Going home to Texas and Scott

Kaiser and I stayed in Utah for one month longer than Scott. We had a great time being with family and spending lots of quality time. But when August 4th rolled around, we were missing Scott like crazy and we were ready to see him and be with him again. It was especially hard being away from him right after we found out we were pregnant. So even though we were sad to say goodbye to family, we were super excited to see Scott and reconnect our family again!

My mom drove us down to the airport. It's always so hard to say goodbye so of course we were dreading it. We were all doing okay until Kaiser was hugging Grandma Teddy and said, "Come with me, Grandma! Let's go." He just didn't understand that Grandma was leaving, even though we had done our best to prep him. It made both of us cry, of course. But it was a precious moment for sure.

Here are the airport pictures:

Kaiser and Grandma riding the horizontal escalators. Kaiser LOVES these!

Right before we got on the airplane. You can tell he was kinda sad lol!

He was all ready with doggie and plenty of toys in his backpack.

The attendant let Kaiser go in and meet the pilot and check out the cockpit. Sadly, this is the only picture I got...

We are so grateful that we were able to spend so much time with our family, and be there to help my family out when my dad had his hip surgery at the end of July. We had such a great time and made so many new memories. But we were so happy to get back to Scott.

Scott picked us up at the Austin airport around midnight, so it was really late. But Kaiser was so happy and excited to see his Daddy again. In the car on the way home, Kaiser kept saying "Dad..." over and over again. Even though it was late and he was so tired, he had to tell him all about his day, and the airplane ride, etc. It was such a tender moment for me to see. I love my family!

Here Comes Baby Number TWO!

Well, WE ARE PREGNANT....AGAIN! With baby Perkes number TWO! We couldn't be more excited!

So, when we moved to Texas, we had a plan not to have another baby until Scott was done with graduate school. This meant not trying to have a baby until at least September of 2015. But strangely enough, some time around November of last year, we both started having this feeling that it was time for another baby. We weren't necessarily ready mentally (or emotionally for that matter) so we decided to put off talking about it for a couple of months. Well, early spring we made the decision that even though we weren't (or didn't feel) prepared in any way for another child, it was definitely time. We both felt it and we both knew it was the right choice. I really do believe that that Lord's timing is everything, and we felt like He had been telling us for quite some time that we had another baby ready to come meet us.

The insurance I was on only qualified me for one physical a year. I called and made an appointment at the College Station Medical Center for a physical, and for the removal of my IUD. I was so nervous to go to the appointment because there was no turning back once I got my IUD out, judging from how fertile I seemed to be with Kaiser.

My appointment was on April 14th, 2015. After it was removed, I felt great about our decision and I knew it was the right one. It's so strange how quickly once I decide to listen to and follow through with promptings, how much more at ease I felt. We were told to wait at least one month before "trying" to have a baby, so that the lining in my uterus could build back up a little bit. It's strange how quickly my mind set changed and how much I didn't want to wait. I just wanted to be pregnant right then and felt like it was so right.

But, to lessen our chances of miscarrying or anything else that could happen from a thin lining, we waited one month. We didn't try in April. We tried in May but were unsuccessful. We tried in June and, despite traveling from Texas to Utah during ovulation, we were quite successful because we found out we were pregnant on July 4th!

The night of July 4th, we decided just out of pure curiosity to run and buy a pregnancy test. Not because I had been feeling symptomatic, but because we were just wanting to see if we could tell that early on. I hadn't been really feeling symptomatic at all before we took a pregnancy test, but we just wanted to check. We bought the test and took it back with us to Scott's Dad's house where we were staying at the time. As we were getting ready for bed, I took the test and together, we waited in their downstairs bathroom. After we got done brushing our teeth, we looked at the test--when the pregnant sign appeared very noticeably, I wasn't surprised. I don't think Scott was either. We just kind of knew. We were happy, but we were also nervous because we know how much work having a baby can be! 

We were actually very surprised to be able to find out so early, since I was barely 4 weeks pregnant. But we were very happy to be able to find out and have that experience together since Scott would be flying home to Utah on July 7th.

We decided that since we were with out parents in Utah, that we would tell them, even though it was so early. We wanted to tell them in person. So they were the only people that we told but we swore them to secrecy, obviously, at least until I had my first Doctor's appointment when I got back to Texas.

We told my parents first in the car while we were driving home from a little Salt Lake adventure to the Children's Museum one afternoon. We made it so my mom would see the photo of my pregnancy tests on my phone when she was asked to look through a couple photos. She said, "Am I supposed to see this?" Haha--needless to say, my parents were both extremely happy!

We then told Scott's mom one morning as she was getting ready for work. She was so excited for us as well! We told Scott's Dad and Andrea one evening we were sitting in the den just hanging out. Everyone was very supportive and happy for us. Which is always a relief haha.

Here are the only pictures that we took:

This was the day I drove Scott to the airport to leave us for Texas. We figured we had to get a photo like this since we did one similar when we found out we were pregnant with Kaiser. 

TWO very definite pregnancy indications...

This is how we told the social media world that we were pregnant. Cutie...

