The last month in a nut-shell

I guess it's pretty obvious that I am incapable of posting on a regular basis! I try but it's doesn't work, so I guess I'll just accept the fact that once or twice a month is about right for me. We are currently in the last week of school-- finals are next week and Eric proudly took his last test in the testing center a few days ago! What a happy day!! He put up our Christmas lights a few weeks ago! Sawyer was a great helper--he just sat outside and tried to figure out what was going on!





I've got a great husband!

We also ventured to Salt Lake to see the lights at Temple Square! They weren't as great as they've been in the past, but they were still incredible! Nothing can compare to visiting the place we were married and seeing it all lit up with lights sparkling everywhere!


I'll be sad when we don't live close enough to go and see the lights every year... but we'll enjoy them until then!

Sawyer is still growing like crazy. He gets a "big kid" car seat tomorrow-- and we're hoping that it will help with the long drives to Idaho. Next week (the 17th) he well turn the big ONE!! Where has the past year gone? Where did my baby go? His vocabulary now consists of about 10 words-- which he will only repeat if someone else says them first- and of course his favorite words are "Mom" and "Dad"! He has also learned to blow kisses. Grandma's-- you've got to watch this vidoe!


If we dont' get another post up in time-- we want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We hope you all enjoy the holiday!

4 Wonderful Years!

Today is our anniversary..... 4 YEARS!! Woo woo! It's hard to believe that 4 years ago we were headed to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. We are so lucky that we have that-- the opportunity to be together forever. As in FOREVER, ALWAYS, ETERNITY! It's a little overwhelming to think about. 4 years seems like a long time, but when I put it in perspective I can't even imagine what it will be like. It will be wonderful! We are so lucky to have each other... and all that other mushy stuff that I won't bore you with! So what's been going on the past four years? Let's see....
* We are in our second apartment-- we have been here for over 3 years and we love it!
* Eric is one month away from receiving his bachelor's degree.
* We have a beautiful son who is almost 1. He is our pride and joy!
* Lindsay has been serving in the Young Women's for just over 2 years.
* We've made new friends, and kept in touch with old ones.
* We've had the opportunity to be present at 8 sealings (not including our own!)
* We've hiked to the Timponogos caves, been to Island Park, the Oregon Coast, Las Vegas, and everywhere in between!
* Celebrated holidays, birthdays, births, and other special times. Creating our own traditions and memories as we go.
* Visiting with family and friends.
* Purchased a car!
* Stayed up late, and gone to bed early.
* Lindsay's job title's have included: telephone survey conductor, waitress, shift manager, sales associate, receptionist, and mother.
* Eric's job titles have included: janitor, sales associate, maintenance worker, father, and student.
* Lots of football games, basketball games, pretty much LOTS OF SPORTS!!
* Making mistakes and learning as we go.

Special thanks to our parents! WE LOVE YOU! And believe it or not, we are trying to be like you.

Here we are.. 4 years later and still as happy as can be!


It so good to know that peaple still care about us! We woke up this morning and found that "somebody" had heart attacked our front door! I know who you are.... and THANKS! (there's no mistaking that hand writing!)


Thanks Eric-- for being the best version of you! Thanks for being my husband, and doing all that you do. I LOVE YOU!!

A Whole Lotta Fun!

This past weekend we made the trek to Burley...again! I actually went and stayed the first night with my sister in Pocatello and we played the next day with the kids. We took them to the mall to play on the "toys"! (I know that's kind of lame, but when it's cold outside...what else can you do?) They loved it! They rode on the "ride rides" (as Addie calls them)-- you know the ones where you put the quarters in and they go. Sawyer was a little shocked at first when it just started moving, but he got the hang of it pretty soon. And then we went to the "Squishy Park", where all the toys are soft--but there were a ton of kids so we didn't stay long. We enjoyed a nice lunch and then headed to Burley to see Plaid Tidings. We pulled up just in time and really enjoyed the show! Those four men together are hilarious-- and I'm pretty sure that Dad was the funniest! They didn't allow flash photography so I couldn't get any pictures-- but I would recommend that any of you who have the opportunity to see, SEE IT! Here are a few pictures of our adventures.





My other sister is a nail tech and when i was down a few weeks ago she did my toes for me! I love them and I just have to share! She is AMAZING!!!

Halloween Fun!

