Lucky Scottsdale!

My sister Amy and her family moved to Scottsdale, AZ about a week and a half ago. It didn't seem that far until a few days ago. Amy called me, as she is bound to do at least once a week, but it was after five. Seldom do we call each other when our spouses are home from work because we try to save our calls to entertain some of our more boring mommy down time during the day. When i got off the phone with her, I commented to Jake that it was unusual for her to call around dinner just to say hello. He informed me it was not five yet for her, because Arizona has different time than we do. No they are not in a different time zone, they just don't think day light savings applies to them. This made Arizona seem far away. Far away enough that we don't even have the same time. Scottsdale is silly for not doing daylight savings like the rest of us, but they are lucky they have the carpenters now.
Before Amy left I took some family pictures for them. This one is my favorite though it doesn't include Jeff.... sorry Jeff, but I know you are getting used to being left out of our family pictures by now anyways.

She is ready to start the season. She even has her "roar" down when we as her what a Cougar says. The best part is that she swipes her "paw" across in the air like a predatory cat as she says it. Or maybe the best thing is how I heard her "roaring" in her room late at night, so I went to see if she was awake, but she was not, she was just dream "roaring". Hilarious! The brain washing has been successful.

Oh the Blogging World.

A few months ago my ever talented -can do husband showed me how to track the hits on my blog. The tracking can't show me exactly who is looking, but it can show me what cities my hits are coming from, and what blogs traffic is linking from. I don't check this information often but I did today. What I found was very interesting. I noticed that I have tons of hits in cities where I don't know anyone, or at least know that I know anyone. Two cities in particular, one in Arizona and one in California. Who are you? I know you are looking. I also see that I have had over 500 different visitors- and around 50 regular visitors, those who view the site twice a month or more. This is also interesting since only about 8 of you ever leave comments. I am found of the blog and the connections it brings. I don't mind the strangers that stumble upon our lives and take some of it in, I don't mind that some of you who I don't really know well repeatedly visit my blog, I just wanted to let you know I know, so you might as well say something, leave a comment. You obviously find what I post and my life interesting as you keep coming back for more, so give it up, say hello, say something. I can see you silently starring and it is a little rude.

Celebrate

There was a lot to celebrate in July, but with Jake's bar we just didn't get to do much partying. So to make up for it Jake and I finally "got away" for the weekend. Okay so we only went to Midway, but we left Kate with her grandma (the first time she has been away for the night) and went on our own little vacation. Jake and I always talk about going on little trips, doing fun things, but when we seriously start planning we realize that we are just too responsible with our money and never purchase that cruise or airfare to somewhere fun. The solution-a half vacation which we have actually done before in Salt Lake. We had so much fun attending an outdoor theater at Sundance, staying and the Zermatt, going out to eat, swimming like Olympians and most amazingly sleeping in till our hearts content. It was a wonderful weekend, and good thing because we had a lot of July celebrating to make up for. Happy 26th birthday to me, Happy 5 year wedding anniversary to us, Happy Jake is done studying for the stressful CA BAR, Yes we did have a busy July!

More Olympic Thoughts

Jake and I have the TV on way to much lately. NBC is getting all the attention with the Olympics. Previously I doubted how into this year I would be when I didn't love the Opening Ceremonies. I did enjoy it in the playback and have continued to enjoy this years Olympic experience. I have stayed up way to late waiting for outcomes from the other side of the world. I do have other thoughts though, things I am just not loving. I am just not loving the way the Chinese are representing themselves. I was disappointed to hear about the lip sync scandal, where the seven year olds voice was heard but another girl lip synced during the Opening because the seven year old was deemed not attractive enough to represent her country. Also they are either starving their gymnasts to prevent them from going through puberty or they are totally lying about their age. I am fairly certain after the games our girls will be awarded the team gold when they discover that the Gymnasts put forward from the Chinese are really 12, below the legal age to compete. I am also sick of the Michael Phelps show. I realize he is amazing. I am excited that an American is breaking all those records, but I feel like it is rude to the other amazing athletes and swimmers to only talk about Phelps. His name is said more than any other, more than "The United States" even I bet. He is great, but I get it, he is great, let us hear about others who are great and see other sports aside from swimming, volleyball and gymnastics. Maybe coverage would also be improved if the commentators didnt just make predictions the whole time but shared interesting stories and facts about the athletes and their sports. Maybe the could not talk at all and their could be VH1 style pop ups in the corner telling us how Michael Phelps doesn't produce lactic acid like most humans, or how the mens volleyball star grew up on welfare, or how the rules in the Czech for water polo are different than in the US. I guess I was just really looking forward to this years Olympics and getting into it like in years past and it just hasn't happened.

