Robin

When I first began blogging on this site I was copying my younger sister Robin and further copying her by doing a post about each of my eight siblings. I did my oldest sister Sarah's post on my myspace page before beginning this blogspot and then did one of my earliest post's on here about my older brother, Adam. I am now going to continue. I will do one siblilng a week, beginning today with Robin, the fourth child in our family. I will end this series in 5 weeks.

How can I say enough good things about Robin? She has been one of my best friends for the past 26 years. She was born when I was almost three.
We shared a bedroom for about 12 years. I haven't even shared a bedroom with my husband for that long!

Robin is and always has been very sweet, sensitive, funny, and emotional. I've always had the strongest urge to protect her, not that she really needed me though. I remember playing barbies, Ginny dolls, glo friends, "house", and jumping on the trampoline with her. We watched Care Bears, My Little Ponies, Glo Friends, and Pound Puppies together.
Just after turning 13 our family moved from California to Utah in October. I remember having to trick-or-treat with my lame 10 year old baby sister. But really I was glad I had someone to go with since we hadn't made any friends there yet. In Utah we loved building snowmen together in the winter and playing nightgames together in the summer.
Just before my senior year in high school we moved from Utah to Wyoming. I was very depressed and I was glad to have Robin at the same school with me, she was a freshman. We spent a lot of time together that school year (1995 - 96).
Coach Draney thought we were the coolest sisters cause we were buff in high school. She could always beat me at pull-ups but I could always beat her in arm wrestling. We got into the school musical together that year, she dropped out. She has a lovely singing voice. We joined the track team together and I dropped out. She went on to be a state track star in pole vaulting in both Wyoming and Arizona in high school and in college. My first year in college I missed her so much I would cry and it sucked cause she was so busy with being a social butterfly in high school that she hardly missed me.
Robin had two kids before I had Jonah. She was my best source of advice all thru my pregnancy and I still call her a lot for parenting advice. We share a lot of the same mannerisms, beliefs, humor, taste, and silliness. Robin has a fantastic sense of humor. I love you Rob, Schlob, Victor, Bob, Bobbin, Bobaluski!


1983. Wow, we have a lot of bathtub pictures together!

At Disneyland. 1990?

Both hippies for Halloween. 1993 or 94.

1995. Me sleeping on Robin in the back of the 'burb' on the LONG roadtrip from WY to AZ for Christmas.


1997.

2001.

Last year I dyed my hair dark in an attempt to look more like Robin. Her natural dark hair put my bottle job to shame.

Spring Cleaning Challenge

An easy way to eliminate some of your clutter: throw out expired products. Things that have expired are no longer working well and they could be dangerous. Start with your refridgerator. Sure, nobody keeps milk after it expires, but what about salad dressing? I bet you've got two or three things in the fridge door that you could throw out. Next move on to your medicine cabinent. Do not use expired tums, eye drops, etc!! How 'bout other things in your bathroom? First, get rid of thigs you don't use. If you haven't used something in your house in the past year, you probably never will. We've got an 11 inch electric skillet up for grabs. If you have sun products (sunblock, self-tanners, etc.) over two years old, they don't work right anymore, throw them away. If you have skincare over three years old, get rid of it. If you have cosmetics over five years old, they are germ-filled and probably not working well, toss them. I guarantee this purging will feel freeing. Your home will be safer, less cluttered, and more effective. I can't wait til we start packing for our move in two months, that will be a major purging.

Book Club?

I think my ward is starting a book group again. They are going to read The Five Love Languages which I "read" on tape a couple years ago. I should actually read it. All I've read lately are self-help type books like that though, mostly on parenting. I read two whole books on cessareans while I was pregnant, I've read most of Baby Wise and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and an entire book on pregnancy. I've browsed books on child development, games for infants, etc. I finally finished a novel I started in October. I am ready to read fiction again.




I think I will begin this evening by continuing The Westing Game, a young adult novel I began with my students in mind. What shall I read next?
I just went thru the books on my shelves (didn't dig thru my boxes or go to the library or buy anything new). The ones that appeal most to me at the moment (that I've never read) are: Cold Mountain (B read it 6 years ago and dubbed it a Modern Classic, says our kids will be reading it in high school AND that it will make me cry), The Odyssey, The Brothers Karamazov, Life of Pi, and I'm sure I've got a copy of The Grapes of Wrath somewhere. Which do you all suggest I read first? Anyone want to read with me?

