The Ence Gang

Winter where are you?

2012-02-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

OH! There you are!

(These pictures are from a couple weeks ago, but still illustrate the crazy snow we are getting currently.)

It's been snowing for the last two days. I think we have about 9 inches. Bummer you say? Nah- I don't really feel that way too much since almost all the other days this winter have looked like this...

No snow, pretty sunny, and warm enough to bundle up and go on walks.

(Blog post about this photo later.)

But Bladen has been sick for 4 or 5 days. Its kind of been a mystery to me as to what's going on with him. Is he really sick, is he teething? Why is he so grumpy? His nose is running like CRAZY, but has no temp. So I think he just has a little cold, but I don't know. Regardless, I haven't really wanted to take him outside, I don't want the cold weather to make him worse. So we stayed home from church today. (I'm surprised they didn't cancel it, it was pretty scary out there.)

So even though we are stuck inside, I have some fun pics of Bladen's first time really looking at the snow. This was at the beginning-ish part of January.

"Whoa- look at this white stuff."

"Its stuck to my gloves."

"Mom- you do realize that you get overly excited about everything, right?"

Yes, Bladen. I know.

Favorite Boy

2012-02-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

This little boy, is my favorite little boy.

He's got a sweet hat...

... and a big mouth, like his mom.

We like being silly.

And we are super cool.

Grammy and Papa Daniels Visit!

2012-02-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

Since we didn't get to see my side of the family in Oregon for Christmas this last year, my parents decided to come see us! We were so happy and excited for Bladen to get to spend some time with them, and that's exactly what they did!

They watched movies together, Baby Einstein Movies to be exact.

They played with cars...

They played with a big box...

Bladen helped Grammy pack some old antique goodies she found out here...

And then they played with all of the stuffed animals and pillows!

This is probably Bladen's favorite. Can you tell?

Then each grandparent got the best thing they can get from their little grand babies.

Snuggles and love.

Thanks for coming to play and visit with us! We had so so much fun! Love you guys!

February 2012 Goal: Fitness

2012-02-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

Currently, I have none. haha. Ok, that's not funny. I should have something, anything that can help me in the physical exercise department of my life. Even going on walks with Bladen would work and be good. But with the weather here, and lack of safe sidewalks makes it difficult. So we shall when we can, BUT I need to DO something else.

Pinterest, my new love (Don't worry Deric, you're still number one in my heart), has been a great place to get ideas. And for my February Goal, TO DO SOMETHING fitness related, I found this:

So to start out, I will fit this into my day, every day. It might be at different times, or right before I go to bed. But since I am a mom, and haven't found a way to stay very physically active and fit before now, this is a good starting place for me.

Question: What the heck is a "burpee"?

Wish me luck! More fitness fun goal related things to come I'm sure...

Patience Reflection

2012-02-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

So January...

It was a pretty good month.

Pretty much the same old same old.

This month I had a goal, my January 2012 goal, to learn greater patience.

I think I learned some things, but probably have a lot more to learn in general.

I had a conversation with Deric, the hubs, that I blogged about awhile ago that helped me the most.

It hurt my feelings. But I realized that learning and changing hurts sometimes.

The greatest "ah-ha" "light bulb" (said in Gru accent) moment I had was understanding that I put too high of expectations in most situations without knowing it. And when my expectation isn't met, then my patience is gone. Boo.

I don't know if I can confidently say that "I'm so much more patient now." Psh. But I can say that I do think about what my expectations are in situations where I find myself starting to get hot under the collar. (Totally didn't get that saying until I had a kid. I actually get all hot flashy when I get angry sometimes.) I can step back for a second and evaluate my expectations and my behavior in the situation. Goodness I'm still not perfect, but I really do feel like I am getting better.

And keep in mind people its not like I'm some kind of monster. I hope not anyway. Patience is just something that has always tested me, and something I would like to be better at. And after this month, I feel like I have grasped the patience rope a bit more tightly. It still is hard to hold onto as I climb up that rope, but I can do it.

Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.

Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.

-DIETER F. UCHTDORF

I think this is a fitting quote from Uchtdorf, isn't he amazing by the way? Patience is something that takes time to master, but I feel good about where I'm at on my journey.

OK- onto February! What will my goal be for the Feb month? I've been thinking about my fitness lately... hmm....

Christmas 2011 at the Ence home!

2012-01-15T11:09:00.000-08:00

Man we sure had a great Christmas this year! We went to Utah and had Christmas there, but we also had a Christmas to come home to! I tried so hard to persuade Deric to open our Christmas (and my Oregon family's that they sent) before we went to Utah. But he kept saying we should wait, so wait we did. And its a good thing, it was so much fun to come home and have more fun presents!

Although, first things first! We had to unpack all of our suitcases and put away the loot we got in Utah. We are a clean organized family around here, for the most part. Tease if you will, but we like it!

Then Bladen went for the bows. I didn't mean to stick the bows in this conspicuous place, but it works. =)

Then we got to open some presents!

Isn't my hair cute?

Bladen got all sorts of sweet things! He loves this little kitchen play set, mom likes to dance to the songs and sing them over and over. "MMM, MMM something smells yummy! Time to put, something in my tummy..."

The boys got some sweet mini light saber stalking stuffers.

Which would fit in perfectly for the gift we got Bladen.

(Insert Emperor March HERE. Dun dun dun, dun da dun dun da dun...)

Bladen got a sweet Darth Vadar backpack!

He was marching all over the house with it on. We love Star Wars around here a bit. (Well, Deric loves Star Wars, so everyone must love Star Wars. It is the Jedi way.)

We opened up the rest of our presents and had tons of fun things to play with and look at. But I hadn't given my gift to Deric yet.

A couple years ago when we went to Christmas in Oregon, Deric surprised me with a beautiful ring with sapphires all around it. It was the most thoughtful, tear inducing gift. If you know Deric, then you know he did a really good job of surprising me with that one. And since then, I have always wanted to do an equally wonderful surprise for him.

So he had been pestering and harping about how he wanted this BBQ grill from Home Depot. I genuinely kept telling him he didn't need one, our little rusty thing was just fine, we would have to move with it, blah blah blah. And I meant it, I had no intention of getting him a grill. That's when I figured out that I could get him one for Christmas, because he would never think he was really getting one.

It turned out to be quite the ordeal to keep it a secret and concealed. I had to pay for it with PayPal since Deric keeps a noose grasp on our bank account, and then I had to pick it up. It was on sale for $99 from $169, so score! But that sucker was heavy! And I will have you know that I moved it to my back little second garage storage unit thing all by myself. It was hard, but I did it.

Then Deric tells me that he and a friend are going to fix the roof of the back little second garage storage unit thing. Ugh. So I needed to move it so he wouldn't see it. After all, the surprise is half of it people.

So I found my super awesome muscles again and heaved it into the back of the van all by myself and took it to a friend's house. (Thank you Hyde Family!) Her husband helped me take it to their basement where it would stay until the great treasure hunt would happen. It worked out because these friends would be out of town and we were watching their cat and house, so I just sent my little scavenger hunt over to their house.

Its kind of long, but I wanted to capture it all.

If you don't want to watch all 10 minutes, you can just see the outcome in this video.

Needless to say, Deric was so surprised and excited that he actually got a grill! Merry Christmas Deric! I'm glad it stayed a surprise and that you enjoyed it!

Christmas in Utah!

2012-01-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

This year we got to go to Utah for Christmas! We haven't been to Utah for quite some time it feels like. I think the last time we were there was for my baby shower in the summer before I had Bladen, and that was a quick short trip. So it was good to go back and visit with our family there.

The trip was all about Bladen. Everyone wanted to see Bladen, wanted to hold Bladen, and eventually Bladen got to play with a lot of fun people and new toys.

This was Bladen meeting his cousin Jayla, who is a couple months older, for the first time. Can I tell you how much I am in love with this little girl? She is such a funny, sassy little thing.

Bladen loves his Aunt Kaylee. Goodness they had so much fun together. That Kaylee is sure great with kids. Kaylee! Come out here and be Bladen's babysitter for me, I'll pay you with chocolate... =)

(Sorry I can't get it upright.)

Bladen had some really good Grandma time. Grandma had so much fun with him, you could always hear her laughing and following Bladen around with a camera. =)

Grandma Karen, I want you to know that he found a little brush here and he won't let go of it! He still has to brush his hair, and everything else. Thanks for teaching him!

There were so many new things to touch and play with.

We even got to go swimming at the new Cedar City Aquatic Center, coolest place ever!

Bladen was not a fan of it though. We determined that it was how loud it was in there. He would be fine until we walked into the actual great room of pools and stuff. Then he just kind of had this distressed whine the whole time. I'm pretty sure it was the sound because 1, it was super loud in there, 2, every time the huge dump bucket dumped, Bladen would turn and look with a not happy face. And 3, he loved swimming this summer. He loves bath time. Water is not the problem.

So Deric and I spent the first 45 minutes just going around and around in circles on the lazy river. We talked to him, played peek-a-boo and dipped in the water. He started to laugh and get more comfortable and really started to enjoy himself for the last half we were there.

It really was a really fun place, and fun because everyone came!

We also got to see some of my family while we were there. Bladen liked playing at Great Grandma Daniels and Great Grandpa Jack's house.

Bladen loved GGDaniels and GGJack. He kept running up to them and played ball. Or Bladen's version of ball. (Run up, offer the ball. Nope can't have it. Laughs running away.)

We also got to see Deric's extended family, including Great Grandpa and Grandma Jones. It was so good to see them as well.

One good thing about getting everyone together for the holidays means family pictures!

Tyson and Heather

Jessica, Nate, and Jayla

Travis, Liz, Johnnie Lee, and Richard

Us, yo.

Clint and Karen

Grandparents with all their grandchildren

The whole Ence gang.

We had a great time visiting family and a couple of friends. Bladen (and us) miss you guys a lot already! Thanks for letting us come and play for Christmas! Come see us and we will play!

Patience Learning: Expectations

2012-01-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

I had a nice, and not so nice conversation with my husband yesterday while we were driving down to Costco. (It takes about an hour to get there, but its so worth it! Its Costco!) I've been pondering my goals on patience and love, and wanted my husband's opinion on it. Who better to ask than my best friend, and the person who knows me best?

I asked him what he thought of my goal, if I really was an impatient person, how I can begin to change myself or my thought process, and what I should do in general. Here's one thing you should expect (that I didn't) when you have these kinds of conversations: greater understanding hopefully, and hurt feelings. I had both.

I willingly opened myself up because I want to know what I need to work on and fix. But sometimes hearing those answers is hard, changing isn't easy. Deric didn't say anything that was rude or mean at all. It was actually a very nice, enlightening conversation, that just eventually left me with a bruised ego. Maybe not an ego, but I was down trodden a little bit because in some of the situations we were talking about for examples, I felt I was valid in my feelings at that time. Its hard to change your own thinking because you see it, live it, and experience it from your own point of view. BUT, my own point of view isn't or hasn't gotten me to where I want to be yet. So Deric's insight really helped me, a lot. (Aren't husbands great that way?)

And here is the answer and the greater understanding that hit me almost like a strong spiritual testimony hits you, what are my expectations?

