Christmas 2010

After opening presents we took Alexis up the mountain so she could use her sled that she asked Santa to bring her! Since there was absolutely no snow in Monticello.. we got in the truck and drove up the mountain with my dad, Derek, and Jonathon. Alexis had so much fun on her sled with Jonathon! It was so pretty up there :) The snow was fresh and all powder!

Jonathon and Alexis giving the peace sign!

Alexis' camera she got for Christmas! She loves to take pictures :)

Puzzles for Lexi! She loves princesses and loves puzzles so this was perfect!

We got DVD players to go in the car! I think Jonathon likes this present just as much as Alexis! On the ride up here to American Fork Jonathon and Alexis argued over which movie to watch next. I was like "Jonathon, those were her presents." He thinks they are great.. and I doubt he'll be sitting in the passenger seat anymore. Ha Ha

I'm so glad I got the Tag Reading System for Alexis. It is so neat! I got her several books for it, and she is loving it! She loves when I read to her.. and always brings me books to read. Now she can do it by herself and she just thinks that is awesome!

She got a lot of goodies in her stocking! She loves tootsie rolls and that is what she is holding up! Her sled that Santa brought her is in the background :) She was very excited to wake up in the morning and see that Santa had gotten her letter.. and brought her what she asked for! She thought it was so awesome that Santa, "Jonathon/Derek" ate all the cookies she left out for him, except half of one! No wonder Santa is so chunky!

Christmas was a lot of fun this year! Alexis is at such a fun age.. and was so excited that Santa was going to be bringing her presents! She even told Derek to tell Santa to make sure to bring us snow, so that she could use her sled. The next morning she asked Derek if he told Santa what she had told him to say :) Alexis got a lot of fun things this year! She got some clothes as well :) Unlike most kids.. she actually enjoys getting new clothes! She was so excited to set out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.. it was so cute! She also kept saying "It's not all about presents though, it's about Jesus' Birthday." The day before Christmas Eve Alexis woke up with a scratch and bruise on her face. I was like what the heck where did that come from? She said "I fell down the stairs yesterday." It was so weird because she didn't ever come and tell me.. or even cry about it?? So in all the pictures on she has a sad little mark on her face.

Everyone was home for Christmas, so it made it even better. The boys and Kelly and Keri had fun playing basketball on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I just watched :)

Sunday was my dads b-day! I always thought it would stink to have your b-day so close to Christmas. But he doesn't really care... Maybe when he was younger he did? Who knows. Anyways Sunday afternoon everyone took off. Sam and Ami went to Mt. Pleasant to spend time with Sam's family. Kelly, Chad, Keri, and Nicole left around 2 p.m. and so did Jonathon, Alexis, and I. We came up to spend some time with Jonathon's family. So right now we are up here in American Fork. Last night we had fun visiting with everyone and tonight I believe we are going to a movie and dinner. Alexis has fun with all the little cousins. For some reason Aleah and her get along really well.. But as soon as Aleah, Alexis, and Mary all try to play together.. Alexis usually gets left out. So she'll be laughing one minute and crying the next. I think it is just like that with girls though.. For some reason 3 usually can't play very well together. Someone always gets left out. We don't really have any specific plans while we are up here. Today we went to the mall and I FINALLY found a coat that is cute and that will zip up over my belly :) ha ha. I also didn't want to get a coat that would only fit while I was pregnant and then be huge when I'm not. This one will still fit good when I'm no longer pregnant. I think tomorrow we'll go see Chad, Kelly, and Nicole :)

I can't believe that there is only a few more days left in 2010. Seems so crazy that this year is already gone.

We also took a bunch of pictures on Christmas Eve!

Jonathon wanted to take one with my mom :)

Christmas Eve :)

On Christmas Eve we took Alexis to see the little Nativity scene that Monticello has every year. She got to sit on the donkey before it started.. and was very excited! Christmas Eve we ate yummy food and played games!

