Home at Last!

We made it home late last Friday night. Words can't express how excited we are to be home.

Somewhere in Colorado, Nate and I happened to look over and see a car passing us with Texas plates. At precisely the exact same time and with the exact same tone of voice we both said, "Texas...I hate you!"

Now I really don't think we both HATE Texas, I'm sure our use of the strong word possibly had something to do with the 15 or so hours we'd been in the car, but the irony had us laughing for another couple miles. I think we both enjoyed our time down south, but were VERY ready to be home and done.

The ride, as long as it was, actually wasn't that bad. Navi was EXCELLENT. (and no medicine doping required!) :) She probably only had a hour or so of combined unhappy time.

Did I mention feels SO good to be HOME?

Countdown

(I can't figure out how to fix the weird layout of the text...sorry)

Well we made it back from our vacation at home. Navi was an excellent
flyer. She slept pretty much both flights. One possibly with
assistance from Tylenol...judge me not.

We had lots of fun with our families and also visiting some friends we
could squeeze in. I was very happy to catch part of the Cache County
Fair and watch my sisters show their animals. They, along with my dad,
work very hard to get steers, lambs, and pigs in to tip top shape for
shows. All their hard work paid off as they took top spots in not only
their fitting (when the animals are judged) but also their showmanship
(where they are judged on how well they show their animal) classes. It
made me even miss my fair showing days.

Not the best picture, but Allie is the one furthest away showing her lamb.

Since we've been home however, poor little Navi baby has been
congested and stuffy the last 4 or so days. We've tried Vicks on her
chest, a humidifier (as if Texas isn't humid enough) and sucked gunk
out of her nose and throat to no avail. Poor thing. The saddest part
to me is watching her try and be happy. She'll start cooing and
playing just to end up coughing and/or choking on all the crud.

Here she is on one of her happier moments:

As you can tell from the previous posts or lack there of, we no longer
have access to "borrowed" internet. Aka: unlocked wireless. (Judge me
twice) But I was pleased as punch to learn I could blog from my phone.
As Kip Dynamite would say, "I love technology."
No internet adds to the boring-ness of apartment life now that we have
no TV either. (our 90 days from purchase date expired and we had to
return our TV - again, judge us if you must) :) Let's just say I've
been getting creative with my free time. If nothing else I've been
brushing up on my meager scriptual knowledge.

I've discovered she likes watching movies on the computer with me. This time is was
'Shrek the 3rd'. Not one of my favorites, but probably because we've
through all the others. I also went a bought a cheap umbrella
stroller that we take long walks with. I ended up leaving my big
stroller home so we would have a bit more car space on the ride back.

Navi has been able to roll from her stomach to her back for quite awhile
now, but just started to go the other way, back to stomach. She rolls
back and forth across the floor until she gets caught or sick of it.
Although yesterday she got just plain tired and when I looked over she
had fallen asleep like this:

We have a week and a half left here in the Lone Star state before we
can pack up and head west - for good! And I may or may not have a
personally colored countdown of days left. See what I mean by I've
gotten creative?

To: My Parents From: Navi

Dear Mom and Dad,

When you try and pacify me at 7 a.m. by laying me in between you...




...this is what you get.

Love,

Navi
2 1/2 months

Mugs, Thugs, and Bugs

Mugs:

A couple weeks ago one of the guys in Nate's sales group was mugged while he was waiting to be picked at the end of the night. He was held at knife point while the muggers stole his wallet and phone. Don't worry though, during the ordeal they justified their actions by explaining, "You just don't get it man, this is what we have to do to survive."

Oh please. Scariest part of this story, at least for me, is this all took place just a couple streets over from where Nate was waiting...

Thugs:

So the other morning my friend Traci knocked on our door and hesitantly asked if we'd see our car; which is really my Dad's Tahoe that he so kindly let us borrow so we had more room to bring stuff out here. "Oh great." I thought. "We must have gotten a ticket for parking under the carport even though we're not supposed to." IF ONLY.

