Back in the saddle again

I haven't touched this blog in a bit. I'm sure most friends have pretty much given up on this page.
Que sera, sera.
I tried to write a small novel on Facebook, which I also probably have friends that had given up on me. So, I'll post on here.

Birthday run-down: I woke up for work, and as I was getting ready in the bathroom, I heard Sean in the kitchen shuffling around. I knew he was making me breakfast. How did I know? Because he isn't up until after I leave for work. French toast, with him and Claire. -Perfect-
Next I go to work and the clinic I started working with sang 'Happy Birthday' to me and included me in their tradition of buying an item that is on the farthest left of the clearance section in Costco. I received Piroulines, mmm.
Came home and found roses on the counter, that Sean had snuck out and bought before he left for work. I also got a " happy to see you, Mom" Claire hug. Went out to dinner at the Little America cafe, which was recommended to me by a coworker at my current clinic. I quote, "I imagine wrappimg myself in a blanket of the mashed potatoes, and eating my way out." After trying these so-called blanket spuds Sean declared that he could see himself consuming slippers made out of them.
Went home and put past-bedtime Claire to sleep. Received more presents from Sean. He really did a tremendous job figuring out what I really wanted.
This birthday is on the top of my list. Thank you all friends and family.
~Fin~

Halloween pics-so soo late!

Spider-Sean, Butterfly-Sian, and Bumblebee-Claire
We discovered Claire's true family in our ward. We love your costumes LuAnn and Jeff. (Killer Bees, get it?)

Claire's first time trick-or-treating. Our first stop was our next door neighbor Shirley's. She was so kind to us. Claire loved her plump Pomeranian Rosey. We then went to at least a half a dozen more homes, including an inflated Haunted House down the street. She was very brave, no biggie.

Claire's candy stash. (she even got Mardi gras beads, way to go Claire!)

We've moved to Utah

Moving day, car was jam packed with the rest of our things.

The last month or so has been hectic. I am now feeling like we are getting our heads on straight. Before moving to Utah we had to say goodbye to a lot of amazing people, places, and our beloved Buster and Lucy. We were unable to take our cats with us, but were fortunate to give them away to a loving family. We are so grateful for all of the kindness offered to us in the hardest times in our lives.

We moved on Nov. 13th and were able to make it to Utah on the 15th. We had an ABF truck drive our things out. That was a huge lifesaver! We planned on arriving the night before on the 14th, but I-80 closed due to black ice. So we holed up at a Little America. As much as we wanted to just get the trip over with, we enjoyed just relaxing and not worrying about getting to Utah quickly.

We were very busy looking for a place to live. We tried to find an inexpensive place. We got so sick of looking at ghetto/dirty apartments and rentals. We saw a lot of horribly dated apartments with awful carpet and disgusting toilets. Ya think you can rent the place out with brown in the toilet? We even saw an apartment with the closet shelf held up with a jimmy-rigged hangar suspended from the ceiling. Really? So we upped the rent another $50/month. Amazing. We found a place that had almost new carpet, granite countertops, and new fixtures. We are pretty pleased.

The only problem we've run into is our neighbors above the "Stompies." (I don't think they have any cushioning on the bottoms of their feet.) Also, two days ago they had a toilet flood that leaked into our bathroom, that Sean helped unclog. Disgusting. The bowl-like light fixture was completely filled with yellowish liquid. F.Y.I. Don't flush feminine products!

Being in Utah has been pretty fabulous. (aside from the lack of available jobs) We have really enjoyed being with family and friends. It has been three years since we've been able to spend Thanksgiving with Sean's family.(they have some of the best food) Plus we never would have gone swimming on Thanksgiving in St. Louis. That was really fun to do with my family. We also got to go the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert last weekend. It was a very memorable experience. (plus how often do you get to sit right behind Elder Holland and former Gov. Leavitt? right? It was interesting to see them in person, it felt normal to see them. They are faces I grew up with.