Jonah pics

Add to your grocery list:
Blue Bell Banana Split icecream
Johnsonville Bratwurst

News

1- Jonah has always been able to lift his head when he lays on his belly, but today he started putting his arms into it too! His chest goes up and everything, he looks so grown up! I'll post pictures asap.

2- Got gorgeous flowers from B & Jo for Mother's Day.

3- It looks like we're eliminating Durango and Arizona from our moving possibilities. I know Jonah's adoring fans in AZ are disappointed but it came down to airports for me. We need to live close to a major airport so that we can visit B's mom and family. It looks like we're down to CA and UT.

And whoever Jacob is, thanks for your comments. Brandon used to ski and snowboard but mostly gave it up after high school. And to those of you who have not been able to post your comments, I'm sorry, it's blogger's deal, you shouldn't need an account to comment but sometimes the sight just acts funny. Loved getting emails with people's opinions on where we should live and appreciate all the comments too. It's great to get feedback. (PS- Those of you who comment in your own comments section make me crazy cause who knows if anyone goes back to reread/reopen something they already commented on!).
The reason we're only looking at high altitude towns is that we are both big into hiking (and camping and backpacking and fishing, etc.) and we like to have 4 seasons. Waterskiing availability and theatre are also very important to us. Brandon would like to take up sailing and we both love scuba and kayaking as well. You gotta pick a town that meets your recreational needs, right?

My weekend was nice. It started early cause B didn't have any patients to see on Thursday or Friday. We've been playing a lot of Texas Hold 'Em poker lately in our freetime, it's lots of fun. Saturday morning I had the missionaries and an investigator over for another discussion, she is finally ready for baptism (!). Saturday afternoon we had a BBQ with Jamon and Alisha. Sunday I taught in Relief Society and in the evening we watched Music and Lyrics which was much better than either of us expected. Today has been lazy. Tomorrow I vow to be more productive:)

Decisions

Brandon took the Western Region's Dental Board examinations (on patients) this past weekend. It went well, though he won't officially have his results for several weeks. Four years of schooling and clinic work culminated in that test. Now he just has to finish up with some requirements (2 bridges) and wrap things up with all his patients. We can hardly believe it's almost over.
The end of dental school marks the end of our time here in Oklahoma. Brandon has decided that instead of starting his own practice right away he wants to get hired by another dentist as an Associate Dentist. This can lead to partnership or to the purchase of a practice or one can simply leave after a period of time (6 mos to 3 years) and go it on one's own.
Brandon would ultimately like to have his own practice in Heber City, Utah and is currently looking into associateships in the Salt Lake Valley area. I have always wanted to live within a 6 hour drive to my family in Mesa, Arizona so I have been pushing him to apply in Flagstaff, AZ as well. Brandon has been less than enthusiastic about this prospect. I have come up with a list of 5 places I would rather live than Utah and Brandon is going to look for a job in one of them but has not decided which yet. Which would you choose?


Flagstaff, AZ

Big Bear, California

Durango, Colorado

Prescott, Arizona

Julian, California

14 weeks old

Jonah now smiles at anyone who talks to him. He "talks" and laughs more and more too. He loves being sung too. He likes looking at picture books while I read them to him. He's tried out a Baby Einstein video and liked that as well. He loves to sit in his swing and concentrate at grabbing the dangling toys on it. He is very proud when he catches hold of them.
Jonah can roll onto his side now. He likes to hold toys and will even grab them himself sometimes. He has started noticing the cats. I let him hold Jasmine's tail, which he loved, she also licked his fingers after he held her cat treat and promptly tossed it. In the past few days he has started putting things he holds into his mouth.
Jonah is a very good boy. He sleeps from 9pm to 7am with just one or two night feedings. He naps a lot still and can entertain himself a lot more now. He likes his stroller, but prefers being at home. He no longer needs swaddling at night. He just started nursing on only one side at a time. He is chubby and sweet and wonderful. He's almost ready for a Johnny Jump Up.