Journal Update :)

This past weekend Alexis and I drove up north with my parents so that we could spend Nicole's 2nd birthday with her. We left on Thursday night.. and had a lot of fun! Nicoley's party was great and it was fun being there with her on her special day. I can't believe that she is already 2 years old. Jonathon didn't get to come because he had to work. They decided they'd work through the weekend so that they could have 2 whole weeks off for Christmas and New Year's. In fact today is his last day until Jan. 3! I'm very excited to get my husband all to myself for the next 2 weeks :) Well I guess I'll share him with Alexis, but only because she loves him so much! ha ha. Anyways the girls had a fun day Saturday and we finished our Christmas shopping. The Mall was a little crazy.. but it was fun :) We came home Sunday, and Jonathon was happy to have us back. He said he isn't used to being home all alone.. LOL.

I went to the doctors again yesterday.. Babies heartbeat was 144. I didn't gain anymore weight from my last visit (thank heavens.) The doctor went ahead and put me down for Feb. 11! He said I will probably go in around 6 a.m. and then the c-section will be performed around 7 or 7:30 a.m. I don't know why.. but I kind of have a feeling the baby might just come a little earlier. I guess we'll see. I asked the doctor about me traveling all the way to Arizona in Jan. He said that he really doesn't recommend it, but ultimately it's up to me. He said that is a long drive.. and doesn't really want me to be that far away. I told him that I've been having braxton hicks contractions.. which I really don't remember having with Alexis. He of course said they are normal.. and to just keep an eye on them getting too close together or too often. I actually feel pretty good right now :) I've been sleeping a little better.. and my back hasn't been hurting as bad.

I wish I could say the same about my emotions.. Geez have I been emotional lately. It is so funny what kinds of things make me upset or make me cry. During Thanksgiving when we went up north to spend it with Jonathon's family, we played volleyball a couple of nights. Well the first night we played Jonathon was one of the team captains that got to pick teams. My husband always always picks me first. Not only because I'm his wife.. but because I'm actually pretty good at volleyball. Well, he didn't pick me first that night. He picked his cousin first and I don't know why.. but it really hurt my feelings. I seriously had to walk away because I was on the verge of tears. Jonathon could tell right away that something was wrong and came over to me, and said "Babe I'm sorry but your only 50% right now." Meaning I can't run, jump, or dive after the ball. He of course was trying to make me laugh.. but I was just so upset. I didn't start crying, but I came very close. I couldn't believe that I was so upset about something so dumb.
Then, when we were on our way home from going up there for Thanksgiving the weather was really bad.. and I told Jonathon I didn't want to drive in the snow. He said to turn around and he was calling different places to see how much stud tires were. He then looked over at me and said "Babe, are you seriously crying?" Yes, once again I was crying over something so dumb. I couldn't help it. The fact that the roads were so scary just made me so upset.
And then the most recent "crying" incident happened last night. For some reason all day yesterday I was just in a blah mood. Nothing was wrong.. so I don't know why. When Jonathon got home from work he came in as usual to give me a kiss and ask how my day was. I don't know if anyone else is like me.. But when I'm upset or on the verge of crying.. all it takes to make me start bawling is someone asking me whats wrong. Especially when Jonathon asks me for some reason. So of course the second he asked me "What's wrong?" I just started crying.. he looked at me like What the heck? He of course got really worried and just kept asking "Babe what is wrong?" I just kept saying I don't know. He's like "Ok, well you are crying so something has to be wrong." I told him honestly nothing is wrong.. and I don't know why I'm crying. It's a good thing my husband is understanding.. and usually he ends up making me laugh! My little brother was in the kitchen and asked why I was crying. Jonathon just said "She's pregnant." He then asked if I was going to be okay long enough for him to go take a shower.. LOL. Of course I was just fine a few seconds later.. and I still couldn't tell you why I started crying. Later Jonathon said something like.. "It's okay babe..you'll be back to normal once the baby comes!" I'm just glad that he is there for me to cry to.. even if it's over absolutely nothing.. I'm also glad that he usually says something really funny while I'm crying so that I can come back to my senses and just laugh it off.
My roller coaster of emotions is definitely not something I remember having with Alexis. But I guess there isn't much I can do about it right now.

