Surprise Birthday Party!

My Dad and Nancy have been dating for a year or so now and the night was a dual surprise for Nancy first a bday party -but also a marriage proposal!!! Nancy accepted and so we will be gaining a step-mother and step-sister to the clan and we couldnt be more excited. Nancy and her daughter are wonderful additions to the family - Im sure its duanting to consider taking on 4 older sisters and 1 older brother - and being an instant grandmother- but I know they will be up to the task! Anyway Congratulations Dad and Nancy!

On to the event however- Dad planned a surprise party with some of Nancys friends and it turned out to be a lot of fun. I think he pulled it off with some help of course, but it was great to get out and forget about the weeks events for a few hours.

The happy couple!

Party planners 2 and 3

Surprise!!!!
Mother and Daughter...

Can't ever resist putting a shot of us up-good memories

Photo dump

this kid is captivated by baby einstein videos...
the Christmas outfit

Elijiahs drawing(bad guy robbing a jewlery store)

my bugs with me in the kitchen while im cooking...such a happy boy...

Crazy Hair Day

Ive fallen behind on the blogging with the week weve had, and there is lots of posting to catch up on. Elijiah had a fun day at school with a crazy hair day, and I thought I should post the pictures. Jonathan is the master of hair. While he doesnt have his to do anymore( sorry honey!!!) he can do Elijiahs better than I can, so I delegated the chore to him. Elijiah was pleased, and thought Jonathan was quite the superhero step dad.

I thought it turned out great considering Elijiahs hair is pretty short right now. Lookin' good kiddo!

Tough Week So Far

Its a tough week around our house...

A terrible thing has happened to Jonathans Uncle this week. He is currently up at the University of Utah hospital and the news is not good. Besides his Dad- Jay is Jonathans hero. Jay is someone who Jonathan talks about with great respect, honor without a doubt incredible love. Jonathan has been at the hospital the last two nights(with all of the extended family). We dont know what will happen, what the outcome will be. They are running lots of tests. Jay and his family has seen and been through incredible heartache. They lost a VERY young son to cancer. This current situation came out of the blue. He was healthy and fine last week. This week he may very well loose his life. Im emotionally on thin ice for I know what this family has been through. I know how this will effect Jonathan. Jonathan says I sometimes get in "getter done" mode...well that is my coping method. Its just easier. For the moment...

Hair Cut!!

The blonde(ish) lions mane is now replaced by a shorter, darker style. I must say I like it. I think it will stay for a while. I havent seen the curly version yet- but I still say its an improvement :)

Dentist

Elijiahs first "big" tooth made its debut,(lets just say shark teeth) however no little tooth was made loose in its appearance- sooo a trip to the dentist was in order. Lucky for us Aunt Jessica works for a dentist, and we got in with short notice. Elijiah was nervous about the event not knowing what to expect, but he was brave and said the shot didnt hurt at all. I held his hand and took all the photos I was allowed by my growing child.
We debated all night whether the tooth was for the tooth fairy - and Elijiah decided it was too cool and that he wanted to keep it. "The next one" he said. So- he officially lost his first tooth and we know we are on our way to braces! ek!

Trying to look oh so cool in the chair

I wish I could have gotten a better shot of the "shark" tooth
See the dentist??? I could barely watch! Hes pulling the tooth right there!!! Elijiah- my brave brave boy!
Its all done!

Mothers little helper

Thanks to my great Mother-in-law, Elijiahs apron problem has been solved. He no longer has to wear my frilly flower aprons while helping in the kitchen. Cindy was willing to make Elijiah something much more "manly" to wear and he loves it. While you cant tell from the photo, as he was done smiling for the day, he really does like it and has to wear it while helping in the kitchen. Thanks so much Cindy!

Sundance 2009!

One of the great things about Utah is Sundance- or I used to think so. Oh it provides some entertainment thats for sure- but I dont know what bothers me more- the people that think its so cool to celebrity hunt, or those that think its cooler to name drop. I dont know. Either way I got over it many years ago. However my great friend Allison was back in town working the festival, and all of us got together( well all of us that were here that is- miss you Abbie!) and Heather and Leslie(two girls that work with Tish) joined us for the evening. As usual it was a great night out and we had a blast.

