Quick update... more to come

So, I've decided to give a quick update of the things we've been up to since my last post;

• We've had plenty of large zucchini from our garden plot. We've also enjoyed tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and bell peppers. Otto especially enjoys the tomatoes. mmmmmmmmmmmm
• Elder Bednar came to our LDS stake and gave us a special fireside - absolutely awesome - ask me about it sometime. :)
• Eric started his new semester and is doing research for a couple of professors. He's loving school, but it's super fast-paced this semester since most of his classes are 1/2 semester classes (a lot of info & projects packed into a little time).
  
• We moved back to our old apt since the contractor finished fixing our old balcony! Yay for not being in major transition anymore! As a result of our old building and another building opening back up, we're now busy as ever with our Resident Assistant stuff - orienting new residents and such. It's nice to see life in our buildings again.
  
• Jacquie ran the temple-to-temple 1/2-marathon that Alicia introduced her to!
• Eric and Jacquie saw Lion King on Broadway at the Capital Theatre - so awesome!
  
• Jacquie survived putting together and hosting the dinner for the RS Broadcast for our LDS stake ladies. No big catastrophes.
• Otto, then Jacquie got the flu... it's so sad to see an innocent baby/toddler throwing up and then look at you like, "What in the world was that?!!! And why did my body do that?!!! That hurt, mommy!" So sad, but we're surviving. Eric's sick now, so hopefully he recovers quickly and then we'll be done with it.
  

Soon I will post pictures of some of these events... I can't promise when, but hopefully it will be soon. Other things we have to look forward to this month;

• Eric finishing his 1/2 semester classes this week
• Fall break next week
• Halloween & get togethers with family/friends

CA Vacation

Mid-August we went to California to visit my Aunt Layne and Uncle Peter as well as to take some time away from everyday life before Eric had to head back to school. It was so nice to be there!

Here we are visiting the Getty Center in LA...

The Getty is known for the architecture (done by Richard Meier) and it was very interesting to go on an architectural tour and see how the architecture affected the exhibits. Eric enjoyed it, too (of course).

Here's the view out from the museum.

We also made it to the beach... most of these pictures explain themselves...

Otto jumped and rolled and played in the sand... just after loading him up with sunscreen. This is a small demonstration of this.

Hanging out with Layne and Peter:

Just to clarify:

I have not had to put up with anything, it's Jacquie that has had to deal with me these past three years... Yes, I know that this goes without saying, but I need to say it anyway.

As probably all of you know, Jacquie is about the most loving person in world. I couldn't ask for a more gentle, kind, and caring wife... or a more wonderfully nurturing and loving mother to Otto. I am amazed at her willingness to support our family in so many ways, despite how taxing it can be... and has been at times. I am grateful to her forever... and look forward to forever with her, too.

Love now, and always,

-Eric

Anniversary

At the luncheon on our wedding day

Today is our 3rd anniversary! I love my husband and this post is dedicated to him. He's put up with me for 3 whole years and I hope he'll put up with me for many more - even an eternity!!!

Things I love about Eric:

-his dedication to the Gospel

-his love and care for our little family

-his genuine care of others (most often it's more for others than for himself)

-his hard work in his schooling - he inspires me!

-his willingness to be a better person

-his continuous love of me!

-his fun-loving attitude

-his knowledge of classic rock and love of most types of music

-his willingness to go galumphing with his crazy wife :)

-his patience

-how he listens to me ramble about my day and he loves it

-his excitement in trying new things

and the list could go on and on! He is extremely talented and I'm so blessed to have him with me each and every day! Here are a few pics of us pre-marriage and newly married.

While we were dating...

Here's one in San Francisco at the Cable car Museum on our Honeymoon.

Eating gelato in San Fran on our Honeymoon

Communication

So, I feel like Otto has been learning a lot, especially related to communication. He can sign lots of words; yes, baby, tree, all done/finished, more, ball, mommy, daddy, eat (sometimes), drink (sometimes), etc. He understands quite a bit and he is forming words, too (hi, dog, ball, etc). The other day Otto did a couple of adorable things that I really wasn't expecting to have happen in a long time.

Cute thing #1
After waking up, he pointed at the picture of Jesus we have near the light switch in his bedroom and said, "Jesu" (Jesus without the end "s")... Eric said Otto said that with him the other day, too, so I know it wasn't just my imagination. I wasn't expecting that for a long time!

Cute thing #2
At breakfast, Otto was eating his cereal and we had just set the table for Eric and me to join him, when he put his hands together like he has done recently when we've said, "prayer, Otto"... except we didn't say that to him - he just took the initiative. A few minutes later, after we had all been eating he did it again and looked up at us, waiting for another prayer. So, we said another prayer. It was adorable!

So, this is living proof that religious teachings don't just fly by our little ones - they REALLY notice! And it seems like he appreciates it and has a desire for it, which I'm sure most children have as well. It's a testimony to me that our little ones are the wisest amongst us all, having a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father than we realize.

First Birthday!

Otto celebrated his birthday in two parts...

the first included us moving on his actual birthday to a temporary apartment. (wahoo, right?) Our old apartment building needed some repairs so we had to move to another in the meantime (for 1-3 months, we're not really sure exactly). It just so happened we had to move on his birthday. Thank you to all who helped make the move smooth!

In our new apartment... Otto enjoyed bouncing on his mattress and yelling while crawling through the halls and in the bedrooms. The sound was so different. Other than having only one 45 minute nap the whole day, he was unphased by the move. Just another adventure to him!

We enjoyed his favorite pizza from the Pie Pizzeria; chicken bacon ranch. mmmmmmmmm... delish! Yes, we've given him pizza... he devours it!

By the end of the day, he was SO exhausted. This was the picture of him we took while we were shopping for his birthday party (around 9:30 at night).

Part two, included a celebration by going to Hogle Zoo (for his first time) with family. Such a blast!

Donating grandpa's dollar after the bird show. They have awesome bird shows, by the way!

I don't have enough pictures to represent the complete fun of the zoo - Otto loved pointing and grunting at everything. He was passed around from person to person quite a bit.

Opening presents at the lunch we had after the zoo... thanks for the fun gifts, everyone! He loves them!

We purchased two cakes.... one of watermelon (which he LOVES), and basketball cupcakes (which he loves playing with basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs, bouncy balls...)

Yummy!

The after party, party. :) Enjoying time with grandpa.

Thanks for coming everyone, we had a blast and really appreciated you coming! Otto was able to celebrate with great family!

(Sorry I didn't get a picture of everyone all together!)

Tracy Aviary

About a month ago, we made a trip to the Tracy Aviary. Probably a good thing we went then, considering the oil spill... so sad. Anyway, it was a LOT of fun. Here are some pics to recap.

Peeking at the ducks.

Otto and daddy

A peacock was wandering around and Otto nearly pet it; he was SO excited!

Another bird wandering around got on the peacock's nerves... it was beautiful, though!

Here's the pesky bird. Doesn't it look devious?

Otto eagerly looking at the birds who were running around. So eager, he's eating the fence. Of course.

Eric and Otto are enjoying watching a vulture being trained in preparation for summer bird shows. It was a pretty amazing process to watch.