Our New Hobby

So the other night Bryan and Brooks went downstairs to play with the trains or cars or other toys in the basement. After a while, I was surprised by the amount of time they had been down there and how quiet things were in the house. I went down to check in on my two boys.

It was darling to see Brooks sitting on his dad's lap completely enamored with whatever he was watching on the computer screen. Bry had brought up a bunch of videos on Youtube that were full of tractors 'getting the dirt.' Brooks loves it and it has become a staple every evening at our hosue. Not so much during the day, must be a male-bonding thing. Brooks asks me to leave the room most of the time. Anyway, here is a sneak peek for those of you, or your little ones that might be interested. Nearly hours of entertainment.



Ok, but last night, best of all, while searching for more backhoe video, Bry came across this one. We had put this on you tube for our families to see and I had completely forgotten. What a fun surprise. This is Brooks 1 1/2 years ago. I can't believe how time flies. Maybe this will bring a chuckle. Sure did for us.



We are off to enjoy the sunshine! Love to you all.

What a Day for a Daydream

Seems I am dreaming about lots of things these days. Dreaming of a warm place, alone with my husband, a new kitchen table, being settled and having everything in its place and dreaming of Spring to show it's beauty sooner than later. Maybe I am also dreaming of a few skirts, shorts and white pants. Did I mentions some cute flats? Anyway, enough dreaming. Back to reality, American Idol, that is. Have you guys seen this guy? I love him, a little Jack Johnson-ish. He's cute . . . I like.



Enjoy a little daydreaming on me. Love you all.

Oh My Sweet Brooksy!

The move has been an adventure, to say the least. But a good adventure at that. I just can't wait to feel completely settled. It seems like there is an issue setting up nearly every utility and unfortunately, electronice equipment. But, despite the minor set-backs, our little Brooks has run around seemingly unharmed, until bedtime, that is. He started climbing out of the pack and play at my moms. Well, I just couldn't wait to get him in his crib, sure to have him trapped. However, much to my shagrin, he climed out of that as well.

Hesitantly, we took the bar off the crib, and he is sleeping in a pretty big boy bed right now. I couldn't figure out why I was so hesitant to do this, but after it happened, I realized how sad I was that he wasn't in a crib anymore. He's no longer my little baby. I cried.

I should have been crying for other reasons, not so sentimental. After hours holding the door closed and countless escapes we got a child lock for the inside of his door and he is making great strides. For two nights in a row he fell asleep in his bed, instead of the alternative.

I have learned an important lesson through all of this. Though he is seemingly fine and, I know, so resilliant, he has definitely been affected by the move. He misses the only home he's known. We quickly took him from his home, his room, and his favorite friends, which must have been so confusing. He just keeps asking when we are going to the 'hairport.'

But despite the changes, he is a happy boy. He runs around here like he owns the place and he loves seeing family and meeting new friends. He gets really excited to go to his 'news house.' I think his most favorite thing has been the overabundance of snowblowers on the street. He loves making snow angels and helping me shovel. And he loves to run up the sidewalk to the porch. He has yet to walk.

I look forward to the memories to be make on Kensington, and can't wait to see what Brooks has in store for us here on the Avenue.

Eddie, and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Well, we have arrived in Salt Lake City. We drove out a week before any of our stuff arrived. Eddie, the driver of the moving truck would call periodically throughout the week to keep me updated on his estimated arrival date.

I should have taken cues from the way we were packed up in Portland. He arrived at 9:00 am and didn't leave until a little after 5:00. Not your typical E.Q. move. Needless to say, Eddie never seemed to be in much of a hurry. Our delivery date moved from Friday to Saturday, then to Monday. Ahhh, here is where the problem lies.

All weekend the news was reporting the incredible storm sure to hit SLC on none-other than Monday morning. This wasn't just any storm, they were reporting a "big one." I notified Eddie of the storm. Not knowing he is also a weather man, he assured me it would blow over. Monday was to be the day.

Monday morning, we woke to beautiful blue skies and sunshine. Maybe Eddie really was on to something. Until the moving truck arrived. The black clouds came too. With them, snow like I've never seen. It was swirling snow, pounding snow, snow coming down faster than most rain. The ramp leading into the truck soon looked like a hill made for sledding. They would literally just slide down it. I couldn't believe it and tried to reschedule for the next day. Eddie wouldn't budge. I spent the day apologizing to the 2 movers for their frost-bitten toes and wet clothes. They were so nice, but my stomach was in knots all day.