Opening Ceremonies

I'm watching the Opening of the Olympics on NBC right now. I have been preparing to watch all week, and by preparing I mean watching the Today show and taking on their complete opinion for who I should cheer for and everything else Chinese. I have been looking forward to the ceremony and even contemplated having a gathering a friends over for Chinese food and watching them. I'm glad I didn't. I am not finding them very entertaining. Perhaps I am just not in the mood even though they are being hosted by my imaginary best friend Matt Lauer. Perhaps watching on my small television interrupted by commercials pales in comparison to the live version, of which I was privileged to see when the Olympics were in SLC. Perhaps I am just tired of being alone with Kate with Jake off to another Young Men's event. Perhaps it is the lack of good food in my house to eat, maybe a couple pounds of fortune cookies like they sell and the foreign foods market on Bulldog would have made the evening more complete. I'm disappointed. I am sure I will enjoy watching the events still and get teary eyed at the stories. but it hasn't started with the bang that I had hoped for.

On another note my daughter is no longer a baby. I realized this week that she is a little girl. Her interests have changed dramatically in the last week. She use to like books and the dog and most any of her baby toys. Now she is obsessed with dolls and babies, her play horses in their barn, necklaces and fake jewelry and she just colored in my lap for over 30 minutes. Along with all of this has come the enjoyment of cuddling... hooray.. and lots of hugs. I guess now that she is old enough it is time to start planning her Olympic path in gymnastics, if we can get her away from her coloring books that is.

California wears me out!

Well it has been a long week and I am exhausted! Jake and I left for California on Sunday morning. It took us over 13 hours to get to Fresno. We spent about a day there before we said goodbye to Jake while we stayed with his parents. He was off to Sacramento to take his California bar. While he spent three days writing and trying to recall information he learned three years ago I spent three hours a day napping and another one watching What Not to Wear. It was stressful, painful and boring, not for me but him, but I am sure he did wonderful. And we will get the results around Thanksgiving. Of course one of the reasons that pushed him to take the test is that he paid for it two years ago before he decided to take the Utah bar instead and that money is held for two years. This test costs over $1000 to take so it seemed worth it, until we actually found out that our two years expired just days before the test almost as we were packing the car to leave. Oh well we will just re pay, but this is such our luck. I hitched a ride with my Mom to Los Banos mid week, about an hour away, to visit with my grandparents for two days. Then Jake swung back to pick us up as he traveled from Sacramento to Fresno. We spent a few more days in Fresno with his family. Even extra family was around because his sister was having an open house for her wedding a few weeks ago. We spent some time on the farm, swimming, boating at the lake- Kate loved the boat- at the new cabin, and seeing The Dark Knight, which was spectacular and also the first movie Jake and I have seen in a theater in over a year and a half. I know pathetic right. On Sunday morning early we headed back to Heber, for another 13 plus hour drive in the heat of the day through the desert. This time with Lisa and Rodney's wedding presents,more luggage,and two hitchhikers (DeeAnn and my Mom). Like I said we are exhausted but it was fun to get away.

