What am I???

This is Chris's home away from home. Unfortunately it's not the temple but the fire truck. It looks like a fire truck, at least I think it does. Yeah it isn't your typical red engine you see running around town but if you saw it going down the road wouldn't you just assume it was a fire truck. Apparently some people don't and part of the fun I've had this summer is Chris telling me stories of random people coming up to and talking to them and thinking they were something else. My favorite so far has been last week when they were working on a project up Big Cottonwood Canyon. A lady with a fishing pole came up and was pretty excited to see them. She wanted to know where they would be dumping the fish. I guess it kind of does look like one of those fish trucks but I think I'd start to wonder when it had the words "Fire" written all over it and what kind of fish would be coming out of it.

Last Saturday was our "Day of Service" for our ward and yes lazy me actually participated. Chris spent the day using his skills chopping down a tree. How's that for fun, do something all week and then do it again on the weekend minus the fire. Huntley and I helped pull weeds. Which is something I think about doing all week long in our own yard but never actually do. Unfortunately our fun was interrupted by a freight train, Chris's new ring tone for being called out, and we had to go send our daddy off to Arizona.Now the two of us lovely ladies are hanging out hoping we don't become a trio before Chris can get home!

Lazy Summer Time

This summer I've put a whole new meaning on the term lazy days of summer. It's hot. I'm pregnant. I don't really do a whole lot besides sit in my lawn chair in the backyard and let our 5 little babysitters entertain Huntley. We have puppies and I was less than thrilled when we figured out they were coming but now that they are here I don't think I would have survived without them.

Technology

Lately I've had a real love hate relationship with technology. When Chris first went to Texas we discovered his cell phone, 100 plus degree weather, and fires do not mix. We would go days at a time without hearing from him and it was pretty darn awful. He ended up being stuck in that awful state for 40 days and got to celebrate his birthday blowing out big flames and we splurged and bought him an i-phone so he'd be able to talk and skype with us. Unfortunately right after that our computer died and I wasn't able to make a decision on my own if we should pay to have it fixed or just buy a new one. He finally got home for a few days and helped me put on my big girl panties and deal with life and when the next call came four days later I did pretty good. I got the computer fixed, handled three hound dogs and Huntley with very little tears, and only had one casualty and are now rocking a really awesome yellow lawn. Luckily his trip to Colorado was cut short by a snow storm and we only had to miss him for one week. Now he's on his way to Arizona but we have a working phone and computer so this should be our easiest separation yet. A month ago I was hating technology and how it wasn't cooperating with me but now I'm so glad for everything we have and how it lets us still be a family even though we can't be together. I'm also grateful for technology so we could see our new baby and have reassurance that everything is fine and we have one healthy little girl coming our way.

Owie

Huntley's really been into owies lately. She fell and hurt her knee last week and when Chris called that night all she could talk about was her owie. Our new dog Maze was branded when she was a pup and Huntley thinks it's an owie. In her prayers she asked Heavenly Father to please help Maze's owie. Sunday when I picked her up from church I asked her what she learned. Every Sunday I ask her this and she always responds "dollies" but not this time. This time I got "Jesus got an owie."

Yesterday my mom was watching her and all day long she kept complaining her ears were owie. She ended up having a low grade fever and so my mom figured she must have an ear infection. I couldn't get her into our regular doctor so I took her to the instacare when I got off work. This was the first time I've ever taken her to the doctor by myself and I was terrified. Huntley hates the doctor and screams and flings her body around the whole time. Well my baby is growing up and was fascinated by everything the doctor did. When we left she was proud to tell me "my doctor has toys." I'd taken her to my last appointment where we got stuck there for a couple hours and no my doctor did not have toys for her to play with.

Oh and yes her ear was a little pink and she had a slight ear infection. We were able to get drops for it to avoid it turning into a major catastrophe which makes me glad she is sensitive to her owies.

Home Alone

Chris left Huntley and I home alone for FOUR whole days to go play with some fires in southern Utah. He left Monday and was supposed to come home Thursday but Wednesday was the worst day ever. His crew was called to fight fires in Texas and our four days of being home alone turned in to THIRTY!!! I kicked. I screamed. I cried. And now I'm trying to employ positive thinking and enjoy the fact that his absence will give me my new kitchen.

Saturday Chris finally arrived on site and since he will only be able to talk to us randomly throught out the next month the blog has now become my way of updating him on what is happening in Huntley and I's lives. Saturday we went out west to take Ellie and Maze (yes that's the new dog's name given by Huntley that I can't think of anything better) for a walk. This week I discovered trying to walk two dogs and push a stroller is a joke so now we just drive out to the desert and let them run around while Huntley and I walk. Poor Hunt is going to have to get used to being quite the celebrity since I'll constantly be taking pictures of her and the rest of you will just have to get used to seeing boring pictures of her on a regular basis.

Don't worry she's about as annoyed with that fact as anyone but I figure someday she'll enjoy it since it will be a whole lot of attention on her before the baby comes.

I'm writing this at seven in the am but I know Chris was on a fire all night so hopefully he checks this before he crashes in bed and Huntley says "Night Night Daddy, Luv U!"

Bow

A couple weeks ago we had the really hard task of saying good bye to our buddy Bow. I've never been much of an animal lover and have just put up with Chris's need to always have man's best friend but Bow apparently was more important than that because I've had a hard time letting him go. He was only a member of our family for four short months but he will always be remembered, as Huntley's best friend, Chris's pride and joy, and for his crazy tree climbing skills and cute little howl.

Since Ellie is now by herself for the first time in her life she's been really lonely during the day and it breaks my heart to see her sitting by the fence as we leave. So we welcomed this little lady into our home and she has been great. She is extremely patient and puts up with Huntley's love and has been perfect. Now if we could just think of a name for her we'd be set.