We were in Burley for Halloween this year! It was so much fun since it was Sawyer's first! We dressed him up a little dragon (thanks to Marcie for letting me borrow it!) and he was so stinkin cute! He didn't like it at first but as soon as we went outside to go trick-or-treating he didn't mind so much! He had so much fun going with Aunt Katy! He quickly figured out what "the good stuff" was!




Halloween was such a big hit but hunting didn't go so well. The boys didn't even see anything, and it rained on them almost the whole time. But I think they still had fun. Anytime they can get out in the dirt away from "us women", drink a lot of pepsi, and do whatever they want-- I think they are happy! They totally lied to us and told us that they were going to stay one more day, and then 30 minutes later they walked in the door. It was a nice surprise! And Sawyer was so glad to see his dad after being stuck with me all weekend!


We also made a trip to Pocatello to visit my sister! Nate gave us all adjustments (I had a few ribs out!) and Sawyer loved playing with cousing Addie!

We are headed back up this weekend (AGAIN) to see Plaid Tidings-- the Christmas version of Forever Plaid! My dad plays the part of Smudge and I can't wait because it is going to be awesome!

And I just have to say CONGRATS Chelsey!! You'll be the best mom ever!!!

I know, I know.....it has been FOREVER since we've posted.... sorry mom! And we really don't have an excuse. Eric is done working (tomorrow is his last day), and still plugging along to finish school. He will be taking the GRE on November 14.... so pray!! He's really excited to go hunting with his dad this weekend, and we'll all be headed to good ole Bur for it. I try to take cute pictures of the two of them, but Sawyer hates the flash so he always makes this weird face....I guess it will have to do!

I am trying to keep busy, get all my Christmas shopping done early, and work on my classes. My hair is currently the longest it has been since I was about 12! That's what happens when you're too poor to go and get a haircut! (OK- we're not THAT poor....yet!)

Sawyer is still crawling everywhere! He took a couple of steps earlier today, but sadly I don't expect a repeat performance for a little while. Some random lady got him to wave bye bye to her, and he waved for the next couple of days... but that was three weeks ago and he hasn't done it since so....who knows. Still loves cheese...but I think his new favorite food is olives. We gave him Eric's phone the other day with some music playing and this is what happened.


I'll try to get something fun and interesting to post soon, no more of this boring "update" stuff!

Introducing....

My etsy shop is up and running. It's mostly cards right now but I will eventually get some variety! I will do baby announcements, wedding announcements, party invites... pretty much everything you could do with paper! If you are curious about pricing, just email me at lindsayarritt@hotmail.com
If you know me personally and you want to order something please call or email me-- that way you won't have to pay for shipping, and you can also mix and match that way!
And spread the word!! You can check it out by clicking on the link to the right (just above my blog archive).

Also... I've had a bunch of people ask which classes I am taking, and since I am really lousy at emailing back here they are...
The one I just finshed was Biology 120
And the two I am currently working on are English 315 & Business Management 200.
I am doing them through Independent Study at BYU and loving it!

HOORAY!!

I (Lindsay) have officially finished my first college course!! I just took my final and I PASSED! HOORAY!! I thought that I would feel invigorated, but I really just feel relieved that I didn't fail.... and that I actually get the credit that we paid for! Thanks so much Eric for encouraging me to take some classes, and having faith in me to be able to do it. I probably shouldn't get too excited because I still have to get 2 more courses done and time is wasting away... but I feel a little more empowered to do them. And I have a little bit more confidence in myself. So hooray for me finishing one, horray for having the confidence to do more, and hooray for continuing education! It really is a great thing!

Happy Birthday Eric!

Eric celebrated his 26th birthday!! Holy moly--he is getting old! j/k
He got a few books, some new BYU t-shirts, and some new tennis shoes. Plus some contributions to his SETA (send Eric to Alaska) fund! He is such an amazing husband and father....and we love him tons! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART-- hope you had a fun day!

You know it's bad when...

When you can have your child GLARE on demand!

Look at that!

Since I grew up in Idaho (and you never see this there)- I thought this was the coolest thing ever! When we were picking tomatoes from the garden we found this snail-- I think it is the biggest one I have ever seen!

We're back from the dead!

HELLO!! Sorry it has been so long since our last post.... I guess life just gets in the way!! So what new with us? I really should ask what's not! So here goes....

