JACKSON

phun with photobooth

2012-01-30T14:57:00.001-07:00

December

2012-01-15T21:23:00.007-07:00

the best part of the holidays is having all the family in town!

the lights at temple square

introduced Benj to candy as a last resort to be able to get some work done

(we are officially remodeling the entire basement now.)

pedicures with the women on my Jackson side

not snow-shoeing

swimming!

first time at the park

Christmas shopping at Target

baby's first Christmas

November

2011-11-30T20:38:00.008-07:00

benjamin has been eating all kinds of new food, but mostly sweet potatoes.

boy, are we sick of sweet potatoes.

wow. i have never seen benj love anything as much as this balloon from uncle marky.

can you see how proud he is?

who is this cute baby?

we are still in the throes of remodeling the laundry.

benj gets to be in on all the action.

i think he is as sick of being in that room as his parents are.

admiring the perfectly straight lines.

good job, mom and dad.

jesse had a birthday. 29!

benj got a bath in the sink. so fun.

still crafting up a storm. behold, my thanksgiving bunting.

we had another successful pie night! i made sweet potato, lemon meringue, and peach pies.

and we tried to take a family photo:

so tomorrow is december 1st and our christmas tree is already dying. arg!

i thought if anything would motivate him to crawl, it would be getting to the tree, but no.

come on benj! you can do it!

happy halloween!

2011-11-01T09:05:00.000-06:00

sewing, painting, creating, making

2011-10-24T22:28:00.002-06:00

one of the best parts of not having a job is having plenty of time to make stuff. i love making stuff. my head is always swirling with ideas of stuff i want to make. here are pictures of some stuff i made, which were taken with my iphone, which practically makes the stuff look 100% stupider than they are in real life. but remember, i don't have a job. so i can't buy a fancy schmancy camera. c'est la vie.

family portrait pillow i made for my mom of our family circa 1991.

owl pillows, which my sister kim designed.

i needed a new doormat and i needed it to be cheap. so here done, a $4 mat from home depot with a stencil and spray paint.

slippers. this one was a learning experience. i may have started crying at one point. but look, they have a soft lining inside... a skill i never knew i had it in me. when i finished, i was so excited to try them on and they didn't even fit.

happy halloween banner made out of newsprint and spiderweb paper. i usually like to finish my projects in one day so this one felt like it took forever. it's a deceptively intense project.

this one took 2 seconds. spray painted pumpkins and gourds.

fabric flower bib necklace.

oh. horrible picture of a felt christmas tree. it really is cute though. i made a bunch of these and they will be a garland over my fireplace in december. believe it or not, there are more projects but i just haven't taken pictures of it all. so yeah, instead of the paper jack o' lanterns and q-tip skeletons of my past, this is what i'm making these days.

6 months

2011-10-08T10:14:00.009-06:00

benj had his 6 month appointment last week and got 6 shots in his legs. he screamed like crazy. however, he impressed me by ripping off all his bandaids during the car ride home. ow!

at church in his sailor suit

hiking and fishing at silver lake

he can bath himself now

sitting up alone

below is a short video of jesse scaring benj. sneaking up and yelling boo! is the best way to get him to laugh. it is our favorite.

other things about benj these days:

he greets his friends by sticking out his tongue at them

is always flicking his wrist like he's revving a motorcycle

can sit up alone and roll anywhere he needs to go

will eat rice cereal IF it is made with breastmilk

usually sleeps about 9 hours a night

naps for an hour and a half every 3 hours

hates hates hates the vaccuum

wants to play with anything that is not a toy

Pal

2011-10-06T15:51:00.011-06:00

lake powell is my best and my favorite. it was still fun with a wee babe, thank goodness. i was worried about that. PROS: benj was a happy camper the entire time. jesse-the-dad can still rock it on the wakeboard. andy has memorized complete bill cosby monologues = instant entertainment. benjamin had 9 very willing babysitters. the lake felt very empty and we actually had smooth water. i got a break from changing diapers for a few days, seeing as lake powell is the giant toilet bowl in the sun. CONS: now that my parents are vegan their bodies are hotter than ours. our trip was cut short due to boat failure. no, plural: boats failures. listening to other people's music until 3 am. gave my wee babe a sunburn on his face, including his eyes. my brothers still act like they are twelve. and charlie squeezed his pet lizard to death. i guess that about sums it up. yay!

thoughts on being a mom

2011-09-14T21:44:00.005-06:00

my mom said that when kim, the oldest, was born, going to get her out of her crib was like "christmas morning." i used to think yeah right. waking up to a crying baby in the middle of the night? but i believe her now, because i feel the same way.

i can totally relate to this quote in answer to what God meant when he gave me infertility:

"I think God meant for me to build a thirst for a child so strong and so deep that when that baby is finally placed in my arms, it will be the longest, coolest, most refreshing drink I've ever known."

i don't know if it's normal to love every minute of being a mom as much as i do, but that's the reason i'm actually grateful i had to wait so long for benjamin.

this sight does my heart good.

growing up much too fast.

doing stuff

2011-08-12T13:08:00.003-06:00

we are remodeling again! sloooowly, but surely, the laundry room is getting done. not sure why a torch is involved with the project, but i don't ask questions.

benjamin, mid-jump.

he has finally discovered how to actually bounce in his "jonny-jump-up" (as my mom refers to it) rather than just hang there.

he is mesmerized by light sources. hee hee. oh you make me laugh, benjamin.

every morning benj takes his first nap during our walk around the neighborhood.

this is what he looks like all bundled up, when he opens his peep eyes as we roll into the driveway. since his first nap of the day is around 7:30 am, its a real early morning. he keeps me from being lazy, that's fo sho.

why is it that i don't really trust my child around his grandparents when it is those same people who raised me to adulthood and i survived just fine? my dad looooves to hand benjamin whatever food is sitting in front of him at the table. i guess i might be worried, but then i think: "who loves benjamin the most of all?" first, its his mom and dad and second? second is his tada martin. so i have to think he will not harm my son on purpose. oh, and he loved the popsicle, by the way.

isn't pinterest the best?! i am getting so many craft ideas. see here, some more cute onesies! benj is too big for them so quick have a baby and i will gift you one.

this elephant one is glittery and benj really wanted it but its a little girly.

okay people. have you heard about the brown dwarf star, elenin? well if you haven't then you probably don't know that it is going to align with the earth and the sun on september 27th and we are all doing to die! except not for me because after i freaked out and spent all night worrying, i went on a shopping spree-ah at macey's case lot sale. it feels so good to finally get this checked off my to-do list. i am probably going to be hiking to my parents house in the event of a natural disaster anyways, but just in case an earthquake creates a huge chasm between their house and mine, i will be prepared.

