Chicken Little

We have been out of town the last 2 weeks due to Tucker having meetings in Washington DC and Canada (more on that to come). Wednesday morning after returning late the night before, I went out to check on our chickens and see how they did while we were away. We had someone housesit for us and he took care of the garden and chickens. I didn't notice any eggs in the fridge so I just assumed that our house guest had eaten them as he collected them everyday. As Gracie and I were coming back in the house, we noticed our littlest chicken in a big weed (I'm embarrassed to even admit I have weeds this big in my yard). I could barely even see her in there. As I got closer, I noticed eggs spilling out from underneath her. I lifted her up and was very surprised to see... 19 eggs. All 3 chickens were laying their eggs in there and the little one was laying on them. Her little mothering instincts made her think they were going to hatch (but we have no rooster) - I didn't try to explain it to her.

We Love America!!!

We had such a wonderful 4th of July! It was our first one here in Spring Creek. It started off early with waffles and appropriate 4th of July toppings! See picture...

The Spring Creek Parade was right outside our front door, so we walked outside 2 minutes before it started and had PERFECT seats. I had so much community pride as the cute little homeade floats came down the road. Gracie learned very quickly how to pick up candy. She looked very cute doing it in her Patriotic attire (thanks to Aunt Daniece).

We relaxed and then went to 2 BBQ's. Nothing better than BBQ's on the 4th of July. We ended the night with fireworks at the Spring Creek Marina. We didn't quite make it to the Marina in time. So we pulled over and watched them on the side of the road. Gracie was asleep by this time and I threatened Tucker not to wake her up. It had been a long day for her and she hadn't eaten in 4 hours. I thought for sure she would wake up screaming and wouldn't stop until we got home. Tucker didn't want her to miss her 1st fireworks and so he got her out of the car seat. Her eyes got so big when she saw the fireworks. She loved them! She smiled and laughed the whole time and didn't even cry once. Here's a picture of her in the truck after the fireworks finished up. What a fun 1st Fourth of July for Gracie!!!

Milestones

Gracie is growing up so fast! She is 9 months and has hit so many milestones this week. She has learned to crawl (lots of baby proofing happening at our house). She has learned how to go from crawling to sitting on her own. She can go feet first off the couch all by herself. She has learned to smack her lips. And her new trick she learned just yesterday, pulling herself up to a standing position. I put her down in her bed and it got quiet very fast, which is unusual for her. I knew something was up. So I opened the door and this is what I saw her doing. She was beaming from ear to ear "look mom what I can do!".

We of course immediately lowered the crib. Gracie was more than happy to help us with that by crawling underneath to help her dad.

She also loves to get up on her toes and her head. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a yoga instructor someday because she can be seen doing this most of the day. In fact, she does it more than crawling.

Wow-2 Years!!!

Today Tucker and I are celebrating our 2 year anniversary (Happy Anniversary Honey!). I can't believe it's already been 2 years. I have thought a lot today about when we first met, our dating and engagement, and now all the things we have done together the past 2 years. Since our engagement, we have spent a total of 12 months living apart in different states. Tucker was living in Kansas City while I was in Utah our entire 5 month engagement. Most recently, he was living in Nevada for 7 months while I was still living in Salt Lake working and pregnant. We are just happy to be living under the same roof now. We've been through a lot of adventures in such a short time, including living in 3 states in 2 years and adding a little one to our family. It has been an exciting adventure thus far. I'm just glad I get to do it all with my best friend. Here are some of my favorite photos from our special day. And here's my sister's link to her old blog where she listed her top 10 favorite memories of the wedding day-there are some fun photos and vidoes on there.


Top Ten Favorite Weddings Moments

#10 The Blood Transfusion
#9 My Sister's Shoes
#8 Tucker Morgan had a Dozen Boys
#7 The Tulips of Temple Square
#6 The Rain: Every Bride Should Have an Umbrella
#5 The Groomsmen
#4 The Flower Girls and Page Boys
#3 The Reluctant Groom
#2 1/2 Thumbs Up
#2 My Family
#1 Friends in Low Places
Wedding Cake Disaster:
Sweetheart of Sigma Chi:

The George W.