Hang on, go with me for a second. I thought the same thing when Deric asked me that. Let's use "being to church on time" as an example. (That drives me crazy!) Sunday comes every week, we know our church is at 9:30AM, we have the same things to do every Sunday morning to get ready to leave. If we know all these things, why can't we be on time to church? These are the things I think, and then when we are usually late, I get impatient and frustrated.(Although I swear my Bishop starts a couple minutes early...) I suppose that is my thought process, my side to it.

Deric's thought process I can't give you. But it probably involves something like this, "what's the big deal?", and not really caring, because we're going to get there anyway and enjoy it the same amount regardless. (Deric, is that somewhere around the ball park?)

Anyway- with Deric's new question poised at me, "what is my expectation?", I need to apply it to this situation. My expectation is to get to church on time because its important to me, and we have been asked to do it.

Now what's the problem with that sentence? Its my expectation, what I think should happen. Me me me, my my my, now now now. (Thank you Hook.) I am not thinking about anyone else in this situation, and more importantly, I didn't convey my expectations or what I wanted to my husband. If Deric doesn't understand how I feel about being to church on time, which he doesn't, then how can I expect him to just do it?

Alright- this might not be the perfect example, but you get the idea. The better way to prove this expectations thing is to apply it to myself and my son.

Sometimes its hard to be patient with Bladen after a full day of trying to teach "no throwing", and crying. So when Bladen does something like throws another toy, I get impatient and upset. Why? Before I didn't think about it, I just felt like I was in the right because "he's not doing what I taught him."

What are my expectations in this situation? That Bladen won't throw toys, will be a happy kid, and will play well by himself. Whoa. I know, I just wrote it. Those are some high expectations, no wonder I'm impatient in this situation.

Anyway- that is what I learned. What are my expectations in the situations that I'm being impatient in? Without intentionally doing it, I am setting expectations in every situation, which most times won't be able to be met. Thus my patience jumping out the window. I share this with you to document, but maybe it will help someone out there too.

"Always aim low"

I'm working on it. Thanks Deric for the enlightenment and your patience. And sorry I'm so emotional sometimes, OK all the time. (But I got it from my mom.) =)

New Year's Resolutions 2012

2012-01-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ok- I need to admit something. I am way too negative. Or I guess a different way of putting it that suits me better is to say, I'm not happy enough. That still sounds wrong. I am not the the person I envision sometimes, and would like to be better. And I think that centers on me being happy with me.

Don't get me wrong I am very happy, I have much happiness in my life. But there are things that I let get to me that I shouldn't. I stew and worry over things that shouldn't matter or things that I can't change. I get caught up in silly things that don't or shouldn't pertain to me and it doesn't matter. I can't change it, so why let myself be unhappy over all of these things? Answer: I shouldn't.

I read a friend's blog, Greg Barnett, and he had a really interesting idea. Instead of having one all inclusive goal or resolution for the year, why not make it more attainable by having multiple small monthly goals? I gave a talk on resolutions on Sunday, and it went ok. The bulk of my talk was about Self-Improvement. That is pretty much what most resolutions involve, improving ourselves in some way or another. But it seems they always fizzle out and are forgotten about. I think that is why Greg's idea sounds really good to me. It is something attainable, and I can work on several things I want to change or improve about myself, with the opportunity to revisit and reflect if needed. I don't quite know what all of my goals will be for the year, but I do feel good about this.

With so many intense and scary changes on the way this year, Deric graduating, getting a job, selling the house, moving.... (ugh), I really want to focus being the best person I can be for me, my son, but really for Deric because he needs the extra support right now.

So I think the best way I can do that is to work on having patience and love this month. I need to have patience and love in other areas, pretty much all areas of my life. (Baby sitting, with Bladen, at church, in my calling, with Deric.) I understand that I can get frustrated, that's ok. But I know I don't need to let myself get as upset as I do sometimes.

Having and learning patience and love is my goal for January. I can really focus on it this month and then will be able to continue it throughout the year. So this month I will try to post different things I learn/find and maybe you can help me learn too! Happy January!

2011 to 2012

2012-01-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

Whoa, today is really the first day of the new year. Does that seem crazy to anyone else? Didn't it just turn 2011? Wasn't Bladen just a little baby? Crazy...

This year was good, really good. We didn't have a lot of BIG stuff happen, but it was still an awesome year.

I quit my job at Home Depot. Sad? Kinda.

But quitting really let me FINALLY get to be the kind of mommy I wanted to be. This year, I got to be a mom.

And seriously, I am a cool mom.

Deric was busy making pots. This is what he did ALL year. He has been busy getting ready for May 2012 when he will graduate with his Masters in Art!

He is making some pretty sweet stuff, and we are gearing up for job searching and applying! Wish us luck!

Bladen turned 6 months old.

And then he turned a year old! (sniff)

We also got to go on a couple of vacations!

Disneyland in May!

October at the beach!

Christmas in Utah!

Yes this year was a great year. This next year will bring lots of events I am predicting, I guess we will just have to see what happens! Happy New Year!

Muppet Christmas

2011-12-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

I just posted a really nice, but kind of depressing song on my last post. I don't find it depressing at all because it evokes all of those awesome feelings and memories of Christmas at my house. But there is one other album that really sums up my family, and I'm sure a lot of other families too. Anyone want to guess???

John Denver and The Muppets!

We always listen to this album at Christmas too, usually while we decorate the family Christmas tree with all our own personal ornaments. In fact we are so cool because my parents had it on record (those old things that used to spin and play music when you put a needle on it...) and we would listen to the actual record for years and years! (We eventually got a CD, darn technology.) Muppets is a must, and a staple in the Daniels house hold.

A Baby Just Like You, it makes me want to have a baby named Zachary. =)

Merry Christmas everyone.

Ok wait...

OH- I really can't leave out Mannheim Steamroller or TSO. They are my fav's too. Ugh, there are too many!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, kick'n

Christmas Eve Sarajevo

By far my favorite, it makes me so pumped and excited when I hear this on the radio. Its almost a little tradition of mine to look out for it on the radio and then completely rock out to it when it does come on. Can't you see it? =) Ya, its pretty sweet!

Ok, now I'm done.

Pretty Paper

2011-12-19T18:59:00.000-08:00

If you know me, or if we are friends, you know pretty well that I'm not so much a country a fan. Its OK if you like country, its just not my thing. Its so twangy and cheesy to me. (Its OK, be my guest and make fun of the music I like. But I think my taste is pretty awesome. It just doesn't involve most country.)

So with that being said, at Christmas time my mom would always play this "Country Christmas" tape cassette. Its old school. And its so weird that my mom played it and we all loved it, because none of us liked or listened to country. Ever. But this song in particular just feels like Christmas to me.

I think this is the Christmas song I find myself singing the most. It makes NO sense for me to like this song so much, it is the most twangy song ever. Its also kind of a sad song, but I like it so much because like I said before, it just feels like Christmas.

When I hear it I imagine my childhood house where we go home for Christmas and everything is decorated. There are a couple of trees, the mantel has my mom's sweet North Pole houses, there are lights everywhere. My family is all around laughing and talking, yummy food and treats are readily available to munch and graze on. And then among all the happiness, our family Country Christmas cassette is playing. Its perfect.

Merry Christmas!

December Update

2011-12-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

We haven't really been up to anything exciting. I know I said that last time, but its still true. Deric is been crazy busy finishing up this semester, and I have been crazy busy being a mom and making pendant orders. But we are enjoying our December none the less.

Bladen and I had a little photo shoot one afternoon. He is getting so big!

Look at that mischievous face. I can see it in his eyes, "Uh oh, mom just caught me."

I've been trying to teach Bladen "soft touches" which as far as he is concerned, are any kind of touches besides grabbing ornaments. He is pretty good about listening, and only gets in trouble for being too rough with the tree every once in a while. But can you blame him? Its like the biggest, brightest, shiny-est , sparkly-est toy ever. Who am I kidding? He's been doing GREAT!

Bladen has also discovered is love at the end of the day for being naked. Well, sans clothes at least. He also enjoys trying to put them back on his head, its pretty funny.

Also, he is LOUD. I don't know who he got that from...

Don't you love his little cheek hanging out?

And don't you also love how hot my husband is? Well you probably don't, but I DO!

We are headed to Utah this year for Christmas, and I hope to blog a little bit and post some older pictures that are on my mom-in-law's computer. Hopefully...

Super Busy... really?

2011-12-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

Happy December! Its been almost a month since I last posted. My apologies. But I have been super busy, and haven't had much time. No really...

I've been entertaining family...

Watching my nephew and son play together...

I've been watching my son learn how to walk!!!

Been eating lots of yummy food, so has Deric!

OK, so this all was within a couple days. But I HAVE been busy!

I've been making a million of these things for Christmas orders...

(Last chance to order is pretty much NOW!)

Then I've been really busy with watching a friend's baby on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and that literally keeps me busy and then bushed all day. Much patience is needed. I'm spent when the afternoon comes.

And then if all of that wasn't reason enough to prove how busy I've been and haven't been able to post on my blog...

Ah, who am I kidding. I've just mostly been lazy. =)

Merry Christmas and Happy December, I'm back! (Hopefully!)

26 years

2011-11-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me! I turned the big 2-6 this year and I honestly feel like I should be 24 or 25. I guess it just doesn't feel like a year has passed for me. Last year I just had a baby, and so when my birthday came, it was just mixed with baby stuff. Every day felt the same and it was kind of hard in the beginning for me. So because my 25th birthday was mixed in all of those emotions and days, I didn't really feel like I had my birthday or that I got older. (My parents and Deric helped me celebrate, I'm not complaining that I didn't get anything. It was just a weird time where everything just felt numb.)

Anyway- so this year turning 26 was weird because I don't feel like I should be 26. 26?! Whoa. haha, that's ok, I'll take it!

The one thing I really wanted for my birthday was just to feel loved, special, and thought of. My husband did a great job because he made me a flower pot and gave it to me with flowers in it!

That means Deric must have really been thinking of me because he has NEVER made me a pot to date (I know!) and it takes awhile to make, glaze, and fire a pot. So go Deric! Thanks babe, I love it!

I also got some other stuff, and it was all awesome. The next best thing about my birthday though was I got to go out to celebrate for a second day (second day birthday!) by going out to lunch at Famous Dave's. YUM. Thanks Deric!

Happy Birthday to me!

25 years old. Dang, I mean 26!

October Halloween Happenings!

2011-11-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

So we went to Port Farms, but that isn't where we got our pumpkins. When we first moved here someone told me about a cute place about 20 mins away where you pick your own pumpkins and pay "by the honor system". I don't know if paying by the honor system happens in many other places, but it actually happens often out here, which kind of surprises me. Maybe I'm not trusting enough. =) Anyway, this place is SO cute, and its just on someone's front lawn. They set up risers, price pumpkins by size, and have a box for you to leave your money. It rocks! And it is the cheapest place I've found for pumpkins, and I really enjoy the festive fun of pumpkins, and of course the pumpkin seeds after they have been carved!

This place is so great! You get a wheel barrel and pick out your pumpkins, all the while remembering the tally in your head for later.

Bladen wasn't sure what to think, but he liked munching on the baby pumpkins.

On your honor, pay here! We did, and we have all three years we've lived in PA! $20 can get you quite a few pumpkins to decorate and eat (seeds) later!

Then at the end of the month we had the Hyde's over to carve those pumpkins!

Look how sweet they turned out! I personally like the 2nd and 3rd pumpkin. Whoever did them had some mad skills!