the sweetness of summer

2011-07-29T08:58:00.010-06:00

oh, the joys of summer! to me, summer means making fresh raspberry jam and salsa, granola with dried fruit, and always - fruit leather. this is my first batch of apricot fruit leather drying in the sun, the same color as benjamin's hair.

certainly a highlight of the summer, cousin james arrived! these two are definitely going to be buddies ... once they are old enough to recognize that the other exists.

i created this simple little onesie for benjamin to remind us of our babywise schedule. we have been successful, as benjamin has slept through the night since 11 weeks old. that is such a turning point.

i introduced benjamin to his exersaucer recently. i think he looks like a mad scientist experimenting with specimens in his lab.

another playdate. sometimes we play with real friends ...

and sometimes our friends are not so lively ...

benj had his 4 month appointment yesterday. he is in the 50th percentile for weight and head circumference and 90th percentile for height. he is a healthy, happy little guy other than a sad case of eczema that he'll probably have all his life, like his dad. i asked the doctor if i should be giving benjamin vitamin D drops like several moms i know. my doctor prefers to have his patients just get some sunshine every day. i told him that was no problem for us!

watching baby einstein videos or snuggling and reading in the hammock ... because as they say, summer is when laziness finds respectability.

i think we've been swimming every day this week ...

we have been spending lots of time in Midway; on walks, at the pool, or on the lake. when we are at home we do battle with the millions of ants invading our home and the snails in the garden. the ants are winning, the snails are losing. i use the excuse of rocking benjamin to sleep in order to read and read and read. favorites so far this summer have been: Matched, The Zookeeper's Wife, Room, Bossypants, Hope Was Here, This Life is in Your Hands, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, and Square Foot Gardening, to name a few.

and we're off!

Baby's First Boat Outing

2011-06-28T09:08:00.004-06:00

Blessing Day

2011-06-18T13:45:00.010-06:00

June 5th was a big day at our house...

Lots of people who love Benjamin came to celebrate his blessing day:

With Nana Bett.

Benjamin is wearing the same outfit his Uncles Bryce and Spencer wore for their baby blessings.

I made a wee bow-tie for Benj; cause what else can you craft for little boys?

Benjamin was so tha-rilled to have a party held in his honor, he could hardly stay awake.

The proud papa. He gave Benj such a sweet and tender blessing. It was a delightful day.

These are the men in the circle.

It's official Benjamin Percy. You are one handsome little man.

brain fungus, soccer, an empty classroom, anniversary, etc.

2011-06-12T16:56:00.010-06:00

here's a little of what we've been up to so far this summer:

i went swimming with benjamin for the first time. it was a cool, cloudy day and he seemed pretty indifferent towards the whole experience. i'm hoping he'll show some enthusiasm towards swimming eventually.

but he sure looks cute in his little rashguard with his tummy poking out.

benjamin sits in his bouncy chair while i garden. this was his reaction when he saw this growing in our garden:

a brain fungus!

also this slug/snake!

nasty. i know this is poor quality so i'm not sure if you can tell, but this guy is giant.

every wednesday, benjamin and i make the trek downtown to have a picnic with dad in the park. it is a treat to see dad in the middle of the day!

here are the boys on a lazy sunday morning.

we think he looks so adorable in his bumbo. we stick him in there and just laugh.

i cleaned out my classroom this week. i had no idea how much stuff i'd accumulated! most of it is in the garbage, some is going to another teacher, and a lot is stored in my basement. i didn't expect to feel so sad about leaving, especially since i've been wanting to be doing the stay-at-home-mom thing for so long, but i really choked up staring at this empty classroom where i've spent so many years and made so many memories. oh teaching. it's in my blood. so i'll probably be back.

jesse has been playing soccer with the enchiladas. can i brag for a second? in the final championship game, they were down by a couple goals, so what does jesse do? score a couple of goals! they won in a shoot out. go enchiladas!

benjamin can finally stand being in the bjorn, hooray. and my arms are fat. and that's all i can say about that photograph.

it was our 4 year anniversary yesterday... jesse knows my love of all things garnet hill and ordered me this. i love. unfortunately, i no longer fit the extra-small petite size, so its being exchanged. sigh. also jesse made us reservations at the grand america. can you believe he had to cancel them because no one wanted to babysit this sweetheart overnight?!

don't they know how fun it is to get out of bed in the middle of the night? actually, the truth is, i am having a hard time getting this guy to drink from a bottle so i can't get away from him for longer than a couple hours. oh well. good thing i like him,i told jesse we could maybe go in 10 years.

so instead we celebrated by eating these pancakes from pioneer woman. i highly recommend them. i am lately obsessed with reading pioneer woman's recipes. i don't usually make the food, i just read about the food and look at the pictures of the food. anyways ...

happy 4 years to the love of my life! you make cute babies.

Memorial Day and the Many Faces of Benjamin

2011-05-31T10:16:00.003-06:00

memorial day was cold, wet, and gray. boo.

so we barbecued inside. here is benj with tada martin.

here is benj with grandma caron.

just a couple months ago, these two were chillin' in heaven together.

the jackson men:

and now, the many faces of benjamin as we sit in the warm car on the freezing cold memorial day at the cemetery:

pictures

2011-05-23T11:41:00.003-06:00

i think he looks so funny in this picture.

i like how he and the bear have the same size head.

lookin' stylin' in his hoodie; on the way to dad's soccer game

mom, you're squashing my face

helping mom do laundry

we are loving his smiles.

he is such a happy little guy.

lining up all our friends in the crib.

i think he prefers his human friends.

he figured out that if he kicks hard enough, the animals will swing back and forth.

naturally, we think he's a genius.

my first mother's day

2011-05-09T13:43:00.002-06:00

i loved this mother's day. because it was the first time in a long time that i didn't feel depressed on mother's day, wishing i was a mom. so glad those days are over. glad? actually, i honestly believe that i might be the happiest person that exists on the earth. i am so so happy.

for mother's day, i got to hang out with these two. my two favorite people. we relaxed in midway ... ate dinner at the park, strolled main street, went swimming, watched a movie, ate chocolate pudding. for mother's day, benjamin gave me sleeping in. just what i wanted! in the morning the boys made me my requested breakfast and the fire alarm only went off three times. it was wonderful. happy mother's day to me indeed.

One Month

2011-04-30T14:53:00.002-06:00

Look who turned one month old today!

Here's what Benjamin's been up to:

sleeping, lots and lots

having "tummy time" and getting tired

then trying to eat the fluffy white rug.

hanging out with mom 24/7

having our first playdate with baby friends

celebrating Easter in style

loving bath time with dad

and generally, just being adorable.