Well we are so excited for Christmas and I can't believe that it is this Saturday. I also can't believe that Alexis and I both started coughing again yesterday and woke up with stuffy noses and scratchy throats :( UGH! I don't want to be sick for Christmas. I kept Alexis home from school, because I'm sure the other parents don't want their children sick for Christmas either. I really hope it goes away. When we were up there for Nicole's b-day she had a runny nose, so we might have picked up something from her. Who knows.. this time of the year someone always has something that you happen to pick up. Anyways..

For Journal purposes I just have to hurry and blog about my little Lexi. Oh she cracks me up. The other night she wrote a letter to Santa. (It was more like a bunch of scribbles.) She is getting pretty dang good at writing her name though :) Anyways she was adamant about sending it to Santa that night. I told her that the post office wasn't sending out anymore letters for the day.. and that we could send it the next day. Of course right when she woke up she reminded me that I had told her we could mail it to Santa. So I drove her down to the post office and let her drop her letter into the big blue mailbox outside. She was SO excited and said "Does Santa have my letter yet?" I told her that it takes a couple of days for it to get to Santa. I love seeing her little eyes light up like that! I asked her what her letter said, and she said "Dear Santa, I want a sled." I asked if that was it.. and she said "Yup." Short and sweet :)
Then the other night on our way home from going up north.. Alexis kept saying that we had to go to Christmas. I was like, what? She said "Mom, we have to go to Christmas!" I told her Alexis we don't have to go anywhere for Christmas.. and I tried to explain that it is a holiday not something you go too. She said well Santa isn't gonna find us. I told her of course he will. She said "Well how? I told her that Santa just knows where we live. She said "He knows because of magic huh? She is so stinking cute! And says the funniest things.
When we were up north at Nicole's birthday party, one of Kelly's nephews threw Nicole's play stroller down the stairs. Alexis came up to me and said "Mom, that little boy is definitely on the naughty list!" The next day Nicole was crying about something and Alexis says to her "Nicole, you are going to be on the naughty list." She has also told Derek about a million times that he will definitely be on the naughty list for being mean to his mom. Ha Ha. So yeah we have a little reminder everyday... So be nice, or Alexis will let you know that you are on the naughty list this year!

Strickland Family Christmas Letter 2010!

Some of you will be getting this in the mail.. along with a Christmas Card! If so you'll just have to enjoy it twice.. LOL!

Dear Family and Friends,

I can’t believe that 2010 is almost over already. I’m so happy that I finally got around to doing Christmas Cards this year. I’ve been married now for 5 years and this is the first time I’ve actually sent any out.

This year flew by so quickly, and we had some exciting things happen to us, as well as not so exciting things.

In January of this year Alexis started going to Sunbeams in Primary! It took her a couple of Sundays to let go of Mommy, because I was teaching nursery at the time. Alexis would try to sneak in my classroom that was right next door to hers. But she started liking it, and had a great time being able to sing songs! She even gave her very first talk in Primary.

On January 27th I took a pregnancy test at my work. Jonathon and I had been trying to get pregnant for a little over two years and I was thrilled to find out it was positive. However, that excitement was short lived and I found out I was miscarrying on Feb. 14. Because of my faith in the Lord, I was able to cope with the loss pretty well, and knew that we’d be blessed with another baby when the time was right.

March came and went just as quickly as the first couple of months. I turned 24 this year and celebrated with Jonathon and some of our close friends! Jonathon also started a new job. He was hired at the Newmont Mine in Elko, NV. The mine out there is a Gold Mine, so it was all new to Jonathon. Jonathon’s schedule at that job was a week on, and then a week off. He was 4 hours away from us for a whole week, and neither of us liked that at all. It was really hard to have him be away from us, and I had to take care of everything around the house while he was gone. Including our two full grown, Boxer dogs.

