Dancing Queen!

This is just my little prediction for the future...Reiny is going to grow up and be a professional dancer! You'll all be amazed when you see her on Dancing with the Stars in like 18 years...just you wait!!! This little girl does not stop dancing! If there is music playing, she has got to be bopping along. Jordan's concerned that perhaps she's "getting a little to sexy with her hips" and maybe needs some dance lessons from someone other than the 1980s version of Patrick Swayze. I think it's adorable and we can worry about the "dirty dancing" when she's 17 and dancing on top of the speakers at the school homecoming dance! In any case, enjoy the video clip of our little "dancing queen."

Salt Lake Trip

A few weeks ago, Reiny and I went down to Salt Lake for a much needed break. We stayed with Aunt Catherine and Uncle Jeff and got to play with cousins Malisia and Kate. Reiny, Malisia, and I all went to the Hoogle Zoo. That was a lot of fun! I'd forgotten how facinating animals are to Reiny. She loved the giraffes, but I think the highlight was the playground! Here's some pictures of our lovely trip! Thanks to Catherine for letting us bombard her home for a week!

We've been Calving!

Well, calving is finally starting to slow down, so I thought I'd post some pictures of the ordeal. If the snow would finally quit, we'd be in good shape. Unfortunately, even as I type the storms are rolling in...oh well, just pray these baby cows have really thick skin!

Reiny's come down to the sheds with us a couple of times. She really loves the calves and has finally learned that cows say "moo" and not "baa" like our little lambs we're raising. She even fell asleep one day when we were running the cows into the night corral on the 4-wheeler. I handed her off to Jordan and he laid her down next to a calf in the barn to stay warm. A little while later he hears "baa baa baa" and there was Reiny talking to the calf! It's pretty fun to watch her grow and change. She sure presents her challenges...but she's a lot of fun. We look forward to future calving seasons when she can be even that much more involved.

Hawaii...ahh, Paradise

Hawaii was just as I imagined...paradise in every sense of the world. The first morning we were there, Jordan got up at 5 am (time difference threw him off) and ran outside. He burst back in the room shouting "get out here! get out here!" It was the most beautiful morning I've ever experienced!!! The weather was a constant 70-75 degrees the entire time we were there (except the last day when it got to 80). The beaches in Kauai were relatively vacant, so peace and quiet abounded. We saw monk seals, humpbacked whales, spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and so many kinds of fish it would take too long to type them all. Jordan and I tried our hand at boogie boarding, and loved it!! Stay tuned for a clip of Jordan on the board. We also snorkeled most of the time we were there. Anini beach and Poipu beaches were havens for practically all sea life. We also went to Kipu Falls where there's a rope swing into a pool below some falls. I thought it was a lot of fun and refreshing compared to the salty sea water. Jordan on the other hand thought it looked like a scene from his worst nightmare. He never gave it a chance, but in his defense, I think I scared him. The falls had created quite a current in the pool that dragged you away from the safety of the cliff and ladder. Jordan's not the strongest swimmer, so that scared him. In retrospect, I'm glad he didn't do it. I would hated diving in to save his waterlogged bum.

In any case, we watched the sunset over the beach (very romantic) and talked non-stop about our little girl we left at home. The next time we go, we are definitely taking her with us!!! She would have loved the Luau we went to. The dancers were amazing, and the flame-thrower was awesome. Jordan kept saying "you need to take hula lessons!" I would look over and his eyes were glued on those girls' bums!!! I guess I will have to learn just to keep things interesting.

Jordan got 2 job offers while we were there. One as a welder on barges and the other to fix the one and only pivot on the island, which has never run a day since arriving from the mainland. I could definitely get used to island life. Especially since I returned to Idaho weather. Oh well...something to look forward to!

Some Cute Pictures of Reiny

Here's some cute pictures of Reiny we've taken over the last few months. She's in the tub with her adorable cousin Kate, demonstrating how she loves to climb on things (like the DVDs), wearing the goofest hat, and sitting with cousin Wyatt.

Whittaker Family Reunion

Well, I'm finally getting around to updating our blog...in January, Jordan's family had a reunion in Big Sky, Montana. It was great to get out and ski for the first time in so long. The last time I went, Reiny was 4 weeks old and Jordan said "you kinda look like one of our first calf heifers after she's calved...you're all wobbly in the back end!" Well, guess what...I WAS a first calf heifer who had just calved! In anycase, it was nice to redeem myself on the hill this year. Here's a few pictures of our event...oh, and the most exciting thing that happened, was a group of snowboarders went down the hill in their underwear. It looked mighty painful when they would wipe out! not to mention drafty in a particular area!

Leaving for Hawaii!!!

Well...Jordan and I are leaving for the islands of Hawaii!!! We are so excited but can't stop bawling over leaving our baby at home. So far she hasn't missed us at all...which I'll admit, makes me feel unloved, but at least she's in good hands and doing well. Stay tuned for the pictures from Kauai, Hawaii!!! Thanks to both our moms for taking good care of our most valuable asset!

Picture Update

I'm Back!!!

Ok...things have been a bit crazy around here with our family. That's a lot of the reason that I have not posted in a while. My mother-in-law had shoulder surgery, Reiny turned one and is WALKING (ahhhhh!!!!), Jordan landed a huge government job and has made 2 trips back to Nebraska in the last month, and I'm making my best effort at getting our year-end reports together for taxes.

Well, let's update...Reiny is one!!! She started walking on Dec. 2, 2008 by taking 3 steps from my friend Debbie to me at the church Christmas party. We had a party for her on Dec. 6th and my parents and sister's family all came up to help us celebrate. Jordan's parents and sister's family also came which made our little house rather tight, but cozy with company. Reiny's Uncle Chase was in Vegas during the party, but was sure to call and let us know what he got her...her first cowboy boots!!! They're so cute! She loves them and I think they're actually helping her walk better. She'll consistantly 7-10 steps before she falls down. It's so fun to watch her grow and learn new things, but sad to see my little girl changing so much. She now says 6 words: Mom, Dad, Dog, Bob, Tickle, and Duck (at least that's what we think she's saying). She also does the signs for "all done" and "more" which helps out a lot when I'm trying to feed her.

Speaking of feeding...I'm almost done nursing!!! The hope is she'll be weaned by this coming Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. She loves whole milk and now peanut butter! She's up to 19 lbs 5 oz. and 28" long. That puts her in the 18% for height and 21% for weight. She's such a little girl!

Jordan's been excessively busy with work which is about par for the course. He landed this huge government job in Pashimeroi and is hoping to have most of that wrapped up before the end of the year. Also, he's got some interesting ideas on how to expand our business. We're hoping to have our cement plant set up by next spring and get started on our hydroelectric plant this winter. The ideas just keep on coming. I'm excited for the new year. I'm convinced that my new personal slogan is "I HATE 2008!!!" I don't know if it's just me or what, but things have just been so difficult this year (it might have a little to do with being a 1st time parent). In any case, I'm excited for the possibilities that 2009 presents.

Well, I think I'm done rambling...so here come the onslaught of pictures!

Found the Camera!!!

Well, I found my camera!!! Now I have lots of pictures to add to our blog. Unfortunately, I've found myself super busy these last few weeks and making frequent trips to the in-laws has not been very convenient. In any case...I'll add a lot more once I get the chance! Pray for DSL to come to my home soon!