Storknesting Day 10

Well today we have been up at Lakenheath for about a week and a half. Today was also the first day that it didn't feel like we were busy doing things even though we did do stuff. Stephen and I woke up around 7 and couldn't go back to sleep. Emerson however slept in for almost another hour before waking up. Stephen found him in the bed just lying there, eyes wide open, chillin. After we were all up we read some books and then had some breakfast. Then we all got ready for the day. We went to the commissary to pick up some more food and then came back to the room for lunch. After lunch we went for a walk around the base. Emerson is always talking about the airplanes which we always hear and/or see flying over the base so we thought we'd go look at some airplanes. They have a couple propped up around the base and so it was fun to watch Emerson get so excited about being up close to the airplanes.

We continued our walk stopping at the library and the dry cleaners before coming back to the room. We then played inside for a little while shooting hoops and such. We put some food in the oven to start cooking and Stephen and Emerson went outside to play on the playground. When they got outside however they found that it was raining and too wet to play on the playground so instead they kicked the ball around for a couple minutes and then came back inside. While waiting for dinner to finish cooking Stephen and Emerson played with the blocks. Stephen would stack the blocks up and Emerson happily knocked them down.

After dinner we read some books and then put Emerson down for bed. Stephen and I then looked over our list of possible names and tried to shorten it. After we had shortened it we looked up more names to add to it. We haven't found any names that we are crazy about and our list seems to change almost daily. Currently we have: Everest, Granite, Dawson, Everett, Slate, and McKinley.

Storknesting Day 9

This morning Emerson and I slept in a bit and finally got out of bed around 8.30. Stephen had already been awake for a while, most likely enjoying a couple spare minutes when Emerson wasn't asking him to play ball, or draw, or read. We had Fruit Loops for breakfast which Emerson really enjoyed. Then we got ready for the day. While I was getting ready Emerson and Stephen were drawing footballs and fish on a piece of paper.

After we were all ready we went to Mildenhall to get a propane tank and a cover for the BBQ. Apparently they don't sell propane tanks in this country. You have to rent them instead. I have no idea why but there was no point in renting a tank from a store an hour away from where we live, so we went to the base to get a cover. Afterwards we came back to Lakenheath and went to the library. I am slightly disappointed in the selection of toddler books that they library has for being such a large base. We left with two of the Dr. Seuss books we had just returned as well as two new books. I forgot how much fun Dr. Seuss books can be to read.

After the library we stopped by the BX and bank. Then Stephen and Emerson played on the playground in front of our hotel. Stephen had a lot of fun riding the airplane while Emerson's favorite was the slides. We let Emerson go down the big slide and he was very proud of himself for going down (with the help of Stephen).

After the playground we went back to our room to watch the first half of the Jazz game that was being rebroadcast from the night before. We also had some lunch. While Emerson and Stephen watched the game I did some scrapbooking. Then it was time for my doctors appointment. As we left the hotel and started walking to the hospital it began sprinkling (which is the first not sunny day we have had our entire stay). My appointment went well. I am progressing and the doctor said that she suspects that it could be within the next couple days, but of course you never know. She also said that this baby is probably a little bigger than Emerson was. Hopefully she's a little off with that part. It was still sprinkling on our way back to the hotel so we put in a movie while we waited for dinner to cook. After some lasagna we put Emerson down for bed. Then Stephen and I finished up the baby announcements. All we need now are some pictures and the stats (weight, height, NAME!).

