Isabel Ann Lamb

Here are some of the ins-and-outs between Izzie's labor story. She was a very good baby - still good, avid sleeper, short and chubby :) just the way we like them! --yes, her official name is Isabel Ann.

--she's got bird legs, and a chubby face, and she's already smiling :)

--she was born exactly May 11, 2009 5:54pm

--she's beautiful, but is always really sleepy :(

--she enjoys being held, cradled, and wrapped up.

--she's not even a full day old! :-O

My mom got induced at 9:30, and between 3pm-4pm dropped to a 6. At 5:54 she had a beautiful baby girl! What more can you say about that?

Birthday Overload!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Two very special chillings TRANSFORMED!! Our crazy current baby girl (Emma.) and the extremely slick second-oldest (Tal).

I love this picture - it shows a) how TAN Tal is! and b) how they really are - Tal's basketball jersey, Emma's pioneer dress and apron with semi-curled hair (she runs out in the middle of my beautician business..UGH!!). These two kiddos took a giant leap! Tal got his Arrow of Light (post for another time), and Emma just got closer to being a TEENAGER. Wow, that sounded scary! Sorry, Mom, I know that's just a little too much for you. I mean, she's only five! I didn't get a birthday pic on my Mom's camera, but I have mine here so here's a little preview about Emma:

-she's fiesty

-she's crazy

-she won't back down unless she gets things done HER way

-if she doesn't get things her way...she just throws a GIANT fit until you give it to her.

-she's hilarious

Tal turned the big 11! On April 6! (PS, Emma was April 30th)

The cake DOES say "Happy 11th Homey!!"

we couldn't exactly find any other theme, so we stuck with the whole gangster thing. Tal was pretty psyched about it :) it was a great cake --chocolate, of course-- and Tal enjoyed the day.

Here's T posing with his ultimate favorite toy, his Nintendo DS (he's been begging!)

The DS was pricey, so he didn't get too many other presesnts, but had a great day and we're glad he's one year older! AGAIN--another boy almost a teenager!! Just wait!!

ARIZONA!

Although here there's no solid evidence I went to Arizona, I'm telling you right now how idiotic I was just to forget that I brought MY digital camera along and didn't bother to crack it open until I unpacked. But then it was too late - I was back home and my only option was to forget about the event. How sad? Yeah, I know :(

However, Arizona was no mistake. Audrey and I packed up, bought tickets, and choked up some extra cash within four weeks to fly down Ar.i.zon.a! For most the trip, the weather was great, apart from some nasty wind that whipped up some minor dust devils... ack!! The plane ride? Okay, I guess. Normal, no movie, get your drinks, sit by a mysterious stranger, enjoy the psychotic "view" of the window, while sneaking obliged handfuls of Tropical Flavored Skittles (Audrey insisted we sit closeby emerengcy exits on both plane rides.. safety first!!).

I'll go through our daily events a little slower. We got into the airport at.. 7:20?? About.. then we were met up at security by grandma and grandpa. Audrey and I embraced them both, expressed excitement, and made our way to baggage claim. After picking up our suitcases we got in the car and hurried back to Grandma's. Moments after settling in, the long plane ride came back to me and I snuck into the bathroom. Sitting on the counter sink were two neatly approachable baskets: one labeled "AUDREY" the other labled "ADDIE"... here are the contents, which included: a neatly descriptive letter from grandma and grandpa, facial mas bar, two razers, a small deoderant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a small chicken box filled with large jelly beans, a large pack of Ice Breaker mints, and a small bag with lotion, shower gel, and perfume all with the scent of Warm Vanilla... mmmmm :)Day 2 - sun shining through the slats on the large window, and nice, light dainty room (smells like summer out there!) with the sound of sprinklers outdoors. Perfect. Glance down on my phone for a brief moment, only to realize that, of course, I stuck to Utah time. 6:30 am?? These people aren't joking! To get a good start on my day, I woke up and got out of bed alongside Audrey. Us two went out in the kitchen and were welcomed with a delightful breakfast (along with Grandpa's ultimate treat, donughts). The morning went by quickly. We watched Fried Green Tomatoes with grandma and got an early start on our day, by dressing up and hitting the malls. 8:30?? Wednesday? Puh-lease! School in session, and Audrey and I hitting Santan for some partying! Here's the verdict: two shirts for a screamin' deal at Aeropostale, along with bermuda shorts 50% off? Really? Heaven on earth - we just got a bargain! We met up with Lizzy and her darling kids, London and Everett. Can you say a.dor.a.ble?! Psh!!

