We officially conquered Amazon Internship 2013. We are now back in Provo with a full time offer in hand.  I will miss Seattle.  It is nice to be back in our BIG house, with our things, and a schedule. There is something about being “temporarily” in a place that makes you want to get back to your permanent place, even if you love the temporary place. Which is funny because I was very excited to leave Provo when we left. This has been an amazing experience and I do feel that it transformed us from crazy clueless first year MBA students to the “experienced” 2nd years. 

We will miss the spirit of conversion that was in our ward. In the last month there were 8+ baptisms, 4 of which we were able to attend.  Each sacrament meeting focused on people testifying of how they came to Christ and how that knowledge had changed their lives.  One Sunday I was even surprise called up to the front to tell how I came to know that the church was true and how it had impacted my life these last 8 years.  It was the first time I had spoken without a typed talk in front of me – but likely the most powerful. I was grateful that my kids would grow up with resources like the Strength of the Youth manual to be an arrow to guide their lives in the right direction. I also remembered the path my life has taken and how happy I am to be home teaching my kids.

The last couple weeks were my favorite. We spent time with friends and just enjoyed soaking in each bit of the experience. Kids loved the Zoo and Children’s Museum, and I surprised myself by being captivated by the Chihuly Exhibit in the Seattle Center. I hadn’t seen his work before, but was nay saying on the price tag of the small museum. I got in for free with a friend and realized that I would have happily paid admission to this surreal place.  I spent my 2nd to last day at my favorite Golden Gardens Beach and laid out in the sand all day. The last day was an awesome Block party next to our house with tons of free activities – It was hard to step back into reality and the car.

The drive home we stopped once with a low tire, but was otherwise uneventful. When we returned we quickly celebrated Lily’s 3rd Birthday, our 7th Wedding Anniversary, Christie and Chad’s wedding, and Ethan’s first day of school.  It is a welcome change to have a schedule again – at least for a few months.

An now onto Kid things because they are more interesting than me.

Kids like to play Mom and Baby. Ethan is the Mom and Lily is the baby. Lily says things like, “Can i play on the Ipad?” and Ethan replies, “Not right now, you need to do your chores first.” He feeds her and they go on trips to peoples houses. He tucks her in for bed. It is kind of amazing to spy on.

Both E and L say, “Elbow block” when fighting you

 E. Why did lily bite me?  L. Because I was hungry

Reid: Please don’t put things in your nose.  Lily: I WILL put things in your nose

or

Ashley: Please don’t show people your underwear  Lily: I WILL show people my underwear

(click through the pictures for notes)

Mom at Newcastle Beach

Ethan doing inner reflection in Karate

Our Favorite Daily Dozen Doughnuts – lightly sugared- on our drive home

Seattle Children’d Musuem

Art at Children’s Musuem

Wii shoes

Getting ready to Spar

Guys night out via Amazon

Friends

Chihuily Musuem

Chihuly – Amazing

Seattle Zoo

MBASA at the Zoo

Mora Ice Cream at Bainbridge Island

Ferry View

Ethan’s art

Symphony at the Library

We held a funeral service for the dead crab

South Lake Union Block Party with free kids activities

Goodbye View

Gak with Dad

Hike the Y?

Lily’s “special” Pink Bday cake

Pig Popper

Best present

3 is a good year

Christie’s wedding

Gifts of the Heart exchange

Love

We are down to 2.5 weeks in sunny(?) Seattle. The weather has been great our whole visit. Though, I am likely the only person here that thinks 67 degrees outside is too cold for swimming.  I need to be slightly crispy before I can jump into 85 degree warm water…  I have to wear sweaters to the beach here, it just isn’t right!.

After a mid-point slow period, time is flying again and we are counting down the days until we get back to our mansion in Utah. (Who knew we had it so good?) Our last few weeks included a trip to the Seattle Temple, which is full of confusing escalators, and a visit from my Mom for a week.  We had a great time eating at Pike Place (Beecher’s Mac and Cheese, Daily Dozen Doughnuts), riding the Great Wheel and Carousel, visiting the Library, visiting the beach, shopping, eating at more delicious places, and going to the Children’s Museum. The kids have been very sad since her departure. I also enjoy a weekly meet up with other BYU Intern wives to get the kids together and talk to adults.