Towards the end of the day, the snow let up, allowing us to assess the damage that had been done. Nearly 2 feet of snow had fallen. Eddie was anxious to get his truck out and on the road. Without his buddies, who were still in our house helping, Eddie decided he would get the truck out on his own, later admitting that his truck was so big, he couldn't see the sides or the back of the truck. Sounds pretty safe, I know.

Of course, Eddie got stuck and slid backwards down the street jack-knifing his truck, back-end on neighbors driveway, across the street, front-end on neighbors lawn, next door. At his best efforts to get out, he continued to rev that engine and spin those tires. It didn't work, and soon the lawn next door was spinning out all around the truck, leaving a good size hole, probably 3 feet deep and about the same width. Fabulous way to make a first impression.

Eddie and sand bags to keep his truck from sliding. Oops.

Finally, after each and every neighber got off of their porches from watching such a scene, they grabbed their shovels, snow-blowers, and ice melt and kindly helped dig Eddie out. Two hours after the ordeal began, Eddie made his exit. Leaving behind an ulcer, a complete nut case, and a phone number for any damage done. Call 1-888-dingbat!

Let the Games Begin!

I think that most of you know that I have a fierce love for pageants. Not that I have ever competed in anything like it. I think the closest I came might have been the School Spelling Bee, in which I proudly took third. I will watch any and every pageant. If I know it's on, I'll be watching.

Well this Saturday is the mother of all pageants, The Miss America Scholarship Pageant (had to throw the scholarship in there to somehow justify, however, unneeded.) I wanted to get this post out early so you could all do your research to decide on your favorite candidate. I have included two of particular interest. Any other states you wish to inquire about may be found here.

Drum roll please.

Introducing . . .

Miss Oregon, Kari Virdig

24 year old, Portland, Oregon

Graduate of Southridge High School

Deans list at Azusa Pacific University

Hopes to be V.P. of non-for-profit org. that helps sick kids

Will probably appear in a bikini, if she's tan...it's fake

Next up . . .

Miss Utah, Jill Stevens

24 years old, Kaysville, UT

Davis High School grad!!! (that's right, GO DARTS!!)

Sargent in the U. S. Army (top ten shoe-in)

Graduated top of class in nursing at Southern Utah University

Hopes to help people be prepared when disaster strikes

Will continue to be a nurse

Also might be the only girl in a one-piece swim suit

Now I hope I have given you all fair warning. We have a lot to look forward to this weekend. I expect all of us to be on our 'A-game.' May the best gal win!

Consumer Reports.

Well, as many of you know, I have had a lot of sleepless nights with much on my mind in preparation for the move. Last night, the thought that seemed to occupy most of my night was our phone service, strange, I know, but true! We use Vonage. I like it, Bryan does too, but he did give me quite a chuckle and funny face when I asked him about Vonage at 1:30 in the morning. I have a few concerns, however, it seems like it isn't 100%, all the time. But, maybe that's normal, with an internet phone, anyway.

I was just debating whether or not we should keep this service when we move to Utah. When I asked Bryan last night, he is up for it. I am just not sure if I am, all the time. What service do you use? Is it reliable and what would you recommend we do?

Ode to Albertsons

Hey all!

We are back, and had a splendid time. We had a beautiful, white Christmas, went sledding for the first time with little Brooks and spent lots of time with family and friends. I can't believe how fast the time flew. I will post some pics a little later. For now, however, I think it is important to pause and give credit where credit is most certainly due . . .

. . . to the kind employees at the Lake Grove Alberstons. Really, is there a front-end manager anywhere in the world quite like David? I was greeted with a smile on aisle two. Asked about my New Year's on aisle three. And when it was time to checkout, forget it. I was shown the royal treatment. Should have rolled out the red carpet. David unloaded my cart onto the conveyor belt then, ran around to bag my groceries for me. All the while, the kind checker (name slips my mind at the moment) chatted with me all about his trip to New York for Christmas. Then, of course, they offered to take out my groceries, I refused, so David ran to grab one of the bag boys and insisted that he at least bring in my cart for me. I was most impressed and felt pretty special, mind you.

Now this isn't the first time that such treatment has occurred. In fact, it's quite the norm. So for now, it seems, that Albertsons has formed a special place in my heart. Coming from a loyal, former checker at Bowman's Market, that is really saying something. Oh Albie's, I'm gonna miss ya! I believe their tag line at the moment reads, "Albertsons, crazy about food." Well, Albertsons, I'm crazy about you!