That night we went to mutual with Abbie and Zach and Jake. Thanks guys!! :) :) I'll just skip ahead a few days to Friday (yeah..I'm really skipping events here!) Although the older girls had school, Alex and Sydney agreed to stay back with Audrey and I and McKinley decided to go to school, but agreed to sleep over. So the next morning, Aunt Katie walked in at 7:00 am, waiting for us to get in the car. Pull on church clothes, straggle in with recomends, head temple-ward. It's odd not having a temple in reaching distance here. It was a pretty hearty drive.

Grandma and Grandpa work willingly at the the temple, so they had been up and moving at a very early time in the morning. Us girls piled in (along with Jake- the only boy, this being his first baptisms for the dead experience) and got there.

The experience was phenomanal. It was a great time, thanks Grandma and Grandpa (and Syd and Alex for bringing it up). Sorry that the order is all wacky. You got a taste of our Friday and Wednesday - now embrace yourself for Thursday, which was another great day, which we got to experience the thrill of the new movie Seventeen Again-- the new Zac Efron movie that left us screaming for more. The movie was pretty good, I guess. Worth watching, but not for little kids :-/ it was really funny, with great humor. Zac Efron looks GREAT (as always) and the movie had a fun story. :)

What could the experience be without some little Arizona fun? No.. we never went swimming. Like I said - there is a certain temperature you need for swimming to be enjoyable. This week just wasn't that way. The weather was fabulous, but the wind was horrific. It didn't take away tallies about how FUN this episode turned out to be, of course. I hope you catch my drift :)

We also got to see Mattie play baseball and watch The Wedding Planner and 27 Dresses over and over.. and Twilight! Movies satisfy :)

Thanks grandma and grandpa!! We loved it and we love you :) :) :)

David Archuleta Concert!

Best.... night... ever! This Friday was David Archuleta's only Utah Concert on his tour. And where was I during this wonderful event? I was at the E Center in downtown Salt Lake - Row 6, sitting perfectly there, listening to every song, including songs performed by two other singers that nobody cared about (oops.. that was mean)

I didn't think that life could get better! Hearing tons of his songs being performed that I live for! Every night before I go to bed it's him that I listen to on my iPod... EVERY NIGHT...

I was in heaven! My heart melted at the very beginning when he opened with two of my all time favorites, "Touch My Hand" and "Barriers". Then he stopped his opening and yelled really loud into the microphone, "UTAH!!!!!!" the concert was phenomenal. Every song he sang, including a medley which he incorporated Love Song and A Thousand Miles were two songs he dominated, including a sneak preview at his new song, Zero Gravity. The girls I were with were screaming and howling! I felt that I could reach out and touch his hand! He's so sweet and innocent, and is an *amazing* singer when he's live.. truly incredible. He had a duet with Kara DioGuardi, but since she was in California that night, he performed with a different girl. Next time David comes to town, I'm so going!
After the concert was supposedly "over" (11:00 pm, and I was still on my feet screaming!) he ran back out and sat down on the piano. His anchore was I'm Yours, by Jason Mraz. In that song, there's a swear word. David substituted the word and as soon as he did, the crowd went WILD. I was laughing, thinking, "only in Utah...."

He seemed grateful to be back in his hometown, and I was grateful to recieve such a thrilling oppurtunity! Next year, David's MY birthday present!

Abouts: Lewis Ethan

Since Ethan's birthday is today, I thought we might as well tell you seven things about this little hunk that you may not know:

1. His life is revolved around playing baseball. Seriously. His dream, his direction, and his motive is pretty revolved around the spectacles of baseball. Of course, you can't deny his inevitable love for all sports, but if I were specifically going to pick out one, it's baseball. When we were in the South, he was trained by his brother, who is continuing to raise him in a baseball world. He ended up pitching and striking out nine-year-olds, and once a eighth-grader. He is very, VERY competitive.

