ALASKA!!!!

Okay, okay....I have been holding out on the Alaska pictures (according to Isaac). For those of you that don't know, we just returned from a cruise to Alaska and had the greatest time. It was an unforgettable experience. We saw some of the most beautiful views and met some great people. Here are some of our photos:


We went on a little run in Ketchikan and spotted this Kodak moment.


Shopping in Ketchikan.


We rode in a seaplane over the Misty Fjords. It was spectacular. Here are some views from the plane.















Scott taking some video on the cruise ship.


This was on our whale watching trip.


There is the tail of a humpback whale! Only after several dozen tries to catch it on camera.


Scott in Juneau. All of the cities were built up the hillside from the ocean.


Back on the cruise ship.


This is a lighthouse that Scott took about a dozen pictures of.


In Victoria, B.C. It is such a quaint, beautiful city.


Let me explain...this was a street performer who is, yes, juggling swords over two people (from the audience, mind you) and over the torch. Scott was astounded at the lighthearted way the street performer accepted liability. That was the lawyer in him (I guess he can't leave it at home even on vacation:)).


Pike's Place in Seattle.

So, we had a fabulous time, but were definitely ready to get home and hug our babies.

Nick and Megan's Wedding

I know...this is unprecedented. I am actually blogging something the day it occurred. My brother, Nick, was married this morning and here are some of our pictures of the day.

Seth and Mia in their wedding attire. Mia is not too happy that Seth is touching her.

This is not the best picture, but I wanted to include of picture of the bride and groom.




Here we are at the water fountain.



Seth and Mia in front of the temple.



Mia had her own bouquet of flowers and LOVED them. She wouldn't put them down all day. In fact, on the way home she fell asleep in the car with her fingers still clutched around her flowers.

From A to Z

After some intense prodding from my sister (who claims she checks our blog everyday at her less than busy job), I have finally decided to update you all. We haven't really been up to much, just the day in and day out "stuff". But is has been good "stuff". Just not too exciting...so I think I will finally do my A-Z list that my sister-in-law, Kelsie, tagged me to do like 2 months ago (not an exaggeration). Even though this is our "family" blog, I will be so bold as to answer the following questions for myself only (Brittany....in case some of you thought that Scott posts...not that he wouldn't, just that he hasn't).

Okay, here goes:

A - Attached or Single: Definitely attached (with two toddlers to prove it:))

B - Best friend: Besides the obvious, Scott (who is my best boy friend or boyfriend), I would have to say my best girl friend is my old USU roomie, Kel. I can always call her on a bad day and she doesn't make me feel guilty for finishing off the pan of brownies in my kitchen.

C- Cake or Pie: I would have to say cake, specifically chocolate cake with pudding filling and whipped cream icing from Schmidt's Pastry Cottage (I worked there and have ample cake-sampling experience).

D - Day of choice: Saturday because Scott is home and we can all be together as a family. Unless he has to work on Saturday, then Sunday would by my favorite.

E - Essential item: My sports bra, I don't leave home without it.

F - Favorite color: Blue

G - Gummi bears or worms: Bears for sure, the worms make me gag.

H - Hometown: Murray, Utah....Yes, just like David Archuleta!

I - Indulgences: Angie's Almond Joy from Leatherbys, running (to burn off all the calories I just ate), Dove Dark Chocolate Squares

J - January or July: July

K - Kids: two...and may I add, the two cutest, most adorable kids ever.

L - Life is incomplete without: Date nights, stroller rides, and four little hands.

M - Marriage date: June 24, 2003

N - Number of Siblings: 2 brothers, 2 sisters

O - Oranges or Apples: oranges

P - Phobias or Fears: Something bad would happen to my kids and snakes

Q - Quotes: "Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

R - Reasons to Smile: watching Mia talk on the phone, watching Seth wrestle with dad before bedtime, breathing in the fresh air on an early morning run.

S - Season: Spring

T - Tag Three: Kara, Tina, Tiff

U - Unknown Fact about me: I can fall asleep within seconds of my head hitting the pillow, and stay fast asleep during a variety of loud disturbances, but wake up the instant one of my kids starts to cry.

V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Oppressor

W - Worst habit: I am fanatical about cleaning the wax out of my kids ears.

X - XRays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasound for sure, that usually means good news.

Y - Your favorite food: Besides chocolate...pasta.

Z - Zodiac Sign: Aries

Sorry I was so long-winded. I hate to presume that my life is so interesting that you all spent your time reading about me, but if you made it through to Z...thanks for reading!

