Keys!

Yea, we have keys to the house now! We bought a house and now we can acctually get into it whenever we want!! Here are a few things I will NOT miss about renting:

Parking a mile away from my front door
Walking even further to take out the trash
Parking in direct sunlight
Cat crap on my doorstep
Hauling groceries up a full flight of stairs
Downstairs/upstairs neighbors
Paper thin walls
A laundry 'closet'
No pantry
NO cupboard space
Wasting money in rent
No yard
The inability to grow plants (veggetables/flowers) on our balcony
Ice trays (as opposed to the ice MAKER and water filter on the fridge-YAY)

and that's to name a few. . . .
although we still aren't moving our stuff for another week and a half . . . . so excited!

in case you haven't heard-

Rummor confirmed.
I'm PREGNANT!! We couldn't be more excited! . . . .Although the longer I go feeling like I wish I were dead, the liklihood of this child coming into this world being grounded greatly increases.

A few other points of interest:
-Baby due March 1, 2010
-We're NOT finding out the gender until birth (we like green)
-Grandchild #14 Wright, Allsop #3
Hooray for us!!

The House

The classic pic in front of the house the day of closing. So we're predictable- big deal, I don't care we're HOME-OWNERS now!!! YAY!
kindof scary and my hand has a cramp from signing my name so many times but we couldn't be happier with the biggest purchase of our lives! One day we'll post pics of the inside but the only way for you to guarantee seeing it is to visit! So many great people helped along the way, and we are so grateful for everyone's advise, encouragement and support- even if it was listening to me vent my stress/anxiety away! We love it and can hardly wait to move in!!

Attempting to catch up = long post

Utah {week 2}
My second week in Utah was much more relaxing than the first. It was nice to see some good friends I haven't seen for a LONG time, as well as get more quality one-on-one time with family members. gotta love it. I found myself staring at the mountains quite regularly. I was surprised how quickly I forgot the view from my parents back yard. I also miss how it acctually cools down at night in UT- our lows in SA are like 75. . . . not all that cool but this isn't a "things I miss about Utah" post {which may come at a later date} so I'll continue:

Saturday we hiked to a waterfall in Pleasant Grove.

I think somebody missed me. . . cuz this is what I found in the apartment when I got home. {ok, somebody might have missed him too} -a week is a long time to be a 'batchelor' after you've been married to me for three years!

To 'celebrate' my birthday we took a little {well, long, really} day trip to Waco, TX. as seen in the next photo home of Dr Pepper!

Ah, that special goodness. I don't know how we've lived here for a year and a half and hadn't been yet. Since that WAS one of the deciding factors on me moving here to begin with. Oh, I know why. . . . . they have weird hours! {they close at like 4}

Besides the quite lengthy drive, we had a blast! I loved reading all about the 2nd love of my life and something about an old soda fountain w a soda jerk just makes drinking it that much more enjoyable! A few of my favorites were:

-the old commercials

-it used to be called "waco" and if you wanted one you would say "shoot me a waco"

-a pharmacist "Morrison" concocted it. . . in a pharmacy

-the myth of Dr Pepper is made w prune juice {the rumor started by a competitor to get people to STOP drinking Dr Pepper. . . . which obviously didn't work} the secret of the 23 fuit flavors is STILL a mystery

-the 10 2 4 campaign {you should drink a dr pepper three times a day: at 10 2 & 4 because that is the time of day when your blood sugar is low and people tend to get hunger pains/headaches of which having a tasty soda would remedy}

-All the speculations as to 'how' it got its name {possibly as a 'dowry' to get a Dr. Pepper {a REAL Dr {like MD} in England, to let Morrison to marry his daughter} and of course:

-the gift shop. thank you sugar cane!

We finished the day by going to IKEA in Austin and was TOTALLY bummed the cafe was under construction. . . .stupid making it bigger.

As for my ACTUAL birthday I was totally spoiled with gifts from Michael and had a lovely time at dinner {minus the crappy service. . . . i'm much more picky since i've been a waitress myself} with friends. I have a feeling 26 is going to be a good year! Thank you to all who wished, or tried to wish {I only purposely missed SOME of your calls lol} me a lovely day, which it was! and I'll try to post more than once in the next month.

Not to get too political....

I thought this was pretty good.

Best Day EVER!

ok, maybe not TODAY. But, three years ago today may have been. Namely because of this:

Today's the anniversary of the day I married my best friend! And, I'd do it again anytime, anyplace.

Utah! {week 1}

Week one of my stay in Utah is offically over. To say it was jam-packed is an understatement! Here's a run-down of the trip thus far:
-fly circles around utah lake for and hour waiting for a 'storm' to pass
-See previously mentioned missionary brother
-get family pictures taken {that's right, ALL 30 of us!}
-attend the 'non-welcome home talk'
-baby blessing
-Temple open house-Shop {Texas doesn't believe in modest church attire}
-Play with nieces and nephews
-Camping for four days equiped with rain and HAIL, {we were the smart ones who chose the tent with a hole in it. that part, not so fun} rope swinging, hiking, canoeing, swiming, four-wheeling, gaming, zip-lining, party island-ing, eating, golfing, laughing, freezing. basically everything but sleeping. {mostly by choice}
-Freedom Run {well, walk} most of us did the 5K but a few did the 10K some of which went above and beyond and ran 11k's :) {It actually was kindof cool - something I never thought I would admit.}

-Parade

-Swimming {Lindon has a pretty cool new "aquatic center"}

-BBQ's

-Fireworks

-Plenty of "baby-holding"

We basically decided that showering was taking too much time away from hanging out with family members we haven't seen in way too long. {and soon began to avoid confined spaces}

The debut of baby Avenlee and the 'newest' Wright: Isn't she just the sweetest thing?

Well, now that the "main event" is over and most family members have returned to their homes I'm feeling a little dejavu- Home with my little bro and mom and dad. I feel like I'm 17 again.

Here's to a relaxing week two! Michael, you're on your own!