Vedauwoo

Vedauwoo . . . . just take that in for a minute!

Today for lunch we went up to Vedauwoo. It is an amazingly gorgeous camp/picnic area between Laramie and Cheyenne. We have been hearing a lot about this place since we moved here and have been slightly hesitant to go up. We heard it is big boulders that you climb, a walking path all the way around them and you can have camp fires. Now when I heard this here is what I pictured: tall rocks and boulders in a nice little oval and a walking path around with campfire pits around them as well.We also didn't think that our 16 month old son would enjoy it or that we would be able to do some of those things with him.

I was COMPLETELY wrong, thank goodness. It was BREATHTAKING!! Trees, boulders, picnic tables, paths, camping areas, campfire pits, grills, campfire smell, people on top of the boulders, fresh air, chipmunks, birds, trees . . . . GREEN trees (remember I am from AZ), white fluffy clouds, simply a beautiful creation from Heavenly Father!

So here is a little about our trip. We decided this morning we would do a picnic up there. So after Williams morning nap, I packed a lunch and we headed out. We arrived about 25 minutes later, not too bad of a drive and well I will let the pictures do the rest of the typing:

This cute boy loves to eat and when he is outside it is the best meal every. He loved watching the little chipmunk that was scurrying around us.

We finished lunch and put it all away in the truck and then preceded to some walking trails. This is Michael teaching William how to use a walking stick. . . . lol

 

The rest of the hike/walk/bouldering William was a little shadow to his daddy. He would try to do everything that Daddy did. And most of the time Mommy had to stop him.  

See the excitement in his face :)

Pure Joy!!

His eyes . . . . handsome little boy :)

New fort?

Yay!! 

All-in-all we WILL be going back again, maybe this time we will roast some mallows, make some s'mores, camp, hike, enjoy the beauty that is around us and most of all make memories we will treasure forever!

Love, The Wyoming Ways

Lunch with William

I have loved being able to spend all day with this boy again. Working from home is the best. I get to watch him grow and learn, teach him, play games, spend time and simply make sure he knows I love him!

This was our lunch time conversation today:

He is quite the talker but never lets that slow down his eating. I love watching this little boy grow and learn new things everyday! I also imagine the day when I will be outnumbered by 2 boys that I get to watch grow and learn. I am sure there are plenty of more funny videos coming. After all children are the greatest blessing, and their joy melts my heart <3

From A to W

Well for those who don't know we MOVED!! Like out of state and everything! We are loving our new home.

We moved from 110 degree Arizona to 75 degree Laramie Wyoming!! Why you may be asking?

Just take a look at these and I think you will answer that question yourself :)

These were at the top of Medicine Bow. It is simply breathtaking!

But the real reason we moved was LAW SCHOOL!! That's right Michael is starting law school, two weeks from today! I am so proud of him. He graduated in December 2014 with his undergrad, studied for the LSAT in January 2015, took the LSAT Feb 2015, and here we are getting ready for our first year of Law School in Aug 2015. He is simply amazing and a hard worker!

I say 'we' are starting because this is a whole family event. 'We' moved, 'we' get to experience it together and really who can do anything without a support system behind them? So yes, 'we' are going to law school.

Our move was pretty smooth, thankfully. We packed up the house in a day and drove to Wyoming with the help of our in-laws. It was a 15+ hour drive through AZ, NM, CO, and finally WY! William did great in the car and was a happy boy the whole time!!

Finished packing some boxes

5AM and happy as can be

Running around in the hotel

Start of day two of traveling

Just asleep on the way

We arrived in Laramie and got our apartment all set out, moved all the boxes in and started to unpack. My sweet mother-in-law organized all my kitchen into a much smaller kitchen. I am so thankful for that, I hate organizing the kitchen. We got everything unpacked and I even got most of my decor up within the day. Can I just say a few pictures and decorations really make an apartment a home :)

Helping dad

Found a new Friend :)

putting together a new toy!!

We like the swing now :)

We love to climb on the table and play with everything.

William has done well, he likes the fact that we can go outside anytime and not fry! We have been to the park everyday since we moved in and he has loved it!! It has also helped him to maintain the two naps a day schedule, which this Momma really loves!!

