What Growing Pains?

As you move through different stages in life, you realize that you change and adapt to what is going on. Today was one of those moments when I realized Chris and I are getting "more mature" and adapting to the responsibilities of being home owners and soon-to-be parents. I ordered a vacuum last week and Chris has been so excited to get it. Keep in mind, this is no average or ordinary vacuum. It is the Dyson DC28 Animal.

Today we drove home and as we drove in front of our house he saw a big box and started shouting "Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!" He gave me just enough time to bring the car to a stop so that he could jump out and grab the vacuum. It was absolutely hilarious. Welcome the Dyson Animal with the Air Muscle. Our carpets are already cleaner than they have been in the last 3 months. Ah...the joys and entertainment of growing up!

The Alpine Way

An Alpine trip was always a big summer thing for my family growing up, and we all got the chance to head up there for a weekend and escape from the heat! I took my new camera (and for some reason think I know how to use it) and took SO MANY pictures. It was a fun trip to have with everyone in our family there, including Peighton (the new addition). They're fun to look at, even though there are literally hundreds. To sum the weekend up we did a lot of shooting....

Mom...

Dad...

Brook...

Jensen (who I think was the best shot with this gun...we had a contest)...
Ty...Jade wanted to shoot and got a couple of good rounds off. (we're so proud of you Jade!)

Chris...
And even me!...

We had a photo shoot with Brook and her three horses.

Drove up the Escadilla (on the most windy day ever might I add).

Found a perfect carving stick.

Fell in love with Peighton.

And posed for some pictures.

Caught Brook read-handed in a weak moment :)

And made a "Dog on a Stick".

Again, it was a quick trip and a lot of driving over the course of three days, but it was well worth it!

Canada...Eh!

We decided (and by we I mean Chris) that a fun trip was in order to celebrate our one year anniversary, graduation, and to get to have one more big trip with just the two of us before the baby comes. So to Canada we went! We flew into Calgary and drove to Banff (which is probably one of the most beautiful places i have ever been to). We had a total blast. My graduation gift from Chris was a new Nikon camera and it was perfect timing for our trip. Keep in mind, the pictures still don't do complete justice for how beautiful it really is. But here's the attempt to share it...

We stopped to take a picture on our way to Lake Louise
Lake Louise, absolutely gorgeous. It was still mostly frozen over...I know...hard to imagine for all of us Arizona folks that don't see ice at all.
The gondola ride up to the top of Sulfur Mountain.
The gorgeous view of the entire valley from the top of the mountain.
And the cute weather station on the top (which is no longer in use...but still cool to see).
And all the stairs we had to go up to get to the weather station. The combination of a higher altitude, windy weather, and being pregnant was not a very good one, but we made it (slowly).
This is the Banff Springs Hotel, it used to be an old castle.
Some of the falls...
And a cute bridge with a typical view of beautiful Canada.
And of course...Chris with the Belly dancer at the Greek restaurant.

This one of the best trips Chris and I have been on. It was absolutely gorgeous and a great escape for a week.

What more could you want?

Babies, Babies, Babies!

There have been about seven babies born on my side of the family alone in the past eight months or so and it has been so fun. But the two we are closest to are Ty and Jade's baby Peighton Jade Bennett on my side.

And Melanie and Paul's baby Peyton Melia Towers on Chris's side.

While we love them both, Peyton (the later of the two) has quite the arrival story. Melanie was originally due on June 26 and recently had her due date moved to June 19. She lives in California with her husband and her wonderful mother-in-law Debbie. Melanie and Debbie came to visit Mesa for a family baby shower on Saturday May 30. We woke up to a phone call Sunday morning from Chris's mom at 7:30 saying letting us know that Melanie's water broke at 2:30 am at her brother Clint's house in Tempe. Needless to say, they rushed her to a hospital and Paul was on the first flight here. Having Peyton born here was such an awesome experience. And while I feel horrible for the panic and stress it put on Melanie and Paul, the family members here were so blessed to be able to be a part of it all and to be able to be there for it. She is a beautiful little baby and we have already fallen in love with her. So at the expense of Paul and Melanie's sanity, we would like to say thank you for letting us all meet baby Peyton earlier than any of us expected!

A Year in the Making

This past year has been such a whirlwind and has flown by. Here's just a quick view of some of the major things that have happened...

Chris and I started the adventure when we were married on May 16, 2008.

We celebrated Grandma and Grandpa Bennett's 50th Wedding Anniversary on a Mexican Riviera Cruise.

We found out we were pregnant in February 2009 (later in May found out it was a girl).

We moved into our first home in March 2009.

I graduated from ASU on May 14, 2009.

We were sealed in the Mesa Temple on May 16, 2009.

I know this is the beginning to a greater adventure and it has been absolutely wonderful and by far the best year of my life...so far.