Lisa and Rodney's Wedding

Lisa and Rodney were married on Saturday. It was so much fun to be together as a family. Every member of the Freeman family was there minus two sick Mesa Freeman's. Here are some of the pictures. **Family- if you want a copy of all the pictures on a CD leave a comment and make sure I have your address and I will send one out to you**

Zoo Day

About a week ago Jake and I took Kate to the Zoo in Salt Lake. I have wanted to for a while, but it seems things always come up so it was real last minute and it turned out that we didn't really need very long at the zoo anyways. Three hours was plenty of time to see all the animals and stop for a small lunch. I had this really great video of Kate "reading" the zoo map, but sadly deleted it because I am not sure how to work my new camera yet. Too Bad :( It took Kate a minute to warm up to what was going on but then she got into it. She started "Neighing" to anything big and really liked the boars and especially the birds... any birds... even the birds just around the park eating leftover picnic dinners. She would point and say "Bir, Bir, Bir". She also liked the giraffes but then got distracted when a butterfly flew by. Jake had to carry her most the time though because she didn't like being in the stroller and she couldn't really see in it anyway. It was fun to share her first zoo day with her. She makes everything so fun.

A Blog Vacation

Dear Blog and Blog Readers
Do you feel neglected? I seem to have been away for a little while. I guess I have been writting but I haven't been spending my normal 20 minutes each morning catching up on the latest in the blogosphere. Many of you have new posts I have yet to read and comment on. What can I say it has been a slow week.... and I don't have a camera so I can't even just post cute pictures of the Katerade. Jake is away at scout camp this week. It is only Thursday, but I miss him so much. It is funny because Jake and I have been apart for a week straight many times through out our marriage, for many reasons, scout camp, business trips, family trips. I usually feel bad that I don't miss him more, but enjoy the time to myself. I usually get a ton of stuff done, enjoy organizing and working in the yard, spending time with friends, shopping. This time has been different. I think it is because I know Kate misses Jake too so I feel the missing for the both of us. Plus it has been a different week. First I was a little sick, then Kate had to get five shots and screamed her head off for over an hour and has a fever from them still two days later. I find that I can't sleep when Jake is not home. I should revel in the opportunity to go to bed early but I am up later than normal, especially when our 300 lb neighbor is shouting the f word hundreds of times into his cell phone in his front yard and I can hear him for over an hour and I debate whether or not to call the police... but that is another story. I certainly eat differently when Jake is not home. I went to the store and got all the food that I like, cut up fruit, smoothies, pico and chips. I made a dozen cookies and have eaten them for breakfast a few days. I love cold cookies. But I hate milk that has been open for more than two days. I think that is quirky of me. I don't enjoy watching the Family Feud at lunch and Seinfeld before bed like I usually do with Jake everyday. And I am really not spending that much time cleaning the house or working on other projects like I intended.
Jake and I have a running joke that we always get awesome blessings while Jake is at camp. In the past years we have sold our house for a profit, two years Jake got new jobs and we were finally able to get pregnant with Kate all either during or shortly after scout camp. Jake almost expects that the minute his cell phone regains reception as he is returning that he will get a call from me, or someone else with fabulous news. It is a bit of a joke, but it is so true. Not that he should be doing his calling for blessings, but I feel like we are living proof that the Lord is generous. So despite all this missing, and how much being a single parent just for a week stinks. I know it will be worth it. I dont mean to sound blasphemous but I wonder what we will get this year. Stay tuned I guess, cuz Scout camp is nearing its end. Perhaps a small fortune? A raise? somehow a free family vacation???? Maybe just the realization that I just can't live without Jake is blessing enough.
Oh but my birthday present Jake ordered as a surprise came in the mail today! And he is not here to stop me from opening it early!!!! But that doesn't count.

