Randall Camping Trip- John Schmidt

My family loves camping, but it seems like the past few summers we just haven't had the time to plan a trip.  So this year we put it on the calendar and up to North Fork we went.  We decided to stay close just in case we needed a hospital close.  The first night we got there, it was so windy.  You can't tell in the picture, but we had to hold our tents down so they wouldn't blow away.  It was terrible!  We contemplated going home actually.  But we decided to wait till after dinner and then make a decision.  I think a few of us said a little prayer that the wind would go away so we could have a fun little trip.  Well after dinner, the wind was gone.  We were all amazed cause really it was SO windy all day long.  So we stayed and camped.  

It was so much fun!  I was a little worried though of how I would sleep in the tent.  My parents are such thoughtful people.  They actually went up that morning and pitched the tents to reserve our spot but they brought up a bed mattress for me to sleep on too!  How sweet is that?  That made all the difference!  I don't think I would have slept at all the whole trip.  Thanks mom and dad for thinking of me :)

So Friday morning, my sister gets up early to go to the bathroom.  I hear her walk away, then a minute or so later, I hear someone running as fast as they can back to camp.  Suddenly my sister jumps back in the tent and said there were moose on the way to the bathroom and she got freaked so she ran back.  I couldn't stop laughing.  It was hilarious.  So I got up and we drove the car to the bathroom and sure enough, there were these two moose just right next to our camp sight!  It was kinda cool, but it would be freaky if you just suddenly walked upon one!

All day Friday, Ryan's parents were kind enough to let us borrow their boat and we boated all day up at Pineview.  It was a perfect boating day.  I didn't think I would be able to stay on the boat the whole time because of the heat and bumps and stuff, but it never got too hot, and the water was actually really smooth.  This is Eric jumping the wake.  He got up there!

Dustin's first time jumping the wake.  

My parents also rented a Sea Doo for the day.  It was a blast.  Eric took Boston on a ride and taught him how to push the button to make it go.  It was so funny, cause Eric drove by and we all looked up and Eric had both of his hands in the air, and Boston was just driving the Sea Doo all by himself like he was a pro.  It was so cute!

I was bound and determined to go into labor!  My sister and I took the Sea Doo out for a little bit too.  I didn't dare go too fast, but it was really fun!

Travis on the knee board.  He loved this the most I think.

Here is our handsome boat driver!  You did a great job honey!

My dad got really good on the knee board too.  He learned how to do a 360 and he was pretty proud of himself!  I didn't know you still had it in ya dad!  Ha ha Just Kidding!  You were great!

The whole family at the end of the day.  We camped again on Friday night, and we did get rained on a little bit.  But we all stayed dry in the tents.  So it wasn't bad.  We woke up on Saturday, packed up and headed home for the day.  

Later that night, my parents had tickets to go to the John Schmidt concert up at Wolf Mountain.  It was so fun!  I love John Schmidt and could only wish that I could play the piano as well as he does.  And he's just a nice, fun guy to watch.  It was a charity concert and there were a ton of people there.  Boston was loving dancing to all the music.

He plays so many good songs.  One of my favorite is Love Story meets Viva La Vida.  I have it playing on my playlist.  It is such a neat arrangement that he did.  But he said due to copyright, this may have been the last live performance they were able to do of that arrangement because Cold Play's record company said they didn't want them to use the song and that they would need personal permission from the band.  Taylor Swift said it was fine to use her song, so it's too bad they can't get a hold of the band cause it really is an awesome arrangement.

After the concert, Dustin, Ashlie and Boston waited in line to get his autograph and a picture.  What a fun night.  Listening to John Schmidt makes me want to become a better piano player.  His music is such feel good music, I love it.

So thanks mom and dad for planning such a fun weekend for the family!  It was such a blast!  We were hoping that by doing all that, I would be in labor by now!  I am hurting a little more, a lot more uncomfortable and a few contractions, but nothing regular.  So everybody send baby vibes my way so we can get this little guy here!  Hopefully our next post will be about our new little baby!

Proud Mommy Moment

Boston is such a cute little guy and last night he did probably the cutest thing he's ever done.  And I just had to share...

We got him ready for bed and made his bottle.  It was pretty late so he REALLY wanted it.  Normally we would say prayers before we gave him the bottle but last night, he just wanted his bottle.  So we gave him his bottle and Ryan and I knelt down next to him and said our family prayers while he drank his bottle.  Well that was that and Ryan left the room and I stayed lying next to him while he finished his bottle.  We always have to lay down next to him while he falls asleep or he won't go to sleep.  We spoiled this little guy in the sleeping department way too much and now he doesn't fall asleep on his own and he always ends up in our bed at the end of the night.  So those of you with little ones...teach them how to sleep early before it's too late!  Anyways, so Boston finished drinking his bottle and we were laying there in silence for a good 5 minutes at least and suddenly he turns toward me and says, "prayer mom? prayer?"  and then he gets up rolls over to his hands and knees like he's ready to say a prayer.  So I asked him, "You want to say a prayer?" and he said yes so I proceeded to help him say a prayer and he rolled over when we were done and laid his head on the pillow and started to fall asleep again.  

