She loves Cookie Monster and was way excited to have her very own "Cook-eee" as she lovingly refers to him. It didn't hurt that Jeff also has a fascination for Cookie Monster, although the recent "let's get our kids healthy and lose some weight" undertaking by Sesame Street is not his favorite. I mean who ever heard Cookie Monster say "cookies are a sometimes food" (it's true, I've seen the episodes)?
Friday, October 24, 2008
"Cook-eee"
Pearl must have been extra good at the grocery store to talk her dad into coming home with this!
She loves Cookie Monster and was way excited to have her very own "Cook-eee" as she lovingly refers to him. It didn't hurt that Jeff also has a fascination for Cookie Monster, although the recent "let's get our kids healthy and lose some weight" undertaking by Sesame Street is not his favorite. I mean who ever heard Cookie Monster say "cookies are a sometimes food" (it's true, I've seen the episodes)?
She loves Cookie Monster and was way excited to have her very own "Cook-eee" as she lovingly refers to him. It didn't hurt that Jeff also has a fascination for Cookie Monster, although the recent "let's get our kids healthy and lose some weight" undertaking by Sesame Street is not his favorite. I mean who ever heard Cookie Monster say "cookies are a sometimes food" (it's true, I've seen the episodes)?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Super Saturday + Super Heroes = Super Post
Prepare yourselves for a super post! I'll try to keep the details to a minimum otherwise this post will be super long. "Super Saturday" began bright and early for me as I actually went to my ward's "Super Saturday" or for any non-LDS friends, a day of craft making with all the women in our stake. This wouldn't be such a big deal except that I never, ever go to any RS Enrichment Activities. And a few years ago, Jeff must have been feeling like I wasn't being a good Mormon wife because he signed me up for a craft on Super Saturday without telling me! I reluctantly went and actually had a good time making something crafty for the house. Jeff was so proud that I try to relieve this memory every few years when they have some fun things to make. I think I was more proud of my accomplishments this year than Jeff was! Aren't they cute? Seriously though, how do women come up with these ideas? I can't wait to find somewhere to hang them now (not really because Jeff and I argue over everything that gets hung on the walls). Oh and the shelf picture is to show off a project I did a few months ago, mainly because I was avoiding my homework, but once I saw the projects available for Super Saturday, knew I could really make Pearl's room cute with a matching frame.
After a morning of painting and sanding, we headed off to Gardner Village with my family for some witch watching and window shopping. Boy was I stupid for thinking this would be a fun excursion for my family! Unless you are 16 months old and thrilled to have grandparents and aunts/uncles to hold you (poor Kimmy, Pearl wouldn't let her hold or even get too close to Ruby without getting jealous and crying for her). There must have been 20,000 people there! It was crazy!!! While I love Gardner Village in October, it was a bit crowded to really see much, let alone try and get a good family photo. Pearl was kind of grumpy and not in the picture taking mood so these are as good as they get. We did have fun in the petting zoo even though Pearl was terrified to touch anything but waved at all the animals and snorted at the little pigs. And Jeff forked over a couple of bucks and a lot of creativity to make Pearl and Ruby these cute little broomsticks made from three sticks and some paper. Anyone who hasn't been to Gardner Village in October really needs to take a trip out there, even with the 20,000 strollers, witches, pumpkins, and families.
Try as I might, I just can't seem to get that perfect family photo!
If you can't read the purple sign, it says "Pearl's Potion Palace for all your poison needs." Couldn't resist a picture with Pearl!
Next on the agenda, the last RSL soccer game of the regular season and second game in the new stadium. Jeff was able to get discount tickets from work so my whole family came - mom, dad, Kurtis, Kimmy/Nick, and Jesse/Emily/Ruby. The stadium was really cool and there isn't a bad seat in the house but the food was your typical expensive and crappy stadium food. I should have snuck in dinner or at least snacks in the diaper bag - the security guys didn't even mess with it because I had it so jam-packed with diapers! I spent the majority of the game trying to keep Pearl entertained which meant several walking trips around the stadium. Luckily a bowl of ice cream kept her fairly happy for about 20 minutes - just long enough to get ice cream all over her face. It was hilarious because she kept wanting to share with Kimmy and Nick but anytime I would try to get a bite, she shoveled it in her mouth and laughed at me. That little twirp - she's too much like her dad! In the midst of keeping Pearl happy, I did see a couple of goals scored and the best part is RSL won! In my last post I complained about not having any traditions but when I sat down and thought about the game, I realized that my family gets together for one RSL game a year so I guess after 3 years, it's a tradition now. 
