#7: February was short but awesome (just like Diane).

What's up, world wide web? February has been a great month. We went up to Idaho to visit Diane's parents and a couple of her sisters (but since she has four of them, I won't go into the trouble of naming which ones). :) Diane's dad recently got a hip replacement, so we went up to see if we could help take care of him (and provide some comic relief). Even though he was in pain, he was moving around like a champ. I sure enjoy visiting with him. He's a great friend and I always look forward to spending time with him.

Here are some pictures from our visit, as well as other odds and ends during the month.

Our youngest niece likes to wear arm chair covers as a hat.

I think it matches particularly well with her cupcake pajamas.

Playing "Telestrations", a mix between "Telephone" and...."Illustrations"?

Yeah, that's probably it.

I pride myself on my ability to act out in public. 

Here I celebrate a stellar 12 point round of "Guesstures".

Family prayer--Diane teased her dad about being unwilling to kneel down.

I mean, come on, it's ONLY a hip surgery.

Diane went to get a pedicure with her mom. 

She wouldn't let me post a picture of her feet though.

We always feel sad when we have to leave, but we always feel loved when Diane's mom stands on the porch to wave goodbye. Can't wait to see them again soon.

I love to sing to along to the radio (particularly to Enrique Iglesias' "Let Me Be Your Hero").

It makes Diane cringe, but I know that deep down it REALLY makes her swoon.

Cheesecake Factory with our great friends, Ariel and Tara, after a Friday night adoption panel.

Our shopping cart makes me look like a much healthier eater than I actually am.

In fact, I could really go for a bowl of Marshmallow Mateys right now.

One of my favorite things about Diesel is that he hugs like a person.

Actually, that's one of my favorite things about Diane too.

My Valentine present to Diane: Cheese danish and tulips.

Diane's Valentine present to me: Lays potato chips and two lips.

We went to a health fair at the local hospital.

Diane's pose made me think of Chris De Burgh's "Lady in Red".

While at the health fair, we ran into our good friend Chris.

Chris is a lot like Superman--

he serves in the temple every week, volunteers on the city council, and even has black hair.

We had a pizza and movie night with Diane's best friend Natalie.

She has adorable twin girls--can't believe they are almost two.

It was totally warm yesterday (like mid 50's, baby!). 

We celebrated by taking my grandma to lunch and ice cream.

Diesel thinks he has good camouflage,

but he forgot to put on his flower-print sweater.

An intense game of Jenga with Jeff. He's got steady hands for an old guy.

I look constipated in this picture, but I'm just focusing really hard.

How much longer can this thing go?!

 Answer: it can't.

Until next time, have a good one!

#6: Disneyland!

Wow, what a week! We just got home from Disneyland with Diane's entire family. For many of them, it was their first visit to Disneyland (or in Diane's mom's case, her first visit since 1960 anyway). The park was not crowded, we got to ride every ride we wanted, and it really was magical to watch the little cousins take it all in. We had an amazing time, and I can't wait to go back!

On our first day, we got to be the family chosen to officially "open" the park.

It was awesome to start the countdown and then yell "Let the magic begin!"

 Going on rides with the kids was definitely one of the best parts.

Diane's dad got to "drive" the jeep on the Indiana Jones ride. 

He made sure to put his hat on backwards for the occasion.

 My nephew and I don't just like Star Wars--we LOVE it.

My favorite picture from the trip: Diane and one of our nieces waving to Mickey at the parade.

I'm not going to lie--Belle is my favorite princess. 

She even waved and winked at me. I'll never wash my eyes again.

King Arthur's Carousel with Diane's brother Andrew. 

My horse appears to be in pain.

This niece is my birthday buddy. She was one happy little princess.

A couple of yellow Dianes just waiting for the gates to open.

Waiting patiently in her Minnie Mouse tutu for her ticket to get scanned.

Nemo's submarine with Grandma. Fish are friends--not food.

Andrew, Liz, and their son on Dumbo. 

Darth Vader....also on Dumbo.

One nephew and one niece were chosen for the Jedi training academy.

I think Jedis definitely look cooler with sunglasses.

Minnie with nieces.

Mickey with....spouses?

One of our nieces has a rare condition giving her four hands.

It definitely comes in "handy".

 Diane promised me she would go on the Tower of Terror.

Unfortunately, she slept through the whole thing.

Not to be the butt of any jokes.

P.I.Arrrrrrr.A.T.E.S!!!

A more colorful version of Mary Poppins.

You're never to cool for bananas.

 When the other adults went on the new Cars ride, I got the kids to play ring-around-the-rosies.

What can I say? I'm just a cool uncle like that.

