Happy Birthday Dad

101 years after the pioneers entered the valley so did my Dad. Ha, ha that is one of my Dad's favorite sayings. When he was little his parents told him that the parade was for him and when he figured out that it was not, he was quite angry. Growing up, my Dad was a fun and crazy father. He is so creative. He can draw, pantomine, act and make up silly games to make life more fun. Saturday chores were much more fun with Dad cause it became a lip sync party with the mop. He was the one to comfort us when we were sad or sick. He had a very loud voice and would yell for us to come home and we could hear him in the neighborhood across the church. One of my favorite things to do with my dad was movie nite. I was the one who tried to stay up till the end of the movie when all the other kids were asleep. He would talk to us and have us try to figure out the movie. In sixth grade, my dad and I won the dance contest at my elementary school. My dad was always there for me when I needed him. He is always ready with his zany wit and smile and conversation when you need it. He thought he was pretty sly about finding out how we were but most of the time we knew what he was doing. He made his famous BBQ chicken for dinner tonight and it was so yummy and just took me back, I love you Dad and am so glad that your mine.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

All Finished and it was totally fabulous. Thanks to my nice husband who let it all happen. It arrived in the mail late afternoon yesterday and he could see the desire in my face to read and let me. I laughed, I cheered, I cried, I squirmed and in between it all still managed to take care of my husband and son a little. Read it, Love it. Devour it. I Did!

14 Weeks

Yes, you read that right. And if you already did not know I am pregnant and today I am 14 weeks along. I had an ultrasound a week and a half ago and this baby is quite the mover and a shaker. They could not get it to roll over to see it's back after 2 1/2 hours of trying. The baby showed it's long legs and waved it's arms everywhere. And even started playing a game where it would act like it was flying and curl up into a ball afterwards. One of the advantages to being high risk is that I do get to have more ultrasounds, so I get to see the baby as it grows. It will come in January. Noah is slowly beginning to understand why my stomach is growing. The other day he tried to push it back in while saying "Back In". I promptly showed him pictures of my pregnancy with him and explained what would happen. His reaction was "Wow". Funny boy

Inconceiveable: Princess Bride is 20

I saw this somewhere in internet land and was shocked to see that "Princess Bride" is 20 years old. I found this website that showed pictures of the characters then and now. Some of them were quite shocking. This movie is a classic.


I actually watched this movie sometime during my 30 hours of labor with Noah as a distraction. How many of you have dreamed of Wesley saying "As you wish" to you again and again. Or quoted lines from the script thinking you are quite hilarious. Well, I love this movie but I love the book even more. I just might have to pick it up again. This book was the first one my brother Nik finished all the way. I think that is quite the accomplishment for at the time a young boy. Nik can still quote the entire movie and I am sure act it out for you as well. Wow, what fun this is.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Everyone the unbelievable happened. Today Kersten and I got to go see a movie in the theatre. It was so fun and a bit spontanous. We have a list that seems a mile long of movies that we want to see in the theatre. Lucky for us, Nik and Lena wanted to celebrate their big move and take a break from it all and decided to go see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". And nice Aunt Ginny wanted to play with Noah, The planets aligned and we were able to see one of our most anticipated movies of the year. We were a bit giddy with our bout of freedom. I Loved the movie, as I suspected I would. At the beginning of the Harry Potter frenzy, I resisted as long as possible and did not even start reading the books until the 3rd one came out. Afterwards, I chose to ride of wave of the fun and frenzy that is Harry Potter. I love the magic and how most everyone can relate to the story. I had forgotten which story this movie was, but it came back to me quickly. We had the best time and since we went to an early show, Noah did not get to bed too late. What bliss! It was marvelous to go out, go and do something we both love (movies) and also one that we have been anticipating so much. Thanks to all who made it possible.

Little Ninjas

We signed Noah up for a class through our community called "Little Ninjas". He loves it. They teach him how to run, jump, fall, block, punch, kick, karate chop, jump like a frog, throw a snake and fall down properly. All the things that Noah loves to do. It is only a 7 week course and his last class is this coming up tuesday. The first class he took, he was really shy and hung back. It took me about a half hour to get him to participate. He finally did when the teacher asked him if he wanted to hit the pad. This class is for 3 to 5 year olds and he is definitely the youngest in his class. It is amazing the difference in the younger and older kids. The focus is so different. They talk a lot about showing respect. It is the funniest thing is if you ask Noah to show you how you do respect in Ninjas. He folds his arms and puckers his lips out really far and his feet together. It is really suppose to be just standing at attention. Each week is a new adventure and I never know if he will embrace it or push away. It usually is a back and forth thing. I think he really loves it and sometimes catch him "throwing a snake" or doing a stance just like in his class. So it was a success. He is the cutest Little Ninja out there. The pictures are fuzzing because I forgot to put my camera in action mode. And they are always moving.

