Well, this past little while, Holden and I have been getting out of the house a little more. It's good for me, but I'm sure Holden appreciates it even more. Our basement can get a little boring day after day!
We have had some great times, but unfortunately I didn't have my camera for some of them.
A little while ago, we took my little brother Christian and went to the Aquarium in Sandy.
Christian, Josh and Holden Chowin' down before the Aquarium
It was so fun! We had a great time and we all loved touching the sting rays. Ask Christian...he was a man when it came to that! hehe Then again, I wasn't so great either! :) Holden loved every fish and would cry when we would walk away from one until we got to the next one. He loved driving a fishing boat they had and all the fish in general! Good times! 
Christian...being a macho man!
We also have a new addition to our home. After three years of sitting on our landlord's hard rock futon, my parents were so generous in sharing credit they had at a furniture store. We were able to get an amazing and comfortable couch. It has been so nice. We absolutely LOVE it! Thanks again mom and dad!
We went to the Museum at BYU with all of the stuffed animals. We took Holden in Dec. but I think he was still a little too small to really enjoy it. So, recently we were able to go with Emily and McKenna Adams (and of course Hadley!). Holden just loved the animals and was just babbling the whole time!
We also had Eva Smith over for some play time. She and Holden spent most of the time sitting in this big blow up duck. They would find some toys and take the toy with them to just sit in the duck. I don't know. Maybe if I had a duck twice my size, I would want to sit in it too. hehe
Eva and Holden
We went to a fun birthday party for our niece and nephew Abby and Aaron at Bouncin' Off The Walls in Sandy. I had never been before but it was so fun. Holden seemed to really like it.
My brother Jeff and Holden
I took him around for about fifteen minutes, bouncing, climbing, going through tunnels and down slides...then my tummy had had it. 
I started to really cramp up so I had to take it easy for a while. I have decided that vigorous exercise and pregnancy don't go hand in hand for me. 
Either that or I'm just out of shape and not too worried about it. :)) But thanks to them for a great party.
My Sister Kim and Holden
They were so cute to send everyone home with a little toy/treat bag. We were spoiled!
We have also started to go to Lap Time (Story Time) with Bethany and Eva Smith at the library. Holden will usually make it through 1 or 2 stories before he looks around at the millions of books and wants to go read them instead of sit. Which I am happy to oblige! Yesterday the woman reading stories brought a bubble blowing machine- Holden and Eva absolutely loved it. Gotta get me one of those!
We also decided, after a 6 month absence, to go to Music Makers in our ward again. I felt Holden was a little too small to really know what was going on. Now, he can enjoy it a little more, but he'd still rather run around and explore rather than sit nicely on the floor or chair. hehe Maybe one day! Afterward we went to Chuck E Cheese for the first time (well, since I was about 5 or 6). Holden loved Chucky(I have no idea how to spell the name hehe) We went with Adams and Nikki Michaelis and her 3 kids. Holden loved to just sit in any game or ride that had a steering wheel. I didn't even need to pay to turn the ride on...he was content just to be in the ride and turn the steering wheel. Ahh...so simple to please right now. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
Josh had work off on Saturday, so we took advantage of the weather and went miniature golfing at a course right next to our house. It was so fun, but extremely sunny. They have actual water traps in the mini course. Well, it was hot and I thought as every naive mother does, that Holden would just splash a little in the water. WELL...while bending over to just splash( I believe that was his real intention) because it was a little downhill, Holden toppled over into the water. He was soaked from head to toe. Well, at least he was cooled off a bit! But he loved running around and getting our balls out of the hole...that is once we actually got them in! 
Then we went to the park and sat under a tree to relax. Holden loves the parks and all of the dogs that visit the park as well. We took him to the play set where he met some fun little friends and went down some really big slides. Josh also pushed Holden on the swings...he couldn't stop laughing and smiling.
He loved them- I was pretty proud of him! It's so nice to spend time as a family-they are the best times ever!
Also, as a family we enjoyed a nice Sunday dinner at the Smith's home. We put our cooking skills together and came up with some yummy kabobs, rice and salad. After dinner we showed our competitive sides and played Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? It was so fun because the kids were able to play and have fun as well. Too bad the girls didn't end up being as smart as the boys. :( We'll have to have a rematch!
Tuesday I was enjoying the final of American Idol when I got a call from Sarah Reinwand inviting me to a celebratory ice cream trip in honor of her due date that had come and gone without incident. :( hehe So I went with her and Nikki to Cold Stone to get Sarah her first Cold Stone. Seriously...where has she been all this time to have never had Cold Stone!????? hehe It was fun just getting out of the house with some friends and enjoying some high fat and high calorie ice cream! Did I mention I LOVE chocolate? Thanks for the invite- we'll have to do it again!
Yesterday was my Grandmas birthday and my dad took us (my sisters Kim, Tiffany, and Amy and kids) all out to lunch at his most favorite restaurant EVER....CHUCK A RAMA!!!! It was quite interesting with 9 children but we pulled it off! We went to my aunt's house after to relax and just chat for a while. It's fun having my little sister Amy here from Washington for the summer. I'm sure there are many more good times to be had!
On the same note, my Grandma Loveridge is the most amazing woman. She is truly the most wonderful grandma to us. My cousin sent an email pointing out her great qualities and I just wanted to echo what he said. She makes each person feel so loved and special. She makes an effort to go out of her way to hold each great-grandchild, making them feel so important. She is kind and loving and will just call you randomly to see how you're doing and to tell you about her life as well. She'll tell of her latest dentist appointments and how the birds are gathering outside in the backyard. I love her so much and am so grateful that she has eaten her oatmeal everyday and her ensure so that she could be with us this long. She turned an amazing 91!!!! She is so wonderful and we love her sooo much!
Well, I think that's enough of a recap. It may be long, but I wanted to write some of these memories down for the future. I think we're just really trying to soak up as much time with Holden one-on-one as we can right now. He is such a joy to us and such a sweet boy! Sometimes I really wonder how things will be once the baby comes. So here's right here and now and life in general! It's wonderful and although we have our trials, as Josh had Holden on his shoulders running back to the car and Holden giggling all the way, I thought to myself, "Thank you so much Heavenly Father for my amazing husband and little boy." I truly feel blessed in my life to have them. It just made me realize that with all the uncertainties in life and with our future, at least I have them and that is THE greatest joy. When they are happy, I feel so much thanks and joy in my life as well! Three cheers for eternal families!