The Birth Story

2011-04-05T09:44:00.013-06:00

The Birth Story

Unfortunately, on Monday night, March 28th, I took a bad fall and crashed flat on my back on the hard tile floor.

Fortunately, the baby was still moving and there were no sharp pains or bleeding. The on-call doctor said not to worry.

Unfortunately, I lost the ability to walk and for the next day had to shuffle around my house using a walker like a 90 year old grandma.

Fortunately (I guess), this whole jolting of the baby seemed to have sped up the birthing process and on Wednesday morning, the day before my due date, I started having stronger contractions. I told Jesse to keep his phone close because we could be going to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the contractions seemed to have gone away by lunch time so I called and told him "Nevermind. Sigh."

Fortunately, the contractions picked up again in the afternoon and I was timing them at 2 minutes apart. They felt like strong cramps, but nothing unbearable. I was waiting for them to get more painful, so through it all, I worked on my church calling, doing genealogy on my computer while watching Lost DVDs.

Unfortunately, I started gushing blood and did not think that was normal. I called my doctor's office and they told me to head to the hospital.

Fortunately, my sister was already on her way to my house and she drove me so that Jesse could meet us there.

Unfortunately, I didn't bring our bags because I was so certain they'd be sending me back home as my contractions were regular but not very painful.

Fortunately, the midwife examined me and I was already dilated at 9 cm! All the sudden, the nurses were pushing me down the hall in the hospital bed at lightning speed.

Unfortunately, they did not think my doctor would make it on time and I thought I would not be allowed an epidural.

Fortunately, my beloved Dr. Stanford arrived and because my bulging bag of waters had not burst, I was hooked up to an epidural. The epidural was just enough to take the edge off. I could still feel every contraction and could move my legs. The doctors and nurses left our room for a while and Jesse and I hung out waiting for the baby to work himself down a bit. Jesse watched the monitor and we played a game where I would guess how high it peaked on the chart. After several minutes I told my doctor I wanted to push. We quickly went over what would happen when the baby was out and then I got ready to push. I pushed for a bit lying on my back and couldn't feel any progress. The nurse suggested that I squat and turn over on my hands and knees. I tried to get in the right mind-frame because I kept thinking there was no possible way a baby was going to fit through down there. Near the end, the nurse suggested that I reach down and feel my baby's head. That gave me the motivation to dig deep and in a few more pushes, he was out and screaming. Such a beautiful sound.

Altogether, I pushed for 1 hour. The whole thing was easier than I expected, but I expected it to be horrible. I think I am pretty lucky though. I turned over on my back and the nurse placed Benjamin on my chest and told me he had red hair. I looked at Jesse and he had tears dripping down his face. It was such an intense moment; there is no way to describe the feelings. It felt like a dream.

(My birthing gift from Jesse.)

Jesse and I have been completely enamored by our son ever since. I am experiencing the crazy rollercoaster of emotions that come from postpartum hormones, but overall I am so happy I could burst. I love staring at Benjamin's face. I love not going to work. I love smothering my baby with kisses constantly. I love watching Jesse take care of our son.

I love being a mom. I love that Benjamin is sealed to us. I love that he is mine forever and we are an eternal family.

(These photos are courtesy of our favorite photographer ever, at Pier 23 Photography)

Now life has truly begun. This is what it's all about.

Benjamin Percy Jackson

2011-04-04T10:10:00.002-06:00

We made you, my darling, with the love

in each of our hearts.

We're a family, my darling,

right from the start.

shower power

2011-03-23T15:15:00.003-06:00

there are (actually were) 3 other ladies at my work who are pregnant. i'm due first, and by far the hugest, but i'm betting i have my baby last. i am getting super impatient.

holy cow. i am a giant.

we got to invite our moms.

i purposely hid behind a stack of presents.

this is the faculty at my elementary.

they made the library look just as cute as it could be.

i feel so blessed to have been able to work with such an awesome group of people.

unfortunately, i was having too much fun at my friend shower this saturday to take any pictures, but they threw a beautiful party with yummy treats and i feel so spoiled.

tomorrow is my ward shower, my 6th and final shower. after that i will be completely overcome with my embarrassment of riches.

i am so blessed! thank you dearest friends!

Nursery Before and After

2011-03-20T16:45:00.008-06:00

another Before and After ...

BEFORE

So ug.

Did you love that orange paint? Too bad. It's gone.

AFTER

(that is the soccer ball that Jesse throws at my stomach

when he thinks the baby wants to play soccer.)

this is a mobile I made by wrapping styrofoam balls in yarn.

check out these pee-pee tee-pees i made!

do you know what these are for?

i got bored with Jesse watching basketball so i

came up with this very simple (and silly) craft project.

ten years ago we were at the prom

2011-03-01T20:35:00.004-07:00

in a few days, it will be the 10 year anniversary of our first date.

i remember . . .

 jesse calling me on the phone to ask me to the prom.  i rolled around on the floor screaming after i hung up.  i rememember getting my make-up done at the mall with my best friends.  my mom bought me some lipstick.  my sisters peaking out the window as the limo pulled up, squealing.  my dad pinned jesse's boutonniere on.  the limo had neon lights on the ceiling.  we drank out of champagne glasses and toasted to our senior year.  we ate at the aerie at snowbird.  i had blackened salmon.  jesse just sort of picked at his food.  i guess he was nervous.  prom was at the capital building.  we danced by a picture of brigham young.  jesse did not follow the book of mormon rule while slow dancing and i loved it.  every minute.  i remember the feeling of jesse's hands on my waist while we took pictures.  dancing to "with or without you."  jesse was named prom king.  i felt so proud to be there with him.  we left the dance in pouring rain.  watched a scary movie in the jenson's basement, but i didn't pay attention to one second of it because the whole time i was freaking out that jesse was actually holding my hand.  and tickling my back.  and my head was on his shoulder.  freak. out.  i got home at 4 in the morning. it was the best date of my life.

if you'd've told me i'd end up marrying that boy and making babies, my head would have exploded.

