Happy Halloween

This was by far the best Halloween ever. It is so much more fun with kids. And it is even more fun when the kid gets whats going on. After 2 trunk or treats, a costume party and then the actual trick or treating, Rhys was really getting the hang of it. It was so fun. My owls are the cutest little things ever!

memorial day weekend

[nap time]

[justin studying hard for the bar]

what better way to spend a beautiful memorial day weekend than swimming at your own little oasis... also known as my aunts house. Rhys has had his first couple sleep-overs and does so well. not to mentions he Loves sleeping outside! he will take naps for so much longer and better if he gets to have some fresh air.

pics from the weekend

"what are you lookin' at?"

snugglin' with uncle james

*WINK*

snugglin' with daddy

so upset!

the graduate

Justin graduated from law school this weekend! Yeah! I'm so proud of him and cant believe how fast the past 3 years have flown by! Now on to studying for the BAR. And before we know it, real life kicks in when he starts working in September! Then we are on to a 40 hours work week, 2 weeks vacation, and hopefully a mortgage! Iim going to miss spring break, christmas vacation and summer's off! Oh, real life should be reevaluated!

Justins family came out for the event and to meet Rhys. It was great having them here and seeing how much they adored him already. My dad also came up, he doesnt need much of an excuse to come visit his currently favorite grandson and family.

i HEART california

What a great trip! Not only did I get to see my wonderful family and friends, but my mom is an amazing party planner and threw me the best shower ever! I was so overwhelmed with all the people who came (some I havent seen in like 7 years) and their generosity, I cannot begin to send out enough thank you's! This little boy is already so loved and goint to be one stylish kid! - Unfortunately, I have only 1 picture because my moms camera stinks and they all have funky lines running through them :( I got to spend about 3 days with one of my best friends, who also happens to be due with her first little girl 2 weeks after me (talk about perfect planning). It was so fun to compare bellies, and all the "joys" of being prego since this is all new territory for both of us. There was LOTS of baby talk- sorry Lynds, who had to endure it over lunch- but it was the best! We played in Rancho and San Clemente (who doesnt love a beautiful day at the beach in the winter).

My Uncle and his family were in town from UT as well, so it was fun to see them and my cute cousins. They ADORED Justin. He is going to be the best dad ever!

My grandpa from Canada (my moms dad) was also in town and made it out for a great evening with us. Hes a big cowboy, and Justin loves getting him going about life back home on the cattle ranch.

a really great grandpa

On January 26th my great grandpa passed away at the age of 99 1/2. He was such a wonderful man and mentor. I loved listening to his stories of life and love. He led such a fulfilled and interesting life. From serving in the army to med school and raising 5 wonderful children, it was such a celebration of his life. I have some great memories of chasing jack rabbits with him through mud, getting our shoes stuck, and spending hours on the front porch digging all the mud out. He always took the time to tell you how special you were to him and never did you have a conversation that wasnt full of laughter and jokes. He loved a good practical joke and had a great sense of humor. Never once did he complain about his aches and pains, and he always wanted you to think he was doing better than before. Last time I talked to him before we went to Australia, he told me he gained 30 lbs and was feeling much better. He had made it to great great grandpa status with my niece and just barely missed our little guy. I would have loved to have a picture of them together, but I know we will all be together again some day. May he rest in peace along side his beautiful wife Ruth and we are all so glad for their reunion.

It is so much fun when all the Armstrongs get together, but it is not nearly often enough.

justin playing with my cute niece.

the final days

kiwi 360, yummy ice cream, Whakatane and another long day in the car that started to make us crazyGisbourne, day at the beach, we met up with the twin brother of a missionary who served in our ward in Adelaide who is serving in Gisbourne. Justin had a 6 hour kite boarding lesson.

We stopped in Napier, but kept going on to Taupo. My Aunt and Uncle did a jet boat ride, while Justin and I hung out because Im not allowed to go... something about dangerous for the baby or something, I wasnt really listening... Hike to a hot spring, a swim for justin in lake Taupo, and bunkbeds for our accomidations! Our last day, we ended in Raglan for one last surf day for Justin. It turned out to be really great, and he caught the longest wave I think I have ever seen! he was riding for like 30 sec and we could tell he was exhusted by the time it was done. But it was the best send off to a great trip!

unfortunately, the flight home was so turbulant. Other than singing to myself to keep from freakin out that the plane would soon be headed downward for a real life "Lost". We made it back, had a whirlwind three days with my family in CA, and are finally back in Oregon. Now back to reality.

NZ cont.

More highlights: this week Justins dad went home and my Aunt and Uncle from Oregon came out to spend 10 days with us and drive drive drive! I think we put on over 3000 km onto the car, but it was so fun to see so much of the country.

Driving up the 90 mile beach. Justin's dad was loving it. We were cruising at like 120 km/hr (like 75 mph) on the sand highway at low tide. He kept saying, "This is tremendous! Go faster!" Justin was white-knuckled driving the car, and then he found out we had to drive up a creek to get out. You cant stop because its like quicksand, and luckily we didnt get stuck in this rental car forbidden area.

Boat and Catamaran to one of the islands in Bay of Islands. We hiked up to the lookout of the island, and sailed back to the harbour.Standup paddle boarding in Whatawhiwhi (pronounced fata-fee-fee). We found a beautiful cove, and met a great couple from England who was going to give Justin a kite boarding lesson, but the winds weren't right, so we paddle boarded instead. And enjoyed the best blueberry cake ever from the Reef Inn!

The boys went fishing for Red Snapper, girls slept in, we went kayaking arouns some of the islands in the bay, and feasted on our catch for one of the best dinners of the trip.

Whiritoa