Where does the time go?

And how do they go from this..........
to this ..............................with a blink of the eye???

And you're left wondering WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

Best Husband of all the Husbands....

For some reason lately I tell my husband he is the best husband of all the husbands.....(who are the husbands? I don't even know...I just say it.) ....reason for the title. Anyways, I just am feeling extra grateful for a great husband today. I know he will never read this because he is so busy and never reads the blog, but I want to tell the world how lucky I feel to be married to him! A lot of you (whoever reads this), probably don't know him, but he is one of the most hard working people I know. One of the first things that attracted me to him was his personality, (he'd say his good looks), but that's debateable! haha. kidding. He is soooo dang funny. Let me just say..... I absolutely ADORE his family. If you could pick your in-laws they would be the people I'd pick!!!! I know exactly where Chris gets his sense of humor because his family are some of the funniest, most loyal people I know.....and that's a pretty big statement, but I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. They have become like a second family to me, and I love every single one of them. So, I guess what I'm trying to say here after all this blabbing...is that I am so grateful his parents for raising such an incredible man.

Moving on....
The summer is just about over here in Virginia Beach and I've been getting really anxious to get home. As much as I just LOVE (sense my sarcasm here) hardly seeing Chris, I'm excited to have him back. He works so hard and has had a very successful summer and for that we are GRATEFUL. Although, I do have to say we have had a VERY FUN summer out here this year. Lots of great friends=great time, right? So, thanks all you guys & we love you all. We are making the long drive back to UT in two weeks and then we are going to be moving to Phoenix for the next 6 weeks....then back to UT. We are literally going to be all over the place this fall. From VA to AZ, UT, Bahamas, possibly England, Cali, and maybe even FL. . . oh and did I mention my three online classes? I think I may or may not just have a heart attack this fall.....that's all I'm sayin'. Regardless of all the anxiety this may cause me....(kidding)...sorta....I can't wait to visit UT in a few weeks! We have seriously missed all our family.
On to the INTERESTING part of our lives....Kam!
I've had to have one eye on her lately because she is ALL OVER THE PLACE. She is rolling here, there, and everywhere. The other day I literally turned around to put something away and she had rolled up against the bed and was trapped in between something. Best part was that this didn't even phase her. Every morning when I go to get her out of her crib she is exactly 180 degrees opposite the way I laid her in the crib the night before. And then I get the big blue eyes & huge toothless grin....all upside down, of course. She has been coo-ing and ca-ing for a couple months now, but lately it's turned into jibberish talk.....something like this....."ahh, bahh, boo, awooo, moo, mmmmm, ymmm"???? Oh, and LOTS of squeals and laughs. I wish sometimes you could go inside a baby's head and see what they are thinking. Other things- I've taught her how to get herself to sleep and she is wonderful about it. And I'm very lucky that she is a good sleeper...she sleeps about 11 hours every night. She is just about sitting up now too. I'm sure I could go on and on with all the stuff she is learning..... Bottom line, is we love this little girl, and love being parents. Hope everyone is doing great.....here are a few pictures.....

Have You Ever?

Found some old pictures of my friends, they are the best. I'm pretty positive I have the funniest family & friends and I love it.

So many memories with these ladies.

Great Wall of China 2006

Overnight train to Beijing.......crazy lazy below...