Again, could we please get a good family photo that actually documents how much we love each other and that we do have fun?
Funny side story about this picture. It was just Kurtis, me, and Pearl in our seats when a popular song came on and Pearl started dancing (see below). I was dancing too and Kurtis was shocked that I even knew what it was. OK so I admit I didn't know the band's name but hey my little bro thought I was cool for liking his kind of music. Am I really that old to not be cool anymore?
Jesse, Emily, and Ruby enjoying the game.
The after game celebration. And no, that black thing is not a piece of food stuck on my teeth, it's my actual tooth - well fake tooth that is. Haven't wanted to go through the ordeal of getting a bridge there like the other side has so it's still the ugly fake cap.
After a morning of painting and sanding, we headed off to Gardner Village with my family for some witch watching and window shopping. Boy was I stupid for thinking this would be a fun excursion for my family! Unless you are 16 months old and thrilled to have grandparents and aunts/uncles to hold you (poor Kimmy, Pearl wouldn't let her hold or even get too close to Ruby without getting jealous and crying for her). There must have been 20,000 people there! It was crazy!!! While I love Gardner Village in October, it was a bit crowded to really see much, let alone try and get a good family photo. Pearl was kind of grumpy and not in the picture taking mood so these are as good as they get. We did have fun in the petting zoo even though Pearl was terrified to touch anything but waved at all the animals and snorted at the little pigs. And Jeff forked over a couple of bucks and a lot of creativity to make Pearl and Ruby these cute little broomsticks made from three sticks and some paper. Anyone who hasn't been to Gardner Village in October really needs to take a trip out there, even with the 20,000 strollers, witches, pumpkins, and families. Try as I might, I just can't seem to get that perfect family photo!If you can't read the purple sign, it says "Pearl's Potion Palace for all your poison needs." Couldn't resist a picture with Pearl!Next on the agenda, the last RSL soccer game of the regular season and second game in the new stadium. Jeff was able to get discount tickets from work so my whole family came - mom, dad, Kurtis, Kimmy/Nick, and Jesse/Emily/Ruby. The stadium was really cool and there isn't a bad seat in the house but the food was your typical expensive and crappy stadium food. I should have snuck in dinner or at least snacks in the diaper bag - the security guys didn't even mess with it because I had it so jam-packed with diapers! I spent the majority of the game trying to keep Pearl entertained which meant several walking trips around the stadium. Luckily a bowl of ice cream kept her fairly happy for about 20 minutes - just long enough to get ice cream all over her face. It was hilarious because she kept wanting to share with Kimmy and Nick but anytime I would try to get a bite, she shoveled it in her mouth and laughed at me. That little twirp - she's too much like her dad! In the midst of keeping Pearl happy, I did see a couple of goals scored and the best part is RSL won! In my last post I complained about not having any traditions but when I sat down and thought about the game, I realized that my family gets together for one RSL game a year so I guess after 3 years, it's a tradition now. Again, could we please get a good family photo that actually documents how much we love each other and that we do have fun?Funny side story about this picture. It was just Kurtis, me, and Pearl in our seats when a popular song came on and Pearl started dancing (see below). I was dancing too and Kurtis was shocked that I even knew what it was. OK so I admit I didn't know the band's name but hey my little bro thought I was cool for liking his kind of music. Am I really that old to not be cool anymore? Jesse, Emily, and Ruby enjoying the game. The after game celebration. And no, that black thing is not a piece of food stuck on my teeth, it's my actual tooth - well fake tooth that is. Haven't wanted to go through the ordeal of getting a bridge there like the other side has so it's still the ugly fake cap.Super Saturday turned into Super Sunday as we ventured up to Logan for Jeff's nephew's 18th birthday party. We don't see Jeff's brother and his family very often and we sort of complained about it to Jeff's mom. Well, now we get together once a month for dinner. It's really fun and hopefully we'll get to know each other better this way. Plus Jeff's dad is a fantastic cook! Pearl had so much fun running around the house with two older cousins and climbing all over Grandpa.