Happy Birthday Diet Coke

Today is Diet Coke's 25th birthday. Diet Coke was born in 1982 on July 10th. My love affair with Diet Coke began after I got diabetes when I was 14. There was not a lot of choices at restaurants and places for Diet drinks. Now, I am addicted and I love being addicted. I have influenced my husband now in his love for Diet Coke. It will be a lifelong love and I am so glad that it was invented. Happy Birthday Diet Coke

Opa and Oma's 55th Anniversary Celebration

We celebrated today the 55th Anniversary of Kersten's Grandparents. Rolf and Christel will be married for 55 years on July 16th. We had a party at this amazing restaurant downtown called the Vienna Bistro which serves a lot of German food. It was this cute little place that had a great party room. As much as the family that could come was there. It was so fun to be together. Tim and Ruth O* came here from California for the event. Charlie came down from Brigham City. Kersten and Jason made a video with pictures for everyone to see. My brother Nik helped with the video and editing of the show. I thought it was quite a fabulous fun video. Oh, the food was so delicious. Kersten had the Chicken Rouladin, a chicken breast rolled in bacon with a mushroom sauce, I had the Shnitzel, a pounded and breaded in this case pork with lemon and cranberry sauce and yummy potatoesand Noah had the K Speztel, a fancy and delectable Macroni and cheese. Noah's was so good that I kept snitching off of his plate. We even got cheesecake for dessert. We hung out at Kersten's parents that evening and watched A Night at the Muesum and visited with Tim and Ruth. It was great fun visiting with everyone. The day was quite a success. I took a lot of pictures of everyone there but if I stuck them all in, I don't think it would allow me to post it. Here is to many more years to come.

The Fourth, Good Friends

Here is Matt, Noah and Kersten, being boys together

This is Me and Mara, the talented photographer

This is sweet Grey, Such a happy little guy

This is Stone, this kid has personality

Our Good Friends, Matt, Mara, Stone and Grey were in town for just a bit. They are moving across the world, Yes, you read right they are moving to Vienna for 3 years. We were so glad that we got to spend the Fourth with them. We just talked and hung out at Mara's parents house. Kersten and Matt disappeared for awhile and it is still a mystery where they went. When they returned they acted like they were 12 hitting each other with these swords asking if it hurt as they hit each other. Matt is one of the few friends Kersten counts as kindred. Good Food, Friends and Conversation. You can't ask for more than that. I don't let Noah watch Power Rangers at my house and they were watching a marathon. He was in heaven. It was fabulous just to talk and hang out together. We will miss them tons and tons. IT is just so comfortable and fun to be with them. Their boys have grown so big and cute, with amazing personalities. Noah and Grey played swords and ran around a lot together. It was fun to see them play and get along. That evening we went to Davis County Fireworks. They were quite fabulous. It felt good to hold Noah as we laid on the ground to watch the sky light up with lights. Noah liked the "Boom". We probably won't see them until they get back. Unless some miracle happens and we fullfill our dream of going to Austria so I can see where Kersten's Mom grew up and see all the sights. We love you guys. Good luck on your adventures

The Fourth

THE FOURTH
By: Shel Silverstein

Oh
CRASH!
my
BASH!
it's
BANG
the
ZANG!
Fourth
WHOOSH!
of
BARROOM!
July
WHEW!

Happy Birthday Kieran

Today is my friend Kieran's birthday. I met Kieran when we both worked at the U of U Accounts Payable. Which we both agree is a terrible place to work. Our friendship has grown and flourished since then. She is one of those friends that it does not matter how long between conversation, it always picks up where your friendship left off. I have been really grateful to her over the last year. She has helped me keep my sanity and been a true friend to me. She is the most creative and talented person that I know. She is the one who taught me how to paint, she calls me her apprentice. She always inspires me and stretches my imagination and abilities. She has 2 adorable children, Heber and Avery and #3 boy on the way in August. I admire how she always finds new ways to teach her children the gospel and is always trying to better their lives and her. This woman can get more done in one day than most people accomplish in three. She has an amazing garden and a beautifully styled house. She inspires me to be better and lifts me up when I need it. Her laugh is my absolute favorite. It is infectious and makes you want to laugh with her. I don't know what I would do without her. I hope her birthday is fabulous. (Picture to be posted later, on our PC,pics on Mac)

Tag I am It! 4

I was tagged by my friend Sharon to do this post. Have fun playing along

4 Jobs You've had:
Rainbo Sno Cone Maker
Stress Management Instructor
Camp Counselor
After School Program Coordinator

4 Places I've Lived:
East Mill Creek
Logan
Holladay
East Mill Creek again

4 Favorite TV Shows:
Grey's Anatomy
The Office
Scrubs
Heroes

4 Favorite Foods:
Mexican Food
My Mom's homemade Rolls
Cafe Rio
Ice Cream

4 Websites you frequent:
My Blog
The Library
Hotmail and Gmail
Everyone Else's blogs

4 Places I'd rather be right now:
Anywhere with Kersten
At the beach playing in the water and the sand
Doing some sort of Creative Craft
Up in the Canyons

4 Movies you love
Pride and Prejudice
The Man Who Knew Too Little
Music and Lyrics
Stranger Than Fiction

4 Bloggers you tag to be it next:
Carrie
Amy
Lena
Kristi