Drinks

Many of you know that I've gotten really into teas in the past couple years (my friend Jen says they all taste like dirty water to her, she obviously hasn't tried many). I grew up drinking herbal teas, my mom loves them.
I only ever liked Sleepytime by Celestial Seasonings and mint teas. I was not and am not a fan of fruity herbal teas.
A few years back I became a big fan of chamomile, even before I found out that it is a natural relaxant and pain killer, which is very handy for pregnancy when you have a lot of aches and pains (and cannot take an anti-inflamatory painkiller like ibuprophen or Aleve) and/or can't sleep. Unfortunately, I didn't like the flavor much anymore during pregnancy.
While living in Hawaii I started making Moonlight Mint and keeping an iced pitcher in my fridge all the time. It was just mint tea which had been steeped overnight (so it was kind of strong) on the windowsill in the moonlight during a full moon (I doubt the moonlight is very important but I like the added mystery factor). You can ice any tea, ya know.
A couple years ago my mom introduced me to Maté, an extremely popular South American tea. It has a slow release caffeine in it (as a warning or bonus depending on your POV). It tastes a bit like grass/hay clipppings, but when you're in the mood it's delicious. The best part about (Yerba) Maté (pronounced Mah-tay) is drinking it with a bombilla (straw/strainer); it just seems cool.
There are two websites I find great teas on:
www.teavana.com (try Mate Vana- I like it with milk & sugar or To Life, my two very favorite teas)
www.dragonwater.com (you can buy a sample size of any tea to try for just a couple bucks)
Other drinks I love:
Flavored steamed milk (you can get it at any coffee shop or make your own if you have a capuccino machine) The best one I ever had was at Starbucks at Christmastime. I ordered a Steamer; half eggnog, half vanilla Silk, pure heaven. Normally I just get hazelnut or almond, easy on the syrup.
Horchata (a mexican rice milk with cinnamon)
Mate Latte (had it once at Coffee Talk in Mesa, AZ)
Herbal Chai (a delicious premade liquid one made of Rooibos (red "tea") is found in health food stores and some grocery stores in a red-orange box. I can't remember the brand name).
Wild Cherry Pepsi
Root beers made with sugar not corn syrup (Goose Island brand is available at Target)
Pineorange banana juice, grape juice, etc. We are big juice fans at my house.
And my new discovery...

Questions

To: All You Pros

1- How do I change the song on my video?
2- How do I make the video not look blocky? (It looks fine on my camera/computer)
3- How do I pick a good babysitter for an infant?
Teenagers don't seem the best idea, young moms have enough to deal with, single gals have better things to do with their time, older moms whose kids are gone maybe? I was a good teenage babysitter but I don't know many teenagers at my church and the two I do know are youngest children...

With Jen

This was, of course, Brandon's idea.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My best friend, Jen, came to visit us this week and meet Jonah. It was three days of joy.

More from AZ

Me with Robin and Sarah.
Four of our nephews; Chandler, Gabriel, Jackson, and Tucker - goofballs.

Mom & Dad

Gabe is #2.

Jack & Tucker

Papa & Jonah

Charlotte & Jonah kissing.

Not pictured:

Hanging out with Autumn and her two adorable kids (plus her neices, nephew, and sisters).

Lunch at Crackers with Abbie, Stephanie, and Robin.

Hanging out with the Mabees.

Lots of good family time. Some good food too.