Starting out the evening Brenda and I were headed down Main street to meet up with Ali and Tish who were listening to the Goo-goo dolls at the Main Street Cafe-Jealous...so I was taking pictures along the way...

low and behold I run into - a big red fish? - okay - whateverI love seeing all the ads for the movies pretty cool( brenda here)
Jonathan asked what we were taking a picture of here- and I couldnt remember at the time- but across the street were the fur protesters- yea not too exciting.
Finally we get into the club- missed goo-goo dolls- no biggie. We were forced to wait in a very long line and it was VERY cold outside...needless to say I was just grateful for the heatlamp!
Main street Park City on our way to dinner.
ali, brenda,tisha, leslie, heather, me -duh.
Ok, had to take a picture of the quail egg- Ali- serious--- disgusting...how can you eat that!
tisha,leslie,me -just another random photo at dinner
Now the following pictures I had to post. Tish will probably kill me. This is what happens to Tish when shes had one too many drinks. She decides to treat us all to her strip tease on the trolly. Enjoy. (and perhaps pick up a thing or two?)
why my flash was working one minute and not the next i dont know...
grr this was a great shot
dont stop Tish! keep going... k everyone here we go again...but we will start from scratch...
lookin' good tish...
its really only us in the trolly thank goodness!
shes working that scarf! I think im getting some pointers- dont get too excited Jonathan!
okay here comes the pole!

well that was a good start tish- but weve come to our stop so we have to get off.....haha. We headed up to Ali's condo and ate some cheesecake and talked for a while before heading home....it was a great time to catch up and hang out in Park City during Sundance...

( Thanks honey for watching the boys, it was great to get out and hang with the girls!)

ode to my hubby

An email about Jonathan is in order I think. Its been far too long. We have been in crazy mode- going our separate ways, keeping our house and lives running the best we can, and I have to send a shout out to my main man.
Jonathan has been in the middle of some crazy things work wise, school wise and I haven’t seen him stress out this much in a long time. He hasn’t been around much leaving me with both kids and that’s okay.
We are close to renting the house out( lease still needs to be signed- hopefully next week) which means we will need to pack up the house and move -and that will be another post for another day. But brings me back to ---
My hubby.
He and I haven’t had a lot of time for each other…and we have had a lot of extra stresses this month with many talks of the what ifs….
I want Jonathan to know that I miss him. I can’t wait for our trip in Feb. I can’t wait to spend two days alone sans kids. I CANT wait to hang out with my best friend. Heres to it being FRIDAY!(yea!!) and last but not least - I LOVE YOU!
(and BTW----no, I have no idea where that beanie went :()

Check out my Brothers Corys Blog..(on the blog roll of course...)

Just posted some new pics from the Mish....--->

Hip Hop Class Anyone?

Okay everyone bare with me, this will be a long post. It all started with a innocent email from a friend of mine. Tia. She and I served in the relief society together several wards back and I knew she was an amazing dancer. We talked dance alot and I never took the opportunity to see her perform or take class from her as at the time I was knee deep in other activities. Although I always mentioned to her that I wanted to start taking classes again - someday. Well yesterday she sent out an email saying she was offering a free hip hop class to anyone interested Monday night at 9 pm. Without thinking I RSVP. I turned to my office mate and friend Katie and asked if she wanted to join me. She agreed. I dont know what we were thinking. First off- it was 9 pm. WAY past MY bedtime. Lets remember- I have a 9 month old who is prone to waking in the night and my sleep is precious....so precious almost nothing keeps me up past 8. Not even my beloved Greys Anatomy. So when Katie agreed I said she COULD not absolutely NOT flake on me-I was not going to stay awake only to go by myself. She said she would go. The next dilemma was wardrobe. Now what does one wear to a hip hop class. Ballet class? CHECK! Black Leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes. Jazz class- well thats easy. Hip hop? Katie and I decided on a form of sweat pants, running shoes and tank top. I figured we were good to go. All afternoon I was a little nervous but heck dancing is like riding a bike right? You go warm up do a bit of run through on some choreography throw a little music to it, go through it a few times - done! Fun fun!
Here I am arriving at Katies house promptly at 8:30. I tell her we cant be late after all we have to scope out the place, there is nothing worse than arriving late to dance class. Since its been 15 or so years since MY last class, I MUST make sure I secure a place near the back, behind a girl that looks like she knows what shes doing and close to the door. She agrees.

We arrive to the standard note on the dance studio door- we are also the first people there...mmm I wonder about our attire- and our foot choices...what DO people wear to a hip hop class??

