Giggle Kids

I made this sample today at work of Jack using the new Making Memories Giggle Kids line. It's super cute, and the girl line is equally as cute. Definitely on the list to buy once I know which one I need!

Baby Website

Russell has the baby guessing website up and running. It doesn't have the design he wants yet, so don't judge him. But....the guessing aspect is ready for use. Here's the link:

http://ahlstromology.com/baby_guess

Go there and guess the gender, height, weight, etc. You will get points for how close you are and the winner will get a prize. Your guess needs to be in before midnight on June 2. You can guess after that, but you won't get any points for the gender since it will already be known!

And....just in case Russell didn't mention it on the website, the official due date is October 22, 2009. So you can start your guessing there.

Happy Guessing!

A Kick or a Punch

Today during work I was standing still for a minutes while opening some product to price it and all of the sudden I felt some weird fluttering down by the baby. All of the sudden I realized that must BE the BABY! If that's really what it was, that's the first time I've noticed it. So I went and told Clare because I was excited. She asked if I called Russell. Duh....why didn't I think of that? I guess I figured I'd just tell him tonight.

So I went back and called him. He was taking a nap in the car during his lunch break! I said "so.....I'm pretty sure I just felt the baby." And his response was "cool, did he kick you or punch you?" Haha. Not the response I expected. I think he was disappointed when I pointed out that the baby wasn't big enough for me to know if it was a kick or a punch. And.....I think I'm grateful that at almost 5 months the baby isn't that big because I'm sure that will come quickly enough.

9 Days....The Countdown Begins

It's 9 days until June 3....which is when we should find out the baby's gender as long as everyone cooperates. I've said it before, but I'm hoping for a boy. I don't have anything against girls, but here's my reasons:

1. I think everyone should have a big brother. I know that the oldest boy doesn't, but there's only so much I can do.
2. I think that boys clothes are soooooooo much cuter than girls. At least the ones I've seen so far.
3. For those who don't know me very well, I will point out that I'm not the girly-girl type.

That being said, I would love a girl just as much as a boy. And....I had a dream a few nights ago that I was buying all girl stuff and I was actually finding things I liked. Guess we'll see what happens.

Russell is making a website for everyone to guess the gender, date, weight, height, etc. I will be sure to update when it's finished. Your votes will have to be in before June 3rd to count towards the prize.......although I'm not sure what the prize will be. I told Russell we should make it so the winner gets to pay for the baby!

Finally Organizing

I haven't done a very good job utilizing my scrapbooking cubbies until now, but now I'm going to. We went to IKEA last night and I got three different containers to work with to see how I liked and what else I would need. Today I organized things in those boxes/baskets and then put everything else where I want it to go in each cubby, but without baskets or anything. Here's how it looks.

The full shot. I do have two empty cubbies hidden under the desk, but I'm sure they will have inhabitants at some point.

What I got at IKEA. The small blue box has printed pictures that I need to scrapbook. The large one has all my stickers and rubons. The cupcake pan on top will not be living there, I just need to finish that darn advent calendar. And the basket has all my adhesives. So far everything is working out pretty well.

The ribbons and buttons are sitting on top of the cubbies because I want to buy jars to put them in up there. One thing at a time though.

And this is the cool organizer Russell got me for Mother's Day. I don't have anything in the drawers yet, but I'm planning on storing whatever I'm currently working on in this.

Rockabye Baby

Russell dad came to visit over the weekend on his way home to Austin from Boise. He had gone up to close on Russell's Grandma's house and get everything sorted out. It was fun to see him since we don't get the chance very often. He also brought us this rocking chair that was Russell's Grandma's. It's great because I've been looking for rocking chairs and really wanted a normal one and not a glider! I think I might make a new pad for it to match whatever colors the baby's room ends up being, but it's great to have!

And Now We Know......

This is the sight I came out of the bathroom to while Russell's dad was here this weekend. I guess we now know where he got his nerdiness (not sure that's a word) from. Oh well....I still love him.