Eric has started school....again.....but for the last time (at least until grad school)! That's right-- he graduates in December! We've felt like it would never come but here it is creeping up on us.... YIKES.... real life? What's that? :)
He has a new calling.... he is now that second counselor in the Stake Sunday School Presidency. And he is enjoying the last few weeks of working up at the caves since he will be done in mid-October.

As for me... I am now working a little bit. Back at Alpine, but only PRN (on-call). I am so excited to be back- sometimes it's nice to have a conversation with someone that will/can talk back! Sheena is such a sweetheart and is watching Sawyer on the days I have to work! I am still in the Young Women and loving it! And we just found out that next summer for Youth Conference, we are going to get to go to Nauvoo...via train! So we are hoping that everything works out and we can stay until next fall. I am currently trying to come up with a clever name for my "company"-- well....sort of. I have decided I am going to make and sell cards. So if you have any brilliant ideas that you are willing to share... i just might have to give you a credit!

Sawyer is growing like crazy. He is crawling now, and he has discovered that he would much rather stand up in his crib and look around than sleep! He is almost 9 months old....and he says "mamamamama" all the time!! I like to pretend that he actually knows what he is saying! His favorite food is currently cheese, although he will eat pretty much anything-- not a picky eater.

Our garden is flourishing. We have way more than we will ever use. Eric likes to make salsa with all the tomatoes and peppers, and the pumpkins have taken over!

One of my best friends and her husband have moved in right next door... talk about convenient! It's a lot of fun to have them there!

So that's what's been going on with us. Maybe someday I will have the time to just sit down and share my thoughts on completely random things.... since that is kind of what a blog is for.... but for now- it is what it is! :)

Vacation/Family Reunion #3

Viva Las Vegas!! For our third and final family reunion this summer we headed down to sin city! The few times that we've been before I always tell myself to go a little bit crazy (what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas right?), but for me it's not that simple. So while I wish I could tell you that we partied all night at the clubs and gambled our share of hundreds--- you all know better! We really did have a ton of fun though. We went to a memorial service for Eric's grandfather. He was a veteran so they did the military salute and shot the guns. It scared Sawyer pretty bad, but it was a really cool experience for us. I never got the chance to meet him, but since I am a major baby, I cried. We also had a birthday bash for Eric's grandmother!
We took family pictures, ate at In-n-Out, swam in Mandalay Bay's wave pool, Lindsay went and say Mama Mia (the play, not the movie), Eric rode the roller coaster at New York New York, and we tried our hand at Blackjack- but we weren't quite as good as the people in the movie 21.

At the birthday party.

Taking a break from family pictures.

Eating at the "greatest" place in the world!

Now that we're a little older and we have a child, it seems like it's a lot more work to have a vacation! Before every one we always seem to get so stressed out and cranky that we think "Why are we even going, it would be so much easier to just stay home." But we always go, and we are always glad that we did! Because once it's over, we don't remember how hard it was- all that we remember are the fun things that we did and the great time that we had. I'm so glad that we are programmed to do that- that we always remember the good things, and usually we forget the bad! I've noticed this in almost every aspect of my life- have any of you?
Well anyways, now that I've rambled on about that, I just want to say that we are so glad that we have the families that we do, and that we found each other and are able to be together every day, creating good memories for us and for our children. Life is good- sometimes we have to work to make it that way, but it really is good!

That's Mine!

Normally when you say "that's MINE" to a little kid and take something away from them they start to cry-- but our's.... LAUGHS! This was probably a lot funnier to us than it will be to any of you, but I was laughing so hard it made me cry!

Can i just say that I love my little boy! I hurt when he hurts, and I laugh when he laughs. He has brought so much to our lives that I can't think what we ever did without him.

Vacation #2

OK- technically it was family reunion #2, but I'm calling it a vacation! Over this past weekend we went to the Hepworth family reunion. I'm talking about 4 generations worth of people....or in other words A LOT!! We go back to my great-grandmother, who wasn't there in person but in spirit- her 6 children (my grandparents generation), all of their children (my parents generation), all of their children (our generation), and all of their children(the up-and-coming generation). It was really cool to see and meet some of these people that I had no idea I was related to, and to catch up with others that I hadn't seen in a really long time. All-in-all, we had a really good time!

Here we are standing next to the "welcome sign".