Here are our shoes...not so street are they? Well you cant say we didnt try!( Notice how well worn mine are Katie? I think you need to get out and do some running! Care to join me? I only live 2 miles uphill from you- hahahahah!!!)

Now when this chick came in we immediately noticed her. I had to snap a picture- I said to Katie- ah so THAT is how girls dress for a hip hop class. Notice the parachute pants- the hoodie sweatshirt? What you cant see is that shes wearing a black ball cap hung low over her face. And no those arent running shoes on her feet. I leaned over to Katie- okay we will have to get behind her- SHE LOOKS like she knows whats shes doing....

As soon as I snapped the above picture of the "cool" chick I told Katie she had to pull her sweatshirt up and try and fit in- well she tried dont ya think???

Well on to the good stuff....so we waited, and people started to move into the class, and no Tia...finally I got up and asked the receptionist if that was Tia's class and we were informed to go on in, that Tia wasnt going to teach and had a sub. Um----ok.

So Katie and I go in, and find a spot in the back, the teacher turns out to be the girl in the above photo and immediately starts into the warm ups. Which for lack of a better way of saying it- is beyond even my basic skills. I have no ability to move my hips in such gyrations(sps?) but I try. I keep glancing at Katie and every time I do so we burst out giggling....I take several steps away knowing I can only keep my composure if I keep my eyes glued forward. Again, arms, hips, legs, moving back and forth, side to side, - I am DYING! Im sure that I wont make it through class - I cant even follow the warm ups! Katie isnt fairing much better I have to say- and again I cant look at her- I burst into laughter every time I glance in her direction. Finally the warm ups are over- I think Ive worked out the jitters and I am ready- determined to get back on the bike and to take off. She starts off with the first 8 counts and goes slow...okay okay I can do this....look at Katie, shrug - we can do this...then we move into the next 8 count---um not so sure there is the little butt bump and little "crump" now im lost. Cant look at Katie. Start from the beginning and repeat the choreography. Okay muttle through 16 counts. Teacher" any questions? " I want to say" Um yes can we do it again, and again and go a little slower????" but of course I say nothing, and just pretend Ive got it all under control and get a little more panic filled with each passing second. Its 16 counts and heaven forbid without any MUSIC! Well 16 counts turns to 32 and now she says lets try it to music. 20 minutes later, several more tries to music and its clear Ill never catch on to BOTH the music and choreogrpahy together..im done. Totally lost and I turn to Katie, tell her Im out and grab my stuff and leave. Let me say this....in all my years in dance classes- TEACHING dance classes IVE never walked out of a dance class! Anyway Katie --- Shes close behind. After our departure from the studio we alternate between fits of laughter and possible tears of embarrassment as really- we are not bad dancers, we know this. I just realize that we need to start out in perhaps a basic class. I need someone to explain to me the basic of the booty shake before I can put it to the incredibly fast beat. Believe me I may be old-- but Im not THAT old!
Word to your Motha - Peace out!

Prep Cook

Week in review with Elijiah

For some reason this week with Elijiah has been wonderful. Kinda like a dance-a dance with a willing partner, a symphony which I have loved hearing every note.
I had a personal lull in December. I stopped planning my meals and felt the hurried pace of events and Christmas planning. I loved the season but also felt the rush of trying to fit in everything and didn’t feel the normal rhythm of family life. This week going back to school, cleaning up the house, food shopping and preparing, all got me back on track. I’ve been struggling with getting Elijiah to eat his dinner…ah the struggle each night! I wont even go into it here, but lets say it was miserable. Well this week I tried a new tactic. The “if you cant beat them join them” tactic. So Monday night I asked if he would help me prepare dinner. We got Tristan set up in his high chair and got him snacking so we could do our dinner prep. I had Elijiah wash his hands, get a small knife, cutting board, and veggies out, and had him be my prep cook. Well every night this week he has been excited to help prepare a meal. He is fast becoming very adept at his dicing and slicing skills and Ive been very excited about our good conversations as well.
One night we were talking about Jonathan and how he will be done with school in June- he said that he knows we will take a trip without him and that he wanted to prepare and “graduation” salad ALL BY HIMSELF that night just for Jonathan! So that night he did indeed prepare a salad- start to finish for Jonathan. It was hands down the nicest thing.
One of the days we were cooking, Elijiah and I were talking about Alcohol. I guess while he spent New Years with Khory and his family, there was drinking involved( of course- they aren’t LDS and it was New Years..) and he said that he didn’t know if he could refrain from drinking and that if he had a little as he grew up would it be bad? I said “WHAT” what got you thinking about that? He said well its hard, my family drinks and so many people drink around me and would it be a bad thing if I drink too? I had a long conversation about standards, and beliefs, and what we are teaching him, and that it doesn’t matter what people do around him…I told him that we all face temptation, and we have to stand tall, not do what others do, and stick to what WE know is right even if others make fun or tease us.
(Its really interesting to be having conversations about drugs, sex, drinking, with a 6 yr old. Makes me wonder what Ill be talking with him about when hes 12?????)
Back to the original topic of this post----I have to say that my little experiment has been true this week- Elijiah is eating better- he is more interested in dinner and finishing dinner- we don’t have him sitting at the table long after we are done-whining that he hates what we prepared etc. Im not sure how long his interest will last, or how often he will want to help, all I know is that this week has been great and I have loved every minute of the dinner hour, and it’s in large part to my little helper! Thanks Elijiah!

