It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas . . .

So, I've finally started feeling like Christmas is coming. I've been so busy feeding baby and trying to catch a few Zs every chance I get that Christmas has really snuck up on me. This weekend, however, the snow and the fact that I started doing some Christmas-y things have me really feeling the Christmas spirit. Yesterday Shaun and I took care of some Christmas shopping and then I went to see the Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre with my sister and some friends. It was so much fun! Then this morning Shaun and I went downtown again to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. The weather and streets were crazy and I almost wondered if we'd make it. That being said--it was totally worth all the effort! We thoroughly enjoyed the concert and the chance to get away for a few minutes. And finally, this evening Shaun and I set up our Christmas tree. There's glitter all over the front room, but I'm really enjoying the warm glow of the lights as I sit here typing this. The new Cranberry Spice Scentsy we've got going isn't hurting things either. Merry, merry everyone!

More Photos of Baby Cael

For all of you who have been asking for more pictures . . . .






P.S. Cael has started smiling--what a cutie!

Baby Cael

Finally, I've found a few minutes to post about our family's new addition--Baby Cael. He's a sweetheart and just about the cutest little baby I've ever seen (but then again, I might be a little biased)! Cael was born on November 6, 2008 at 5:10 a.m. and weighed in at 7 lbs. 9.5 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He's been a very hungry kid from the very first moment and I think he'd eat 24/7 if I could accommodate him. :0) We're working on figuring out the difference between day and night, but we still love him even when he's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 3:30 a.m.

Here are some pictures for those of you who have been asking for them.

Three Weeks in the Windy City

So, I've finally returned from a long three weeks in the Windy City. I did come home one weekend and Shaun was able to join me for another weekend in Chicago, but it felt like I'd been gone for forever. It's funny the things you start to miss about home--my pillow, eating a snack before bedtime, chocolate milk. You expect to miss some things, but others sort of take you by surprise. Anyway, it's good to be home.

Shaun and I had a great time when he came out to visit. He had to keep himself entertained for the first day and a half that he was there because work was a little hectic, but I think he survived. His first night in Chicago found him at the ESPN Zone, sitting in a recliner in front of a huge wall of televisions, alternating between watching the Olympics, the Cubs game and some sort of a slam dunk competition. The next day Shaun visited the "Space Museum," as he calls it (otherwise known as the Adler Planetarium). That evening we enjoyed some delicious Indian food and on Saturday we took in the Chicago Air and Water Show and the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was completely crazy in Chicago that weekend--who knew the Air and Water Show is so popular? On Sunday we visited the Art Institute and just wandered down Michigan Avenue a bit before enjoying a yummy steak dinner and some particularly incredible white chocolate raspberry gelato at Harry Caray's. It was a great (although short) trip!

Shaun in Lincoln Park

Shaun and I taking a picture of our reflection in Cloud Gate (otherwise known as "the Bean")

Wishing I Were an Interior Decorator . . .

So I'm getting ready to decorate my nursery and am trying to decide what bedding to choose. Just ask my cute sister-in-law and she'll tell you that I have a difficult time making any sort of a decorating decision without help. So tonight I'm hoping all of you with an opinion will chime in and let me know what you think of these options. Ironically enough, one has circles and the other has squares. Thanks all for your help!

It's a . . . .

BOY! We're so excited. I had an ultrasound on Thursday morning and, after a lecture from the ultrasound technician about the fact that ultrasounds are not performed to determine the gender of the baby but to determine the baby's health, we found out that we will be having a bouncing, baby boy joining our family in November. Everything looked good in the ultrasound--he is quite the active little guy. It's fun to start feeling him move around. Last week Shaun even felt a kick or a punch! We'll keep you posted with any new developments.