Bathroom Remodel, Valentine's, Baby Stuff

2011-02-21T15:01:00.010-07:00

part one: bathroom remodel

to fully appreciate our hard word (mostly jesse's) you need to see

the "before" pictures. this is what the bathroom looked like when

we bought the house. the water in the toilet was frozen.

you can't tell, but even the ceiling was torquoise.

and the floor next to the tub was rotting away.

we peeled back the linoleum flooring and the subfloor

was just crumbling, rotten, disgusto-ness.

remember how they left us all their stuff?

so fast forward one year later ...

the hallway looks like this

the baby's room looks like this

the kitchen looks like this

jesse looks like this

but the bathroom looks like this!

ta-da!

jesse made this countertop and installed the backsplash

and the fixtures and plumbed it and everything.

i beam with pride. he is turning into such the handy-man.

i made this valance for the window. we think it competes too much with the

fancy-pants shower curtain so it may have to go, even after all my hard work.

your vote?

part two: valentine's

so it was valentine's day. it was a good one.

valentine's day was heart-shaped pancakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries,

sparkling cider, bubble bath, creme brulee, and this:

i came home from work to find 2 dozen roses waiting for me on my dresser.

jesse carved his valentine for me out of the marble from the bathroom.

i think that is just funny.

this was my valentine gift. jesse had this necklace made from the vintage pearl.

i love love love it. he did a real fine job this year. good husband. pat pat on the head.

part three: baby stuff

my stylish and creative sister, natalie threw me a most charming baby shower

my mom made me this baby quilt. love.

so the next before and after post will be on the baby's room.

here is a sneak peak:

and this is how i look 35 weeks pregnant.

happy birthday to me. a shower curtain.

2011-02-02T08:07:00.003-07:00

so what does an aging pregnant lady get for her birthday?

a shower curtain. wow. how's that for boring?

except NOT ...

because are you seeing the darlingness of this? and so please everyone tell jesse how this shower curtain will surely enhance his skilled tile job so he doesn't feel like such a tard for letting me talk him into buying a ridiculously expensive piece of fabric that keeps water off the floor exactly like the ten dollar one from walmart.

Craftiness

2011-01-19T17:39:00.004-07:00

Just wanted to show off some of my projects ... This little people pillow is one I copied from Garnet Hill. It cost over $150 - yikers! Mine was free 'cause I made it with scraps.

These snowflake cookies were so fun to design, but they were too cute to eat. Oh, but I ate them anyway.

I have hardly any Valentine decorations, so I decided to make a quick, easy yarn wreath. I'm not thrilled about it, but there it is.

I have about a thousand craft ideas for the baby's room, but who knows how many will come to fruition. My budget for decorating is about $2 so everything I am making comes from stuff I already have so I get to be real creative. Stand on your head for a more accurate view ... these little fabric collages will hang in a grouping somewhere on the wall.

More projects on the way! Stay tuned for the biggest one of all - the bathroom remodel! Doesn't Jesse look awesome? This is just after he finished installing all the tile in the new shower. Tonight - grout. So fun!

Surprise!

2011-01-13T14:53:00.003-07:00

What?

Oh! Hahaha ...

Surprise! A couple days after Christmas, we went to what we thought was a Jackson family Christmas party, when in fact it was a party for our little guy-on-the-way! We were SO surprised. And we felt so loved. That all our sweet relatives who were in town for Christmas, wanted to be part of a baby shower. And shower us, they did. With the most darling baby clothes and outpouring of love. We have such dear, dear family. Love them so much!

There's More

2011-01-13T14:33:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year

2011-01-07T15:28:00.006-07:00

We saw a crazy monkey in Hawaii!

Relaxing at the beach. Jesse is in his element here.

On a hike to the waterfall on the Road to Hana.

Bryce is so excited to eat his shave ice.

When we came home there was more ice...

This is Jesse snowblowing the driveway.

But at least the fun did not stop ...

eek that's a bad picture ... with our friends on New Year's Eve.

a wild game of Blokus

Happy New Year!

Snorkeling

2011-01-03T16:06:00.002-07:00

riding on the catamaran to the sunken volcano at moleki

this was supposed to be a picture of jesse and i, but he apparently

can't hold his breath very long.

this is spencer over the abyss where the volcano drops down sharply.

this picture was taken right before he fed the fishes with his vomit.

a large school of camoflauged fish

and my favorite - sea turtles!

Hawai'i

2011-01-02T18:18:00.002-07:00

mele kalikimaka

2010-12-20T11:04:00.002-07:00

hey all! i'm off to hawaii today!

i'll be wearing this swimsuit from jcrew.

i will probably look very similar in it compared to this model minus the fact that

1. my thighs are three times bigger

2. my skin is pasty white

3. i am 5 months pregnant

other than that ... we're twins! so excited to strut my stuff on the beach!

Mele Kalikimaka!!!

it's a wonderful life

2010-12-17T13:48:00.012-07:00

Merry Christmas friends! We have been having such a fun season, I don't want December to end. Every year my family gets together to decorate gingerbread houses. We each have our own kit that my dad made us in his elf-y workshop, the garage.

Jesse and I went to an exhibit in Midway for inspiration. This barn with the nativity scene inside was the grand-prize winner. It had real lights!

We had our annual Christmas Eve celebration with the Smyth early this year since both families will be out of town this Christmas. It's my favorite thing about Christmas.

Check out this so cute wiseman.

My favorite tradition is going around the table, saying what we are most grateful for that year as we pass the flame from our candles. There are always lots of happy tears. I had three. Shortened version:

1. generous (very) parents

2. miracles (a.k.a. baby boy-that-isn't-out-yet)

3. answers to prayers

In my bowl of clam chowder, I found the almond that will bring me good luck all year! Maybe that is a great coincidence or maybe there is a slight chance that it was planted in my bowl on purpose, as the chef knew I had spent a horrible day in the hospital, worrying about baby boy.

So grateful for my friends, my family, and my faith

Over the River and Through the Woods

2010-12-03T14:48:00.014-07:00

to Grant and Julie's house we go!

Jesse and I spent well over 30 hours and over 2,000 miles in the car last week.

to Washington or bust!

Bella Swan a.k.a. Kristen Stewart, gave me a ride to school. Forks High.

We hiked in the rainforest. It was so beautiful. These pictures are crap and don't give it any justice at all.

I love the ocean!

They can grow their trees real big over there.

Our little fam.

Not visible: "Baby-boy-That-Isn't-Out-Yet" (name given by my 4 year old nephew.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bored at Parent Teacher Conferences

2010-11-03T18:56:00.000-06:00

this is halloween, this is halloween

2010-11-02T15:18:00.009-06:00

halloween.

we threw a little party up in midway complete with butternut squash soup, wassail, pumpkin seeds, a rousing game of charades in reverse, and "the others."

we carved "pack o' lanterns" with the nieces and

nephew whilst in costume.

i went as Miss Frizzle for halloween.

for those of you not in 2nd grade; she is the crazy teacher of the Magic School Bus cartoons.

and something truly scary for halloween: a pregnant picture.

this is me at 4.5 months. halfway done!

some stuff

2010-10-22T16:45:00.012-06:00

we've been up to: i took my nephews to the farm so i could have some hot cider and donuts.

here we are on the hayride.

jesse and i hiked to donut falls. it was much altered from last time i was there.

but still very beautiful. isn't fall the best season for hiking?
i just want to be outside all the time.

baden invited us up to his cabin for some motorcycing!

baden and carole

the leaves were amazing.

zzooom!

the view at the top was incredible.
am i looking a little bit pregnant yet?

jesse has a new job. he no longer works for me, as i didn't pay enough. you can find him now at:

he works in the accounting department and is in charge of all their natural gas purchases. sounds important.

i thought this was funny:

my dad put a little pink bow on his ultrasound picture because he's hoping for a granddaughter.

but he didn't want us to feel bad in case we had a boy, so he added a blue bow to the other picture ... i guess we just better have a girl. anyways, we find out in three weeks and i will be perfectly happy with either one!

due time

2010-10-11T08:04:00.004-06:00

(If you read my blog, then you probably already know; but here is my obligatory "I'm Pregnant" post.)