During October we also went to the GIANT PUMPKIN DROP! I found out about it online and Deric really really wanted to go. So we went and watched a giant pumpkin fall on a car. Deric LOVED IT. haha, what a boy.

Deric was so excited he got ahead of everyone counting. =)

Then of course we had to take cute pictures and dress up for Halloween. Bladen didn't go trick or treating because they do it on Thursday's here regardless of what the date is (I don't know why, its weird.), so we missed it. But we still got him dressed up for the day and took some sweet pictures.

Bladen was YODA! Deric was so proud!

I think he was even more proud when Bladen sat with Deric and watched Star Wars together on Sunday. Bladen seriously has no patience for anything except Baby Einstein. That, and now Star Wars. He really is Deric's son...

October was a great month for us and we had so much fun! Now, bring on the holiday festive season! Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Happy Halloween!

My business's GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

Steph and I's little, but AWESOME pendant business is in full swing for the holiday season. I just wanted to share this opportunity with all my friends that read my blog, because you are all nice, and you all have good taste. Which then means you would love the pendants my sister and I make. =) So, if you would like, you can enter yourself in our little giveaway we are doing!

Go check it out here: http://jubilationstudios.blogspot.com/2011/11/its-that-time-of-year-again-christmas.html

I am really excited about these pendants because ONE, they are super cute, TWO I am really excited for Christmas this year, and THREE I am already rocking out to my Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas tunes, and sporting my own "Let it *Snowflake, snowflake*" pendant.

Jealous? Well you don't need to be! Go enter silly!

And here is my favorite TSO song also for your enjoyment!

Christmas never rocked so hard! Dare I say it? MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Port Farms

2011-11-06T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here in PA, there is a place that everyone likes to go to in the Fall Halloween season, Port Farms! Deric and I have heard a lot about it, and I've seen friends pictures every year, but we never went ourselves. This year we had some friends, Bob and Tennille, invite us to go with them. (Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with them, I guess I was a little more focused on Bladen. =)

Port Farms, for those of you who don't know or haven't been there, is this big farm with lots of fun activities to do for the whole family. It had mini hay mazes, slides, pumpkins, sand pits, corn pits, pictures places, a bunny village, some goats, hay rides, pumpkin launchers, helicopter rides, and a CORN MAZE! They had many many other things, but these are the things that I can remember.

(I can't seem to get my pictures all working. Bummer.)

I told Deric to look "Harvesty" and like he was having fun...

This was the giant corn pit. Whoa. That is a lot of corn, and an abundance of kids.

It was SWARMING with crazy nutty kids. We Bladen in the quietest corner we could find, and he started crying before we even put him down. No corn pit for Bladen!

Then we went and checked the slides out!

Bladen didn't seem to care much.

Even on the big slide, he seemed indifferent. But that's ok, we had fun regardless. These little boys that went down in front of me, took of their shoes and sock surfed down. I didn't know it was possible for a grown 26 year old woman to be jealous and admire a couple of 8 year old boys. They were SO cool!

Then we went and checked out Bunny Village. It was pretty cute!

Both Deric and Bladen liked the bunnies a lot. I think bunnies are Deric's choice animal. He has a tender spot for the bunnies, cute.

No Deric, sorry we don't need anymore pets.

I got excited to ride a horse with Bladen!

Then came the best part of all! I've ALWAYS wanted to do a corn maze, but have never gotten to. With all the corn fields in PA, I knew that they would have some good ones. Thankfully Port Farms gave me the opportunity. I was SO excited!

See! I told you I was super excited!

Everyone else coming into the maze, I ran ahead in my excitement. I think everyone thought I was a little crazy. CRAZY EXCITED! (Look, you can kind of see Bob!)

Deric and Bladen had fun too! It was a big maze!

We had to look for these little stations everywhere, and then we would stamp a paper that would show us what the maze looked like. It was a bunch of weaving lines and trains, pretty cool!

Goodness I love this picture! Maybe its that I don't look to shabby, or that I'm in a corn maze in it. But its probably more about that cute munchkin I'm holding. =)

For SHAME! Deric broke the rules and cut through the side of the maze to ask a lady how much the helicopter rides were ($40 something, not worth it for 10 mins), and he took Bladen with him!

And because of this heinous rule breaking, they were put in jail.

But I shortly sprung them out and we went and had snacks.

Thanks Bob and Tennille for inviting us, we had so much fun!

Thanks Port Farms for providing lots of awesome family fun!

Oh, and Michelle, I think I saw a sign from the corner of my eye as I was leaving that said, "We missed the Nazelrod's this year!" =)

Oregon: Sisterly Love

2011-11-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

I posted about family, and how great it was to see everyone and spend time together, but I had to make a special post for Stephanie and I's time together.

Growing up was pretty good with Stephanie. I wouldn't say we were the BEST of friends, but we were pretty close because we played and talked together often. She made me play barbies, and I hated to play barbies unless we got the near impossible to assemble barbie house out. We would always play "Good guys and Bad Guys" or "Prince, Princess, and the Bat", or "Mario, Luigi, Princess, and Bowser". Poor Nathan was the bad guy in all of them. (I wouldn't blame him if he had younger brother syndrome! Love you Nater Pertater!) I played all of the "heroic" or non-girly parts. Sounds about right. And then Stephanie always saved the "damsel in distress" roles for herself. Hard to imagine Stephanie as anything but the princess. =)

Anyway- since she moved away and I moved away and we both had kids, and have started a business together, we have become the best of friends! We talk almost every day and always have things to talk about. So it was really fun to be able to spend some time with Stephanie in Oregon too!

Remember our awesomeness here? (The computer didn't spell check me for "Awesomeness" haha)

We are both extremely cool people, get to know us.

Thanks Step-on-me for being one of my very best friends!

Oregon: Family

2011-11-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

The very best part of Bladen and I's trip to Oregon was getting to see and spend so much time with part of our loving family. We only get to see our family at best, (usually) once a year. So when these special extra opportunities become available, we try to take full advantage. Thank you Grandma Asmussen for flying us out to Oregon!

As you have read from my other posts, we did a lot of fun things. But the best part of all of it was just getting to be together. Here are some pictures of our fun together time!

The cousins had some fun play time together.

Or rather, by each other.

I love the touching of the heads and the little "hi".

The boys loved Grammy's treasure box!

There always seemed to be some fun treasures to share and play with!

Grandpa got to be a Grandpa, or as Bradley named him "Pa Pa"

Grandma got to be a Grammy, which we all named her.

Bradley got to be, well, Bradley. =)

Bladen got to do more new things and more attention then he knew what to do with!

And Grandma Asmussen got to be GREAT Grandma Asmussen!

It was an amazing trip and was SO good to spend time with everyone! We love you and hope to see you soon!

November 1st, Little Women

2011-11-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

Its November! I love November! I think I just must love this time of year because I LOVE October and December is a no contest to pretty much all other months. But November is here!

I just had to mention how excited I am for this month because of all the nostalgic and seasony feelings you get, it really is the best. Part of my seasony festive feelings come from a tradition that I have made for myself. I love to read, did you know that? I used to hate it growing up, I really did. I often didn't finish books I was supposed to read for school, and even went as far as Cliffnotes to get answers for books I hadn't read. Don't tell my mom, or my Freshman English teacher. (Who wants to read and finish Lord of the Flies? Piggy, NO!)

Since I have a new found love of reading, thank you Stephanie Meyer, I love reading ALL sorts of books. I can't get enough. But I think my favorite, my very favorite so far has been Little Women. I know what you are saying to yourself right now, really? Little Women? That sounds boring. But I love it so much!

I grew up watching the movie, and used to have a tradition of watching it on Thanksgiving in the afternoon while everyone was taking naps, and I would eat leftovers. It was my favorite thing! But now that I love books, my new tradition is reading Little Women in the month of November every year! Now you can see why I love November so much, but November 1st is amazing because I get to start reading my favorite book again! (I think this is my third or forth round.) The book itself takes place in all the different seasons, but Little Women just feels like a harvest, bundle up against the cold with a blanket, good read kind of book! I highly recommend it. And if you are anything like me, then you will find yourself speaking Old English like these cute girls and saying things like "dreadful", "fuss and feathers", "hence", and "perversity".

"During the fifteen minutes that followed, the proud and sensitive girl suffered a shame and pain which she never forgot. To others it might seem a ludicrous or trivial affair, but to her it was a hard experience, for during the twelve years of her life she had been governed by love alone..."
-Louisa May Alcott, Little Women, Ch. 7

"Money is a needful and precious thing,--and, when well used, a noble thing,--but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
-Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

It is such a cute book and movie. Lots of good lessons to learn from these sweet girls you come to love.

I also love watching the movie when I am finished with the book. I love both equally I think. They both do a very good job of representing the story and quaint March sisters.

Read it, you will love it.

Happy November!

Oregon: Beach Jumping and Other Fun!

2011-10-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

So did you know that it is pretty hard to jump on the number 3? I never thought it was, but between Stephanie and I, apparently we couldn't get it down.

First of all, before I get into my awesome pictures, you've seen these kind of pictures right? Those sweet awesome "jumping" pictures that your sweet friends post on Facebook? Ya, I wanted some of those, they always look like so much fun!

So I started out by giving an example of what you do!

"So what you do is JUMP, and look really cool while doing it!"

Got it? No? Ok, we will give you step by step instructions. Ready? Break it down!

1. Prep for the jump by bending your knees and bringing your arms above your head to swing upward to get more air. P.S. It also helps if you make your super awesome "cool while doing it" face.

2. Bend those knees way down, the lower you get, the more spring you'll have to push you upward! Don't forget your face!

3. Then... JUMP! Yes!

And if you follow these easy steps, you yourself can have super awesome jumping pictures that you look rad in!

FYI, we look totally rad here.

Although, you might have to take a couple of rounds to get your desired photo...

Good face practicing...

Haha, I love how eager Steph is in this one. You can practically see the anticipation of "THREE" on her face. Good practicing Steph.

Fail. haha

Then my mom got in on the action and got it on her first try. Kudos mom, you are a pro!

After we jumped a bunch, Steph found some washed up stairs to play on.

Then when she got bored of that, she found some seaweed. =)

I know what you're thinking, normally that would be me. But you'd be surprised how alike Steph and I are when we are together, haha.

Or I might have just been holding the camera and caught only half of the crazy that normally goes on between us.

Are you wondering what awesome sounds she is making while swinging that seaweed?

Hahahaha, super cool Steph. I don't think there is any other way to swing seaweed. =)

Oregon: Beach Trip!

2011-10-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

(I have many more Oregon ones to go, I just have way too many fun things not to blog about, and my blogging time seems more limited than I thought it would be. So sit tight, there's more to come!)

When we visit Oregon, if its not Christmas time, than we usually get to visit the beach which is awesome because it is always so much fun! This time we got to stay in a really neat beach house!

It could sleep up to twelve, had a ping pong table, a hot tub (luke warm tub), Jacuzzi, sauna, nice kitchen, and was literally about 50 yards from the crashing waves.

As you can tell from all these pictures, it was a pretty rockin' place.

We ate lots of yummy food, watched TV and movies, played games, and just got to be lazy and play together. It was a total blast! As you can see or will see from other posts, we got to do other fun things like baths, outlets, beach time, and become pirates! (Posts soon to follow!)

We had stand up on tables kind of fun!

We had jam packed sardines in a car kind of fun... ya, that wasn't so fun. (It wasn't awful though.)

Mmm! We had Mc Minimums yummy kind of fun!

