18 Months

July 20th Michelle turned 18 months! She is growing up so fast! She is very expressive but doesn't talk with words all that much. She does get really frustrated when she can't get us to understand what she wants though, or when we just flat out say no. She is a sweetie and will even give hugs and kisses sometimes just because but she also has full on toddler meltdowns not infrequently. Like the other day at the theatre she was cranky and I had to do a quick costume repair during intermission, someone tried to help me by holding her (she was sitting in my lap which was making it difficult to sew), she immediately had a total arms and legs flinging meltdown and didn't stop until the person had been gone a few minutes and she was safely back in my lap for a while. She has been really clingy lately but at the same time she is totally adventuresome and will climb anything and everything and likes to tease strangers by waving and giving cheesy smiles.
These first two pictures were taken by Nicole Maxfield, she is a super sweet person and a cast member and photography student. She's pretty much awesome.

 for the record she is just eating ice here

Lately

When I ask myself what we have been up to lately my answer always is nothing, but the truth of the matter is we work a lot and we do play quite a bit. I just always feel like we are pretty boring people. But if you are even here reading then clearly you love us so feel free to read on!
Recently we had a bbq at a cast member's family's house/land. I only took a couple pictures but a friend took some that I need to get from her.

This is Nicole, she is awesome (actually she is the one that took those pictures I want to steal)

We also spent a day at the lake playing for Hannah's birthday! It was so much fun! We got Joe on a jet ski for the first time and he admits that is lots of fun. The water was cold but Michelle went charging in and was a trooper even though it was a long day.

 Playing with the sand... and occasionally eating it, The girl had no fear this day, sand, water, kayak, bring it on!

 Maggie was brave and went on the back the first time Joe was ever on a jet skit, he drove. Jake was even more brave, he went on the tube behind!

Joe was crazy enough to ride on the back with me driving, but it had been a long time since I've driven one so I was less crazy then I might normally be

I cut my finger pretty bad cutting up 6 loaves of garlic bread for cast lunch (every Saturday because of matinees there isn't time for them to grab dinner, the Merrills graciously provide it and I sometimes help out).
The next day I smashed the same finger in our metal front door. I was balled over crying immediately. Serious pain for hours. Not cool. At least it is on my left hand. But it still hurts alot and my fingernail is several unpleasant colors. (no pictures of that). sooo... don't judge the typing in this post.

Joe is still getting out applications and doing interviews (some over the phone and some he is making the drive for) and it is hard but we are trying to stay positive. We really feel like right now we are supposed to stay in Meridian so we are doing what we can and we will do what we need to do. Who knows what the future holds.

Little Orphan Girl

I know that I am prone to freaking out. I think that it really is genetic. I worry, and man, am I good at it! Well last Sunday Michelle went to nursery for the first time. I stayed for a couple minutes and then left, she seemed fine so out I went. She did great and they didn't have to come get me or anything. Hooray! I thought to myself. Now we will be able to make it through church again! Her melt downs were getting pretty ridiculous. So this week I gladly took her back to nursery and didn't worry a bit. When I got there there was no nursery leader. After a while a sub came. I was a little concerned about it but another parent said they would stay so off I went to Sunday School.
About 10 minutes before Sunday School was over a woman I didn't know taps me on the shoulder holding Michelle and tells me she found her in the hallway.
Ummmmm.... WHAT?!?!?!?!?!
I followed her back out into the hallway to get the whole story. (random: apparently joe knows who she is because he served in their ward on his mission and they are frequent summer visitors). Her 7ish yr old son saw Michelle wandering the hallways and told his mom "she's about to be an orphan!" She (thankfully) knew something was up and started asking people if they knew who she belonged to. Well since we are only summer people and most of the people there are visitors it took a few askings to figure it out. Thankfully someone sent her to us and we got our little girl back. I have no clue how long she was wandering and am SO grateful to Heavenly Father for keeping her safe... even if she wasn't where I thought she was. Thank goodness none of the doors were propped open like they often are on hot Sundays or she probably would have wandered into the parking lot or street.
I went to the nursery to tell them that I would just be holding onto her for the rest of the day and they didn't even know she was gone...(and she can't open doors yet so she had an accomplice of some sort) So yeah, I was all pumped about nursery and doing really good about not worrying about her but that is all out the window now, I don't want her to be little orphan Michelle!!!
P.S. I am so very thankful for the entire primary program and I know first hand how hard the nursery calling is, and West Yellowstone is even more overwhelming with lots of visitors coming and going. BUT as a momma, this was a BIG freak out day. She was kept safe and if you have to get lost a Mormon church is a pretty good place but I am a big old worry wort.
P.P.S. Michelle was totally unphased.... maybe Playmill has eliminated her fear of strangers... this could be a problem.
P.P.P.S. I am still pumped about nursery at home, I know those leaders and they are awesome ;) Also it would be really awkward if your neighbor lost your child so I'm pretty sure that wouldn't happen.

July 4th

We had a pretty low key 4th but that is pretty much the way we roll. Early shows at the theatre and then a BBQ afterwards. (free yummy food with fun people!!!)

 This is Liz, Michelle generally likes her, she was definitely a fan this night.

 This is Tanner, Michelle is crazy in love with him, it's pretty amusing. He is awesome with her and the reason she loves him is because he is great at stopping and playing with her and getting down on her level.

 Joe liked Michelle's hair

The town puts on a big fireworks show and so we just go outside the theatre and watch that (well, most of the cast climbs on the roof....me....nope. Although I did climb on the roof of the motel one year).

 Can you see her open mouth? She thought the fireworks were super cool this year, last year she just slept through them.

She also felt that it was very important to push her Daddy's nose at this very moment. OINK!

Family

Since my sister wasn't able to come up and see me Michelle and I made a super quick trip to Utah to visit for the last weekend of June. (I brought 8 fixed costumes back to the theatre, including 3 zipper replacements, before leaving- this and laundry is what I do all summer in case you were curious).
My sister's family was in Utah for a wedding so they were actually really busy but it was still nice to go down.
Here are the pictures I got.
Michelle playing outside the temple (we were on kid duty)

 After Sunday dinner... the kids were kinda done and Esther wasn't around.

 Love our Grandma!

My sister caught this one but it was too cute! Aiden was playing the fireplace like a piano and Michelle was clapping for him, adorable!

 Michelle ended up being very vocal during the trip which was fun and she was of course a major ham! It was so hard to leave because she was having so much fun with my mom, as was I! We miss Grandma's house!!!