1,000,000 tears shed later,

2.5 years later,

900 doctor visits later,

4,000 dollars later,

4 types of medication later,

48,283,162 prayers said later,

Jesse and I finally have a little bean heading our way! We continue to pray that this little miracle keeps developing normally. I'm due March 31st, which makes this week 15. We couldn't be more tha-rilled!

at our house

2010-09-27T17:12:00.008-06:00

three cheers for jesse. he has been my personal slave the past few months.

i love having a slave.

here's the goings-on at our house:

he tiled our front staircase. it was a huge project with lots of tricky cuts.

i am kind of proud of his work.

(before it was crumbling concrete)

jesse also pressure washed and stained our deck.

now we just need some patio furniture.

our backyard is still a jungle....

grapes are growing! i was so excited when i found out i had access

to my own garden grapes. i no longer have to steal from the mecham's house.

isn't edible decor the best decor of all?

we installed flower boxes under all the windows in the front.

jesse created a drip sprinkler system so i don't have to water. yay.

the huge ugly prickly bush is gone!

so proud of the pumpkins he grew. little green thumb.

silhouettes

2010-09-10T19:27:00.002-06:00

I got this idea for an eazy-breezy craft project from my

professional crafter friend Betsy.

Swiss Days totally got me in the crafting mood, and I've stocked up

on materials from Michael's so stay tuned.

Labor Day weekend at the cabin

2010-09-10T19:19:00.009-06:00

california, no doubt about it

2010-09-10T15:08:00.019-06:00

This August some of my favorite people came together to party in Laguna.

Here we are embarking on our adventure at the Thackery Estate. This was one sweet pad.

There was lots of shopping and eating yummy food. All of it super healthy.

Grandma Cassie cooked up the most delicious meal of all, her classic:

Erin was brave and chauffeured a bunch of CRAZIES around

in a sweet mini-van.

Possibly the highlight of the trip was cruising around on this beast.

Especially the moment we crossed the Pacific Coast Highway.

But you had to be there.

Some Ivies ride a wave.

More food.

so. flippin'. fun.

oh what do you do in the summertime?

2010-07-30T10:28:00.012-06:00

We play at Deer Creek, with the Tige and fun friends!
Here are random photos from various outings in no particular order:

My lovely sisters.

See here: old lady wearing a wet suit.

And also, some mountain biking. That's what we do.

Hebgen Lake

2010-07-22T11:34:00.009-06:00

happy 4th!

2010-07-06T10:27:00.014-06:00

oh what a wonderful weekend! the fourth of july is my best and my favorite and was filled with many of my bests and favorites.

best friends watching our best sport: soccer.

more best friends at our favorite place: midway

jesse jackson (my favorite person)

rollerblading, another favorite

good friends and good food!

at the midway dance competition.

fireworks are my favorite.

craven cousins are the best. they make me laugh and laughing is my favorite.

behold: the new CFO of Questar in all his glory. best boat driver.

boating with the fam is my best and my favorite.

happy fourth everyone!

new favorite craft

2010-07-01T11:52:00.004-06:00

My Craven aunts are very crafty. We had a girls' day and they taught me how to

do this particular type of folk art on anything made of wood.

You start out painting the whole thing black,

then draw your picture on with pencil.

Wherever the pencil is, that is where you DON'T paint with color.

Behold our projects:

This is a chest my aunt Liz made.

My mom painted this lil' box.

Aunt Steph's creation

My chest: halfway finished. (Sorry for the sideways pictures.)

I had so much fun that I had to pass on my new craftiness to Cassie.

So we had a craft day in Midway.

The top of the stool I painted. (Sorry, sideways again.)

Cassie was professional right from the beginning.

She painted this darling little chair for midgets.

Anyone up for another craft day? I am!

cabin

2010-06-21T11:34:00.007-06:00

love you oh so well

2010-06-14T11:52:00.008-06:00

like a kid loves candy and fresh snow.

Happy Anniversary to me and my Jesse Dru! Three years ago I was having the best day of my life. I'm just starting to realize what a good decision it was to tie down that handsome boy to myself. I feel so blessed to know that Jesse is my eternal sidekick, teammate, my caretaker, my biggest fan, and my best friend forever. Since then, the road of life has seriously had its ups and downs. (In fact, I think I'm getting whiplash from this ride.) But we're all the stronger for it and I only see us getting better and better. Let's assert the romance: an email from 2001 ...

Hey Emily,

How are things? Thats good. I just wanted to say
THANKS for going to Senior Prom with me. I had a
wonderful time and I had so much fun. I hope that you
did to. I couldn't of asked a better person. Sorry
that we had to drive around so much after the dance.
Things didn't work out as we had planned.
I forgot to tell how lovely, attractive, gorgeous,
stunning, striking, fine-looking, and BEAUTIFUL you
looked.

Any way, I hope that I see you tomorrow. I hardly ever
see you at school. We need to hang out more.

Love,
Jesse

Yes, I agree. We do need to hang out more. Let's do that. Right. Now.

home improvements: family room and the kitchen

2010-06-14T11:21:00.009-06:00

BEFORE

are you seeing how much crap the previous owners left for us?

their junk filled more than two big ol' dumpsters. i still get mad thinking about it.

their things are arranged like this because they apparently tried to have a garage sale.

DURING

AFTER

this is the room where our home inspector said,

"You know what this house needs? What this house really needs ...

is a real douche."

(this room has my favorite paint color: Winterwood by Pottery Barn)

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

In this room we:

got new appliances

removed wall oven

installed gas line for new range

installed overhead microwave

moved and removed cabinets

painted cabinets

new hardware (except just painted the hinges silver)

new paint everywhere

new lighting over kitchen table

installed tile backsplash

new faucet, old sink

installed new butcher block countertops

Wa La!

we finally had some fun

2010-06-09T12:18:00.007-06:00

A few days ago someone asked me what I do in my free-time and

I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING

because it seems like all I ever do is work on my house.