Ohh, Captain Neon Burger!

Best french fries in almost anywhere. And trust me, I know my french fries!

We had swing your seaweed round and round kind of fun!

We had good playing with Grammy and Pa Pa kind of fun!

Yes we had a blast, and I certainly hope we get to do it again sometime, especially if we can all be there! Thanks G and G for taking us to the beach!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

2011-10-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

You can read in my last post, about how blown my mind is that my child is already one. But regardless of my minds lack of ability to comprehend my son's rapid growth and age, we had a pretty stellar party for him! (This post will probably be long and full of videos that most would be bored to watch (Yeah right!), but its here so my family can experience the fun that we had!)

Sweet B-Day Banner I made, woot!

Since we live on the other side of the world and don't have any family here, I wasn't sure what we were going to do for Bladen's birthday. He wouldn't really understand what was going on anyway, but I still wanted him to know something special was happening, and it was for him. So what do little boys love best? Making messes and playing with EVERYTHING. I figured this would translate into his love for balloons since he likes to play with them, and flip them everywhere.

So... we had an AWESOME balloon party!

Don't mind our back conversations and my annoying phone.

He loved the balloons. He went around in circles pushing and flipping them around the room. That is what we did for most of the night (and next couple days), play with balloons!

Then we tried to open some presents, and he wasn't too interested at first.

Once we showed him how fun it was to RIP paper, then he was moderately interested in opening his presents.

Do you love my wrapping paper? Most of the presents I wrap end up in newspaper. I think its kind of fun and funny, but mostly I'm just cheap. (Or money conciseness!)

Bladen got lots of neat presents, thank you everyone! But I have to admit that one of the presents Deric and I gave him, is my favorite.

Awesome! Best gift ever!

BUT. Hello! What was I thinking? It is super duper fun, but what Bladen enjoys about it, is throwing all the balls out! It only came with 15 balls, so Deric insisted that he needed more, and got an additional 250 ball set at Toysrus. 250 extra balls?! Wait no. 265 total balls for me to pick up EVERY day?! Well at least it keeps Bladen entertained. =)

Then it was cake time.

One for Bladen, one for us!

Now I have seen my friend's cute kids eating their birthday cakes and smashing it all over the place. It is super cute, so I guess that is kind of what I expected. Nope.

We need to learn not to talk during these little videos.

haha, best pouty sad face ever.

Poor kid. Mom ruins everything.

Then being the super patient mom I am, I waited for 5 minutes and then took Bladen's hand and dug it into the cake to help him along. He did NOT like that. I'm not sure if he was overwhelmed, or if he didn't like the mess on his hands. But he didn't eat the cake on his own. Even after I fed him a couple of bites he could have cared less.

All and all Bladen had a great birthday, and we had a lot of fun with him!

Happy Happy Birthday Bladen Bug!

We love you!

A year already?

2011-10-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness. Today came. I didn't think it would, but it did, and just as everyone said, too quickly. (I hate that.)

I tried so hard to persuade Bladen to stay only 364 days old instead of 365. He didn't listen.

Don't get me wrong, I am elated that we have reached a year! I am so thrilled that I have a one year old.

Holy crap. I have a one year old.

Where did this little guy go?

For heaven sake, that was a year ago? Really?

It has been an amazing year. Never have I had so much happiness or joy. I think that is the only thing that can really sum up this whole year and all of it's experiences.

JOY

Its amazing that they call being a mom a job. And it is. But most of the time, it doesn't have that negative connotation to having a "job". Most of the time it is fun, and happy, and joyful. My little boy makes it that way for me.

I am sad I don't have my itty bitty anymore. But I am so excited at where we are today. Its a shame that all of you who read this don't get to see him every day, I really wish you could. He is so funny, he has the best personality EVER. He thinks he is so funny, which I am pretty sure he gets from his mom. (Maybe that is why we have so much fun.) He is just like his dad too. Very focused, very funny, very excited to spend time together doing fun things. We discovered tonight that Bladen is also like his father in the way of not liking to get dirty. He did NOT like his birthday cake. More on that later.

I remember when Deric brought Bladen to me for the first time to meet and hold. I am pretty sure I said "hi." I remember holding him and thinking, "holy crap this is happening." I don't think I ever panicked, but I did have a lot of unsure moments that I prayed fervently during. I remember bringing him home and feeling so relieved that we were home. ALL of us were home, our whole family.

I remember crying at night when I couldn't get him to sleep.

I remember feeling numb for the first couple of weeks, wondering if this is what it is always going to feel like.

I remember putting him in cute clothes, and loving every day.

I remember watching him reach his hand up and touch a toy that was hanging above him, with such determination and focus. (It was then that I knew I had a genius.)

I remember when he giggled for the first time and the smiles that we worked so hard for.

I remember the awfulness of having to take him to daycare

I remember him always jabbering and cooing, telling us stories

I remember how easy, and happy he always was (is)

I remember quitting my job so that I could stay home and finally be the mom that I really wanted to be.

I remember the crawling, and now starting to take little steps.

Baby boy, you have given your dad and I more joy than we have ever experienced. We love each other so so much. But we can't even begin to express and verbalize how much we love you. Thank you for an amazing year. We are excited to learn and grow with you over this next year. But don't be in a rush to grow up too fast, because we're in no hurry. =) You will always be my baby boy, and I love you.

Ok, sorry. The mushy stuff is over.

Happy Birthday Balden Paul Ence!

I'm a dude! Funniest thing I have ever seen, maybe.

2011-10-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, who do I look like?

Seriously? Is this not the FUNNIEST thing you have EVER seen? I'm HOT! haha. Look at my chiseled chin and sexy locks of hair making me look at mysterious and smolder-y. I wish there was a better expression on the computer for immense laughter than "HA HA" and "LOL", because the humor and joy I find in this so surpasses HAHA's and LOL's.

But what the heck? HAHAHAHAHA. LOL, that is so funny!

I'm freaking Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. I could be Edward Cullen! BWAHAHAHA. Can you hear me laughing? hahaha.

Patience

2011-10-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, patience is a hard one for me sometimes. I never thought I was an impatient person, because we all know those people. But looking back at my life, at least compared to most of my friends and family, ya, I am that impatient person. Bummer.

So I have been praying and trying really hard to have more patience in my life. I also understand that when I pray for patience, its like I am praying for things to happen so that I can practice and deal with having patience in those situations. Sounds like fun right?

I feel like I am getting better. I feel like I can calm myself and not be so uptight about some things now. Nap time has been something that has really tried my patience. Thankfully, we haven't had the horrible experience that some people have with putting their kids down for a nap. All things considered, Bladen does a pretty good job. But on those off days, because he usually does so well, that is when I have a hard time having patience.

I will get upset quickly and get huffy and will be more upset and unkind then the situation warrants. And that isn't far to my son. So, I have really really tried to do my best with being very patient during his nap time squabbles.

I follow our routine of calm time for a couple minutes (rocking usually), then we go read some books, and then I set him in his crib with a blanket and singing starfish. Then I go read my scriptures and pray he falls asleep. Usually he falls silently asleep in a couple minutes. But sometimes, he stands up and shakes the sides of the crib that rattle, and will throw the starfish out. Sometimes he babbles and sometimes he cries. Ugh.

What makes it so frustrating is that it doesn't happen super often so when it does, my patience disappears for some reason. Poof, GONE.

I really liked the line from Elder Hail's talk at this last conference, "Too often we pray for patience, but we want it right now." That line was for me. I guess I had never thought about it that way. I want patience, and I want it NOW. haha. So like me, apparently and Varuca Salt.

But I am proud to say, that I am getting better. I just laid Bladen down for his nap, and he jabbered and shook and rolled around for about 15 minutes before he was quiet and fell asleep on his own. !!!! What? I didn't have to go in and lay him down, and then do it again and again until I was just upset and mean? Blessings. I am learning.

I love him so much.

Oregon: Bath Time!

2011-10-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ever since Bladen was little, or I guess I should say, old enough to have and need a schedule, we've been giving him baths almost every night. I know every night sounds a little excessive. Yes, I have become a little bit of a germ-o-phobe since having a kid, but that just seems like common sense to me. We give him baths not because I'm super psycho and need a continually squeaky clean kid 24/7, but because its a part of his bed time routine.

I read in several places and received advice from wise friends and family that suggested implementing a routine for bed time so that he knew it was time for bed, and would go to sleep easier. Our good friends the Nazelrod's said that they bathe their children just about every night before bed time, and I kind of liked that idea. It seemed like a very clear cut signal for BED TIME. So, baths we have. Every night.

When we travel, this is a HUGE blessing. How nice is it from PA to OR, with the 3 hour time change, that Bladen still knows that it is bed time when he gets in the bath? Awesome city!

Although, every time I bathed Bladen, and after Steph and Bradley arrived, Bradley wanted to get in the bath to have some fun too. And who doesn't love nakie cousin time?

Dear Bradley and Bladen of the future. If you ever happen to read this and see these pictures, know that I love you, and BATHED YOU ALL THE TIME. You should thank me. You (probably) have awesome hygiene habits because of me. Love, Aunt Heidi/Mom

P.S. Sorry for any pee pee shots.

Bradley was a great helper for pouring water on Bladen. Thanks buddy!

They had lots of fun together!

Dear Deric- I know you said no nakie pictures on the blog. But honestly, these are just too cute not to post. Plus, its only a bum shot. And a cute one at that! Would it make you feel better if I said that Bladen inherited your rear? =) TMI?

Yes, we love bath time!

Oregon: Tillamook Stop!

2011-10-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

So when you go to Oregon, and the coast specifically, where do you have to stop? TILLAMOOK Cheese Factory! I'm pretty sure every Oregonian's blood runs orange for Tillamook Cheese. (Not Home Depot, even though that is one of their slogans. "We bleed orange." Pah.)

It is always fun to stop here and see how they weigh and package the delicious cheese. Plus, this was Bladen's first time! He liked looking at all of the stuff going on. Stephanie and I named it "The dance of the cheeses." So when you are viewing the dance of the cheeses, you must sing Nutcracker music with it. (Dut dah dah dah dah dut da daaa...)

Bladen, mesmerized by the orange lights and the cheese whizzing by on machines.

Look at all the wonderful cheese!

Bradley, Bladen's cousin, was pretty excited about all the cheese too!

Then he found an elevator to play with...

Up and down! At least 5 times!

Then we got some fun pictures!

(I can't turn it the right way.)

Bus pictures!

Grandpa love!

Grandma love!

Sisterly love!

Sisterly crazy love!

Then we got a couple of free samples, 4 bags of cheese curd or squeaky cheese (YUM), and a handful of caramels.

Oh, and of course the trip would not be complete without getting some amazing Tillamook ice cream! I didn't get pictures because I was too busy stuffing my face, but I ate chocolate peanut butter. YUM again!

Look at the huge chunks of peanut butter! Seriously people, there are so many reasons to go here! GO GO GO!

Oregon: The 5 and 6 Year Old Cake

2011-10-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read that correctly. 5/6 year old cake.

I guess there is a tradition that when you get married you save the top tier of your wedding cake to eat on your first wedding anniversary together as a couple. First, I've never heard of this tradition. All I know, is that Stephanie's cake and my cake from our weddings was saved for such a tradition.

Second, neither of us thought about or looked at these cakes for years, 5 and 6 years to be exact. In fact, we probably would have never thought about them if our mom hadn't pulled them out of the garage deep freeze to thaw out.