In April we were able to go camping out at the Sand Dunes for Easter with my whole family. :) We also took Alexis to the zoo! When Jonathon was home for his weeks off we tried to do as many family things as possible.

In May I went down to only working 3 days a week at my Receptionist job. I worked as a Receptionist at a Dr.’s office in Lehi and loved it, but I decided to drop some hours to be with Alexis more.

June was a busy month for us. We went camping out at The Falls for Memorial Weekend and had a great time! Alexis started getting very comfortable on her bike that her Grandma Celena had gotten her a year earlier and rode it around our neighborhood constantly! We went to the Orem Summer fest Carnival and Alexis couldn’t get enough of the big slide they had there. :) One of the most exciting things that happened this past year was that Jonathon started his Pest Control company with our brother-in-law! He stayed very busy all summer getting that going. Alexis and I went and stayed in Elko with Jonathon a couple of times, and she went swimming at the hotel about three times a day! She just could not get enough. But the most exciting thing that happened in June was that on June 13th we found out that we were pregnant!! I couldn’t believe it, and we were all thrilled of course!

In July Alexis celebrated her 4th birthday! I still can’t believe my little monkey is 4 years old. We went to Seven Peaks for her birthday and had a blast. :) We also went to Lagoon that month, and Alexis was fearless. She rode some rides that I didn’t even dare to ride. That month Alexis also got her first major boo boo when she fell outside on our driveway and split her chin open. When Jonathon brought her in the house and I saw the blood I started panicking. Luckily Jonathon is the calm parent, and handled it very well. If we took her to the hospital I know they would’ve given her stitches but we just bandaged it up and she barely even has a scar now.

In the beginning of July Jonathon was laid off from the mine in Elko. At first we weren’t happy, but now looking back it couldn’t have been a bigger blessing. I did not like having my husband away, and he didn’t like being away from his family. That month we made a big decision and decided that moving to Monticello would be the best thing for us at this time. So we decided to move from our beautiful house in Saratoga Springs, down to Monticello. We knew that my dad would probably be able to get Jonathon hired on at the Beaver Mine, so we packed up and moved down south.

While living in Monticello this summer we did a lot of fishing, and in August Jonathon and Derek built their very own freestyle ramp out at the farm so they could jump their dirt bikes! My parents, Sam, Ami, their girls, and myself took a day trip through Colorado in August and went through Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton. It was such a beautiful ride, and we had a great time.

In September we were happy to find out that Jonathon got hired on at the Beaver Mine. My dad is his boss, and he really likes working there. Alexis got to ride a horse for the very first time! She was so happy. :) Alexis has really gotten into horses this year, and says she wants to be a cowgirl! In September we found out that we are having another girl, we went camping out at the White Wash Sand Dunes, and Jonathon’s sister left on her mission :)

Jonathon celebrated his 24th birthday in October! We had a Ramsay Family Reunion down here in Monticello, and got to see a lot of family! We also spent Halloween up north with Jonathon’s family and my family.

We spent Thanksgiving with Jonathon’s family up north and had a blast playing Volleyball and visiting with family. We also celebrated our 5 year Anniversary on November 26!

So far December has gone by just as fast as the rest of the year. We are all getting very excited for Christmas :) I met with a Doctor here in Monticello the other day. Up until then I was still seeing my Doctor up north for my pregnancy. After discussing a few things with him, it was decided that I will have a scheduled c-section on Feb. 11, 2011. I can’t believe our new baby girl will be here so soon! We have all waited a very long time for her, and we are getting very anxious! Alexis is so ready to be a big sister, I don’t think she can wait much longer. :) We also decided to name the baby Kinleigh Rose!