Ethan gave his first talk in Primary. His topic was “Families are a Part of Heavenly Father’s Plan.” He was very excited to get it ready. Ethan colored six different pictures and then we worked on talking about each one. We practiced several times before Primary and felt really good about it. In Primary – things broke down, he was mostly interested in the microphone and making silly noises, which are all exciting things when you are five. We were proud that he stood up there and had this special experience and look forward to our next opportunity.

I took pictures all summer using my phone and quickly became an Instagram addict. Now Reid has been luring me back to the dark side bringing home fancy cameras from work, so it seems I am ready to cart my DSLR around again soon.

Kid stuff

E: I whined and whined and whined and whined and then i got to ride the Ferris Wheel!

E:(at the top of the Ferris Wheel, looks around) I don’t see Heaven, Mom.

Lily: I am a tooting machine!

E: (prayer) Help me to be nice to Mom and Lily. Help me to be a good boy. Help me, Help me.

E: Where is my buddy?
A: Everyone’s buddy is in the dryer
E: Your buddy isn’t Mom, your buddy is Daddy

Kid’s favorites:

Ethan’s current favorite video is this one with Lindsay Stirling.  After watching more of her videos we realized she was on America’s Got Talent and just performed at the Pioneer Day Concert.

Taking all the cushions off the couch and re-purposing it as a trampoline

Becoming a National Park Junior Ranger – Ethan now boasts a list that includes, Arches, Yellowstone, and Mount Rainier National Parks. We hope to add in Zion in the Fall. To do this you must ask for a packet at the visitor center and then fill out all the questions during your visit. When you return you swear an oath and get a badge to wear. Ethan will see trash on the ground and say, “Who left that trash? We don’t litter! I will pick it up because I am a Junior Ranger.” It is awesome.

Strawberry Pop Tarts – Ethan will eat a whole package in one sitting which is astounding for him. Otherwise, he mostly subsists on fruit and toast.

Lily changing outfits 8 times a day – Lily has a favorite purple-on-purple outfit she wears daily, no matter how many times I hide it. One of my rules is 1 pattern per outfit but she she smiles and me and says, “Two patterns, tehe”. Her general rule is to do the opposite of anything we say and smile at us as she does it. It is positively infuriating but she is so cute she pulls it off.  Both Reid and I think we are in over our heads with her.

Fellow Adventurer – Ashlea and Natalie

This is the outfit that won’t go away

Fireworks from our Balcony

On the wheel

Tugboat Storytime

Uno is our current game of choice, even Lily plays

Great Wheel on the Pier

Seattle Art Museum – My Favorite place

Newcastle Beach Park

Chair Fort

Sometimes this happens

Too sassy for words

Reid is never happier than when he Facetimes the cats

The Postal Service Reunion Tour

Spent the day at Mount Rainer

University of Washington – Hogwarts Hall

We love the beach

Bite of Seattle Festival@ Seattle Center

Art at Children’s Museum

As we turn the corner to the mid-point of our stay things have settled down. I have a visiting teaching route and we find ourselves inside as much as out. I pass the time reading my summer Book Club pick and working on a kids theatre curriculum for the Fall.

Shannon came to visit and we went on a whirlwind tour seeing everything on the City Pass.  This included: Seattle Aquarium, one hour Ferry boat Tour, trip to the top of the Space Needle, Experience Music Project Museum, Museum of Flight and Pacific Science Center.  Not to mention side trips to the Library, shopping, and Pike Place.  I hope she had a great time and I went into a museum induced coma after she left.

The kids LOVE the space needle and always point it out when we drive. One day we finally asked them, “Why do you love the Space Needle so much? What do you think is up there?” Ethan replied, “Space.”

Oh my, they were not as impressed as they hoped but enjoyed the elevator rides.  Ethan tried to press the buttons terrifying the operator as we went down.

Reid tagged along with us to the EMP and we all agreed the exhibit on Fantasy was the best. We saw early drawings of C.S.Lewis books and maps from Lord of the Rings. There was a dragon the kids could touch and it’s eyes would light up terrifying Ethan and delighting Lily to no end.  Reid and the kids screamed in the Scream Room, and made puppets of themselves on a shadow screen.

