Nick's Man Vacation

This past week, Nick embarked on an intricately planned man vacation with his brother, Ben, and a number of his best childhood friends. It evolved from the initial plan of a weekend get-a-way into a 5 day hard core outdoor adventure.  Nick flew to Salt Lake City last Tuesday evening and, after a few hours of sleep, drove he and his buddies 4 hours away to Zion National Park.  After setting up their campsite, they set off on a 6 mile hike on a rocky trail known as Angel's Landing.  I felt panicky just listening to Nick describe the precarious pathway that they traveled with 1500 foot drop offs on either side. Yikes!  The second day, they had a pre-dawn wake-up to get going on the Narrows trail, a 16 mile hike through a canyon with water filling a large majority of the base.  After 11 and a half hours, they finished up, a little worse for wear.  They more than deserved the relaxation that awaited them on Friday, when they connected up with a few more of their buddies at Lake Powell for some house boating and man fun.  From the sounds of it, they had an absolute blast!

The precarious pinnacle of the Angel's Landing hike.

My handsome hubby.

Brother Ben & my Nick.

 Just behind them...1500 feet straight down

Ben, Nick, Carl and Norm

Ben, Nick, Carl & Norm

Mikey 

Ben and Mikey wading through the Narrows.

Carl taking a break in one of the waterfalls.

Norm manages to get through the waist-deep water.

Nick and Mikey trekking along.

Mikey grilling a feast fit for kings.

Nick and Ben sinking the anchor for the night.

Teamwork!

Gorgeous scenery.

The crew: Nick, Ben, Mikey, Cy, Carl, Andrew, Ben and Norm.

Ben, Mikey, Cy, Carl, Norm, Andrew & Ben

Weekend Escape

While Dada was off enjoying his "Man vacation" in Utah and Uncle JP was officiating his army buddy's wedding in Colorado, Emmy and I spent some time with her favorite cousins (and Auntie Kristi, of course!)  As our hubbies were engaged in raucous fun on their respective get-a-ways, Kris and I opted to get a little wild with sidewalk chalk and our offspring.  My how times have changed!

Emmy saw Andy and Claire laying on the ground and dropped to the pavement herself.

Everyone's in place!

Clairey didn't flinch from the time Kris laid her down until the time we picked her up...The model subject.

Luckily, I have a quick trigger finger because Emmy had about three seconds before she got bored....

My sweet baby butterfly.

...and her true colors emerge.

Cooperative Claire.

Andy inspired a little more adventurous scene after complaining about the crown and balloon picture options.  Thankfully, the Sacksteders have a huge driveway. :)

Andy rocking last year's Halloween costume while walking on the moon.

Our little fashion plate

Emmy has become rather fond of accessorizing her outfits.  I have no idea where it has come from, given my "minimalist" approach to fashion.  It's been hilarious to see the ensembles that she (very seriously) models around the house...

A wise choice to wear her swim cap during snack time.

Just because it's bath time doesn't mean you can't look fabulous.

She achieves a chunky necklace look with three headbands.

She even raids Nick's limited stash.

Some additional recent pictures from the last few weeks:

Picnic in the back of the car while Nick and I cleaned the garage...You could cut the humidity with a knife, ugh!

Emmy's babies are never far, she "loves on them" with lots of hugs and kisses.  So sweet. :)

Nick was smoked after a tough Crossfit workout, so Emmy gave him her sippy cup of water and an ice cube to help him feel better.

Latest fascination: playing with dried beans, different sized spoons and tupperware containers.

I plunked her on our bed while I was vacuuming and returned to find her reading my parenting magazines.

She prefers to color while laying on the rug in the kitchen. :)

Bem Casados

Last month, we were overjoyed to learn that the Horn family tree is sprouting a new branch.  Nick's younger brother, Ben, proposed to his lady love, Eliana, during a sunset hike (on the same route they took for their first date.)  Eliana is originally from Brazil, but has been here in the states going to school and working for the past couple of years.  She and Ben's paths happened to cross while they were out on the town two summers ago, and since then, they have been inseparable.  They've even crossed the finish lines of both a half and full marathon together, hand-in-hand.  We couldn't be more excited to witness all the great things that God has in store for the two of them as a married couple, and, someday, as a family.

They will be wed in the end of December in Eliana's hometown in Brazil!  In honor of the impending festivities, Emmy and I have had fun learning about Brazilian wedding customs (I have a borderline obsession with weddings.)  One of the many lovely traditions we came upon was that of the "bem casados" cookie favors.  The english translation of the confection name is "happily married;" which is something that we are certain will be the case for the future Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Eliana Horn!

The happy couple (and Emmy!)  I'm still sorry about cutting off the top of your head, Ben...  

Emmy using the cookie cutter to shape our cookies!

Dulce de leche sandwiched between two cookies with a sugar syrup on top.

Nick's study buddies

We are still very much on the fence as to whether or not we will be staying in the military for the long haul or if we are getting out when our commitment is up next summer.  Nick has decided that if we opt for civilian life, he'd like to go to business school.  In preparation, he has been studying in most of his off time for the GMAT that he will be taking in the end of October.  He's turned the guest room into his "office."  Because of the long hours he spends in there with the door closed, it has become one of Emmy's most coveted play spaces.  She weaseled her way in last weekend, as did her furry sisters.  I don't think Nick minded the distraction from his problem set...

Dada, the object of everyone's affection.

Emmy decided to color while Nick solved math problems.

Dog pile!

19 month debauchery

Made with love and dedicated to Dada on his 31st birthday! 

Just Three Words...

NOT YET, MAMA!!

I had my 16 week doctor's appointment on Tuesday!  They'd barely gotten me to the exam room before I started rambling on to Dr. Anderson and his nurse, Emily (whom I lovingly refer to as Emmy's namesake), just how curious we are as to the sex of our second baby.  It's kind of a loaded question these days to ask us how we are doing.  That's when Dr. Anderson actually ASKED me if I wanted him to do an impromptu ultrasound!  I routinely have to wait 45+ minutes for my appointments, making me keenly aware of their jam-packed schedule, which made this offer such an incredible gift.  I nearly dissolved into gratitude tears! I didn't hesitate when he asked me if Nick would be ok with not being present.  I assured Dr. Anderson that Nick would just be hugely appreciative just to know the sex of our baby, and would be just as grateful to see a picture souvenir.  

So, Dr. Anderson got to work.  I'm not sure why I felt inclined to hold my breath during the procedure.  Perhaps because I somehow believed that the the rise and fall of my belly could affect the wand positioning, and therefore clarity of the images, and hinder our ability to visualize Baby's nether regions.  Well, obviously my logic was off.  After 10 solid minutes of looking,  I was mildly blue in the face and it was clear that Baby Horn was in no way interested in quenching our curiosity.  Our big ultrasound is scheduled for 10am on Wednesday, August 23rd...Which feels like eternity!!

Additional pictures of the littlest Horn:

Taunting me with a wave.

Hi Baby!

Boot shot