Arches National Park

Two weeks ago our family got to take a little family trip to Moab. I had a Derm conference to attend and we thought we'd make a little vacation out of it. We debated a bit about whether or not to go with the baby so close but then decided if the trip sent me into labor, what was there to cry about? haha. So we loaded up our car with hiking gear, snacks, suitcases, and an extra pillow for me :) and took off for a 3 1/2 day adventure.

What a fabulous time we had! Jaedyn was such an angel the entire drive... thanks to Elmo's World checked out from our local library. We stayed in the Red Cliffs Lodge up the canyon from Moab and what a great retreat! The night we arrived Jaedyn could not contain her excitement. She ran back and forth in the room "cool room!" "ooh a kitchen" "a big bed for you and a big bed for me... I can share with my baby"

One of the many benefits of Dermatology is that a lot of the conferences only meet for half a day at a time so you get a lot of time to PLAY! The first day we took a hike up to see Delicate Arch- the one from all the pictures and license plates. It was there I learned the true capacity of my bladder. haha (pathetic by the way)

The second day Chad and Jaedyn did a river trail in the morning while I was in lectures, we took a much needed nap in the afternoon and then in the evening Uncle Rob took us to Canyon Lands by Night. This was a yummy dutch oven dinner with a ferry ride through the canyon and a laser light show on the canyon walls. Fabulous food, good entertainment, and once Jaedyn got used to the life jacket it was fun company!

Our last day we went back into the park to do another hike with some friends. I forget which arch this was but it looked close to collapse! Jaedyn was in and out of the pack the entire time cuz she wanted to walk but then was grossed out every time she got sand in her shoes... which was inevitable on this hike. I think I preferred the rocky terrain of Delicate Arch myself.

We couldn't have asked for better weather for our trip and the area was just gorgeous! Next time though I'm gonna have to go back non-pregnant so I can participate in the four-wheeling activities of our friends, or maybe just not AS pregnant!

The Long Awaited...

Okay so I have no illusions of being one of those cute pregnant girls. I'm 5'3" with virtually no torso and I gain A LOT of weight. But I have had many requests on pregnancy pictures so I finally decided to lay personal pride aside and take some. I only have 2. Sorry. It takes me longer to swallow my pride than most I guess.

35 weeks pregnant with girl #2

38 weeks pregnant with girl #2

This last picture was taken on Easter Sunday. Just in case you guys think I'm fishing I want to share a story with you. At church I was passing a gentleman in the hall at church and he exclaimed, "Well don't you look like a great big Easter egg!" haha. Like I said, I have no illusions.

**I'd like to thank all my fans out there for their many requests and their patience with me. I'd like to thank my brothers who through their good hearts and support have stayed away through my "blossoming". I'd like to thank my dad who promised me a triathlon this summer to get me back in shape. I'd like to thank my mother who listens to all my commiserations and Jaedyn who will be very happy to get her mother back soon. And most of all, I'd like to thank Chad for making it all possible (and for being my photographer).**

Employee Appreciation Day

Say what?? Anyone heard of this? How about the oh-so dreaded OSHA training? How about the 2 in combination? Anyone, anyone?

Friday, April 1 no patients were scheduled and the office was closed. I still had to go to work. Why? Because it was time for our annual OSHA training. Boo! Got to work prepared for a few hours of boring/corny videos. Instead I find myself being loaded onto one of those luxury travel buses. Say what? No OSHA today? Yes, indeed. We got to watch those videos on the bus on our way to Park City outlets. When we got there we were given an envelope expressing appreciation for the employees of RMD, it came complete with money and rules. We had to spend the money, it had to be spent on ourselves, and we had 2 hours to spend it. PS what wasn't spent had to be returned... I think one girl had to return 50 cents. We all did pretty well.

It was a fun experience! RMD has been such an enjoyable place to work and I have to agree, we have a great staff! A big thank-you to my boss and management for my first Employee Appreciation Day experience! It was a lot of fun and I loved the school field-trip theme!

So what did I get? A pair of these...

Like heaven on your feet. I can't wait for summer and all the outdoor adventure it entails! (not to mention not being pregnant anymore. Been fun but... is it my imagination or does each subsequent pregnancy last longer?)