Storknesting Day 8

We slept in until 8 am this morning. Emerson woke us up and was ready to play and draw and just be active. We had some yummy eggs for breakfast and then took our time getting ready for the day. We did some laundry and tried to get some lollipop stains out of Emerson's white shirt. Thankfully that was a success, we have gone through lots of white shirts lately, I would hate to have to get another one. So in between getting ready for the day we played and drew footballs. After we were all ready we ate some lunch and then packed up the car to head back home for Stephen's softball practice. Before we left for home we stopped by the craft store so I could get some more stuff for scrapbooking. then we went back home. At home we got things together so that we could drive the 4x4. Then Stephen vacuumed it out one more time. While Stephen was doing this Emerson fell asleep. So I went out and put the car seats int he 4x4 and we also put the BBQ in so we could return it, and then the three of us headed to the base. We did some paperwork for the 4x4 and then took it through the car wash. After stopping by the post office we dropped Stephen off for his softball practice and then went to the bowling alley for dinner. After dinner Emerson and I went back to the fields and watched as the guys finished their practice. Then we all piled back into the 4x4 and headed to Midenhall to return the BBQ. We found a different BBQ that will hopefully work out better. Then we came back to our hotel and Emerson wanted to read books, so Emerson and Stephen read a couple of Dr. Seuss books before we put Emerson down for bed. the nigh ended a little earlier then the past two but we were all still relatively exhausted by the end of the day.

Storknesting Day 7

This morning started a little different then most. I woke up really early needing to use the restroom and then started thinking that my waters might have broken. So I went and told Stephen and went back to bed expecting to be woken up by contractions in a couple of hours. We woke up around 7.30 but no contractions. False alarm and loss of sleep all because of my mucus plug. I was excited at first since the loss of your mucus plug is one of the signs of pre labor until Stephen reminded me that it was still a couple days if not a week or more before I went into labor after I had started loosing the plug with Emerson. So we continued on with our morning drawing footballs and reading books, eating breakfast and getting ready for the day. We went to Mildenhall to get a football and see if we could exchange our BBQ which didn't have all the correct pieces. We also had some lunch and then headed back home so the youth from church could use our house to play games. As we were headed off the base they had a lock down and we got to then sit in the car for almost an hour until we were allowed to leave. When we got back home we cleaned out our new car (the 4x4) and hung out with the youth. After the youth left we packed up the car and headed back to Lakenheath. Emerson fell asleep on the way to the hotel and Stephen and I enjoyed some uninterrupted conversation. Then before going to bed we talked to Stephen's family again. Another long day....another late night....and still no baby.

Storknesting Day 6

Emerson woke us up at seven this morning ready to go go go. First he wanted to draw footballs. Then he wanted to shoot hoops with daddy. Then we were able to get him to take a break for some breakfast. After breakfast it was more playing. Then we all got ready for the day and went out and did a couple errands. We took Stephen's suit to the laundry mat, went to drop some clothes off at the thrift store but it was closed, and then went to the commissary. We got some food for the next couple days and then headed back to the room. While Stephen brought all the groceries in Emerson and I played on the playground. Emerson loves the little playground in front of our hotel and whenever you ask him if he wants to go for a walk or go outside that is the first thing he thinks of. After some playing outside we came in and had some lunch. Yummy mac and cheese. After having our fill we went for a walk to the craft store where I got some things to make a couple scrapbook pages. Then we stopped at the BX and bought a vacuum for European outlets. Our other one is really old and clunky and then we have one with an American plug which doesn't help unless you tote a transformer around with you. So anyways we bought a new vacuum and then raced back to the hotel to watch the rebroadcast of the Jazz and Nuggets game. We ordered some pizza and watched the game. Emerson again enjoyed watching bball and eating pizza while sitting on the living room floor. While the boys watched some basketball I did some scrapbooking. After the game we read some books and then Emerson went down for bed. That night we also talked to Stephen's family on the webcam and then finally went to bed. I was exhausted from the days activities and the extra weight as this baby keeps getting lower.

Storknesting Day 5

This morning we went to church and watched a rebroadcast of conference. After church was over we went home and put some things in the car and made our way back to Lakenheath. We had a nice drive as the sun was shinning. We spent the rest of the evening talking to family, eating dinner and relaxing. It was nice to come back to a clean hotel room. Our house is clean as well, but the seventies carpet is a little overwhelming at times. Tomorrow we will start up our adventure again and with any luck we will be having a baby in the next couple days.