And finally, the "Super Heroes" portion of the post. A few days ago when it was too cold to play outside - and yes, there was snow on the ground - Jeff decided it was high time to teach Pearl the intricate art of playing super heroes. After searching for a couple of safety pins, my super heroes were off flying around the living room. It didn't last long, just long enough to have all the pillows thrown off the couch and every single book strewn across the floor. But did you know super heroes also have power to turn ordinary grapes growing in the backyard into yummy and very healthy grape juice? Well, it's true!!! Jeff made 12 jars of grape juice and is planning on even more later this week. We have so many grapes that he figured it was time to learn how to be self-reliant and make grape juice. I was totally impressed. Who needs to worry about the economy tanking, our house being worth nothing, and the fear of losing your job when you have a super hero husband who can make his own grape juice?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Traditions
My creative mind just isn't there today or lately at all! Thus the lack of blogging on my part - sincere apologies for my adoring fans :)! So I've been thinking, what traditions do you have with your family? I'm not sure that Jeff and I really have any traditions that are just our own, well except for the New Year's Elf. Remind me how cool this tradition is come 3 months from now. I'm pretty sure in one of my ridiculous and irrational moods that I've cried to Jeff because we have no traditions all our own and this must mean our marriage is doomed. Now it can only be worse because we have a child depending on us to make her childhood memorable. But how do you really start a new tradition, one that's meaningful enough that you actually remember to do it so it becomes a tradition? Sigh....any ideas post them please!
I guess this thought came about on Sunday when my family got together for the Annual Fish Fry. I really can't remember how long we've been doing this but it all started because my aunt and uncle caught too many fish to eat themselves one summer so they decided to share with the rest of the family. Plus who doesn't like to get-together with a crazy and fun bunch? The Fish Fry entails eating as much fish (or chicken for those of us who aren't crazy about perch) as humanly possible in the span of an afternoon. You would think they were feeding an entire starving nation with as much perch, salmon, chicken wings, and of course fishy crackers (aka Pepperidge Farm Goldfish) and gummy worms that we had. After stuffing ourselves, we engage in one of several activities - laughing so hard that we cry or pee our pants, chasing the little cousins around the yard or more accurately, running away from their latest game of guns/dinosaurs/lacrosse/wrestling, dog piling on top of any unsuspecting family member who wanders into the yard, and wishing that the night didn't have to end.
Oh and last but not least, I'm posting the famous "lemon water" recipe from the Fish Fry. Try it, it's divine!!!
If the picture is hard to read, here's the recipe:
1 Tbsp citric acid
1 Tbsp lemon extract
2 cups sugar
5 quarts water
Mix and refrigerate. Serve with ice. Lemon/lime slices add color. If you want to half it, then mix 1 3/4 tsp citric acid, 1 3/4 tsp lemon extract, 1 cup sugar, 2 1/2 quarts water.
I guess this thought came about on Sunday when my family got together for the Annual Fish Fry. I really can't remember how long we've been doing this but it all started because my aunt and uncle caught too many fish to eat themselves one summer so they decided to share with the rest of the family. Plus who doesn't like to get-together with a crazy and fun bunch? The Fish Fry entails eating as much fish (or chicken for those of us who aren't crazy about perch) as humanly possible in the span of an afternoon. You would think they were feeding an entire starving nation with as much perch, salmon, chicken wings, and of course fishy crackers (aka Pepperidge Farm Goldfish) and gummy worms that we had. After stuffing ourselves, we engage in one of several activities - laughing so hard that we cry or pee our pants, chasing the little cousins around the yard or more accurately, running away from their latest game of guns/dinosaurs/lacrosse/wrestling, dog piling on top of any unsuspecting family member who wanders into the yard, and wishing that the night didn't have to end.
Oh and last but not least, I'm posting the famous "lemon water" recipe from the Fish Fry. Try it, it's divine!!!
If the picture is hard to read, here's the recipe:
1 Tbsp citric acid
1 Tbsp lemon extract
2 cups sugar
5 quarts water
Mix and refrigerate. Serve with ice. Lemon/lime slices add color. If you want to half it, then mix 1 3/4 tsp citric acid, 1 3/4 tsp lemon extract, 1 cup sugar, 2 1/2 quarts water.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
It's a....