We went down stairs to find the car with the driver's side window shattered and smashed in. Glass was ALL OVER and of course our GPS, Nate's video iPod, and our iPod docking station thing that transfers the music from the iPod to the radio were all stolen. Lovely.

Let's just say we were more than slightly annoyed. Annoyed that we didn't hide our GPS better. Usually we take it off the window and store in the center compartment. The last few days we had just gotten a bit lazy I guess. It's one of those things you know you probably should do, but in the back of you're mind you're thinking, oh it'll be fine.
We were also annoyed because the apartment complex has two gated entrances that you need a keyless remote to open. But of course, one of them has been broken for the last week. Not to say it's the apartment manager's fault, but we couldn't help but think if the gate would have been working it might not have happened.
We were annoyed at the thug(s) who did it because he had obviously scoped out our car and knew what he was going for. This creeped me out big time. How long had he been "watching"? However, in his hasty filching, he left my iPod, both of our sunglasses which aren't worth hundreds, but they're nice(!) and also some cash that was blatantly sitting out in the middle of the center console. Weird!
It was even more annoying that we had to waste a whole day going to get the window fixed. A day Nate could have spent selling.

In the end, as bad as it was, I guess it could have been worse. No other damage was done to the car and really we only are out about 200 bucks; seeing as how Nate had won the iPod in a company competition. Well ok, and the money it cost to repair the window, but not too bad.
The most annoying part is the stupid thug did the exact same thing to one of the Apx technician's car too. It's like they knew that anyone with Utah liscense plates would have a GPS. Who the heck knows why they need so many GPSes because obviously they know where to GO to take advantage of all the poor Utahns.

We had some pictures, but they were on my phone before I got a new one, and I forgot to switch them over. It's probably a good thing though. Otherwise I would probably get angry again everytime I looked at them.

Bugs:

Or should I say cute as a bug! Here are some recent pictures of Navi baby.



After church on Sunday


She finally enjoys bath time.

She's always liked things by/touching her face and often falls asleep with her hands over her face, but this was a new one.

Some tummy time

And this is just a random photo from a day we went to Ft. Worth.

Gotta love cowboys. Just in case you're having a slow day....ConGRADulations. (conGRATulations)

5 Life Theatening Situations I'd Rather Not Experience

1. Getting caught in a large earthquake.

2. Asking a woman when her baby is due, only to find out she is NOT pregnant. (maybe not exactly life threatening, but definitely life humiliating)

3. Getting trapped in the middle of a "Katrina" like hurricane.

4. Diving into very deep water with great white sharks.

5. Getting stranded at a mall:
A. while the roof gets smashed in by a tree branch
B. in a foreign state
C. with a two month old baby
D. not knowing where and if my husband is safe
All while a tornado touches down a mere 5 to 10 miles away.

OH WAIT. I did experience that!! Take if from me...not cool.

You see, we live in Grapevine, Texas. Grapevine is bordered by Flower Mound and Lewisville (for all the Cache Valley folk, think Logan, North Logan, and Hyde Park. Grapevine is the North Logan). Yesterday, both of those cities had tornado sitings.

It all started when my friend Traci, her 18 month old son Sawyer, Navi, and myself walked into a Payless Shoes store in the mall. Suddenly the metal roof above us sounded as if a high school was being dismissed on the last day of school. Huge thuds and bangs were followed by almost a groaning metal sound. I had no idea there was even a thunderstorm going on because when we arrived at the mall an hour or so prior, it was just hot and overcast. Therefore, I just kind of looked at Traci and laughed, thinking to myself..."there must be a lot of workers up on the roof fixing something." Oh how I wished it were workers...

The next thing we knew all the stores around Payless were shutting off their lights and pulling down the gates on their store fronts. Then, as the power flickered, one of the Payless employees told us the loud crash was in fact a large tree branch that had been thrown into the roof by a tornado touching down just miles away. We later would see the aftermath - broken ceiling tiles, leaves and sticks everywhere, and very large puddles of water collecting in the walkway of the mall.