Un-Storknesting Day 4

Today we were back at home so we weren't really storknesting so Stephen decided we should call it un-storknesting. Today was Emerson's BBQ Birthday Party. We did a lot of baking and made some food in the morning. We also decorated. Then when everyone started arriving we started cooking the hamburgers and hotdogs. It was a beautiful day so we spent most of it outside playing with various balls, eating and socializing. After most people had gotten their fill we started getting all the desserts ready. We had Emerson's cake and cupcakes, a lemon cheesecake and a couple different yummy cookies. Everyone sang happy birthday to Emerson and then with some encouragement Emerson blew out his candle all on his own.

After eating some sweets Emerson opened his birthday presents. He got a bunch of books, a couple fun games, and an England soccer outfit.

We forgot to wrap Emerson's present but we gave it to him anways. He was very excited about his motorized four wheeler. He got right on it and Stephen showed him what to do. I wish we would have thought to video record it because Emerson kept pushing the button and then letting go so he kept jerking forward and then stopping. He really seemed to enjoy it and is already starting to get the hang of what to do. We just need to work on steering.

After the presents people started leaving. Those that stayed got involved in a little building project in the backyard. Stephen and the other men decided to make a swing for our willow tree using some rope and a childs saftey seat. They tested it out on the teenagers and when it didn't brake let some of the kids have a go. As you can see everyone especially Emerson enjoyed themselves.

After all the swing fun more people started to leave and we just sat around in the back yard until everyone went home. It was a gorgeous day and we all had a great time. Especially Emerson who as usual was spoiled.

Storknesting Day 3

On day three of our storknesting adventure I had a doctors appointment in the morning. So Stephen and Emerson walked me to the hospital and hung out in the waiting area. Everything is fine and just as it should be. We'll have our next appoint on Thursday (unless this baby decides to come before that). After the appointment we went back to the hotel and Emerson played at the playground while Stephen packed up the car. We headed back home for the weekend, for church and for Emerson's BBQ. Stephen spent most of the afternoon putting together the BBQ and then went to an Elders Quorum activity. We discovered that our lights aren't working so Emerson and I read books until the sun went down and then when it got to dark we got a flashlight and read a little longer. Then we both fell asleep on the couch until Stephen got back home.

Storknesting Day 2

We started day number two of storknesting a little on the slow side. We slept in a bit and lounged around. Then after some breakfast Emerson and Stephen played some bball and goofed around.


Then after we all got ready we went for a walk to the craft store and library. It was another beautiful day. We looked for decorations for Emerson's birthday party without success and enquired about getting tshirts made for Emerson and the baby for softball season. Then we met Stephen at the library. Emerson loves the library and so he really enjoyed looking and reading some books. We checked out a couple Dr. Seuss books and then walked to the BX before heading back to our hotel.


On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a playground and let Emerson play. We played on the swings, went down the slides, played peek-a-boo on the jungle gym and road around a bike.


Then we grabbed a couple snacks and went to Burwell to look at a car that someone was selling. After a couple test drives and checking it out we decided it was worth it. So now we have a THIRD car! We are going to sell Stephen's car and use this one for the DOGS that we are hopefully going to be getting in the near future. We then drove separately to Mildenhall where we picked up some decorations for Emerson's BBQ and a BBQ.


Later on we watched some baseball while we ate some yummy pizza that we had delivered and then after one more short errand we were finally in for the night and watched some of a movie before heading to bed. We did a lot of walking and we were on the go most of the day....it was fun....and exhausting!

Storknesting Day 1

We recently decided to deliver at Lakenheath instead of in the economy. One of the benefits to doing this is that we are allowed to 'storknest' up to two weeks before the baby is due. This means that you get to go to Lakenheath and stay in nice accommodations that have all the amenities (full kitchen, full bath, two bedrooms, and a living room) at no cost to you. Then you get all your food reimbursed, plus your entire family gets to go up and stay with you. So basically we get a paid vacation and Stephen gets two weeks off work. Today was our first day of storknesting. It wasn't the most eventful. Emerson and I drove up to Lakenheath and checked in to the hotel. Then we got some groceries and after dinner went to the BX and walked around for a little bit. Stephen drove up after his softball practice and then we unloaded the cars.

