BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!

Wow! September has been quite the busy month for us! The biggest happening perhaps has been our move! YAY! After a roller coaster ride trying to get this house (which we first looked at last June) we are thrilled as it all has worked out. The whole experience has been a great learning process in many ways, but looking back, considering all we have been through regarding this house, we can't help but think that it was really meant to be. So, we found out a week before our Yellowstone Trip, that our last day in our apartment would be Sept. 8, a few days after returning home from our trip. So, we packed up the apartment, closed on the house, and were off to Yellowstone! It was great! Our first stop was to visit Tammy and Chris, Cameron, Kalen, Kyler, and Baby Quade!! Then, we went the rest of the way to Yellowstone with Grandpa and Grandma Allen (and Kalen!!) I had never been to Yellowstone, so it was quite an adventure. I was in awe of the landscape and, of course, the wildlife! We ended up seeing a lot of buffalo, elk, and even a grizzly bear when we drove through the Grand Tetons on our way home. The kids had fun just enjoying each other AND Grandpa and Grandma! They loved camping in the RV, swimming, campfires, and smores!!! Here are a few of my favorite photos:

Shae, Jadan, & Cooper

Best Buds Cooper & Kalen...
The kids really loved spending lots of extra time with Kalen. It was a treat to have their cousin all to themsleves for so long! They definitely miss him already!!

Grandma, Jadan, Kalen, Cooper, & Grandpa
We did a good amount of hiking (well, at least for grandparents, toddlers, and a pregnant mom!) but the views of the waterfalls were simply amazing!!

On our last day there, we went for a morning horseback ride. We were especially excited that Gary (AKA "Uncle DIDO") could make it! The kids had a blast getting dressed in all the cowboy gear they had!

Cowboy Coop!!!

Grandma and Kalen, Shae, Jadan, Cooper

Kalen and Grandpa

Mom and Jadan (not to mention Gary lookin awesome in his sweet cowboy hat!!!)

We decided that Shae (probably the wiggliest of all the kids) would ride with Grandma, since she is the most experienced rider. Looks like she was pretty comfortable! When we talk about the horseride now, Shae is excited to say she rode with Grandma (oh, and never forgets to retell how the horses pooped...the things they remember most??!!)

The Allen Family Cowboys!
Grandma & Shae, Grandpa & Kalen, Gary & Cooper, Mom & Jadan, and Daddy leading the group

So, We had an awesome time on our little getaway! Thanks, Grandpa & Grandma!!

After a very long drive home, we had a ton of work ahead of us. We got home early Friday morning and finished packing the apartment up. Saturday, we had a lot of great help from the Elders Quorums loading and unloading. Meanwhile, I actaully had a wedding to photograph! We were all completely exhausted by Saturday night!!!! But, alas, our adventures were not yet complete. After being home (in our new house!) for less than an hour after my wedding that night, I was chasing the boys around and Jadan ran right into a corner that sticks out from their closet. I looked at the ear he was cradling through screams and noticed a large dent. Then, the dent started to fill with blood. Uh-oh!! I got a towel for it, thinking, is this going to be our first trip to the ER? We went downstairs and I asked Danny what he thought. If you know how Danny is about going to the doctor, you will appreciate this...He just looked at the gaping cut and said, "Do you want to take him or should I?" So, Jadan and I headed off to the ER. He did so wonderful! They actually had to stick a needle way into the cut to numb it before they did the stitches. The two male nurses came into the room, closed a sliding glass door, and told him it would probably hurt a little, so it was okay to scream. I could not believe Jadan did not even budge during the whole thing, let alone make a peep! I heard the one nurse say to the other as they were leaving, "Either you did awesome with that needle, or that kid is a rock!!" He was so brave! Then, the doctor came in and did the stitches (there was a little crying then), gave him a popsicle and some stickers, and we were on our way. Danny and I were both surprised, not oly that this was our first trip to the ER, but also that it wasn't with our little DareDevil Cooper!!

But, wait, there's more excitement!!!

After we recovered from the house closing, the packing, the trip, the move, the wedding, the stitches...I had an ultrasound that next week and we found out...

We are having a BOY!!!

We are just thrilled with this news! Another boy added to this crew will be so exciting! The kids are all excited to have another brother! If anyone has any suggestions for names, you are welcome to share...we are a little stuck right now, but lots of time to contemplate still....