Vacation in AZ

Here are a few pictures from us hiking to Reavis Ranch.. the long Wednesday hike- but it was still pretty fun. See- even Jimmy made it with us!

Here is Matt's graduation..... what a mess! Out of all the graduations I have gone to AZ, none have ever been like this. It was raining on and off all day, Gilbert thought about moving the ceremony inside but kept it outside for some reason. Here is Dan, Tyler, Kelli, Scott and Ben before everything started. Jim and Monica came with the kids but left once they found out no audio was feeding into the auditorium. Dan, Kelli and Scott lasted about 45 minutes. It just got too rainy and cold and was pretty miserable. Grandma and Uncle Tim did stay with Ben, Dad and me through out the whole thing. The crazy part was through all the rain, the Principal still had everyone speak- all 8 or so people. Parents were walking all over the field getting their kids some water gear, once some kids got their diploma's they took off for the car.. amusing I guess. We did find Matt to get a couple pictures and then were out of there.
Friday after graduation we headed up to Payson for a week getaway. I left Monday (Memorial Day) to get back to work but Ben stayed until the end of the week- giving him almost 2 1/2 weeks in AZ. And me alone in CO. But here is a picture of the boys Bolfing. It was A LOT of fun. I played a couple times- and the boys were very patient with letting a pregnant, wimpy girl play their game. I got to cheat and start a little closer and got more encouragement than I felt deserved. Those boys sure are fun to play with !! And Ben got a little crazy playing paintball with the terrain not being oh so flat- so he got a little sprain and took a cool picture! Very pretty...
Of course we had to take one with both of us, won't be too long before there won't be just both of us. Plus- my parents flew up for the day so they could take me home, so had to take a picture of them on our little hike/walk. I'm glad they got to come up and spend some time with them. I was down in AZ for longer than usual, but had a lot of McDowell time- but it is always good to have the Skousen's come around.
A lot happened on that trip, and it was great to be able to go home- But also great to get back to the house. Even if I was alone and going back to work. A little baby note- it is amazing how one day you don't look or feel pregnant and then the next morning that little bump doesn't go away and gets bigger. I was bummed Ben couldn't come home with me. I had another check-up... and everytime I go in I get an US to check the heartbeats. It was so fun to see the little babies squirm around. But then the next day I started looking pregnant. And then a week went by, and this week I really look pregnant. I don't feel far enough along to be showing- but the three little dudes are growing so that is a really good sign. Maybe next week I'll get to keep some pictures and update those that are interested!!

Too Much going on

I was thinking we'd update this a little more often with more news to share, but things have gotten a little busy and haven't had too much free time. So a re-cap... we went to an arena football game with the Caffall's one friday night the beginning of May- decided we should probably get out a little more while we have the opportunity.Then we made it home for Mother's Day as a last minute trip. We spent most of our time Hanging out at the McDowell's to spend time with the family since it was a short quick trip. Sunday morning mom got a Bath and I had the chance to poof up her hair a little bit, so here is the Mother's Day pic of the year. We had dinner at Jim and Monica's- and then we flew out to CO around 10:30p. Tuesday night Ben flew back home since his mom wasn't doing too well- and I made it home Thursday after a partial day of work. Mom McDowell passed away Wednesday night so it wasn't a planned thing to come home so soon, but it was great that we were able to make it home on short notice. Ben was about done with school for the semester and I am able to get a week off of work, so we are still here spending time with the family. The viewing was Friday night and the Funeral Saturday morning. Ben gave an excellent spiritual talk and all the boys did a great job giving the life sketch. They had plenty to work with since she's such an amazing lady. We did a little searching through pictures and got stories from the aunts and uncles of how things were growing up.... it was fun to learn a little more about her and the past. We will definitely miss her, but hope she is taking care of our little babies in the mean time. So that was our filled weekend and now have a chance to relax a little bit. Yesterday we went hiking to Reavis Ranch- a total of 14 miles and I am completely wiped out. It was great to get outdoors and was beautiful- as AZ gets anyway. So today I had a chance to stay chilled all morning and pretty much slept. My body just doesn't work the same anymore. I did get another Ultrasound sometime in the past week or two, so I'll see what we can do about that. I'm sure everyone else knows what they look like- but I was pretty proud that they look like babies now. We'll see.....

So if you haven't heard.....

