Yes, we are STILL here!

It has been way too long since I posted anything last! Here are some fun photos of what I've been up to. Since I last posted, I've been to TN to see Emily and new little Annie (what a gem!), to the Zoo with Roman, Jeff, and Grandpa Clark, and then we painted pumpkins one weekend and then it SNOWED the next (yes, in early October). Love it all! xoxo

Connor and little Annie - what a great, big brother!

Me, Em, and Annie.

Jeff, Grandpa Clark, and Roman trying to stay cool under the misters.

Roman and me (and the tiger, of course).

Halloween - here I come!

Or wait - Christmas! Here I come, right? No - It's only October 11th...

Sohpia Kate and the D.C. adventure

I just got back from visiting Marjie, Tyler, & Rex AND baby Sophia Kate - the newest addition to the Green family. She is most definately an angel! I had such a wonderful time and enjoyed every second of it! However, I completely forgot my camera so I'll have to add photos of her later.

Jeff - with the help of Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Clark - held down the fort and the wild child that lives here. I missed them SO much! (isn't he positively adorable?)

Shhhh! Still a surprise for Jeff!

This is a quick preview of Jeff's father's day surprise - pics of his favorite munchkin!

He is wearing Dad's clothes...

(My personal fav!)

It's that time of year - yard work is in FULL BLOOM...well, at least for Jeff and Roman - I'm not much of a green thumb (just ask the dying indoor plants). The riding lawnmower has been the greatest investment!

Summer is getting close when the hose is out! Love you, Rome!

First Cake!

We are celebrating birthdays for Roman and Brock tomorrow so my first cake is for their birthdays. I would have to say that I am pleased for the first go around but I have so many ideas of things that I want to do!Second time was much better - not perfect, but not a sloppy mess, either (thanks, Mom!).

The Great Cake Adventure

Inspired by another blogger (Melissa), I've become slightly obsessed with wanting to decorate cakes and cookies. After ordering and reading, cover to cover, three cake and cookie books, I decided that tonight was the night to begin my quest. With Roman in tow, I headed to Michael's to collect the deco items I needed and then to the grocery store for self rising flour (thank you, Brock, for a bit of babysitting!). Once Roman was in bed I scrubbed the countertops, pugged in my iPod, and fired up the KitchenAid. I felt like it was a good omen when the eggs smiled back at me!

I must admit, I really haven't baked cakes before. I can now line a pan like a pro, but baking them is obviously another matter. I pulled it out too soon and got this gooey mess for the top tier (yikes)...

...and this sunken beauty for the bottom (wow).

I think it's time to call in some help...Mom...are you there?

Oh well - it is nearly 10:45 pm...I'm off to bed. Success will be mine tomorrow!

chillin'

"Little Missionary Graviet": Roman tries on Grandpa's missionary badge and shoes...he's ready to go!

...feeding a goat...

Have I told you how much Rome likes horses?

Roman & Brock

Valentine's Cruise

Our cruise was a blast! We started our adventure in New Orleans (on the Mississippi River) and set sail. If you've cruised before, you know that no cruise can begin until you've had the official "Safety Drill" in which you don your life-jackets and stand in your assigned area on a specific deck. Yes, many people talked about the Titanic!

Then it was off to the test out the buffet and indulge in some diet Coke!

Our first stop was Honduras. Truthfully, we didn't book an excursion on this island and hence we didn't see much...very poor area that we ported into. But, here is a pretty good picture of the ship!

The next stop was Guatemala and we opted for a very scary bus ride to make a short hike to a series of waterfalls. It was beautiful! I left with only a few mosquito bites and we survived the bus ride (which is saying a lot!).

The third island we ported into was Belize - BEAUTIFUL! I would definately recommend this island and I would love to return. We kayaked down a small river an saw many different plants and wildlife. I may be holding an oar, but don't be fooled: Jeff did all of the work! After kayaking we had a lunch consisting of chicken, rice & beans, and fried plantains - yum!

Our last stop was Cozumel - we power-snorkeled here. The water was so clear and it was amazing how many fish we saw. I wish I had taken more photos on this island!

Roman & Jeff building a snowman in the front yard - yes, we have plenty of snow to build a snowman army!

Busy, busy, busy...

January is quickly coming to a close and Jeff and I are VERY ready for our cruise in February! No cell phone, no Internet - how will we manage? (rhetorical question, of course) I am looking forward to some serious beach, snorkel and book time - not to mention I may be able to correct my vitamin D deficiency (sunshine, baby!).

Work is super busy with the rates on the low end of the spectrum but the market is funky and it makes my job very tough - lots of business but not as many loan programs.

So - a funny story about Roman: Last Wednesday I was juggling my mommy duties with my career duties...trying to work from home for a bit because Roman wasn't feeling well. I set up the portable DVD player in my office and put on his favorite Mickey Mouse show. He had his blankets, pillows, juice - heaven, right? Well Roman likes to "play" with the DVD player - pause, skip, stop, open...you get my drift. All is silent for a few minutes, the silence that foreshadows trouble, when I hear a crunching noise in the shredder. Yes, the Mickey Mouse DVD was laid to rest in many small pieces in our shredder with Roman's help. Roman was unscathed and yes, the shredder still works, but as he said "bye-bye" to Mickey Mouse by waving at the shredder, I could do nothing but laugh!

As for my sweet husband, I think that he is in a "golf depression" - he is starting to feel like the snow is never going to stop falling let alone melt! We talked about the possibility of a winter hobby so that he could come to grips with the fact that Utah has four very distinct seasons...we'll see! Hopefully the cruise will shake him out of it and he'll see the light at the end of the tunnel!

One more "Romanism": We took Roman to his Pediatrician last week. Dr. Nielsen asked us if we were still raising Roman to be a linebacker...a common question that we get. Anyhow, he told us that Roman is the BIGGEST child that he has ever had through his practice! Already setting records - way to go Roman!

Rex and Roman having a "discussion" about the "strawberries and blueberries" inside the tree. The tree they are sitting on had a knot hole in it and they kept poking sticks inside. When Marjie asked Rex what he was doing, he said that "there are strawberries and blueberries in here"...of course we just though he had a wild imagination - that is, until I looked inside and there WERE some sort of berries in there! Go figure...

Roman checking out the hippo at the Washington D.C. Zoo. We went for a week to visit Marjie, Tyler, and Rex - what a blast! We had 65 degree weather for two days...I would have never guessed that could be true in January. Roman and Rex had a great time together but it doesn't compare to the wonderful time that I had with Marjie! Love you, Sis!