Robert Bingham Family Reunion 2011

This year for our family reunion, my immediate family went up to Alturas Lake were we stayed at Camp Smokey. We have a lot of memories there ranging from girls camps, ward camp outs, and for a lot of the guys 50 milers. It was a lot of fun getting together and being away from cellular devices and out in nature for a time. There is always stuff to do like hikes and games, but lucky us, we even had four wheelers! Below is a picture of Mike and I right before setting out on one of our rides.

We were also able to have a horseshoe tossing contest. Mike and Moe were on a team against my Dad and nephew, Jacob. Below Mike is showing off his awesome throwing skills.

And my Dad's throwing skills.

And finally Moe's throwing skills.

My brother Trent with his girl Shonee watching the game.

Haha, sweet little Thomas! He has so many faces and I was lucky enough to have caught this one. If you can't tell, he isn't exactly happy :) Love this boy! :)

And yes, I even love this boy! :) Mike is such a great sport and was more than willing to be the one to dress up in the dress and be little bo-peep for our skit. We were given a bag with clothes and instructions to perform a skit from a family memory. Our skit dealt with 4H and my sisters modeling the clothes they made, and then Trent's showing of his run away lamb :)

Clariee and me pretending to be my older sisters modeling.

Trent playing himself and Mike as the runaway lamb.

I didn't get pictures of all the skits, but here is one where Jacob is me when I was little and Kimball is Marjorie. We had a lot of good stories growing up and this one was Paul's favorite. He tells it to everyone! So of course his kids reenacted it.

Marjorie also did a skit about her and I. Her little boy Jared played me and they're pretending to ride a four wheeler out in our pasture when Marjorie somehow managed to figure out how to hit the cow pies in our pasture just right so that I got splattered and she didn't. Yea...not so fun for me :)

Below are some videos from activities that Angela and Moe came up with for us to compete against each other. Some of the ideas originated from the show Minute to Win It.

This is where Mike had to knock over the pop cans with a yo-yo tied to his belt loop. He was really fast! I accidentally stopped half way through so that's why there is two videos.

This last video was an activity that Angela and Moe saw when they were living down in Mexico. We had a rope tied on our belt loop with a pencil that we had to fit into the top of the top can. As you can see, pregnancy was not a hindrance here :)

A picture of Heidi and I...yea, we've got skills :)

Here is proof that I'm getting bigger...I believe this was at 28 weeks. And I'm still growing! This was later in the day taken while on our way down from the hike we took up the mountain.

Also on the hike were above, Angela and her kids Micah and Naomi and below, Marjorie and Jared. There were some older kids, David and Scottie, but they were always way ahead of us and so I'm sorry but no picture.

This is a pretty view of Alturas Lake Angela took from up the mountain. It was beautiful! This was a really fun family reunion for both of us...a nice break from school and work and time spent with family. Hopefully we'll be able to go there again! :)

Mindy Concert and 26 weeks prego

Mike has a hero. Her name is Mindy Gledhill. While on his mission in Oklahoma, Mike was only able to listen to certain types of music and Mindy became one of his favorite singers. I really like her music too, but I must admit I had never heard of her before Mike. She had a performance here in Rexburg so of course we had to go :) When they asked for the first three Mindy super fans to go up on stage Mike jumped out of his seat and jumped on stage...the first out of three other girls :) Haha...what a goof! :)

Here's Mindy! And yes, those are butterfly wings. When she first came out both Mike and I looked at each other and were like, "Umm..." But it was kinda cute and she completely pulled it off with her fun personality and everything. After the first songs she said, "I bet you never thought you'd see a pregnant butterfly dance huh?" It was cute. Yep...she was prego in this concert jumping around and singing...I was impressed! I can't even walk up four stairs without getting winded anymore, I can't imagine dancing and singing for a whole concert! Props for Mindy!

Here is my incredibly awesome husband up on stage with Mindy and the other "super fans". Notice all the others are women? :)

A hug from Mindy...it made Mike's night :) I was really excited for him and knew he'd be talking about it for days. Sure enough, right when he got home he went over to some of our neighbor's house to show off this picture and tell his story :)

After the concert. I kinda wish we could have gotten a belly shot together, I think that would have been funny, but there was a huge line waiting to get a picture or autograph from her. Cool story though...Mike got her to autograph our program's picture of her by saying, "Thanks for the hug Mike -Mindy" or something like that. I can't remember exactly.