Priorities

Last night for Family Home Evening Stephen did an object lesson and Emerson and I were supposed to put certain items in order of highest to lowest priority. Emerson was being a really big helper and did a great job. When it came to the priority of food, which was represented by one of his cheerios containers, Emerson placed it at the very front before everything else. We had a good laugh and thought that it was pretty cute. He certainly does enjoy his food, especially cheerios.

Car Washing

Saturday morning after Stephen got back from playing soccer with some friends we all headed out side and worked on cleaning out and washing the cars. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and when we finished we not only had some nice clean looking cars but we felt like we had accomplished something. Emerson was a really big helper and helped wash both of the cars. After we were done washing the cars Emerson found it fun to dunk his ball in the bucket that was holding the water. He loved getting wet and did a really good job at it. We found about a 1/4 cup of water in his shoe after we had finished. What a silly boy.

Fishes, The Temple, and Balls

Last week we stayed at the London Temple for a couple nights. We had gorgeous weather and with the days getting longer we had plenty of sunlight to take advantage of. During the days we spent a lot of time walking around the pond on the temple grounds. They have added more fish since last year and Emerson really enjoyed watching them and feeding them little pieces of bread. We also fed the ducks when they were nearby. Emerson was also very content walking around the grounds picking up sticks and rocks and other little objects. In the evenings while dinner was cooking (we had an awesome room with a stove and oven and fridge and freezer) Stephen and Emerson went outside and kicked the ball around on the grass. We had a really nice couple of days. It was a very peaceful trip and we had a great time being away from the hussle and bussle of life and taking some time to be together without distractions.

A Day in London

Last week we went up to London for the day. After Emerson's appointment we took the tube into the heart of London. We walked through some big beautiful parks and went to Buckingham Palace. We missed the changing of the guards by about 15 minutes and then showed up at the end of an exercise showing the skills of military horse riders. We did however get a couple pictures with the men in red coats. So all in all it was a successful trip. The day was absolutely perfect which made everything even better.

Rearranging

We did some rearranging a couple weeks ago in preparation for the baby's arrival. Our room is now crammed with our bed, the baby's crib, our dresser, the baby's dresser/changing table, and our wardrobes. We managed to arrange everything so that we have about a foot and a half path to walk around the bed. Emerson definitely got the better end of the deal, he has moved in to a toddler bed and we are waiting for the last pieces to his new dresser. It pays to be the oldest--no hand-me-downs. We'll post some pictures once all Emerson's stuff arrives.

Happy Easter

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Ours was very nice. We went to our friends the Waters' for an early dinner and enjoyed the yummy food and good conversation. For us Easter weekend was also General Confrence for the church. This ment we were able to enjoy recieving guidance and councel from the leaders of our church. It really helped us to focus and think about the Savior which was very fitting with it being Easter. After we got home from the Waters' we took a couple quick pictures in the studio of our family, with Stephen and Emerson sporting their purple ties. Our pictures didn't turn out great but at least we got some taken.

Fools For A Day

The gym put on a tri-base dodgeball tournament on April Fools Day where multiple teams from all three bases were created and played against one another in a double elimination set up. Stephen's team won the tournament with an undefeated record. They faced a bunch of good teams but out caught all their opponents creating a great advantage that aided in their domination.

Studio Fun

On Saturday we spent some time in the studio working on lighting and getting rid of backdrop shadows. Stephen and Emerson seemed to have enjoy pulling funny faces as we tested out different set-ups. I thought this was a fun picture, capturing their personalities, and decided to have a little fun myself and alter the lighting a coloring a little in photoshop. We will hopefully be taking our first photos this week!

Egg Hunt

Two Saturday's before Easter we had a pancake breakfast and egg hunt at the church. It was a perfect activity for Emerson, who absolutely loves pancakes and really got into the egg hunt. They had a couple different areas with eggs hidden for the different age groups, which made it really nice for the younger kids. Stephen showed Emerson what he was supposed to do and after being shown once Emerson went around pointing out hidden eggs and picking them up. This was Emerson's first real egg hunt and it was fun to see him getting into it. He wasn't really concerned about eating what was in the eggs but really enjoyed shaking them and hearing them rattle before putting them in his bag. It was a very fun morning and I'm sure all who participated also enjoyed themselves.