2. Camping is one of his favorite activities to do. Whenever we announce a camping trip (one that we aren't hosting, because of course, we are new to the whole "camping in Utah" thing...just wait!) he is the first one in and out of the car, and is always ecstatic about fishing, riding four-wheelers, playing baseball....ANYTHING! He just loves to go camping, and is always the first to call the tent.

3. He's short. Very, very short. When he was younger, we got him tested and took him to numerous doctors because of his small size. He is still pretty short for his age, but is continually growing and isn't afraid to face people taller than him. For such a small guy, he's got a HUGE heart and competitive streak.

4. He loves Stars Wars and Indiana Jones. He's obsessed with seeing and watching the movies, getting the action figures and toys that go alongside. For Halloween, he's going to be Indiana Jones, something we aren't sure how to dress through.

5. He's really good with kids. Whenever he sees a little baby or toddler, etc, he always asks to hold them or is very nice about playing with them. He turns into such a sweet little boy whenever a kid's around. Although he is one himself, he somehow turns a light on inside his heart and becomes such a great, cute little baby-sittin' boy.

6. He is fast. When I say this, I mean just a tenth of a second behind Talmage...which is crazy insane! For his age and height, he can beat whoever you want him to. Weightlessly flying through the air. That's our E-Man!

7. He can't take a loss. So that's why he's a winner.

We love you, Lewis! Happy 7th birthday!

The Wedding

This defines our group...well, that only looks like half the McGhie grandkids, but oh well. It's still a picture.

If this becomes our Christmas picture, don't be surprised :) I looked and thought, "Hey, that's a cute picture!"

The cute ladies chilling out

Nick and Heather got married....FOREVER AGO!!! But sorry I am slow. At least I posted, though!

Pedi Cure Everything

Here's our lovely footies - this is going backwards. Sorry.
Here's a small portion of our rally. It's not over, yet. Aw, I can feel my toes tingling again!!

Yes, that's my leg. I wanted a manicure, too, so I HAD to have one...I was the only one who got one, but no one can turn down a pedi!!!

Here's our group (L-R: Kristen, Liz, Me, my Mom, Melissa)

Thanks, ladies, for the wonderful mani-pedi date!

First Day of School

Here's what I can do to put in words: great, can't complain, pretty awesome. Walking into my junior is like walking into Lifetime Fitness-- granite floors, glass EVERYTHING, a great smell, and auto lockers. Coolest part - auto lockers. You heard me. Do the combo, push in the dial and WHAM out pops your locker. Unfortunately only a couple of people have these - mostly eighth and ninth graders. I DID have one, then mine got jammed, so they redid the door system...UGGHHH!! Now I have a plain locker. Sorry. It was cool while it lasted. Talmage and Ethan go to Westfield. Ethan likes his teacher, Mrs. Crumrine. A first-grade teacher...with that name?? We said, "Just don't call her Mrs. Crummy". Talmage sort of likes his teacher-- he'll survive the reamining schoolyear. Emma has Angie Murdock for her schoolteacher and she calls her Miss Andrey. It'll work out. So, well, we're set. Love you all. Have a fantastic schoolyear.

Olympics, Olympics

Aw, the Olympics. Getting better and better as the days go along. Nothing better to watch. Since we just got our cabel installed last night, we've missed out on pretty much everything but the opening ceremonies and gymnastics. I was desperate. We went to Kristen's to watch Gymnastics, but got there early and had the opp. to watch diving. Suh-weet! It was so cool to see those tricks. It must be SO much pressure. US was in 2nd, when all of a sudden Russia and Germany kicked them out. Actually, they were tied for first! They obviously didn't think much of it!! Poor Chinese thirteen-year-old girl doing gymnastics did two AMAZING tricks on high bar in a row-- two releases!! In pretty much two half-seconds!! Fell right down. And Nastia Liukin, whose graceful routine was doing great until her dismount, where she skidded back and fell, right in front of her father/coach. Poor girl must have been dying. Tonight I am SO going to dvr Shawn Johnson winning the gold and Micheal Phelps going for it. This is the most involved Olympics I have ever watched (mostly because last Olympics was four years ago and I was only barely eight). But I am going to keep on watching! How about you?