Having conquered the nearby areas – we recently headed out to Snoqualmie Falls, Issaquah, and Fremont.  My current obsession is looking at houses that cost less than half a million dollars – which is surprisingly hard to find here.

Despite our lack of space, the kids find ways to play together. They love taking the pillows off the couch to make forts or jumping from pillow to pillow. Their beds also make great launch pads for jumping one to the other.  Ethan spends his “quiet time” sketching pictures in his writing book and reading books to himself. We finagled some pool time from a friend and spent 2 1/2 hours playing since it had been so long!

I am delighted to be returning to a park in our backyard, it won’t come soon enough!

Snoqualmie Falls

Ferry Tour

Oh my…

On the Light Rail

What we do most days

Gasworks Park

Pacific Science Center

Karate Man

Gasworks Park

Next Fathers Day Present for Reid

Space Shuttle Trainer

Studious Student

Sweet pics of us

Actual Top of Needle pic

Fremont Troll

Lily’s Medal Presentation

Ethan’s First Tithing Payment

I am grateful the kids are a good age that they are happy to come along on adventures as long as I bring some snacks and promise a place to run.  The best part is almost all the things we have done so far have been free!

We continue on our exploration quest. I have a 5 page document with all the “must do” places to visit, compiled by last years interns. I am making my way through it quite nicely and have high hopes of not paying for parking in the future to do these activities.

My favorite building is the Central Library. We spent an hour going to all 11 floors and checking out the sites on each one. The best was the Red Meeting room floor where everything was, well,  red. Ethan was in heaven, he believed it was just for him.

They have a four floor book spiral that has a slow gradient you can walk up for all the non-fiction collections, a gift shop, media floor, auditorium, kids storytime and play area, and a city lookout point. My favorite part is because there are NO KIDS no one checks out any DVDS so it’s our own personal kids collections.  This is a far cry from the sticky 2 dvds you can find at the Provo Library. We love it!

We traveled to two beaches – Alki and Golden Gardens. Alki is a rock beach with tons of restaurants and shops along it in West Seattle. Golden Gardens is the only sand beach nearby and a bit more secluded. Kids loved both and we will be headed back soon. The water is still cold but it is relaxing to visit. They are both within 20 mins of our house! We love having Reid home on Saturdays.

After some doughnut adventuring we decided The Daily Dozen Doughnuts in Pikes Place were our favorite thus far.They are mini doughnuts they cook fresh for you and are cheap and hot. Serious Pie also cooked me a delicious potato pizza and cherry tart.

In our playground hunting I found one we could walk to- but it was occupied by many homeless friends so while It was fantastic, I don’t think we will be venturing there much without Reid.

Being in a small apartment I feel the kids are becoming better friends. I have caught them scheming on occasion and love their new reliance on each other.

Click through the pictures to see the names of all our adventures

My friends that live here are pretty sure that I have already seen more of Seattle than they have. It helps to have few obligations and enjoy walking!

Central Library

Discovery Park

View from Amazon building

Bubbles always a great idea

Alki

Gabe Visit!

Sir Toppham Hat Riding the Light Rail

Pillow Fight

Locks

Bellevue

Fourth Floor Seattle Central Library

Bubble gum Ice cream at Alki Beach

First Subway Ride

Pikes Place

Book Spiral

Ballard Locks

Lake Union Splash Pad

Kerry Park

Center for Wooden Boats

Golden Gardens Beach

Zipline

?

Best Friends? Ethan telling Lily to punch mom

Karate Man

Volunteer Park – Asian Art Musuem

Midway into week two and the kids and I are having a blast here. Granted we don’t have the stress of starting a new job so Reid may have a different feeling, but we are partying. Ethan is signed up for a summer Martial Arts class and Lily is doing Gymnastics. On our off days we explore the city and enjoy the beautiful weather. We love it! Amazon is treating us well. They have a grocery delivery service which caters to my laziness and brought all my pantry staples to my door. We also have bi-weekly maid service. It is heaven.

Finally, Hooray!! Lily is Potty Trained. I am the Grand Champion and she got a Pinkie Pie My Little Pony for her hard work.

