LIZARD!

Ok...so there I was diligently vacuuming the corners of our kitchen and dining room. I pulled Emma's exersaucer out of the way, and this little scoundrel went scurrying right by my foot! He is so small, and pretty cute, so it didn't scare me too bad. (Once I realized it was NOT a scorpion!) Welcome to the desert!

Sittin' Pretty

Emma has started to sit up! Can you believe it? She is growing up way too fast! She has just been the joy of our lives these past few months. When she wakes up from a nap or in the morning, she never fusses in her crib. She just talks and talks to the fan on her ceiling until we go get her. When she sees us coming to her crib she smiles a huge ole' grin as if to say, "Bonus! A fan to talk to..AND mommy's coming to get me!"

Caitlin is still just loving every minute of kindergarten. She's made friends in primary and they go to her school too...and ride the same bus. So she is just loving life!

Abby is finally getting used to Caitlin being gone all day. She's doing better at playing by herself, and she's such a little helper for Emma. She starts a little tap dancing class at the rec center Saturday, and she asks about every 2 minutes, "How many days until my tap dancing class are there NOW?"

Nate starts his rotations on Monday. It has been bliss having him home the past couple of weeks. It's going to be major shock-time when he's gone all day. BUT...nothing like med school I hope. I think we'll see him much more than we ever have! He's rearranged the garage and attic a few times, and they look great. He's raked up the yard, planted more grass where it was sparse, cleaned up the back patio, the list could go on forever! The girls have enjoyed him being home as well. He took Abs to the pool by herself yesterday, and she thought that was pretty darn neat.

I've just been doing the same-ole, same-ole. I finally put pictures on the wall yesterday...it's about time! Now I just have to unpack my craft table box...and we'll be 'officially moved-in'. It is starting to feel more like home here, and I think I'm acclimating as well, because it doesn't feel as hot anymore. GRANTED IT'S STILL STINKIN' HOT...but it doesn't take me by surprise. We're getting the know the area better, and making friends and just having fun. There's a couple that moved here from Utah and they just live down the street from us. They're in our ward, and they have 2 little girls, so we've been having fun letting the kids play and hanging out.

Nate and I got called in our ward to be (drumroll please).......PRIMARY TEACHERS! I've been in the Primary for so long, so it was a little bit of a surprise, but it will be great, and everyone says our class has the best kids in it.

That's a mini update on our end! We miss all of our sweet friends from Kirksville, and we hope you are all settling in well and doing great!

Just a little video of Em sitting up...

This is Emma telling her story as usual...

Picture-mania!

I promised a major picture history now didn't I? I wasn't joking...here goes the past few weeks...picture-style! (With as little commentary as possible...)

Our house...

Sweet little helper...

What the girls do when we're unpacking...those little rascals! (Ok, so they didn't put Emma in there...Nate did. She loved it though!)

First day of school! Ok...so the pack's a little big. The list said to get a large backpack though...just following orders!

And she survived!

What we do after a long day of unpacking...hit the beach!!!

Can't beat this sunset every night at the beach pool, eh? We love it there!

My saving grace that 1st night when we got there. (Yes I'm talking about my dad. The air mattresses saved us too though! Thanks Trever and Katie!)

Abs entertaining Emma while the guys unloaded. Thanks Trever, Dad, and Matt! (Oh yeah, and thanks to my amazing hubby Nate who is the hardest working man I know!)

Abs in Grandpa Brian's pool in his backyard. (Utah trip)

Person ballet lessons with Erica. I'd give my left arm to have her teach my girls ballet!!!!

Sare took the girls and I to lunch before we left for AZ. Love ya sis!

Goodbye hugs with uncle Justin!The Dunleavy cousins. All girls...rock on!

Liberty park! Jenny and I met up to let the kids play in the water and go on rides. Then my brother Joseph met us there too. It was so fun, I miss you Jenny!!!!

Last goodbyes....so sad! Our kids are such good friends!

Sweet little Ash....what a doll!

My sis-in-law Trista's baby shower.

Brookie holding Emma. Brookie is taller than Caitlin and she's only 6 months older than Abs! Miss ya Brooks!

Angel, Hailee, Abs, Brooks, and Caitlin on Grandma Nielson's trampoline. These girls play so well together!

Yay for haircuts from Sare!!!!!! Thanks!

Last morning in the playhouse. They already miss it! Liberty came over to our house yesterday, and when Abby told her to come play in her room, Liberty said, "slide!". Yikes..no more slide....

St. Louis arch..it's HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!

Last trip to Nauvoo and my cute little pioneer girls...

These guys saw more of each other the past 2 years than either Jenny or I have probably seen of them since we were married! :o) We miss living there already.

Sweet friends! Those were the days...

Ah sweet friends. I love these girls so much. Jenny was slightly emotional (to say the least ;o)...she was the 1st to move. I'll never forget you gals and the great friendships we made! Thanks for always being there for me though everything!

Nate taught Caitlin to ride without training wheels!

Well, there you have it folks! More to come later..now that we have the internet, you're going to get sick of hearing from me! ;o)