This year has been another crazy year. Both good and bad things have happened, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel so very blessed to have the family that I do! We are excited for the New Year and to see what it brings us! I’m going to just try and enjoy the rest of our time here in Monticello, because the plan is to be back up north beginning in the spring, so Jonathon can go full force with the Pest Control business!

We hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)

Love always, The Strickland Family
Jonathon, Audrey, and Alexis

I'm so Proud of Myself :)

After 5 years of marriage.. I finally did what I've wanted to forever now and actually sent out Christmas Cards! YAY!!! It was always something I told myself I needed to get done every single year.. but time would pass by so quickly and I never got around to doing it! Well I made sure I did it this year and I'm so proud of myself.

It took me about 4 hours today to get everything done. But I'm happy I did.

I got such an amazing deal on my Christmas cards too! Seehere.com was having a special.. and I got 60 Christmas Cards and Free overnight shipping for only $4.30 :) 60 cards!! I was very excited considering they are usually like .49 cents each or something close to that. Anyways I just wanted to make sure I posted this accomplishment here on my blog!

I've finally decided...

Baby Kinleigh at 30 weeks. This is her profile with both her hands near her mouth...

So... after losing countless hours of sleep trying to decide whether to have the baby down here.. or up north.. I went in yesterday to meet with Dr. Black here in Monticello. He was very nice, and listened to all my concerns and answered all my questions. I told him that the main reason I was still seeing my doctor up there was because Dr. Willis was going to allow me to try a VBAC. Dr. Black said that he totally understood why I wouldn't want to have to have a c-section if I didn't have to. He listened to the babies heartbeat it was 166. Dr. Black also did an ultrasound and said that the baby is head down. He said that he wishes he could do a VBAC because I'd be a great candidate.. and I'd be very low risk. But I guess the insurance provider for small hospitals just will not allow it. Dr. Black said he has tried to get that changed several times.. and they just won't go for it. So after talking with him for a while.. I decided that even though I really don't want to have a scheduled c-section.. (because I know I could have a normal birth) I'm going to go ahead and stay here to have the baby. I'm a lot less stressed out than I was.. And we will probably go ahead and schedule the C-section for Feb. 11, 2011. That is a Friday.. and Jonathon wanted the 11th because he loves the number 11. It has always been "his" number. I asked Dr. Black if he thought I was crazy for having a c-section if I didn't have to.. and he said he totally understands that I wouldn't want to go into labor up north.. and have Jonathon be 4 hours away. He said it is also pretty uncomfortable to stay at someones house towards the very end of your pregnancy and not feel overwhelmed.

I know that either Celena or Kelly would be just fine with me staying with them the last couple of weeks.. but I don't think I'd be relaxed or calm knowing that Jonathon was four hours away when I did go into labor. I also don't want to have to drive 4 hours with a newborn.. and then have to drive back up there for all the babies appointments and things. Plus we live right around the corner from the hospital here. So like I said I feel much better having a plan. I can't believe I am already to the point where I will see the doctor every two weeks.. and then every week. I know it will fly by.. It was SO fun to see Kinleigh on the Ultrasound :) She kept opening her mouth and trying to stick both hands inside. Dr. Black said she is measuring perfect and everything looks really good :)

I'm a little disappointed that I won't get to have a vaginal birth.. but I know that I will just feel more relaxed having the baby down here. I never thought that one of my kids would be born in Monticello.. lol. It's also so crazy that Dr. Black delivered Nicoley.. and then he'll deliver my baby and Ami is also seeing Dr. Black for her pregnancy! Yes.. Ami is pregnant again :) She is about 10 weeks or so. I'm so excited for her!! So.. by the time Ami has her baby Dr. Black will have delivered 3 out of 4 sisters babies :) Kind of cool if you ask me! Maybe Keri will have one of her kids down here... lol.

Anyways we are getting so excited. And I'm getting more and more anxious and nervous. I'm not sleeping hardly at all.. just because my brain is always going.. and I can't get comfortable.