The Rest

49- Yesterday when I went to get a haircut, while my stylist was washing my hair she said, "I see your going thru the post-pregnancy shedding period." Yup, I'm losing hair.
48- I got a clogged milk duct yesterday - ouch.
47- Brandon and I spent almost 3 months of 1998 in Nepal.
46- I've loved curries ever since; Nepali, Indian, Thai, Japanese...
45- I don't eat to live, I live to eat.
44- We're going to the downtown Arts Festival this afternoon (there's great food there).
43- I failed a test once, a Spanish final, for a correspondence course I took, I had to retake the whole class. Oh, wait, I failed that final twice. Then retook the class at a different school. The only other correspondence course I ever took was also kind of a disaster.
42- Last week I fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans:)
41- Despite its hardships, I love nursing.
40- Brandon and I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for our first two years of marraige.
39- We spent the next 3.5 years living in Hawaii on the island of Oahu.
38- I tried surfing once.
37- I am SCUBA certified.
36- I love hiking.
35- I love fruit.
34- We have lived here in Oklahoma for 4 years.
33- I have picked and eaten guava (delicious) and passionfruit, but have never seen them for sale.
32- I didn't know rhubarb existed until I found it growing in our backyard in Sandy, UT.
31- I'm the only person I know who doesn't love chocolate dipped strawberries. I like them with white chocolate.
30- I wish I was fluent in Spanish.
29 - I want to learn to sew better.
28- I regret not playing sports more in my youth.
27- I also wish I'd played more video games cause my hand-eye coordination pretty much sucks.
26- Despite being a rather blunt person, I always try never to hurt people's feelings.
25- I'm not really into Valentines or anniversaries. Flowers from the grocery store are good enough for me.
24- I want to visit the Italian riviera more than almost anywhere.
23 - I would love to go back to Nepal someday.
22 - I love warm rain.
21 - I love Arizona.
20 - I love the mountains.
19 - I can slolem ski but cannot waterski on two skis.
18 - It took me forever to learn to get up on a ski.
17 - I've tried snowskiing and snowboarding once each.
16 - The only thing I've ever broken was my pinky. It happened iceblocking at my awesome 14th birthday party.
15- I've never smoked anything except for an attempt to smoke grass clippings when I was about 10.
14 - The most alcohol I've ever had to drink was about half a glass of white wine when I was 18. Nobody knew about it at the time.
13 - I love to read.
12 - I've seen more British shows than any American I know.
11 - My bathroom is decorated in a pirate theme. It's the best decorated room in the whole apartment and it's not that spectacular.
10 - I invented modern scrapbooking. In 1993, before scrapbooking stores existed, I started a photo album with themed pages. I claim the idea.
9 - My superhero name is List Lady. Brandon's is Innuendo Man and we have friends called Empty Threat Woman, Chica Chocolat, and Analogy Girl. You may petition for your own if you'd like.
8 - Blueberry muffins and salsa are two of my favorite foods.
7 - I know how to gut a fish and bait my own hook, but I haven't been fishing in years.
6 - I had braces and jaw surgury when I was 20.
5 - I hate buying jeans and swimming suits.
4 - I love to sing but I don't know if I like my voice.
3 - I hate my profile and so does everyone else I've mentioned it to.
2 - I'm glad I'm about done writing this.
1- hmmm... I love the smell of lilacs, plumeria, roses, babies, garlic, cumin, ginger, my husband, etc. I have the "Menefee" nose (and an "Aggie" toe).

Aunts & Uncles

Jonah with his Aunt Claire (age 8).

with Uncle Mark (18)

with Uncle Trent

with Aunt Robin

Jonah also met Uncle Spencer, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Adam, Aunt Michelle, and "Auntie" Autumn.

