Hope there were lots of Happy 4ths to go around!

Let's get it out of the way first - check out that beard on Jarom! It's his "thesis beard" and it will not go away until said thesis is completed. His adviser has given him an arbitrary early deadline of the end of August, as opposed by graduation in the middle of December. He is supposed to be dedicating hours previously dedicated to eating, sleeping, and breathing to finishing his thesis early. He's voluntarily sacrificed shaving hours as well. :)
Anyway, I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Lincoln was an absolute war zone of loud bangs and sparkley fireworks. We contributed in a small way of our own so that Aubrey could have her first 4th in style. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they're banned back home aren't they? So sad :(
Speaking of home... have I mentioned how excited we are to be coming back home and be done with school for good at the end of this year? Once we find out when the magic date is we'll get a count down going *happy dance!*

Wow! 11 months old!!!

How did that go by so fast? I can't believe she's coming up on one year already. I saw a tiny newborn the other day and I couldn't believe how tiny she was, I couldn't believe Aubrey used to be that small - actually smaller! I couldn't believe how big she is now and how fast she is learning and growing. I can't believe my baby is almost a year old!!!! I added a fun little countdown to her big day. Not much to report on for now. Aubrey is still climbing on everything, trying to walk, and learning new things every day. Jarom has finished data collection for his research so now he starts his thesis. I am still reveling in Mommy-hood. We are fairly certain we'll be coming home at the end of this year. All in all, all is well in our little world!

We have teeth!

After a few months of wondering if Aubrey's first rebellion against her father would be to not have any teeth for him to straighten, we have the first 2 poking through.
Well, you're going to have to take my word for it because that was the best shot I could get and her tongue is covering those little suckers up.

"Mommy, what's with the camera right in my face?"

Anyway, thought I'd share the news. It totally caught me off guard because she hasn't been inappreciably more fussy and she hasn't been chewing things all that much. Not that I'm complaining :)

On another note, we survived the monster storms last night. Even though a few tornadoes touched down around south eastern Nebraska it was largely spared from damage. And the worst we personally got was a thorough scare. We were extremely happy that we moved to our current south east location though since the rest of the city suffered a lot of flooding, some lightning strikes, a fire, and at least one tornado that may or may not have touched down. Reports were mixed last night. But here in the south east the storms mostly just rattled their sabers. Have I mentioned how happy we are to be moving home at the end of this year?

UPDATE: cute and smart baby alert :)

*I wasn't pointing at my mouth or anything, it was all her!*

Its the little things

As everyone is well aware, Aubrey is adorable :) Just now she was taking her morning nap and about half way into it she popped open her eyes and vigorously kicked off the blanket I had draped over her little legs, looked over at me, then went right back to sleep. I was so tickled I just felt like sharing. Also, I have some pics from a little trip to the park. Have I mentioned how adorable she is?

Oh, by the way - it looks like it is definitely going to work out with the orthodontist we were talking to so we're coming home permanently at the end of the year!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!

And another by the way - I'm just dying for those Laguna beach pictures!!! Someone please send me some

What a fun filled trip!

In case you haven't noticed, I like pictures - lots of them, and I like making little digital scrapbook pages... also lots of them :) I've already worked up quite a few from our last little trip. I am still waiting to collect pictures from the various cameras in Laguna before I make that page - hint, hint :). But until I get all the pictures and have time for some chatty blogging, here is my digital scrapbook of (some of) our most recent trip. Enjoy!

We're going back!!!!

So in my last post not too long ago we were back home... we're about to go back again. *Happy Dance* Hurray for Mother's Day. Just have a quick second to post so I'll toss in some bonus pictures of the princess and some things Elder Jason has shared with us about Russia. We got giggles out of how they say "Congratulations with Christmas" and birthday's and other holidays instead of Merry or Happy. And on a less silly note, we hear that the week of Easter you greet people by saying "Jesus is resurrected!" to which they answer "truly he's resurrected!" Yay for Russia and their interesting greetings :)

Now for the pictures -

We are in California

"center of attention"Woo Hoo! Well, we've been here for a few days, but Nana is at work, Papa is supposed to be resting after his knee surgery but I don't know where he is, Daddy is working on school work and Aubrey is sleeping - so that gives me a minute to say a quick hello :) Aubrey is soaking up all the attention and exploring Nana & Papa's house. Jarom and I met with an orthodontist and his wife who might be selling their practice to us. We had a great time, and I think the 4 of us got along very well. It was a very nice evening, and the first time I'd been away from my baby girl! Aside from apparently eating some paper, she was just fine, but it was still a little nerve wracking for me. We're going to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Rick's tonight so Aubrey can see the rest of her California family. I can't believe it's Friday already, I have no idea where all of the time has gone!!! I don't want to go back to Nebraska :(