ARIZONA!!!!

Well, we just returned from a roadtrip down to Arizona to see Isaac and Kelsie and Eric, Lilibeth and Bethany (and to watch spring training baseball games:). We had a great time. It was great weather, in fact too great on Saturday at the ball game. It was HOT! Seth and Mia did great in the car and loved "Arizona". Seth thought Arizona consisted only of Isaac and Kelsie's house. When we went to the ball game he said, "I want to go back to Arizona."

Here are a few pictures:


We stopped at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Vegas on the way down to see the shark aquarium....Seth was LOVING it.



Seth playing a little Guitar Hero with Uncle Nate.





Sushi anyone? Isaac, Nick and Marci tested out their culinary abilities with some sushi making. Not too shabby, eh?





Seth and Mia enjoying their Easter baskets with their new sunglasses.



Seth and Grandpa at the ball game.



Seth and Bethany at the game.

Long Overdue!!!!

Okay, so I never said I was going to keep up with this blogging thing. I know I am horrible about posting! Well, here is our update:

1) Angie is HOME!!!!



My sister has been serving a mission in Romania for the last 18 months, and she is HOME! It is so good to have her back. I was more trunky than she was.


She was actually gone when Mia was born....so here is her introduction.


Here is the gang at the airport:



2) Seth is now 3!!!! First, he wanted a shark cake, but then decided he would rather have a "long neck" cake. So, here is my best attempt:








Mia even loved Seth's party!



Seth with one of his favorite toys...compliments of Great Grandma Trujillo! Wouldn't ya know it (her gifts get bigger and bigger every Christmas and birthday!)!?! Love ya Grams.

3) We enjoyed a spectacular weekend skiing and relaxing without the kids at Snowbasin with the Shills! It was a much needed getaway. We skiied all day, and then came home and sat in the hot tub with beautiful scenery.








Yes, this is Scott sitting in the snow (after which he jumped right back into the hot tub.

Bedtime

So, Seth has discovered a few little ploys of avoiding bedtime.

Ploy #1: He has started potty training, so, of course, 5 minutes after he goes to bed he has to go "potty" (even though he just tried before going to bed). But, what can I say, I am a sucker and I hate to discourage the potty training, so I usually truck on up there and take him to the potty. And it's a HOAX! As hard as he tries, he doesn't have to go. He tries standing up, but when that doesn't work he tells me, "it's better if I sit down". At this point, I know he is not going, so back to bed he goes.

Ploy #2: "I need to brush my teeth." I tell him that he just brushed his teeth and go back to bed. To which he replies, "but I will get cabities!" That guy! So, back to bed he goes.

Ploy #3: If by some chance I forget to put lotion on his cheeks before bedtime, he will undoubtedly remember 5-10 minutes after he goes to bed. He yells down the stairs, "Put medicine on my cheeks, so they don't turn like raisins!" We are still not quite sure where he got the raisin thing?!? We lotion him up and then back to bed.

These three ploys are usually accompanied by, "I am thirsty." "I forgot my sharks." "I can't find my toucan." (In case you are wondering, yes, he sleeps with a bed FULL of animals.) "I am stuck." (He is usually stuck between the bed and the wall and can't get out.) "Put my covers on." Etc., Etc., Etc.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Okay, here we are on January 8 and Seth still tells everyone, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!" What can I say, we had a memorable Christmas.

I guess it is about time that I start to jump back on the blog bandwagon...wouldn't ya say??? Well, we had a great Christmas with lots of food, family, presents, time off work (for Scott), and fun. It was so fun this year to have Seth understand and actually appreciate the season. Although, he did learn quickly about Santa, we also tried to teach him about the true meaning of Christmas. It was fun one day to catch him carrying up all his stuffed animals to show the the "baby Jesus" in our nativity. It is amazing how quickly he learns. Scott is convinced that he is brilliant. I, also, believe he is brilliant, but tend to think that every parent thinks their child is brilliant.

Here are a couple of cute shots on Christmas morning.

We also had our annual Orvin Family Christmas Party at Sherwood Hills in Logan Canyon this year. We had a great time eating (that is what I call a good time!), visiting, and seeing Santa. We showed up a little early so we had some good swim time. Here are a few pix.

Overall, it was a great holiday season. Scott was home a lot and we were able to spend lots of quality time together. Tyler and Deb, Nick and Megan, and Isaac and Kelsie were all in town during the holidays, so we were able to spend time with all of them. We are so blessed to have wonderful families and friends. Thank you all! We sure love you. You enrich our lives!