100th Post

I can't post my pictures from AZ until I do "100 Things About Me" (according to Tori). Here goes:
#100 - I was born in Mesa, AZ.
99 - I am the third of nine children.
98- As a young child, I loved catching butterflies, sometimes I took them home as "pets". A lady who lived between my home and my elementary school called me the Butterfly Girl cause I'd catch them in her yard a lot.
97 - I lived in one or two homes when I was very young, but the first one I remember was on June Street and had a huge eucalyptus tree in the front yard that I liked to climb.
96- My next door neighbors in that house were named Elsa and Biagio and were from Italy. They loved me. Elsa always had a pot of spagetti sauce cooking on the stove, filling the house with its heavenly aroma. I could write a lot about them.
95- I once tried to pick a prickly pear fruit from a cactus. I couldn't tell that the fruit also had tiny thorns on it. I was so embarrassed about getting thorns in my fingers that I lied and said that I fell off my bike and my hand landed on a cactus when I went to catch myself.
94- I met my lifelong friend Annie in elementary school in AZ. We were in the same third grade class, she had pretty handwriting.
93- I met my lifelong friend, Autumn, shortly after birth. We introduced our sons to each other last week.
92- I found a journal I kept in elementary school at my parent's house last week. It is very funny. I mostly wrote about what gifts I received for Christmas and birthdays.
91- I love picking out gifts for people. One of my greatest joys in life is having someone say I got them a present they really love.
90- I also LOVE being complimented on my cooking. It's not that I'm fantastic or anything, I just love food and eating and I want to be good.
89- I went to MacArthur Elementary school for K-4.
88- In 5th grade a new elementary opened named Ishikawa and my family opted to transfer there.
87- At the end of 5th grade we moved to California.
86- Our family really struggled with money those years in CA. My mom got me LA Gear shoes in 6th grade cause she sensed how important it was to me to have that name brand that year. I wore them with two pairs of scrunched socks like everyone else did that year (1989).
85- In 6th grade I met my lifelong friend, Lisa. We talk on the phone every month.
84- In 8th grade I had two guys ask me out the same week. Even though I kind of liked both of them I was too scared to "go out" with them cause I knew they wanted to french kiss (grossly referred to as "deep throating" by our friends) me and I didn't know how to do it and I didn't want to be embarrassed.
83- In October of 1991 (early in 8th grade) my dad was laid off and my family moved to Utah so my mom could live by her sister and so we could be near more Mormons.
82- Oh yeah, I am a devout member of the Mormon faith. Our church is not actually called the Mormon church though, we are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, what a mouthful.
81- While still in AZ my family took vacations to Rocky Point, Mexico every Spring Break. The town's real name is Puerto Penasco and though it was just a tiny desert town back then, it is now a major tourist destination. It's only real allure (at least to me) is great, cheap food and awesome tide pools.
80- Other childhood vacations were to California (beaches, Universal Studios, and Disneyland), Christopher Creek, and Showlow (both mountain towns in AZ with cool weather, fishing, etc.).
79- I LOVE Disneyland. To me it truly is The Happiest Place on Earth. People who don't love it usually haven't been on a weekday in fall or winter when there were no crowds.
78- People who don't like cats haven't met my cat, Rusty. I love cats.
77- I like going to zoos.
76- My first job was in elementary school selling stationary (etc.) door to door. I was an official member of the Olympic Sales Club (I think I still have the card). I've always liked having my own money and I've always been good at sales.
75- Ninth grade was the peak of my social existence. Kinda sad, but great memories.
74- I was in ELP (Extended Learning Program) in elementary school. It was for the "gifted" kids and I absolutely loved it.
73- I always regretted that when I moved to UT during 8th grade I got put in "regular" math even though I'd been in "advanced" math in CA (they hadn't gotten my records yet) and I've been kind of bored with math ever since and I felt like a loser among my smart friends.
72- In 9th grade I joined the school newspaper staff. I wrote for school newspapers every year until I graduated college.
71- I took French in high school because I thought I might want to major in fashion merchandising in college and I'd need french for all my trips to Paris.
70- I've never been to Paris.
69- I ran track in 9th grade but we didn't have a real track and I was always hurting my ankles so I never ran or jumped in a meet.
68- Joined the track team my senior year in high school again, but dropped out cause I hated all the running in practices. I just wanted to sprint and jump. Bad move. (Why didn't I do track my sophmore and junior years? Too busy being a social butterfly I suppose).
67- My first kiss was with Dan Neeway when I was 15. We are still friends.
66- Went on my first date (to a Homecoming dance) at 16 with Kris Howard. He later introduced me to the guy I would marry.
65- I'm pretty sure I went to every school and church dance available from age 14 to 19.
64- I taught country line dancing at schools and churches during high school after my friends and I taught it to ourselves with a video (Napoleon Dynamite style) and at Wheeler Farm.
63- I was the V.P. of my school's K.E.Y. club (a service organization) my junior year.
62- My first "real" job was at ShopKo (like a K-mart) at age 16, working as a cashier for the busy Christmas season.
61- I think my first paid babysitting job was at age 10. I had 3 or 4 younger siblings at that time.
60- My first concert was Reba McEntire. I was a big country music fan in high school.
59- I've seen Billy Joel in concert twice. I have been a fan of his as long as I can remember.
58- My earliest memory is dancing around my sister's Spiderman record player to Barry Manilow music.
57- I met my best friend, Jen, in 8th grade history, Mrs. Henroid's class. She is coming out to meet Jonah on Monday.
56- I found a list of possible baby names in a notebook from 1998. "Jonah" is on there, though I don't remember liking it that long ago.
55- Brandon and I dated on again, off again, for 2 1/2 years before getting married.
54- I was married the Wednesday before Thanksgiving during my sophmore year in college at age 19.
53- I went to college at The University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, UofU again, Brigham Young University- Hawaii, and took my final Spanish class (4 years after my BYU-H graduation) at University of Central Oklahoma.
52- My Bachelor of Arts degree is from BYU-H in International Cultural Studies with an emphasis in Communications and a minor in Theatre.
51- I love going to plays.
50- I love performing, though nothing makes me so nervous and I don't know if I'm any good.