It kind of brought a tear to my eye just thinking of how much my little boy is growing.  He is learning so much on a daily basis.  Even just going to nursery once a week, he learns so many things in there.  At first I thought how much does he really notice by us just going through the actions everyday.  But he really does learn from everything we do.  He's always saying things we say and doing things we do.  I can't believe he is almost 2!  I love you Boston!

Oh dear where to begin? About a month ago Ryan gave Boston a much needed haircut. Here is before...

And here is after! Isn't he cute?

The weekend of the 4th Ryan had a Friday off so we took the day to go to the Hill Aerospace Museum. Boston loved all the planes and Ryan loved all the history. I loved watching my boys together. It was such a fun family day.

On the 4th, my family ran in the Cherry Days 5k. It was so fun to watch everyone including my hubby run in a race. I'm so proud of them all! Ryan really only trained twice like 3 days before and still came in at 34 min and that was walking the first mile. His knee was really hurting the day before so he wasn't sure if he was even gonna run it. So he started out walking with my mom and brother but after the first mile, he realized that old women were passing them walking and that did it for him. He ran the rest of the way and pushed through the pain. But he did it!

The beginning of July we had the yearly Randall Reunion. It was so fun! We camped up at Green Canyon.

One of the days we went on a hike. It was beautiful.

So sweet!

I love him!

Aunt ZoAnn even brought a cotton candy maker. That I think was a favorite among the kids and my husband :). He loves cotton candy!

The whole gang that was able to make it. ZoAnn and Dave you outdid yourselves this year! It was a blast! It's so fun to see family we don't get to see a lot and we missed the ones that weren't able to make it!

On our way home we stopped at my Grandma's grave. It's been about 4 years (I think) since she died of cancer and I truly miss her. What a wonderful woman she was. Ryan never met her because she died before we started dating. But I really do wish he could have known her. I know she is up there playing with our future children and that makes me smile. I love you Grandma and thanks for being such an example for me to follow after.

A couple weeks ago we had a BBQ with all these girls and our hubbies. It was alot of fun. I love these girls :)

Actually we had the BBQ becuase this girl, my bestest friend ever, moved with her hubby to go to school in AZ. I don't know why she didn't just let Nik go by himself :) j/k. You know I wish you guys the best of luck with school and everything else. But you will truly be missed.

But what makes me even more sad is that these two won't get to play anymore. Boston will miss Ian so much! It makes me sad to even think about it.

July 19th was my dad's birthday. One more year and you'll be 50! We love you dad and are so grateful for everything you do for our little family. You're the best dad anyone could ever ask for! I hope your day was great!

Later that night we went to the Weber State fireworks. They were really good this year! Boston loved them too. He kept saying every firework was yellow. Dunno why. He's just a funny kid!

So then bright and early the next morning we headed off to Lake Powell! Here's the whole crew trying to wake up before the long drive!

Once we got there, unloaded everything to the boat and drove through the channel, the boys always take charge in anchoring the boat good and tight. It's kinda cute to watch them all work!

This year we had the perfect spot. It was the first time we drilled into the sand stone. It was nice cause we had a little beach for the kids to play in shallow water. Boston became a little fish. He was lovin the water!

Boston loved running up the rock as far as he could too. Luckily Ryan wasn't out on the the boat this time so he chased after him :)

Boston and Jakey showin off their big muscles.

Grandma and Jen with the kids on the tube. I didn't want to go into labor in Lake Powell, so I didn't really go out on the boats except for one slow boat ride and one slow jet ski ride. So I don't have any pictures of my Ry surfing! He got good this year too. By the end of the trip he could do a 360. I hear it was pretty impressive:) Love you babe!

The sunsets were amazing!

Boston learned how to fish for the first time. Didn't catch anything, but he loved holding the pole.

One night Jacque and grandma decided to have a spa night and wash everyone's hair in the hot tub. Here's my little family getting the treatment! That really was fun!

The end of a trip is always sad. We missed you Grandma and Grandpa and David but know you are out doing the right thing in spreading the gospel! Here is the whole crew saying goodbye to the warm water, yummy food, and fun fun times.

Lake Powell was a blast but I don't know that I would do it again being 35 weeks pregnant for the fact that I couldn't do any of the fun boating and other water sports. But that's ok. Us three pregos just hung out together the whole time and waded in the shallow water with Boston and the other little ones. Next year there will be 3 more additions!

