Wednesday, August 25, 2010

UTAH WEEK ONE

Our first week in Utah was spent up at the East Canyon Resort with my sisters Shelley and Alex, my brother Michael and his oldest son Iain, my Aunt Pete, and my mom. We ate some great food, went swimming, and enjoyed the dry mountain air. Have I mentioned before on this blog that I hate humidity? There were also a few rather intense nights of game playing. We might have had to retire Qwirkle after the first day because we were all a little competitive (although when we played the following week I won 3 times in a row - booyah!). I even convinced Brad to somewhat enjoy playing one of my family's favorites, mahjong.

You can tell that we got kind of lax on taking pictures because as the trip progressed I took less and less. But we did get some good ones of everyone loving the Finners. She must have been very relaxed on this vacation because she was sleeping in almost every picture.

Finley never actually got in the pool at East Canyon but she did enjoyed some bathing suit naptime everyday while I read. She also got to wear her new sun hat that Brad brought back from Spain.


My nephew Iain loves to get thrown around in the pool. I'm pretty sure Brad and Michael spent the majority of the time getting him airborn. We just had to keep tightening his trunks to avoid any indecent exposure.

Here's my brother holding Finley dreading the days when he'll have to start the newborn process all over again with his own next baby. I don't blame him, I think having two energetic sons would be a handful.
One of the days we took a shopping trip to Park City and ate some lunch. I think my family has been going to Park City on a regular basis for the last 20 years so Finley needed to be initiated properly. With all the pictures of her asleep it seems she was really impressed.


At lunch Brad had some issues and decided to embarass himself. Actually I think the water pitcher was nocked over and he was the lucky recipient of most of the runoff. Finley's carseat was a nice disguise as we left, othewise Brad might still be at that restaurant. Sidenote - they had beer with Mormon themed names, they were trying to be clever but the whole idea was kind of unfunny to me.


We tried to introduce Finley to our love for hiking and camping. But since I'm hyper sensitive as a new mom I was worried about her getting sunburned, so our hike only lasted about 15 minutes. As you can tell from this picture I might have gone overboard on covering her up. But her face is classic. When she's in deep sleep like this her mouth hangs open like a baby bird, it's hilarious.

We all live in different states across the country so it's hard for us to get together in the same place at the same time but I'm glad we did. We had a great time and hopefully we can make it a regular thing.

Monday, August 23, 2010

CARN FAMILY REUNION 2010

Here is the first of three posts from our vacation... first stop the Carn Family Reunion 2010. Before heading out to Starved Rock, IL all 35 us (!!!) convened at the Carn house in Naperville. Not all of us stayed at the Carn's house those first few nights but pretty close - it was a tight fit. Brad and I were the last to arrive just in time to bless Finley and her cousin Logan. It was a special moment to have so much family around and to see Brad bless our first child. Kind of unreal and I'm grateful I had a room full of people to take copious notes - I wouldn't have remembered anything!


The next morning we drove caravan style to Starved Rock, Illinois with LOTS of people and even more food. We stayed in two 18 person condo/cabins that worked out great. We had plenty of room for cooking and playing cards and eating.

One day we had a bottle rocket competition. I'm no sure who won... but everyone had a great time designing and setting them off. Luckily no one or thing got injured in the process because those babies could really fly.

Finley, the youngest current grandchild, shares her birthday with Carson, the oldest grandchild.

Brad and I met just a few weeks after Scott was born. In fact within the first few months of us dating we started babysitting him and his big sister Lauren. We used to call Scott the little burrito - which carried over into Finley's prenatal nickname. It blows my mind to see him so grown up, I can't believe Brad and I have known each other that long!

Here is Finley and her cousin Logan. They are almost exactly two months apart, I can't wait until they are older and can start playing together.


Here is Avery (or as I like to call her Miss Averman) - she just turned one and we got to see her start walking on our trip to Utah.


One of the great things about Starved Rock is the indoor water park. We had unlimited access which we all thoroughly took advantage of. Up to that point Finley had a bad relationship with water - baths were not a fun time - but I always want her to be comfortable around water so she had her first "swim". Which means I held her in the water while she cried for a few minutes but as soon as she could cuddle up to one of us she went right to sleep. It made the lazy river very enjoyable.



We also played a few games: Family Feud, a Talent Show, and Bingo and they all turned out really fun. There were defiantly some classic moments... let me just say that our eight year old nephew Spencer singing and dancing to Eye Of The Tiger was AMAZING. Whenever Brad and I need a chuckle we just watch his dance intro - that is SO being played at his wedding reception.

And here are the masters of the show: Ross and Diane. Thanks again! We were so happy everyone got to meet Finley and we had a great time. We can't wait for the Carn Reunion 2011 - watch out Alpine Utah there's a boat load of Carn's heading your way!


CLASSIC ROCK + ZOOLANDER FACE = AWESOME


Friday, August 20, 2010

HAPPY FRIDAY

Just some cute pictures for the grandmas. My awesome sister-in-law in Angie tried to take some pictures when we were in Utah but the Finners was being less than cooperative. So I stole her cute ideas and tried to recreate them. She was a little more in to it today, but the lighting was too harsh. And I only had about 10 minutes because it was 95 degrees (at 10 AM!!) and so humid it felt like walking through soup. I know I complain a lot about the weather - sorry. I'm just really excited for cooler, dryer weather. Less sweating and allergies and cuter clothes. And pumkin scented candles. And fall leaves. And football. Okay I'm done.

I know I promised I'd do a post about Utah - but we literally took over 900 pictures. It's quite a bit to sort through and edit. And as much as I want to post 30 pictures of Fin looking adorable while sleeping I don't think everyone else finds that as interesting. SO - my goal is to get pictures posted this weekend with a recap of our adventures. So stay tuned (don't lie - I know you're on the edge of your seat).


Happy Friday and have a good weekend!









Wednesday, August 18, 2010

TWO NEW TRICKS [ONE NOT SO REAL]

So I had a dream last night that Finley could read. Not that she was older and could read but a two month old who could read. She was self taught and read words like "ocean" clear as bell in the cutest little voice. This might stem from the fact that I think she is the smartest baby around. Or possibly it has to do with me spending hours talking to her and sometimes daydreaming that she randomly says something back to me (ps - how weird would that be?). But alas she can not read or even talk. But she does have 1 new (real) trick. She can smile. And not just accidental smiles - full on ear to ear grins on cue when she is genuinely happy. Like I said - she's the smartest baby that ever was.


We haven't had any real giggles yet. But last night she start making two "ha" sounds right in a row while smiling so we think she's almost there. It's confusing because this super soft little bouncer also vibrates AND plays soothing sounds. Trust me, if there was a grown up version for me to nap in I'd laugh on command. I don't know what her deal is.

Monday, August 16, 2010

WE'RE BAAAAAACK

We've been on a marathon of a vacation (no complaints here) and now we are back in the HOT and HUMID portion of the country (yuck). Here's an unofficial update:

Everyone is alive and well. Brad is back in school. And Finley slept 6 hours last night.

Here's a picture of the cutest member of our family to tie you over until an official update of our travels and travails coming soon.