Our Mini Vacation

Last weekend Mark and I went up north to Salt Lake to see my family. While there we had a baby shower (thank you again to my mom, Rhonda; and my sisters, Heidi, Steph and Shannon for throwing such a great shindig). It was great to see family and friends. We got a lot of cute stuff to decorate Spencer's room including wall paper, wall hangings, a mobile, a diaper stacker, and a window valence. We also got some very cute outfits (my favorite says "Party at my crib 2 am"), scrapbooking supplies, a first aid kit, lots of nice blankets in a variety of sizes, and some toys for him to play with. My neice Ashlynn said it well, "You are sooo spoiled." Thanks again to everyone for all of the nice visits and wonderful gifts. I truly am spoiled.

For the holiday we got to hang out with my family. It was my Grandma Kersey's Birthday Thursday and my Mom's Birthday Saturday (Happy 50th Birthday Mom) so we had one big party and it was great. After a b-b-q with all the salads and trimmings they opened presents, and it was their turn to be spoiled. That afternoon the grandkids and my mom went for a little swim in the backyard, literally. They had a lot of fun playing together in the water. Later that night Tony, Steph, Mark, Ashlynn and I went to the fireworks show in Magna. It was pretty good, but kind of scary when they set the fields on fire. We are glad we got to spend the holiday with the family. We are proud of our country, and are so thankful to live in a land with so many opportunities and freedoms. God Bless America!

Saturday Mark and I hung out with my mom and dad. Mark helped my dad with some drywall work to help them get ready to finish their basement. I went bumming around with my mom. It was fun to just go window shopping because I don't get to do that very often. That evening my parents treating Mark and I to the Buzz game. It was hot, crowded and we lost, but it was fun. After the game they had a really good fireworks show. It was nice to have a day to relax a little bit after all the excitement of the holiday.

Since Mark and I have been home we have done a lot of "nesting" getting Spencer's room all ready. Here are a few pictures to prove it. I only have about seven and a half weeks left (assuming he comes on his due date). We are getting very exctied and can hardly wait.

Arnoldsen Reunion

This past weekend we went to Mt. Pleasant for a family reunion on Mark's side (his great grandfather on down). It was really fun. We left work a few minutes early and drove 2 1/2 hours to Manti, Utah. We found a parking spot and waited for the Manti Pagent to start. After fixing a few technical difficulties, the pagent began at 10. We had really good seats. Even though I have seen the pagent several times I am always inspired. The message it teaches is wonderful. After it was over we booked it to the car to miss most of the traffic. We drove about 20 miles to camp and set camp up at 12:30. Then we went to bed.

Saturday morning came way to fast. We quickly made and ate breakfast (we made omelettes in ziploc baggies. Very easy and clean!), then got things set up for the reunion. There was about 90-100 people there. There was a show and tell of pictures, stories, and family heirlooms and then there was a talent show. Mark even got up and did some yodelling. It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun, but we are glad that we don't have to be in charge again for a few years.

Updates

For Fathers Day Mark and I went to Mark's brother's house for a bar-b-q. Mark kicked trash at croquette! We had a lot of fun and wanted to wish all of the father's around us a wonderful Fathers Day. You men are such a good influence on Mark and I and we will always love you guys!
Monday was our three year anniversary. We had fun going to dinner and a movie. It is hard to believe that it has already been three years.
Last weekend Mark and I realized that the trees we planted last year are still alive! I was shocked. We planted 35 trees last spring when we started building the house. I was positive that they hadn't survived the winter, but they proved me wrong. So, we put a drip system in place to water the trees. In the one week it has been watering the trees are looking a lot greener. In a few years we should have nice tall trees and lots of shade. We also have 50 bush bean plants coming up and half a dozen pea plants in our garden coming up. We want to get some strawberries growing too.
This weekend we are going to a family reunion on Mark's side. We get to go to the Manti Pagent, camp overnight, and then play with the family all day. It should be tons of fun (but we will miss camping with my family up at Strawberry. By the way, Happy Anniversary Tim and Shannon!).
The only other thing changing for us is my growing tummy! Spencer is kicking the breath out of me on a daily basis now. Mark can hear his heartbeat sometimes which is fun. This is a picture of me taken today (Friday, June 20) at 29 weeks.

