So, do ya wanna know?

I was talking to my mom on the phone and Alyssa was whining. I noticed it was quiet and I looked over and saw her fast asleep like this! I had to grab the camera! I know you can't really tell that she's standing up sideways but this is the best I could do while on the phone... What a weird angle!

Now, before you fall asleep too, I'll tell you our news. I know I was going to wait until I was caught up but I changed my mind! Welcome to our new house! It probably seems like it's out of the blue but we've been looking for several months for just the right one (you know, the one with the "good" feeling!) We ended up in Syracuse-surprise! It's officially ours so pretty soon, after I unpack a little, all visitors are welcome! No appointment necessary! Here are a few pictures. They aren't great and the stuff in the house is not ours so imagine it a little different...or I'll just take some new pics when it's all set up!

Here is the living area.

Here's my kitchen!

Dining area

Here's how you get to my room (okay, our room!) You go through this archway and go to the left. If you go straight you'll be in the laundry room and if you turn right then you'll go in the garage.

Here's our room. Imagine my bedroom set in there though!

Closet on the left, bathroom on the right...

another view

Bathroom

Over by the kitchen is a hallway to the girl's rooms and another bathroom.

These are the stairs to go to the basement.

This is a view to the front door. (To the left side of the picture-our bedroom, laundry, garage. To the right, the other rooms. I love that they are split and when Shawn leaves for work early in the morning, the kids won't hear the garage door or him getting ready!)

Here's part of our basement. I guess it will be the family room part. There is definitely room to grow. We can have three more bedrooms downstairs, a bath and lots of storage! Yay! We finally have space! It's nice to know we can stay here for a while and not grow out of the house right away!

Our backyard

The yard is already fenced so right away the kids can run and play and do (almost) whatever they darn well please!! Sorry new neighbors, I can't guarantee their clothes will stay on! Just warnin ya! We will really miss our awesome ward but we hope we can still play with all our friends! We are renting the townhouse to a nice, small family. We are excited to finally be homeowners again! We moved out of our old house (to move to Oklahoma) when Karah was a baby and she's turning five this weekend! We also had our 10 year anniversary yesterday! I'll post more about all this later! Just thought you all might wanna know (about the house!)

6-29-09 swimming

Here are some pictures of us swimming at my mom's house.

I, of course, was playing with the camera...

Daddy and Alyssa

Daddy and Karah

Get me off!!

Oh wait! I like it! Fun ride!

My hot man!

This is the way to swim! Have daddy put you on a floaty! Awesome!

I promise, they did get in the water! I just was taking pictures when they first got in. When Shawn and I got in the water then the kids got in too.

I love watching Shawn and the girls interact! It warms my heart!

AZ Barretts come for a visit

Shawn's brother and his family live in Arizona and came for a visit at the end of June. We decided to head over to This is the Place park and see what fun things they have to offer. (Lots BTW!) We thought this would be a good place because we had such a variety of ages to entertain. Starting at the top left picture...Lys, RaeAnn, Kayla, Karah, Candace...next picture...Mike, Tayden, Chandler, Burke...then...Noah, Jason, Ethan, Spencer...Alyssa and then Karah. Did you get all that?! (That's not even everyone!)

After taking a tour on the train around the whole park and going in the school house we went to see the animals. Jason is Shawn's brother and Candace is Jason's wife. They have three boys-Spencer (16), Ethan (10) and Noah (7). We don't get to see them very often so we were glad they could come up! (FYI-they lived here in UT until a few years ago.)

I can't believe Alyssa went on a horse! At first she was clinging onto my hand but then she let go and held onto the saddle. Karah did great-she's not shy with animals! The other kids in the pictures are Noah and Tayden (and McKayla in the background.)

They have a petting zoo and Alyssa shocked me by actually touching the baby sheep and the bunnies! This is not normal for her! She loves animals but she doesn't like them too close-this seems to be changing!

We were standing by the bank when there was a "bank robbery!" It happened right in front of us and the girls didn't know what to think. Everyone crowded around after the sherriff "shot" the bad guys and Karah asked if they were dead. I think she was relieved when they got up!

The kids had fun learning about branding and making their own coasters. They had all kinds of activities at this park! We were bummed that we missed out on the arrowhead necklaces and the rag dolls-next time, next time! After riding a fake bull we went to the Native American area.

It was nice and cozy inside the teepee.

Check out the view!

Shawn was at drill today so he wasn't able to come hang out! He did get to go to the BBQ later though!

I took a picture of the statue of Brigham Young saying "This is the place!" A view of the valley-I'm sure it's changed tons since the pioneers arrived! Alyssa was very proud of this piece of wood she found and started carrying it around! I took a picture of the tour train/transportation, and the reinactment of the pioneers entering the valley.

Candace and the girls picked some wildflowers and gave them to Grandma Bear.

Time to ride the train!

Over and over and over again! They loved it! It was pretty relaxing and thanks to the little men, I only had to go on the first ride-they sat with the girls on the rest of the rides! Cool!

All done already?! Actually, we were there all day and didn't even get to all the stuff! Can you believe it! We are going to have to go back sometime! Whodathought!?! In these pictures you see Noah, Aunt Candace and Karah. The next picture has Uncle Jason, Aunt Chelle her boyfriend Burke and two of his daughters (Chelle has Tayden and Burke has 3 girls and 2 boys.) The bottom pic has Karah, Candace and all her boys! Lots of people=lots of fun!

I went and picked up Shawn and we headed out to the BBQ at Chelle's house. Of course Journey, Max and Howie were there waiting! We played in the bounce house, the hot tub and roasted marshmallows. We also played Bunco (I've never played before) and it was fun! We really had a great time with everyone this week! It was very enjoyable and not stressful! A few days after this, just before they headed home, we went to a movie (Ice Age 3) and then to Mountain Mike's for pizza and a birthday celebration for Ethan's 10th birthday (the one in the green shirt.) Short story, he wasn't due until about a month after our wedding day but he was born 7 weeks early so he was able to attend our reception. I'm sure that's why! I thought it was crazy that he was almost a month old and he wasn't even supposed to be born for a few more weeks! It's easy to remember his age now because I know he was born on July 2nd the same year we were married...we were married on July 29, 1999. We hope we can see these guys again soon! Thanks for visiting! (Sorry I am not writing nicely-It's been a month and the details are hazy plus I am hurrying so I can catch up on my blog AND I just don't feel like getting all personal right now! Wish I was better at that!)