And here is another belly shot at around 24 1/2 weeks. My mom keeps getting after me about posting more pictures, but I don't think we'd see as many results week by week where as two weeks you can see a bigger difference. I will try to be better though Mom. Haha...funny story. So about a week before at 23 weeks I had a patient at work ask me when I was due. I told her and she was really shocked saying, "Oh dear, but you look like you're ready to pop right now!" I didn't think it was too funny at the time and said, "I'm not that big yet!" to which she replied, "Oh yes you are dear...little junior is poking out alright!". Hmm...then just this week I had two nurses the same night at different times ask me when I was due and when I told them they were like, "Are you sure? You seem bigger than 6 months" and one even asked, "Are you sure you have the right due date? They have to be off, you're too big already!" Ha, ha, ha...maybe its the scrubs? I know that I'm carrying him more out than some but seriously! Who says that to a pregnant woman? I'm sure they are right in some aspects though. I mean there is this one girl at church who is a month ahead of me and I'm bigger than her and then another girl who is a month behind me and you can't even tell she's pregnant at all! So not fair! At the same time I can't complain. I like looking pregnant and have gotten a lot of comments from patients and people that I look cute so at least those comments are a plus! I'm just not looking forward to when I do get HUMONGOUS and awkward looking. I know its gonna happen, after all I have another three months and already I look like I'm "going to pop"! :)

Vacations and Pit Stops

Before school started up we decided to take a trip... a 12-13 hour drive down to Arizona! On our way we stopped by a church history site that was where the Hinckley family restored a fort where travelers and pioneers could stop for rest. It was really cool and a site that I didn't even know existed! Mike had good eyes on spotting it though so we were able to stop. It felt good to stretch our legs and move around.

Mike's brother, Jason, and his family just moved to Arizona and that was our destination spot. While there we went to the zoo which was really big and fun. Only problem was that it was a record low that day and rainy, but still warmer than Rexburg! Enjoy the pics below from the zoo.

All of us, Mike, Me, Jason, Jennifer, Chauncy and Elise in front.

Oh brother...Mike and Jason :)

Elise and Chauncy

Mike and I

This picture is from the Grand Canyon. We thought it was going to be on our way, but come to find out we had to drive two hours out of the way. Oh well...it was still fun. We really are wanting to go back though and hike down. Hopefully next summer it will happen :)

A sign that made Mike crack up and he told everyone about it.

Hahaha, this picture was Mike's idea...it was on the road to the Grand Canyon and Mike wanted be me to pose as if the eagle were carrying me away. Is that some underneath desire of his? I hope not!

Lastly, the Glen Canyon Dam that we stopped by on the way home as well. It was cool and the bridge looked a lot like the Prime Bridge from back home. We had a lot of fun on the trip and are now back in school. Mike is staying pretty busy and work has picked back up so that I'm not on call nearly as much as before. It feels good to have a schedule and routine again!

Introducing...Steven Michael! :)

Here is our little guy! :) I just love looking at these photos, they make me so happy! I already think he's adorable and seeing these pictures makes it so real and so much fun for me. We already had his name picked out and I don't think there's a chance of us changing it so its official...we're getting a Steven Michael Reese around September 9th. At this ultra sound however, my due date was different...September 11th, and Mike likes to tell people that due date because he thinks its funny. We both are really hoping that he won't come on that day though. Who'd want to be born on the 10th anniversary of 9/11? Anyways, enjoy the photos!

The 3D photo. His cord is on his forehead and my placenta is on the front of my belly so this was the best shot they could get. Kinda weird lookin but super cool at the same time!

I love this one because you can see him peeking out and I like how his hands are under his chin.

Another favorite! Such cute little feet :) Aww! I'm having a baby! :) He's been moving around a lot more and there is no more confusion as to whether its him or not. The ultrasound tech was saying it might take Mike awhile to feel him because of where my placenta is placed...like around 23-24 weeks, but Steven is a strong little guy already and a week later at 21 weeks Mike was able to feel Steven for the first time. It was really cute...his face lite up and he got really excited saying, "Was that him?" Since then he's been feeling him more and its so much more fun for me to be able to share that with him.

Here is our first family photo! :)

This was a picture of me the Sunday before the ultrasound, 20 Weeks

Getting bigger! Here are two pics of me just a week ago at 22 Weeks.

