Cousins in Kentucky

We had so much fun visiting this week, its sad we all have to go back to the normal routine. I don't have Nashville pictures yet, but they are to come (I know you are very eager) SM had a lot of fun playing with his cousins. He is finally at the stage where he can play and converse so it was fun. He woke up today asking "where's Henry?" and if we can go to Abby's house tomorrow. I don't think I am quite up for the drive again. We had fun with SM's first time at Chuck E Cheese, he mostly just wanted to ride a little Bob the Builder tractor the whole time. I was able to convince him to try some other things he could actually win tickets at. He got a balloon and some knick knacks, but was upset the next day when his balloon wouldn't float. They had gotten a Wii for Christmas, so we also had lots of fun playing with that. I am not a huge video game fan, but I was pretty hooked and wish we could get one. We'll see. Overall it was a nice drive, we left after church and still got home before midnight with minimal screaming from GJ. He no longer likes car rides. I wonder if its his new seat. Thanks to the portable DVD, SM had a great time. We are thankful they fed and put us up and hope to visit again soon!

Pregnant?

No, not me, my baby sister. I am so happy for her! She is due in June, so that is a popular month in my family. (Don't be mad sissy, but this was too funny)

She had started a private blog to write about her pregnancy and had updated her profile to say her and her hubby were expecting and didn't realize that had come over to her open blog. So for like 3 weeks,her profile said that and NONE of us even noticed. Donita, a friend from our home ward, had happened to see it though and ran into my mom at the mall. Donita asked how her pregnancy was going and she said "What? She's not pregnant!" So of course my mom calls her and the truth comes out. She is the baby and was afraid to tell us or just hadn't gotten around to it yet. She was with her hubby's whole family though and told them at Christmas, but she is 15 weeks and hadn't worked up the nerve yet! So now we all know and got a good laugh about her telling the internet world before her family, but too bad we just never looked close enough at her profile!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! Its so much more fun when they actually kind of get it. SM had a hard time leaving a toy to go unwrap the next, but it was so fun to watch. And they even let us sleep in till 8am.

Putting together the firetruck.

GJ's new car seat, not so fun, but much needed as he was to heavy for the infant seat! Thanks, Nana!

SM opening his stocking. He just wanted to eat the candy and throw the orange.

His new workbench. He loves all the tools and has carried the screwdriver around every where with him! (thanks, Nana)

My new running shoes and head band.

Bath toys. What else do you get a 6 month old?

The big winner of the day was the firetruck with lights, sounds and moving ladder. I wonder how soon it will be till I am sick of it!

We liked being at home, but we are sad we couldn't be with family. We hope you had a great Christmas too!

Christmas Eve

We had a nice Christmas Eve dinner with our friends and just hung out, probably too late, but it was relaxing. Here is GJ and their little baby C, they are only 3.5 months apart. He spent the evening giving him tips on how to beef up. This was actually a few days before making our Rice Krispie Wreaths.

SM kept putting the red hots in his mouth, then spitting them out, so we couldn't give them away. Oh well, we just had to eat them!

6 month checkup

GJ weighed in today at 21lbs 1oz. That is only 90%tile. He is very healthy. Our pediatrician calls him Bibendum.

He loves lounging in his duck tub. I wish I had this tub with SM, it really is a great baby tub and I recommend it to anyone.

We are getting ready for Christmas. I have decided to propigate the Santa story this year, but that's subject to change.

Jingle Jog

This morning we got up early and went out to run another 5K. There was a ton of people this time and an accident on the freeway exit, so Tad just dropped me off up the road as I wasn't going to make it. He woke up with a headache so opted out of the race. I finally figured out where to pick up my number and then made it to the starting line just in time. It was very crowed though, so even after the gun, it took us a while to get going and find some space to run. That, and there being a lot more hills than last time, I didn't get the greatest time, but at least I finished and ran the whole way, so I was glad.
They had tons of activities and food afterwards, though the T-shirt was kind of tacky, at least now I have a long sleeve T-shirt to run in. SM had his first time on a pony which he enjoyed. The bounce house was another thing and he sat like that the entire time. But we finished out with popsicles and even though it was cold, that made the day for him.

GJ was just grumpy and hungry and cold, so he was happy when we finally left.

You really want me to eat that?

After having little success with rice cereal, we have moved on to oatmeal and are having better success. Today was actually the first day he seemed excited about eating and ate the whole bowl (thoug it was less than 2 TBS) but its a step. We are still working on spoon and tongue coordination, but little by little he is getting it! I realize I need to be a healthier eater. SM won't eat any hot cereal and even though I ran today, I still ate 3 frosted sugar cookies for breakfast. Tis the season. GJ is such a good baby, I can't believe he will be 6 months on Sat. He loves his new jumperoo and smiles a ton. While I was teaching primary, I found out they passed him around RS gauking at his massive thighs. He is quite a cute, round chunk!

