My New Look

I love getting my hair done, I get out of the house and turn into a different woman!  Then it grows out and I do it all over again!  It's fun, and, I guess, proof that I am a woman :)  Anyways, I thought I'd post this one since last time I changed my look it was right before I went to Salt Lake to visit my dad.  I didn't tell him then & I think he had a real hard time recognizing me... so this one's for you dad!  

Date Night

Todd and I still try to keep the romance alive by going out on dates whenever we can.  We'd like to go every weekend, but it just doesn't always work out like that.  Last night, though, Todd's parents offered to watch the kids to go out, so we quickly took them up on the offer!  We four-wheeled to a beautiful cluster of red rocks here in Toquerville... we call it "Devil's Hole" because one of the rocks is like a big bowl with a flat bottom, it's hard to say how it was formed.  Anyways, we went there four three and a half years ago (about) when Gary and Karlene first moved down here and took family pictures.  It was an adventure to get out there and even more of an adventure to get home in the dark!  Four-wheeling in the dark is definitely not the smartest idea, and we have the tents in the truck to prove it.  Nonetheless, we laughed a lot... it was quite the date!  Then we came back home for ice cream and a movie, but what we loved most was the beautiful scenery of our new home and our adventure outdoors!

First Talent Show

On Saturday our ward primary hosted a talent show for the kids. I asked Liv and Gary if they'd like to draw a picture or sing a song... Liv perked up right then and said, "Sing a song!" I was hesitant since Liv is so shy in nature, but I remembered feeling the same way just before her preschool Christmas program. But once they got started singing she was the star, so I knew I needed to back her up, otherwise I'd just be holding her back. So I started listing songs, ones that they know well so they wouldn't forget the words once they were up there in front of all those people (not actually a lot, but enough to intimidate any little tike). The two of them decided upon the classic "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." As you can see, they were a little overwhelmed, but I was still so proud of them for what they had accomplished... plus, they were just beaming with pride in themselves, and that's what mattered the most!

The Key

The Key by Marianne Curley was the last in the time trilogy, and what a fabulous ending it was!  It was full of excitement and twists!  Especially the very ending, but I won't say anymore, because I don't want to spoil it!  I love how Marianne writes, it's simple since it is written juvenile readers, but there is still so much imagery and anticipation!  My favorite part is all of the different views she gives you by writing first person from five different people throughout the three books.  In the first the chapters alternated between Ethan and Isabel first person.  The second was Arkarian and Isabel again.  Then for a whole new flavor the last book, The Key, was the first persons of Matt and Rochelle.  I thought that was very unique and inventive!  I've thought a lot about why I loved the book so much, it's not as though there is a great life lesson to be learned... in the end I decided it is just an intense story, so much so that I don't think I'll ever forget the feelings I had while reading it.  I felt as if I was right there with them, and I couldn't book the book down because I didn't want to just leave them hanging!  It was great!

The Country Couple

My husband's cousin, and friend of mine before I even met him, is getting married in December!  This last weekend she, Brittany, asked me if I'd take pictures of her and Shawn for their wedding announcements.  Of course, I would!  I know I'm not the best photographer, but I'm always ready with my camera!  It was a lot of fun!  I love taking pictures of the engaged... they're so cute and lovey!  The horse was a new type of prop for me, so that was fun.  This is Brittany's horse, Dandy, they're buddies, so she wanted him to be involved in the pictures.  That was very interesting for this five foot photographer to get a good angle that wouldn't be all nostrils!  It worked out well.  Of course, the horse had to relieve himself right before we took the picture, so some major editing got done to make sure horse crap wasn't the extra prop ;)  It was fun, and I'm happy they have found each other!

Diamond Berries

This turned out to be such a pretty blanket!  It's not my favorite pattern but it's so quick and easy, and I had only two weeks.  I wanted to give the plain pattern something special, so I was so excited when I discovered how soft Bernat yarn is these days.  The extra strip of shine they put in their yarn gave this blanket sparkle!  It turned out so gorgeous and soft... I love it and was proud to give it to Todd's cousin for her newborn girl, Syrie Dawn!