We frantically called our husbands to see if they were ok (outside knocking doors) and also hoping they would be able to give us magic information to help us. (you know, click your heels together 3 times, close your eyes and twitch your nose...) We had heard there were 75 mph winds outside (true) and didn't exactly feel like making a run for our car with our two strollers in the almost flash flood rain.

As you can imagine, anxiety set in big time. The 2 Payless girls were very nice as they probably laughed internally after my ramblings...

Me: "So...whatdoyoudoinatornado? (hesitant laugh and breath) Wedon'tknowwhattodointornados.We'refromthemountains. (another hesitant laugh)"
All I could picture in my head was a brief school lesson in my elementary class were I was taught to find low ground or ditch and cover my head. Seeing as how there were no available ditches in the middle of the 6 ft high Payless shoe racks...I was beginning to panic.

Payless Girl 1 while smiling awkwardly: "Well, we have a bathroom in the back we can all go in if necessary."

Me thinking stupid thoughts: "My stroller alone won't fit in whatever bathroom you have."

Random lady on her cell phone while still trying on shoes: "I'm sorry honey....Is daddy not home yet?....Well if it gets worse, you know what they say, lay in the tub and put a mattress over you..."

Payless Girl 1 trying to calm the weird mountain girl (aka - me): "We're calling our manager right now, but if we have to close our store you two should go to the nearest hallway that leads to the bathroom, take your kids out of their strollers, and lay over them."

Long story short, I didn't have to lay Navi on the ground and put her car seat over her while laying on it like I had first imagined in my head. We waited out the worst of the storm and drove home an hour or so later. All the while avoiding tree limbs on the road and trying not to focus on the uplifted tree with exposed roots on one side of the road.

Nate was in a farther away city that only experienced severe thunderstorms, and was able to make it home safely and only hydro-planing once.

In my next tornado warning I'll be a pro and I'll be able to lackadaisically peruse the Payless isles and continue to try on shoes. Granted I may have done this in my most current experience to fake my panic, but I can't say for certain I was even trying on size 8s. Next time, the extremest of all extreme worst situations probably won't be replaying over and over in my head. Next time there is a tornado warning in Texas (or Virginia for that matter) I'll be at HOME in my MOUNTAINS.

Deep in the Heart of Texas...In May.

Grandma Buttars has been in town the last 2 weeks and we stayed very busy! We spent time at the pool, shopped till we couldn't shop anymore (hard to believe, I know), and when Nate was available we were able to sight-see a bit. We visited the historic Ft. Worth Main Street and stockyards the other day. Supposedly they have an actual cattle drive every day right down main street. We didn't catch it, but did see some other rather cool stuff...
(just a few more weeks Bekka and you will be in heaven)


This goofy guy walks around with this longhorn steer on a halter letting any old yahoo jump on and take pictures. (yes, climb on)

Just call us a couple of yahoos.

We also stopped by Arlington where the Texas Rangers' field is and also where the snazzy new Cowboy Stadium resides.



We had so much fun with Grandma and are so glad you were able to come spend time with us. I believe Navi was really beginning to think that being so spoiled and held non stop is indeed how life is. :) We're grateful for all your help, and it was especially nice to have someone else to hang out with while Nate was gone all day. Thanks again, we love you!


And here are about 1 million and 42 pictures of Navi. Mostly it's for all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and any other unmentioned family at home. However, if you are none of those and would still like to comment, feel free. ;)

We sent the Elder this picture in his birthday email. Happy 20th! (holy cow)

Yes Ash, another photo on the carpet with no blanket...don't judge me. :)

Hard day at the pool for Miss Navi

The ever-so-hard to catch on camera smile. But so worth it when I do!



So cute!