We calculated our due date to be March 11, 2016! It is such a surreal experience finding out you're pregnant and telling everyone when you don't really feel pregnant. But we are excited and continue to get more and more excited as time goes on. Bring on baby number 2!!

USU Football Women's Clinic

While we were in Utah, my best friend Chelsea told me about the Utah State Aggie Women's Football Clinic that she was wanting to do and asked if I wanted to do it with her. Oh. My. Goodness. I am SO glad that I did--we had such a blast! Our friend Katie Lundquist and Chelsea's sister in-law Natalie came with us and we seriously had the best time. 

When we got to the football field at Utah State University, we got a goody bag with a free t-shirt, water bottle, etc inside and we waited for instruction. After we split into small groups, we all took turns going to different stations. We started out in the new strength and conditioning room and we were talked to by a staff member about nutrition and strength training and we got to mess around with some of the equipment for a while. Next we went onto the field where all the players were.  First up, we got to put on all the football pads and gear. Holy cow--I couldn't play football...or even run...in all that.

Me in all the gear!

Katie in all the gear!

After we tried on and took off all the gear, the football players took us through tons of different stations to learn all the different positions and complete some drills that they do. We threw with the quarterbacks, did running and catching drills with the receivers, ran ladders and ran through huge pads with the defense, kicked field goals with the kickers, etc. The whole time we were having so much fun! The players seemed to be having a great time with us as well because they liked being the bosses for a change. It was fun to meet a bunch of them and to be able to participate in the drills they do all the time. Football is tough stuff!

We then went inside and met with the offensive and defensive coordinators. They showed us some film and taught us how to read and understand the plays that they run. While we were up there, we met and got a photo with Coach Matt Wells, and then he took our photo by the famous Wagon Wheel, which we hold from our last years' win over BYU.

Me.Chels.Coach Wells.Katie.Natalie

Us with the wagon wheel :)

When that was over, we went and sat in the stands where they raffled off a bunch of prizes. I ended up winning a cordless Apple/Samsung charger and another t-shirt! After that, the players were around if we wanted to take photos and meet them. It was getting late, but we did want our picture taken with Chuckie Keeton, the star quarterback.

Overall, we had the most amazing time! We had a good laugh over how jealous our husbands were that we got to hang out with the football players and they didn't. (They should do a men's clinic!) If i'm in Logan next year around this time I will definitely be going again. Go Aggies!

Five Generations

I consider myself quite the lucky lady to be able to still have both my Grandma and Great Grandma around. Throughout Kaiser's life, we have had opportunities where we have all been together to get a five generation photo but we never have for some reason. It definitely needed to happen while we were still visiting!

My mom and I went up to visit my Great Grandma Porter who lives in Cub River, Idaho. She is such a great lady and is the most active, sharp 96 year old that I know! My Grandma Hampton met us up there as well so that we could take a photo all together and have the wonderful five generations documented finally!

Nothing too fancy, just a photo taken on my Grandma Porter's couch in her home. But how special is it that I actually get to have this photo forever! Kaiser had a fun time seeing "Grandma Great Great," and playing with her toys. We also had a fun time visiting with her and getting to see her again. I love my family!

Grandpa's Work Truck

So, Kaiser and I have been waiting for a LOOOOOOONG time to go visit Grandpa and see his work truck. We knew that we had to make it happen while we were there this summer and before my Dad had his hip surgery.

We went out right as my Dad was getting off work so he was able to show us around. At first, Kaiser was happy just to look at the truck and maybe touch the outside. He didn't want to climb up into the truck just yet. I wonder if it's a height issue he gets nervous about or something? But eventually he warmed up to the idea and climbed in and sat on Grandpa's lap. We took him for a little drive around and he warmed up. He honked the big truck horn and had fun checking out all the gadgets. Here are some photos of him and Grandpa in his truck bed :)

I love this photo SO SO much!

You can tell by his face that he warmed up to the truck. 

Grandpa's buddy :)

After Grandpa showed him inside the truck, we got out and showed him all the trucks outside features. He loved the wheels--they were so big! There were even some wheels that Kaiser could spin, lower, and raise up. He thought it was sure pretty nifty!

Grandpa showing Kaiser how tall the tires were

Best buddies!

Thanks Grandpa for making Kaiser's wish of being in your big truck come true! He had lots and lots of fun!

Bear Lake times THREE

It wouldn't be summer in Utah without going to Bear Lake at least once or twice, right? Well, we were lucky enough to make it up THREE times! Well, Kaiser and I were at least. Scott was only able to come once with us seeing as the last two times we went, he was already back in Texas. But he doesn't mind--he never gets super stoked to go up to the lake... Anyways, first we went with Scott's mom and siblings. We stayed the night at Chuck's parent's cabin in Bear Lake West and played at the lake for two days.

Scott, Connor, and Kendall didn't join us for the first lake day because they were in SLC at the Superbike races at Miller Raceway. So Kaiser and I hitched a ride up with Bethany and Kacee and Jana and Chuck met up with us later. The girls were super prepared with TONS of water toys for Kaiser. We had a blast chilling at the lake all day...

