*Sigh*

I was just looking through old pictures and got nostalgic. My boys are getting so big! Look how cute and little they were. Total coincidence that both these photos were taken at the beach...it's not like I totally, and completely miss it or anything!

"Our Mutual Joy"

A thought-provoking story from Newsweek.

It's Snowing!

I never thought I would be so pleased to write the above phrase, but I am! It is the first snowfall we have had since October and I was getting antsy. We need snow for Christmas! And really, if it's going to be extremely chilly anyway, we may as well have some snow along with it, as opposed to just blah, brown ground.

Dylan is running around the house saying "It's Christmas, it's Christmas!" I guess I need to explain (again) that Christmas means more than just snow. When we put up the tree, he kept looking outside and saying "We can't put this up, there's no snow, so it's not Christmas yet."

I hope the snow sticks, because as I write this, Dyl is looking for carrots for our snowman!

My sister

Janie, her daughter Cecelia and me, Oct. 2008

Just a quick "Happy Birthday" to my awesome big sister, Janie! I am so lucky, so blessed to have her in my life, not only as a sister, but as a friend and mentor.

I love you, sis!

I'll Say One Thing...

The kid knows how to nap like he means it.

What a Week!

Gabe turned 7 and I got to see Coldplay in concert!




Doesn't he look excited?! He should...look at that awesome coconut cake! He asked for it, so I made it. I am rather proud of his sophisticated taste.

I know I say this every year, but I really can't believe how big and grown-up Gabe is getting. He is such a neat kid. So intelligent and loving and fun. And good - just a good kid. I am so proud to be his mom. He had a very fun birthday - it was Tuesday, so he had school, but he woke up to his birthday gifts on the table and that was all he needed. We had breakfast as a family and then Dylan and I went to lunch with him at school. That evening we had a nice dinner with Aaron's family and my mom - Japanese food this year, as well as a request for Ramen noodles, which technically are Japanese, but not what I had in mind! His party with his friends was Friday afternoon and was complete chaos, so of course, they had a blast! Kids everywhere. He was spoiled with gifts, and I was thrilled that he had so many friends want to come and share the day with him. He draws people to him and that makes me so happy! Even if I do have to clean up the mess...





Can you read the ticket? It says Floor! We got floor seats to Coldplay!!! It was my birthday present from my totally awesome, wonderful, amazing husband. Proof that he loves me! He even went with me and soldiered through, even though he had a headache. The concert was so much fun and they put on quite a show - very high-energy and entertaining. The paper butterflies in the pic dropped from the ceiling by the millions during one of their last songs - so cool! I was so excited and thrilled to be there, I don't think I stopped bouncing, jumping, clapping or moving the entire time. One of the highlights my year, for sure!

99 Things...

I have been feeling like a bit of a slacker for not posting more and then I saw this idea on my good ol' pal's blog and decided to steal it! I do that a lot...but this does fit with some things I have been thinking about - places I would one day like to visit and things I would like to do. The items in bold are things I have done and the ones in italics are things I plan to do. My brother, Peter, recently told me he would like to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro - sounds cool, so let's add that to the list! And one day I absolutely must visit Bora Bora and Palau. Other goals: run a marathon, get my Bachelor's degree (I start back next month!) and write the last great American novel (ha)!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Oh, so many...
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - water critters by my tender areas?! I think not...
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - does a water taxi count?! Gondolas are expensive!
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - One day! Did you know they have 24 hour restaurants and you can eat all you want?!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - I'm not that mean!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - No, but I was with my sis Tammy when she did and I was so proud of her!
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance - Well, partially - I made them let me out!
47. Had your portrait painted - Not painted, but sketched by my brother Dave
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching - I know I will cry my eyes out!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - I have tried, but I didn't weigh enough - totally not trying to be obnoxious...it is true.
65. Gone sky diving - HELL no.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - In my young and very stupid days.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job - No, but close! See #23.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - Maybe when I do #80?
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Um, does trout count?
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club - I am way too intolerant of other people's opinions...bad, I know.
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - I waded in it.
97. Been involved in a law suit - Please, no!
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Sachi

My dog makes me smile. She loves to be near me and will basically lie by my feet wherever I am. When I watch t.v., she lies under my legs; when I read in bed, she is under it; and when I am on the computer, she is there, too. Also, she follows me from room to room, no matter how much I move around, she is always right there. So sweet! I love her!