And last but not least... an attempt to capture some of her "talking". She turns out to be a bit camera shy because anytime I try and film the cute cooing, she suddenly stops. This has been the best video yet..which really isn't too much talking at all. Someday we'll catch it.

One Month!?!

I can't believe it's already been one month since Navi joined our family. She is such a good baby and is teaching us lots. :) Here are some recent pictures since we've been in Texas.

(She also wants to say hi to all the family members back home...sorry if you get sick of the text pictures we send. G&G Buttars - tell us when you get your new texting phones so we can send you some pictures) :)





I saw a cool idea in my blogging rounds the other day. A mom had taken a picture of her baby at different stages with the same stuffed animal. It was interesting to see how much the baby had grown, but for some reason sitting next to the same animal made the differences stand out even more. So I thought we'd give it a try...

Navi on her one month birthday:



And this picture better indicates how her one month birthday was spent. Unfortunately she wasn't to happy that day. I'm still not sure why, but I'm thinking it was a bad tummy ache. She is doing much better today.



(She is also already fitting into most of her 3 month clothes! Holy cow!)

Happy 1 month Navi! We love you!!

God Bless Texas

HOWDY YA'LL !!

My friend Dani asked if everything really is bigger in Texas...
So far I've only made it to Walmart, and wasn't too impressed, but I'll keep looking.

Anyways, we're finally here in the great state of Texas! What a whirlwind the last week has been. Here's a quick recap:

May 2 - Nate Graduated (!!)


May 3 -We blessed Navi

Nate gave a very special blessing and so many of our family and friends were there to support us. The day was definitely a good one.


May 4 - We left for TEXAS

The GPS told us the quickest route was through Wyoming, down to Colorado, half way through Kansas, and then cut down through Oklahoma.
But seeing as how the first year we left, we had a flat tire in Wyoming and last year the freeway was closed off due to a massive blizzard...we decided avoiding the boring place all together wouldn't be such a bad idea. SO, we opted to drive an extra couple hours down to Moab and over through Grand Junction, CO, then down through New Mexico. I was a little excited because I'd never been to New Mexico. (It would be something new) However, I was greatly disapointed and will just say there is a reason they call it New MEXICO.

I wasn't able to snap as many road trip photos as I would have liked (all the "welcome to" state signs) but that was partly due to my back seat location with Navi and mounds of baby stuff. Also because when I asked Nate to warn me when we were getting close to the Texas line, he replied with, "Uh, I'm pretty sure we already passed it." Gee thanks.

Navi was a super traveler. (No blow-outs and only 1 throwing up dilemma) She slept the majority of the trip; just waking to eat, change diaper, etc. Although, by the last 3 or 4 hours she really let us know she had had ENOUGH of her car seat. Who could blame her? I can't complain, this was my view the whole ride:


And lastly - I just wanted to throw in this stinking cute picture with cousin Brex. He wanted to hold Navi one last time before we left. I can't believe how big he getting! His 6th birthday is next week!! When I first started dating Nate, Brex was only 2 years old but carried on full conversations. (He was born a week after Nate had left for his mission so they didn't "meet" until Nate got home)


My favorite memory of Brexton is the very first time I went to his house with Nate. I don't think I had even officially met Nate's sister or brother-in-law, and much to my surprise Brex swings open the door to say, "What's up Nate? Where's Kristen?"
FYI - Kristen was Nate's girlfriend before and during the mission. I think Brex's mom was a little embarassed but I laughed so hard!

Too bad I'm a slacker and didn't get more pictures with all the other cousins and family members. Navi will have changed so much when we get back.

Nate's back in the selling mode and already has one so far. He had to use our car the past couple days so Navi and I have just been hanging out in the nice air conditioned apartment. (our car thermometer thing read 90 degrees the other day) Grandma Marianne is coming to visit in a week and we've already got the mall scoped out...

At the moment I can't think of a cheesy Texan salutation, but
ya'll come back real soon, ya hear?
HA. This might be a long summer...