David v. David

Who are YOU cheering for?

So, after last night Archuleta is clearly the best singer. Cook lacked heart, I thought. I think the best outcome for everyone involved would be for Archuleta to win. Archuleta needs the backing and Cook needs the freedom to do what he wants without having to put out a recording that AI wants him to. I read somewhere that they are both guaranteed a contract, so really they both win. Archuleta clearly needs a choreographer and a fashion consultant. What was with that lame sailor/anchor jacket (and all the lame Tshirts through out the season)? Cook on the other hand already has the moves and the personality to be a star, so he will do just fine on his own.

Did you enjoy the finale?

Who are you cheering for and why?

Tiny Abby

In preparation for our trip to Disney I have been researching on the internet to be sure we make the most of our trip. In doing so I found that for Abby to be able to go on some of the "cooler" rides she would need to be 40 inches, and I have heard they are sticklers about height. I quickly had her stand up against the wall. Dang! Just over 39. So today we set out to get her some shoes with a nice thick heel in them and here they are.

The moment of truth...

Yeah! She made it!

Also to get ready for our trip we needed to get some summer clothes for the kids. Isn't this sad? These are the shorts I got for Abby. She's going into Kindergarten in the fall and wearing 2T shorts!

Hodge Podge

It's hard to believe its been a week since I've posted. The days are going by quickly lately. So I have a quick hodge podge for you.

Last Thursday we had a cake decorating class for our Enrichment group "Good Eats" which got a terrific turn out. We had 19 ladies show up, we learned how to decorate with fondant. It was really fun to learn and while my little cake was pathetic and lacked any creativity the other girls turned their extra large cupcakes into masterpieces. One gal turned hers into a little hat, another made lady bug, others were just cute with delicate looking flowers on top. Mine... well, it consisted of some flowers cut out with a cutter and slapped on top. a la playdoh style. My sweet visiting teacher was telling me how nice it was and trying to make positive comments about my little cake, but really... it was severly lacking (no that is not a picture of my cupcake up there). I did enjoy it though and hopefully we can have her teach another class in the fall and learn some more tricks. So to all you enrichment leaders out there... this was a winner!Friday I volunteered with Ethan's class to go to the High Desert Museum. It was a fun day. I always think it is fun watching your kids in their school setting with their friends and quietly observe how they act. Ethan is always very witty and a tease, always looking for a laugh. Ethan spent a good part of his day checking out beetles, bugs and snakes that were crawling around. He found some HUGE ones too. We got to see the only Northern Spotted Owls bred in captivity as well.

Friday night we went to a restaurant called "38 Degrees". We drive by it every week several times as it is on our way to church and have always wanted to check it out. Since Friday was our YW fundraiser "Parent's Night Out" we decided to try it. It was OK. It is really more of a wine bar serving a bit of Mediterranean fare. I'm in no hurry to go back.

Saturday I spent sitting for 3 hours in a van to Portland to go to the temple. Spent 3 hours sitting at the temple. Made a quick trip to Deseret Book store, and blew a WAD O' DOUGH! It's like being in a candy store when you're not used to being able to go to an LDS bookstore. Now I know why when I was a teenager and we would go down to Provo or SLC why our trip always included a trip to Deseret book and we would leave my mom in there for a few hours. There's so much to see! After the book store we went to a restaurant and sat for an hour and than sat for another 3 hours for the trip home from Portland. I have never been so exhausted from SITTING all day!!

Sunday evening we went out of town a littl ways with friends for S'mores. It was a little 10 minute drive to this lovely spot by the river where the kids could run around and drive away the folks at the picnic table next to ours... sorry folks. And only one kid fell in the river (no it wasn't mine :D) I wish I had remembered to take pictures. The kids were all so cute, and absolutely filthy when we got home. I love being able to be able to just run out and have an impromtu adventure so close to home.

Now is the big countdown and getting ready for Disneyland... 4 more sleeps!

Bugga Bugs

Check out my girlfriends new etsy shop at http://www.buggabugs.etsy.com/

She is selling the patterns for these oh so cute felt play food.

buggabugs's Shop Announcement
In a world of electronic everything sometimes it’s nice to step back to basics and just pretend. Welcome to Bugga Bugs, the ultimate place of childhood imagination and creativity! Everything here has been thoroughly tested by the ones who matter most… kids! All patterns are carefully thought out and detail oriented for hours of learning fun and imaginative play. They are perfect for your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends alike. Patterns are made locally by me, a stay at home mom from Oregon,USA. Each pattern comes complete with pictures and step by step instructions as well as a cover sheet to help you stay organized. Patterns are e-mailed in PDF format. Adobe Reader is perfect for opening the files and can be downloaded for free at adobe.com. Go ahead! Give the gift of handmade.