But we've finally broken out and done a few fun things.

Had some friends up to Midway for biking and swimming and pizza.

Been babysitting a golden retriever, as a test-run.

Right now I am thinking dogs are too messy for my newly remodeled house ...

but this pup suits Jesse, don't you think?

The '09-'10 school year ended. A few tears were shed.

That was my best class I've ever had. I can't believe I'm going back for a 6th year.

We went camping in Escalante.

Hiked to gorgeous Calf Creek Falls.

Watched movies on our iPods and slept in a sandbox.

Hiked Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch.

Tested out our new bike rack and cruised the trail in Red Canyon.

And the summer has just begun! So much more fun ahead ...

Tonight: In N' Out Burger and ReAL soccer game

This weekend: the cabin!

a before and after for you

2010-06-09T11:37:00.006-06:00

BEFORE

(actually during, since the sticky floor tiles are gone)

and yes, that's a shower . . . right in front of the window.

what we* did:

demolished everything

removed accent wallpaper

painted ceiling and walls

moved shower and sink

newer toilet

built vanity

installed marble countertop

installed new vessel sink and faucet

installed new bathroom fixtures

new baseboards

new lighting

moved electrical outlets

built double shower, new drain, along with bench and sloped floor

installed marble tile on floors

installed subway tile in shower

installed new windows

*we includes lots of help from our parents and plumber brother, Tyler.

no WAY could we have done this alone.

still need to install some shelves and a cupboard

AFTER

and now the living room . . .

BEFORE

what we did:

cleaned out the junk

refinished hardwood floors

tore off painted-over wall paper

opened up entry-way into kitchen

new paint everywhere

new outlets

put in recessed lighting

new baseboards

installed crown molding

(still need to redo fireplace)

oh! the pictures to not do it justice!

AFTER

i just realized these pictures are more of furniture than anything else.

i'll try to post better ones.

anyways, that's what we've been up to the past few months.

tile, tile, tile

2010-04-25T11:20:00.003-06:00

i am truly envious of those of you who have

lives interesting enough, that you don't have to

blog about your household chores. forgive this post and our pathetic lives.

we have new carpet. it is luscious. come over and roll around on it.

this is kelly. he is the man. taught us everything we know.

one of my proudest achievements: learning how to tile.

not as impossible as i thought.

this is me supervising as jesse finishes up the shower walls.

work faster, jesse.

this is the master bathroom floor in marble.

i did that, people.

grouting the kitchen backsplash.

jesse, master of the tile saw, cut us HUNDREDS of tiny tiles

for days, just to save us a few hundred dollars.

and he still has most of his fingers left!

exhaustified.

I Spy

2010-03-23T12:39:00.004-06:00

If you come to our house, there is not much to do by way of entertainment. Thus, we resort to playing "I Spy" on my kitchen table. Can you find the wood glue, a sanding belt, paint roller or a drill?

See, very entertaining. Actually it is a huge source of frustration. I wonder how much time I have wasted looking for crap in the chaos?

My bedroom. Currently, a new lovely shade of green (not sarcastic)

and a cozy plywood floor (sarcastic.)

This is what our family room used to look like.

Check out my awesome daddio cutting my casing and baseboards.

Jesse, trying to decide what job to tackle next. So many to choose from.

The kitchen in the early stages. Everyone told me not to paint

my cabinets, but they were just too gross inside.

Current state of the kitchen. I LOVE my butcher block countertops.

That was one thing I was sure on. And notice the new color of the cabinets. FYI, painting cabinets = buttload of work. And potential for disaster. One of the crappiest being when the spray gun exploded and got paint ALL OVER EVERYTHING. But that's behind us now. Next step: choose a backsplash and finish installing appliances. We're almost there!

iversons unite, v- day, and of course ... more of the house

2010-02-15T17:28:00.012-07:00

As per tradition, the Iversons gathered for a Valentine bed and breakfast in Midway. We enjoyed an entertaining night that included cramming like sardines into the hot tub.

Played Lover/Bingo with inappropriate words such as "boobie tassles." We think we are so funny.

Chef Cassie whipped up the most scrumptious eggs benedict and aebelskivers. I am salivating just thinking about it.

We ate SO MUCH junk food.

Cassie made everyone a goodie bag with friendship bracelets inside.

I love my friends! They make me laugh so hard. Thanks Cass, for planning an awesome party.

The next night was also spent in Midway, this time with Jesse, to celebrate Valentines. We woke up to a gorgeous view in our window.

Like you, we made heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.

My Valentine.

Finally, here is a picture of our house. Can't wait to rip out that huge prickly bush in front. It's gonna be cute someday ...

I came home from my sleepover to find new (looking) hard wood floors! Jesse did it himself!

This is the formerly orange room, now in wedgewood gray. Notice the pretty floors.

The master bedroom is almost ready! We just need to paint the baseboards, do a final coat on the walls, and put in carpet.

happy birthday, me ... and la casa

2010-01-31T16:40:00.011-07:00

I turned 27 last week and now I'm really starting to feel old.

We celebrated by staying in the Twilight room at Anniversary Inn. So hilarious.

The room was decorated with all kinds of Twilight paraphernalia, including a mural of a forest at night on one wall. The best were the giant waterfall bathtub and the big screen TV over the bed.

We played the Twilight trivia game and Jesse beat me with his superior knowledge of all things Twilight. Of course, we watched the movie. And just for the record, I am not a raging Twilight fan. Not even a mild Twilight fan. But I did love the room and we had a great time.

We've continued to stay hard at work at the house. One of the goals for this week was to choose a paint pallet for the house. Good bye hideous orange ... hello Pottery Barn's wedgewood gray. We'll see. Right now we're painting all the ceilings. p.s. Thank goodness for small test samples or I would have made some terrible mistakes. Baseboards, casing, and crown molding are arriving tomorrow!

Pictured here: a saint. Cassie has spent hours helping me choose paint colors, tearing down wallpaper, and designing the bathroom. Which I think we finally have figured out ... knock on wood. Above is the white subway tile for the bathroom. Cassie is holding the notebook that holds our extensive math equations.

Here we have Jesse and my dad installing new doors. This was a priority since the previous owner installed interior doors on the exterior of the house. I could go on and on about the idiotic things the previous owner did. Hence, we have much work ahead. In Cassie's words: It's amazing how long it takes to get nothing done.