Things I hear a lot these days…

Lily: You’re my BROTHhherrrrr  (when Ethan is doing mean things to Lily)

Ethan: Who are the police coming for? Are they coming because i was mean to Lily? (Everytime he hears a siren and feels guilty)

Lily: Heavenly Father, please can ride monorail.

Lily: I can DO IT!! (about everything)

________________________________________

On a side note when we got here I felt like we were the only people in downtown with kids. It turns out we are! No joke – it’s the facts

In 2000, there were 776 children under the age of five living Downtown, and in 2010 there were 294 10-14 year olds, a 49 percent decline. http://www.downtownseattle.com/dsa/childrensplaygroun

Seattle has the second lowest concentration of kids among big cities in the country, according to the most recent U.S. Census figures. Only 19.8 percent of Seattle households have kids. Only San Francisco ranks lower, at 18.1 percent.http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Downtown-Seattle-tries-to-be-nicer-to-kids-2459218.php

Case in point: “You guys are like a baby Factory” – Someone on the street in Seattle said us

Window view

Makin Friends at the Downtown Library

This is happening guys

Closet grass within walking distance – 20 mins

MONORAIL

We have a maid. She does this to our Toilet Paper. She is my favorite person, I will never forget her awesome work

Skyline from Kerry Park

View from Olympic Park

Pioneer square

We rode the RED one

Gymnastics – someone is a natural

Pikes Place lunch

Walking the Piers

Ethan made this somehow on the Ipad

Made playdough for an rainy day

Queen Anne Park

Blurry Apt Picture. Brand new!

Prize for being reverent in Primary

Beds after maid comes!

After one easy day of driving, and one day of screaming driving we pulled into Seattle. It is beautiful and green, but I think our stomachs sunk as we got into downtown. It was a shock to come from the highway into a maze of one way streets,  unfamiliar buildings, and no parking.  This was it. This was what we wanted- living in Downtown. I smiled but secretly I was afraid, It had been 6 years since I lived in Boston and that was a car-less and Kid-less experience.

May brought Reid back into our lives. We planned family adventures and enjoyed getting to know each other again.

We headed to Heber to sample World Famous Dairy Keen milkshakes (Cherry was good- but we are interested in their Girl Scout Cookie samplings next time), the kids loved the train that road around the top of the restaurant, but it was no match for the Heber Creeper. As we discovered the creeper… certainly creeps along – but the kids enjoyed an FHE night singing in a coach with strangers to Adele and Journey.  Ethan and Lily kept things lively by dancing up and down the train.

Using our Salt Lake Connect Passes we explored The Leonardo, Tracey Aviary, and This is the Place Heritage Park all around Salt Lake City. During this time I met up with the stunning Christie and Chad to take engagement pictures which was fun for all. The best was posing in alleyways and deciding whether or not to take pictures by a dumpster, also the velociraptor.

I attended my first BYU Women’s Conference. I was thankful for help from Rosemary who is quite the conference veteran on where to park, eat, and use the restrooms! I had a full two days off and heard wonderful and powerful talks.  On Thursday evening there was a concert with many of Deseret Books musical acts- Josh Wright (who we saw in a private concert at the Sederberg’s house at Christmas) played first, followed by an unforgettable rendition of Bye, Bye, Bye  by Mercy River.

Last week we squeeze in as many trips as possible. We drove to Moab and went to Arches National Park for two days.  Ethan became a Junior Ranger by completely a booklet and picking up trash. He now is particular about little on the ground. I love it. We hiked 8 miles+ in total with Ethan walking and Lily in a backpack. We saw Corona Arch, Sand Dune Arch, Delicate Arch (Ethan’s fave), and many others.  I didn’t care much about Delicate Arch until I made the hike to see it. It is an exciting hike with a grand reveal at the end where you turn a bend and finally see the Arch. It was AWESOME, I am a fan.