Happy 4th of July

There is no doubt that July is my favorite month, especially since there is a holiday every week for me. The 4th of July, My Birthday, The 24th of July and My Anniversary. I mean a holiday every week makes for one pretty great month. We started this holiday series out perfectly with an Anderson family reunion/ 4th of July/ 80th birthday party for Grandpa. With so many reasons to get together, almost every member of the Anderson clan... I believe 47 people, spent three days at my parents in Heberlandia. We were only missing a few. There were semi-non athletic competitions, a family feud, talent show and skit night, sing-a-long, birthday party and if you have never seen fireworks from my parents patio, you are missing out. You can see every firework from Charleston, Midway and Heber, not to mention we had our own fireworks and finished the evening with a campfire and smores. It was so fun to spend time with so many people that I love but don't get to see so often. Also a bonus, that I only live a few minutes a way so I was one of the lucky few that got a my own bed and shower :) Sadly my camera is a piece of junk so I stole all the pictures below from Amy. Hope your 4th was eventful !

July 4th 2008

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Oh Summer!

In the last eight days Jake and I hosted four BBQ's ( and attended a fifth) and I am confident I have met my quota of grilled meat and hot dogs for the next thirty days. I knew that BBQ I scored at Smith's for half off would get worn in quickly. I also started and completed four novels this week, the kind of novels that read quickly and didn't change my life. It really feels like summer vacation around here and I couldn't love it more. If only I had made it to the lake once or twice...

It is Official

I purchased five pounds of chicken nuggets in the shape of Dinosaurs at Costco today. I pretty sure that is my official induction into the motherhood of a toddler.

I have a new diet. Ok- really I am not the dieting type, especially fad diets... but I made this one up. It really has worked for me. I mean I have surely lost at least two pounds this week because of it. It is what I call the Ice Cream Sandwich Diet. I bought a ton of ice cream sandwiches for a BBQ we had with some ward families. We didn't end up needing them. There are 30 or so ice cream sandwiches sitting in our freezer. If there are treats in my house, I eat them. (Jake and I have embarrassingly been known to polish off an entire package of Oreos within 48 hours. We don't buy them anymore.) So I decided that if I was going to eat an ice cream sandwich, I should just eat it for lunch. I mean I am going to eat it. I am going to eat one everyday until they are gone. I might even eat two. Then it is possible I will buy more. There is no question about this. I just lack the will power to say no to a sandwich made of chocolate and ice cream. I will fill up on lunch and then just really want an ice cream sandwich. It is much easier for me to say no to a sandwich made of meat and lettuce. So I have a sandwich for lunch everyday.... an ice cream sandwich that is... and no dessert. I told Amy about this. She thinks it is brilliant.

This is not going to be pretty!

Let me start by saying I forgive you if you attended the University of Utah, if you have a love for the red and white, you may not want to read this..... or we might have a fight on our hands. Normally I reserve my mostly in fun rivalry towards the U for football season.... and even then don't really care, but I can see from this point forward I am going to be really pulling for the Cougs whenever they have a chance to smash those Utes. Yes this is going to be one of those posts mentioned in my "100th post" post...."mostly about Kate and things I am MAD about". If you live in Utah you have likely heard about the information theft that occurred with the University of Utah's medical records.... if not read about it here.
Basically somebody stole a bunch or personal information... SSN, DOB's, medical records etc from their patients. And sticking with the unlucky universe I face everyday, of course I was one of them. I was a patient there for my eye surgery last fall, not only did I end up getting some surgery that didn't work, and another specialist questioned it was even done correctly, and then when I was almost blind because of it they wouldn't call be back for weeks even though i called and left a message every day and then even though I couldn't even drive because the surgery caused so much scar tissue making things worse they wouldn't make me an appointment for three months until I practically threatened a malpractice suit.... now that one regrettable experience has turned into another. Not only is this claimingly "acclaimed" medical facility serving out unnecessary surgeries and poor customer service, now they are also serving my identity (which I work so hard to protect) to low lives and slackers ready to prey on my perfect credit score. What are they offering to correct this mistake. Well they sent me a letter dated June 16th 2008 informing me they are having a conference to discuss these issues on June 10, 2008... "information that could have been useful yesterday" and giving me credit MONITORING for a year. Thanks guys you really know how to right a wrong..... oh that is not what I meant to say... what I meant was... I think you treat your customers even worse than Home Depot.... if that is even possible.

