You're Jealous

This past weekend I got some serious family time. . . and I didn't even have to travel!  My brother Jake and sister Josie came down for Conference, as did my Dad, Diana, and Ben's parents.  And as luck would have it, it was also my birthday.  It turned into a three day affair.  I'm not one to complain. . .

Jake and Josie

My cute mom cooked all day to make me a birthday dinner at her house.
Hailey proved to me that she truly knows how to treat a "30 weeker."  Again, I'm not one to complain. . .
Seriously how great is that.  Téa gets a spa treatment from both Papa Bart and Grampie Dune.
Avery and the beloved iPod. She just disappears with that and I find her on the couch singing to herself.

Easter Sunday

We bounced from Ben's sister's house to my sister, Megan's house last Saturday night for Easter.  It was great.  This was our first time to stay with them since they moved into their new home.  

Church was at 9am, supplying just enough time for the kids to run downstairs, mainline the chocolate from their baskets, have cinnamon rolls, and then be expected to sit still for the next 3 hours.

We had the Easter egg hunt right after church, followed by a delicious dinner, followed by a whole lot of laying around.  It was perfect.

                                            Megan and Roger's fourth, Grey.  


Right out their front door, they have what they call The Cinnabon.  The kids ride the never ending paved spiral on their bikes. The parents don't have to move.  Heaven.
                                               My brother-in-law Roger

Bowling for Vegas

We got home last night from Easter in Las Vegas.  We are spoiled and both Ben and I have sisters living close to one another.  Friday we and the Francis' hit it hard: Horton Hears a Who directly followed by a mean game of bowling at Red Rock, followed by a night of more sushi than I have ever seen on one table.

The girls loved the bowling alley. Téa had a moment of pause when I handed her the shoes.  She put her hands up and said, "No Way." Immediately followed by, "Does everyone else's shoes look like that?  You promise??" (Remember, this is coming from a girl who tried to talk me into letting her wear a skirt and knee-high boots to Sports Camp today.)  I swear the lanes are on a slight slope because there were times that Avery merely set the bowling ball down, yet it mysteriously made it to the end.  It may have been the Indian Rain looking dance she did every time until the ball made it to the end.  

Ben KILLED me at bowling.  Before you take that as a given, let me just tell you I was holding my own - to my own surprise.  He started-out a little cocky - as you can see him bowling while on his cell phone- but when he saw what a true threat I was it was "game-on" and he threw so many strikes in a row that I actually had no idea how the computer would calculate that kind of feat.  

So, now I not only believe he sneaks out to visit our local skating rink, but I fear he has been frequenting the bowling alleys as well. Great.

Thank you Francis' for a great weekend!

BIG GAME

Ben found this photo the other day.

It just makes me laugh. 

Whoever thought to do that is hilarious.

The Best Cooker

Today Téa gave me a big hug and told me I was "The Best Cooker in the World."  

Fabulous!  Thank you Téa, thank you very much.

She didn't stop there.  She listed what I was so good at.

And I quote:

"Lemon Meringue Pie,

Chips and Cheese,

Pies, and

Grapes, well you don't cook the grapes, but you wash them really well."

She apparently has over-looked my apple-washing and cereal-pouring skills. Hopefully, someday, she will hold those in as high of regard as those awe-inspiring plates of nachos and sanitized grapes.

Good to Know. . .

Preface: I ran into this on one of those baby center websites about pregnancy.  The fact that information like this even exists confirms to me that you need to have an IQ Test taken before you are allowed to conceive.

This is for real. I can't make this stuff up. . .

"A woman is advised to remove her nipple jewelry as it can be a choking hazard for the baby as well as their gums and tongue can be injured by it. Babies who are left to nurse from a nipple with the jewelry remaining, aside from the two major risk factors listed before, tend to improperly latch onto the breast, release and latch more often than a baby nursing from a breast with no jewelry, slurp and gag as well as experience milk leakage from their mouth. The studies, though, also showed that once the jewelry was removed, the breastfeeding experience became more like what would be considered "normal breastfeeding" such as a breast with no modification at all."

My favorite part is where it says, "The Studies, though, also showed. . ."  

Studies?  There were actual studies? 

Who spear-headed that one?  Who proposed this hypothesis to the board?