Also after 5 years of seriously probably only taking my wedding ring of 3 times to make tortillas or something.. I took of my wedding ring the other morning because it was so tight. I never had to take my rings off with Alexis. So not only am I getting fat.. but my fingers are too... ha ha.

So whether we are ready or not.. Kinleigh will definitely be here by Feb. 11, 2011!!!

Fun pic's in front of the Christmas tree :)

Alexis just had to wear her Christmas socks :) She is so silly!

Jonathon and I waited in line with these girls so that they could meet Santa the other night. Monticello had a little parade of lights then had Santa at the Visitors Center. Alexis was so excited when she was waiting in the line.. but got a little shy when it was finally her turn. She told him she wanted a Sled for Christmas :)

While everyone else is counting down the days till Christmas.....

While everyone else in the world is counting down the days till Christmas.. My husband is counting down the days till he gets to go to the BCS Championship College football game that his precious Oregon Ducks will be playing in! My husband has been a fan of the Oregon Ducks football team for quite some time now. (Well he is from Oregon.) I remember when I moved with him to Oregon for a few months how crazy people were about these Ducks. Every car window had a sign.. every house had a sign.. and every business had a sign. Jonathon said that their stadium is known as the loudest stadium with the craziest fans... The Oregon Ducks college football team is 11-0 right now. The team they are playing are 12-0. Jonathon said he is super nervous.. and last night he was loosing sleep over it. At one point I asked him why he was still awake and he said he was thinking about what kind of face paint he was going to buy... :) I was like "Are you serious?" He told me that he will need to get decked out in Oregon colors for this game!"

Well anyways Jonathon totally lucked out.. and when we had the Ramsay Family reunion a couple of months ago.. he met one of my dads cousins that lives in Arizona. (The BCS game is going to be played in Glendale AZ. this year.) My dads cousin told Jonathon that if Oregon went to the BCS game he'd sell him tickets for 400.00. They tickets can be sold for A LOT more.. so Jonathon was SO excited.. He even got my dad excited about it.. and now they are both planning on getting these tickets to go. I was wondering why Jonathon kept telling me not to worry about getting him a Birthday, Anniversary, or Christmas present.. And this is why. He said the tickets will be his gift :) Now, I'm a girl.. and I guess I just don't understand.. but I don't think I would ever pay 400.00 dollars just to watch a game.. that I could watch on t.v. Well.. maybe if the Jazz were playing in the championship game!! LOL. I know that some people will have a hard time understanding.. But I'm excited for Jonathon to get to go to this game :) He works really hard and never asks for anything. I'm just happy that he is getting this tickets for a great price :) I know that they could be way more.

I'm also excited because we'll get to go to Arizona when it's freezing cold here in Utah and maybe warm up a bit. The game is on Jan. 10 so hopefully my pregnant butt will make it through the drive there and back.. I don't want to be having Kinleigh in the car or anything.. That would NOT be good.

One thing I'm even more excited about.. is that since Jonathon gets to spend 400.00 on a ticket.. I don't see how he'll have any reason to complain about me getting a new video camera for Christmas!!!! lol. Sometimes I have to use these things to my advantage :) Anyways GO DUCKS!!! My husband probably won't get a lot of sleep until after this game is over.. So I guess I'll have a zombie husband for the next month. He says he is too excited to sleep! Well Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, and Merry Christmas babe!! I hope that your Ducks win :)

I took a couple of pics of Jonathon and Alexis in front of the Christmas tree yesterday before church. Alexis just had to hold her balloon in one of the pic's.. ha ha. We are getting so excited for Christmas!

Almost 30 weeks :)

This shirt shows my belly a little better than the sweater... I took this today :)

This is me at almost 30 weeks.. Taken yesterday on Dec. 4, 2010. If my back didn't hurt 24/7 I'd be feeling awesome.. :) 10 weeks to go!!!

5 Years!!

The Groomsmen!