Tucker and I in February had the opportunity to hear and meet George W. Bush. He was amazing and fun to listen to. He also has a very warm and inviting personality. After he spoke, we were lucky enough to have a photo opportunity with him. We were almost last in a line with about 30-40 other selected people. We had gotten the ticket for the photo op from his Uncle who had volunteered to watch Gracie while we went to get our picture taken. We watched as those ahead of us went into the special photo booth to meet Mr Bush and have their photo taken. We would hear them say, "George, its so good to see you again" or "We are friends with Governor so and so that you know", or "My brother is Senator blah, blah, blah, or "We are from such and such place in Texas and we love Texas". Tucker and I realized very quickly that we had nothing to say to this very important person. Those ahead of us were much older and most of them have had pretty prestigious national positions, BUT not us. I'm pretty sure we stuck out like a sore thumb-I kept singing in my head, "One of these things is not like the other one". We were nervous and it didn't help that there were about a million body guards around that could have picked us up and flung us across the room with one finger. As we entered the booth, I quickly said-"Hello!" (What else are you supposed to say to a previous President of the United States?) I'm pretty sure Tucker was choking on his tongue because he didn't say a thing. Mr Bush quickly put his hand out and shook mine and Tucker's hands. He pulled Tucker to the left side of him and me to his right. He immediately put his arms around us just like we were old friends. And the picture was snapped. I think everyone there could probably feel the severe awkwardness of Tucker and I trying to think of what to say. Mr Bush was nice enough to say, "Where are you guys from?" Tucker and I both replied in unison, "Salt Lake City". And then we just walked out. I seriously hesitate even posting this picture. It reminds me of a segment on "The Ellen Show" called "Seriously Bad Paid for Photos". I'm pretty sure my face couldn't look more like a garden beet and I'm pretty sure Tucker had this exact same hair and "deer in headlights" look in one of his senior pictures. So after much anticipation...here it is!















We really needed Gracie in the picture to help tame the awkwardness. Tucker commented he would like to frame the picture and put it up somewhere in our house, but somewhere that not many people will see it.

On another note-we had the most delicious dinner last night! CHEF SALADS! I had to take this picture-it was so colorful and I wanted to try out the new camera.

Easter Surprise

Spring has Sprung here in the Morgan household. I've had the house decorated for Easter/Spring for 1 1/2 months. I have been particularly excited for Easter this year since having Gracie. I've had her Easter dress picked out and in her closet for 3 months just waiting for her to wear it. I was so excited to pull it out on Sunday morning. We were in a bit of a rush since I had Relief Society Presidency meeting before church started. We quickly threw it on her and ran out the door before getting a picture-of course I thought we could take one when we got home. When I got into the chapel right before church started, Tucker commented how good Gracie had been for him. As sacrament meeting began, Gracie started to fuss just a bit. So Tucker got her out of her car seat. Secretly I was a proud mother inside that we could show her off in her Easter dress. Gracie continued to fuss, which is pretty untypical for her. And then, I had a mothering intuition moment. I told Tucker to lean her forward. I put my hand up the back of her dress and found that my intuition was correct. The following pictures are quite disturbing-be warned. For all you mothers out there, you most likely have had a very similar experience.



























Needless to say, I missed the beautiful Easter talks on Sunday. As you can see from the pics, we had to come home for a complete scrub down and outfit change. No amount of wipes and time in the mother's room could have fixed that. Here's the one semi-normal picture I shot of her before taking her out of her carseat to change her.

St Patty's Day

I love, love, love to celebrate holidays. Even if it's just something as simple as wearing green for a whole day. Well, nothing says St Patty's Day better than this...

Or this...

Two thumbs up for corned beef and cabbage-it was delicious!!!