Another great thing about being around family is that Claire has actually been interacting with kids. She has finally started walking, mostly. She also is getting in her top teeth including a canine. She probably realized that she needs more than two teeth.

We have felt a lot of emotions these last two months. Bittersweet emotions really. Gratitude towards friends in St. Louis, sadness to say goodbye, and humility in our circumstance. We had so much help from ward members, neighbors, and Claire's Audiologists. We were blessed so much to live there and to meet so many wonderful people, and experience such a great city.

Lone Elk Park and such

I've been to Lone Elk Park twice before, and each time I've been intrigued by this "watchtower" that looms near the entrance. It seemed so mysterious and exciting. Well, I guess any other time it may have been the view of a lifetime.
Sean wasn't interested in going, so Claire and I made the journey together. It didn't take too long to realize that Ladybugs were everywhere. I tried not to let it phase me. As I trekked up the the spiral staircase, I realized it wasn't raindrops falling on my head. I can be very stubborn, so I continued. I noticed somebody had clearly been there before us as I ascended the squashed-bug stairway. I made it to the top to find even more Ladybugs and a Wasp. I was done. I turned tail only to be blocked halfway down as Sean began to ascend. Needless to say, I didn't get back to the car without having a small mental-breakdown.
Due to this encounter, I will not feel so inclined to smile when I see a ladybug. They really creep me out.
BTW: Throughout the drive in the park we continually had to open the window to flick a ladybug out.
Click on the photo below to get a better idea of the hoards of creep Ladybugs. Yuck.

We really enjoyed seeing the various colors of autumn on the trees.

Before leaving we were able to get out and stand about twenty feet away from a buck elk and a half a dozen cow elk.

Sean and I have a deal with Claire after her afternoon nap. She gets to watch one of her favorite shows for a half an hour while we cook dinner together. It works out pretty well, except when "Miffy" cuts in-and-out of reception.(we get really bad reception on our basic channels, especially PBS)
Anyway, she has mastered the couch-potato posture. She has also mastered the squish-face smile.

Magic House

Last weekend we were able to visit The Magic House here in St. Louis. You probably can't tell from these pictures, but it is so much fun for all ages.

Our next-door- neighbor made this hat for Claire recently. She is so sweet to us, and Claire loves her obese Pomeranian Rosey.

Claire really loves water, she especially loves to take baths.

Claire had fun with this display about air pressure.

I was very surprised at Claire's squeal of delight when she saw this Curious George walking around.


I felt really lame after taking these last two pictures. I'm not always very fond of Anne Geddes' style, and these pictures definitely lean toward that style. Lameness aside, I really like these obviously staged pictures.(ignore the hand holding her up) You can't deny the delight of a toddler in construction garb and a Judge's robe.

Nice job Dan

http://utahvalleybusinessq.com/features/tips-for-sale/

Claire's Birthday and such

Being far away from family has been hard on us at times. The idea of Claire not having family for her first birthday was very sad to me. Fortunately my Dad was able to come celebrate with us. We had a great time.

Claire was particularly squirmy during out meal out. Her high-chair, however, had wheels. So, her and Grandpa took a few laps around the restaurant. Claire was intrigued.(I think it's an odd picture, because we usually don't see a neck on her. She is usually head and shoulders. She looks so regal)

Claire had a Wiggles theme for her party. If there is one thing we have a hard time peeling Claire away from, it is the Wiggles on our computer.

We had quite a few families from our ward come and really enjoyed their company. Hot Potato, with one of Claire's favorite toys at the time. (Minnie Mouse)

Claire really enjoyed her cake, but still had room for paper.......

.......and more paper.

Trying to save money, we took our own One year old photos at Forest Park.The second after the photo above was taken, Claire of course, was curious about the taste of dirt.
In case any of you are wondering, Claire didn't get her ears pierced. Our sister-in-law, Kari, gave us the idea to use nail stickers. It works pretty well.