Little Kate is teething like crazy. You can see her showing off her four little teeth in the one picture. She is cranky all the time now, not my little girl. So here is a picture to remember that she is usually a happy girl. Yesterday we got this smile with Tylenol. No not giving it to her, but letting her chew on the children's dropper. Apparently nothing beats it on swollen gums. The other picture is just typical Kate touching the camera behavior. Sometimes I fear we have more pictures of Kate's hand than her. And of course sticking her tongue out usually makes her more successful in her efforts.

Daddy Pictures

I made Jake and Kate come with me to the "old town" Heber to take some belated father's day pictures. They may have been cute except that our sometimes cooperative model was obsessed with all the rocks on the ground and would get upset whenever Jake picked her up. If you look close I am pretty sure she has at least one rock in hand in every picture I took, plus she wouldn't wear the cowboy hat I had for her... I know shocking right. I guess all the matters it that Kate has got the most wonderful, funnest, and hottest dad around.

She IS Part Canine

We all know that Kate loves dogs, and I admit to using this love to my own advantage. For example when Kate is cranky I let the dog in the house, that usually cheers her right up. I even let Cola "babysit" Now before you judge me what I mean is give Kate a handful of Chex to feed the dog through a sadly ghetto hole in the kitchen screen door while I make dinner. This wonderful parenting technique... can I call it that?... does have it side effects as it seems that hole is getting bigger and bigger and now apparently big enough to fit a 14month old human through. Yes Kate has created her own doggie door and used it today for the first time :( I ran over to stop here but she was quick as a puppy and made it all the way outside onto the deck before I could stop her so all that was left to do was take a picture. I feel like this post really highlights both my bad parenting skills and the run-down-ness of our home but I had to post it because I am pretty sure it is the funniest thing that has happened around here in days.
!!!Hilarious!!!

Junk

So this afternoon you will never guess what I did. I spent it on the phone with companies that drive me crazy with junk mail (ie, steven heneger, american express). Seriously my small mail box is full everyday with one or more ads from these people. The funny thing is that you can get a customer service rep right away, but then they transfer you to the "mail removal" department and there is a long phone wait. Don't they realize they are soliciting a little too much when they have to have an entire department for mail removal. Lets just say, I didn't even bother being polite. and when I say I was not polite I mean I told Steven Heneger that I would not longer being needing an ad a day from them as I actually had graduated from a reputable university unlike theirs, and my husband had his doctrite from a top university as well, thus no need for a fake college ...hey, its not like they are being polite. These companies send me a credit card application to my last three addresses in both my married and madien name several times a week, so they obviously dont care that I no longer live at these addresses, and haven't at some for over seven years, and they therefore obviously don't care if my identity gets stolen. At some times it was quite hilarious because the lady would ask what name I wanted removed and the address then go to say have a nice day and I would say wait there is more.... and continue with the other 6 or seven. And yes she would find six or seven on her computer. I did Jake's as well while i was at it. I have even been online to those stop junk mail sites but they don't seem to work. I am not really and environmentalist or anything, but I am pretty sure over 30 acres of the Brazilian rain forest have been sent to me piece by piece by Capital One in the last year alone. URRRR!

Pictures

On Saturday I got to go and take some engagements for Lisa and Rodney. It was really fun and easy since they are both really good looking. We did three small shoots around Provo and here is a picture from each one. Obviously some were just for fun. But I love the middle one, it reminds me of a perfume ad. I have always been into photography, but never really get a chance to do it, so it was a great opportunity to enjoy it and also learn a little.