5 Years Ago!

So... during the whole Thanksgiving fun and chaos, Jonathon and I celebrated our 5 year Anniversary!! It usually kind of gets overlooked because it is during Thanksgiving.. But we don't mind because we are around family every year during it.

On Nov. 26, 2005 Jonathon and I were married in The Dalles, OR. I'm sure it was probably raining or cloudy.. because it's Oregon. But it was such a fun day! If I could go back there is a few things I would change.. Like I would've definitely spent the money on a photographer. We have lots of pictures of the day, but nothing really excellent. So it makes me kind of sad that we won't get that day back to get better pictures.. But the memories will always be there!

After 5 years of marriage I would have to say that our marriage is better than ever! We don't fight over dumb little things near as much as we would've during the first couple of years. I know what bugs him and he knows what bugs me.. ha ha. I love my husband SO much! Our marriage hasn't been perfect.. no ones is... but I feel so very lucky and blessed to be married to Jonathon :) He is the only guy in this whole world that would put up with me!! He has always stuck by me, no matter how grouchy, ornery, or just plain ridiculous I've been. He has so much patience when it comes to dealing with my moods :) I really appreciate everything he does for me. Jonathon still comes up to me several times a day to give me a hug, kiss, or just tell me how beautiful I look. He always lets me know how much he loves me. Jonathon would do just about anything to make me smile!! He goes out of his way to make sure I'm okay.. or that I'm having a good day! Even though I am gigantic right now.. he makes me feel as pretty as ever. He has always been affectionate and I'm so happy that he continues to be that way. He is my very best friend.. and I'm so glad I can always talk to him. He tries to understand.. and give me advice or just a listening ear, even if he really has no idea what I'm talking about. He is such an amazing husband and dad and I am very blessed to have him in my life.

5 years sure does go by fast... I can't wait to see what the next 5 years brings! I LOVE YOU BABE!!!

Thanksgiving :)

Jon, Shanea, Celena, Jonathon, VaLynn, Alexis, and Sterling.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is over already :( The holidays are going by so fast. We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving! Jonathon, Alexis, and I drove up north Tuesday the 23rd.. and spent a whole week up at his moms house. Jonathon's cousins from California surprised everyone and made it for Thanksgiving! We ate really yummy food all week long :) The night before Thanksgiving we had a Thanksgiving dinner with just Jonathon's immediate family. We had his Mom, Dad, VaLynn, Shanea, Sterling, Jonathon, Alexis, and myself. Jesse had to work so he couldn't be there.. and of course Crystal is on a mission. Celena made the best dinner, and we all got to visit and go around the table and say what we are thankful for. I really enjoyed having the small Thanksgiving dinner with just Jonathons family that night!

After dinner we went over to Dennis and VaLynn's house and just hung out with everyone. Everyone was there except for Jonathon's Uncle Jimmy who lives in Oregon. Thanksgiving Day went great and the dinner was really good. Jonathon has a really big extended family and in the past Thanksgiving has been pretty chaotic. This year went much better and everyone got to sit down together. After dinner we went and played volleyball and basketball at the church. I didn't do as much playing as I would've liked too... but that's okay. Volleyball with Jonathon's family is always lots of fun! That night all the girls got ready to go Black Friday Shopping! I went last year with them for the first time.. and had a blast. I was worried this year because I can't move around very quickly right now. We went to Wal-mart at about 11:45 and most of their stuff went on sale at 12:01 a.m. I was able to get the things I wanted and then it was the waiting in line that was the worst part. We waited there for about 2 hours.. UGH! At least I had Jonathon's Aunts and cousins there with me so we could hang out and visit. After Wal-mart we went and unloaded all the stuff we got.. and headed over to Target. Target was INSANE. People were standing out in the huge line freezing to death.. for who knows how long. That night was extra extra cold, so we were not about to wait in that line. We waited till it was almost 4 a.m. and started walking towards the doors. The people in the line were yelling at all of the people that weren't crazy enough to wait in the line.. that were doing what we were doing.. But it didn't matter. At 4 a.m. when the line started literally running into Target we merged our way in! I didn't want to get knocked over or pushed and Jonathon's cousins were great about making sure I didn't. Jonathon's cousins helped me out and grabbed the things I wanted for me! Then I just went and got in line because the line was already crazy. At Target we probably waited about an hour in line. Afterwards my back was killing me.. so I just went back to Celena's. I had such a great time with the girls!! Black Friday Shopping is so crazy.. but it is so funny to see what people will do over a good sale :) I really like that it is a tradition in Jonathon's family to go. Jonathon was supposed to go with me.. but he wanted to stay and hang out with the guys.