Molar. Two molars actually. Pearl is finally getting some more teeth and her top molars (one on each side) poked through this weekend. She's been up at crazy hours of the morning the past week and on Friday, when we ended up sleeping on the couch at 4 am, I figured it must be teeth or we were all going to go crazy!!! So... in my attempt to keep Pearl happy on Friday we took an excursion to Wheeler Farm. I've heard it's a great place to take kids and it's free, which makes a few hours out of the house even better. What I should have done though was make Pearl have a nap because she wasn't too happy at the farm - and packed a picnic lunch - with one exception, the ducks. She loves ducks. I can't figure out why - they stink and make a racket! Oh wait, so does Pearl!!! We spent forever at the duck ponds, eating crackers, and watching all the ducks and geese.
Pearl also found the cows to be intriguing but the pony ride, no thank you! I thought I would be a good mom and pay the $3 bucks for a two-lap pony ride, hoping Pearl would think she was riding a big doggie, but she screamed the whole time. I felt bad, heck if I could have ridden the pony I would have. Pearl wasn't too sure about the huge pig or the chickens. BTW, are chickens supposed to lose their feathers or is it a sign of disease or fighting, cause there were some naked chickens at the farm?
Then on Saturday we went to Liberty Park to check out the playgrounds, water (a model of all the rivers running into the Great Salt Lake, very cool), and of course ducks. We didn't stay too long with the ducks or should I say mean and stinky geese and then got kicked out of the water area because we forgot a swim diaper for Pearl. Stupid crypto outbreaks! So we went up and down the slides and played on the swings. Oh and we went to see my sister and Juno (new puppy). Pearl kept waving bye to me and Jeff and was totally bummed when we all left Kimmy's house. I guess Jeff and I should go on dates more often so Pearl can hang out with her aunt. Hint, hint Jeff (and Kimmy)! We debated about going out to eat or just driving home for dinner but when Pearl started to fold her arms we figured we better stop somewhere fast. Nothing special about dinner other than I thought her folding her arms and trying to be so good until we got her some food was too cute to not post about. And yeah for us parents, you can teach your kids something! Now if we could only get her to stay reverant in Sacrament meeting (or the primary program like today). She really is such a fun little girl and jabbers all the time. She is growing up so fast I can't believe it!
And because I know my mom reads my blog, I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Here are some pictures from the little party we had last Sunday. We had lots of fun with everyone, even though Jeff told me that my family wears him out. I never knew what sacrifices you made until I became a mom myself. I hope you know how much I love you Mom!
Pearl also found the cows to be intriguing but the pony ride, no thank you! I thought I would be a good mom and pay the $3 bucks for a two-lap pony ride, hoping Pearl would think she was riding a big doggie, but she screamed the whole time. I felt bad, heck if I could have ridden the pony I would have. Pearl wasn't too sure about the huge pig or the chickens. BTW, are chickens supposed to lose their feathers or is it a sign of disease or fighting, cause there were some naked chickens at the farm?Then on Saturday we went to Liberty Park to check out the playgrounds, water (a model of all the rivers running into the Great Salt Lake, very cool), and of course ducks. We didn't stay too long with the ducks or should I say mean and stinky geese and then got kicked out of the water area because we forgot a swim diaper for Pearl. Stupid crypto outbreaks! So we went up and down the slides and played on the swings. Oh and we went to see my sister and Juno (new puppy). Pearl kept waving bye to me and Jeff and was totally bummed when we all left Kimmy's house. I guess Jeff and I should go on dates more often so Pearl can hang out with her aunt. Hint, hint Jeff (and Kimmy)! We debated about going out to eat or just driving home for dinner but when Pearl started to fold her arms we figured we better stop somewhere fast. Nothing special about dinner other than I thought her folding her arms and trying to be so good until we got her some food was too cute to not post about. And yeah for us parents, you can teach your kids something! Now if we could only get her to stay reverant in Sacrament meeting (or the primary program like today). She really is such a fun little girl and jabbers all the time. She is growing up so fast I can't believe it! And because I know my mom reads my blog, I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Here are some pictures from the little party we had last Sunday. We had lots of fun with everyone, even though Jeff told me that my family wears him out. I never knew what sacrifices you made until I became a mom myself. I hope you know how much I love you Mom!Kimmy, Ruby, Nick and Pearl doing her best surprise face. You think that's good? You should see her angry face!