Everyday Low Prices and a Bit of Wisdom

Yesterday Kate and I went to Wal-mart where we did indeed marvel at the everyday low prices. Smith's nor Day's our only options just can't compete with this wonder of the free market economy. While browsing the dish soap selection a young women approached me. I made a quick assessment of her based purely on her appearance. She was not threatening, cute, a little younger than I, fashionable dressed, we could possible be friends. Until she made a complete breech of the social rules to which we all adhere... you will soon see.
Her " Can I ask you a question"
Me (thinking she needs help choosing a cleaning supply) "sure"
Her "Do you like being a mother"
Me (very thrown off) "Well I like it, It is great" (what else am I suppose to share with this stranger)
Her something like "is it all you every wanted"
Me "It is great... pretty great" (nodding my head wondering what she really wants from me)
Her " I am changing roles soon and I am just curious how my life will change"
Me "Are you becoming a mother?"
Her "No I am getting married and I am just not sure about taking on this new role as a mother and wife"
Me "Well I was a wife for a few year before becoming a mother, it is all great... pretty great" (is this sufficient enough counsel to get you on your merry and strange way?)
Her "Well your daughter is cute" (Her getting I am not interested in sharing the details of my personal life with strange her in asile 16)

Perhaps our world would be a better place if we all looked for and took advice from those we meet as we run errand about our day, but to me it was a little akward, and a little sad. I hope this seemingly normal gal had somewhere else to turn for advice and life guidance than a woman shopping for dish soap. Perhaps she could get a blog where family and friends could come together and share with her, her hopes and dreams. If you are, like her, thinking of asking the next random stranger you meet whether or not you should change jobs, break up with your girlfriend, have a third child, or get a nose job don't do it. You can ask me. I know you and could offer advice- I don't know everything, but I am sure to offer something more constructive than the person behind you at the bank.

Swimming and Backyard Fun

See that dimple high on her cheek. That is exactly the same as mine, but those eyes are 100% Jakes. Man she is just fabulous.
Sometimes my favorite pictures are the silly ones.

Kate and I have been hanging out just the two of us a lot lately. Poor Jake has been working every minute with everything he has going right now. Of course I have been taking pictures of every thing. Here she is swimming in her little pool and playing with Cola. Don't you wish they made cute swim suits in wetsuit style for adults too?

Just New Pictures

Some cute pictures of Kate lately as requested by grandparents and great grandparents alike.Kate has discovered how to stick her fingers through the gate and the dog will lick them. Yes that is puppers again, on an adventure with Kate in the yard. I have mentioned puppers before, now Kate puts her to bed, tries to feed her snacks and bottles and goes all the way upstairs just to get her if she has been forgotten. I think it is so cute.
Playing with Dad.
I can't keep Kate out of the curtains. Look at that smile even though she has a cold.

100th Post

I was about to post a few recipes since it has been a while since I have done that, but then I realized it would be my 100th post. So instead I am going to write about what I think of that. I feel like in the 18 months of so I have had this blog I have posted a lot more than this. I believe that makes an average of 5.5 posts a month, well actually now that I calculate that seems like a lot. I notice my subject cloud at 100 posts. The "Kate" word is pretty big, that is fine. The "skiing", "vacation", "rafting" words are all very small- that is pathetic. Because you can bet that when I did these things I posted about it, which means I haven't done the things I enjoy much this past year. Ahhh the ways life changes when you have a toddler. I look back at old posts and notice that I always have at least one error in spelling in each post. A friend once told me that it was rude to not proof read your emails, and I am sure this applies to blogs. I don't mean to be rude, and it is not that I am lazy.... well okay it is. It is that I am lazy, well not lazy but it just isn't deemed that important to me. If you are offended by my poor writing you are not obligated to read. I notice how the posts have changes as well. At first I always posted happy things, the cutest pictures etc. Now I feel like more often than not- like this one my posts have a negative tone. Hey If I am going to be negative somewhere it might as well be to the nowhere of the analog universe. I guess I am just more comfortable being myself now that the blog and I have gotten to know each other. I reflect and wonder if this blog has taken too much of my time. If I took five minutes each time I posted and I have posted 100 times that would be eight hours or so. Not even calculating the endless amount of time I spend looking at other peoples blogs. What I could have done with that time, we will never know. Perhaps the basement would be finished by now, perhaps my 13 month old could have been taught her colors, perhaps my dog wouldn't be so overweight because we never take her on any runs. Only an alter blogless universe will know. So what am I saying. That this 100 turning point post, won't be. You can expect more of the same from me. 5.5 somewhat negative, error full post a month about mostly Kate and the things I am mad about. Happy 100th.