Christmas Party

Well my committee and extended helpers pulled it off for me again. They showed up Friday night to help decorate the church. CE and CJE picked up all the decorations and party items and with the help of the girls, did a fabulous job setting up and wrapping the presents. J and B did the sound system and crafts, which really saved the day and helped alot with the tree and decorations along with M and F who came to help as well. Sat came and I didn't get everything done I wanted, but I wasn't too stressed out as I knew the church was already decorated and I still got there before the party started, which for me is a little miracle. No one was dressed for Christmas, but oh well. I of course ran out of drinks, but overall, it was a smashing party, even if we only had butter knives to cut the meat with (cje was amazing). I was a little worried (putting it lightly) at the beginning as we had about 50 people there by 6 o'clock and just 1 ham and a lot of desserts and a few sides. But of course within 10 minutes, the rest showed up and it ended up okay. I was one of the last to eat and still got some green bean casserole and pink stuff and excellent deep fried turkey (you have got to try some if you never had, a great Southern way of cooking a turkey). The program went great, thanks to L for writing it and everyone who particpated and we had fund with songs, as you can see SM above really getting into jingle bells. No one cried on Santa, but I didn't get any smiles either. We had been talking about him since the parade and SM seemed very interested and kept talking about him, but as soon as he was upclose to him, he wasn't sure what he though any more, but at least no tears were shed. I am glad I am pretty much done for the year then as far as activities and now we are just trying to finalize travel plans. It doesn't seem much like December or Christmas as its going to be 76 degrees today, but I'm not complaining, bring it on! But we could use a little rain too!

Six Things

You may know some of these things about me, but its the best I could do after being tagged twice, here we go:
1. I love taking tests. I loved finals week and being in the testing center, it just gives this great energy. Where else can you go to find a building dedicated to taking tests and hopefully people not cheating. There is nothing like going down the stairs to see your score on the computer. I admit I prefer the timed test too, I work better under pressure. (I studied Electrical Engineering for 3 years, then switched and graduated in Environment Science-emphasis in Soil) I still plan one day on getting my masters.
2. I use and have lots of nicknames. I had a temper when I was little and was also very chubby, thus one of my nicknames growing up was the incredible bulk. I was a middle child, what can I say. I have less of a temper, but still no patience. I grew out of that one, but the fam still calls me Piggy, Woo, or Winnie.
3. I played on about every intramural team our ward had, but I love ultimate frisbee. Our co-ed team actually got 2nd, so still no T-shirt for me. I used to organize a group to play every Tuesday at Kiwanis Park. Tad would come and play fairly often even before we dated and even though he says he is far from a jock, he played well enough for me to marry him, he was actually pretty good. I also used to play a lot of frisbee golf and was an avid golfer during my time in Provo, none of which I have done since moving to the ATL.
4. I love to crochet. My favorite thing to make is booties. I like blankets too and have out 9 that I have started and never finished. I owe a lot of my neices and nephews still, and my boys don't even have their own blankets, though SM has booties and GJ got one, but never a pair. If only there was more time and less hand cramps, Tad says I could open and ebay or etsy store. It is more of a stress reliever for me so I don't mind that I rarely finish projects. I love homemade/handmade things.
5. I am not a night person. Tad and I are opposites in this (and most other things!). I can fall asleep usually within seconds. I have no preference to sheets, pajamas, mattress firmness; its all the same to me. Just give me a pillow. I like to be in bed at 9pm, but even though that rarely happens, I am super grumpy by 10 so there is no reason to stay up.
6. My favorite job was as an ESL teacher at the MTC. I taught the Spanish class for a while and also had the 'other' class with the students from Eastern Europe, small islands, and where ever. Aside from being the best paying job in Provo, it was a great experience with amazing students. I was a great miracle that I was able to get that wonderfule job and then still have a life as my last semester I had to work Friday and Sat night and I thought my dating life would end. But of course, that is the semester I dated and got engaged to Tad and for some reason was able to stay up much later through that whole process (see #5). He still says I tricked him and am not the same person he dated.

What year do you belong in?

You Belong in 1985

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Wordless Wedesday

My Sweetheart

My hubby works so hard for our family. I know I complain too much about being married to a student and being so far from family, but he really does so much for our little family, plus maintain our house, church calling, my happiness, his research, his classes, etc. I am sure I never say thanks quite enough, but I am so grateful for him (though not enough to resist taking a picture of him "studying" on the couch and posting it for the world to see).

Finally- my camera has come!

