Monday, July 28

Random

I am kind of a bad blogger lately. I guess the initial rush of starting a blog has worn off or something and the blog has fallen to the wayside. Remember when I mentioned that I was going to do a write up about gas prices? Well I started a brief a few weeks ago and will give myself a public deadline to provide a link to it here on the blog by next Wednesday, August 6. At my old job we would often write policy briefs about different public policy topics and I really enjoyed researching and compiling the information into something manageable and informative. So expect the piece soon!

Potty training is going well when I remember to do it. So far Lauren hasn't had an accident and has done really well. I just don't always remember to take off her diaper when we're at home and I have yet to dare to venture into public diaperless. Today, in fact, is our first full home day and so far, so good. She is very motivated by a sticker chart which is filled with princess stickers. Picture to some soon.


Finally, every Friday we go to a playgroup with about 6 other friends. All of the kids are 2 and a half or nearly 3, and then 4 of the 6 have a little sibling around E's age. It is so fun! Well, this week was my turn and we were planning to go downtown to see a puppet show. But just as we were leaving the theatre called saying that their AC was out and not to come. Luckily I was able to call all of my friends and tell them not to go downtown. So instead, everyone came over to our house and we did our own puppet show of the three little pigs. The kids each decorated a paper bag puppet and then we told the story. They ended up loving it, we saved $ on gas and admission fees, and had a fun time. Above is a pic of L with the remnants of the show. Enjoy!

Sunday, July 20

It begins

Our little girl is two and a half. She speaks well. She follows directions. She can sit still for periods of time. She likes her diaper changed quickly after she goes #2. Since it's summer, we're inside most of the time. She is ready to be potty trained.

But am I ready to do it? That is the question. Any advice, tips, condolences, or sympathy will be gladly accepted.

Sunday, July 13

Vacation!




We just got back from our two week summer vacation to Utah and it was wonderful! We spent a week with J's family and then a week with my family, welcomed his brother home from a mission, attended my best friend's wedding and had many more adventures. Some of the highlights include:

Going to a movie
Having a hot dog/marshmellow roast up the canyon
Spending the day at 7-Peaks
Pedicures
Swimming
4th of July parade
Fireworks
Traditional BBQ at the village park
Having lunch with high school friends
Meeting Phoenix friends at the park and for a swim
Lunch with SLC friends
Visiting my old office and wonderful office staff
Attending an outdoor play
Seeing extended family- grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins
Free babysitting
Temple sealing of one of my very best friends to a great guy
Cafe Rio
Smoker dinner BBQ prepared by Christian and Matt
Hot homemade salsa
Staying up late visiting
Running outside
Highs of only 100 degrees
Cool nights!!!
Playing at the park with my girls
Grandma's new planter aka: Cinderella's castle
Commemorating the 25th anniversary of my Grandfather's death to cancer
Seeing my sister
Visiting with my brother and his wife
My great in laws- brothers in law, sisters in law, and cute nieces and nephew
Taking naps
Hardly making a meal or doing a dish
Grandma's toy room under the stairs
Lunch at Zupas...yum!
Chocolate covered cinnamon bears- thanks K!
Touring the new Hinckley building on BYU campus- beautiful memorial to a great man!
Walking around BYU- truly one of the best places on earth!
Attending a shower for my BFF and visiting with our BFF Fillie friends
Shade clothing store in the University mall
Uncle M's great homecoming talk
Hearing about Uncle M's mission- the ups and downs, and the people he loved
Having my Mom to take care of me and my girls when I had the flu
Going to the temple
And on, and on, and on.....

Here are a few of my favorite of our 211 pictures of the trip:

My girls on the car trip up....holding hands while sleeping!


Cousin friends.


Serious parade watchers.
The BCJJ cleaning crew.