Trip to Green River

We were lucky enough to get to spend the weekend in Green River, Wyoming where I (Marlyce) grew up and still have siblings. So my family decided to see just how many of the Rawlings clan we could get together. There are 7 children, and with spouses and 14 grandchildren there are a total 28 members of the Rawlings clan. We managed to get 22 of us together and had a great time.

Packing for a weekend trip with a 13 month old is quite a chore. I spent most of Friday getting us ready and going over and over my list making sure I didn't miss anything. Kinley was trying so hard to be a good little helper. Her job was to get the camera...she did a great job.

While in Wyoming, Kinley played with her cousins until she was just exhausted. She even played right through nap time. We went to the river festival on the Green River. They were having an awesome art show and art competition that we went to. The highlight for Kinley was the 2 puppies that my brother and his wife and 3 girls are taking care of. The puppies mom mysteriously disappeared when the puppies were only a week or so old. So the girls have been bottle feeding them and having such a great time. Kinley had a blast with them and loved to snuggle up close to them and pet them. Sometimes she looked a bit like Lenny from "Of Mice and Men" and I was a little afraid the puppies were going to get loved to death. And Rich and I were able to see the Bourne Ultimatum finally. What an awesome show!

We all had such a great time and we just love being closer to family and enjoying a weekend with them.

Our first trip to the Health Department

So once my job ended so did our insurance. And unfortunately the new insurance won't be kicking in until September 1st and really isn't so fantastic. Since it was time for Kinley's 12 month immunizations, we decided to head to the Health Department for some "cheaper" shots. Let me tell you, what an experience!

The building itself was actually quite nice and clean, however, the same couldn't be said for the majority of the people in the waiting room. So, our waiting experience started by watching this little boy in only a swimming suit playing with some blocks and kid toys. Kinley of course wanted to get down and go play. So we walked towards the little boy playing with the toys. When I got a little closer, I was hit by an overwhelming smell of urine...apparently the swimming suit was wet from something other than the swim pool. Then, upon closer examination, I noticed the little boy was quite dirty and covered with a very disgusting rash on his face, neck, arms, and chest. Yeah, sicko! For those of you that don't know I am a germ phobe who walks a fine line between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and sanity. So, I was instantly very uncomfortable and could not wait to get out of there, and of course using hand sanitizer on myself, Kinley, and for some reason Kinley's shoes...seemed like a good idea.

Then, the nurse called Kinley's name and the real fun started. For those of you with children under 12 months, you will be very saddened to know that at the 1 year appointment, they are due for 6 shots, meaning 6 needle sticks. Ouch! Fortunately for Kinley, they were out of the chicken pox vaccine, so we decided to do 3 today and 3 more in a month when the vaccine is in (and waiting out the 4 week period between MMR and chicken pox vaccine if they are not given on the same day). I think "shot day" is the worst day ever, especially this one. I had to hold Kinley on my lap and hold her arms and hands really tightly. Then, one shot in one leg (instant screaming) another shot in the other leg (more screaming) and then the most heart wrenching, the MMR goes into the fatty tissue of the arm. At this point, we transitioned from the screaming to the open mouth, red face, but no noise coming out cry followed by what I call the "bloody murder" cry. I must admit, I was perspiring by this point and dreading every minute. I quickly gave Kinley a bottle and she seemed to settle down, she's pretty tough. So far this afternoon things are going okay, she's acting pretty normal and playing well, just don't touch the injection sites and we're fine.

So to all of the mommies that have to take their babies in for immunizations, good luck to you, my heart goes out to you! And with the exception of the gross little boy, I was quite impressed the nurse and other staff members at the health department. And I guess we'll see you in a month when we are back for round two.

Greetings from Pocatello

On August 3rd, we moved to Pocatello, Idaho. It was also coincidentally our 6th anniversary. So we have been here for 1 week and so far it's been pretty good. Rich started his job on the 6th. He is clerking for the new judge in Pocatello and is really enjoying it. Marlyce has officially become a stay at home mom and Kinley is still crazy, getting into everything and keeping everybody busy. We moved into a 2 bedroom townhouse and we are really enjoying it and the neighborhood. It is a lot more quiet than our previous apartment in Lincoln and we have plenty of room. Kinley has a giant room and it is stuffed with toys which helps occupy some of our time.

Marlyce is now trying to figure out what on earth she is supposed to do to fill her time all day. Obviously, take care of Kinley and chase her around, but for sanity's sake, we're in search of some new activities. On Monday we are going to hit the local library and find some books to read and some other things to entertain ourselves with.

We also recently went to Kiddie Kandids to get our first family picture and some pictures of Kinley on her first birthday. They are posted below for your viewing pleasure.

Happy 1st Birthday Kinley!

So it is official, we are the parents of a one year old. I can't believe how fast the year went by and how many changes we have seen. Kinley definitely keeps us busy and keeps us on our toes, but we are loving every minute of it. She is just filled with personality and plenty of smiles and giggles. I'm hoping that she will soon be filled with hugs and kisses too.

We had some birthday cake and ice cream on Sunday with the aunts and uncles and cousins that were down for the weekend. Kinley did not like her cake, instead, she threw the frosting around and tried to throw the cake off of the high chair. Then her cousins and aunts and uncles spoiled her with gifts and she had a great time. Her actual birthday was on Tuesday, so we started the day by having waffles and opening more presents. What more could you ask you for? Kinley got so many fun gifts she can hardly decide what to play with. We bought her a tent from IKEA and it seems to be a big hit along with all of the others. I catch her sitting in there with a collection of her other gifts just throwing them around. Here are some pictures of her first birthday.

It is finally over!

Rich left for Boise on Sunday to take the Idaho bar. And in approximately 7 hours, this whole thing will finally be over. For anybody who hasn't endured this horrible process, let me tell you it has not been a fun experience for anybody in the family. Kinley and I are so proud of Rich and the way he has handled not only studying for the bar, but law school, and fatherhood. We are very lucky to have him and very excited to have him back full time and hopefully do some fun stuff as a family.

Fire in Nephi Canyon

We have been staying with my parents this summer and they are about 20 miles or so from Nephi. To get to Nephi you have to go through Nephi Canyon, which is where the latest wild fire is burning. So far we have been unaffected by the fire, just lots of smoke and we lost power for awhile yesterday. Yesterday afternoon I went in the backyard and took some pictures of the giant smoke clouds. And last night we were able to see the fiery hot glow of the flames. I am amazed by the force that the fire moves with, it is very strange to be so close to something like this. Here are the pictures from yesterday.

Trip to Pocatello

Within the last week I have made 2 trips to Pocatello. My mom and Kinley were kind enough to join me. I was searching for a place for us to live, and I was very apprehensive about taking an almost one year old on such a long trip. It was Kinley's first time at a hotel and she had an absolute blast. Each time we arrived at the hotel way past her bedtime, but as soon as we walked in the room, she perked right up and was ready to play. She bounced around on the bed for a very long time and loved looking at herself in the mirrors. I was certain she wouldn't be able to sleep well in the playpen, and combine that with Grandma's snoring and the usual hotel noise, I thought for sure it was going to be a long night. Well Kinley and Grandma slept just as sound as could be. I of course spent the night as usual worrying that the nasty hotel blanket might some how touch me. But it was a great trip, lots of fun, lots of driving, and of course, successful as we now have a place to live.

Here are some pictures of Kinley "jumping" on the bed.