This Year's Highlights August '07 - July '08

So I've given in to peer pressure and finally started a blog. I've never been any good a keeping journal, so we'll see how this goes. I think I over analyze what I'm writing too much and then it takes too long and I just stop writing. But I'm willing to give it another try...

So to start off I'm going to put in some of this past year's highlights.
So last August was Hood to Coast. It was a blast! This was my second time running it, and I was so much more prepared. I achieved my 2 goals. #1 To run the whole time, no walking what so ever. And #2 To be able to walk afterword. Casey has run this race several times and it has been fun to run with him. We've finally found something athletic that we can do together. (I have a feeling he is always going to be faster than I am.)

In September Brooklyn started Kindergarten and Soccer. She really loved school this year. I had the chance to be the Art Discovery teacher for her class, and went in once a month to teach about different styles of art and do a project with them. I loved being able to see her in her class. She was always excited to see me. I hope she always is even when she gets older.

In October I went to Nauvoo with my parents. We actually flew into Kansas City, MO. Then we started out by going to Independence, then Liberty Jail. The next day we drove to Hannibal (home town of Mark Twain). I was about 2 months pregnant and feeling pretty queasy the whole trip. Hannibal is a really old town and had really old buildings that smelled old, so adding that to my queasiness I didn't feel to great that day. We then went to Far West and then Quincy, where the Saints stayed when they were driven from Far West. Then we went to Carthage Jail and Nauvoo. I have to say, that was the best part of the trip.

I learned so much about the prophet Joseph Smith. I gained a greater understanding of the pioneers and how they lived and what they sacrificed. I also gained a great appreciation for how hard they worked and how much faith they must have had. We looked up our relatives that lived in Nauvoo. I found out that my relatives and the Baldwin's had commercial property right next to each other. Kind of cool! I also found where they actually lived. When I saw that my actual ancestors lived there and what they sacrificed for the Gospel it reminded me that it is because of them I have the gospel in my life and not to take that for granted. We also had time to do an endowment session in the Temple, which is so beautiful. We then drove back going first to Winter Quarters, and then Adam-On-Di-Amon. I saw and learned so much, I would love to write it all but there will never be enough time. I have to go back some day and take Casey and maybe the whole family.

In January Nathan broke his leg, put a bead in his ear, got an ear infection in the other ear, and then got the flu, all in 4 weeks. By March he was finally out of his walking boot.

In April I had this great idea to put in new hard wood floors and carpet. It all sounded so simple. I was so wrong. Casey ended up getting bursitis in his elbow and had to go on antibiotics. But we got it done anyway, I wasn't much help, since I was 4 weeks from having a baby. I love the new floors, and I'm pretty sure it was worth it!?

Then on May 10th we had our 4th child. Little (not really little) Cody Brooks Baldwin was born. He weighted 9lbs 14 oz and was 19inches long. He is so stinkin cute! Not a very good sleeper though. He was also pretty colicky for the first month and a half. The delivery was pretty special though. My sister Callie had already gone in to the hospital and delivered her baby at 10:30pm and then at 2:30am I started having contractions and delivered Cody at 5:30am. So baby Evelyn and Cody are only 7 hours apart, but have different birthdays! Plus, I was in the hospital with my sister. Sounds like a movie, hu?

In June Casey's family came out for his blessing. It was so fun to have them all come visit us out here again. Casey's mom and I also talked Casey into building a play structure. It turned out really great. But after the play structure and the floors,Casey and I decided we needed a break from projects for awhile. We were pooped!

At the end of June I was in charge of a Family Reunion for the Mays. So we went to Seaside, Oregon. We did an Olympic theme, since they are this summer. We had a blast. Our family is getting really big. I also learned alot about putting on a reunion. There are alot of things you can forget to do! Next time it'll be even better. I think I will do a family trivia game.

In July we took our annual Utah trip. We look forward to this all year. This year we stayed at Heidi and Ryan's and went to the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden. Heidi also had a water slide in her back yard the kids loved. Then we went to Lagoon with Heidi and Cohen, and Briggs and Natalie and family, and Bridget and Allison. I was soooo fun!!! Brooklyn is our little dare devil. The only thing that held her back from any of the rides was her height. She went on the Colossus but she said her favorite was Wicked! Olivia was a little more nervous. She preferred all the children's rides. She is as tall as Brooklyn so she could have gone on alot more rides, but I have to remember that she really is only 4 years old. Nathan had a blast too. I was totally prepared for someone to cry at some point, but everyone was totally happy until the end. We didn't leave until 9:30 at night! The next day we visited Briggs and Natalie's house and went out to eat. Right went we walked in Nathan started throwing up, then Olivia too. I was so worried they were sick, but they stopped and never did it again. Whew!

Then we went down to Beaver, Utah for the Pioneer Day parade and foot races. Brooklyn got 2nd place and got a quarter, and Olivia got 1st place and got a 50 cent piece! Nathan was too hot and tired from the parade so he didn't run. Casey and I got second in the married piggy-back race. (We lost to Bridget and Tommy, who I might add, are not married) We then had the Baldwin reunion at the Pioneer park.

So that's it. One year! Let's see if I can keep up this year!