This is Cassie and I prepping the ceiling for painting. You can't tell how high up we are in the picture, but this is a vaulted ceiling and this was scary. At one point, Cassie was taking a ceiling fan down on one side of the ladder, while I was hugging her waist on the other side to keep her from falling. While at the same time having a giggle-fit. Hope we make it through this alive!

our very own money pit

2010-01-25T17:50:00.006-07:00

we bought a house. (and yes, it is blue, but no, the picture here is not actually our house. actual pictures coming soon.) although, at the present i am in no rush to move in. the place is currently a disaster area and i like it just fine here where someone prepares three meals a day for me, thank you very much. but we are making progress. this is what we have done the past week and a half:

regraded the backyard to prevent flooding
cleaned stairwell drains
repaired shingles on roof
installed new rain gutters
raked up enough wet, frozen leaves to fill 10 garbage bags
filled two dumpsters with CRAP the previous owners left behind
filled a garage with semi-crap to be donated
ripped out baseboards, trim, moldings
ripped out two bathrooms: vanities, toilet, floors, tile
tore down a wall
rewired some outlets
stripped several walls of wallpaper (layers of painted wallpaper=biggest pain ever)
installed new exterior doors and purchased new locks
purchased new interior doors
purchased tile for master bath
purchased lighting for master bath
fixed some plumbing
cleaned out kitchen cabinets

prepared kitchen cabinets for painting
removed millions of screws in walls
filled holes left by screws
patched leaking roof
removed leaking dishwasher
purchased new kitchen appliances
purchased paint

woah. i am exhausted. and this is just the beginning!

the holidays were happy

2010-01-01T16:44:00.009-07:00

One of the awesome things about Midway is being able to step into the backyard and immediately begin snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. So that is what we did on Christmas Eve.

With the Smyth cousins at Christmas Eve dinner. The menu of clam chowder and sparkling cider never changes. Nana Bett got the lucky almond! It is also a tradition to go around the table, saying what we were most thankful for that year, as we light a candle at our plate. I always cry. This year I said: my parents, for putting a roof over my head and acting like they'll be sad when we move, for doctors and for medicine, for a good class, and for Jesse. Jesse followed and said he was exceedingly grateful that I got a good class this year.

The all-star cast.

Part of the Christmas Eve festivities include a talent show and acting out the nativity. After some pretty intense auditions, Jesse and I were chosen as the leads this year. We even had a live baby Jesus this year too!

Charlie's talent.

If you are in Midway this winter, check out the ice sculptures at the Zermatt hotel.

They are CrAZy!

On New Year's Eve, I went with Jesse to Kanab where he was counting inventory. (The life of an accountant is so glamorous.) We weren't sure we'd live to see 2010, as we were driving there in the worst blizzard ever, but we did. We were able to squeeze in some sight-seeing in Bryce Canyon and got motivated to make our New Year's resolutions, listening to Randy Pausch's Last Lecture.

And finally: prepare to be amazed at my hidden talent. I just know you'll be impressed.

'Tis the Season

2009-12-23T21:59:00.015-07:00

of which Jesus is the reason.

My mom taught my class how to make Christmas ornaments out of salt dough. I thought they did a pretty rad job. And of course, the children were thrilled. My mom is a huge hit, I tell you. I nearly barfed watching some of them mash the dough together into a big brown ball, then proceed to lick the glob of disgusting goo, and when that wasn't satisfying enough, chew and swallow chunks of slimy, germified dough.

We love Midway in the wintertime! The snow makes everything so beautiful. But I say, you've got to get out in it and play. Otherwise it's just blechy. Oh how I wish we still lived there always. sigh.

Gingerbread house decorating with the family. My dad made everyone their own reusable gingerbread house and my mom made about 173 batches of frosting in the kitchenaid. If Jesse and my skills in gingerbread house making are any prediction for our future home ... renovations should be a snap! (See last photo.) We hardly even fought over roofing material and solved the disagreement over gumdrop fence vs. candy corn fence by using both!

For Christmas this year, instead of our usual Sub-for-Santa, I took my young women to the Correctional Facilities for juveniles. This was quite the eye-opening experience. My girls made, then gave blankets for the girls in "jail" and then we hung out and chatted about life in detention. We were nervous, but the "inmates" were surprisingly sweet, friendly, and very appreciative. This was another reminder that giving really, truly is so much better than receiving. Because when you are in the position to give, it means you have more than you need; life for you is good and blessed. There is much to be thankful for.

Another annual tradition: the Fetzer family caroling party. This family makes a pretty impressive choir! We caravan from house to house of nearly-dead people who I'm not sure can hear us and then cram all bajillion of us into the Craven home for socializing. But what really makes this an awesome party? Two words: artichoke dip.

These are the books I checked out of the library to read over Christmas break. Can you guess what we're planning? I'll give you one hint: we will NEVER have money again. I feel fairly certain of this.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Turkey Day

2009-12-04T20:52:00.012-07:00

Carole and I went on a double date to New Moon on opening night. We just couldn't keep our hands off Jacob.

A favorite tradition in the Craven home: pie night. I ate over 13 different kinds of pie.

We hiked Ensign peak Thanksgiving morning.

Dinner was delicious.

It was followed up by a rousing game of Scum...

and a game of Dodgeball. (That's Jesse hiding behind the tree.)

While some of us were dodging balls, others were napping. Another Thanksgiving Day tradition.

And finally, Jesse and I take a romantic stroll among the lights at Temple Square.

craftiness etc.

2009-11-15T20:38:00.004-07:00

ever since halloween, charlie has been really into face painting.

without knowing what i was getting into, i let him paint me a butterfly.

i crafted this darling (at least i hope you'll think it is darling)

pillow out of felted wool

i'm pretty proud of it, but it was a challenge so hopefully i'll

eventually get motivated to

make more for my future living room.

also, spent saturday crafting with cassie (again).

it is our favorite pasttime.

behold our handiwork: fanciful headbands.

this picture is blurry because i am laughing and plugging my nose.

this is the 56th house we've been to see in our 6 months of house hunting

and the most disgusting by far. so i guess we're on to #57...

happy birthday to my jessebear!

this is what he is doing right now, because this is what grown-up 27 year olds do: work.

he really wanted a house for his birthday, but he got a mountain bike instead...

sorry sweetie - hopefully for christmas!

glorious, wonderful, magnificent autumn

2009-11-03T21:24:00.004-07:00

in October...

we take lots of walks around the neighborhood,

we buy a ginormous pumpkin at the farm,

we hike millcreek canyon with the fam

and battle with sticks,

hayride!

plenty more bike rides,

the family competes in fall squall,

we reunite with soccer buddies,

eat yummy scones,

president uchtdorf speaks at

fetzer's 100 year anniversary,

my fall tree comes out,

and mrs. jackson's class

is laughing pretty hard.