"Gentlemen, after placing jewelry in the mouths of 450 infant subjects, and analyzing the data, it has been scientifically proven that introducing a piece of metal into an infant's mouth is indeed dangerous.  Conversely, we have discovered that when the object in question is removed, the danger is no longer present."

Genius.

SHOOT THE DUCK

We went to the roller skating rink tonight with Téa's school.  Apparently a very important event to attend, in her book.  

It's not right by our house, or near a main road.  It takes some maneuvering and small roads to get there. Ben was driving, and just drove directly there.

Uh, can you drive directly to your local skating rink?  I wouldn't think so.  So, I make a comment about him secretly going skating on Saturday nights.  And he says, "I have 3 words for you Briar: Shoot The Duck."

I didn't get it.  Do You?????  

If you do, then you need to tell me, because I swear to you that nobody knows what it is.

When I found out what it meant, I lost it.  I laughed so hard that Ben would know this.  

I'm still not sure if I should be impressed or terrified that he would know some serious skating-lingo.

Meet Health and Pulse

These are quite literally my "Life Lines."  

Everyone says you glow when you are pregnant.  

Yah, no. Not me.  

While pregnant, I lose all signs of life.  When people see me without makeup, I quite often hear, "You ok?  You look a little green." That's because I am.  That would be because I am sick and have been living in what seems to be the arctic tundra, for the last 6 months. 

So here's to Bobbi Brown for packing up some health-in-a-bottle for me, and to Neutragena for granting me that ever-important, often unappreciated need for the appearance a pulse.

Girls Weekend

Ben was gone all weekend.  He was only in Denver for 3 days but I treated Saturday like I had to keep the kids' mind off him, as if he'd be gone much longer.

We went to the gym, straight to a haircut for both girls (Avery chopped her hair off), over to lunch, hurried to the movies, directly over to the Living Planet Aquarium and then spent 30 minutes in a parking lot while Avery had a huge meltdown.

Yup, I did it.  I over did it.  Why do I do this? Why?  I purposely pack in tons of stuff and then just end up frying their tired little brains and I fry what's left of my patience.

She and I had a showdown and I absolutely had to win. 

I wouldn't move the car until her seatbelt was on.  She wouldn't put her seatbelt on until I started driving. I spent the whole time trying not to let her see me laughing while Téa screamed from the back, "Will someone please do something so that I can go home!!!"

I actually started to worry that we might spend the night right there.  Believe me, we would have.  But after almost a half an hour of window-shaking screams and pleads through sobs, I won.  

How sad is it that I feel so triumphant over out-waiting a 4-year-old.  But I do.  

Happy Birthday Ben!

He's doing exactly what he would want to be doing for his birthday...hanging out all weekend in Denver with a bunch of other letterpress printers.  Ben heaven.

Happy Birthday! I love love love you.

My Tired and Tattooed Little Valentine

My sweet little Avery had a big day, and lots of red and pink chalk candy.  She is still crying from her "hangover." The highlight of her day was strategically placing the heart tattoos on her face.  She stood in front of the mirror and made her decision hours before they actually went on.  Now she won't let me wash them; we wash around them in the tub.  I thought they'd be peeling off by now, but unfortunately they are going strong.

Valentines Day

I don't get many things right the first time.  In fact, I am told that a lot. Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls, brought me here. And where was I before the day that I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday and I know that I am, I am the luckiest.

-Ben Folds

THIS COULD BE YOU! - Bridal Portrait Giveaway

No, not literally you, but you could win a FREE Bridal or Engagement Portrait Session from Justin Hackworth Photography.

Yes, I am serious.

Justin is experimenting to see how word spreads through the Wonderful World of Blogs. (And - he's not too shy to tell you that he wants to show-off his new website as well. It really is fantastic.)
There is no catch or strings attached. I promise you.

I have known Justin personally for years and years and I can truthfully say he is the greatest photographer. He has a great eye and is honestly a joy to be around. Just browse through his website and you will see what I mean.

If you, or someone you know, love, or admire - I guess even someone you don't admire - is getting married (and live in the Salt Lake/Provo area) sign-up!

If you are like me and think, "I never win anything anyway, why try. . ." Don't do that. Someone is going to win. Why not you? And if you tell your friend and they win - well - you could call it your wedding gift to them. So economical.
Just do it. It'll take what, like five minutes? You only have about a week, so get on it!



