Looks good!!!!!

http://www.fox.com/24/trailer/

Trying to keep up with Zac!

Zac just had his 18 month checkup. His stats:
Weight: 25%
Height: 75%
Head: 75%
The doctor said he is doing great! He also said he is advanced for his age! I just think Zac is trying to grow up to fast. He always wants to do something new. He love being with the older kids and learns so much from them. Lately, he likes sitting at the table instead of his highchair to eat.
Some big things have been happening at our house. Zac is finally off the bottle!!!!!!!! He has also gotten all of his teeth in.(until the 2year molars) Things he likes to do lately is try and sing the ABC's, color, and use the play dough. The two year old attitude has started and I'm going crazy. I think the hardest thing is the wining. Zac is very independent and he can't stand it if I have to help him. Zac is so funny sometimes. He likes to play hide and seek. I walked downstairs today and found him like this.... I love you Zac! Don't grow up to fast!

The Trial

In Loving Memory........

Hubert Woodrow Souther

November 30, 1919 - September 17, 2001

&

Elizabeth Anne Bates

September 23, 1921 - September 17, 2001

The story:
http://www.knbc.com/news/14464268/detail.html
Yesterday it had been seven years sense my grandparents where killed. Those of you who don't know the story you can click on the link above. I still don't like to talk or write much about what happened. I think it's important for me not to forget some things so I want to write about my experience at the penalty phase of the trial.
Before the two men where convicted the district attorney called me and asked if I would testify in the penalty phase of the trial. The penalty phase is when they do a mini trial to let the jurors decide if the convicted are going to get the death penalty. The district attorney was told how close I was with my grandparents so she thought that what I had to say would help give them a stronger sentence. She interviewed me on the phone and asked if I was willing to come to the trial. She would fly Ethan, Zac and I to L.A. for as long as we wanted. I told her that I would like to but I would need to talk to Ethan. Ethan didn't want me to go because he knew it would be very hard for me. We talked about it for awhile and decided I need to do this. I wanted to be there for my family and no matter how hard it was going to be I wanted help in someway.
The hard part about me doing this was there was no set timeline. I didn't know what day they would need me and for how long. I got a call in the middle of November that they would need me the next week, right before Thanksgiving. Luckily Ethan's boss let him take work off last minute so we where able to go.
The morning that I had to be at the court house was crazy! They needed me there at 7:00am. That means I had to leave my parents house around 5am. Yes, I only live 30 mile from L.A. but it take 2 hours to get there. My Mom and I went early. Ethan would come in a couple of hours when Zac woke up. When we got to the courthouse, I kid you not there was paparazzi everywhere. This was the same time that Britney Spears was doing her custody battle. We go in the court house and up to the district attorney offence. She briefed me on what was going to happen. She told me that I can't go into the court room until I had already testified. I told her that it was important to me not to see any pictures of the crime scene. I knew I would not be able to handle that. She promised me that she would tell me to leave if they where going to show any. After I talked to her I saw Ethan and Zac! That made me so happy. We got to the floor that the courtrooms are on. It is a long hallway with doors all the way down. We sat and waited and waited and waited. 4 hours later still nothing. We found out that one of the men that killed my grandparents had just tried to commit suicide. They told us we had to come back the next day!
The next day I didn't need to be there so early. It was nice because I went with my whole family. When we got to the courthouse I had a lot of other family there also. It was nice to see them and talk about my grandparents. We where talking about all the fun stuff we remember about them. My Grandma's sister was telling me all kinds of stories. I knew that I would have to go in and testify today so I was starting to get nervous. Ethan went in to hear the opening arguments. He came out of that courtroom white. He said he would never forget what he saw in the crime photos.
After that we waited for about 3 more hours. I was wondering what was taking so long. Ethan told me that the defense attorney was upset that I was going to testify and they asked the judge to not let me. The judge said they could ask me questions before, but I could still go on the stand. I was so scared to talk to them. They where very pushy and mean men. They wanted to find something false in what I was going to say. Of course they didn't. We went to lunch and when we came back it was my turn.
When I walk in the courtroom I was shaking. I think the worst part about it was sitting in front to the two men that killed my grandparents. The district attorney asked me some questions about the relationship with my grandparents. Then they asked me about what happened to my family after they where killed. That was the hard part. I don't like to relive the hardest year of my life. Before I knew it I was done! I felt so happy that I did it! I got to hear some other people give their testimony. I even got to hear my Moms. She was amazing.
I was so glad that Ethan and Zac came with me. Zac was a good distraction for my family. Ethan and I grew closer from this experience. I love him so much.
A couple of weeks later the two men received their sentence. One faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The other one got the death penalty.

25 years......

Today is my 25th birthday! I know 25 isn't old but it's still weird. I will always feel 16. We already celebrated my birthday in Washington so I didn't do much. I got alot of hugs from Zac and Ethan brought home The Office for us to watch. I made a German Chocolate cake. It's not my best looking cake but, HANDS DOWN it's my best tasting. I made everything from scratch. It has three different frosting's. Mmmmmmmmmm! The pictures of the cake are for my dad. My dad and I have a bet to see who can go without sugar. It starts on the 13th and we will go till Thanksgiving. This cake is my last treat for almost 2 1/2 months. Wish me luck!

Vacation

Besides the 14 hours (each way) drive, our vacation was amazing! We drove all night on Friday and arrived in Washington at 8:30 am. We will NEVER drive all night again. The first couple of days we relaxed and sat in the backyard. It was cold at first but then it got warm enough to swim. Zac loved the river and spent most of his time throwing the rocks in. He also like spending time with Grandpa and Grandma. Ethan wanted to get a big fish to show Zac. He was catching a ton a big fish all week. Unfortunately, the only fish that he got, when Zac was around was small. Zac still liked seeing it.


We took Zac to a damn on the Columbia river. The Bonneville damn has the best fish ladders. Zac thought the fish were way cool. There are also a ton of beautiful waterfalls along the Columbia river. Zac was so amazed, he would just stare at the waterfall. It reminds me of Hawaii but the trees are different.

On Wednesday I celebrated my birthday early. I got to go shopping in downtown Portland.....Zac free!! After that we all met up and a had a wonderful dinner. I ate so well all week. It was great. Thanks for everything Mom and Dad! We had so much fun!

On Thursday we drove up to Seattle to visit our friends Eddie and Kelly. They live on a island. I wish I could live there. Maybe when I'm old and grey. We went out on their boat and Zac couldn't stop laughing. He even tried to jump out! What a dare devil! We wish we could have stayed longer but Zac wasn't feeling to well. Thanks for welcoming us in your home. It was great to see you guys!

Sleep......

14 hours in a car............I need to sleep. Pictures will come soon.