Husband and I just returned home from a whirlwind weekend in Utah. The trip was too fun and too short. We made the trek out West for youngest Cramer bro’s farewell and to meet the newest addition to the clan.

We flew in early Friday and had breakfast with Dan and his boys and then headed up to Nicole’s family cabin that afternoon. We made the most of our time in the mountains with skipping rocks on the lake, going on walks, making s’mores, playing games and chatting. Saturday evening, I squoze in a Cafe Rio run (essential) with Amanda and Colette. Sunday, Robert gave a fabulous talk; he is going to make an excellent missionary for Everett, Washington. On Monday, Steven spent some quality time with his nephews and brothers, while the girls took off for pedis, brunch and visits to fabric and baby shops all before our afternoon flight. Whew!

We loved every minute of the trip, but I must say I fell in love with our little nephew Jackson. I held him any chance I could and now I know I really can’t wait for the next three months to go by.

Saturday, our friend Chad took us up to Duke Hospital to do an ultra-sound for fun before we move. He even let Steven and I maneuver the wand. Baby Boy is getting bigger (we’re past the 6 month mark!) and stronger. It was so neat to feel a kick on the inside and then to see it on the screen. He moved his mouth, fingers, punched and kicked for us. He’s quite the little performer. We’ve definitely got a hand sucker…every ultrasound we’ve had, this little boy is sucking his thumb or fist. He just looks too adorable, but of course I’m his Momma.

Profile Shot. Upper left is his head and his little fist is up by his mouth. I can’t wait to kiss on those little cheeks! Great spine shot.

Looking Down. His knees are to the left and his legs are crossed at the ankle, you can see his little feet. Is it just me or do his legs seem pretty long in his ultrasounds?

Mom was able to come out for a week’s visit. We had so much fun with her and she was such a help with getting the packing kick-started. While she was here, we decided to go beach bound.

Friday we drove out to Elizabeth City, which is a harbour town and where we stayed. We walked on the boardwalk and watched as contestants brought in their speed boats for the races being held that weekend. We of course ate some delish seafood while a rainstorm raged outside.

Saturday and Sunday we journeyed to the Outer Banks. While there, we:

~visited the Wright Brothers’ memorial, what an inspiration

~found the best little donut shop (their donuts are hot and dipped to order…we maybe went there more than once)

~saw a legit lighthouse (I wish I could tow it home and put it in Baby Boy’s room)

~ate more yummy seafood (Husband even had a soft shell crab sandwich…basically they lightly fry the entire crab and you eat it as is)

~and of course went to the beach. We fell in love with Duck; such a quaint beach community.

What a relaxing, enjoyable weekend with two of my FAVORITE people!

Husband and I fell back in love with flying kites this weekend, especially when done on the beach. It really is a simple childhood wonder that is often lost. More pictures of our perfect trip with Mom to the OBX (Outer Banks) to come later…

Jackson Ray Cramer

9lbs 6oz, 21 in

Baby, Mom, Dad & 3 big brothers are all doing great. We can’t wait to meet you Little Man! Your little cousin was kickin’ when we were looking at your pictures…best buddies already.

Spotted on our way to the beach over Memorial Day weekend:

I don’t know if it’s…

-the message itself with “REPENT NOW” in all caps,

or

-the hand pointing down from the stormy clouds to a passerby with the hand in a GUN shape,

but this definitely has to be THE BEST billboard ever.

I hope to never again have to shop for an apartment. A couple of days ago, I returned home from a jam-packed 48 hrs. of apartment shopping in Denver. Luckily, my mother is a saint and flew up to be my partner in crime. After viewing 6 properties, not to mention the number of floor plans and models within each of those properties, we found success. Steven and I will be living in Highlands Ranch and are getting a 7 month lease in hopes of then buying our first home. It’s crazy to now know the place where we’ll bring Baby home. Reality is beginning to set in.

Us, exhausted, at the airport on our way home.

Saturday, we took a jaunt down to Wrightsville Beach for a sun and fun filled day (8 hours worth).

Our day consisted of reading, playing in the waves, reading, snacking on cold orange slices, sipping on DC, more reading and more playing. A perfect day.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

…from our 3/4 year-old class full of rambunctious boys at church yesterday:

“Uh Oh. I need to make stinky bombs in the potty.”

“I NEED TO PUT MY YUK YUKS IN THE POTTY. I NEED TO PUT MY YUK YUKS IN THE POTTY!”

Whatever happened to children saying they need to use the restroom or bathroom, and what’s so bad with saying “poop” and “pee”? Alas, their creative diction provides for moments of laughter and then rushing off to the bathroom.

Look readers I’m going to pass on the pleasantries today cause the fury inside is making my fingers all twitchy. So I am going to get right to it.

Enough.

Seriously.

Enough.

Gaaah. I wish that there was a font or emoticon for disgust or puking or something. Hmmmm, XO*****? Close. I’ll work on it. But for serious. Quit it.

What am I talking about?

This.

Hurk. I just threw up in my mouth a little just posting that.

Look readers, I’m not the biggest fan of American Idol. I used to be. Kelly Clarkson’s still my girl, but over the seasons I’ve just grown less and less enthused. Just about the whole thing. The mugging for the camera, the choreographed dances, the ridiculous Ford commercials, just everything. Unfortunately the Wife still carries a torch for it and therefore I have to be subjected to it.

Thankfully, Wife and I can agree 100% on one thing.

This yahoo is absolutely terrible.

Awful. Sucktacular. Horrendous.

And the weirdest thing is I feel like I’m the only one who thinks this!!! It’s like I’m taking crazy pills or something. I begrudgingly watch each of his songs just waiting for that moment. You know what moment I’m talking about. The eyebrows goes down, the mouth opens to vampire-like lengths, he’s looking like he’s remembering his dead kitten Mr. Fluffles and we get:

EAYAYEAAEYAYAAAAAYAWAAAAWEEEEWAWEAAAEWWEAAEWAAAAA

Ugh. I mean if I wanted to hear something  like that, I’d save myself the trouble and just throw my boys in a vice and poke out my eardrums  with a flaming fondue spork.

And yet, without fail, he finishes his song and the judges start a Greco-Roman wrestling match to be the first one to say what an “artist” or “visionary” or “singer who is clearly singing amazingly and not just screaming like he saw a bear riding a rhino coming straight for him”

Am I the only who thinks this? COME ON!

Enough.