So yep I'm 36 weeks now. Next week I'll be full term, so I say bring on the labor! I'm totally ready and Ryan is just as ready as I am. We are trying to get organized and figure out a name for this little one. We are having a hard time thinking of a name we both agree on. So if you have any suggestions please send them our way!
UPDATE:
I went to the dr today (Thursday) and he said everything looked good to go! I'm far enough along that if I went into labor, he wouldn't stop me. The baby is over 6 lbs now and I am dilated to a 2+! Yay! We are so ready for this baby! Even Boston can't wait to meet him!

Until next time...

LONG POST...TONS OF PICTURES!

We have been so busy ( I know I always say that, but it's so true!) So here is what we have been doing lately!

My little brother Travis graduated this year.  Way to go Trav!  We are so proud of you!

Travis and his best friend Jon.  These two are inseparable!

It was a great day.  I was pregnant with Boston at the last graduation in our family, so it was kind of like deja vu!  I bet it feels good to be all done Trav!  Next step...start school and prepare for you mission!  Way to go we are so proud of you!

on June 5th Ryan's brother Dan was married to Brittany Rose in the Salt Lake Temple.  What a neat experience that was to witness.  We are so proud of you two!  Here we are waiting for them to come out!

The cousins waiting

Boston and Jane.  They are so dang cute together.  Boston just follows her around and wants to do whatever his cousins are doing.  These two are about 14 months apart and Boston just loves her!

Daniel and Brittany Smith for the first time!

As soon as they came out of the temple Boston jumped out of my arms and yelled Dan Dan!  And ran to his uncle Dan.  It was pretty darn cute!

Yes it was raining for their pictures.  But I think it all turned out ok.  The pictures will be beautiful regardless.  Besides it's what took place that day in the temple that matters the most.

The whole Smith side of the family.

Ryan, Nick, Dan and Dave

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids.

The girls.

Our little family at the reception.

The two most handsome boys ever!  Isn't Boston's little tux SO cute?  I love these two!

Brittany actually met Dan because she is one of my sister's friends and Ryan set her up with Dan.  So it was fitting that my sister caught the bouquet!  But she's not dating anyone so if any of you know of any cute guys for her let me know!

You two are a beautiful couple and we wish you the best of luck with what's to come in your life together!

For my birthday, Ryan surprised me with a trip to Disneyland.  What a fun present!  We left the day after the wedding and stayed for a week.  Our friends Nick, Sheena and their baby were with us for a few days.  It was such a blast!

Boston loved Autumn.  He kept calling her Aulo, but eventually got her name down.  Isn't she cute?

Boston loved the carousel.  We rode it over and over and over again.

We went to the beach one day.  The water was way too cold to get in, but the boys had a blast playing in the sand.

This was Boston's other favorite ride.  The car would go in circles around the track and whip you around the corners.  Boston would just laugh.  It was so funny.  We would get off and he would say again again!

My cute boys!

He loved Dumbo too.  He calls him Numbo.

And in Toon Town he loved driving all the cars.  He didn't want to let any of the other kids have a turn and he would cry if we took him away.  It was pretty funny.  It was so much fun to go on vacation with just our little family.  We haven't been somewhere just us since our honeymoon.  So it was great.  And we wanted to do a trip before I got too huge (although I am pretty big :->) and before Boston turned 2 so we didn't have to buy him a plane ticket.  Thanks honey for the surprise and thanks to Chuck and Julie for the awesome accomodations! 

So we got home from Disneyland on Friday and Boston and I headed to Bear Lake with my family to their condo to celebrate my mom's birthday.  Happy 50th mom!  We went to the Minnetonka Caves  on Monday and I wasn't sure how I would handle 888 stairs but you better believe I did every single one of them!  It wasn't that bad cause we would stop with the tour guide every few minutes.

Ryan couldn't come because he had to work after missing a whole week but we missed him.  Mom I hope you had a wonderful birthday!  You are the best mom, grandma, wife and mother-in-law any of us could ever ask for!  We love you!

And as far as baby news goes, here I am at 30 wks.  I know it's a terrible picture of me!  This was taken at Bear Lake after just lounging around.

We had an appointment yesterday and here is our little guy.  Isn't he so cute?  He's really starting to fill out.  Before he kind of looked like a little skeleton still but he is getting chubby cheeks now and he's really looking like a baby I think.

He weighs 3lbs 6 oz and the Dr says everything looks great!  What a relief to hear.  I love getting ultrasounds done every time just so I know everything is going well.  He is moving around a lot and Boston loves to sing songs and gives loves to his 'broder'.  We don't have a name picked out yet so we could really use any suggestions that any of you might have!

Here is just a cute video of Boston being Boston.  He's a funny kid!  The other one won't upload so I'll try it again later.