My dog makes me crazy! She has to be near me and will basically lie by my feet wherever I am. When I watch t.v., she lies under my legs; when I read in bed, she is under it; and when I am on the computer, she is there, too. Also, she follows me from room to room, no matter how much I move around, she is always right there. Her little feet constantly click-clacking across the floor! Aack. Good thing I love her.

Fall!

On Sunday, I went out to tackle the mass of leaves that had become our backyard. Two hours later, I had made some decent progress, but had not bagged them. Tuesday, I was rewarded for my foolishness when Dylan, Gabe and his friend spread them back across the yard! What did I think would happen?! But they were good sports and grabbed the rakes and tried to gather them back in a pile, without much success. Oh, well - they had fun!

He did it, he did it, he did it!

YAY! I am literally weeping for joy. My husband, too. We have hope! Congratulations to President Obama! This is huge.

Happy Halloween!

With love from,

Jango Fett Gabe and Clone Trooper Dylan

The Boys

The boys got their pictures taken yesterday by their Aunt Miyo. They were so cute! For a small sampling follow the link to Miyo's photography blog.

Early Winter?

It snowed this morning. Brrr!




The boys were beyond thrilled and went out to play as soon as they could. I, of course, was very happy to take it all in from my front room with a nice cup of tea.

Update

I just changed my profile. Check it out and come back.

The old one said I "just moved back" and since it has been over a year, I figured I should make it more accurate. Also, my old "interests" listed many things I love and am passionate about, but really, don't get to do a whole lot of anymore. Like beachcombing! Ha. But, yoga and hiking were on the list, too and the yoga class at my gym is too early in the morning for me to make it work with the boys, so I haven't been to a real class since I moved. Kind of a big deal when I used to go at least twice a week. Hiking is another big one. Honestly, one of my favorite, favorite things to do. And yet, I never go. No one to go with.

So, to sum me up:

Mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend. Trying to figure out my beliefs. Trying to be a good all of the above. Knowing for sure that most days I can be iffy. But I do try.

Alpine Loop

Yesterday, I drove the Alpine Loop with my mom, brother David, his daughter Sophie and Dylan. For those not familiar with the Loop, it connects Provo Canyon (home of the Sundance Resort) and another canyon called American Fork. It was gorgeous! Apparently being in denial about the seasons changing doesn't keep it from happening. Lovely Fall colors and beautiful views in almost every direction. I had forgotten how lovely a drive it is, not having driven it in at least 6 years, maybe more. It was awesome! The pictures don't begin to do it justice.

"New Genes Could Help Cure Obesity"

That was a real headline I read the other day. Now, I am sure they do have some amazing new info to report that could help people. However, I am a jerk and my first thought was "Yeah, but so could working out and eating right." But whatever...try gene therapy. It might be easier!

Webster's, We Have An Update!

Dylan has come up with a new word for the English language: amn't. As in: "Sachi, stop licking me. I amn't your breakfast, I'm a kid."

My New Fave in the Kitchen

I adore, adore, adore freshly grated/shaved parmesan tossed with melted salted butter. A fantastic topping for anything from popcorn to veggies, to be sure. I however prefer it by the spoonful. After spoonful, after spoonful. Mmmmm.

On an unrelated note, all my jeans seem to have shrunk at the same time. Weird. I wonder why.

'Cause He's Cute

And was feeling a bit left out. We couldn't have a picture of Gabe up and not Dylan!

Evil, Thy Name is Chocolate Chip Cookie

Albertston's Chocolate Chip Cookies are baaaaad. Stay away. I just ate three...and I want more. Must. Be. Strong.

Fight the power!