Preschool Graduation

Nicolas just graduated from his first year of preschool. I know, major milestone. All I can say about it is, "awww . . . cute." They sang a few songs, each had a "speaking" part, and rec0unted a few things they had learned. Thankfully, the "ceremony" only lasted as long as 14 4-year-olds can pay attention. So . . . it was about right for my attention span too. By the way, Nicolas said that he wanted to be a mailman when he grows up. But you have to give him props for originality because the 6 kids ahead of him said mom or dad.

Nicolas didn't want to go to the graduation and for days before he said he was going to be sick on graduation day. So on that day, I dressed him up in his clothes without telling him where we were going. When we walked into the room and he saw all his classmates and teacher, he looked distinctly duped. Fortunately he wasn't mad after all, and he wasn't sick either.






"You can't catch me. You can't catch me."


Tongue depressor kazoos


Nicolas and his teacher, Miss Trudy

Alisa Turns 2

My baby girl just turned two and is becoming less and less of a baby. She loves to sing and dance and thinks that life would be great as a musical. She has a great sense of humor and is very sweet. She can talk very well and can tell you about all sorts of things that are happening--if she is not just repeating her big brother. Speaking of . . . no one can bring her out of a bad mood faster than Nicolas. She loves him. On the other hand, they fight a lot and she has learned that if she cries, she can sometimes get him into trouble. Altogether though, she's a funny little person and a joy to be around.

Here are a few pictures from her birthday party. I didn't get a lot of great pictures but I chose these because they show a lot of emotion.

Mark's Wedding

Last week we went to Mark's wedding in Boise, Idaho. We had a great time. Here's some pictures.


Nicolas, Anne, Emma, and Alisa looking into the fountain at the temple


Me and Laura, my sister-in-law


The new family, Mark and Kristen


My mom with Alisa outside the temple


Bro. Blake, my dad, and Kristen's dad


My cute husband


Mark goofing off with his best man/men


Alisa loves my mom


Emma and Alisa dancing


Kristen and her bridesmaids (and a few other "maids")




Me and Alisa


My family all dressed up


Mark and Kristen cutting the cake

Letter to David

This is an email that Nicolas sent to my brother on his mission. Completely uncensored and unprompted. I thought it was hilarious. Poor David though . . . if he wasn't sad before, he just might be now.

Dear Uncle David,

We miss you. We're sad you're not home. We're glad you're having your birthday. We're sad you don't come to our house. We're sad only Grandma and Grandpa only come to our house, not the rest of your family. We're happy that you are a missionary to teach the gospel. You can even teach us the gospel too. We would like to learn more of the gospel. Our whole family would like to. Are you sad you're not with your family or are you happy? Do you miss your family? Do you still like to play with me? We love you.

Love, Nicolas

I looked in vain for a picture of David for you but I just couldn't find one in my computer. He's been gone for awhile and we haven't had a digital camera for that long, I guess.

My Perfect Day

I know, I know, I haven't posted for forever but I am doing it now. Yesterday I had the most perfect day and it is so un-unique that I think it just tells you a lot about me. This is what a perfect day looks like to me.

I awoke at 6:40 to run a 10 mile run up Snow Canyon Parkway. This is remarkable to me because 1) that is grossly sleeping in 2) that's really short for a long run but still long enough to "get away" 3) beautiful weather and beautiful scenery. One the way home, we stopped at Grandma Toblers for some buttery cinnamon rolls. Don't I have the best running friends!

Then I went home and changed into my swimming suit to go swimming with my family at our neighborhood pool . . . for two hours! This is remarkable to me because 1) we finally have a free Saturday to hang out at the pool 2) work on the tan 3) beautiful weather and beautiful scenery.

After that we came home for some lunch and then Nicolas, Alisa and I all took a long nap (but in separate rooms.) This was remarkable to me because 1) hello! Nap! 2) still no work done for the day and I feel just fine napping 3) beautiful weather and beautiful scenery. It was one of the those sun/water induced coma sleeps. The kind where you feel like you are arising from the dead to awaken. Very indulgent.

Lastly, we all showered and cleaned up for an "outing." We ran a few errands and went to dinner at Applebee's. I had never been there before but we had a gift certificate that ended up covering our whole meal. This is remarkable to me because 1) we have more or less given up eating out in an attempt to save money so this was a treat for me. I love eating out. Waiters and no clean up are divine 2) free meal! 3) beautiful weather and beautiful scenery (just kidding). To top off the meal, both of my children were clean and dressed in adorable clothing--that just doesn't happen very often for me. Between searching for clean clothes and soiling the ones they are wearing, cute clothes are a rarity. And they were both well behaved and clean through the whole meal.

Then we went home, put the kids to bed and watched a movie. I haven't watched any TV or movies for weeks (well besides American Idol, YEA!) and I like movies.

There you have it, my perfect day. Am I a pathetic married person or what!?