Then after Kindergarten Roundup we headed North to Idaho Falls and Island Park to pick up family and stay in a cabin. Curtis, Karla, and Janet were fabulous hosts whipping up amazing fajitas and showing us the ropes of Yellowstone.  We drove the entire bottom Grand Loop in a day – stopping for short hikes and viewpoints. We were honored to see buffalo prancing around in front of Old Faithful and particularly loved the paint pots, Norris Basin, and Grand Canyon.  On the way back to Idaho we stopped to see Alan’s gravesite, and then ate desert with Brad and Marie. The kids were head over heels for their house which included sprinklers, 4-wheelers, dogs, tons of land, dessert, toys, and a trampoline. If someone wants to hire us I’m okay with living in Idaho forever and having land.  Our final morning there the kids thoroughly explored Janet’s toy closet – finding a Lincoln log that in pencil said, “Doug was here.” Janet told us fascinating family history stories about pictures and handmade quilts and then we stopped at the Idaho Falls Temple before heading home.

Onward to Seattle!

There will be lots of Chad and Christie

They are part time models

I love this door

Cool guy in Yellowstone

Someone was done. He walked 8 miles. That was okay.

First pony ride. She couldn’t contain her smile

Ethan self portrait Age 5

The Leonardo

Heber Creeper

Riding the “Stinky Diesel”

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Landscape Arch – longest in the world depending on how you measure

If you look close you can see us in the middle

Live Elevated

First Four Wheeler ride

First Log Cabin

Testimony of Ezra Clark who knew Joseph Smith we found at Janet Clark’s house

Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center

Ethan was made a Junior Ranger by the end of the day

Besties

So glad we could see Janet – we had lots of fun

This awesome family fed us well and were our tour guides through Yellowstone

Norris Basin

Old Faithful

March was the fastest month of the year filled with MBASA activities and visitors.   April was the SLOWEST, as the days dragged for Reid to finish up school. I managed to survive both and live to tell the tales.

End of March – Reid hosted the MBA Un-Talent Show which featured violinists,  storytelling, the world record holder for fastest Donkey Kong game, and feats of strength.  Michelle spent a few days with us helping out with the kids and driving around with my crazy schedule. Kids loved seeing her and I was happy for the change of pace. We miss being close to our parents and seeing them often.

Easter we attending an MBASA egg hunt – where Lily ended up with 0 eggs because it only lasted 20 seconds. Then we drove to Alpine and enjoyed a lovely dinner and park day with the Thackeray’s.

April brought birthdays.  I spent three weeks sneaking around planning a surprise party for Reid and his good friend Neal. The best part of it is that he DIDN’T KNOW and it worked! I schemed with wives, friends, old High School friends, and the good people of Hangtime Orem to make it happen. A highlight was after Priesthood session Reid’s friends told him they were going to get ice cream, so they pulled into the trampoline place and then  (said friend) he proceeded to rip off his suit (there were casual clothes underneath) and run around screaming “HAPPY BIRTHDAY REID!” Reid was thoroughly confused.

Sheri Dew came to speak to the MBA students and spouses and I had to sit on my hands so I wouldn’t run up and tell her how much I love her. Also, she was fabulous.

We attended the monthly Sederberg Family dinner and represented the 3 out of 4 birthdays including Michael, Reid, Ethan, and Christie. I took another shot at a Tres Leches cake, and this time it was a winner. (First time at Reid’s party… not so good)

I submitted myself for a position on the MBASA board for next year and was appointed Arts and Letters Committee Head. You can read my cool bio here. I am looking forward to planning fun cultural activities and hopefully will make it through the year unscathed. I hope to write a kids theatre curriculum this summer and start up film screenings.  Also, my friend’s new website on doing plays for/in the church is inspiring.  She’s my other hero…. besides Sheri Dew.

Young Womens, Preschool, and Book club all plugged along merrily.

I hosted graduation for Preschool. We had a great year, but I am always okay when it is over. It is a lot of work. ‘nuf said.

During finals week my mom came to visit/save me from missing Reid. It felt like the whole month he was very busy and I was having a hard time, so it was great to have her here to distract me. She spoiled us with lunches, ice cream, open gym, and a trip to Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival.

Reid was in charge of the MBA Closing Social – which was State Fair themed with fried Twinkies,  fried pickles, funnel cakes, Sno Cones, Cotton Candy, and Hamburgers. It went off without a hitch and we are all a little rounder to show for it.

The end of the April was the best because I got my husband back for THREE whole weeks and we officially survived one year of MBA school. Hooray! We are excited for our friends that graduated but will miss them dearly next year.