Here's how it all goes down. FIll out this form and send it directly to Justin. If you win - well, you win! - and are seriously, seriously hooked-up.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

(All photos shown taken by Justin Hackworth)

Weekend in Idaho

A few weeks ago we got to go up to Idaho. When I say "we" I mean all 20 of us, literally. Ben's brother, Collin and Rosemay flew out from Washington DC for all of us to meet their new addition, Josiah. The entire family - all of the aunts and uncles and cousins - piled into Grams and Papa Bart's house for a few days. So fun.

On more than one occasion, Bart loaded the kids into the truck and they took turns being dragged behind on sleds. He's a saint.
All of the kids slept together in the basement. Hallelujah.
Joanne took us all to the new Cupcake Cafe in town.

My little brood. . .
Ben and Emily took eachother on with Guitar Hero. I was admiring Ben's power-stance when I realized it could only be attributed to the fact that he was straddling a knocked-out Grace.
Collin, Rosemay and Josiah
The "Incredible Edible" Josiah. I just love him.
Proud Avery got Josiah to stop crying.

Since Preschool, whenever we get a chance, Téa and I rush off for a quick Hot Chocolate Date at the local coffee house. We used to swing by on her way home from school before we would pick up Avery from the babysitter's. Téa never wants to talk about school or things specifically about her. But get her some hot chocolate, big leather chairs by a window, and some alone-time with Mom and you've got yourself a talker. She ALWAYS starts by saying, "So, how was your day?" She then goes on and on about school, teachers, and yes, boys. We've kept the tradition for 3 years now and I hope we never stop.


I have to tell you how funny this is. It is snowville around here. The city is covered in 6 feet of snow and Tay is very angry because she cannot wear her Jellies out of the house. She acts like it is up to me to fix it; like I need to have a talk with the Weather Manager of something.
Anyway, she decided it was more important to wear those shoes and have the date in the car, than to put on some boots and go inside.

It's A Girl!

That is just the bottom of her little foot. I thought it was so so cute.
We are thrilled and the girls can barely stand it, they are so excited to have a little sister.
I told the girls I was going to the doctor to see pictures of the baby. I told Avery that the doctor could see if it was a boy or girl.
A little light bulb turned on in her head and she said:
"Oh Yah, yah. I know. The doctor is going to see if the baby has long hair or short hair, right?"
Exactly. We'll just leave it at that for now.

"What Are You Having?"

I seem to be asked that more these days than the usual "How are you?"
Ben never misses an opportunity to jump on his stock answer, "A baby."
Maybe a kitten, a little puppy perhaps, but we're thinking baby.
I don't have any inclinations, one way or the other. We don't care either. Well, I do care that it's a baby.

People I barely even know seem to know what I'm having, I wish I was as "in tune" as they were:

"It's a boy, I'm sure of it."
"You'll have another girl. Just trust me, you will."

. . .and your name was???
We get our first real look at this little tot tomorrow.
If it's a boy, we will be thrilled. Something new. . .and less emotional, so I hear.
If it's a girl, we will be thrilled. I get to pull out all of my favorite baby things I'm all nostalgic about and Rocco-Dog won't have to feel threatened.

A Life in Hiding

Poor Aves.
Santa got Téa a Nintendo DS for Christmas. The novelty has not worn off yet and so Avery is not allowed to touch that thing. So when Téa goes to school, Avery jumps at the chance.
I found Avery on the couch, hiding under blankets, playing the game the other day. Eventhough Tay was at school, Avery was scared she might walk in any minute.
She always says, "Téa will totally freak-out on me. And scream."
Avery has already told me that she is asking Santa for one next year. Wise choice.

Yearly Trevi Date

Some people get excited about The Sundance Film Festival because the films are great and the people-watching is even better. But for me, it is neither. It's Trevi. For the past few years I have been able to see one of my favorite people every January. We were friends in high school in California. Her husband, Steve, is a producer and they come up to Park City for the festival. It is always fun to catch-up and sheepishly turn-down her yearly pleads for me to move back "home." She even offered me 1/2 of her husband's birthday cake. . . all in one slice. What a hostess. . .

We went out to dinner with her husband and friends, Natiya and Kevin. Kevin seems to know a thing or two about these so-called "blogs" and wasn't sure how he wanted to be represented on mine. So, we shot a few different options and will let you choose your favorite "Kevin."