I will save the rest for tomorrow.

Look What I Can Do

Jonah turned 12 weeks old yesterday, and to prove that he has grown up, he started doing this trick. This is the first time he has purposely grabbed something and held it. He is very pleased with himself. He's probably frustrated because he never had the chance to practice last week cause he had no toys and was constantly being held. Oh, the life of a baby!

What Now?

What have I been doing since my last post? I've been in AZ.
Jonah and I came out to Arizona to visit my family last Wednesday. We have thouroughly (sp?) been enjoying our time here. Jonah got to meet 6 of my 8 siblings, two cousins, my grandma, and my bro and sis in law. That's 8 aunts and uncles this trip alone! He has been basking in all the attention. He also got to meet all 8 of his first cousins. Very fun. Charlotte, his 16-month-old cousin is especially enamored with him. Today is our last full day here and we expect good things. I will type up a more full report with pictures once we are home. We are missin' Daddy.

Missing Baby

Please help.

PS- My 100th post is coming up. Am I supposed to do something special?

More Grandparents!

Jonah's last set of grandparents (he has 3) finally made it out to meet him this weekend.

Smiling at Grandpa Alan.

Talking to Granny Linda.

Pancakes

"We feel like eating pancakes" by Joe Sparks

I got an email from my brother, Teddy, in Madagascar yesterday. He told me awhile ago that cake in Madagascar tastes like butter and is not very sweet. At the last church party he went to he brought American pancakes and they were a huge hit with the locals. The Malagasy people have now named them Top of the Hat Cake. They say they don't need syrup and they consider them a dessert and not a meal. I found this all very amusing so I thought I would share.

Spring in Oklahoma

Normally we don't have a spring in Oklahoma, we have Tornado Season. This year we are having an incredibly weird spring. It has been cloudy for about 3 weeks, very little sunshine, very drab. It is getting old. And we've only had one exciting storm, not that I'm hoping for more tornados or anything, I do love a good thunderstorm though. We've had a lot of rain this year, which is great.
It snowed here on Friday. Yep, you read me right, snowed. That's an April snowstorm in the middle of the country, not in the Rockies or something. Pretty weird. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 70.

Easter Survey

What are your Easter traditions?
As a child we always woke up to baskets of goodies. We also did hunts in the house and the yard. We would always rehide eggs over and over to find them again. I loved when we did egg hunts with all the Brim cousins at Grandma's or the Courts.
Brandon and I always dye eggs and have a big dinner. We usually buy some candy too. When we lived in Utah we did Easter brunch at Alan's country club.

What is your favorite Easter dish?
I love ham and potatoes and asparagus.

When did you learn the truth about the Easter Bunny?
I don't remember, I think I kind of always knew there wasn't a real Easter bunny.

How do you decorate your home for Easter?
I think Easter is the one holiday I have no decorations for... I will have to fix that next year. I do have a pin I always wear, I've had it since I was a kid.

How many Easter egg hunts does your family usually participate in?
Brandon and I don't hunt for eggs, but we'll make sure Jonah does.

What is your favorite flavor of jellybean?
I'm not a real big jellybean fan, but strangely I've always liked the black ones even though I don't like actual black licorice. I ate so many popcorn flavored jellybellies in Jr. High that I hated them after that.

How do you decorate Easter eggs?
I like trying different egg dying kits, but sometimes we just use food coloring, stickers, rubberbands, and crayons. One year we did all-natural dyes (spinach, termeric, and berries) and that was really cool too.

Do you wear special Sunday outfits for you or your kids on Easter?
As a kid I always got a new dress for Easter and I like to keep up the tradition, though I was too broke this year. I loved the year I got a special Easter hat to wear to church, I felt so fancy.

What are your favorite church Easter hymns and/or choir arrangements?
A gospel song called, Were You There? is my favorite. I've sung the soprano part in it as part of a double quartet and I've also sung the solo part. I've heard the MoTab choir sing it as well.