Working in the Yard, ..... I mean Working It!

Kate and I have been working in the yard lately. Well I work, Kate just eats rocks, dirt, and bark.

on a horse with no name

Amy and I took the girls to the petting zoo today in Lehi. I thought Kate would freak out more since she has the superhuman ability to spot anything resembling animal with in a one mile radius. She did enjoy herself, but perhaps her powers were being thwarted by all the clothes mom made her wear to protect her from the sun. Enjoy the pictures.


Little pig, little pig let me in!
Kate just loves riding her very own pony...If only that were a cowgirl hat not just a cute sun hat.

The Friendliest horse in town.
Kate can't wait to get her hands on the picnic lunch Mom packed in her lil' lunch box.
So worn out. Also check out the new big girl seat, just what Kate wanted to get with her portion of the tax stimulus check!

Hitting the Jackpot.

Jake and I won the Lottery- or so it may look from this picture. Really we were just taking a picture in front of this car, and then I realized that you could also see this gorgeous home in the back. This weekend we had the opportunity to attend the amazing wedding of my cousin Nicole and Kacey. This is her parents home and a car that was borrowed for them to make their getaway in. We did hit the jackpot though in all the family and friends we were able to see and visit with while in St. George.
Kate enjoyed the warm St. George weather, walking around and playing in the grass, and also chewing on her hand all day. Personally i don't know how people live in that heat.
A picture of the beautiful couple. Congratulations to them.
A family picture in the aaamazing yard. They had the reception at their home, but you would have thought you were at Thanksgiving Point of something. It was incredible.
Kate with Jase, her 1st 2nd cousin, Son of the wonderful Ryan and Meagan.
It was so fun to see all my relatives, uncles and aunts from all over, grandparents,and to meet my cousins Ryan and Kyle's little children for the first time..
A picture with Aubrey, Tyler and Kaylee Horner.
Aubrey's brother was the groom marring my cousin, but funny enough they are both great friends from high school. It was fun to see and spend the day with them too.

Good Helper

No I am not a slave driver making my one year old learn to sweep the floor. As you can imagine she loves to help. Here she is "helping" me sweep. I guess I didn't do a good enough job- hey she would know she is always finding stuff on the floor.

Sweeping the floor has left little Kate so tired. So she climbs up into the chair with her sippy cup in hand.... Now she is ready to rest. Cleaning does wear you out I agree.

More of Kate

Kate has so many different faces, here is just another.

Something to Smile About

It was a very long day. Our fridge is dead. It actually died about a month ago, magically resurrected itself, but is now again dead. I spent the whole day driving around Utah, Wasatch and Summit Counties with a screaming child trying to purchase a fridge, but only found over price refrigerators being sold by seedy and somewhat never helpful individuals. I came home with no fridge, one screaming and covered in Reece's Pnut Butter Cup (because that is all that would make her stop screaming) child. I am exhausted and frustrated. Thankfully the UPS man didn't let me down and I found this waiting on my door when I arrived home.
The blurb book I have been making of Kate's first year. These blurb books are so great. They are so easy to make and super cheap. This one for Kate is 8" x 10" and with 80 pages around 200 pictures plus text on each page and was 31 bucks. The picture quality is not the best.... of course I am really picky when it comes to prints, but it is good enough for the cheapest and easiest scrapbook ever. Check out their website, you'll be sure to want one. I also made one of our wedding and loved it as well. It was a mini book, 7" by 7" or something and really cute. Here is their web site www.blurb.com.

So go and make a blurb book. You can make it about anything, it doesnt have to be a scrapbook. You can slurp you blog, or you can write a children's story. I want to do this with Kate's stuffed animals, have them go on an adventure in the backyard or something and take pictures. Surely it will arrive at your doorstep when your day could just not get any worse. With this advice you will surely owe me..... perhaps a refridgerator... or at least a tip on where I can get one.