The Beach and Stuff

Here is another really long post, so watch out folks . . . as always, I waited way too long to post anything, so now I have too much stuff to write about (or at least I have been taking too many pictures, which really is my favorite part about blogging anyway), so here it goes . . .

It is really fun to live by the beach. Jenni and Dustin came down and spent Nov 20-22 with us; really, they were just missing the beach because they lived on it for 2 years in Costa Rica, but we were more than happy to fill their beach void and enjoy their company. We spent Saturday at the beach during the lowest of low tides. There were scour holes in the sand because the water was so low; one minute you could be walking on solid sand, the next you could be up to your knees in salt water. I have never seen such a low tide before; it was pretty cool. Cute Jenni is also about ready to pop as you might have noticed. Her baby is due on December 21, and I can't wait to meet the newest member of the family.

It is critical that I mention that a couple of weeks ago I saw dolphins (at least 4, maybe more) at this same beach, swimming just offshore. Since I was there for a run anyway, I chased them about a mile down the shore before they finally headed off to deeper water. I was obviously the newbie on the beach because as I pointed them out to everybody that I passed nobody seemed to really share my excitement. I got a couple of acknowledgments, a couple of strange looks, and one little boy that sprinted in the opposite direction as fast as he could; really though, I lived in Hawaii for 4 months and never saw dolphins nearly so close to shore. I was surprised that the water they were swimming in was even deep enough for them. It was so amazing; I love dolphins.

A couple of weeks ago, my new neighbor Jenna invited me over to her house, and we made about 3000 of the most beautiful Christmas cookies you could possibly imagine. I want to do everything Christmas that I possibly can, because I feel like the holidays are just going to sneak away from me this year; I keep waiting for the leaves to change, for snow to fall, . . . (people tell me that it's happening elsewhere . . . I'll believe it when I see it :-)

We also had a bonfire on the beach . . .we roasted brats (Joe doesn't believe in eating hot dogs) and marshmallows. It was so nice and relaxing; we have been so lucky to meet so many nice and fun people in the time that we have been here in Santa Monica.

I still don't have a job, so on the days that I lose motivation to perfect resumes and cover letters (this happens a lot), I end up with a lot more free time than I am used to. One day I decided to ride my bike on this little path that runs along the beach. I rode until the path ended before finally turning around to ride home. I took a few pictures along the way, so I thought that I would include them. It was another beautiful Southern Cali type of day.

Okay; here is the last thing that I will mention for this post. Joe and I attended an educational volunteer opportunity on Back Bay in Newport. The Department of Fish and Game taught us about the health of the local ecosystem; then we helped them with a few basic studies that they perform weekly in the bay. We evaluated the mud critters, water salinity, fish count, measurements, and type, etc. It was very interesting and informative (although I still have no more scientific name for critters that live in the mud). I really enjoyed it because I don't really know anything about coastal ecosystems; it was really good to learn more about the world that now surrounds me.

Here we are fishing for some mud . . .

The catch . . .

Rinsing out my mud to find out what little critters I caught

Learning about a sponge . . . (this one was not caught in the mud traps).

I love this boy!

The news . . .

We just found out last week. I asked the ultrasound technician what percentage of the time she might be wrong. She stared at me . . . for a long time . . . then she said, "I am NOT wrong," so apparently we are having a little girl. It's funny because almost as soon as I found out I was pregnant people started asking if I thought it was a boy or a girl. I actually thought it was a girl; I guess I had a 50/50% chance of feeling it correctly, but I guess it is finally time to start thinking pink, admiring frilly little girl clothes, and studying out girly names. Joe is already starting to plan his daughter's college education . . . his comment about having a girl, "I think girl's can get athletic scholarships easier than boys," so I guess she's gonna be a soccer player :-)

Whitewater

This post is long over due . . . we took this trip in July (and I had the best of intentions in writing about it back then), but it was so fun I that it is still worth writing about, even a couple months late.

My sister Jenni and her husband Dustin planned a kayaking trip down the Snake River from Jackson to Idaho Falls. They paddled the whole stretch in about a week. Joe and I were able to join them for part of their trip.

The first day of the trip started with rain, hail, and horribly cold weather. I missed this day (oh so sad) but the rest of the group paddled through. The second day I joined the group and we covered about 20 miles (Jenni and Dustin correct me if I am wrong). It was leisurely paddling on a bright sunny day, with the Rocky Mountains serving as backdrop. It was so peaceful and beautiful.

On the third day we covered another 7 miles of peaceful, mostly serene river. Then, we took on the 8 mile stretch of white water that Jackson is famous for. It was my first ever attempt at paddling white water. It was amazing!!! I have to admit that I did flip my kayak on the first 2 major rapids that we encountered (and I was feeling pretty sheepish) but after suffering a very steep learning curve, I stayed in my boat for the rest of the trip (even when some of the more experienced kayakers did not). We had so much fun. Thank you so much, Jenni and Dustin, for an amazing trip!

Changes

Wow, I guess life is crazy. Sometimes it sneaks up on you and then runs away really, really fast. I don't even know what to talk about first because so many things have happened since the last post. But I guess first things first . . .

Joe and I are expecting our first baby. I am about 15 1/2 weeks pregnant, making our due date April 21. In honor of the newest Webb-to-be, here is a clip from The Office.



Joe and I have joked about the whole pregnancy vomiting thing . . . at first he was so sympathetic and sweet whenever I, well, you know . . . now, he has become so accustomed to watching me throw up that he doesn't even pause mid-story. He just keeps talking (as if I keep listening :)

Really though, we are very grateful for the opportunity to be growing a family. Here are our earliest pictures of the little munchkin. Not much to look at, but it was amazing to be able to see all the little fingers and toes, even this early on.

On to other big news in our lives . . . we now live in Santa Monica, California. Joe got a job working for an engineering firm, named CDM (Camp, Dresser, and McKee) in downtown L.A. It is a fantastic job. He is getting involved in some amazing water/environmental engineering projects, doing exactly what he wanted to be doing.

We have definitely felt the hand of the Lord in our lives as everything has just fallen into place for us. We found an awesome apartment (just 12 blocks from the beach . . . calling all family and friends to come and visit!!) and the manager talked the owner down about $300/month in rent. I don't have a job yet, but have started my search in earnest, so hopefully sooner than later something will turn up. Here are a couple of pics from our Sunday evening walk on the beach (just to further lure you out to our new home.)

Here are a few pictures from our early days in Santa Monica. We went mountain biking in Crystal Cove in Orange County (which, by the way, nearly killed pregnant, tired, me) (p.s. thanks again for the bike Diane!!!!!) and we went hiking up to the Griffith Observatory (see Dean, James). We have also been lucky enough to have both my brother Jeff, with his buddy Matt, and Mindy, Nick, and Tabs, out to stay with us.

It is always fun to have new adventures, explore new places, and meet new people, but it is also very hard to say goodbye. Provo has been our home now for several years, and there are many things that I am going to miss . . . just to list a few . . . BYU football, finding a soccer game anywhere and anytime I wanted it, the weather (yes I know I just moved to Southern Cali, but I love the seasons), the mountains, Provo River Parkway Trail (the most beautiful running trail in the world), and ESPECIALLY family and friends. Thanks so much to everyone whom we have been close to and had so much fun with over the last few years. We love you! Here are just a few pics from our last few weeks in Provo.