fall break

2009-10-04T21:47:00.011-06:00

every fall in my profession, i get a few days off from teaching in order to attend UEA meetings. i have never been, nor will i. i believe my teaching is rather much improved by relaxing and playing. so this is what i did this year:

the view from my bike ride. i just love where i live so much. just beautiful.

fall break included plenty of crafting. just what i was in the mood for. i quilled a few cards, waxed fall leaves, and sewed an apron.

learned karate from my nephew while wearing said apron.

my dearest friend cassie spent a romantic evening with me in a cozy cabin in the snowy woods. we ate carmel apples.

slept under 10 blankets.

found a dead mouse. not pictured: adventures peeing in the forest.

jesse, in the meantime, was fishing the madison. he caught me a delicious bass. actually a trout.

loved watching conference in the rain, by the fire, while drinking hot chocolate. wish that was church every week. other tidbits from conference: hmmm. andy snuck behind the couch to periodically deliver candy to me. bryce sat on me and i poked a pen up his bum. i experimented with various styles of handwriting while taking notes. and i received spiritual enlightenment and strength to face the future!

this is us

2009-10-01T12:20:00.002-06:00

those busath's take a good picture. and a pretty good lookin' group if i do say so myself.

this morning

2009-09-26T21:27:00.002-06:00

a saturday morning, mind you,
(when everyone is sleeping in)
my husband's alarm went off at
5 am.
and he practically hopped out of bed.
he was going to the temple.
and even though I was still in a sleepy
state of discombobulation, I managed to realize
How Very Lucky I Am to Have Him.

so long summertime

2009-09-14T20:09:00.011-06:00

to make up for my lack of posting,

pictures from the past couple months:

doing what we do most. almost every day. we ride our bikes.

wah. the water is so cold.

learned our new favorite watersport.

(don't tell jesse i said this, but i'm way better than him at surfing.)

woot.woot.

went to the rodeO!

and our least favorite watersport. but it has to be done.

played soccer. you'd think they were losing, but they were

actually winning.

swam. another thing i did every day.

got this from jesse which he got from swiss days.

went to the cabin!

crossed the river, but almost didn't make it.

fished at the meadow.

ate my favorite food. cabin popcorn.

wore these awesome slippers.

read Wait 'Til Helen Comes and got totally creeped out.

and currently. back at school. me with my class.

we're counting the different colors of cars and making graphs.

our fishing skillz. prepare to be amazed.

Lake Powell

2009-07-01T08:27:00.010-06:00

Lucky me, got to spend two weeks at Lake Powell this month. One was with the young men and young women in my ward for Youth Conference. We had a crazy, fantastic trip and I wish I took pictures so you could see our humongous houseboat and the wild things that went on. But I didn't, so here are a lot of pictures of the family trip to Good Hope Bay:

One of my favorite things was canoeing around the bay.

S'mores on the beach.

Uncle Spence, also known as "Diaper-man" was a big hit with the kids.

This is Uncle Rich. No, wait - it's Charlie. Can't tell them apart these days.

Tough butterfly tattoos.

Go Jess!

The family that swims together ... has a lot of fun.
The tide at Lake Powell made the waves just right for surfing.

Good thing there was a poop dock near by, for Bryce's sake.

Here we are. Best family in the universe.

My outfit of choice, a onesie for adults.

Never caught anything. Fish must not like gummy bears.

Natalie cut Bryce's hair into a mohawk. Tattoos ... mohawks ... what comes over us at Lake Powell?

Charlie loved it, Andy hated it.

My hard-working, sweaty, sexy stud of a husband. Love that farmer tan.

The boys labored in the hot sun to build us a nice walkway to the beach.

We had silky smooth water practically the whole time! That's never happened before.

A romantic sunset canoe ride.

This cutie is obsessed with Star Wars. The only way we could get him to waterski was to tell him it is just like pod racing.

Dear Lake Powell, I love you! Be back soon!

June!

2009-07-01T08:12:00.006-06:00

Said goodbye to this group of crazies. Judging by the amount of tears on the last day, I'd say it was a good year.

Had some awesome girl time in Midway complete with rollerblading, painting our nails by pool, and riding bikes to the pizza restaurant.

Enjoyed several rainy runs in the fresh country air.

Thought about getting in the hot pots, but the water was way too hot.

It's official. Jesse is a Master of Accounting. He starts his new job at Lake, Hill, and Myers today. Wish him luck!

Another play day with the girls at Orem's summerfest. Watched Cass and Chel get ill on the whirly rides and had races down the big slide. Rollerbladed to get there, of course.

2 Years

2009-06-12T21:23:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary to us!

homeless

2009-06-02T16:11:00.004-06:00

We sold our house this week ... hooray! Through some miracle we were able to sell it for even more than we were asking (but YES, we did lose a lot of money.) However, it feels great to be free of mortgage payments. So long dear condo, that I loved and hated.

Please don't make fun of us, but we will be mooching off the parents for awhile while we save money and look for a house. We feel very very lucky to have somewhere to go while we are homeless. We'll be living far far away, in Midway, Utah. Please come for a visit because we have no friends there and we are sure to get lonely. We promise to entertain. What will it take to bribe you to come? We will do what it takes.

Here is our entire house, packed up in boxes, where it may remain for who knows how long. Hope I don't need anything out of the box in the middle on the bottom! Should be interesting ...

Our Vacation at the Edge of the World

2009-05-29T15:27:00.005-06:00

We just returned from an amazing vacation in South Carolina with Jesse's sister Kat and her husband Jon. They live on James Island, right near Folly Beach, also known as The Edge of the World. Here are just a few pictures from the trip.

We loved how warm the Atlantic Ocean is and how not-crowded the beaches are. Plenty of seashells for all.

My favorite thing was Cypress Gardens. It was the most gorgeous, romantic place I've ever seen. Except for when we saw a couple alligators. One is in the background of this picture if you look closely.

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We saw jillions of cute little turtles and huge egrets. So rad.

Mark and Ali joined us for part of the trip. Here are the boys before getting worked by the waves.

We also loved shopping at the Farmer's Market and the Spoleto art festivals, walking King Street and the Battery area and all the beautiful parks by the harbor. We are so grateful to Kat and Jon for letting us stay at their charming home, taking good care of us and for feeding us like kings. We hope to make this vacation a yearly tradition.

Back in the Day...

2009-05-21T15:51:00.004-06:00

... I was able to walk. But thanks to a brutal soccer field, I am a gimp. Not sure what is wrong, all I know is it hurts. See the sad face.

... Jesse was a student. And he had to do homework while all the rest of us were playing. Those days are no more! Happy Graduation to Jesse! He has successfully obtained a Master's Degree in Accounting ... and with Real Life of slaving away for The Man not starting until July we have a couple month's of 100% playtime. Hooray!