little lovelies-baby lotion

Ok I'll admit it I've never cared for the smell of baby lotion. I know it's something that all females are just supposed to loooove and drool over but for me...nadda...until a few years ago. I was shopping for a baby shower gift and stumbled across this bedtime lotion, I figured it went well with the bedtime book and crib sheets I bought so why not? Fast forward a few years and this same friend buys me the same gift (yes on purpose) complete with this heavenly bedtime lotion. I'll let you in on another secret-I dread bathtime. Sure it's fun to see him kick, splash, drink dirty water etc. but getting him out and rubbin' him down with lotion is beyond frustrating. The guys at Johnson & Johnson sure make it worth it though-Grant smells sooo handsome all day long. I'll probably insist that he wears it until he's 18....I'm sure he wouldn't get made fun of in the locker room.

little lovelies-ice-cream

For years I've seen people blog about things they love or some of their favorite items/memories. It's fun to read these and learn more about my friends. I have also tried a few of these "favorite items" just because they sparked my interested. Different cleaning supplies, foods, beauty products etc. Lately I've been feeling like this blog is a tribute to Grant-which don't get me wrong the kid is cute and about 90% of my day revolves around him, but I also want to have a document on the things that make me happy besides my little {and big} dude(s). So...I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and write down my thoughts.....first up. ICE CREAM!!!!

Oh how I love this yummy yummy stuff. Love it. LOOOVE IT! I used to have 2 bowls a day growing up. One giant bowl after school and another one after dinner. I used to sit there and play Nintendo on the banana chair with a my mint chocolate chip right by my side. Ah who needs good grades anyway?

The other day I was wanting to practice making flowers for cakes and decided to try to making a Dairy Queen cake because let's be honest they are fantastic. (BTW is it just me or is their chocolate xtreme blizzard not the greatest thing ever?) My frosting didn't set right for the leaves so there are a few splotches where I attempted and then backed out. The cake was easy to make but pretty rich. Oreos, fudge, triple chocolate ice-cream....atleast the oreos were reduced-fat! Pretty sure that doesn't mean I can scarf down the whole cake though.

There was a place in WI called Sweet Peas. Oh my it was fantastic. They had the best cake batter ice-cream--I talked about it for weeks. Seriously. If only there was a way to ship it.

Grant's world, Grant's world, party time, excellent

So yes I know his birthday was April 22nd and yes I know today is May 11th. I could make a lot of excuses but I'll just cut to the chase and get on with the pictures.

We were in Utah during the week of his birthday and I loved that everyone was able to see him and help celebrate. I do feel slightly bad that I didn't make his cake, I mean I make cakes because "hey it's Thursday!" or other silly reasons but with the move, and traveling it was just too much right then. He seemed totally content with his red monster cake.

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to reflect on what a blessing he really is to us. It has been a fun year watching him grow and learn and even though I am excited for the new milestones I can't help but get a little sad that my baby is growing up. Oh well what do you do? We love you baby Grant!

taking sides

Side A

Side (B)ehind

a big shout out!

Did you know that today is "Teacher Appreciation Day"? Yea me neither, but thanks to my BH&G magazine I was quickly up to speed! If there is one thing that gets me a little fired up it's the phrase "teachers have it so easy. they work 9 months out of the year, work 7-3 and have weekends off. anyone could be a teacher!" Ugh. Seriously? I can honestly tell you that student teaching was BY FAR the hardest 4 months of life...so far!

I remember thinking "how hard can it be to teach 14 year olds about the food guide pyramid?" (that part was easy---teaching about the birds and the bees was another story!) I'm sure once you get the hang of it things might go smoothly and you really would be off work by 3 and not be busy with work on the weekends but man oh man I never had the chance to "leave work at work". There were ALWAYS meetings, papers to grade, meetings, bullies to deal with, meetings, other teachers who could care less, parents who could care less, kids who could care less-or even worse kids that care TOO much and cry about their A-.

I'm grateful that there are people out there that love teaching and helping others. I'm grateful for the teachers that I have had that pushed me to be better. I may not have liked it but I'm grateful for it. In high school my favorite teachers were the "cool" ones that let us leave class early or decided to skip a test here or there. I wish I would have tried a little (a lot) harder during those years but rest assured I made up for it in college!

At BYU I was struggling with Russian and my professor pulled me aside after class to give me the confidence I needed. She wasn't very kind about it but I walked away feeling so loved and important to her. She was teaching several classes and it would have been easy for her to just give me my C+ but instead she helped me to realize my strengths and abilities and I will never forget that. David and I still speak fondly of her.

I hope everyone realizes how lucky we are to have such wonderful examples...and a place to take our kids when we need a break;)

craziest week of the century

I swear we set a new record of cramming the most we could into a fourteen day span. Let's see....

Thursday (the 15th)- David resigns from Kohl's
Friday- super quick good-byes to friends
Saturday- movers came and loaded up our stuff, drove to Lincoln NE
Sunday- drove to Craig, CO
Monday- family BBQ, David learned how to install new brakes (with the help of my dad and uncle) we'll just keep our $500 thank you very much Midas.
Tuesday- drove to Pleasant Grove UT and had a BBQ with friends
Wednesday- session at the Provo temple with family
Thursday- Grant's birthday (more to follow), manicures with the girls
Friday- witnessed the sealing of my cute sister in-law and new bro in-law, luncheon, reception
Saturday- drove to St. George, sealings in the temple, Court of Honor for my nephew (of course another BBQ)
Sunday- drove to Denver, stayed with the Donohues
Monday- moved into our apartment
Tuesday- David flew to MN for work, my mom came to keep Grant and I safe...uh I mean unpack
Wednesday- try to get back to a normal life!

It was a crazy week but I am so grateful that we were able to be at all these wonderful and important family events. I think I've hit up every fast food place in the west! Sheesh!

So yes for those who didn't know we did indeed move back to CO. David really enjoyed working for Kohl's but when the opportunity presented itself we couldn't refuse the chance to move closer to family....and mountains. We have really enjoyed it so far- minus the loud thumping of a bass that has been blaring through my window for about an hour! Last night we ate at Cafe Rio and were surrounded by mormons. It was like a little mini Provo! Overall I think it's going to be a great place for us right now!