Baby, Pres. Eyring, New York:

We haven't updated this in a while and we're sorry. Not because it hasn't been on our minds, but because we don't have internet at our house anymore and we haven't done anything about it because in our free time. Instead of being online at home, we are feeding our addiction of playing board games together. Two words: Life. Yahtzee.  Enough said.

Lots of updates though! We'll start with the biggest one yet, and if this is a surprise to you, you also must not be online ever either and be playing board games, too. We're having a baby! It was hard to keep it a secret for so long! We're due July 1st. Still unsure of the gender and it is killing us! If it is a boy, (and if we got to pick, this would be our pick, and yeah we know, we'll be happy either way, haha) we'll name him Crew Carraway. If it's a girl, we're thinking Aspen. So, now you know. I think Ben is more excited about going and buying maternity clothes than I am. And that's saying a lot, because I love buying them! They're so comfy I could wear them for the rest of my life.  He's just excited about it in every aspect. He'll even pick up the book 'What To Expect When You're Expecting' for an occasional read. I don't know what made my heart melt more. Seeing our baby on the ultrasound and hearing it's heartbeat, or seeing Ben's face watching it. I'm almost leaning towards Ben's face, though. He's #1. He still thinks I'm cool even after 3 straight months of falling asleep at 7 pm, that's love.

We had an incredible opportunity to meet President Eyring. Yes, THE President Eyring. And when we say meet, we don't mean see him on the street and shake his hand. We mean, we sat in his office and casually spoke with him for 2 hours.My assistant at work, although more than just an assistant because I think the world of her and love her dearly, is his granddaughter. We sat down, asked us our life story. Laughed. Heard awesome stories about his family, and some about his hobbies. He even referred to our baby as Crew! (We're jokingly hoping it was revelation that we're having a boy, haha) He is easily the most genuine, loving person we have ever met. Of course, I didn't expect any different.

We have a new addition to our family! It's not two feet, not yet...that's July. But we added 4 paws! We were hoping to be a foster home for dogs that are at the Human Society, but after going there and learning more, we fell in love with a stray dog that we tried to talk ourselves out of since we're having a baby, but couldn't. We love her! Ben went back to get her as a surprise early Christmas gift for me! She was pretty sick when we brought her home and were super worried we'd have to give her back, but with some TLC from us, a ton of food, and a lot of make-out sessions with our other dog Lucas, she's perfectly healthy and surprisingly potty trained! Ben wanted to name our baby Philly if it was a girl because of his mission. Instead, I brought up the idea of naming our new dog Philly. He loved it! And I loved it, because now our baby wont be named it ;)  Win-win.
ALSO! See, I told you lots of updates. We went to NY! We drove there.  ...I know. But it wasn't bad at all, I promise! At least the way there wasn't bad. We drove straight there, got there in 29 hours. Drove, slept on the side of the road for a few hours, then drove some more! It was awesome! I haven't seen my family and been home in almost 3 years! It was the first time my family (with the exception of 1 of my sisters) has ever met Ben! We stayed for a whole week. Was there for Thanksgiving. Feel in love with the game Quelf. Got all of my east coast food cravings taken care of. Met my increible niece Eva for the first time. Went to Palmyra and did all the church sites.  Had our NY Wedding Reception for my side of the family. (Thank goodness my dress still fit.) And yes, don't worry, we did a flash mob during it. What's an east coast wedding without ridiculous dancing? And Ben even left back to Utah sportin' a Buffalo Bills shirt. He actually had a harder time leaving than I did. I'd say the trip was a success.

So now it's the last day of 2013! And it's been incredibly eventful for the both of us, to say the least. Ben coming home from his mission.Starting school. Me speaking and everything else that's happened. Buying a car. New jobs. Moving. Getting engaged, married, pregnant. Excited for the new year. Excited for new adventures & blessings God has for us. To embrace. To learn. Experience. Love. And couldn't imagine it any other way then listening to the spirit, and do so holding hands, together, with the best companion there could be. Cheers to 2014.