Sunday Spotlight

My Father-in-law:  This is Gary Young, my favorite father-in-law! You may recognize the name because it is the same as my little  boys... yes my boy was named after his grandpa.  When Todd left on his mission he announced his first son would be named after his dad, and so it was!  Turns out I love that name for my boy!  Anyways, this man is great!  He makes me laugh quite often!  He's a big kid... he celebrated his birthday today (hence why I'm spotlighting him), you would never guess his age, cause he never acts it!  He has this great hard-working ethic!  I rarely see him sitting around... he's always up to some project!  Recently it's been an entertainment room and a lawn, everyday, as soon as he gets home from work, until I make him be quiet cause the kids are going to bed... sometimes even past then!  My husband, his second oldest son, his is exact twin... they are two of a kind, even in looks!  I am grateful for all that he's taught Todd... well except that they are such constant teases to their wives. . .  But the best part is watching him with the kids.  I didn't know what to expect when we moved in... how these empty-nesters would do with my disastrous kids tearing apart their house.  But Grandpa's arrival home from work is the greatest highlight of the day for both parties (the grandkids and grandpa)!  It's precious!  I am grateful to know this man & hope he had a very happy birthday!!

p.s The last picture of Gary is awesome because he has his sons, Taber - who's in North Carolina because he's a Marine & Tyler - who lives with his wife in Salt Lake, on the phone singing along with us as we sang "Happy Birthday" before he blew out his candles... how cool!

My Little Helper

The other day my mil decided to can peaches, and so I decided I'd help her since it sounded like quite a lot of work. Well, Gary boy saw us (Karlene, Gary [fil], and myself) cutting up peaches, and, as usual, he wanted to help out... he always wants to be part of the group and is game for whatever everyone is doing! I wouldn't let him, of course, because we were using sharp knives. But my dear hubby wouldn't let the moment pass by, so he dug through the silverware drawer until he found a dull spreader knife! This was the perfect tool because the peaches were ripe enough that even this dull deal could cut through them and then Gary could join us. Turned out to be a BIG HIT! Once Gary had joined us of course Liv wanted to, but we only had one of those knives so they had to take turns. It cracked me up - Gary got right down to business getting the job done, while Liv wouldn't touch the peach for the life of her... so she ended up just chasing the peach around the plate with the knife! My kids are such opposites and such a hoot! I love it!!

Gary's Imagination

Since Liv is in school for four hours Monday through Thursday Gary and I have been given a lot of bonding time.  And with Todd also in school now, Gary's normal playmate is gone.  But I'm not complaining, I am actually loving our one on one time!  It has given me time to watch Gary's own imagination at work, and, boy, is he creative!  And he is such a boy!  When I was studying psychology I fought for nature in the nature vs nurture argument... I believed that kids were what we made them.  After having a boy and girl of my own I totally disagree with myself!  While Gary boy has fun dressing up and playing along with all of Liv's girly things (as you have previously seen) when it is just him he turns to tools, tractors, dump trucks, etc!  I have loved watching his little mind at work, it's so priceless!

Circles

This was a fun pattern... I love when I come across fun patterns!  I actually have attempted this one once before and quit for one reason or another.  Since I couldn't remember why I decided to give it another try because I like the look of it so much.  Turned out to be really cute and a nice size!  I can't wait to see it wrapped around the little baby that is actually being born any minute as I write this!!

The Dark

The Dark by Marianne Curley was a page turner throughout the whole book, just how I like it!  I was blown away by all the excitement and how the story unfolds.  Sometimes it's slightly predictable, but overall, it was a fantastic read!  While The Named was kind of slow, this book made it worth it to read the first!  I am anxious to hear where the adventure goes in the next and last book, The Key!