My BELLY

I finally broke down and told everyone at work that I'm pregnant a few weeks ago. I had been putting it off because I felt a little awkward about it and I didn't want to make a bid deal about it, but when I was having a hard time fitting into my work clothes I decided I'd better do it sooner rather than later. I ordered a cake with some cute baby blocks on top and had the bakery include the following message: "Announcing . . . Baby Squires Coming November 2008." (Thanks, Chelsea, for the cute cake idea!) It was quite the hit and a lot of fun to listen to people's reactions as they saw the cake. I didn't get much work done that morning because I had a pretty consistent stream of well-wishers coming in to congratulate me and ask me how I was feeling. :) It was lots of fun.
So back to my belly . . . . I was having quite the dilemma getting dressed for work every morning. I'd try on half of my closet before finding something that fit without pulling in uncomfortable spots, so last weekend I did something about it. I went shopping, of course! I found a bunch of cute dresses at Motherhood Maternity and stocked up. I am so excited. Now I don't mind my belly bump nearly as much because I don't look like I've just gotten fat. I'm finally starting to look like I might be pregnant.
And in commemoration of that thought, I took a picture yesterday. I realized that I haven't documented anything in my pregnancy yet, so I though a belly shot was well over due.

Moving Day

OK, I'm back. At least for today. Things have been a little hectic this last month. We finally moved into our new house (pictures to come later) on May 3rd. It was a VERY long day! I think that we may just stay here until we die because I don't know if I can handle the moving process again. I really can't imagine how much more awful it must be to move a family/house full of stuff than it was to move from our one-bedroom apartment. Although, I must say that it is amazing how much stuff Shaun and I had crammed into that little apartment. When we had everything boxed up and ready to move, it filled almost the entire front living room.

I meant to take pictures to memorialize our big move into our first house, but that plan went out the window within the first hour or so that day. Too much to do! So let me just say a big "Thank You" to those dearly beloved family members who helped us move. THANK YOU!!!

Flying Solo in San Francisco

So, it's official. I really dislike traveling by myself. I dislike sitting alone in a crowded restaurant where everyone is sitting and talking with friends or family and having such a good time. And it's just not as fun to do stuff solo. There's no one to talk to or laugh at something funny with. After awhile I just start to feel lonely.
I'm in San Francisco for a few days this week for an Environmental Law Conference (a very BORING Environmental Law Conference, might I add). The first two nights I was here I stayed in my room and ordered room service because I didn't want to go to a restaurant by myself. Also, in my own defense, it was cold and rainy outside. Well today I figured out how to get to Union Square (thanks to a very nice guy I've been sitting next to at my conference), so I decided to take a trip down the VERY big hill to get some lunch. It was great to get outside again and do something other than sit in my hotel room. The walk back up the hill was also a great workout. And based on how completely out-of-breath I was by the time I reached the top, I realized just how badly out-of-shape I am. Later, one of our classes was cancelled and I ventured back down the hill to visit a maternity store we don't have at home (yes, my clothes are already starting to get uncomfortably snug). After a fruitless shopping trip (why do they have to make maternity clothes so unattractive and so expensive?), I hiked back up to the top of the hill. The good news--it wasn't nearly as difficult the second time. Then tonight our classes ended a little late, and I almost wimped out and ordered room service for the third night in a row . . . BUT, I decided to be tough and head back out on my own. I ended up having a delicious dinner at a yummy Vietnamese restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed my cable car ride back up the hill. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though I'd rather not travel alone, I'm glad I got out and did something that was outside of my comfort zone. Hopefully, I won't have to do it again for awhile. :0)

Announcing . . .

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Shaun's Little Project

Several months ago, when Shaun announced his new career plan to open his own shop, my Uncle Val offered to give Shaun an old truck of his. I guess my cousin Jordan had gotten into an accident and Val and Jordan tried fixing it, but didn't really get very far. After Val offered to give Shaun the truck he had many a sleepless night because he would get so excited thinking of all the things he could do to fix it up. He even made a couple of trips out to Val's house way west of Spanish Fork to take pictures and just revel in the excitement.

