Vacation!!

At the beginning of May, Trevor and I were able to go on our first ever cruise!  Trevor and the team of guys we work with up here have been working really hard and because of all that hard work we were able to go on this trip!  I'm so grateful to have a husband who works so hard and provides such wonderful opportunities.

 this is the lobby inside the boat right in the center

 One of my favorite things about the cruise, beside the wonderful food and comfy beds,  was the room service.  Each day after we came back to our rooms to get ready for dinner, our bed was made for us, and after we returned from dinner the bed was turned down, ready for us to jump in and sleep.  Each night the stewards had created a different animal out of the towels. the monkey was my favorite

Crab

Monkey

seal

we guessed Elephant

Of course we spent a lot of time just lounging in the sun, we got a little rosy, but too bad or painful!

And each night was a magnificent sun set

  

We did some fun things off the boat as well, lots of snorkeling and a little sight seeing.

   

Me after an afternoon driving around on dusty roads

We had such a good time, and it was great to just get to spend some time together.  We went with some of the guys Trevor is working with and it was fun to get to know them and their wives better as well.  Collin stayed with his cousin Paislyn, his aunts Jordan and Randi and Uncle Devin.  He was well taken care of and didn't seem to miss us at all.  We were glad he was so well taken care of Thanks to Jordan Randi and Devin for that! I would recommend anyone who get the chance to go on a cruise!

Show Me Your Muscles!

This may have totally been coincidental, but he was doing it all through lunch, so I figured I'd see if I could catch it on camera!

Bed Head

Collin has taken to sleeping on his tummy, and his nose, and is hands and any other position other than his back. This is often what we see when we get him out of bed.

We have been giving Collin lots of new tastes. He's quite efficient at feeding himself whatever I put on his tray. Some of his favorites are peaches, peas, green beans and potatoes (a true momma's boy!) But here is a short video of his first taste of lemonade.

Washington?

That was my response when Trevor said "What do you think about moving to Washington?" My parents started their early marriage years in Seattle, and I'd made a few trips there growing up and I always liked the state. Not to mention a move would mean I could quit my job, which I wasn't enjoying and stay home with my growing baby. My answer was quick "I like Washington!" The months from when we decided we were moving until we actually did were hard. Trevor was traveling a lot, which means Collin and I missed him a ton. Work wasn't getting any better, in fact in my mind it seemed to grow exponentially more difficult each day. And I found myself constantly reassuring friends and family that we were making a good choice and there was no need to worry. But the time finally came when I left work behind, packed up our belongings and hit the road. I cried as we pulled away from our home. OUR HOME. The first one we ever had. The place we came to rest, where we ate and prayed together. The place where we became a family. Collin's first home.

from the frontIn the back yard

Washington is grey. Often. Although we live on the east side of the state and the grey is significantly less than the coast (Thanks Heavens) it was a struggle for me. I've debated sharing this, I don't want to give people the wrong impression, but it was hard being here. Our routine was all messed up, I wasn't used to being with Collin all day and Trevor's schedule was completely unpredictible. I felt so lonely. I called my mom and sisters several times a day just to have someone to talked to. BUT things did settle down. It didn't take long to swing into full-time Mommy mode and I can say now, I've never been happier.

I have to give props to some of the ladies in my family. I was so anxious about moving, even though I knew it was for the best. I was comfortable in Benson and wasn't ready to give that up. My parents were in the Army and moved every couple of kids. When they settled in Twin Falls they were expecting me...#6. Mom I admire you that even more. My sisters, Kim and Becki, moved across the country and back with children in tow as well. My brother and his wife have done the same. But I think Juli, takes the cake. She and her husband Shon who works in the Oil Industry have lived in Louisiana, Texas(2 times), New Mexico, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada and Australia! It made my move, just one state away, manageable. At least I wasn't moving across the biggest ocean into a time zone with more than a 24 hour difference from home.

My point is, this move has helped me and blessed me in so many was already. I appreciate family and friends more than ever. Trevor and I, already close, are that much closer. Collin is growing like a weed, and I get to see it all. The new business venture is turning out to be successful as we had faith it would. My life is good, and I love it.

But who wouldn't?

nearly 8 months

I cannot believe that Collin is coming up on 8 months old. Where did all the time go. I swear I had more of it!

Well we are settled here in Liberty Lake Washington. It is very beautiful here and I am dying for summer to come around so I can enjoy the beauty surrounding us. We're living in a two bedroom apartment for now, about half the size of our home in Benson (I really miss Benson by the way) It was a little tricky to get all the stuff put away into the right places but I think we've done it. We plan to stay here long enough to save some money, and make sure the new job works out, then we'll find another home when we know more what we'll be doing with our lives.

Just hanging out with Dad, probably watching football

Collin is growing like a weed. He's already outgrown most of the clothes he was given at Christmas and prefers to wear 18 mo. sizes. He cut his top two teeth, (not as easy as the bottom two) got his first serious cold and is oh so close to crawling. He sits up all by himself, successfully finger feeds himself 1 out of 5 tries and rolls around the house like a mad man. He's sleeping better than ever(which is REALLY well since he's always slept well) and we gave him his first hair cut!

Before

and after

not any award winning hair cut, but I thought it was pretty decent for a 7 month old wiggly boy. I think this picture is my all time favorite. I was trying to take a picture of the new do for the grandparents and I said "Collin Smile!" and this is the look I got! I laughed so hard.

I am really starting to enjoy just being home. I wasn't expecting it to be such an adjustment. I was so burnt out from my last job I feel as if I've been recovering from something this last month. It takes a while to shed off that much stress.

Relocated

Please forgive the extreme lack of blogging. The last few months have been a little stressful. Long story short Trevor, Collin and I have relocated to Liberty Lake Washington. We're still getting settled, and I plan to make a huge blog about it later!

Here's what we've been up to...

Watching lots of football

Going to Church

Celebrating Halloween

Eating some solid food

And lots of smiles!

Do you see the two little teeth that popped up overnight?