Mystery cake, whose will it be?

This cake turned out to be Stephanie's!

(I don't know what happened to this picture if its all stretched out on your computer too. Sorry Steph.)

Its pretty huh? I wish I had a before picture, but I have looked all over the place and can't seem to find one. You can see pretty easily that it was beautiful.

Then came the next tin foil wrapped cake...

(sorry I didn't take another photo of the next one.)

And look what we have!

Wait. That's not my cake. How did Stephanie get two? Where is mine? These are all questions I asked myself as I lamented to my mother of how suddenly unfair it was that Stephanie's TWO cakes had been preserved but what about mine? NO...... haha. I guess there was another one in the freezer, so she ran to grab it. (No way, I was that dramatic. ya.)

There's my cute little wrapped cake! Its the right color too.

After we unwrapped our cakes we decided to have a little fun.

First I tried Stephanie's. Yes, she was appalled Yes, you can be too if you wish. No, it wasn't gross. No, I didn't die. It just tasted like freezer burnt cake. And chocolate.

Seeing that I had tried some cake, Stephanie lost her fears and jumped right in. (haha) Mmmm, 6 year old cake...

I got to cut into my cake without is getting shoved in my face!

Mine was chocolate.

And so was Stephanie's. I think they had the same fillings too.

All and all, our 5 (mine) and 6 (Steph's) year old Chocolate Wedding cakes were pretty gross. Too bad we both missed this tradition on our 1st year anniversary's. But something tells me we had more fun with the cake now, then we would have then. Thanks mom for saving them for us, and making us get rid of them this year!

Oregon: Sushi!

2011-10-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

Now, if you know me, then you know that in my life I haven't been a real fan of fish. My family never ate it at home (do fish sticks count?), my dad would eat it every once in awhile at restaurants and I always thought that was gross, and it just seemed gross. Fish. I mean, its FISH. Eww.

But since then, I have grown up (have too...) and I enjoy the occasional safe fish. What is safe fish? The kind that isn't gross. (Safe fish can include talapia, mahi mahi, halibut, and other mild tasting fishies.)

Anyway- I always hear people talking about sushi and how good it is. I know there are all different kinds of sushi, so there should be something I would like, right? I decided I wanted to go eat real sushi, with my dad, the sushi expert.

The sushi expert with D. Coke.

What is it about sushi that is so freaky? I think its just something new and completely different than any other food that makes it intimidating. Oh, that and the raw fish thing.

Anyway, my dad showed me how you get ready by mixing your sauce.

Plum sauce, soy sauce, and a little bit of wasabi. (Really, tiny amount.)

Then you watch the little Sushi Boats (the name of the place, I get it), float around until you see something that looks minorly appetizing.

See, they really are on little boats that float around in a circle. Its pretty cool!

I know I am making this sound like I didn't enjoy, or that I was dreading, but I really wasn't. I was excited to be trying something new, having a new experience. Plus, the place was just cool and it made me feel cool(er than I already am.)

This is the first one we chose.

YUM. Its kind of like an inside out sushi. Its avocado, shrimp, rice, cream cheese, and crab or imitation crab. It was so yummy, my mouth is actually watering right now. My dad picked the plate, and I just dove right in. I highly recommend this one, not scary at all. Doesn't taste scary either. This one was by far my favorite!

Here are some others that we tried that made my list of yummy.

Seaweed (not as gross as you would think. Its actually kind of sweet), rice, crab or imitation crab, and I think cream cheese was mixed with it. Or Mayo? This was my second favorite.

See! Look how much I am enjoying it!

This is also a great visual in the technique of not knowing how to use chop sticks and eating sushi.

First you grab your sushi by your fingers.

Then you open your mouth, really wide.

Then devour while making yummy sounds.

Rice, seaweed, avocado, cream cheese, crab or imitation crab and I think cucumbers. This one was pretty good too.

Same as above but instead of wrapped with seaweed, it is wrapped with egg yolk. There really is sushi for everyone!

Seaweed, rice, tuna fish and mayo.

Sweet bean roll, is what I think this was called. Its just this little cake type thing with sweet rice in the middle.

Then there was my brave moment where I ate the raw stuff.

I swear to you I ate this. I just told myself not to think about it, just eat it. To be honest, it didn't really taste like much. It didn't have a "meat" flavor, or fishy flavor. More than anything it just tasted fresh. If someone asked me to serve something that tasted fresh, I would serve them this. Or a salad.

Oh, this is raw high quality tuna. The kind that doesn't come in a can, on rice.

And then, there was my other brave moment that was just gross.

Yes, it is what you are thinking. Those are tentacles. Octopus, on rice, with seaweed holding it together.

I tried this one not because it looked appetizing, no. But because I think its fun to say that I tried it. "I tried octopus." Yes, I've had calamari, but those are tiny baby things that don't count. This was like, OCTOPUS.

It didn't taste gross, but it didn't taste good. It was kind of fishy tasting, but the texture is what got me. It was chewy, really really chewy. So much so that it made me feel a little like I didn't want to eat anymore. But hey,

I TRIED OCTOPUS!

Then there were those that neither my dad or I were willing to try that looked just GROSS.

These have mystery gross things on them. The left has little tiny orange eggs, EWW. The other has some kind of mystery protein that looks a little gelatinous.

Then this one has both nasty little eggs, and mystery gelatin protein, all in a muscle shell. GROSS.

All and all it was a wonderful experience that was really fun! Thanks dad for taking me!

These are all the plates we ate! It really was good!

P.S. This is the last time you will see that hair! I got a hair cut from Stephanie Schofield, she did a great job! You'll see!

Oregon Sample

2011-10-04T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have much, MUCH to blog about. Too much to be expected to be done soon. SO, here is a sampling and/or enticement of pictures for you to stay tuned! (On the edge of your seat no doubt!)

See what I mean about enticing? I bet you can't wait to read about the "dance of the cheeses", or how Stephanie's cake took over mine, or how jumping on "3" isn't as easy as it seems.

Like I said, stay tuned! (And give me a couple days.)

Thank you!

2011-09-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Huge shout out to Emmy and Nicole! Thank you so much for helping me solve my problem! I don't have to lose my blog and start a new one!

I went the photobucket route. I didn't have any problems with them. So instead of uploading pictures onto blogger aka picasa, I will upload them in photobucket. Then it gives me a URL to paste. It will be the same amount of wait time as before, not a big deal really.

So to all of you bloggers out there that are picture happy like I am, be careful! But if your secret online photo account that you had no idea existed fills up, there is a way around it!

Thanks again Emmy and Nicole!

This is my test photo.

I photo because I can, all I want to now. Mwahaha! =)

Ahh, I need help!

2011-09-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

As I was updating my pictures on the blog, Blogger informed me that I could no longer upload any images because I had exceeded the alloted space on Picasa Web Albums, or something. So I clicked on the link that was avaliable, and behold! Every single picture I have ever used on my blog was stored, and there are a TON. There are even several, several duplicates somehow.

So I decided to just delete some pictures that I don't need saved on there anymore because I have every single one of these pictures in my external hard drive. I deleted all of the pictures I had uploaded for my food blog. If something went wrong, it was only my food blog.

So after deleting them I checked out my food blog to see if they were still there and they are gone! Grrr.

So what does this mean? It means that unless someone can tell me what to do, and purchasing more space is not an answer, then I will probably have to start a new blog. Sad day.

Help me! I love this blog. Its like my second child. I love blogging and posting pictures of my family and being sassy. Pictures are the best part of blogging anyway!

I didn't even know that when you uploaded pictures it was saving them some place else. Silly. I'm sad. I would love some suggestions and advice. I don't want to say goodbye to this blog!

Vacation Week: Niagra Falls

2011-09-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

So the last major stop on our SUPER AWESOME AMAZING FANTASTIC WONDERFUL WEEK OF FUN AND VACATION was to Niagra Falls!

Living in the East (it still feels weird to say that), there are so many great places to see. And chances are when we move one day back to the West (that feels better), we won't get the chance to come back to see all of these amazing places. So we decided as part of our SAAFWWOFAV (see above), that we wanted to go see and explore the natural beauty of Niagra Falls!

It isn't too far from us, about 3 hours. I enjoy driving anywhere with Deric. We always have fun conversations. I usually ask the silly questions, but this time Deric had a good one:

"If you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, what would they be?"

That is a hard one.

He picked all of his cat stevens songs and such. I picked some sweet songs.

1. Hallelujah, sung by Rufus Wainwright (the one on Shrek)

2. Joseph Smith's First Prayer, lyrical/piano version

3.Fired, by Ben Fold Five (YES!)

4.I'll Fallow You Into The Dark, byt Death Cab For Cutie

5.Don't Stop Me Now, by Queen

Ugh. That's hard. This is a rough list I gave off the top of my head.

(What would you pick?)

Bladen was all set and ready for this adventure! He is excited and happy to go to new places and see new things.

This is kind of the first sight you see when you get here. You are right up above the American Falls.

I kept having anxiety filled thoughts of someone falling in and not being able to get out. There is no way, its so fast. Ok. Happy thoughts.

Look at all of that water! Its so powerful!

And it was so windy! Look at Bladen's hair and you can tell. We didn't expect it to be so windy, it was kind of cool! These are the boys, checking out the water bellow. (I told Deric to have a death grip. I might have been a little nervous.)

This is what we saw down bellow! We would later ride this bad boy, and technically technically be in Canada illegally. Mwahaha.

Pretty huh? Does it make you thirsty? Or have to visit the little girls/boys room?

Then on the other side of the park, this is all a big park by the way, you could see the Horseshoe Falls! This waterfall was cool! This is a shot of people on the American Side, looking at the falls on the Canada side. Yup, you're looking at Canada!

You can kind of see how it horseshoes better in this picture.the rest of the great big horse shoe is back to the left of the photo. This is just about as much as you can view from the American side. Still awesome though!

Finger biting excitement!

Mom was excited enough for everybody. She usually is. =)

Windy family photo! Say Niagra!

Then we were starving, so we went to the restaurant there called "Top of the Falls Restaurant."

Deric got a turkey burger. He said it was good.

And for some reason fish and chips sounded good. I'm not a big fish person, but I thought why not? LOOK WHAT I GOT! It was yummy! I kept thinking about my bro Nathan and my Grandma Daniels. They are both "fish and chips" lovers. I dedicated my lunch in honor of them, haha.

I just like this photo. He is so cute, and getting so big! We were waiting in line for the trolley to take us to where you board for the Maid of the Mist!

After we got off of the trolley we paid for our tickets and went onto the viewing deck they built out into the river. It gave you a much better view of the falls. In the back right you can see part of the Horseshoe Falls.

So we went down the long elevators, grabbed our blue ponchos that did jack, and boarded the boat!

This is the view deck I was talking about. At the base of this is where you get on the Maid of the Mist, where Jim and Pam got married! (Anyone?)

It was windy, and wet, but way fun. Bladen was getting really tired by this point and we weren't sure if he was going to last.

American Falls as we past by. We didn't get too wet here. This is as close as you can get because of the rocks. You know the whole "going over the falls in a barrel" thing? No one has gone over these falls and survived.

Family photo. Tired baby. Spotted glasses.

Then we moved past these falls and were onto the cooler Horseshoe Falls!