In preparation for the big day, Shaun spent hours calling junk yards and pick 'n pulls to find the parts he'd need to start fixing up the truck. Then, to Shaun's excitement, Val towed the truck to our apartment and dropped it off a few weeks ago. Within just a few days Shaun had the truck mostly put back together and were it not for his oh-so-practical wife, he would have the whole job done by now. Nicole had to put the kibosh on his truck-fixing-up-adventure because the bills were starting to rack up. But, since then Shaun has purchased a new battery and is making plans to get a new bumper.

I give him a hard time, but he really has a talent for these things. I mean, talk about mad skills. Here are a couple of before and after pictures for you.

Not a Good Day

My brother Brandon called Shaun this morning and asked him to do him a favor--Brandon just bought a bike from a bike shop near our apartment (I guess he could get a significantly lower price there than in Vegas) and Brandon needed someone to pick it up. Well, Shaun and I have a bike rack on our Civic, so Brandon asked him to pick it up for him. After Shaun got home, he called Brandon to give him the bad news. As Shaun started driving out of the parking lot he saw Brandon's brand new bike come crashing down behind the car--he had forgotten to lock the bolt thingymajig. Unfortunately, Brandon's bike got more than a little scraped up in the accident. When Shaun called Brandon to give him the bad news, Brandon just didn't say anything . . .

. . . until Shaun wished him a Happy April Fool's Day!

I on the other hand completely forgot that today was April Fool's Day. I'm just glad that someone else was the butt of Shaun's joke.

It's Getting Closer!

As you can see from these pictures, our house is really getting close to being finished. They're getting the exterior ready for stucco and the interior is completely sheetrocked and the tile is all done. Our builder told us that the house is scheduled to be complete the first week of May--just a little over a month from now! I'm so excited for the house to be finished! I'm not looking forward to the process of moving, but it will be well worth it in the end.
Anyway, here are some pictures to help you visualize.

This next picture was taken from the kitchen, looking into the great room.

I Don't Do Cold

Shaun and I are working on wiring our house for speakers. Although we have doors and windows on the house, it is still freezing cold in there. Shaun was just fine in a sweatshirt, but I was freezing to death in a sweatshirt, a puffy down vest, a fleece jacket, my ski parka and gloves. It seriously took me a couple of hours to warm up afterward. Even after I got into bed and snuggled up in extra blankets I couldn't get warm. Regardless, the house is now wired for speakers and I finally got warm.

My NEW Haircut

A Roof, Windows and Doors, Oh My!

Our house is really coming along. They've installed the plumbing, HVAC, electricity and even a roof, windows and doors. We're really moving now!

Vegas Baby!

Shaun and I decided that instead of spending a bunch of money going out to dinner for Valentine's Day, we'd drive to Vegas to get out of the cold and visit my brother Brandon and his family. May I just say 70 degrees and sunny. Sometimes I think I could live in Vegas.

Some of the highlights were a shopping trip to H&M, going to see Mamma Mia! with Brandon and Janae, eating lemon and mixed berry gelato at the Bellagio, and playing with Mason and Avery.

Another Progress Report

They've finished framing our house! I'm so excited! Here are some pics.

Inside the family room.

Looking up from the basement.

Book of a Thousand Days

I just read the cutest book this weekend. It's by Shannon Hale (who has written several super cute books). If any of you are looking for a fun read, try this one.

Sissel in Concert

Shaun and I had such a fun night last night. My parents had tickets to go see Sissel but ended up not being able to use them, so we got to go instead! It was so much fun. We dressed up and drove downtown then took Trax to the Gateway. We grabbed some dinner at Thaifoon and then headed back to Abravenal Hall for the concert. It was amazing! We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed an evening of incredible music. Her voice is just gorgeous. Anyway, it was lots of fun, so thank you Mom and Dad for the tickets.

How to Frame a House in Less Than a Week

The answer: Eight guys and a lot of wood.

They've started framing our house! They have so many guys working on it that they should be finished in just a day or two. I can't believe how fast it's happening, and yet, it's still too slow! Shaun drives out to our lot at least once a day and takes pictures every single time. I think you could say that he's just a little bit excited about our new house.