Camping at Yuba

Last weekend Mark and I went camping with my family at Yuba Lake. Yuba Lake is about 15 miles south of Nephi (and then 5 miles east of I-15). All of my family was there including my Grandma and Grandpa Kersey. My family had some issues with my Dad's truck but other than that getting there went safely. We got there Thursday and amid the wind set up our tent. Then we ate hot dogs for dinner. My nephew Matt was really tired so his parents took him for a drive to Scipio (15 miles south on I-15) and got Dairy Queen milk shakes. Upon their return, Grandpa Kersey really wanted a fire so we sat around the fire having our milk shakes. What a way to start a camping trip!


Friday morning came a little too slow. The birds never quit chirping and I had to get up three times to go to the bathroom. Breakfast was good, hot chocolate, scrambled eggs, bacon, and hashed browns. Then several people went out on the boat to do some knee boarding (the water was only 55 degrees warm) and cruising. I stayed at camp with my mom, Shannon, and Grandma and Grandpa. It was a beautiful sunny warm day so I just relaxed at camp. Lunch was sandwhiches and fruit. The afternoon was spent being lazy. Dinner was really good with boneless pork chops, rice and a nice green salad. Again, we ended the day with a camp fire.


Saturday morning my sister Heidi and her family came up with Krispy Kremes (again, what a camping trip). I stayed at camp most of the day and just hung out with my family. The best part of the day was when the kids were entertaining themselves coloring at their table. They are so cute. Each one has a special place in my heart. Dinner was great with dutch oven ranch chicken, yummy potatoes, and a rasberry/blueberry kobbler that was fabulous! After dinner we sat around and chatted until I was falling asleep in my chair. I slept much better that night only having to get up once to go to the bathroom. I think a lot of it had to do with the warmer air.


Sunday we packed up camp and headed home. Packing wasn't hard with so many helping hands. I am glad my parents taught me when I was young how to clean up and leave camp better than I found it. It was such a great vacation! It was different because we didn't have my Dad's truck or camper so we all really roughed it. I just want to say thanks to my mom and dad. It takes them a lot of work to get plans made, food ready, camper and boat up and running, and all that jazz. Now that all us kids are gone they do so much to make these trips successful. They are wonderful parents. I love you two!

Now that I am back to the real world things are going well. I went in for a check up on Monday and the doctor says that the baby is doing very well. I am measuring perfect and gaining weight just fine. Last night I could see Spencer where he was kicking which was really neat. I only have three and a half months left which is really hard to believe. I am so thankful that everything is going well for us. We hope y'all are doing good too.

We are having a...

Hi Everyone!
Well the moment that we have all been waiting for. The one where I get to tell you what gender my new special one will be. But, before I say that I want to say that watching the ultrasound was one of the best experiences of my life. The baby is healthy, strong, and looking great! We could see all sorts of bones (including ribs, nose bone, leg bones, arm bones, and the spine). Also, we saw the kidneys, stomach, and heart beating (which was a strong heartbeat of 150 beats per minute). We are so thankful our little one is growing strong and beautiful. We consider ourselves richly blessed because of it. During Conference on Sunday the baby was moving and Mark got to feel it a few times. It was wonderful because it was during Elder Ballard's talk on mothers. What a precious moment. And now, without further ado, we are having a boy! We haven't really settled on a name yet but for now we really like Spencer. This picture is of his head and cute little foot. He was folded in half during most of the ultrasound.

Silly Me!

I forgot to push upload for Matt's picture. Here he is!

Nephews are a joy!

This week has been fun and very eventful. On Friday I picked up my 18 month old nephew to watch him for a week while his parents are going on a cruise. His name is Matt and he was so much fun to have around. He is the one in the picture. We couldn't help but play with Mark's sunglasses. Matt is fearless and knows how to pull on your heart strings. Oh, and if you say no he gives you the most adorable scowl you will ever see. On Saturday, Mark and I went to our oldest nephew's baptism, Lincoln. It was wonderful to be reminded of the great blessings baptism and confirmation bring into our live; especially with family. Also on Saturday we got to see all of our nephews except two of them which was great. They grow up so fast and we love each of them. That is all for now. Tune in next week to find out if we are having a boy or girl!