What Music?

I love music, Jonathans a musician ....why dont we have music in our home/car you ask? Well let me tell you....
TRISTAN doesnt really enjoy it. Let me rephrase. He loves Music- just not on the radio-he loves you to sing to him. So my commute consists of me and Elijiah rehashing all of the primary and nursery songs we can remember to keep the child from screaming or crying. Sound like fun to you? No???? There was one day during the Christmas break that I turned on the stereo in the house, put on some Michael Buble and danced around with Tristan- he loved it. I bounced around, spinning him he was laughing having a wonderful time. That was a GREAT day!
However the radio isnt what gets us through our daily commute...oh I try believe me. I do NOT have a great voice, nor do I enjoy my limited song choices repeated over and over and over....however it is the ONLY thing that will calm, soothe and often times get my bugs to stop crying and even sleep in the car. Oh do I miss my music, my Tracy Chapman, Alexi Murdoch, Nora Jones, Faith Hill, Rascal Flat, Sugarland.....and on and on and on.

Check it out!!! A must read....

So I found this really incredible article. Its a long one...not for the faint of heart. But once I started reading it, I couldnt stop. I clicked on the video clips- once then twice...I got teary eyed...and watched in amazement. I hope you all take the time and read it.... click here to check it out~

.....""Koyaanisqatsi" is a Hopi word. It means "life out of balance."
In his 2003 book, Timeless Beauty: In the Arts and Everyday Life, British author John Lane writes about the loss of the appreciation for beauty in the modern world. The experiment at L'Enfant Plaza may be symptomatic of that, he said -- not because people didn't have the capacity to understand beauty, but because it was irrelevant to them.
"This is about having the wrong priorities," Lane said.
If we can't take the time out of our lives to stay a moment and listen to one of the best musicians on Earth play some of the best music ever written; if the surge of modern life so overpowers us that we are deaf and blind to something like that -- then what else are we missing?"......

9 month in review

Yesterday took Tristan to his 9 month dr visit....thought there was no shots- wrong. Had the 2nd round of flu shot....bummer. But he took it well.

The stats:
22.05 pounds: 78th %
31.5 inches: 100%

Our boy is still growing strong.

Christmas Present from "THE IN-LAWS"!

I absolutely love Amber's parents so the title of this post is just for funniness sake. This Christmas, they gave me a HUGE piece of a custom cherry-wood plank they ordered for their kitchen remodel and I've been SO EXCITED to use it! We have the tile granite counter tops so it's hard to make rolls, pasta, or something that requires a large, completely smooth-flat surface.


I was going to make dinner for Amber and I last night but we were tired (WE RULE) and ended up getting takeout instead. TONIGHT however, I was going to try out something that I learned on my mission in Italy. "Pasta Al Mano" is not for those that like quick meals.


I didn't photograph the entire process but you basically start by making a pile of semolina in the middle of your counter, dig out a hole in the center, add a couple eggs, and start kneading. You keep kneading until the dough is "smooth as a baby's bottom" (not my line). You then begin rolling it out. You roll, and turn, and flour, and roll, and roll, and roll, until you can see your countertop clearly through the dough. At this point, you can cut it into squares to make handmade stuffed pasta but I decided to do linguini tonight.


Noelle, Layne, I LOVE my cutting board!!! The pasta turned out better tonight than any time I've made it in the past and I think the block had a ton to do with it!! FUN FUN FUN!!!