It's a...a...a...?

It may be a girl, or is it a boy? Baby was very uncooperative at its ultrasound on Monday. First of all, baby was rolled into a little ball; then every pic/measurement the tech took had the "limited view" code on it; then baby finally rolled over, and the tech had to re-take every pic. And, at the end, it REALLY does not help when the baby is straddling the umbilical cord to see if it's a boy or a girl, in addition to the baby being at a very bad angle. In the end, I blame myself for being impatient. All of our other ultrasounds have been done between 20 and 23 weeks, this one was at 18. But do not fear (I'm really okay with the uncertainty), I have a feeing that my doctor will pitty me next month and just do a quick check. And, at the very least, I always have another ultrasound at 34 weeks, just another 3 1/2 months away.

Happy Halloween

The following are pictures from before our bi-ward trunk-or-treat (the kids really hauled it in, over 200 pcs of candy!!), from Aidan's party, and then our regular trick-or-treating.

This was our goo relay-the goo was made of cornstarch and water, the kids LOVED this one.
I couldn't find a pinata I liked, so we made this one-it's a skull.
Two pirates and a little witch.

Schnepf Farms

Last Saturday we went over to Schnepf Farms. It is a real working family-run farm that is open to the public seasonally. This is our 3rd fall in this house and we have never been, even though it is only 8 miles (but 20 minutes!) from our house. We went with all of Eric's family, and had a great time. The kids got their faces painted (not eme, too messy)-Davin has a skull, Aidan has a moon with bats.

A tractor pulled hay ride out to the 10-acre corn maze. The guy out there was impressed with our family-we walked the first maze, with 5 kids, in under 15 minutes, then Eric and Ryan did the other maze in a flat 15. People usually take 30 or more minutes per maze. After the maze, waiting for daddy and uncle Ryan.
This is the 1912 Parker carousel, it is the oldest carousel in Arizona, and it is listed with the national historic registry of historic carousels.
While on the farm...watch a pig race. For the third race, Aidan was chosen to be a pig cheerleader. His pig came in 2nd though.
On the spooky train ride...
At the end of the day, we had a great time, lots of fun. I think that we may come again next year, but earlier in the day.

I may be old...

I saw something today and I thought that I could either email Ed directly, or share it with everyone. I decided to share, I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.

The first car I remember Ed owning (please correct me if I'm wrong) was a light metalic blue datson/nissan 200 sx. I remember that the hydrolic lift was shot on its back hatch, so whenever the back was opened, Ed had to prop it up with a piece of PVC pipe (did it have the "screen" thing on the back too?). It was a 2 door, and Ed had put on dark tinting on the windows. Ed had to pick us "little" kids up from school in it on occation, and we would all cram into the back seat-he usually had a girl in the front.

I am remembering all of this today because, on my way home from Target, I saw his car. The only difference was that this car was metalic red, and had special plates. Oh, these weren't your normal, personalized plates. Oh, no. That's because, according to the state of Arizona, this car is an HISTORIC VEHICLE.
I realized today that although I may be getting older, at least I'm not historic, not yet.

My Birthday

Here is my birthday in review, it was a good one for me, thank you all :)
Last week-

• I lamented about not seeing everyone in too long
• Dan and Tricia told me of their pland to come to AZ next spring (with Ed and Jen poss.)
• Tom called and sung me happy birthday, a day late (he was still more than a week early, but nice thought)
• Eric told me I had "ruined" his mom's birthday idea for me, just like last year. Now, she has to think of something else to do :). Explanation- last year I has won the camera just two weeks before my b-day, she hap planned on getting me a digital camera; this year, mom sent me a box with more embroidery thread (I've now got 150+ spools), Eric's mom thought about getting me the thread treasure box (140+ spools), I really don't need it. Not my fault, still, it's funny.

This week-

• Mom called to ask if I would like a full house for Thanksgiving. Now Bill, Tom, and Julie's families, along with Mom and Dad, will be here. Full house, but fun.
• Eric finished my second bookshelf, bought me 6 cu. ft. of dirt, and we went to Home Depot for new plants (I'll post a pic after we get them in).
• Aidan has realized (finally) that he enjoys riding his bike, and has been practicing with his friends. He has improved exponentially. Davin has figured out how to pedal (I have to steer), but he likes it too.
• We had homemade pizza and brownie sundays for my dinner. We will have another birthday dinner at Eric's parents on Sat. with his sibling (more gifts :)
• I got lots of phone calls and emails from my family and friends. I love you all. It made my day.

Disclaimer

My birthday is not until the 18th. As I have been coming up with a birthday list, I have been thinking about my birthday, and then on to Thanksgiving and Chritmas. Sorry for the confussion.

Why my birthday makes me sad

Not quite the title you'd expect, is it? It isn't that I feel my birthday sucks or anything, or that I feel disappointed in my gifts, or that I don't like getting older. I've only begun to feel this way since we've moved to Arizona. It seems that everything we do involves Eric's family: from monthly FHE, birthdays, holidays, they are even our babysitters (usually). (and I'm not saying that those are bad things, they are quite nice actually) It's just that all of these family events are one sided, Eric's family. So, as my birthday comes around, I also begin to think ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I realize how much I miss my family.

Birthdays were always a family event. And Thanksgiving was wonderful, all of the usual foods, teasing mom about her yams with marshmallows, grandma Seguine's cranberry salad, white meat and dark meat, and the usual pies. I've made cranberry salad here, but it isn't recieved with the same enjoyment we used to have for it. Christmas was so special growing up, and even later as we would come home for it. Christmas Eve was about the ham and dinner, about driving around looking at Christmas lights so mom could finish cleaning up from dinner and wrap more gifts, and about eating cookies while drinking hot apple cider or hot chocolate while reading the Christmas story in front of the fire.

I guess I just really miss you all, and I really wonder if we will all be able to get together again. I know we tried at Tom's wedding, but as we were missing Tricia and then half of you got sick, it didn't really happen. And since half of you live on the East coast, and half of us live on the West coast, it becomes exceedingly difficult to all be together. I am so glad that Ed and Jen and Dan and Tricia's families are able to spend time together (I'm a little envious too), and that I get to see Julie at our 4th of July trips to Utah. My only hope is for mom and dad's 50th anniversary, but that is still more than 10 years away.

Anyway, I am glad for the wonderful memories I have of our all being together in our youth. I know it was harder as Ed and Bill got older to even want to be with the rest of us. But I thank you, it means so much to me now to remember how much you loved us all.