I feel really self-conscious taking pictures of myself and posting them, but I know that later on and with future pregnancies I'll enjoy looking back and comparing (at least that's what I've been told and hope!). I also haven't been able to see family and have had quite a few requests for pictures so here ya go! :)

Gratitude

I was on my way home from work this morning feeling very happy for some reason. It had been a really hard and stressful night at work, but as I left snow was falling and it looked so pretty that I just had to smile. That made me think of my sister who is always so positive and grateful for everything. One thing lead to another and I decided that I needed to post about something that I am most grateful for in my life right now...my dear, sweet, and perfect for me husband. He is so good to me and I am continually amazed at how much he loves me! He didn't fail me when I got home either...he looked so cute cocooned up in the blanket, fast asleep hugging a pillow (pretending it was me I'm sure :) and when I crawled in next to him he smiled sleepily and said his ritual, "Good morning beautiful" and then replaced the pillow with me in his arms.

A new ritual that he has started is patting my small bulging belly (not really bulging more of just a bump so far) and asking how the baby was last night and if she (he's really hoping for a girl!) had played nice and let Mommy work. For those who don't know or haven't heard yet, I'm just shy of 16 weeks pregnant. Yeah! :) We're really excited, especially Mike. He has been so amazing, especially the last few months when I've been really sick. He's very attentive and I must admit I've gotten spoiled by him because he'll do or get me anything I ask for so I don't have to move too much. Moving makes my headaches and the nausea worse :( I can tell that this little one already has their Daddy wrapped around their finger because he's been so worried and concerned and even once when I hit my belly (not hard don't worry, but too hard for Mike's liking) he playfully slapped my arm and said, "Don't hit our baby or I'll hit you!" :) He's so cute :)

Being pregnant has been an adventure so far and really not very fun for me yet. I'm not throwing up as much now, so my energy is slowly coming back thank goodness. I still have really hard and bad days, but they seem to be getting less and less so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I can't wait to feel the baby move, and neither can Mike. He's still jealous that I'll be able to feel it first and all the time. But its fun for now to wake up and feel the bulge that's starting to form. I'll sometimes take Mike's hand and have him feel the difference from the hard uterus and my intestines and he'll get so happy and say, "That's our baby! I'm going to be a Dad!" I also love it when he tells me good morning or goodnight and then he'll get down and kiss my belly and tell the baby goodnight as well; its the cutest thing ever for me! And so far its the best part about being pregnant :)

He's already been preparing our whole marriage to be a Dad. At church he'll steal babies from their parents and hold them during sacrament and they all just love him! We even have some friends that we babysit for occasionally and when I hold their little boy he always crys...and hard! But immediately when he goes to Mike he'll stop crying and be good. Its kind of funny, sad for me, but funny. I've never had that happen before, but it makes Mike happy :) (side note: for those who are wondering, no Mike hasn't bribbed the boy to like him better with chocolate chips like he normally does with kids...the boy is only three months old!) So yes...for today I am grateful for snow, and that it made me think of all the wonderful and good things my husband does for me. I love you honey!

Christmas this year was a busy one. My Mom and Dad were able to come down and visit us in Rexburg and lucky for us bring some of our Christmas decorations that were in storage. Below is the finished product of our tree with us standing by it and below that was us putting it together (yep, we have a fake tree). Mike thinks its better for the environment to have fake ones :)

I love Christmas! Growing up it was probably one of my favorite holidays, I just loved all of the decorations and the spirit of the season. I remember every year we use to go around and count all of the nativities my mom had-she collects them and has A LOT! Since my dad's stroke we haven't put them all up and I've missed that even though it is understandable since it usually would be an all weekend event and my dad had to help a lot, especially with the outside life size nativity. Anyways, I have started getting nativities as well and loved putting them up along with our Christmas tree.

Here's the start :)

Then we headed off to Texas and on our flight down we were offered 1st class seats since they were full! Can you say lucky? I've never been more lucky than when I married Mike. He's the luckiest guy I know! It was a fun experience, but both Mike and I decided that it certainly wouldn't be worth the extra money we have riding coach.