Jeff does a pretty good surprise face too.
The newest addition to the family... Juno.
Birthday Girl. Age shall remain in question.
Crazy Uncle Jesse.
Come on Uncle Kurtis! This is how Pearl spent most of her evening, leading Kurtis down the slides, around the playground, and up the monkey bars.
I guess I should have documented proof that I still do exist and not just in writing form. And for anyone who is still hoping for some unexpected and exciting news based on the title of this post, FORGET IT! It's just molars!!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A miracle
Wow! 15 comments on my last post - that makes blogging worth it so thank you!!! I guess I'll prepare myself for no posts on this one, JK.
On Saturday I went with my sister and brother-in-law to the BODY WORLDS 3: The story of the heart at the Leonardo museum. I was so glad to have someone in the family to go with me because Jeff was so grossed out at the thought of going to this incredible exhibit. If you haven't heard about BODY WORLDS before, it's an exhibit highlighting the amazing and totally miraculous human body. It has more than 200 real human bodies that have been preserved through plastination, where the fluids in the body are replaced with chemicals that harden and preserve the body. They're real and totally amazing! You see muscles, blood vessels, veins, skeletons, and everything. It was just mind boggling to think that these were real bodies (donated by permission of the individuals of course) and at times I had to remind myself that they were real. There was even some animals there showing the blood vessels that ran through their bodies. My favorite part of the whole exhibit was the fetal development section. It had real fetuses from the time of just a few days old through 32 weeks. I was shocked when I could see at just a few weeks into development, eyes, toes, fingers, a nose, and working heart. It was totally amazing and I left thinking, how can anyone deny there is a God? I don't care what your religious beliefs are, there is no denying that a higher power exists that gives us life and has made it possible for us to have bodies that are just incredible. Thinking back to when I was pregnant I was just speechless at the thought that Pearl developed inside of me and she went from a blob of cells to a perfect, beautiful, and healthy baby. Science can't replicate the miracles our body performs everyday and it was humbling to take a peek inside our skins, literally! And no one left without thinking they should do better at taking care of their bodies. Even working in the health field, I struggle with making healthy decisions. Hopefully after seeing how my body works and getting a reminder about what a blessing it is to have a healthy body, I'll try harder to exercise, eat right, and not stress too much. I really can't do it justice, you'll just have to go see it before it leaves SLC.
On Saturday I went with my sister and brother-in-law to the BODY WORLDS 3: The story of the heart at the Leonardo museum. I was so glad to have someone in the family to go with me because Jeff was so grossed out at the thought of going to this incredible exhibit. If you haven't heard about BODY WORLDS before, it's an exhibit highlighting the amazing and totally miraculous human body. It has more than 200 real human bodies that have been preserved through plastination, where the fluids in the body are replaced with chemicals that harden and preserve the body. They're real and totally amazing! You see muscles, blood vessels, veins, skeletons, and everything. It was just mind boggling to think that these were real bodies (donated by permission of the individuals of course) and at times I had to remind myself that they were real. There was even some animals there showing the blood vessels that ran through their bodies. My favorite part of the whole exhibit was the fetal development section. It had real fetuses from the time of just a few days old through 32 weeks. I was shocked when I could see at just a few weeks into development, eyes, toes, fingers, a nose, and working heart. It was totally amazing and I left thinking, how can anyone deny there is a God? I don't care what your religious beliefs are, there is no denying that a higher power exists that gives us life and has made it possible for us to have bodies that are just incredible. Thinking back to when I was pregnant I was just speechless at the thought that Pearl developed inside of me and she went from a blob of cells to a perfect, beautiful, and healthy baby. Science can't replicate the miracles our body performs everyday and it was humbling to take a peek inside our skins, literally! And no one left without thinking they should do better at taking care of their bodies. Even working in the health field, I struggle with making healthy decisions. Hopefully after seeing how my body works and getting a reminder about what a blessing it is to have a healthy body, I'll try harder to exercise, eat right, and not stress too much. I really can't do it justice, you'll just have to go see it before it leaves SLC.
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