Can't resist that urge...

I've heard it hits sometime in the third trimester-that "nesting" urge. I know what it feels like now. There is something about creating a warm, safe place to welcome your new baby into that is too powerful to resist.

I've got a "To Do" list the size of Texas. I wish FranklinCovey would hurry up and tell me that my temporary position is over so I can get to work preparing a home for our little boy!
(Ok, I take that back. I need to work as long as I can. Thanks FranklinCovey!)

Here is a quick recap of the last few weeks.

-Baby Taylor is growing as he should and his little kicks are not so little anymore.

-The doctor told me to eat more ice cream (this was after I told her that I eat 3-4 bowls a week)

-Chase continues to show me how great of a Dad he is going to be

-My wonderful in-laws just got called as MISSION PRESIDENTS!!

(We are THRILLED for them, but we are still mourning the fact that they will be away for 3 yrs)

-I turned 24 years old. I'm an oldy old, I know.

-We packed a ton of fun into a weekend in Boise-ie Outback Steakhouse, movies, Baby showers, family time... thanks again guys, I love you!

-I gained 5 lbs in 2 weeks. whew, that was hard work...thanks, ice cream!!

32 weeks.

Don't worry, Kaela's is a pillow.

I had to include this picture to show you how excited Chase is to have this baby. I caught him cooing and tickling Penny like a baby a few months ago.

Welcoming 2010

(30 weeks pregnant, banging pots and pans to welcome the new year)

This is the "white house". We lived here for the first 2 years of our marriage. This house holds a very special place in our hearts. It was here that we began our lives together. We moved in because of the charm that a house build in 1890 has, but loved it because of the memories made here. We weren't initially aware that the three other couples that shared the house would become lifelong friends, the kind that you can't find just anywhere.

For the third year in a row, we reunited the white house gang for a New Years Eve party. Although we live across the country from eachother now, it is always just like the good old days when we get together.

Chase, "Boonie" and Jordan are the biggest goofballs


Jenny and Jude, me and baby boy, Jenn and Carter

This is the first time we've gotten together that kids were in the picture!

I wish that my computer wasn't packed up in storage because I would love to put up a bunch of pictures of the white house gang over the years. The only couple that is missing is Chelsi and Dave Firmage who were in Disney Land during this party. We really missed you guys!!



Driving home from Logan on Saturday, I got teary eyed as Chase and I talked about how special these friends are. We shared such a special time of life together and had so much fun over the years. We love you guys!

Its the most wonderful time of the year!

Does anyone else find this yucky pressure to make sure your posts are captivating, well written, not too self-centered, and full of cute pictures? I don't like it. I'm pretty sure my posts are normally none of those things, but I still put off updating for too long and then I end up throwing something up so I can keep a record of it. I'm going to try harder not to care. Anyway, back to business :)

Christmas

This was the first year where our families (most of them) were close enough together that we could split up the holiday. We still missed Kyle, Jade, Tayler, Bri, Matt, and Dara, but at least we were able to have some Taylor and Enzler flavor at the same time.

Christmas eve was spent with the Taylors eating a delicious fondue buffet. ...delicous and so much fun! In the evening we cuddled up around the tree in our matching PJ's and each shared something we love about our Savior. It was the perfect way to keep ourselves focused on what Christmas is really all about.

After exchanging gifts in the morning and feeling so spoiled and loved by the Taylors, we drove to Park City to spend the rest of the day at the INCREDIBLE condo that Tiffini and John rented. Mom, Dad, and Kaela were already there waiting for us to join the party. We sat around the fire and read Santa's letter to the Enzler's family and exchanged gifts lovingly picked out for eachother.

There is something so special about Christmas and how it brings family's closer together. Even when you can't be with all of those that you love in person, you can still strenthen the bonds with eachother as you talk on the phone. Hopefully next year it will be in person!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas-these monks are awesome.

White Christmas

27 weeks pregnant

Life around here has been as busy as ever (story of everyone's life, right?) Chase and I are both enjoying our jobs, although we're still trying to get used to getting to work by 6:50 am with all of the surprise overnight snowstorms. Add 6 inches of freshly packed snow, an unplowed freeway, and the normal "Utah drivers" together and it makes for a big adventure getting to work most mornings...and a stressed out Leah.

Our baby boy is just as busy as ever in my growing belly. Watching my belly roll around as he moves never gets old for Chase and me. Chase loves to talk to my stomach and get a little kick in return. (Chase doesn't have to know that he is pretty much kicking all of the time whether we're talking to him or not)

It makes me so happy to see how excited Chase is about our future addition. We went to Target the other day to pick out some presents for friends who were expecting. Of course we couldn't help stopping at the baby boy section, and of course we couldn't resist picking out some cute outfits. We decided that we would each pick out one outfit. Needless to say, we ended up leaving with 8. 1 nighty picked out by me, and the other 7 outfits were chosen by Chase who just couldn't possibly narrow it down more than that. Any of you who know Chase wouldn't be surprised that every single one said something written on it like:

"Future quarterback" or "Sports Star-just like Daddy"

As of today I am 27 weeks, 3 days pregnant. I can't believe in 3 months he'll be due! The second trimester has completely flown by. I have been feeling great, thanks to my friends:

Tums (for heartburn)

the three pillows I sleep with at night, and

hand sanitizer that I carry around to keep sicky germs away.

I'm determined not to get sick during this crazy flu season.

and we might as well add ice cream to that list.

But lets face it, when has ice cream not been my best friend?

24 weeks. Kind of old I know, but its fun to see the contrast-if you can.

Can you believe Christmas is here in two weeks? WOW! Time is flying by. I think I need to savour the Christmas spirit a little more before it passes me by. Today in Relief Society our teacher challenged us to spend at least a few minutes a day pondering Christ and what Christmas really means. I can't think of a better way to get into the Christmas spirit.

moments of THANKS

personally, I DO think we look alike

Love these three

missing a few, but loving who was there

grateful for a husband that loves kids

twitterpation during our rousing game of "werewolf"

Thanksgiving is such a good reminder. It is a good reminder that there is always so much to be thankful for. I know I should be going through my days thinking of what I am grateful for all the time, but it is easy to get caught up in our lives and forget to get on our knees and really thank our Father in heaven for what we are blessed with. Today I'm not going to make a list of all of the things I am grateful for for the world to see, but I am going to take some time to ponder what that list would have-and I'm going to ponder how I can live my life to be more deserving of those blessings. And then after I ponder what I can do, I'm going to DO it.
So, thanks for the reminder Thanksgiving.

Chase bragging about Leah and Life...Post #1

Chase was here!!

First time writing on this blog; Leah is so much better at writing than me, so I usually leave it up to her.

I just wanted to write a little about how much I love Leah...She is my angel of hope and I am very blessed to have her as my wife. She doesn't believe me when I tell her, but she truly does always look beautiful. She has that natural beauty that is rare.

She has always been so excited to have a baby. Her little belly is showing and she looks so dang cute. I love how excited she gets when our little boy kicks and is moving around. She is going to be such a great mother! Leah is always a cheery person, and she makes me happy!! I adore my wife.

My life is very blessed. My job is great; I work at NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate. I am an Industrial Researcher/Analyst. I have not been there long, but I have really enjoyed it so far. I have a wonderful, beautiful, and fun wife. I have the gospel in my life, and a great future ahead of me. Great life!!

Expect another post from me in a year or two...Chao