Portland

I can't remember if I already blogged about my trip to Portland with my sister a couple months ago, to visit some of my favorite cousins or not, but I stole these pics off my sister's blog, so I figured I may as well use them.
We were planning on moving to Portland this summer (Vancouver, WA, actually), because that's where Thad got in to law school, then last minute (about 3 weeks ago), we got that call from University of Utah, accepting Thad to law school right here in Utah! We are so proud of him! So a week and a half ago, we moved out of our little home into my mom's place. Which has been awesome, except that she moved on Tuesday to Washington DC for awhile (at least a couple months). Although I should say, Thad had surgery on his ffot (had a bone spur removed) and has been in a cast and on crutches for 3 or 4 weeks now, so moving was a BIG challenge without his help (of course, he was a great supervisor and let everyone know where things should go).
Last week, we closed on the house, so the timing was really perfect for us! I also started working last week, and Thad started his orientation meetings this week, so life has been pretty busy!

Suprise Birthday!

My mom and sis planned a huge surprise birthday for me this year with the coolest theme ever-- "Around the world in 30 years". The best part was that it focused more on the cool international theme and less on the age. I had no idea they were planning this for me!
Everyone wore international clothing and brought an international dish. We had the most amazing buffet dinner. For decorations, there was a huge map with pompoms glued on to every country I have visited, and the name and flags of all these countries printed off, decorating the room, as well as cool souvenirs that we have picked up in various countries over the years. Everyone signed a huge birthday card which turned out to be the back of a map. So cool! The cake had a huge globe on it and said "Around the world in 30 years" around the globe. Thanks Meliss!
Everyone put a lot of work into it. It was the coolest party ever! Thanks everyone who planned/helped out/attended!
Oh, and the next night (my actual birthday), we happened across some of my old Strawberry Shortcake pajamas that we had to dress Siena up in, so I am including a pic of that as well.

Fossil Hunting & Thistle

Yesterday we went for a road trip with our friends, the Horns, through Spanish Fork canyon to do some fossil hunting. Thad found a couple of awesome shells, I found a grasshopper-looking fish thing, and my friend Christie found a perfectly formed (and fossilized) fish along with some plants and other unidentifiable but definitely authentic fossils. Thad even found some mud along the way! What good explorers!
On the way back, we stopped at the ghost town of Thistle. It was destroyed in 1983 when there was a huge mudslide that dammed up the river that flooded the town. The floors of the houses are still under water!

Siena's Many birthday celebrations

The first celebration was a cousin's dinner at Uncle Larry and Aunt Raili's last Sunday (they always have a gathering each fast Sunday of the month to celebrate the birthdays that month). So that's when Siena got to try cake for the first time. Actually, on that one, she was more interested in the strawberries. She grabbed a strawberry in one hand, some frosting in the other, mixed them together and went for it! This girl know what she likes!

These pictures are from Siena's birthday party on Saturday, where a bunch of friends got together and we had a grand time, playing "hot bug" (like hot potato, but with a giant ladybug ball), we had a cake walk, and we played put the spot on the ladybug. My sister Melissa helped me make the ladybug cupcakes (thanks, Meliss!), and we had lots of fruit and ladybugs on a log (with craisins on celery with peanut butter). Siena really liked her ladybug cupcake, once she figured out what it was and what she wass supposed to do with it, but her favorite part was seeing everyone gathered around her as she opened up the presents. She kept waving at everybody and clapping! I'd say that overall, the party was a big hit!

Chillin in Park City

Here's a pic of me with Siena in her new matching jellys and sunglasses I picked up at the outlets in Park City. She so chill.

Magali

Our wonderful Brazilian friends gave Siena a little Magali outfit and squeaky toy while we are in Brazil, and now she is finally big enough to wear them! Obrigada Loidinha (Vera) e Maristela! Voces sao 10!

Siena's Birthday Presents

So as an early birthday present for Siena (her birthday is Thursday, party on Saturday 2pm at my mom's, come!), I got her a Take 2 bike trailer, so now I can take her anywhere on my bike, it's great! We also got her the helmet, to keep her extra safe (which she hates because it's a little big and sometimes falls down over her eyes). Oh well, can't win 'em all!

Siena and Grandma

...and they're havin' such a good time!

Photo Shoot

Have I ever mentioned that I love JCPenney Portrait studio? They do a fantastic job, and you can always find great coupons online. Here are some shots from our latest, with Aunt Melissa and cousin Jairus.

Austalia

No, not the movie... the actual country. We got back on Sunday. Only had a week there, found last a minute deal. Went with my mom, hubby and Siena (she was an awesome traveler!) We spent the first couple days in Cairns doing the Great Barrier Reef, where I did a dive and saw a sea turtle, HUGE clam shell (about 6 ft across!), among tons of other things. Snorkeling, we swam with a shark, Thad saw a cuttlefish, and TONS of other colorful and beautiful creatures!
The other 5 days were spent in Spectacular Sydney. We stayed at Manly beach, and enjoyed the opera house, botanical gardens, the zoo, the Blue Mountains, took a hike, traveled everywhere with the ferry and clean train system. I have never been to a big city that was so clean, beautiful and full of wonderfully happy, nice and helpful people! We liked it so well that we are making plans to move there when Thad finishes law school!

Siena zonked out

crazy flowers we saw in the Botanical gardens

Siena with a huge koala at the Taronga Zoo (don't worry, we saw real ones too. This one just sat still for us, so uit was easier to nab a photo)

Sign in the park/at the beach

Siena standing on her own!

Beautiful, beautiful Manly beach

reflection of Syndey Harbor bridge off of the Opera house

Beautiful Opera house from the Harbor View

Siena excited to get there









Siena happy as a clam :)


















Snorkeling on the GBR with my honey, Siena making a hair fashio statement (she could be on a commercial with this pic!)




The huge fish named Wally. Can't remember what kind he was...







Cockatoos are everywhere!




Trekking in the Blue Mountains
with the 3 Sisters rock formation behind us that you can't see