm at my parent's computer and they don't have any kind of picture software. Anyways, the reception was in the back of Christy's parent's home. It was fun! My favorite part was the refreshments: Icecream cookie sandwiches. It was awesome.

Uncle Daniel and Lily

Grandpa and Lily

Lily enjoying some sweet morsels.

Hello!

Wanless Southwick Family Reunion

The Wanless Southwick Family Reunion took place in Kayesville, UT this year. We spent each day at a park. Fun times!

Lily loves two things right now: cell phones and shoes. Here she is playing with Grandma's cell phone as Grandma watches closely.

We all got to participate in a paper fish pond. Inside each fish was a piece of paper telling us how big or long our fish was. Here is Lily with Aunt Marcie finding out how big her fish is.

Of course Settlers of Catan was always going on.
I love this picture of Lily and her cousin vegging on the grass.
Eating with the gal cousins. She followed them around the whole weekend.

On Sunday we went to a gorgeous park in Bountiful. Lily spent a lot of time sitting in the water.
Enjoying her first s'more with her cute cousins. She wasn't a fan, surprisingly enough.

Hanging with the uncles. She felt right at home.

The last day of the reunion was spent at Lagoon. We took Lily on a few rides but she was still too small for most of them.
The ones she did go one were faster than we expected. We felt like terrible parents.

But then we went on the train. That was an instant success. I didn't realize until looking at this picture how tired she was!!

It was a great family reunion!

Lily's Kitchen

We wanted to get a kitchen for Lily as she was starting to enjoy helping me cook. We didn't want to get a large one as I like to switch out her toys. She loves this one! It comes with cooking utensils and fake food. She likes to cook with it while I'm cooking dinner but her favorite thing is to fill the little sink up with water and clean everything.

Verlon Southwick Family Reunion

The Verlon Southwick (Dan's grandpa) Family Reunion was held at Willow Valley Ranch in Dietrich, ID. The family owns the Ranch and most of the family lives within a couple miles of it so it is very convenient. Here is Lily climbing her first tree!

Lily spent most of her time on this bridge. I just knew she was going to fall in. Multiple times she almost did but somehow she caught herself. She loved playing in the water...as long as she didn't get too wet.

The Southwicks did a really cool thing for this reunion: they built a slide into the mountain! It was very popular to everyone but Lily. She wasn't a fan. Here she is going down for her first time with Dan.

So this pose was completely unintentional and absolutely hilarious. This is Dan's cousin, Scottie. I think it would be appropriate to attach to this picture that he is SINGLE, very smart and witty, and loves long walks along the beach.

Dan going down with all his cousins.

Yes, this is Lily going down the slide by herself. Dan took her up but instead of going down with her he sent her down on her own. I was completely unaware that Dan was planning this and not too happy. I started yelling "Somebody catch her!" Luckily Dan had already arranged for cousin Scottie (see above) to catch her. Lily was shaking she was so scared. Dan promised he would never do that again.

Catching Up

So you know when a house is for sale and the sign says "I'm beautiful inside?" Well our new house may not be the cutest outside but it is ABSOLUTELY beautiful inside! We love it. If you look closely you can see the windows are original. They are beautiful and cast pretty rainbows on our walls in the evenings.

This is our front porch. It now has a grill, bench, basketball hoop and some random chalk drawings adorning it. We eat out here at least once a week.

We are so glad we were led to this place! We will be able to live here for a long time as it is big enough to house at least 2 more children.

Vanacore/CPG

So, I am LOVING Utah! It is fun to be close to family and be back home. One of the things that I miss like crazy in California is my old job at Vanacore (Now called Capital Pacific Group). That was the best job that I have ever had! I worked with the nicest people. In fact my California mom works there (miss you Alison!) as well as one of my greatest friends (hope all is well Deedie!).

I have been thinking how lame I have been to not be in contact with any of them since I moved!
Anyways, just wanted to let you know: Kevin, Tim, Mary Alice, Marleen, Alison, Emily, Deedie, Michelle and Lauren how much I loved working with you all and how grateful I am to have gotten to know you.

So, just a plug for CPG. They are a company who helps you find unclaimed $$ through the state of CA. What a great business!! While I was there I had so many people call us because they had tried to recover the $$ on their own only to get a rejection 6 months later because they didn't do the paperwork right. CPG helps you fill out the paperwork right and get the money the first time round. So, if you get a letter from them definitely give them a call. They are an honest company who have been in the business for a long time and are VERY successful at what they do.

Here is their website: http://www.cappacgroup.com/

If you go to the "Company" portion you will actually see a picture of me!