We made it!

Well, we're here in Vernal Utah! It's been about 2 weeks now since we left our home in Austin, Texas. So much has happened it's hard to fill you all in. We haven't gotten our internet hooked up yet, so we're making trips to our county library often to feel connected to the rest of the world!! So far so good though...we love our home (that's really our perk). We have nice neighbors, but haven't been here for church yet, so haven't met too many people so far. Connor is adjusting well, he had a hard weekend with me gone for a couple of days to see my friend Hannah in Chicago. Grandma and Grandpa Burton took good care of him though. Yesterday we took a short drive up the mountains to Red Fleet lake and hiked around...Connor was in heaven!! He was strapped to Mac the entire time and would not stop grinning and kicking his little feet. We're really going to have to take advantage of the great weather here this summer and take lots of hikes day trips with him. We took some great pictures too, but again don't have our internet so we'll post as soon as we are connected to you all. Mac starts work on Monday so we'll be sad for the vacation to end. I'm sure our neighbors are wondering if he even works since we're outside during the day most days working on our lawn and garden. We're doing good, but missing our friends and family back in Austin. Mac keeps reminding me the first month is the hardest, so I'm hoping it goes by quickly.

My Baby Boy...

I just can't believe it! Connor is a crawling maniac...can't put him down anymore and expect him to be there for even one minute. Since he first figured the crawling thing out he's been non-stop! Now yesterday he figured out how to stand up by himself in his crib. I went in to get him up from his morning nap and there he was the biggest grin ever looking mighty proud of his accomplishments. He can now stand up along the couches and his pack n play. We also have gotten more scratches and bruises already, with all his practicing we were bound to have some falls. No big ones though. I feel bad because Mac has been gone all week in Pittsburgh for his final academic obligations!!! Whohoo!!! He feels like he's missing out on so much, but I remind him Connor will still be doing all his new tricks when he gets home. It really is amazing to me though to see how much Connor is learning on a daily basis. We're teaching him sign language with the series "Signing Time with Rachel" and he loves it and is getting so close to signing--"All Done and More." I love being a mom!

It's Official...

We are officially first time home-buyers! After the most difficult and stressful process ever we finally have our first house! In case some of you didn't know we are moving in about 2 weeks to Vernal Utah. We are very excited to be living within an hour of Mac's parents. Connor will get to learn how to ride horses, camp, go 4-wheeling, and I'm sure take rides with daddy on the motorbike. I've never lived out in the country, so this will be a new experience for me. Mac seems to think I'll fall in love with it and not want to leave....we'll see. We have a Walmart about 5 minutes from our house and as far as any other shopping goes it will be from online. Of course we'll have the occassional trips to Salt Lake or Provo for shopping, but for the most part....Walmart. It'll be an adjustment from now where Target, Costco, the mall, and pretty much everything else is all less than 10 minutes from our home.

We've had such a good time here being so close with Darrin and Emily and having the best babysitters in the world for Connor! We're going to miss them as well as the countless friends we've made here. I've been in denial about the move until today since we bought our home. I know it'll be great though and we're excited to meet new people and grow as a family.

Moving always seems to give you the opportunity to become better and make new goals for yourself especially since you're starting over with new surroundings and people. So far my goals are to find a piano teacher and continue to learn the piano, entertain more in our home, and be more outgoing (still a little on the shy side with new people). I am also looking into being a volunteer volleyball coach at the local high school, which is one street over from us! Mac and I are also planning on doing our first triathlon together sometime before summer ends. We'll let you know how it all goes!

Fun in the Sun!

The last couple of days have been beautiful here in Austin Texas! We've enjoyed taking Connor to the park and to our ward campout at Granger Lake. Connor loves to be outside...he's loved it since day one and we're so glad since we love it too! We're already getting sad seeing that we're down to 4 weeks til we leave this great state and trying to fit in as much as possible. We're going to miss the amazingly warm winters we've experienced here especially since I was able to run all year long without worrying about it being too cold. This weekend has been 75 and warmer, which is perfect weather for us to get out as a family and enjoy it! I hope wherever you all are, it's getting warmer by the day for you!! Summer is almost here!

Ticket To Ride

For those of you who are in need of a great game to play with your family and friends....I highly recommend "Ticket To Ride." We got this game as a gift from my parents for Christmas and love it! I'm reminded again by how much fun it is because last night it was about 9:30pm and Mac and I were heading to bed, but not exactly tired. So, I suggested we play the game in bed just the two of us. We had never played a board game in bed for one, but also never played with just two players either. It's fun sometimes to mix things up, rather than reading in bed every night, why not play a board game??

April Happenings...

Well, here it is the middle of April already and Connor has gone for his first swim! He LOVED it!! We already knew he would since he practically swims laps in the bath tub every night. He wasn't the least bit afraid, which makes me a little worried for the future. Like father...like son!

We also celebrated my 26th birthday!! Mac tried to throw a surprise party for me, but unfortunate for him I caught him in the act. It was great though to have all our friends and their kids come and visit and have my favorite...ice-cream cake with us! We're going to miss you all when we leave. I can't believe we're down to only 5 weeks left!

Amidst all these fun things I'm so excited to announce Mac has finished writing his thesis!!!! Yaye! He's down to making small revisions from professors, but basically the hard part is finally over. He leaves town this weekend for a conference in Oklahoma where he will give a presentation and then he'll be down to just one more conference in May!!! You're almost there sweetie! We're getting excited to move on past grad school!

Here is also a cute side profile of our bug-a-boo!! Isn't his tush so cute!!! \"/

Happy Anniversary!!

Last night Mac and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary by going out to dinner ALONE! Uncle Darrin and Auntie Em were so kind to watch Connor for us for the evening so we could get some alone time. We enjoyed a yummy and very filling dinner at PF Chang's thanks to my best friend, Hannah, and her fiance, Jonathan's gift card. Thank you so much you guys we loved it! Afterward Mac suggested we pick up a movie to take home since we had some time before picking Connor up. Perfect...dinner and a movie...right? Well, the problem was it was the Biggest Loser night! Last week it got bumped to 1 am because of a Spurs basketball game, so I just couldn't miss 2 in a row! Ahh...what a sweet husband I have because he was more than happy to cuddle up on the couch with me and watch one of my favorite shows! I love you honey and it's been the best two years of my life! Mua*