For Christmas Mike got hockey tickets to one of his favorite teams, the Red Wings. I was able to get a really good deal off ebay and I'm glad I got them. Mike said they were by far the best present I've given him so far. Did you doubt me before about Mike being lucky? Well get this...we arrived early and went down on the floor seats to take some pictures of the team practicing (the picture above). When the game started, no one had come for the seats we were in so we just stayed! We were able to sit there for over half of the game! Right behind the goalie! It was really incredible. Then we went up to our seats and the view was still pretty decent, and it was on the other side of the rink where we were able to see five goals made by the Red Wings! So cool :) I don't know why someone would pay all the money for floor seats and then not show up till half way through the game, but it was a fun experience for us :)

When we got back, Mike got on his own hockey team and loved every minute of it. He did really well too and his team ended up placing second in the end of the semester tournament. His coach helped the guys improve a lot and was a really good player and awesome guy. Mike got to be pretty good friends with him and really enjoyed his team.

This is an awesome shot of Mike going after the puck and almost making a goal. He did make a goal during the season, just not this one, but we both love the action displayed in this pic.

Mike was also able to go skiing with his brother Kevin, Stu and their friend down in Utah. It was a good experience for Mike even if he got extremely sore from it all :)

It was also this winter that we became avid BYU basketball watchers. Jimmer (pictured above) was an incredible player and it was fun having friends over to watch him play. Mike was able to find his autograph (again pictured above) on ebay for really cheap and couldn't pass up buying it. Since then the price has gone up, so we're lucky he got it when he did.

And finally to end our winter semester break, we had the privilege of going down and seeing my sister, Angela, and her family, Moe (husband), Kenya, Naomi, and Micah, be angels in the Savior of the World production their stake put on. They put in a lot of hours for this and it paid off. It was a beautiful production and we're so glad we were able to be close enough to go! Thanks for inviting us! :) Pictured above are the family members able to go. Moe's sister Kristi, Ashley, Mom, Dad, Kenya's friend, Grandma Norine, Jeanine, and Mike and I.

Texas and Park City

We sure did a lot of traveling during the seven week break! But it was all good and fun and I'd do it again in a heart beat. One of the places we were able to go was to Texas! We headed off after the family reunion and then spent about 1 1/2 weeks there. It was a lot of fun and I know that I really appreciated Mike's sisters and brothers putting up with us for so long. It was really nice for me to spend time with them and get to know everyone better. I'm so use to being so close to my family and seeing them frequently that this is quite the change only getting to see the majority of Mike's family a few times every year. But yes...this was a very fun trip where we did lots of stuff...above is a picture of Mike holding Emily and Kate at his feet, at a water park called Slitterbaughn...is that spelled right? I'm trying to remember from my memory which is always a scary and unreliable thing to do! :-/ But anyways, we went there, and also to this HUGE farmers market that was amazing and fun and so delicious! And we had a Phineas and Ferb party were we had ice cream sundaes (we don't have pics of that...sorry) and then we went swimming a lot, and went to play miniature golf and such. It was all just so much fun!

My handsome husband holding a gorgeous girl...one of the few that I'll let him hold other than myself ;)

Me in the swimming pool on pool day with Emily and Ellie...such sweet girls!

Mike with Kate and Emily (Kate's on the left and Emily on the right) watching the trailer for the new Tinker Bell movie that's coming out.

The next set of pictures is when we were able to make it down for a weekend to Park City to see his parents and Kevin and Angela with their family. We went on some nature hikes which is pictured above with me and Kate and below with me and Kate again.

This little stud muffin is Parker who is so cute, but he was so tired on this hike as you'll see later on :)

Mike's Mom and his sister Stephanie! We were so glad Steph could make it up!

Angela with Emily

Mike and I

A picture from the mountain of the place we were staying at.

See what I mean? Parker was out!

Emily and I...please pay more attention to her face...I absolutely love it! That's the only reason I'm including this pic...my face is less than flattering!

Emily Bemily with the bear that was outside of the entrance.

Riding up to ride down the alpine slides. Papa, Katers, and Grandma

Katers and Papa on the coaster.

Emily and Kev.

Stephanie and Mike's Mom coming down.

Aww...we found our way back! This is the place...the fire pit, the bench, where almost a year ago Michael got down on one knee and asked me to be his for all eternity! I'm so glad you did :) It was so good to see everyone over the break! Thanks for letting us visit and letting us into your homes! I'm glad we had the opportunity to do it and can't wait to do it again, much sooner than later I think too! :)