Pops

While we were in Utah, we made a special effort to visit my father's grave in Salt Lake. We ended up having a really neat experience with Cameron while there. We had just driven 12 hours across Nevada, and went straight to the Cemetry. Needless to say, Cameron was a good trooper in the car, but not really in a friendly mood.

As soon as we took him over to the site, he lit up like a fire and was all giggles and smiles. Would not stop smiling! It was really fun to see him as he was surely seeing Grandpa again.

Love you dad. I look forward to when we are all reunited again.

Flashback

Let us look back to January 2012.

Goal #3: Double Blog Entries.

There are 62 days left in 2012. Which basically means I have to blog just about every day to make my goal.

Crap.

Vanquish the Foe

I am in LOVE with my University. Granted, their football team leaves more to be desired, but the memories of my college life seem to fill my heart with warmth. I don't know, maybe things are all a little more "rose colored glasses" than they should be, but I just remember it being the best.

Thankfully my husband's family lives right near the campus so it is an annual thing for me to walk on campus. 'sigh'. Its amazing. And of course while there, we hit up a Football game with Julie and Ryan. Both delightful - the people, not the game. We had 3 good quarters of football and 1 horrific display of garbage. But, the cougar tail was well worth the calories to make up for our traumatic loss.

Thanks to Nike for messing up my blue pride and calling the game a "black out" to support the black jersey's on the field. Most the fans went all out - leaving Mark and I a little unprepared. But - nothing like a good old fashioned BYU pride to make up for our lack in black.
Thanks to Granny and Gramps for watching the lad. Until next year mighty cougars.

Married Mormons

 Its no secret that I love me some Amazing Race. Many years did I contemplate who would be the perfect partner to run in a race around the world. And then I realized, I would NOT be a good partner to have. Me and high levels of stress do not mesh well. But - if I ever was on the race, we'd be the blue team - nicknamed "the mormons". I realize it isn't as catchy as the Cowboys, or the Pinkies, Long Hair-Don't Care, or even the "dating-on-and-off-ers". C'est la vie.

And lets be honest, it really is all about the kids. So my little Travelocity Gnome was by far the most darling costume at the ward trunk-or-treat party. He was a hit!!!

 Could you just die! And I loved that he held onto his beard. Such a cute gnome. Even though the ward thought he was a garden gnome, and we were dirty joggers, (cuz that goes together?) it was a hit all around.

 And I must give a shout out to...myself. And my DARLING Halloween monster cupcakes. Oh how I love Pinterest and its ability to get me to be fun and creative.

Happy Halloween friends.

Do You Hear the Poeple Sing?

I am never one to turn down a theatrical opportunity. So when Les Mes came to San Francisco, we were sure to brush up on our French history and head over. Ma was nice enough to babysit our youngster - and off to the BART station we went. I did feel a little guilty being that the boy was only just over 7 weeks old. But Le Mes doesn't happen everyday? At least that's the reasoning I told myself.

I do enjoy taking BART occasionally. I think if it were an everyday commute kind of thing I'd be annoyed, but since our station is the first on one the line, we always get a seat on our way into the City. Its interesting to sit and watch the cars fill up with people to standing room only. And then to try and analyze random people's personalities based on their shoes. Mark of course was so clever in his assumptions; had me laughing most of the trip.

We got there a little early and treated ourselves to some Starbucks deliciousness. And waters that were cheaper than in the theater. As we rushed over to take our seats, I wanted Mark to take a quick picture in front of the theater with the sign. Just was we got all positioned, we were bombarded by a deaf and dumb (as in non speaking. not stupid. I'm not that heartless) beggar who wanted money to go to the Burger King across the way. Mark tried to decline politely, but the beggar would not let up. So my photo op was more of a rushed moment, that turned out with me standing stiffly and smiling awkwardly as I watched that man badger my husband who was trying to respond in hand gestures and mimicking sign language. Funny memory.

The play was fabulous as was to be expected. Although I wasn't totally sure where it fit in 'French Revolution' history, it was a great story line to follow. And I was a little surprised at how scandalous it was as well. Especially that one scene during the "master of the house" number. Holy wow. It was like a train wreck that I couldn't keep my eyes off. Three words - scarred for life.

How I love a date night with my man. Delightful evening all around. Especially when we unexpectedly bumped into the Harrington's and got to ride BART home with them talking about the plays we've seen. - 'sigh'- I have a good life.We got home really late to find our babysitter sleeping on our couch with Cameron zonked in the swing. Mom said he didn't wake up to eat! Say what? So yes, this was also the first night we stopped having to feed Cameron at 10pm.

St. George Rendezvous

 We took the chance back in August to take a trip down to St. George to meet up with my Brother and his family. It was Cameron's first time on an airplane, and my first time traveling with an infant. To sum it up: Cameron is a champion. I can't imagine having to do it with a busy boy but the baby thing wasn't so bad. Plus, with only an hour flight, I managed to make the return trip alone without any emotional causalities. (my trip to Wisconsin was a different story. Tune in later)

We stayed in a delightful "Penthouse" which made us feel fancier than than the place actually was. But by our standard, it was lux. We took advantage of having a private hot tub on our deck more times than I care to mention. Basically, we lived in our suits.

When we weren't sitting in the hot tub eating who-knows-what crap (I lost track of how many trips I made to the kitchen to acquire treats) we did make it out to historic St. George and Zions National Park. Both delightful. Dave's youngest son is just a week younger than Cameron, so it was fun to have us all together, and that neither one slowed down the other.

I pretended to be artsy and took a few pictures that I am quite proud of. I just need a place to display my "I'm proud of this" moment. I feel a book coming on. Done and done.

The kids were great. Like I mentioned before, Mark had to come home early, so I ventured for the remaining week on my own. Cameron was a champion, even for the 2 hour car drive back to Vegas, the transfer from rental car to airport to air plane. And the pick up scene in Oakland at the end. I wish I could say he slept through the whole thing, but he didn't. But God did bless me with a chill guy who just went with the flow. (until I put him on a 4 hour plane ride to Wisconsin 2 weeks later. Nightmare)

I sure love my brother and sister-in-law. So much so I gave Cameron his name. Loved seeing my friend Lanelle and her baby Elsie too. Reminds me how much of a beast my baby is. Shame on me for not getting a picture of me and Lanelle but the babies posed quite nicely. Elsie is 2 months older than Cameron. Yes my friends, that is how we make 'em. Big and strong.

First Cut

I am so far behind I my blogging, it's a crime. I just can't seem to find the time in my day to sit down and make something clever up. I've got several fun things that I want to get up for journaling's sake, so lucky for you my reader, I'm going to try to get one up every day this week. (seriously, I might be a little over zealous in my goal making this week.)

So here we go. Monday's blog. Why I choose to go with this event first, I have no idea. Its fast, and it's been an experience ever since.

Cameron's hair grows like the weeds in summer. Out. Of. Control. He was born with a really long patch on the crown of his head that really, just had to go. See Exhibit A

So after several visits from friends and family, we decided that enough people had witnessed his excessive hair growth, and we embarked on probably the youngest child's hair cut in history. Yes, my 6 week old baby needed a hair cut.

He made for a cute client, and didn't even struggle much. It was a chopped buzz but at least it evened out the mess so we have something to work with later. Since this awesome first cut, we've had to cut his hair pretty consistently every 3 weeks. Nice.

Too Soon?

The teacher in me says it can't come soon enough.

When we acquired Granny & Gramp's vintage school desk, I couldn't quite contain my excitement. Nor my daydreams of mommy school and learning to write! Oh Cameron, I love your little self, but we're going to have so much fun when you're a bit bigger!