The next baby boy loves this place too! He has been so active and Michael has been able to feel him. He has also decided that it is time to make his presence known by starting to show in the tiny bump that we have. I think he has enjoyed the move as much as the rest of us. 

All in all we are having fun enjoying the few weeks we have together before school starts. We are making memories, planning trips and loving every minute of William just being William.  Who knows maybe I will be able to blog more!

Until next time, Love the Wyoming Ways!!

Another Elder Way for this family!

So as you know we are expecting our second boy in January!! I am thrilled and scared all at the same time. 

We didn't find out what we were having when we were pregnant with William and I loved it!! It made labor and delivery so much better! (As good as 61 hours of such can be!!) it also helped me to be so much more grateful for the precious gift my Heavenly Father was giving us. I wasn't focused on colors, or names, or themes, etc. (not that those are bad). 

I was focused on healthy and happy! I think my 8lb 3oz, 22in long baby was just that. I can tell you when he was born the room was quiet as he laid on my chest for the first time. It was a good 30 seconds before the dr asked Michael what it was and he got to say "it's a boy!!" To me this was especially special! I told Michael when we were pregnant, I told him when it was time to go to the hospital, I carried the baby, I delivered the baby, but Michael got to tell everyone what we were having. I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life. It is a special bond between Michael, William and myself. 

Because we didn't find out the first time Michael wanted to find out for this one. I think that's fair. And since we could find out around his birthday it was even more special. 

We had the ultra sound Thursday. The tech put it in a sealed envelope that then went to my grandma. She wrapped a gift and two candy bars telling us what it was. We had a small party Saturday with family to find out what we were having. Michael helped William open the present and we found a blue rattle and Hershey's bars that just said "HE" on them. 

Excitement and nervousness all hit me at once. Another boy will be so nice! William will have a buddy to get rowdy with. I already have all the clothes and things I will need. But it also means another Elder Way. 

I am a baby when I think about letting my sons leave for two years to serve our Heavenly Father, I just get emotional. Maybe it's these hormones, maybe it's the fact that I have sent off a brother-in-law on a mission and welcomed another home in the last 6 months. But that is hard for me to do. Especially right now when William is so small, teachable, precious, loving, etc. How will I say good bye for two years?  Now will another boy they will overlap in their missions by a few months. 

All good things welcoming this precious boy into our family. William will be a great big brother, they will get in trouble with one another and be rowdy together. I look forward to those times, as silly as that is. 

Michael is a great dad to William. Their bond has pulled at my heart strings since they first met. Michael calmed William down minutes after his birth. He held his finger and didn't want to let go. He asked for daddy every morning. He knows when daddy is home and will run to find him. They have such a special bond and I couldn't have asked for a better father and example for my children. 

I am excited for another boy. All I hope for is happy and healthy. I have loved feeing this precious one move around a lot earlier than I felt William. This baby was rolling around during the last ultra sound. It's so fun to carry a baby, know you are growing a precious soul from Heavenly Father is a gift. I love all my boys! And I will gladly welcome as many as Heavenly Father will bless us with! 

1st Birthday Party

I know he wont remember it, and it may be silly but I know for me it is important.

We had a little party for William at my in-laws today. It was wonderful. We did a lot of it outside and well it was the perfect day!  I made him the onesie with little shorts that match. I will let the pictures walk you through the rest of the story :)

He actually kept this hat on

Getting sung to

"but I want to grab it"

He was not afraid to dive right in

This was the cake I made for everyone else to enjoy :)

All in all we had a great day. He now has some summer clothes, more toys, pool toys because he LOVES the water and a little trike (not pictured) and he is excited about it all. We were blessed to have a lot of family join us. and some very special friends. His Uncle Richard and Aunt Lauren were actually at the hospital the night he was born and met him just a few hours old. I cannot tell you how much it means to a mom when friends are so supportive of your children. It is such a blessing to know that William has support from more than just family, but friends as well. This little boy is just loved and I hope he knows it.

I enjoyed this weekend or birthday fun and birth day reflection for me. My baby is now a toddler, running, babbling, pointing, eating on his own, 'put me down to run', toddler. Who I hope will still need his momma once in awhile. I love you Mr. William!!