Castles, Dragons, and Knights

I went scrapbooking on Saturday night with Holly and Kathy and had a lot of fun. I hadn't gone in a while and was itching to get things done. I did two pages in my picture-a-day book and then made these two pages:

I cut out the castle, knight, and grass with my Quickutz Silhouette, and it took a while to do all the little pieces, but it turned out awesome!

This one is so we can remember our house when we eventually move. It highlights our favorite parts of the house.

Baby Update

I went to the doctor today for a checkup and everything looks great. I heard the heartbeat again, and the doctor is guessing it's a girl because the heartbeat was fast. I'm still holding out for a boy though.

We have our ultrasound set up for June 3rd! Hopefully the baby will cooperate and we will find out the gender then. Stay tuned!

Diploma Frame

Russell's mom was in town for Women's Conference and stayed until this morning. We did a lot of shopping yesterday and while we were at the BYU bookstore she bought me this really nice frame for my diploma and tassel. Now I just have to wait to get my diploma in the mail! Thanks a ton mom!

Monumental Day

This box may look just like an empty box, but it really means that we have FINALLY used ALL of our WEDDING napkins! Can you believe it!?! Almost two years later we actually have to go BUY napkins to use!

Cute Jack Pictures from the Week

Caleb, Holly, and Jack spent a lot of time over at our house this week since mom was in town, and we got some really cute pictures of Jack. Here's a few:

Trying to figure out how to crawl.

Playing with grandma.

Hugging Uncle Russell.

Chillin' on the couch.

Finally zonked out.

Grandma tickling Jack.

Playing on the floor.

Loving Grandma.

Eating his sock!

Women's Conference

This last Thursday and Friday my mom and I went to Women's Conference and BYU. We had a lot of fun listening to the speakers and doing some service projects. Russell's mom and Rachel were there too. And...when we went to get seats Thursday morning I walked right in front of Russell's Aunt Colleen without even noticing it was her! I feel dumb that I did that, but I don't think she noticed it was me either until Russell's mom came to meet us and noticed them.

Along with the classes we went to we colored this road for matchbox cars:
Mom crocheted this scarf all on Thursday:

And we also helped cut out material to be sewn into toy bags for kids.

Our favorite talk was John Bytheway. He talked about talking to teenagers, which isn't something that I have to do these days, but he is an awesome speaker and I enjoyed it. I also really enjoyed listening to L. Tom Perry at the closing session. He talked about improving the image of the church and how the members are the best marketing that the church has. I think I really enjoyed it becuase I LOVE marketing!

Other classes we went to were about the temple, time management, sacrifice, and experiences of the pioneers.

Jack Kissing Grandma

Jack's kind of a crazy kid these days, and mom got him to give her kisses, although it looked more like he was trying to eat her face. Whatever grandma thinks though I guess.

WICKED!

So I heard that Wicked was coming to Salt Lake like a year ago, and so we decided to get tickets with Larkin and Allyson to go. We bought the tickets in September or October and finally got to go last Sunday! We did feel a little wicked going on Sunday, but those were the only tickets left after some technical difficulties.

We had a great time though! The show was awesome. I was the only one who had seen it out of the for of us, and I thought the cast was much better here than in Houston.

Us outside the theater.

Allyson and I with our programs and tickets. We were waiting for the seating to open.

The view of Larkin and Allyson from our seats. We didn't have seats together, but we were just a few rows in front. We offered to switch at intermission, but they said they liked the very last row because they could stand up and see everything the whole time without bothering anyone.

After several attempts to take our own picture, Allyson came down and offered to take one of us! Good thing because the others were terrible! And....we have our coats on becuase the theater was FREEZING! I never took my coat off the entire time.

We had an awesome time with our friends, as usual, and now we are just trying to form a plan to keep them from moving anywhere! We are praying Larkin gets an unbelievable offer from Alpine School District. Does anyone know someone that could pull some strings?