Do you spend Easter at home, on vacation, or with family?
At home or with friends. If there is family nearby than with them.

Do you make deviled eggs out of leftover Easter eggs?
Yes, DEEE-LISH.

Are you tired of eggs by the end of the Easter Season?
I think I had that happen once.

What is your favorite Easter candy/treat?
I like Reece's PB eggs and Cadbury eggss ("horse snot with a booger in the middle" as my mother once so eloquently described them). I really don't eat candy much even though I like most all candies.

Anything else you want to share about Easter?
It's the most important Christian holiday (as Lauren pointed out). I'm going to make a big deal about its religious aspects to my kids. I went to Holy Thursday Mass this year at a Catholic church with friends this year and that was a nice kick-off to the holiday for me.

Good Baby

Today was Jonah's two month check up. I have been dreading this day because I knew he had to get 4 shots. He did great! He was so tired that he fell asleep literally 3 minutes after the shots were given. Poor little guy. Let's hope he isn't too fussy tonight and doesn't get a fever.

This picture is him two days ago. Isn't he cute in his little shorts?! We think he's a darling little toad. He has no neck, which isn't surprising since he weighs in at 13 lbs. 4 oz. now. His percentages are the same as last month: 90th for headsize, 75th for weight, and 50th for height (he's 23 inches now).

Jonah loves having "conversations" and I even got him to leave a message on Nana & Papa's answering machine yesterday. He has recently discovered the power of his lungs (which makes his 3 minute cry before some naps a little more nerve wracking), is enjoying sucking his fists or fingers, and loves his mobile and dangly toys on his swing. He just keeps getting more and more fun.

Who's Your Daddy?

Jonah today in his darling outfit.

Brandon and his dad, Alan.

Baby Brandon with his dad (Alan is 19 here). Jonah definitely is Brandon's son.

2 4 2getherness

2 things you compliment your spouse on while in his presence:

1. His sexiness.

2. He's an awesome dad and husband!

2 compliments you make about your spouse to your friends about your spouse:

1. I really brag when he helps with housework, etc.

2. He is so ambitious, such a good student, so all-around talented, he learns easily & quickly and seems to be good at everything.

2 traits you married him for:

1. His love and devotion.

2. I knew he would be sucesssful and make cute babies.

2 days you cherished most when you and your spouse were together:

1. The day we had our sonogram & the day Jonah was born (I know that's really two).

2. Any day he spends with me and doesn't play a computer game.

2 Material things you could give your husband if you just inherited a fortune:

1. A ski boat.

2. Timeshares (in Mexico, Lake Powell, Montana, etc.).

2 things you would miss the most if he left for two weeks:

1. Just his company in general.

2. His helpfulness - with the baby, the litterbox, the trashes, etc.

2 thoughts that crossed your mind when you first met/saw your spouse:

1. He's hot!

2. He's tough (he was boxing with a friend of ours).

2 favorite dates:

1. going to plays

2. hiking (or anything outdoors and active)

2 funny things you love about him:

1. His utter silliness especially when it is displayed in front of others

2. When he uncharacteristically becomes meticulous about his appearance (does this tie go?)

2 places you have lived with your spouse:

1. A big 2 bdrm. hardwood floored apt. in a fourplex in downtown Salt Lake City.

2. A small 1 bdrm. apt. with no heat or a/c (didn't need either) in Laie, Hawaii.

2 favorite vacations:

1. Our 3 month journey in Nepal.

2. Whenever we go to AZ and I get to see him interact with my family.

(Side note for myself) Other vacations we've been on:

Eureka Springs, AR

Louisiana

Lake Powell (several times)

Rocky Point (2x)

Puerto Vallarta (2x)

Visiting his family in UT or IL (lots)

Disneyland (3x)

San Diego

Flaming Gorge (several times)

Laughlin, NV

Afton, WY

Fullerton, CA

Island Park, ID

(2 questions I added myself)

2 best physical features:

1. smile

2. eyes

(and hair when he grows it out)

2 best personality features:

1. when he does something, he does it well

2. sense of humor, of course

I tag Mike, Stephanie (both of you), Annie, Lisa formerly Anderson (if you even read this), Elaine, Jill, Macey, and Megan.