Happy Holidays

The Holidays are always such a fun time. Getting dressed up...
Going to parties...
Seeing if your presents taste any good.

Most of all though, its the joy of meeting Santa for the first time!

Merry Christmas everyone.

1st Hair Cut

Since it seems I no longer have a "baby" as much anymore, but a "big boy" we thought it was time to part with the small wings that had grown beside his ears.


He had the hardest time trying to see what was being done to him.
Oh, so nice! No more scraggles.

Seriously mom, what did you do to me!!!

Heaven on Earth

November was a dream come true for us in so many ways. Devan did a month long rotation with Plastic Surgery Department at the University of Utah Hospital, so we were able to spend a much needed month "home." We stayed with our good friends the Nicholsons (thanks guys so much for putting us up for a month) and were able to visit with many more friends and family.


We started the month off with Jamis getting his first real illness. The night we got there he spiked a fever which was quickly followed by our other flu friends. It took about two weeks for him to let me off the couch with him, but once he decided he was better he mastered the art of climbing stairs. Once again big thanks and round of applause for the Nicholson Family for housing us and our barf boy.

With Jamis on the mend, Thanksgiving had arrived and this year that meant, 1st BIRTHDAYS, family coming to town, and a trip to the temple.

We were super lucky to have a doc in NC let us use his cabin up Big Cottonwood Canyon. I still chuckle when I say "cabin" because this place was more along the lines of a 5 star resort.
Jamis loved exploring every nook

My whole family came in (except my sis who's about to pop with daughter #2) Thanksgiving Day for some grub and fun. We had a blast playing in the snow, talking, eating, ice skating, and most of paint balling.

As usual, Jamis was the center of it all.


Saturday the 28th made the top 3 best days of my life list though. We were finally able to take Jamis to the temple and make him officially part of our ETERNAL family. It was indescribable how sweet the feelings were in the room that day. Jamis was so calm, almost like he knew what was going on. When the sealer said that we were a forever family, Jamis started clapping, completely unprompted. I know he knows what a great birthday present he received. I'm so glad we got to share it with so many of our family and friends.

Jamis is all his Great Grandparents


After the sealing we all went to lunch were Jamis was finally able to dig into his birthday cake.



He defiantly made up for lost sugar exposure


It was sad to leave Utah and all our dear friends behind, but are crossing our fingers that we're able to go back for fellowship. Until then we're just going to have to manage getting by living on the beach for another year and a half.

October

October was full of awe and wonder for our little bug. Every month I'm amazed at all that he is learning. He is ALL boy and is never found far from one of his many trucks (he even has sound effects to boot). I love watching him be proud of himself for all his new tricks.

"Look at me Mom, riding standing up!"

Ever since Jamis was born I've had a blast dressing him up and I finally got to do it without strange looks from people. Say hello to our true "Chunky Monkey."

He didn't mind wearing the costume, but couldn't quite figure out what the tail was all about. He wore it proudly though and won the best dressed contest at our Ward's trunk-or-treat

"Is mom looking? OK, good! Candy here I come!!!"

I SO cannot wait 'til next Halloween!!!

Summer 2009

The adventures of summer would not be complete without travel and living out of a suitcase, and we definitely conquered summer this year. I'm not sure what was more exhausting; navigating through these last 3 months or blogging about them.

Boarding his first plane, Jamis and I headed off to South Dakota leaving Daddy behind for 6 long weeks. Devan was off to Chapel Hill for a month long Plastic Surgery rotation and was happy to sponsor our journeys.

We spent a few days in Rapid City where Jamis was able to meet all his uncles, grandpa, great-grandparents, and several great aunts, uncles, and cousins for the first time. He quickly was spoiled with all the added attention and showed off as he learned to crawl on his hands and knees and many more daring stunts.
Four Generation Trotter familyJamis & Great Grandma TrotterJamis loved his GrandpaPicking on Girls alreadyJamis & my cousin GeneveraVery first time crawling. He still leaves that one leg up, hence his new nickname "Crab Man"

First bloody accident. He bite his tongue, but somehow got the blood only on his nose. I still think I cried more than he did.
Sleeping with Uncle Nathan
Grandpa wanted some snuggles too

From Rapid City we headed up to Minot, North Dakota for my 10 year High School reunion. WOW is all I have to say. I hadn't been back up to ND since I graduated and its amazing how much can change, but so very little at the same time. It was great seeing old friends and old stomping grounds. Jamis and I stayed with my best friend Delee at her parents house. It was so much fun being with her again and having our kids there together. Can't wait 'til the next reunion.

The gangLindsay Mau & Delee NorhiemLemarr Wiliiams

Next we headed over to Spokane, Washington where my parents live and then down to Clarkston, Washington where my Grandparents live. As in Rapid, Jamis was able to meet a TON of family.
Uncle Brett showing Jamis the horses

Jamis was a big fan

The highlight of Jamis's summer, his first very own ice cream cone
There's nothing like fresh Huckleberry Ice cream

We spent a lot of time out on the river.

Whenever Jamis started to miss Daddy, the uncles filled in nicely.

In mid August I took a deep breath and boarded a plane for a two week OpSmile mission to Kenya, leaving my baby with Grandma. I knew Jamis was going to be just fine, but I'm still surprised I survived.
During my 12 hour layover in London, I did a self guided city tour.
As with every mission, the kids are just too cute.

This mission I met an amazing Masai lady. She was 24 years old, had 4 children, and was finally able to get her lip fixed.

AMAZING!!!

After the mission several members of the team went on a 2 day safari. Now of course one would think that an African Safari would be amazing, but seriously it was beyond amazing. I don't think I'll ever be able to go to a regular zoo again.
Sunset on the Masai Mara
Masai tribe herding cattle

GiraffeBaboonsWarthog

And my favorite....

The Pride of LionsCan you believe how close we were

We stayed in a "tent" camp and I definitely use the term tent loosely. If hardwood floors and granite counter tops are considered "tent" camping, then sign me up more often.
In the evening the lodge, ran by a local Masai tribe, demonstrated several different dances and their ability to jump. Whoever jumped the highest won the hand of the tribe beauty.

The best part of the safari was meeting back up with my favorite patient and to see her community. What an amazing people.

So we finally were reunited with Devan after WAY to long. It took Jamis a little bit of time to get used to me and Devan again, but thankfully not too long. Families definitely were not meant to be separated for so long. We had a few weeks at home to unpack and repack for a week long 2,638 mile "we got a new car" marathon road trip.
YEAH!!! I have a mommy car!!!


We drove up to Washington DC

Stayed with a friend in Pennsilvania. Spent a day a Gettysberg and then headed off to NYC.We walked the entire city for two straight days. I've never heard so much noise before. My favorite was Devan pedeling our rickshaw through Central Park while Jamis and I sat in back with the tour guide.
Jamis is totally facinated with cars and trucks now and could not get enough of the city.

From NYC we drove down to Charelston, SC for the State Plastic Surgery Conference where Devan presented his research paper. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, walked on the beach, swam in the pool, and got to watch CABLE TV (always a highlight).

It was a wonderfully busy summer, but I don't think any of us will complain if we don't see a car or plane for awhile.

"Its ok Buddy, we made it!"