Adventures With Mom

My Mom stayed up for the week after graduation and we had lots of adventures.

We went and bought some maternity clothes which will be much needed in a little bit. Right now normal clothes don't really fit, but maternity clothes seem too big, so it's awkward but I'm dealing with it.

On Saturday we went up to Park City to a scrapbooking store and to Carter's and Motherhood Maternity outlets. We always spend way too much money up there, but we get cute things!

Monday mom came to work with me and scrapbooked while I worked, and then we came home and sewed some maternity dresses.

Tuesday we went up to Salt Lake to see my cousin, Keshena, who is at the hospital recovering after having surgery to remove a pituitary tumor. She's been there for several weeks now, but is doing better. It was fun to see her, I think the last time I did was when I was like 8!

Wednesday I had to go to work again in the morning, so mom came along and worked on some pages again. Then we headed up with Caleb and Holly to Marie Callendar's in Layton to meet Sister Jenkins (our Young Women's President from Bartlesville, OK) for dinner! It was awesome to catch up with her and she brought us some of her famous chocolate chip cookies!

Graduation Festivities

Thursday, April 23, was BYU commencement at the Marriott Center. My mom, Caleb, and Russell came and watched. It was quite hot in my cap and gown, especially for the 30 minutes I had to wait outside before we marched across campus, but it was fun. Here's some pictures of Thursday:

Caleb and Me before commencement.

Mom and Me before commencement.

Graduates marching into the Marriott Center. I'm in the middle section about 6 or 7 rows up.

Me and Russell after commencement.

Friday morning Aunt Jean, Uncle Gary, Grandpa Flanagan, and Norma drove into town for graduation. We hung out before for a little while and then went up to graduation. Then we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner and it was delicious!

Uncle Gary and Jack
Aunt Jean and Jack

Grandpa and Jack

Me after just receiving my fake diploma. They mail your real one a few weeks later.

A close up with my fake diploma. Russell almost didn't catch me here because I thought no one was coming down to take my picture!

The signature graduation kiss.

With Grandpa and Norma.

Uncle Gary and Aunt Jean. Uncle Gary likes to tease my little sister's by pulling his shirt up in the audience at their dance shows, so I guess it's just a tradition now.

With Caleb, Holly, and Jack. Too bad Caleb didn't look at the camera!

Me and Mom.

Russell says I ruin all the pictures by sticking my tongue out, but really it's just because he is up in my business with the camera!

Showing my wings so I could have a matching picture to Russell's.

Jack Wiggling Video

Thursday after commencement, Caleb and Holly came over and after dinner Jack was enthralled with Uncle Russell. Caleb and Holly wanted him to show us how he could roll over now, but he was just too excited to see Russell.

End of the Tile Saga

I finally had time to finish my tiles and hang them up a couple weeks ago, just before everyone came into town for graduation! Here's how they look:


Finding a rod was an adventure though. I went to Rod Works with my coupon and got one. However, I got home and it was too short. So....I took it back. The lady asked me if I wanted to exchange it for a different one, but they only have two sizes (3 feet or 5 feet) and my wall wasn't 5 feet long! So I went off to Target to look for a normal curtain rod to use. I found one easily and brought it home. Come to find out, it had been returned and was missing parts! UGH! So a couple days later I took it back to Target and got one that was new. Luckily, that one worked great!

I put the ribbon on with velcro (which ruined my good scissors) so that I could get the tiles off an on easy to switch them out for holiday ones once I get them made. Here's the steps for anyone who's interested:

1. Turn tile upside down.

2. Cut ribbon to the length you want.

3. Put a piece of velcro (I used industrial strength velcro so that I was sure they wouldn't fall off and break. I just bought it at JoAnn's).

4. Hot glue one end of the ribbon onto the back of the tile.


5. After everything is dry you can loop them around the rod and you're done!