Colonial Days

The Sunday before the 4th we had a big Colonial dinner. The older girls (Evie and Ellie) spent the whole weekend learning all about Colonial days. They helped prepare the food, set the pewter dishes, and made the orange-clove centerpiece.

All the girls donned Colonial bonnets and participated in a talent show after dinner. Charlotte sang "Yankee Doodle" and Evie recited "My Hat has Three Corners". Entertainment at its finest. Then we all enjoyed some spiced walnuts that the older girls made earlier. Between the spiced nuts and orange-clove centerpiece the house smelled heavenly.

The next day we drove to Provo for a Colonial Fest. We joined the dissenters in England, boarded the Mayflower, helped colonize Jamestown, and tried out many activities and foods from that period. Everyone tried the fresh hardtack, but passed on the old stuff. Wouldn't you know, it was hard as a rock? I'm not exactly sure how anyone ate that stuff without losing all their teeth.

And a little baby update for you curious friends and family: I spent all Sunday and Monday with steady, mildly painful contractions. We thought it might be the real deal, but they stopped when I went to bed Monday night. My contractions are now much more painful, but less frequent and not at all steady. I am about a week away from my due date, so we are just playing the waiting game. Hopefully all these contractions are moving things along!

Puppet shows, Pedicures, and Pleasant Grove

Thursday was a busy day.

To start, TuTu took all the granddaughters to a puppet show at the library.

Then Grandma Dare, or TuTa as she is affectionately known by the girls, treated everyone to pedicures.

After a short break for lunch and naps, we headed to Pleasant Grove for their Strawberry Days festival. A friend from Alaska told me about the divine strawberries and cream dessert that makes the festival famous. She was not kidding. First stop was dessert (or two), followed by a few carnival rides, and topped off with a rodeo. Totally worth the drive for the dessert alone, by the way.

Also, it was not that long ago that I was sitting in my car cursing the -20 degree temperatures and now I sit in my car cursing the 100 degree temperatures. I am not a fan of extremes.

And for alliteration's sake, I'll add another "P"-- pregnancy. The heat makes my feet swell, my stomach is the size of a respectable pumpkin, and I am ready for this baby to arrive! Mainly because I can't wait to meet him, but also because I feel the way most pregnant women feel during those last few weeks where everything is big and awkward and cramped. The girls are more than ready to meet him as well. Little cousin Winston is giving them plenty of baby practice and they are itching for their own little brother to shower with kisses and snuggles.

Before the move

The weeks preceding our big move were pretty crazy. We were all exhausted; Josh and me from packing, the girls from playing all day with friends.

Our time was not just filled with packing and moving endeavors. We also had cause to celebrate and spend time with loved ones for Mother's Day, my baby shower, my birthday, and a going away party thrown by some dear friends in the ward. My sister snapped these pictures from my baby shower. It was great to spend time with family and friends one last time. And as an added bonus our little guy is outfitted for the next two years.

My mom made this apple pie on one of our last days. She said it means they will "moose" us. Well, we certainly "moose" them and can't wait to see them in a few weeks!

Saying goodbye to the house was not very dramatic. I was so sick of packing and cleaning that it was kind of a relief to drive away. I did snap one final picture in the downstairs bathroom for the sake of tradition. This was taken at 33 weeks pregnant. I don't know how my body will handle another month and a half of growth, but I've done this twice in the past so I know it can be done.

The goodbye at the airport was painful and we miss our family something fierce. Alaska has been a great home for our little family the past four years. Despite all the sadness over leaving, we are really excited for the future. A new baby, graduating from college, Josh pursuing a totally different career path, the girls growing and having new experiences... lots to look forward to!