Gifts of the heart exchange = living room dumpster diving

Most pictures I take look like this

First Bike Ride

Besties at MBASA closing Social

Love this handsome guy

Preschool Graduation

Easter

Easter morning PJs

Laurel Power

TV

GRANDMA

GRANDMA

Reid’s surprise Party

Lily came downstairs holding this

Ethan wrote the 5 on his cake

Quit top finished!

Tulip festival

Sederberg dinner

When we go for walks we always end up back at Pride Rock

Easter at Chris and Amy’s

Birthday Pavillion

Too mom to BYU Creamery

Happy Guy

E: Come on Lils, Let’s work together to wake up Mom!

Ethan is interested in telling time. He knows that 7:30am is when he can come out of his room and 3:00pm is when quiet time is over. He waits until EXACTLY the time and then always come down. One day he came down and Reid asked, “ Did you come down at 3:33 like we talked about.” Ethan said, “No, I missed it I came down at 3:34 I am sorry.”

L: What is up with dat?

Lily is into playing with ponies, cars, and the color pink. She is sure everything should be pink. “My pink medal,” “My pink shoes,” “My pink temple.”

E: I want to let my piggies free

Ethan had his first barber experience cutting Lily’s hair. Lily came downstairs with a handful of hair and I let out a yelp.

L: You go to JAIL mom, I cut your head off

Lily was crying and I was holding her. Ethan was on my lap. I tooted and suddenly everyone went from crying to laughing. I said, “Excuse me!” Lily followed with, “I want you to toot again.” More laughing ensued

Reid: What song do you want to sing?

Lily: Stinkle Stinkle Little Star

 

Kids are hitting each other with foam swords

E: I cut your head off

L: I cut your head off

E: I cut your butt off

L: I cut your butt off 250 time

Ethan walks into my room at 7:30 am and says, “Cockadoodle Dooo”

R: Where is your brain lily?

L : Lifts up shirt… in my stomach

When we rode the train Lily kept saying it was run by a “stinky diesel” and bunching her face up like it was smelly.

E:  (While we were hiking in Arches park) Dad, I am almost out of energies

R: How many do you have?

E: 1

R: How many did you start with?

E: 10, I need to eat lunch to get them back

R: What if we got you a hamburger

E: No, that would take me to 11

R: Isn’t that good?

E: No, 11 is too many

During Church Sunday School Lily’s nursery teacher brought her to me in class. As she opened the door Lily loudly proclaimed, “MOMMY I’M POOPY!” The whole class heard her and laughed and the teacher even acknowledged her saying, “ It happens to all of us at one time or another,” she beamed from ear to ear and I lead her away.

Lily gave Reid a bracelet and said, “Daddy you are a Princess.” Then she started running around and said, “I a SUPERhero!”

Lily’s additional lyric to Wheels on the bus: “Lily’s on the bus say I want milk”

I cannot believe we are nearing the end of the first year of the MBA program. The beginning months were trying but Reid and I have both hit our stride and lately time has been spinning by. I feel thankful for all that the program offers our family, it has been a magical experience.

The last month brought many family and cultural events. We have graciously been invited to the monthly Sederberg family dinners (and given a special Sederberg pen!). These dinners include a celebration of all the birthdays during the month and a birthday spotlight.  The spotlight is an amazing tradition where everyone says something special about the birthday person.  On the other side of the family we attended BYU Cousins dinner at Rosemary Thackary’s house.  These are held every other month or so and always result in many great memories and pictures. Ethan has taken a liking to Callie Thackeray, and Reid showed off his tortilla making skills.  We are so thankful for Tom and Rosemary’s hospitality. It has made Provo a place we will miss dearly. It has been wonderful getting to know more family members.