This is where we got wet. And wet is an understatement. The boat drove right up into the falls. They should call the boat The Maid of the get drenched in 3 seconds. =) We didn't really mind though, it was fun.

And unfortunely, this is the best photo I could get of the falls. When you went in them it was too misty and wet to see anything let alone bring out your camera to try and take a photo. It was kind of crazy there for a few minutes with the water and the pelting and the wetness.

See what I mean? This was in one of the "mistiest" parts. It was nuts.

There is the American side to the Horseshoe Falls. But we never did see that back corner where it splits countries.

Here is the aftermath. Bladen looks mad, I don't think he was. It was just a new experience that he had while being ready for a nap. Poor guy. He did great though!

I highly recommend doing this if you ever get to visit the Niagra Falls. It really wasn't that expensive at all and you get to see some amazing things. PLUS, technically technically you get to go into Canada without a passport.

We had a total blast and were so glad we go to explore somewhere new and fun. Our family loves trying new things, and this was just awesome! Thanks for the memories Niagra!

This has been the last stop on our SUMMER VACATION WEEK OF FUN, AWESOME AMAZING SUPER WEEK OF FUN, and SUPER AWESOME AMAZING FANTASTIC WONDERFUL WEEK OF FUN AND VACATION! Thank you for joining us!

Vacation Week: County Fair

2011-09-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry its been so long. If you can imagine, I haven't been in much of a blogging mood. That is strange for me. Moving on!

So this was our second stop in our AWESOME AMAZING SUPER WEEK OF FUN!

We live in a town that doesn't have too much going on for it. But one thing that is the pride and joy of the Meadvillians, is their county fair. I have never really been to fairs before. So as far as I know, this one was pretty cool. It was full of lots of fair food (mmm gyros), animals, shows, and the circus!

Here we are, at our first circus, not really knowing what to think.

Here is a pretty girl that didn't do anything.

But this guy, was RAD. If you look really close in the picture, he has a knife in his mouth. On the tip of the knife, he is balancing a sword with a platter of glasses and liquid on top. I thought it was a trick, there is no way. HOW? But he did it. He went up that ladder, and did some one footed thing. Then he came back down the other side. Crazy. It was pretty cool. There was some other stuff at this little family circus, it was fun to watch.

We met up with some friends there. Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got. But we all had fun checking out the weird looking poultry together.

I'm not sure if Bladen knew what to think. He enjoyed looking at the animals, and it was neat getting to be so close so he could actually see them. But besides the occasional finger chewing, this kid didn't express much excitement.

haha, look at our faces carefully here. (Deric has a gift for catching the right moment with my son and I in every photo of us it seems.) I am clearly making some awesome chicken bak bak-ing sound, and Bladen looks a little frightened. Love it. Look at my awesomely strong neck chicken calling muscles. Jealous?

Bladen seemed a little more interested in the bunnies, (Way super cute!) and would try to touch them.

Being the mostly cautious mother that I am, decided to try and help him pet a particularly cute bunny.

*No harm to the animals or child occurred*

Again with the perfect moment. Oh he just loves his mom. =)

This has been another edition of what we did during our AWESOME AMAZING SUPER WEEK OF FUN!

Vacation Week: Bouldering

2011-09-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Deric and I worked all summer long. I worked 6-3, he would work 5-C or would head to the studio to get some work done there after I got off of work. We really didn't get to see each other much, but we also didn't really get a lot of chances to do fun things this summer either. Since our jobs were coming to an end, we decided to be done a week early before Deric's school starts, and then we'd have our SUMMER VACATION WEEK OF FUN! It was a pretty awesome week!

On Monday, we got ready and headed out to meet a friend, MATTY from Home Depot, at Cooks Forest Park. Its about 2 hours away from our house, but he said we would picnic there, and then go to a nearby place to do some bouldering! (Boulding is like rock climbing but without the ropes, on cool looking giant boulders, with pads underneath you for when you fall.)

This is where we picniced. It was so nice, and would be a great place to go play in the water. But we were here just to eat a quick lunch, and then onto our real destination, Bear Town Rocks

This is the beautiful place of Bear Town Rocks. It is a lush, foresty, VERY rock place. They had giant boulders around to climb on.

Like this one!

Before Deric and I got married he used to boulder all the time with his friends. He has all the equipment still, we've just never been together. This is Deric trying to get on his tiny climbing shoes. I guess you want them small and tight, they help you find better foot holds so you don't slip as much. Or something like that.

WOW! Its so so cool! I've always thought my husband is attractive, but when he does athletic-y kind of things, mmmm hhhmmm. haha. He is so strong! I'm so lucky we are cuddle buddies. (You can kind of see the mat on the ground where he would fall in case he needed to. Which he did.)

While daddy did that...

We did this! Bladen and I had fun watching daddy climb.

He's almost there! And I like that pose if I do say so myself.

Here is a better angle. =) I know, its weird to like butts. In general, they are pretty gross if you think about it.. Its just two round flubs of fat, not cute. But I totally dig my husband's.

Here is Matty giving it a try, barefoot! He was really good and surprised us all.

Our little bouldering family! I'm sure we will all be pro's soon.

The view was incredible! Oregon is gorgeous, and nothing will ever top its beauty in my eyes. But this is for sure a close second.

Here is Matty and his chicky. I think her name was Michelle. ? I don't remember. She was pretty nervous to try bouldering out, so she and I just sat and talked while watching to guys climb and fall. NEXT time I want to go though.

Matt and Deric pick a different spot and try again. They both got to the top of this one! It made me a little nervous because if they had fallen from the top, that little mat wouldn't have done much. But they were ok.

Deric was supposed to give me a thumbs up, but at least you can see he made it!

Then Bladen really wanted to try. We told him it was a little dangerous, and we thought he might be too young. But he proved us wrong! Good job buddy!

We had a blast and a great start to our SUMMER VACATION WEEK OF FUN!

Next stop, the county fair!

Saying Goodbye to HomeDepot

2011-08-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

Well I did it. I quit.

Oh don't feel bad for me, you should be HAPPY, like I am! I now get to spend all my time with this little guy.

From the moment I wanted kids and got married, I knew all I wanted was to be a mother to my children and raise them correctly, the best I could. Its been kind of interesting being married to Deric, haha, that sounds bad. What I mean is, its been interesting seeing him going to college for something he has such an immense passion for. I have looked at my life and evaluated myself again and again, and I can't find anything that I have a real desire and passion for. Except, to be a good mother.

I dream about playing with my son, and eventually all of my children. I dream about them coming home from school to warm chocolate chip cookies. (I have yet to master making cookies, ugh.) I dream about being a "soccer mom" or whatever other sport/activity I can support. I think about helping them with their homework, talking about boys and girls. I actually dream about talking to my kids about the hard stuff, because I want to make sure the important things are not forgotten.

I want to make sure I do my very best at raising my children right, and in the gospel.

D/C 68: 25

25 And again, inasmuch as ^aparents have children in Zion, or in any of her ^bstakes which are organized, that ^cteach them not to understand the ^ddoctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when ^eeight years old, the ^fsin be upon the heads of the parents.

D/C 68:28

28 And they shall also ^ateach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

These things are important to Deric and I, and our family.

Anyway- The real reason I started this post was to say goodbye to HomeDepot. HD was a huge blessing for my family, when we really needed it.

I was having a hard time finding a job when I graduated from college. It had been 6 months and I felt at that point, I just needed to find a job, regardless if it was in my major or not. (Communication/Advertising). So I applied everywhere! EVERYWHERE! I was stressing big time about it because we needed me to work so we could pay for things like food, and rent. I went to the temple and decided to pray and ponder on what I should do regarding getting a job. And the answer that I felt very strongly about was, if I do everything in my power, everything on my end that I can do, the Lord will do the rest.

I have such a strong testimony of this principal. It seems to be the same answer to most of the difficulties and trials in my life. If I do everything I can to help or better my situation, and continue to have faith, then the Lord will take care of me and my family. It might not always be the way you think or would want, but the Lord won't ever leave you high and dry.

When I got out of the temple I had a message on my phone from someone at HD that wanted to interview me for a position. HD wasn't what I had originally intended as my future career, but I was so thankful for the opportunity.

I was eventually hired, and have worked at 4 various HD's within the last 3 years. (3 on a travel team, 1 out here in Meadville.)

Working at Home Depot as a MEA, Merchandising Execution Associate, has been pretty rad. The actual job itself, is really fun. Its a lot of hard work, building, lifting, organizing, using your brain and natural reasoning skills. I really liked how active and physically demanding it was. I really enjoyed the in's and out's of my job. I liked to pay attention to the "nitty gritty" and all the fine details. (Partially because most people don't, and it is fun to be able to excel at your job.)

As with any job, the people can make or break your experience. I have gotten to know so many wonderful people, and I've made amazing friends that I plan on staying friends with for the rest of my life. But its those other few people that make it hard to be there day after day sometimes. For this reason, but mostly now having a child and wanting to be with him always, are the reasons I was ready and excited to quit.

This was my last day with my Utah team and it was a fun, but sad day. They were (ARE!) an amazing group of people. If I end up moving back to Utah, and need a job, I'm going there first by choice. Gosh I miss those guys.

I will however, NOT miss the lovely ORANGE polo shirts. I have like 15 of these, does anyone want them?

This is my good buddy Ron from Utah. We are still pretty good pals who text and talk often. I really enjoy being his friend and his wife's also. They are the kind of people that make you feel like family, and you don't ever want to lose good friends like that. Ron and I had so many inside jokes about the music that would play at HomeDepot. All the great, Muzak. Even though he would be in Utah working, and I in PA, sometimes a song would come on and we would both text each other lyrics or the joke from the song that we were both hearing. I will miss that.

This is the only picture I have of my team in Meadville. The two end people left swiftly, and the people that I left recently aren't in this picture. But those two middle guys, I'm going to miss them too. They were good hard workers (sometimes) =) and were great friends. Jamie, the shorter dark haired gentleman, made my last day in Meadville pretty sweet too. He had the whole store bring in food and we had a goodbye potluck party with steaks and all the fix'ns. I have to admit, I wasn't really sad that last day. I was excited for the future.

Although, as I walked out that last day I was smiling but has unexpected tears in my eyes. I got in my car and just broke down. I said a prayer of thanks, and shed my last tear for Home Depot. Time to move on.

Wall-e

But I really did have a great 3 years. I had lots of fun, met a lot of very nice people, made life long friends, gained a lot of knowledge and understanding, and tried to do it all with a smile. I think I succeeded. =)

OH- and I don't have to do another Christmas reset in October again! Thanks Home Depot for all the memories and blessings!

5 years and going!

2011-08-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

You'll have to forgive, I'm a little behind on my blogging. Here we go!

So yay for Deric and me! We have been married for 5 years! I know! 5 years is a long time, that's awesome!

To celebrate we went up to Erie, ran some errands, and then went to dinner at our favorite restaurant. They recently built a Famous Dave's (best BBQ EV-ER) so we had to go there.

See the cornbread?

Deric was so happy to get his cornbread. Oh, you don't know about the cornbread story? Well, let a reliable source tell you what really happened. And then maybe one day, you can hear Deric's side.

So when Deric and I were engaged, I really wanted Deric to care about something wedding-y. He didn't seem to really care about anything so much. He was preoccupied with fixing up our house that we were going to move into, work, and everything back in Utah. I understood that, but I just wanted him to be able to enjoy his wedding day too.