For some reason I can't get the pictures to download right, but I can at least hook up the camera and then copy the files over. Strange. Hopefully when I set up the new computer I won't have any issues. Tad got us a good deal on black Friday. But I love my new camera! Its very small, I just wish I was a better photographer.
Here is SM kissing George Washington. A boy after my own heart. I am teaching patriotism young. He gets the President mixed up with the prophet though, so we are still working on that.

And this is how you stuff a fat baby in a bumbo. He has to be wearing clothes as his skin prevents him from sliding in, but he fits VERY snug.

Thanksgiving

So I would have to say our Thanksgiving was a success. I tend to get a little stressed when hosting things but this year I did really well. I really didn't do to much as food, just made a cherry pie (my fav) that morning, threw a ham in the oven later and then made some salads (one of which I made the missionaries make as they arrived early). Last year was way too crazy, and though I love to invite the entire world, I was somewhat relieved that several of our friends had other plans, so it was just 15 adults and their tow. We had some good food, two excellent turkeys and Heather made some fabulous rolls. I made Ashely Tanner's delish buttermilk salad and unfortunately, there was none left over for me. I think the best part was also starting at 3pm as all kids were napped and mostly happy and I had plenty of time to get ready, even with Tad going to school that morning to treat his cells (is there no such thing as vacation for a bio-engineering student?). I do wish we had a basement to let them all go play and it was very cold outside and we didn't last long out there. One day. Hopefully one day soon we will get to share Thanksgiving with family, but for now, I am so thankful for our GaTech and extended ward family. This was our 5th Turkey celebration and I am sad next year we will probably be the only ones left from the original year. So sorry, no pictures, but the camera is supposedly in the mail.

Next stop, I am in charge of the ward Christmas party. Any ideas? Program, no program? Food, Santa? I wish I had more time, next year I will really try to do a nativity, but it snuck up on me this year.

Not quite a Turkey

More like a silly goose.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweet Water Creek

We went to one of our favorite little hikes at Sweet Water. Its really close which means less than 10 minutes of driving, beautiful scenery, and all we can handle in a short afternoon after church. SM actually did okay, though extremely out of character he did ask to be
carried for some of it. His favorite activity was throwing rocks and sticks in the water. It was quite shocking though to be there and see how low the water was. You usually drive over this big bridge, but there was no water on either side. There usually isn't a 'beach' as the water would come right up to the edge of the forest, but there was huge dry patches where people were walking around where there used to be water. Very sad and it really hit me how bad this drought really is. You can't really tell in this last picture, but there is usually a little river here and the rocks are usually cover in water and make little rapids everywhere, but it was barely flowing. You can kind of see all the pretty colors though in the background. I can't believe how warm it was, I hope Thanksgiving will be so nice so the kids can be outside as I am anticipating a crazy house.

Spoiled by Nana

Aside from playing Sequence all weekend, we also got spoiled by Nana (finally). SM got a much belated birthday present of a big dump truck, most of his other cousins also have. He rides and pushes it around all over. It was a fun weekend! We wish we could have more visits down here in the South, but then I never can think of much to do and I usually just like to chill out at home and play games any way. We did have fun shopping though and eating at my favorite burger joint, 5 Guys.

Fun with friends and cousins!

So these are a little old, but I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of Nana and Jellybean's visit. SM sure had fun with his cousin.
The first day we went to playgroup and the park and had fun. I was really trying to wear them out so they would take good naps, which worked out pretty well. I was afraid RH would not go down in a strange place, but it was all good. As if that wasn't enough, we spent a lot of the time we were at home back out on the swings. I just love watching kids play and interact. SM is getting much better at it, he is still kind of a loaner, but I would say he does better now at having "friends." As much as a 2 year can have anyway.
The next day we went to the children's museum. They have lots of fun kids stuff, SM is always drawn to the balls, though he is just a little to small to really be able to manipulate them though. He did really like the painting though, playing in the water, and of course the truck. He loves to pretend he is driving and our usual battle in the car is me not letting him drive. Afterwards we went to Willy's where there happened to be some firemen eating. They got done about the same time as us and parked in the back lot by us so they let the boys climb on the truck, they had a blast.

Which one?

Update-so it looks like the Canon has one. Its in the mail, so I hope I like it!

So I have narrowed it down to two, sorry I took this down, but I did a little more research. Any opinions? Sony vs Canon? They are both free to me though my work points. I have a canon and I liked it till it decided to stop taking pictures, but we have used the same card for the last 3 years. My mum and JuJu have Sony's though, but they say the cards are $$. I decided I am just not advanced enough for an SLR camera at this point, maybe later if I ever take a photography class. So put your vote in!

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W70

Canon Powershot SD850