Momentum

Shaun and I did it! We joined a rock climbing gym. On Saturday we went to a couple of different rock climbing stores and purchased some shoes, harnesses and chalk bags. Today we finally had a few minutes to sign up and take our first climb. It was so much fun! And even better, I got in a great workout without even feeling like I was working out. How awesome is that?

How Firm a Foundation

They poured our foundation last week! I'll spare you from a long explanation or a lot of pictures, but I can't help myself from posting just one.

Breaking Ground

They've finally started our house! We were supposed to do our "pre-dig" meeting on Monday morning, but we couldn't make it to our lot because of the crazy snow storm. So we had the meeting yesterday morning instead, and today they started digging the hole for our house. Yay!!!

A Belated Happy New Year!

So, here's the family update I intended to send out a month ago. I'm thinking that since we're almost halfway through January, I'll just post it on here and call it good.

We can hardly believe that another year has come and gone. This last year was very good to us—we visited some fun places, tried a few new things and made a lot of great memories.

Shaun is still taking a few classes up at the University of Utah. He’s finished all of the requirements for his Psychology major and is now squeezing in a few business classes before he graduates sometime this year. He’s decided to forego a career in physical therapy and instead follow his dream of running his own auto mechanics shop. So, if any of you find yourselves in need of a good mechanic keep Shaun in mind. :) Shaun is currently serving in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency after working with the Young Men for several months. He still loves mountain biking and fly fishing and has developed a new talent for taking pictures after taking a digital photography class this last semester.

Nicole has officially finished her first year of practice as a new attorney and now proudly claims the title of second year associate. She works with a law firm in Salt Lake City called Chapman and Cutler and her practice consists of various types of corporate law. Nicole loves being an aunt to her niece and nephews and wishes she could spend more time with them. Over the course of the last year, Nicole has worked with the Mia Maids, Beehives and now the Laurels and thoroughly enjoys working with and getting to know her girls. She has also developed a serious talent for sleeping in and loves to spend time with her family.

The highlights of this last year have definitely been the fun vacations we’ve taken together. We went on a cruise with Nicole’s family to the Eastern Caribbean in May and hiked Havasupai Falls with our sister-in-law’s family in July. We also ventured out further east, visiting both the Big Apple and the Windy City. I think we’d spend every spare minute and extra dollar visiting new places if we could.

We are so grateful for the friendships we’ve made through the years and hope that 2008 brings opportunities to reconnect with each of you. Best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Love,
Shaun and Nicole

In front of our ship in the Bahamas.

I twisted my ankle on the last mile into camp, so Shaun carried both of our packs. What a stud!

One of the waterfalls in Havasupai.

A view of midtown from Central Park.

Eating a slice of deep dish at Gino's East before hopping a plane to come home.

Hanging Out with Brandon, Janae, Avery and Mason

I think I just might have the cutest niece and nephew in the whole wide world. While they were in town just after Christmas, we did lots of fun things together. My favorites were definitely rock climbing and feeding the ducks.

Avery was a hilarious little climber! She'd get all excited about climbing the wall and then after she'd get about 6-7 feet up, she'd get scared and want to come down. Then as soon as someone else started climbing, she immediately wanted to go again. What a little monkey!

Mason also enjoyed climbing, but lost interest a little more quickly.

I tried rock climbing for the first time ever and found that I really loved it. Shaun was also pretty entertaining--the higher he climbed, the more scared he got. But he still had a great time--we're even considering joining a rock climbing gym.


Feeding the ducks near our apartment was also a riot. Those ducks are fearless. They came right up to us. I was afraid they were going to bite Mason. Anyway, we took a bunch of bread and tromped through a foot of snow to get to the ducks. Both Avery and Mason were freezing to death, but neither wanted to stop feeding the ducks even after we ran out of bread. When Mason had to get back in the car, he cried and screamed the word "DUCKS" at the top of his lungs the whole way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.