So the only thing I could seem to get out of him was food stuff. And not really any food stuff, he said he wanted cornbread. .... Cornbread? Ok. Well the next time the caterer lady from my ward came over, we brainstormed food ideas. Oh man, the food was one of the coolest things at our reception. Can you say, mini cheese burgers, tater tots, chicken wings, cheese cake, Italian sodas. AWESOME! But when I suggested that my future husband wanted cornbread, the room went pretty quite. Cornbread? How would we do that? The lady said that she didn't think she would be able to execute that well without it all crumbling and making a mess, and do everything else. (I don't know why anyone didn't think to put them in cup liners, duh.) So the idea was dropped.

I really didn't think it was a big deal. Like I said, Deric wasn't interesting in anything wedding related. But apparently it did matter because I am still hearing about it 5 years later. You know, one year, that is all he is going to get for his anniversary. Cornbread displayed in the number of years we've been married. =)

Bladen was such a good boy! This is the first time we've taken him to a restaurant without him staying in his car seat when he was little. He didn't really know what to do with the crayons, so he munched on them and threw them on the ground.

I let him try a couple of pieces of corn bread. It was my corn bread, Deric wasn't willing to share. =)

Isn't he so handsome? He never lets me take nice pictures of him. I did catch this on a whim though, go me!

Anyway- these 5 years have been amazing. I am so happy that I have gotten to spend as much time as I have with my best friend, and that I get to spend the rest of my life with him.

He really is my best friend. We have such a blast, and I'm so lucky.

A "Car Show", A Book Store, A Nice Long Walk With Pretty Houses

2011-08-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

When we moved here 2ish years ago, we came right as they were having "THUNDER IN THE CITY!" Apparently this is supposed to be a big deal. We were excited because it made our town sound like it was fun and did fun things often. (This has not been the case.)

What is "THUNDER IN THE CITY" you ask? It is a car show, bike show, and event where a bunch of people bring their cool vehicles of sorts, shut down several blocks in the city, and everyone gets to gawk at them. The first year was pretty cool, second year we missed, and now I am about to tell you about the 3rd year.

This is what we saw. No cars, a couple of bikes, and a lot of people standing in the streets drinking and smoking. Super.

So what did Deric and I do instead? We found this fun book store called "The Tattered Corner", where they sell used, and some new books. Deric and I really enjoy reading when we have the time, and we really love getting used books. (Any books will do, but used ones are cheap!)

Isn't that cool looking? This was just one wall, and I think this whole side was Fiction, and Science Fiction.

When I look for books, I always first look for any titles that I recognize that I have wanted to read. Then I always look at the cook books. Did you know that I love to cook? And now that I have my son, I look for children's books, man they are expensive.

Holy jackpot Batman! Did you know that Deric loves Star Wars, and really hopes to pass on his love to Bladen? This was a new book that they sold, and it was $12, but Deric didn't care. We had to have it. (For Bladen of course.) I think I will hold onto it for B's birthday. (Holy crap, that is in 2 months. What?!)

Apparently you can find everything at this book store. Even a couple of Books of Mormon, $3.00 each. I looked in them, and they had testimonies written in them from the missionaries that have given them out in this area. Sad day. Maybe someone will buy one someday. Or one on Scientology...

Well we enjoyed the bookstore, and we enjoyed the walk to and from the great "car show" event. I took some pictures of the beautiful houses so you could see one of the nicer streets where we live.

Deric really likes the brick houses.

I think the circle spire is pretty cool.

The white columns are awesome!

We got to go in this house last summer. They were having an Estate Sale, and it was the. coolest. house. ever. It had a HUGE basement, a HUGE attic that had 2 levels, and vaulted ceilings. It was gorgeous! All the details were so neat inside. I love big houses and all their fun quirks. Love it love it.

Love the double decks.

This one comes with a cute view! Woo woo! (I get to cuddle with him folks!)

I can't decide if it would be totally rad or annoying to have a garage like this. Maybe they have a secret way of getting down there. Ok, Its totally rad. =)

It doesn't matter what we do, we just love doing it together. All and all a good afternoon. Star Wars books, walking, and beautiful houses for us to dream about. =)

Weeding

2011-08-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness. So remember how we had a baby, and how this summer has been nuts, and how Deric and I have barely seen each other between both our jobs and studio time? Whew! So because of all of that, Deric and I haven't weeded, not once. (Deric said he did a little bit, but I don't think it happened. =) We have a lovely yard, and when we bought our house, the landscaping was beautiful, perfect even. And then the Ence's came, and ruined it. haha. No, we haven't ruined it, but we certainly haven't been able to keep it up to the standard it was at when we first moved in. Yup, we have become those neighbors. You know the ones. They ruin the beautiful neighborhood for everyone because of the lack of mowing their lawn, or weeding their giant scary weeds. (I am making us sound much worse than we are, but it was kind of embarrassing looking at my neighbor's yard, weedless, and then at mine.)

SO. We decided it was time to weed. And weed we did, we went crazy weeding. Normally I get really picky because I have dreams of having the perfect yard, like my neighbor's, and getting every single weed. That was just unrealistic in our current circumstance. I just wanted to get all of the big stuff, and everything that we could, out of there.

Sweating my pants off!

So like I said, we weeded. And weeded. And weeded. (You could sing the Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked song here...) I, sweated, and sweated, and sweated. I looked over at Deric and he seems just fine. I asked him if he were sweating. Nope, was his reply. I on the other hand, had soaked my shirt through, my G's through, and had sweat dripping off the end of my nose. I was sweating like my dad sweats. Eww, no offense dad. But gross. I was wiping my face, and dripping sweaty yuck on my sleeves. I was taking the bottom of my shirt and wiping my face off with it. I had sweat spots on my glasses because I didn't have any dry clothing to wipe them off with.

I wore my baggy, holes in the crotch (why do jeans get holes there?), saggy jeans, that I had to keep pulling up every five minutes like the teenagers you want to smack. Even they were pretty soaked through. (Eww, butt sweat.) Am I making myself clear? I was disgusting! And obviously, working very hard. (Humidity and I don't get along very well it seems. Deric says he is used to it from his humid mission in Venezuela.)

Deric not sweating at all.

Our little buddy did great! He took a long nap that we were able to get lots done during, and then he came outside and watched us work, whilst laughing. I love this kid.

Here are some before and after pictures of our great weeding event!

Notice the HUGE pokey weed you can see really well in front of the car.

Insert, ooo's and ahh's. It looks so nice!

Ground is green, and covered in weeds.

Not anymore!

Here is a better view. Green, weeds, blah.

Oh! We have dirt and beautiful ground under there!

Yes we weeded, weeded hard. We are no longer those neighbors. Well, for at least another couple of weeks. Then with this darn humidity, everything will be back I'm sure. =) But hey, we tried! And right now, it looks GREAT!

Me on the other hand...

... cute stuff.

Coming home from work

2011-08-03T04:40:00.000-07:00

When I come home from work, I am absolutely excited to see my boys.

Although, I came home one day and found this instead of the cute faces that I love.

What

Earth!?

Deric and Bladen must have had a good day by the looks of it!

Can I also so that I never thought we would reach this point. Remember how Deric is a little OCD about having everything be clean? ... Did you see the pictures above?

Wait. Look again, I'll wait...

SEE! Messes, everywhere! And on HIS watch!

Progress.

(Luckly it takes two seconds to clean everything up!)

Toddler-ing

2011-07-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

This cute kid...

Is now doing this...

Since when did my baby, this baby...

Turn into a little toddler?

Although, along with becoming a toddler, that is now all he wants to do, toddle. He wants to kneel, and stand, and pull himself up, and walk around with help. So when he's not doing those things, he likes to let you know his frustration. He also doesn't have the best balance yet either, so he has a couple more bumps and bruises. But its all a part of learning, growing, and becoming a toddler.

Here is a good video showing him standing up and playing. Since this video, he has figured out that it is more fun to push toys off of our black trunk than it is to play with them on it.

Little boy, you are growing too fast. Slow down so momma can catch up!

Harry Potter Survey

2011-07-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

1. What is your favourite Harry Potter book?
-The Order of the Pheonix (Although I hated reading this one the first time because everyone whines so much in it. But the second time, I loved how dark it was. It made it interesting and exciting for the rest of the series.)

2. What is your favourite character?
-Probably Luna Lovegood. She is so quirky and different.

3. What is your least favourite character?
-Umbridge, what a B.

4. If you lived in Harry's world what job would you take?
-Teaching, how tight would it be to teach magic?

5.What class at Hogwarts do you like best (or think would be the most fun)?
-Transfiguration would be cool.

6. What would your patronus be?
-I don't know. Probably a Kang-a-Roo or something.

7. What Harry Potter character are you most like?
-A mix of Ron and Harry.

8. What house would you be in?
-Hopefully Gryffindor

10. If you lived in Harry's world and had a problem who would you feel most comfortable talking to about it?
-Lupin, he always helped no matter what. And he was smart and talented!

11. If you played Quidditch which position would you most likely play?
-Seeker, all the way!

YOUR TURN!

Secret Crush (that's not so secret)

2011-07-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

So I need to be honest. I can't deny it anymore. I have a crush. And sadly this crush isn't on my husband. (But trust me, I crush on him every day.)

I have a crush on Harry Potter. Well no. That's not right. I have a crush on the Harry Potter movies and world, pretty much everything to do with Harry Potter. I don't in fact find the character, Harry Potter, to be attractive. If I did find someone attractive from the "wizarding world" it would be the Weasley twins.

The last movie has come and gone and I am pretty upset about it. What on earth am I going to look forward to every couple of years? There are no more HP films. Sad day. Yeah, yeah I guess there will be other movies and fun things to look forward to, but nothing touches HP.

Who remembers reading them when they were little? I remember trying to read them and having a hard time understanding them because of my age. (And getting past the mental blockage of how LONG the book was.) But I eventually became addicted to reading them.

I didn't try to read them before the movies came out (except for 6& 7/8) because I wasn't into my reading for fun phase in life yet. But when I did read them, before or after the movies, I loved them. I would read them while I sun tanned outside (because that was important in High School), I would stay up late reading them, I would take them to work to read on breaks. I would listen to the books on tape in the middle of the night to help me stay awake while I was feeding Bladen, and at work whilst pumping. I pretty much love Harry Potter.

Some people can't both get into the books and the movie of something. One if usually better than the other. I do agree with this. But with Harry Potter, it doesn't really matter. Both the books, and the movies are amazing! The books will always have more details and fun little back stories and history. But the movies make it visual, and I love movies! So both are a win for me!

When I run across someone who hasn't read or even seen Harry Potter, I don't know what to do with myself. They are so awesome! I often like to play the "question game" (me asking random questions all the time to whoever) and I often bring up Harry Potter.

This is probably my favorite HP picture of all time. Its so intense and AWESOME!

If you could be in any movie what would it be?

Harry Potter

If you could live in any make believe world, what would it be?

Harry Potter

(You know Deric's answer to this one is Star Wars, followed by the comment "But the force is real...")

If you could have any power what would it be?

To FLY! (I'd take a Nimbus 2000!)

If you could meet anyone, who would it be?

I don't know about anyone, but meeting Helena Bonham Carter the chicky who plays Bellatrix Lastrange would be AWE-SOME.

She totally steals the show in the 5th movie, even though she is in it for maybe 7 minutes. She is so good!

I can't think of anymore off the top of my head, but my point is, I stinkin' love Harry Potter.