Check it out!!

My new favorite restaurant

I am a bit hesitant to share with you my new favorite restaurant, because I don't want everyone to be taking my seat by the window :D But, because I love you, I will share this gem.

Brad took me to "Brand 33" at the Aspen Lakes golf course for my "mother's day dinner." It was amazing. The service was top notch and the food delicious! I started with a artichoke bisque that was amazing! Then I had melt in your mouth sirloin (perfectly cooked) with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh baby vegetables....mmmmm! To finish it off we had a super rich and creamy creme caramel. It was so good!!
To top it all off the 3 course meal was only 33 dollars each which as really good considering the delicious food, the beautiful views, a young kid playing the piano for us and excellent service.

I can't hardly wait to have an occaision to go again!

A Teenager!

Wow! Can you believe as of today I have a teenager? I am not old enough to have a teenager!
Samantha has always been such a good girl. I am sure she will continue to be the best teenager ever :D

Samantha too arrived with great timing, considering she was supposed to have been born June 10th. On April 28th I graduated from BYU, a few days later we went to Christie's graduation from Ricks. On the drive home from Idaho my legs started swelling. Wednesday I had a Drs appt. in Calgary and told the Dr my legs were swelling and he basically told me, "You're pregnant, your legs are going to swell". Friday it was worse and I called the Dr. They said they didn't have appt. that day and to stay off my feet for the weekend and watch my salt in take, and made an appt. for Monday. The swelling got so bad at my parent's that I had to have Brad help me lift my elephant legs over the side of the bathtub to get in to have a shower. Monday I went to the Dr and he took one look at me and my blood pressure and asked me how I felt about going to the hospital that day. I told him "I'd rather not" and he told me to go home and pack my bags and check in that afternoon.

My blood pressure was really high so I was put on bedrest. Samantha was breech and would need to be born C-section. Wednesday I remember talking to Dr. Gurvich (incidentally the Dr. who delivered me) and he told me that the next day we would schedule a day for my C-section.

Wednesday night I spoke with a resident who wanted my profile for some research and she really thought I should have a sedative to relax and go to sleep. I said OK and somewhat reluctantly took the pill, then around 2am (I think) I remember waking up and thinking, "Crap, that stupid sedative made me wet the bed"... then I realized it wasn't urine. I called the nurse and told her "I think my water broke" and she replied "I don't think so" (I always thought that was a strange response)

I think I started to go in to shock as I started shaking uncontrollably and I couldn't get warm. They kept piling warm blanket after warm blanket on me, but I couldn't get warm. They gave me general anesthetic to totally knock me out and performed the C-section. I vaguely remember them showing me Samantha at some point but I was really out of it. The morphine made it really hard for me to stay awake.

She looked perfect, just like all c-section babies; with a nice round head. She was 5lb. 15oz. She was a perfect size. It was an extra special mother's day for me that year, since we got to come home from the hospital on Mother's Day.
So sweet!

3 weeks old

How could I say "no" to that face?

In her Easter Dress

Samantha has always been a nice girl and loved by everyone around her. She has always loved to talk and talk and talk. She has also loved to read since she was very small and there is no question whether she still loves to read! She has also always been way ahead of the curve in school. She was reading small chapter books in Kindergarten, and continues to do well in school.

Grade 1 portrait

Baptism Day

Lobster fishing in 2004

Samantha is a great example to her younger siblings, we are lucky to have her as our oldest child. Now we look forward to the teenage years. It is fun to see how she is changing and growing into her own person. She will be volunteering at the High Desert Museum this summer and I know she will do a great job.

Samantha decided it was her prerogative to wear her pajamas all day after we got home from church since it is her birthday

So... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brand new teenager.

Happy Mother's Day

It's me Brad, with a quick post wishing everybody a happy Mother's Day. Here's Tracey last night at Aspen Lakes golf course in Sisters. We went to the restaurant there, which was scrumdiliumptious. It is so pretty up there that I had to take a picture with the pretty lady. How do you like her 'I'm really cold right now take the picture before I freeze' smile?

Have a great day, all you Mothers out there!