Each family got matching shirts! They have our first names on the front- so that we could remember everybody's names, and then on the back it stated which of the 6 children we belong to! As you can see ours say "Janet's Clan" (Janet is my grandmother) and her decendents were assigned bright orange (each family was assigned a different color). I thought the names that the reunion committee came up with were rather clever. The other five were (in no particular order): Ron's Squad, Bill's Bunch, Alan's Army, Wayne's Gang, and Mary's Mob! Pretty creative! All weekend we wore our "shirts" so that we knew who came from which child.

We had access to a pool and decided to take Sawyer for his first real swim- in a real pool! He loved it!

Sawyer, Grandma, and Grandpa! This was as he was getting ready to go to bed, so he wasn't decked out in the orange shirt...

Sawyer, great-grandma (Janet), great-grandpa, and us!

Pool Party

I've decided that I love putting up pictures of Sawyer! Maybe it's because I think he is so darn cute, or maybe it's because I would rather look at pictures of him than pictures of me! But, whatever the reason, here he is playing in his little kiddie pool.
So glad to be in the water.

Check out that splash!

The first time he ever got in was with his grandma and he ended up staying in for an hour and a half-- he was so wrinkly when he finally got out! But he absolutely loves it!
Just having a good ole' time!

Playing with cute little Emma!

Happy 4th!

OK, so I know that the 4th was almost a week ago, but I'm still going to post this even though I'm really late.....
Anyways, Eric had to work on the 4th (and the rest of the weekend),so I ended up taking Sawyer to Burley. We bummed a ride from Aimee and took off to enjoy the holiday! Grandma and Grandpa Mitton bought Sawyer the cutest little life jacket so he could ride on the boat, but he ended up HATING it.


So we just let him ride without it.... (shhh, don't tell!)

After we rode up and down the river a couple of times, we headed out to another family get-together on my side. Sawyer got to meet his great-grandma & grandpa Duncan for the first time (and I didn't even get a picture). I was so glad that we had the chance to do that because we don't make it out there very often and we want Sawyer to know as much of his family as possible.
We didn't watch any fireworks this year since Sawyer was already asleep, but there's always next year! We had such a great time, but I think the best part was coming back home to Provo and being together as a family again.

I am so glad that we have to opportunity to live in the country and enjoy the freedoms that we do. To be able to believe and worship as we choose, and make our own decisions. I really think that we take for granted what so many others are denied, and I hope that everyone will take just a moment to remember the sacrifice that was made on our behalf, and remember the blessings that we all enjoy.

Vacation #1

A few weeks ago we went to Island Park for a family reunion! It was so much fun to get away for a weekend and spend time with family. Some highlights of the week were...
* Sitting in the HOT TUB (for the first time since BEFORE I was pregnant!)
* Playing in the bean-bag tournament (Go Sawyer's Best!!)
* Visiting Quake Lake. (kind of creepy)
* FARKLE!! (a way fun dice game)
* The ice cream shop in West Yellowstone.
* Fishing.
* Taking family pictures.
* The fields of wild daisies. (georgous!)
* All the YUMMY food!

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Our HOT date!

We recently had some good friends of ours (Amanda and Justin) offer to come and watch Sawyer so that we could go out... so what did we decide to do with our precious time together... alone? We went grocery shopping!! And then stopped on the way home at the drive in Sonic! And once home (Sawyer had gone to bed) we played cribbage! It was GREAT!! Not exactly romantic... but it really was fun!

Happy Father's Day!

This year was special since it was technically our "first" Father's Day... so to celebrate, we went to church! Just kidding! (well, we really did go to church, but that wasn't the celebration!) We ended up having dinner with our really good friends- Kody, Sheena, & Emma! The guys cooked some steak and shrimp, Sheena made a delicious apple pie, and then we had some salad and mashed potatoes to go along! It was so YUMMY!! Kody got this awesome grill (so now he and Eric have matching!), and Eric got the coolest gift of all. Some orange sticks and a home-made tie! haha-- he even had to wear it to church (but he got lots of compliments).




We didn't get a picture of Eric in his suit- but he looked GOOD!! Happy 1st Father's Day Eric-- WE LOVE YOU!!

And Happy Father's Day to our own Dad's-- we love you too!

Eating "Crack"ers!

My very first cracker!


Maybe it's time to upgrade to the next size diaper?! What do you think...