Kaiser was literally in heaven

I love this picture of Kaiser and Bethany--they must be talking about something fun!

The gang the first day

After we felt like we had enough sun, we went up to the cabin to shower and relax and eat dinner. Here is a beautiful lake view from the deck of the cabin:

Kaiser and Bethany hanging out on the deck!

The brothers in their cute matching "Blink 182 American" shirts

When Scott, Connor, and Kendall joined us, they ate dinner and we were able to sit around the table and chit chat all together. It was so great to be able to do that. Scott and I miss being able to just talk and goof around with our siblings. We then watched a movie and headed to bed.

In the morning, Bethany and Kacee decided that they needed to go home. Bethany was super friend (thanks to stupid expired sunscreen) and wouldn't have had tons of fun in the sun. So we said goodbye to them and headed to rent some jet skiis for the day. I didn't get any pictures of us on the jet skiis but Kaiser had a pretty good time. He didn't want to go too fast, but we think he enjoyed himself. He was okay with just going out once though haha :) Goofball... Overall, a fabulous first Bear Lake trip with the Parsons/Perkes!

Mom and Kaiser enjoying the sun!

He was so pooped that he fell asleep the second we got in the car to head back to the cabin...

Next, we went up to Bear Lake with my family! We went up for Toni's Birthday on July 10th. Aunt Pam and Bryson met us up there. So did Chelsea with Boston and Emmy. It was super cold at first, but luckily it warmed up and we had a great time! We played at the lake a good portion of the day, and on the way home, we stopped at La Beaus to buy Corn dogs and/or Ice Cream. Perfect day with family. Here are some photos:

Playing with the watering can. Love these photos!

Another mommy and Kaiser lake photo

Splash Ball-Kaiser loved this thing

Sisters!

Ice cream after--YUMMY!

I'm so glad the weather started looking up--we had such a great time! I only wish I had taken more pictures. I guess I was just too busy playing in the water and having fun! :) 

And last but not least, we went up to Bear Lake with the Perkes family! We drove up with Andrea and Cheyanne and her two cute friends. The boys drove up with the truck and trailer full of toys. We spent the day making bit sand castles, kayaking, and enjoying some fun in the sun. On the way home we stopped at Zips to eat some more ice cream. Well, because what's a Bear Lake trip without it? Overall, a great day!

Kaiser "helping" Uncle Connor

Kaiser and his buddy Aunt Cheyanne

Random picture of the gang

Me and Kaiser going for a ride in the kayak

He loved the kayaks

The whole time we were riding in the kayaks, Kaiser kept wanting to sing, "Row, Row, Row your kayak..." haha. It was so dang cute!

It was so fun to be able to take Kaiser up to the lake and let him fall in love with it. Even still sometimes he will talk about Bear Lake and how much fun he had at the lake.

Happy 4th of July!

Can I just say how much I LOVE the 4th of July?! It's seriously the BEST holiday. EVER. Looking back at these photos and reliving the memories are so much fun. It makes me wish I could relive this last 4th of July, 2015. It began on Friday, the 3rd. (Before Kaiser's party of course.) We met up with Neil and Andrea and picked up Connor and went up beautiful Logan Canyon for a morning hike. We chose to do the Crimson Trail hike and we couldn't have asked for a better one. It gave us some good exercise, and a great chance to take in the beautiful scenery. We have missed mountains terribly! We hadn't done this hike since we had barely found out we were pregnant with Kaiser, so it has been a long time. Here are some pictures of our hike: 

Gorgeous view

Sun in our faces :)

Our best shot at getting everyone in the picture

Dirtyness after our hike. these are our sock lines

Later that evening, we spent time with Scott's family and extended family for the fireworks! My parents and Toni joined us shortly before the fireworks as well! We had such a fun time hanging out with everyone. Connor got a styrofoam airplane that the boys had fun playing with and we brought out the water toys for everyone else to play with. Later on, Bethany and Kacee had brought some fireworks to play with. When it got dark, we walked across the street to Lundstrom Park to watch the Logan fireworks. We had a great time playing around and catching up with everyone.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves :)

Uncle Kendall helping Kaiser get water in his gun

Kaiser had so much fun shooting everyone with his water gun.

Aubrey.Scott.Brynna with Kaiser.Bethany.Kacee.Connor.Kendall (The goofy crew)

Playing with fireworks

Me and my family watching the fireworks together!

The next day, the 4th of July itself, we woke up and went to the Lewiston Parade with my mom and sister. I'm sure i've written about it in previous posts, but it is a tradition in my family to go and one parade that I ALWAYS look forward to going to. 

Kaiser waiting for the parade to start. Love his hand in his pocket :)

After the parade, Scott went with his family to the cruise-in, and Kaiser and I went back to my parents to hang out for the afternoon. Scott really only saw one car at the cruise in that he hadn't seen before that he was impressed with. Kaiser and his cousins played in the water to cool off for a while. 

Later that evening, we met up with Scott's family again to go to the Cruise-In Parade. Another tradition that his family has always done. 

Here is the Cruise-In crew!

Overall, a great 4th of July weekend spent with the best family we could ever ask for. The best time of the year!