I know it has been a while since Lauren (Hamblin Brown) posted her last pregnant picture, (Triplets??) but it was kind of funny to see. For those of those who haven't known- we have been interested in having kids for awhile. After patiently waiting and multiple appointments, We found out some exciting news about a month or so ago- that I was PREGNANT. So yeah! Now the funny part, to incorporate why I mentioned Lauren's blog, is as if now- I am pregnant with Triplets!! (Hopefully that won't change) So if I could only look half as good as how Lauren looked, that would be fantastic! For those who have known and have been waiting to see, here is the picture of our most recent Ultrasound. I am due to have plenty more in the weeks to come (since three makes High Risk and more appts) so maybe we'll get a better view and we can post that in the future.
The babies are labeled Twin A, B and C since the US machine doesn't do triplets. TW A is in its own gestational sac, while TW B and C are sharing a sac, so they are Identical Twins! Pretty crazy and a lot to take in... but you'll get over in a week or two and can be SO EXCITED like we are. All is well, I am doing great.. Just trying not to explode too fast and enjoy all the freedom and sleep while I can. Ben just finished his finals and has a little break to look forward to over Memorial Week before he starts the summer session and last year. YEAH!! Time flies when you're having fun I guess. He is super and excited and is going to be a great Dad!! I can't wait. He has already pointed out he won't be doing a lot starting next Winter.... snowboarding, golfing, biking- whatever else he usually wants to do, because he'll be spending all his time with me and the kids!! Talk about dedication and love!! My 40 week due date is December 4th, but the average triple pregnancy only makes it about 33 weeks with everything looking good. Let's hope so! I've got a Guatemala trip to go on in August. So if anyone is needing a break next Winter, you are welcome to come to Denver and hang out!!

Wedding!!

First- I am so not good with the blogging stuff, so read the next post FIRST and then come back to this!!
Grand-Skousens were the longest married couple, so they got to dance!! Then Brent is by the surfboards for people to sign when they walk in, that Dustin made!! And Dad and Alyssa helping out!






The reception was fantastic. There was a total laid back-relaxing mood, the set up was great, the food was easy and tasty... When the sun went down the lights looked just perfect! I wish we would have gotten more pictures.. But hopefully you all get the point. So that was fun Saturday! Sunday I did a little hair at the Gonzalez's, then we joined Julie and D for some present opening and BBQ.



Then off to McDowell's for a little dinner and crazy fun with the McDowells.... and yah. Monday was a great relaxing day off, played around at Freestone Park, a little swimming in the pool to get some sun, and then the Flaherty FHE party. It was SO MUCH FUN!! I love going home to AZ, seeing all the family we can, enjoying the sunshine and heat. Hopefully will get to come home again soon and see everyone again! *and there is cute Gracyee!!

WeDdInG wEeKeNd

We are finally having something to write it with some excitement that happened in our lives. We made another trip home to AZ, the both of us, for a once in a lifetime occasion. Julie Skousen is now Julie Luchessi after marrying Dustin on Saturday and creating a wedding weekend. Congrats Julie and Dustin!! We are all so excited for you!! We wedding was Beautiful and the ceremony went really well. A couple of us walked down first, then Michelle's girls were the flower girls- and were very entertaining, so that lightened the mood a little bit. Then Julie looking Gorgeous as ever walked down and changed the mood again. After the wedding, tons of pictures were taken, the reception got some finishing touches added.
Julie front and center! And the sisters below!
Julie with Alyssa and Kylee

Ben Says Hello

Jen has finally pinned me down and is requiring that I participate in this family blog. So, here goes.

That wimpy basketball team of mine finished the season 0-8, with an average score of 40 something to 6 or 7. There was only 1 game all season that we were even remotely competitive, but we had a good time. Fortunately for us, all teams made the playoffs with two divisions - Good teams and not so good teams. Game 1 was amazing - we demolished the other team to win 22-7. The best part is that when game 2 rolled around later that afternoon my team obviously had forgotten the first 3 months of the season. They were talking so much trash to the other team about how they were going to kill them. And they did! They backed it up! Reality set in harshly come game 3, but they didn't care. They were winners, got trophies, and I was proud of them.

Aside from that, I just got back from Spring Break. No, I didn't go to Miami for the parties. Just to AZ to spend some time with family. We went camping for a few days on the rim east of Payson. I got sun burned the first day, but loved the heat. I have to take the opportunity to brag - I beat Jim in a game of hand-gun PIG. (I may have lost in HORSE, but I beat a cop in PIG - go figure). Mom about fell over when she shot the 9 mm - good laughs for everyone. Aside from that, we did a little fishing (I caught two bite size fish sticks), felled a dead tree with a chainsaw (my first ever), and shot paintballs at anything Jimmy (Jim's son) could see.

School is back in session and keeping me busy, but the countdown is on. Only 14 months until graduation.

Great Fun

Last weekend we had a chance to go to AZ and spend some time with the family. Ben went to Matt's Volleyball tournament On Saturday and I went with my mom to Julie's Bridal Shower.. So I got some pictures of that! She had an awesome shower with some fun games.. I was really impressed and glad I had the chance to participate. We also had fun, once again, with Brittany and Shelby coming over to play games with the McDowell's. They are always good sports- and WE Love seeing them every time we are down. Also fun to see all the family with the kids growing up and running around everywhere. Even coming home every month or so there is always something new going on. The best part though, as usual, was being able to spend time outside- It was perfect. We could walk home from church, wear sandals and a t-shirt, I can't wait. Then we flew in Monday morning to snow all over the place... Yeah for CO. Ben did get to take advantage of the snow and went snowboarding yesterday while I stayed home and slept... And of course said the snow was perfect. Hopefully something fun will happen in the next couple of weeks. Ben has Spring Break so maybe he'll bring back some exciting stories to share...
(I also got to host Bunko this week and a friend brought such and AWESOME tray to share so I had to take a picture. It was fantastic)