Shuttle rocket test fire

Andrew and I spent the day Thursday with Betsy and her family out at ATK. Betsy's husband David works there as an engineer, and invited us all out to see last shuttle rocket test fire. Betsy has a little baby so we were a little late getting out the door. Traffic was heavy getting out there, so we ended up watching the test fire from our cars just barely out of sight of the rocket. I was still blown away by it's power though. Andrew was hanging out the front window, and I was trying to drive and gawk at the same time as the ground shook, the smoke billowed, and the roar sounded. I felt like I was watching a volcano erupt. After the test fire the crowds thinned and David took us on a tour of the rocket garden. All the pictures are from that. Then we picked up a few souvineers in the shop, had a quick picnic lunch and headed home. It was a very fun day!

Out of the mouths of babes

2nd Nephi, 2:6 according to Andrew as given over the pulpit in Primary opening exercises today:

"Second Nephi, Chapter two, verse six. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah, for he is full of grace ANDREW!

Laura - 4 months pregnant

I plan to post a profile picture of myself for each month of pregnancy. I did this for my pregnancy with Andrew and it has been a fun thing to look back on. I will admit, I may have been sucking in a little in this picture but that tactic won't work for much longer!

***Michael is 33 years old***

Yes, we actually got 33 candles on that cake, all burning at the same time. It's a miracle the smoke alarms didn't go off....maybe I should check the batteries.

Christmas 2009

This is the first year that the boys were old enough to really get excited about Christmas morning. Joshua was up at 6:00 A.M. There was no talking him back into bed, so we woke Andrew up, settled in and let the present opening begin. About half way through the mayhem, Andrew stopped and with a worried look on his face asked, "Mom, is this Christmas?" The poor boy was not feeling well and the whole experience just wasn't adding up for him. After everything was opened he went back to bed for three more hours. Andrew may have spent the day sick, but Joshua could not have been better. He got most of the things he asked for and enjoyed the day even knowing the "truth" about Santa.

It wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional Christmas Eve pageant. Since there are only four of us everyone has to play a couple of rolls, and the pets even get involved sometimes. I've played Mary every year since I'm the only girl, but I'm alright with that. In this picture we have Michael as a narrator and inn keeper, me as Mary, Andrew as Joseph and the angel, and Joshua as a shepherd and a wise man. Jeri made a short appearance as a black sheep.

a few random photos

The fishtank got a makeover in December. New background, new fish, and a good cleaning can work wonders for an aquatic piece of art.

I caught this after bathtime - both boys were tuckered out after a long day.

Joshua got a knex set from Grandma Barlow for his Birthday. He built the whole thing without help.

Let the holidays begin

Andrea, Megan, Karen, and Rob on our tour of Temple Square.

Joshua and Andrew loving eachother on the Mars set at the planetarium

"Oh, look! A Martian!

The Youngs were in town around Thanksgiving and we were able to spend a very fun day in SLC with them and the Barlows. We ate out (a Barlow favorite pasttime...)at the Blue Iguana, caught a movie at the Gateway, visited the planetarium, and saw the lights at Temple Square. We love to seeing the North Carolina branch of the family - they are so much fun!

Janet, Laurie, and Carrie in the kitchen after dinner

Mike and Abby playing with their blackberries

Jon made sure we didn't run out of mashed potatos.

Dad and the Turkey...iconic Thanksgiving scene.

Dad and Jan Jaussi hosted a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner. Jon and his family came, as did we, and we were joined by Janet's kids: Justin, Jamie, and Lisa along with their families. Andrew and Isaac can never get enough of eachother and played the day away.

Gingerbread! Andrea and I took second place this year with "Hagrids Hut". I'll be putting the details of this monstrosity on our new blog: Moments of gingerbread dilerium