Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Happy 7th Birthday Garrett!!

It's surprising how quickly time passes. Today Garrett would have been 7 years old! I spent a lot of time today thinking about him and missing him.


I laugh every time I see this self-portrait. Love that hair (and the terrible haircut).

I enjoy imagining what he would be like and what kinds of things he would be doing as a 7 year old, it makes me miss him a little less.

I'm sure he would have loved:
Going to school
Playing with Maura (I would reallllly love that)
Doing anything with Dallin
Riding a bicycle
Helping me around the house-especially in the kitchen
Playing video games with his dad
Taking piano lessons
Going to his Primary class at church
Playing with is friends in the neighborhood
Taking care of his pets
Sharing a room with Big D



Happy Birthday Medium G.
Love you more than space!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

"Mom, I'm out of control."
-Maura Russell


'Nuff said.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Adell Todd

Today we got to meet my newest niece Adell. She was born yesterday (August 23rd) at her home in Coolidge weighing 7lbs and measuring 20inches long. Katie, Kevin and Oliver (the dog) are adjusting quite nicely!

Maura went with me to meet her cousin. We brought In-N-Out for lunch (hence the messy face). I can't explain the grimace. It's the expression she uses when we say "smile".


We checked out the cute little cousin and found she has crazy long monkey fingers!

So cute and red and wrinkly.

She's also got long skinny little feet and a funny little toe that curls under on her right foot. So sweet.

Katie and Kevin are so excited to be parents. Aside from being exhausted, they are loving every minute.

Adell, on the other hand, is still trying to figure out what this life is all about.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sooo, it's been a long couple of weeks....here's a recap.

Adam has been at home all day and it is great and weird trying to figure out what to do with ourselves. Painted our bedroom and have done other odd jobs around the house. He spent a day trying to keep up with Dan Rogers at his construction site. It was a different environment for him swinging a hammer all day instead of just throwing his weight around the office :0)

He sent out a bunch of resumes looking for a permanent position somewhere, meanwhile he has a schedule as a freelance interpreter that began yesterday.

Dallin started school at Keller and HATED it. I thought it was just regular back-to-school blues but crying every morning and night was just too much. I talked to the teacher once (not very impressed) then went to visit his classroom. I was BORED TO TEARS. No wonder he hated it. I knew there was no way we would survive the year in that classroom. I walked out of his school and into another one I had heard good things about. I observed a classroom, asked if they had an opening and got some paper work. Talked to Adam and Dallin that night about switching schools. Dallin said he would miss his friends, but I told him just to see what he thought about it. He visited the next morning, just to observe and ended up staying the rest of the day. We officially enrolled him that afternoon. His new teacher called that night and talked a little about what he will need for school and sent me an email with some homework information. He came home happy and smiling-an entirely different kid. WHEW! So, his new school is Montessori Education Centre (yes, spelled with an R-E)on Southern/Lindsay. He has a couple friends from our neighborhood that are in his class and we can carpool! Excellent! It's a charter school and a different learning style from his previous school, but I think it will fit him well. Heck, he gets to go camping with his class Sept 1-3rd! That's so cool!

Maura is now wearing big girl undies all the time and tells everyone when she goes poop on the potty-even strangers in the store and people at church. Awesome. She has reached the age of tantrums. Fantastic. She started going to our little neighborhood playgroup with 11 other kids...can't wait until it's my turn to have them at my house!

I start interpreting at MCC tomorrow. I work M, W from 8am-1pm and Maura goes to a sitter. It's always fun to begin a new semester, meet new students, other interpreters and see what kinds of classes I'm in for.

Did not have to go to jury duty. I was a little bummed, it would have been interesting to see how the system works, but also glad as I had a lot of other things to do.

I signed up for a trial membership at a gym. It was a fundraiser and I get 3 months for $20. They have classes every morning at 5:15 and so far it's been fun (if sweating and being sore is fun). There are other ladies in my neighborhood that go and I'm happy for the motivation! Nothing like having someone wait for you and ask you where you were if you didn't show up!

Went to the dentist this week and survived. Seriously hate going to the dentist. BUT, didn't have any cavities so no more visits for a while-whew!

Went swimming for a ward party at Brimhall Pool. Maura loved the frog slide. I remembered going to Brimhall all the time with Dallin and Garrett when they were little guys. They loved the frog slide too!

Dallin went to a Diamond Back's game with a friend and had a super time. The kid has the smallest bladder in the world and almost didn't make it home. He also started piano lessons this week and had a Scout pack swim meeting. We haven't had many scout meetings during the summer and Dallin is excited to get back into it.

That's the last couple weeks in a nutshell.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Back to School

Summer was too short. It's not fair. *sigh*


The nine-year-old is headed back to Keller Elementary School. We have a new Principal (yahoo!) Mrs. Torres. She's doing great things for the school already.


Dallin is in a classroom with many of his friends. He has Mrs. Mejia-Dillinger. We have high hopes for a good year.

Love you Big D.

Friday, August 06, 2010

So long, Sorenson! It's been fun!

Due to FCC rate decreases Sorenson Communications Inc. has had to make cutbacks.

So, Adam is no longer employed by Sorenson. We kinda' thought it might be coming but hoped it wouldn't happen. The Scottsdale center could not support two positions of leadership and Adam (and all his masterly leadership qualities) was just too much for them.

Adam will miss working with some really great people.

But, on to bigger and better things!

I am so blessed to have a guy like Adam who is such a hard worker! When we were newlyweds and just beginning college he worked crazy hours at Cache Valley Cheese Factory (he HATES cheese) because it was the only job available.

That's the kind of guy I have. He's willing to do anything he needs to do even if it might not be his favorite thing.

So now comes the exciting part...what's next?

Happily, Adam is a certified ASL interpreter (it's a huge blessing that he has that skill) and he can do some freelance work while he's searching for what he wants to be when he grows up.

We've been brainstorming what that might be and these are few options:

Hobo
Pool boy (if I only had a pool)
Lawn mower (Yahoo! I have a big lawn)
CEO of Fruit Loop Cereals (his favorite)
Hell's Angel (I wonder how much it pays...)
The High King and Ultimate Dictator (He's Canadian, so he can't be president)

We'll let you know how it turns out.

Until then all options are open...it's going to be exciting!

Monday, August 02, 2010

Psssst!

TODAY (August 3) is Adam's Birthday!


If you see him, spank him! (38 times!)

You have my permission!

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Katie's Shower

My little sister Katie is going to have a baby! Her little girl is due to arrive on August 28th. In preparation for the big event we had a party!

So many of her friends and family came and brought some really fun gifts.



There was terrific food!


Katie looked so cute.


She showed off the under the sea baby room...adorable!

It is a great example of Katie's style.


We all had a great time. It was so much fun to hang out with her for the day and to meet all her friends. I am excited to see Katie as a mom! She's going to be terrific!