Onto the multitude of cultural events, Reid and I attended Christie’s play Little Happy Secrets, and although she didn’t get to perform that night (we know she would have been fantastic), it was a well-written and acted new play.  For preschool we went to the Covey Center’s children’s production of Rapunzel.  Ethan is interested in fairy tales these days. We just finished listening to Peter Pan on audio book.  Then, one of my Laurels was Titania in Midsummer’s Night Dream. The production was especially interesting as I have been studying the theatre period, Commedia dell’Arte which  took place while Shakespeare was writing and I could see how it inspired different aspects of the play.  I taught a Salon night on Servant of Two Masters in which I researched for several weeks and then presented in my home to all the ladies that are attending the play with me. It was an uplifting opportunity to share things that are so dear to me. I spoke for 90 minutes before I started to realize I should probably wrap things up.  We discussed what Lazzi and Zani are, commedia masks and plays, a summary of the play and character map, author biography of Carlo Goldoni, influence in art, and watched some classic Who’s Line is it Anyway? clips.

I was asked to write a monologue and portray Emma Hale Smith for our Relief Society Birthday dinner. It was eye opening to study her life and experiences. I included several letters back and forth between her and Joesph as well as a poem I found by Eliza R. Snow.  It was a tear jerker but I was thankful that they had asked me to share my talents. Oddly enough, when I saw they were doing the RS dinner – I had the impression that I would be asked to contribute.  I was thankful  I was prepared when they called as I had a crazy week ahead. Somehow it all worked out!

My book club read and discussed Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Reid took a group picture (there were 22 that night) and we made it into the closing social slide show. We are reading My name is Asher Lev this month.

I AM MAKING A QUILT. Really guys. This is a big deal. It is called a Friendship quilt because you make a five strips of squares and then you swap them with four friends.  I was terrified buying my fabric (even though I LOVE the fabric store – just petrified of sewing) I think I nearly left the store four times because I didn’t think I would be able to do it. Knowing that it was a unique opportunity I persisted and sewed my strips together and it wasn’t terrible… in fact it was pleasant as we met as a big group and all sewed together.  We have two more meeting before our quilt is complete – but expect lots of pictures if I finish.  It has been motivating knowing that I can compete a sewing project if given good direction, and even fun!

I have been meeting weekly with two of my laurels to work on Personal Progress. It is a highlight of my week. Nothing brings knowledge and the spirit like personal progress. I am working towards my Honor Bee and enjoying my calling.

This month brought us SUNSHINE and snow melting! We have found ourselves outside having picnics, riding bikes, or headed to the park most days.  I bring a good book outside and the sunlight always makes me feel happier. We also attended an MBASA music and movement class. The kids are split into separate classes but Ethan is doing well on his own knowing several of the other kids in attendance  Lily is masterful with the musical instruments, parachute, and scarves. I am in awe of all the amazing women that are willing to share their talents to make these classes happen for free!  Ethan went on a Father son date to see Wreck it Ralph in the dollar theater.

I am on the church’s talent database and we were asked to come be extras for a Young Women’s conference Music video. It involved us sitting in an old chapel for 3 hours eating snacks. The kids did well and maybe you will be able to see us! I will post the video when it comes out.

Reid and I had a night away thanks to Christie’s kindness. We stayed in a crazy awesome million dollar house that Christie lives in and enjoyed watching the The Bourne Legacy on a home theater setup that included $30,000 speakers as well as exploring all the nooks and crannies of the house.

Reid won a Pi-day pie contest, built a table, and starred in a few movies this month.  He got a t-shirt on Pi-day for his Worm Pie. Sadly, there was none left to bring home. He is quite the cook and multi-talented husband. He spent several nights building and sanding our new kitchen table. It is now ready to be stained and finished!  Next, he was in a Harlem Shake video (look in the front with the plaid shirt). He also acted in the third-place winning MBA Networking Video.

Some days I miss quieter times but I know that our time at BYU is limited so we are making the most of it! We feel enormously blessed with all the opportunities we have been given.  The End.

Ethan’s Bestie

MBASA Closing Social

Ethan made this

The end of an IKEA era

Mini Croquet at Provo Beach Resort

Filming for YW Conference

SUNGLASSES

St. Patrick’s Breakfast

Making Valentine’s card for Preschool

Making Food

Are these tights too big?

Fake Poop

Green for St. Patricks

BYU Dino Museum

Ethan’s Castle for Percy

Reid made this

Reid’s empty pies

Valentines Date Night

Reid’s winning pie prize

Ethan’s Second Movie – Wreck it Ralph with Dad

Book CLUB!!

We love each other

Lotion