The Living Planet Aquarium

Wow, two posts in one day! I know, it's crazy. I was going to put the aquarium pictures along with the previous post, but I felt they deserved their own and I figured I had better do it all at once or it might never get done.

We were invited to go with Andy's cousins to the Living Planet Aquarium in Salt Lake. I think Andy enjoyed himself. He was very well behaved and it was cute to watch him try to grab the fish through the glass- no doubt to put them in his mouth, because that's where everything that he gets his hands on goes. Maybe he will end up loving sushi as much as his parents do.

Of course, he might be just as interested in his reflection as he is in the fish!

Andy is almost the same height as a Gentoo Penguin.

Outta the way, Dad! I want to see the fish!

Andy and the big frog...

... and the little frog. (Can you spot it?)

Family photo in the Amazon!

I know Andy is still small, but everything just seems more fun when you have a new little person to share it with who has never seen it before. Now we are hoping that we can make it to the Monterey Bay Aquarium this summer when we go to visit Grandma and Grampa Fife!

Just Andy

Mom told me I've dropped the ball on posting pictures of Andy, so here's a whole bunch.

I think someone is ready for the next family reunion!

One of the many ways in which a sleeping Andy lies.

He has discovered his toes and he loves to suck on them!

We decided we had better label him in case anyone tried to claim our cute boy.

I think Andy is excited about moving to a bigger place. Here he is helping me pack!

What a good helper. Mmm, cardboard!

Rex Lee Run/Walk/Stroll

Every year in March, the BYU Cancer Awareness Group holds a 5 and 10k run/walk to raise funds and to honor former BYU President and cancer victim Rex E. Lee. I am no athlete and certainly no runner, but when Lance and his brother Stuart decided to participate in the 5k this year, I figured Andy and I could tag along. Besides, if I took Andy with me, I had the excuse of the stroller to walk the whole thing instead of actually running it. Neither Lance nor I have exercised regularly lately so to our embarrassment, we were both quite sore and tired afterward... and poor Lance even ended up losing his breakfast. All in the name of a good cause!

The breakfast that Lance lost.

Looks like Andy wants his own number to wear.

I was pretty impressed by the sumo wrestlers...

...but I guess Andy wasn't!

We all had a good time, but hopefully next year we'll be in better shape!

Playing Catch-Up

So, it's been a long time since I last posted anything. Sometimes the longer things go the harder it is to pick back up because you aren't sure if you should go back and talk about everything that's happened (which can get really overwhelming) or just skip it all and start over. I don't want to miss anything but I also don't want to bore anyone with a super long post. So here it is in a nutshell with accompanying pictures.
1. Lance started winter semester. He has decided to get a business minor and therefore will be graduating in December rather than April, which we figured was a good idea since construction is still suffering right now. The NAHB competition was in January and BYU took third place out of 40 schools. Lance did awesome and we are glad it's over!
2.Heather and Andy got to be spoiled by Grandma and Grampa Fife while Lance was in Florida for the competition. Mom/Grandma bought him this hat.I also started work again, which explains why nothing has been posted in so long. I've decided being a working mother is really no fun, but unfortunately it is a necessary evil at this time. Fortunately I will be able to go part time in one more week. We are also extremely grateful to Lance's mom, who watches Andy for us when I'm at work so we can avoid the whole daycare/RSV thing.
3. Andy is still the cutest baby in the world! He is almost 4 months old and has had teeth since January (!!). Many thanks to my dear sister Missy, who taught me to appreciate baby drool because ever since those teeth came in at three months, he's been full of it. Andy also smiles, giggles, is starting to roll over and grab toys and loves to put anything he does grab into his mouth. It is so fun to see him learn and grow. We love our little boy!

Reindeer on the Move

Last week the youth in our ward took their traditional Christmas trip to Temple Square. Even though I am no longer in the Young Women's program, Lance still works with the Young Men and I wanted to come along so we decided to make it a family affair.

We actually ended up being really late and were probably only there for 45 minutes or so, but it was definitely worth it. When you are living so close to Salt Lake City, it really would be a shame not to take the time to see the lights once each Christmas season. Even though I've seen the display several times now during my Provo residency, it takes my breath away each time.

One of the highlights of Temple Square this year is the new cut-away model replica of the Salt Lake Temple. It is absolutely amazing. I think it is not only a great missionary tool, but it is a special treat for members as well. It was really neat to see how all the rooms actually fit together, and to get a "sneak peek" at the areas even regular temple patrons rarely get to see, like the Assembly room and the study where Talmage wrote Jesus the Christ. I wanted to take a picture, but it was much too crowded (which I guess is a good thing). I recommend reading the article and seeing pictures of it here.

Something special about visiting Temple Square in the last few years has been how nostalgic it makes me for Germany. These past few times we have taken the Trax into the city center, which always invokes fond memories of riding the U-bahn. Even walking around Temple Square reminds me of all the Fussgaengerzone (pedestrian areas in the city center) I've trod as a missionary and a visitor in Germany. The only thing missing is the Weihnachtsmarkt! What I wouldn't have given for a piping hot brat, some pommes frites (eaten with a fork, of course), and a deliciously sweet crepe saturated with melting Nutella filling. Mmmm....

All in all, it was a fun time. At least, Lance and I enjoyed it- Andy slept through the whole thing so I'm not sure what he thought of it. But he sure looked cute!

Andy's first train ride!

This outfit is still a little big for him- he's not really this huge!

Pictures never do the lights justice. You'll have to come see them for yourself!

Andy's Blessing

We've had a wonderful weekend. Although it was threatened by Lance coming down with a fever on Thursday, he was feeling better by the next evening and we still got to participate in all the important things we'd planned on.

On Saturday Lance's nephew Morgan was baptized. He asked Lance (his favorite uncle, I'm pretty sure) to confirm him. There is always a special feeling at baptisms and we were glad we were able to support Morgan.

Lance has been so busy lately we haven't had much time together, so the three of us had fun running around and window shopping all afternoon. In fact, we had so much fun that I totally forgot to pick up the sandwiches I ordered at Costco for the family get-together the next day until Costco had already closed! We had to scramble to find something to serve, but it turned out alright and we just laughed about it.

Of course, the crowning event was Andy's blessing on Sunday. We were fortunate to have so many members of Lance's family come, and of course to be able to do the blessing in a ward we have come to love so much. We just wish the Fifes could have been there to make it complete. Grandma Fife bought his blessing outfit, so I felt like you were all there in spirit. Lance did a wonderful job, and thanks to his sister Erin the blessing was recorded and we will be able to transcribe it and save it so that Andy can read it himself someday. We are so grateful to have our sweet Andy in our lives!

Here are some pictures of our wonderful weekend. We wish you all could have been there!

He's getting so big!

The blessing outfit Mom bought. He's almost too big for it!

This looks like a smile, but I think it might be the beginning of a cry...

I think he's saying he's done taking pictures.

Love the bowtie!

One happy family!

Santa's Little Helper

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our place! The stockings have been hung in the vicinity of the heater with care- well, two stockings and a baby sock, that is. We also spent a fun Family Home Evening choosing Needles the Third. Lance always does a great job putting on the lights-- he can fit an amazing number of strands on one small tree! But our favorite part so far has been the visit from one of Santa's own little helpers. This is turning out to be the best Christmas ever!

Isn't he adorable?!