Friday was another fun day of just hanging out and visiting. I slept in because we didn't get back from Black Friday shopping till about 5:30 a.m. I did some more shopping on my own that day, because a lot of stores keep their Black Friday going all day Friday and Saturday. Saturday we hung out and visited some more.. We also went and played Volleyball at the church again. Sunday was relaxing... and just more eating food! Alexis had such a great time with all the little cousins and didn't want to ever leave. All the kids were so sleep deprived and so were we. We probably stayed up till about 3 am. every night and then would wake up around 10 or 11 am. It kind of stinks because we had Alexis on such a good schedule before we left..

On Monday morning I had a doctors appt. at 8:30 am. Kinleigh's heartbeat was so loud!! And he said that everything looks good. My belly is actually measuring one week ahead of what I am... lol. I feel huge already!!! Alexis loved hearing the heartbeat and keeps asking when we get to listen to it again. I can't believe that I'm 29 weeks already. It seems like it is flying by. And even though I'm very anxious for her to be here.. I'm getting nervous. So far I have gained 25 lbs. That seems like so much. I know I'll probably gain another 10 before she gets here... and can't really imagine where it is all going to go. Oh well I guess that is part of being pregnant. I can however still button 2 pairs of my jeans I was wearing before I got pregnant so that is good. I never bought maternity jeans with Alexis.. and so far have not needed to with this one. Jonathon and Alexis are both getting very excited for the baby to get here :)

This pregnancy has gone pretty smooth so far.. and I just feel so blessed that the baby is healthy! It is still so surreal that we only have a couple months left :) My back hurts all the time.. and it is hard for me to sleep comfortably. I have to pee like every hour I swear. I have definitely gone through different cravings throughout this pregnancy. In the beginning I always felt like fruit and veggies. About a month ago I always wanted 7 Up. Then for a while I was on a Root Beer kick. Over Thanksgiving pumpkin pie was always on my mind.. and I don't usually like pumpkin pie all that much. Even though my back hurts all the time.. I love having my belly! I love feeling her move and kick all the time. I will miss my belly when she comes.. but of course I can't wait to hold her in my arms :)

We are all very excited for Christmas to come! I know it will be here before we know it. I am doing the same tradition I did last year with Alexis. I wrapped 25 Christmas books and put them under the tree, and every day she gets to open one. We then sit down and read it together. I actually got all of Alexis' Christmas presents while we were up there.. and have wrapped all of those too! Alexis helped my mom set up the Christmas tree before we left for Thanksgiving! I love love the Christmas trees and lights and music during Christmas! My dad and Jonathon put up the Christmas lights yesterday :) It is still so so crazy that it is already December. I'm going to enjoy watching all the Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music with Alexis!! She is at such a fun age. And this year she is understanding what Christmas is really about. I talked to her yesterday about what Christmas is really about. I think it is so important to stop and think about the real reason we celebrate this time of year. I think we tend to get caught up in the presents and all the other stuff that we really need to stop and think about why we celebrate Christmas.

I love this time of year! Hopefully time can slow down just enough to let us enjoy it :) I wish I would've taken more pics during Thanksgiving.. But I just get busy and don't think about it..