The Grim Meeper: August 2013

Wow, note to self: Utah + summer = no time for blogging. We’ve had so much fun being with friends and family, but we really haven’t had much time to stop and think let alone blog! Between traveling back and forth from Salt Lake to Logan, Mike working and our kids getting sick every other day it’s been nonstop. Everyday there is something fun to do. Whether we out hanging out with Monae and her three adorable girls, going to lunch with Grandma Nickell and Grandma Lo Lo (Loralee), going to Lake Powell, Michelle and her little people coming up to Logan to party or us going to Salt lake to party. We have had ourselves some serious summer fun!

But I’m not gonna lie, I’m one tired momma. Some of my very favorite parts about this summer were getting closer to my parents and oldest sister Monae. It’s been so much fun watch the boy live with their Grandma and Grandpa Nickell. They both adore them so much! It’s been a summer full of Grandpas Big Red Truck and cuddles with Grandma. Not to mention all the extra help from both Grandma and Grandpa and even Monae and her party of three. We literally can’t go a half a second without Owen asking for Tonya, Aliza, and Mariah. At first it started out with Owen thinking all of them were named Tonya. Now he knows all of their names and can’t live without them!!! He has also learned that Melissa’s three little girls all have different names as well, which kinda makes me sad because it was so adorable when he called them all "the Kells".

It’s a good thing Owen loves his aunt Monae and girls. Because I've missed living close to her so much!!! We have had so much fun together. I love eating lunch and chatting while the kids play, not to mention all the productive stuff we did like making freezer meals and help finish mom and dad’s basement. Seriously so much fun!!! Jaren and the girls better watch out! If they ever wake up in the morning and they can’t find their mom it’s because she was MINE first and I’m taking her BACK!!!!!!

All and all this summer has been fun summer in Logan. I can’t believe how much the boys have grown and learned from being around all their cousins. Owen is starting to talk in full sentences. Some of the latest and greatest is him standing at the front door, putting his arms out as if he’s going to stop Michael from going to work. Then he looks at him very seriously and says "No! You stay here me!" Another one of my personal favorites is when he reaches out his arm out wiggles his pointer finger and tells you to "come here". He’s also testing out the waters with potty training. But that is a work in progress…

Mason learned how to crawl and is trying to walk now. He has also become a good mimicker lately. He will wave and touch his head when you do. And he tries to do everything Owen does. Mason wants to be big so bad!! He loses his mind when Owen and Michael are wrestling and he can’t get in on the action quick enough. He throws down like his life is over when he has to get his diaper changed or dressed for the day. He can be in mid tantrum when he sees his daddy and laughs. My boys love their dad! And that makes me happy!

Props to our hard working daddy that just got accepted to the University of Utah!!!

I can’t even believe it! We are moving back to Utah! I am so excited and proud of Michael! He has worked so hard this year. And we have had such a fun and crazy adventure together. We left with one baby and came back with two. We've made so many amazing friends, worked so hard, and honestly loved the life we created as a family up in Moscow.

When we first found out we knew we had to make a very big decision. On paper it really came down to money and opportunity. But on the other hand it was a very emotional decision too. At least for it was. When we left last year I was scared and relying on the lord to get me through the days. I remember leaving everyone I loved and feeling so heartbroken that I wouldn't be there with all the nieces, nephews, brother and sisters that I loved so much. As we pulled into the little town of Moscow Idaho I looked out the window so that my dad wouldn't see the tears running down my face. Not knowing what was next, if I would have friends, how I was supposed have a baby in the middle of nowhere with an 18 month old little boy and no mom and sisters to help and dote over my new born baby; my emotions were not in check. Next thing I remember Michael was out of the car going into our new home while I waited with Owen. I knew that from the chipped paint and unkempt bushes it probably wasn't going to be the prettiest places I have ever lived. But it was still cute of Michael to go in before and make sure I wasn't going to have a nervous breakdown. He came out and very positively said "It going to be ok, we don’t have to live here forever, one year Meg…one year, we can do this!" Isn't that what every 8 month pregnant woman wants to hear? Looking back now and laughing at all the funny things that we went through and all the amazing people we met and knowing that it was totally worth it. We weren't quite sure if we were ready to let that all go yet, however in the end we had to go where there was the most opportunity for our family’s future.