Climbing the Yellow Mtn in China 2006

This is what I wasted my time on while waiting for my husband to get home from work..... The object is to copy & paste the list of "99 things" to your blog & bold the things you've done!! You should all do it! It's quick & it brought back some funny memories!!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo..... ...Have you heard me sing??
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (in China....pretty funny stories with this one. My China girls know what I'm talking about. Not the most comfortable sleep you'll ever have, I will say that.)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (want to, need to)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (Bahamas in Oct!)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (England counts)
35. Seen an Amish community ( OH YES, one of my best friends used to be Amish...okay, not really but she is from Amish Country.....we've even got the picture to prove it)
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Visited a Castle
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke....again....scary thought, but when in China sing your little heart out! They can't understand you anyway.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling...can't say I enjoyed it. I don't feel so confident when I see live things brushing past my face!!!!! Sorry fish lovers out there.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China....slept on it in a sleeping bag, actually.
57. Started a business ....well this is just in progress... so we're gonna give it italics...shout out to my girl, Jenna.....hahahaha.....need a fancy decorated cake....we're your gals...
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason....let me just say that bringing a girl a dozen roses after the first time you meet her is not flattering. Not sweet. Thoughtful? No. Freaky? Yes. Please don't do this. Just don't.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Spent New Years Eve in Trafalga Square...this I have. And it was crazy.
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Have been published
81. Visited the Redwoods
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Testified in court....matter of fact...doing this in a few days for witnessing a hit and run.....
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake...do people actually do this?
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

A few pictures....

She tries every way possible to get outta here after about fifteen minutes. Her new thing is gathering the momentum by swinging forward then flinging herself backwards to get out....and believe it or not it almost works. She hasn't figured out how to get the last leg out. Is it mean to say it's pretty entertaining to watch!? The other day she sat up a few times for about one minute. She has also discovered herself in the mirror. Every time I change her outfit I hold her and let her stand on the bathroom counter in front of the mirror.....she'll look down at her outfit then start laughing.....so cute. I love being a mom. I love watching Kamryn learn new things. I love how happy she gets when she sees Chris or I peering at her over her crib in the morning. I love how she keeps one eye open just making sure I'm still holding her while I'm rocking her to sleep. I love hearing little squeals out of her out of nowhere. I love how she lets me sleep through the night. I love every little thing about this little girl. She is perfect.

WARNING: PHOTO OVERLOAD!!!

It's late (by my 'mom' standards, and those of you who have had babies can probably relate ...wanting to go to bed after your child is down for the night because who just knows when they will be up again!), and I actually am tired so we'll see how much I'll write. Kamryn & I just got back from a little Lake Powell trip with the Welch side of the family. Unfortunately, Chris had to stay back in Virginia to work for the week, and some of the family were not able to come. It was my grandparents 50th, yes, 50th wedding anniversary a few months ago which we were celebrating a little late. I could go on and on about my wonderful grandparents (both sides), but I will spare you. We had such a good time hanging out on our houseboat, playing games, slip n' sliding, playing "white trash" golf, eating way too much, and the list goes on and on. Here are some pictures from the trip....
The first is a picture from the week that Kamryn was born when we blessed her. My Grandpa Olson and her....he is the sweetest man EVER and she is only one of MANY, MANY great grandchildren on the Olson side. She is so tiny here!

On to Kamryn....
She is now 2 1/2 months old and lovin' life. At her two month check up a few weeks ago she weighed 11 lbs 4 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long....she's come along way from the 7 lbs 11 ounces and whole 18 inches since she was born! That's my babe! Anywho, she is now sleeping completely through the night 9-6....and I am one happy mom! Her new favorite things are eating her hands as if they taste like candy, smiling at EVERYTHING, watching baby Einstein ( I can put her down and she'll watch for like 10 minutes without moving her eyes once...success.) She can also successfully roll to her side only to cry desperately in anger and frustration because she is stuck. Pretty funny stuff. She is SOOOOOO adorable and I don't think there is anything more rewarding than to wake up in the morning to a bright blue eyed baby with smiles all around. Melts my heart! She was every bit worth the 9 months of pure sickness. She is definitely wrapped around Chris & I's finger. What can I say. Btw, Chris won a trip to the bahamas from his work for the 2nd highest number of sales for the month of June in his region (only ONE sale behind the #1 highest).....sWeEt, will definitely be taking advantage of that! I'm proud of him, he works so hard for our family! Anyways, Kamryn and I are in San Diego for the next two weeks since my mom is getting surgery and we are here to help take care of her! Chris isliterally going crazy without us around for three weeks. Poor guy: ( .....We are excited to to be able to go back to Utah though and Kam can see her nanny and pops! We love and miss you guys everyday!!! I lasted a lot longer in this post than I thought...shutting up now! Hope everyone is doing great!