Cue the Buffalo...

While we were out driving looking at houses and neighborhoods today, we came upon the entry to a state park called Antelope Island. It is unlike any other state park I have ever been to in my life. The above Buffalo were just lounging by the roadside enjoying the sun and scenery. Up the road a bit was an antelope laying around and eating. We were on our own Utahan safari, for cry-eyed.LOL

Here are a few more of the scenery. I hope I never get sick of looking at it...

Welcome to Utah...

I flew into SLC this AM to spend 5 days with Todd searching for an area to live and to find a house. He took me sight-seeing as soon as I got off the plane and let me sum it up in one word...

Awe-inspiring.

It is absolutely stunning to see mountains from every single angle surrounding you. And these are "real" mountains, unlike some other "mountains" I have visited that are really just big hills with trees but shall remain nameless *coughsmokymountainscough*. I even saw some watefalls and didn't have to go hiking for miles to see them.

Per Heather's request, I did something I hate doing and let Todd take some pictures of me posing. Let me just say that I felt naked not having the kids to hide behind.

Not a Toddler Anymore...

Lauren is 4 today.

A preschooler.

A little girl with a mind of her own.

Someone who claims she's not little anymore.

But still little enough to want to be carried, rocked at night, or cuddle up on the couch.

I hope you don't give those up anytime soon, baby girl.

Happy Birthday, Sweets!

Utah Pictures

Todd was out driving around last night and stopped at a private nature preserve to take some pictures. I can't wait to see UT in person in 5 more days.

Wasatch Mountains:

Floating boardwalk:

Lookout:



He also took some in one of the cities we are looking at moving to, South Ogden.

Don't like looking at stoplights? How about some mountains in the distance?:


If you look closely at this one, you can see the town up on the "bench" at the base of the mountain:


Just another pretty picture of the Wasatch Mountains:

For Sale

At least that's what it says in front of our house with the big Century 21 sign sitting there. It hurt a bit more than I thought it would. It's very, very bittersweet and also a little nerve-wracking. The race to keep the house clean and looking presentable is on and it's me vs. the kids. Man, they can make a mess in no time flat. I always knew that, but, it's much more obvious now that I need for the house to be clean at. all. times.

We're in the home stretch on things getting done, though! Tomorrow, the trim painters are coming, the new carpeting is being put in and the cleaning ladies will be working around them. Now, all I need is the pavers to show up to do the driveway and we are home free.

Well, accept for the little thing of actually selling the house.

Say some prayers for us, please.:)

Two weeks...

Two weeks down, 29 days to go until Todd comes home for a visit--or so the kids have told me. They may off by a day or two.LOL

We've survived. I worked 40+hours last week so I was busy, but the days seemed to drag. Even Wyatt made a comment about how the week was going so slow. I was able to have a lunch date with Jill and Della who were in town last Saturday. It was a very long lunch and it was so fun to catch up with two of my oldest friends. We laughed, we vented, we reminisced.

This past week was spent trying to get the house ready for going on the market. Lots and lots of piddly stuff that add up in time and money. But, the house is looking incredible and when the landscaping is done, it will really look enticing, IMO. At least, I pray so.LOL

Todd seems to be doing well. He is adapting to gov't. life, but is missing the kids. He talks to them every night and I literally have to fight Wyatt for phone time. It is adorable to listen to Wy-guy hold on a huge conversation about everything with his dad. Todd is busy scouting out areas for us to live and researching schools for the kids to go to. Some of the schools out there are year-round so we need to think about that. I am not liking the idea of it, at all, but it may be the only option.

All-in-all, we're doing o.k. Just counting the days until we can all be together, again.