Update

This is an aerial shot of my still pregnant belly, taken while I watch the kids play at the water park here in Henderson. I keep forgetting to have Dirk take belly photos, so this is how I amuse myself when I have time on my hands.


So, for those of you who are interested, we are now staying with my mother in Henderson, Nevada. I still haven't had the baby (due on Monday, and I have NEVER gone early, so this is no great surprise, nor any great disappointment, since taking a newborn to the pool is not realistic, and spending time away from the pool in this heat is no more so). Dirk hasn't found a job yet, though he is working on many things and we are hopeful something wonderful happens in the next couple of months. We are so grateful to have my mom, who has generously opened up her home to us and somehow made it seem like we are doing her a favor, and who found me the best OB/GYN I have ever had. And we are grateful for friends who keep in touch and help us feel connected to the world we know.

Remember that time you lost your wedding ring?

Just before we left San Diego, we had crazy fun at a "one last beach day." It was such a dizzying time that Dirk forgot to tie his wedding ring to his swim shorts, as is his habit, and it slipped right off while he was boogie boarding in the ocean. This all happened the day before our seventh anniversary, which we both forgot until we were on our way home from church, and I don't want to think about what all that might mean about seven year itches and such. Too busy to analyze. Here are some pix of the day.

Pool Pass=Desert Survival

For those of you who know how much I dislike Las Vegas, I have to say this: it is not as bad as I thought it would be! Turns out, all you need is a pool pass and a breeze. My kids have become little fishes. Ox went down the big windy slide at least ten times today, and both older ones are swimming across the width of the pool completely unassisted. Since arriving in Henderson to stay with my mom, we have hosted a steady stream of visiting aunts and cousins, and it has been a blast. I'll never forget what my 10-year-old nephew Sammy said to me the first day we got ready to go swimming. He looked at my belly and said, "I wonder if you'll float." I don't notice a difference with the floating, but it is so refreshing to be in the cool water when the temp is 110 plus.

Ox, being his fishy self.


New favorite cousin: Ben. He tickles, can do anything on the Wii, and is strong enough to toss children into the air. They never tire of him.



Cutest pout ever. No idea what she was grumpy about, but this face almost never happens when Gigi is near a pool. She loves it!



I have got to hand it to the City of Henderson. Their parks and rec department is top notch. I have never seen its equal. This is a water park that is completely free and open every day.




Emma, Gigi, and Pippin sacked out for the night.


Gigi snuggling her cuz Omijo on the couch.

Fourth of July

Our fun and busy Fourth included our ward picnic and show in the morning (wonderful music and readings from our country's history and founding); Primary kids sang "Yankee Doodle" and waved their little flags like they meant it. Yogurt at Del Mar Swirls after lunch, and fireworks in the evening.

Camping with the Bedellios

What fun times my children have had with our dear friends camping! Here are some pictures of their latest trip to Burnt Rancheria, near Pine Valley. Wherever we ultimately end up, we hope these trips can continue. And, if I am ever again not pregnant or nursing or taking care of an under two-year-old, I might even join them. Oh, I know babies can camp, but I am terribly fond of sleep and hiking around without thirty pounds of Precious on my back and my parenting-of-babies strategies all involve electricity. Call me a wimp. Now do it to my face.



We call these three the triplets, because Gigi and the twins are born just one day apart and can entertain each other for hours, especially if mud is involved.




It must be some sort of camping directive: Boys who camp with their fathers shall be allowed and encouraged to poke at fire with sticks.



This trip was the debut of the zip line . . .



. . . it was also the debut of the rule, "All campers shall wear helmets when riding the zip line." Poor Andy collided with a tree on one of his trips down. How this happened I still do not really understand, but I know his dad caught it when he got home.