I’m heart broken once again as say goodbye to so many good friends that we considered family. The Brassells will always hold a special place in my heart. I will really miss not being able to stalk Mary through every window in my house!!! Being able to throw a rock and hit her front door. And my personal favorite Katy answering the phone just to tell me she not allowed upstairs because mom and dad are busy...

...busy they were, they are now expecting their third.

I’m dying right now! The Brassells make me so happy! And I will pray every day that they move to UT! And Mary you can still count on my morning phone calls so that you can talk me down as Owen and now Mason are running wild pulling out every drawer, having a melt downs before 9am and knowing that its finals and we’re lucky if we see our husbands face over the next month!

As we start our second year of law school it’s very interesting because I feel similar as I did last year. Everything is very new and unknown. It will be different because Michael will be working and going to school which is a little scary considering how demanding law school is. We have two kids no money and are going to be working our butts off to get by. But there is one thing I know. I know that there is always going to be challenges in this life and we aren't always going to know how to deal with them or even where to begin. But if you just keep moving, working, choosing to enjoy life as it is and as it will be. Then you will always be successful and happy. I know Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and successful, and I want to be the definition of success. I have always known to trust in the lord. But now more than ever before I’m living it. This year will have its challenges. But it’s nothing we can’t handle with Heavenly Father on our team.

YAY! Pictures! I know this is surprising to all of you but this summer I've taken over 2,000 pics!

Our last family walk in Moscow Idaho...

Mason happy as can be. Even with a battle wound from daddy dropping him off the coach...

TWINS!!!

Some last minute fun with friends before the summer started and everyone left.

This makes me want to cry.... We love our Johnny!

Mason finally getting to have some fun with the kids at the indoor park.

This is what happens when you hang on to your blanket and roll around!

Owen and the Salter Girls!

Ha ha this is too funny! Little Chloe bum...

Just doing a little reading...

Sharing cookies with Clark.

Sleepy guy

Good morning!!!

Why play on the giant jungle gym when there are rocks to throw?

One week... no dad.... no car... A few visitors and lots of brother love!

Michael had to go back to UT before us so he could start his internship for the summer. We stayed behind to move our stuff in the new apartment.

Playing in the bath tub is a great time waster and the kids love it! Thank goodness...

Since the town is only about a mile long... We were still able to get around a little bit even though we had no dad or car. So just to switch it up a bit we walked to the indoor park!

YAY for smiley eyes, sunshine and getting to play in the grass!

Owen always puts he hat on back wards. I'm not quite sure why but its adorable!

Glad these two like each other!

The Drive home from Moscow Idaho.

Utah!!!!

Let the family walks begin!

This is how Owen tells us to stop. So adorable!

We found dirt and rocks! what a surprise...

Soccer with dad.

Mason trying to grow up...

Running through the sprinklers and washing the car have been quite the hit this summer!

Drying off in Grandpa's big red truck.

The many faces of Mason.

HAPPY

SURPRISED

A LITTLE CONFUSED...

Where did Owen go?

Ta-da!!!

Finally some cousin fun!!!

Double trouble...

Charlotte teaching Owen how to make a sand castle.

Mason attacking Grey... In Mason's defense Grey does have cute ears.

Sunday Nights and more...

The trio together again.

Throwing rocks in the pond. Hope the fish are OK...

Hair cuts from aunt Jill. Can you tell that Owen hasn't had on in while?

Mason's very first hair cut. He was a trooper. Ain't no thang.

Garrison loving on all the baby cousins!

Everybody get Garrison!!!

Cutest pic ever! So sad Ben's head got cut off...

Yummy brother love.

The Forth of July!

With the Anderson's

We got to go to our first Real Salt Lake game.

Summer fun with the Nickells!!!

Forth of July in Logan.

Grandma strolling the kids around the house. She would do anything for them. I'm surprised Owen hasn't turned into a Popsicle this summer because Grandma gives him lots of "Blueones"!