And now that the last movie's credits have rolled, I don't know what to do.

Dear Harry Potter, and the whole "Wizarding World",

I love you. Thank you for the 12ish years (1999-2011) of complete wonderful imagination. I love the world you live in, and I wish that I could step in it. (I need to go to Florida Universal Studios!) I have loved watching all of your characters grow up. I think Neville Longbottom changed the most. He was this porky accident prone kid, and turned into a handsome man who saves the day.

Ron, you always needed a hair cut. But you were fun to watch, especially when you got a clue about Hermione. I love your whole family, they seem like a fun bunch of lovey people to be around. Plus, your twin bros are kind of cute.

Hermione, you started out as this know-it-all little girl, who now I just love. I think its pretty rad when you punched Malfoy in the face.

Harry, you are a great character. I think you portrayed what I imagined Harry as, very well. I think you especially kick butt (literally, and figuratively) in the last movie. I love the quidditch matches. I don't love your kissing scenes. But the 5th movie with you sticking it to Umbridge makes up for it.

Ginny- or actress who plays Ginny. Ugh. Bleh. Awesome until you had to have a relationship and kiss Harry. Boo.

Snape, you are one freaky dude. Awesome job. We all loved to hate you.

Malfoy, if I knew you. I would punch you in the face too.

Anyway Harry Potter clan, thanks for all the memories. Keep in touch, don't ever change, hugs and kisses, xoxo, stay sweet (are there any other high school year book common signatures I forgot?)

Heidi

P.S. I love you and plan to read the books to my kids, thus passing down the awesomeness that is "Harry Potter."

Wake up time! Or is it?

2011-07-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

We have a cute little boy. Did you know? (We do.)

He wakes up all bright and cheery in the mornings.

I was watching him play and kind of wake up a little bit.

Well I thought he was waking up...

haha, he stayed this way for about 5 minutes. (His preferred method of sleeping.)

Then he just popped his head up and laughed. What a silly boy!

Love you munchkin!

Not our brightest day...

2011-07-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we got the chance to go up to Erie to shop for a little bit. Remember how I got some awesome jeans? This was that same trip.

We had gone to spend my gift card, to hopefully find some good deals, and specifically, I had seen some sweet little flip flops that might work for Bladen at Gap Kids. That was our agenda.

We went to a couple stores and didn't find much, but then came to Gap Kids. We wandered around and I found the flip flops that I had seen before, but today they were 50% off! Awesome awesome! You know you love a good deal. I know Deric loves a good deal, and I love them too. It some how gives you this surge of "awesomeness" through your veins when you know this should be expensive but you are getting it for a steal, kind of thing.

Well it turns out Gap Kids was trying to get rid of their already marked down summer clothes and select things (a lot of things) were 50% off. Deric and I decided to take advantage of the sale and get some things for Bladen. (Kids clothes are expensive! Shouldn't a smaller amount of fabric sewn together cost less?) I grabbed some onesies, a couple shirts, the flips, and a couple things for my best friend's new baby.

These are just some of the things we got!

We wanted to make sure of the price of things that we were buying so we asked the check out lady to verify the prices. It was all turning out really cheap, so I went back to grab a couple more things while Deric began to pay.

When I came back Deric said we were going to save 45% on top of the 50% off because we were going to sign up for their card.

....

I kind of looked at him funny and asked if he was sure. He said, "Ya, why not?"

Then the lady said that the 45% off would apply at all sales at Gap that day. So Deric went to go check out the men's clothing to see if there was anything he wanted, while I filled out an application. Deric was gone for quite some time, but I was still busy giving ID's, Soc #'s, and other info. The whole time I am filling this stuff out I can't believe what I am doing. I can't believe Deric was ok with this.

Do you know Deric? Do you know that he hates credit cards? We have a (ONE) credit card that we have used pretty much one time. And Deric could not sit still or feel ok until it was paid off. (It was what we used to pay for gas and our moving truck when we came to PA). So you can kind of begin to understand why I was in such shock that Deric was "cool" with getting a credit card. I just figured we would make this purchase, pay it off, and then cancel the card. No harm, so I didn't put up a fuss.

So just as I am finishing paying with my new credit card, Deric comes back just at the lady says "Your Credit Card will arrive in the mail soon." Deric's face drained of color and he looked at me now understanding the situation with total regret and disbelief in his eyes.

The good part though is that we got $65 worth of clothes for $15! Woot!

Anyway, Deric was in total disbelief and I tried to explain to him that it would be alright, we would just pay it off and cancel it. No big deal, people do it all the time. I think he felt a little better. But the whole deal was that he thought it was one of those reward or bonus programs you can sign up for. (I had just signed up for American Eagle's when I bought my jeans.) Now looking back on it, that would be some reward program to get 45% off that day.

The day went on, we made a couple more stops. We went to Button and Bows, this really cute thrift store, and found some vintage blocks, a cute book, and 2 Eye Spy books (our favorite!) all for $5.50!

It was a steal!

Yes, the cute child likes the blocks! Score!

The whole way home we talked about the credit card and how weird that Deric was caught off his feet like that. I teased him the whole day about how he was losing it. When we got home Deric unloaded the car of all our bags while I took pictures of our loot and son. Deric asked me if I had brought in my jeans. I said, no, they were in the car. He went out and checked again, and there were no jeans.

.....

Dangit! I totally left them at Gap Kids! Ugh. So I called up there and poor Bladen and I trucked all the way back up (45 mins) just to retrieve my newly purchased hot jeans. (Deric had to go to work.) While we were up there we took advantge of the sale and our "45%" only today credit card deal, and got more stuff, haha.

Moral of the story, something is wrong with both of us. We were not on top of our game, and just didn't have the brightest of days. Lesson learned, make sure all purchases, merchandise, and forms of payment are verified TOGETHER! =)

Swimming at the Lake!

2011-07-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

One of my very very favorite things to do in life is swim. I'm not sure what it is, but I just really really enjoy being in the water. I love how it feels, I love the atmosphere, I love all the fun you can have! I just love being in the water. If I believed in reincarnation, I would for sure come back as some kind of fish or mermaid or something that swims.

So naturally, one of my dreams has always been to take my kids swimming. I always dream about what it will be like the first time they get in the water, whether they will like it or not, and dream about all the fun we will have. Well those dreams were in full swing when I had Bladen. I've told Deric I think at least once a week since its been warm, "Lets go swimming!"

We finally got the chance to on the 4th of July!

We went to our local lake that has a nice beach, grassy area, and roped off swimming area. Its called Woodcock Dam and is beautiful! When we got there we decided to have a little lunch for Bladen first. (My world seems to revolve around feeding this kid!)

He is so cute. He loves being outside. It doesn't matter what we are doing, he is just content sitting there, eating whatever he can get his hands on. (Toys, grass, blanket, leaves, whatever.)

I took the obligatory picture of myself to document that I was there. Check out my new swimming top, super cute eh?

Here is Deric's cute picture of the day too. Man, we sure deserve each other! =)

After eating, it was time to get into the water!

Bladen's little swimming duds are so cool! He looks like he's not so sure about this water thing. But can't you just see how happy I am that one of my dreams is about to come true?

Clenched fists. This water is cold mom!

Nice tan!

Bladen got used to the temperature and began to really like it!

I was so happy. I had my husband, my baby, my water. It was perfect!

Then we went in the deeper water, holding onto Bladen tight, and he really liked that. He splashed and splashed and really just enjoyed being in so much water. He actually liked being on his tummy and cruising across the water. I knew he was my kid and took after my genes.

(Don't mind the cleavage, I just had a baby and am still figuring out these bad boys!)

Yes we had lots of fun. And then all at once, he was done.

It was so much fun getting to go swimming with my little family for the first time.

Dream of swimming with new baby: CHECK!

Cleveland Zoo!

2011-07-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago, Deric actually had work off! So we decided to take advantage of it and go explore some fun places! We decided to head to the Cleveland Zoo!

One of my favorite things to do in the whole world is to just talk with Deric. I really enjoy driving and talking to him as well. So the 2 hour drive was probably one of the best parts of the day!

When we got there we realized how MUGGY and HOT it was. Ugh. Think of walking through a hot steam room. That is what it feels like here, walking through sticky hot muggy water. What is wrong with the East?!

Anyway...

I asked Deric to take my picture because he hardly ever takes my picture with Bladen. So he got me feeding Bladen very excitedly! I am such a fun mom. =)

Then we headed inside where we got ourselves some quick lunch at Quizno's (yum), and then headed off to look at the elephants! Bladen didn't seem to care too much about anything the whole time we were there.

He sure is cute though!

Then we went to their "Animal Show" where they have a stage, and what we had guessed, would be animals that come up and you would be able to see them better. Nope. It was chicks talking about living in Africa and then they had 5 kids hold a snake. There were no cool animals that Bladen could see. It was lame. So we just sat in the sun taking pictures instead of listening to their lame jokes and info. How dare they try to educate me at the zoo!

Bladen looked pretty cute in his little hat!

More pictures in the sun! This is a good one of Bladen's hat. It also accurately captures how my husband feels about kissing. ... Just kidding! He loves my kisses!

Can you tell we are all hot and sweaty? Poor boy. He didn't know what to think!

We checked out some different animals. I think my favorite was the koala's because this mommy was hugging her baby against a branch and was keeping them in the tree. So cute.

Then nap time hit Bladen and I took off his pants and pulled up his shirt so he wouldn't be so hot.

At this point we were hot and tired too, so we decided to head up their nature trail that was all in cool shadows of beautiful trees.

I loved it! Can you tell? (I like this picture, I look super skinny. Go me!)

I told Deric to show me his enjoyment of the shade and trees face. Good job Deric. That's my husband!

Then we came to Deric's favorite animal at the zoo. Well, at this zoo anyway. Deric's real favorite zoo animal is the Hippo, but they didn't have one of those here. So this old slow (boring) tortoise had to do. Actually, these guys were pretty cool. They were chomping down on that grass like crazy. They probably could eat your fingers with no problem. Except they would probably find it gross.

Deric and Bladen, loving the tortoises, not loving the heat.

We are a cute family

Then by the end of the day Bladen ended up pretty much naked. We kept joking that he was our cute little sweaty, white trash baby. He didn't mind, he likes being naked!

This guy was pretty cute, minus the nails. I told him he could come home with us if he was nice and also if he got a pedicure.

We spent 5 minutes trying to get a good picture of this. It was surprisingly hard to hold Bladen in the right place and get yourself in the right place. This is the best we got. Cutest meercats ever! (Are those meercats? Yeah, Timone!)

Then by the end of the day we were all super tired and super hungry. We decided to stop at a TGIFriday's which was so yummy and refreshing after a hot sticky day.

We had lots of fun at the zoo and look forward to going to another zoo (we want to go to all the zoo'x!) when Bladen is a little older. Happy weekend to us!

Shadows

2011-07-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

My son is so smart.

One time he got really quiet while he was playing and I looked over to find him discovering his shadow!

He would wave his arms and shake them back and forth to see his shadow move. Then he would gently touch his head, and then the wall. He could see his shadow!

He now often stops when he notices his shadow and tries to touch it and pat it. What a smart smart boy I have to notice his shadow. Maybe all kids do that at this age, but I have a feeling that Bladen is extra awesome for it!

Smarter than smart! Did you like our, what we like to call, "Celestial Wallpaper"?

Love you baby boy!