I bet we are the only people to ever take a picture at this spot.

 Seven siblings who also happen to be friends!

 Cinderella, Cinderella, and Cinderella after changing out of her dress.

Diane's parents had a great time and loved being able to spend the week with their grandkids. 

Dessert at the Blue Bayou: $8.99 of deliciousness. 

To put it gently, I sometimes have a....competitive personality. One of my favorite people to compete with is Diane's oldest brother Ben--whether at ping pong, Mario Kart, or when at Disneyland, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. Since he is older than I am, I figured he would have bad reflexes, and I would easily beat him. Well, I was wrong. Not only did he beat me, but he quadrupled my score. I can't even pretend that I was shooting left-handed or anything since Diane got photo evidence. Sigh, stupid photo evidence.

We opened the park on our first day, and we closed it on our last. 

Disneyland forever!

#5: Temple Run, Stake Dance, George Strait, Lettuce Wraps.

Did you notice that the title of this post ALMOST rhymes? (I know, I'm very clever). Diane and I have had a great couple of weeks. Here's what's been going on in our neck of the woods (thanks, Al Roker).

We went down to the U and got some ice cream from Diane's sister 

Marge's favorite ice cream place: Hatch Family Chocolates, 

which is run by a family of little people and used to have its own TLC show.

Lime waffle cone.

Our garage door caved in after many years of valiant service. 

Rest in peace, old friend. Rest in peace.

 I have a slight addiction to the iPhone game "Temple Run 2". After getting my high score, 

I finally had to delete it because I wanted to play rather than go to work in the morning.

Last weekend we chaperoned the Youth Multi-Stake dance. 

Diane isn't much of a fan of my dancing, but at least I make her laugh.

 These boys were obviously trying to beat my Temple Run high score. 

Apparently that is safer than asking a girl to dance.

 Diane had a wicked cold this week. I caught her post-sneeze.

 Diane and her friend Melinda at the George Strait concert.

George Strait is Diane's "celebrity crush". She has a thing for dreamy old cowboys.

 

For Young Women's this week, the girls came over to our house to make lettuce wraps.

Or as I like to call them, let us raps.

#4: Babies are Miracles.

This week my world was busy and wonderful. I love life and I feel so blessed! On Tuesday night I went to a baby shower. I have to “gear up” for baby showers as it is sometimes hard to be the only woman in the room who doesn’t have any pregnancy stories and to some degree just feels like the “odd ball”.  I just kind of nod when they talk about puke, poop, developmental mile stone’s etc... But I decided this week I was not going to be sad or feel down.  Do I still feel a little odd? Well... yes.  But instead of feeling sad I just tried to think of all of my blessings and think about the day that we will hopefully get to adopt and bring home our sweet baby. 

Thursday night we got the opportunity to go to a birth parent panel. I have so much admiration for birth moms and dads. There was a sweet peaceful feeling. I left the meeting feeling peace and knowing the our Heavenly Father is in charge and that He will put the right baby with the right parents. Sometimes I worry so much if we will have the opportunity to adopt and if a birth mom will choose us. Then I have little reminders like that night to help me remember who is truly in charge and that our baby will come in the Lord’s time.  The more I learn about open adoption the more peace I feel. I love adoption and I think it is such an incredible gift for all involved. I sat in our little nursery tonight that awaits a phone call that a new baby will grace that room. I wrote in the journal of our future baby about what has happened lately. I can’t wait till I sit in that same rocker and snuggle our cute baby!  

Tonight we went to the hospital to visit with our dear friends, Jeff and Jenni, as they welcomed their third baby. What a gift and miracle each baby is! We can’t wait for our miracle. Our life is blessed and I am happy. Here are some of the other things we have been up to (with captions from Steve).

We spent New Year's Eve with Jeff and Jenni and actually managed to stay up until Midnight this year (last year we made it until 9:30).
Jenni had her baby tonight.We are so excited for them!

 Jeff and I are both nerdy accountants.

We love to play games and compete against each other.

He usually beats me at "Mario Kart", but I've got the high score in "Temple Run".

In this picture, I think he was trying to intimidate me into making a bad move.

 Diesel acts like a huge Utah Jazz fan. But truthfully, I think he just likes the food commercials.

Speaking of food, Diane made some of her Cousin Kay's awesome granola this week.

Trust me, it'll keep you regular. :)

We did some last minute smoke alarm changes prior to our adoption home study.

I'm not an electrician, but I could probably play one on TV.

 We have had a fun time putting our adoption pass-along cards in random places.

Here we are on a recipe board at a local grocery store.

Our card manages to stand out, don't you think?