Be Still My Heart...

I absolutely love the movie Pride & Prejudice. I have to admit, the first time I saw it I didn't love it, but my friend Nicole wanted to watch it again one night during a sleep over and, needless to say, she fell asleep and I fell in love. Since then I have watched it on multiple occassions--once I even watched it 3 times in a row (over the course of two days). Since then I have wanted to read the book, and last night I finished it. I have to admit it was a hard read with the old english, but I very, very much enjoyed it, and now have a better understanding of the story than just what I've seen in the movie. Now Nicole, Nate, and I are going to watch the long BBC version. I'm not sure Nate wants to be known in that scenario, but we agreed to watch the Band of Brothers series to make up for it.

Hawaii!

One of my goals for 2009 is to finally go to Hawaii. I have been longing to go for years, and feel like this is as good of opportunity to go as ever. My vacation buddy this year will be none other than my mom. She has been before with my dad, but it has been awhile. I remember when they went it was right after Valentine's Day and I was in elementary school. So needless to say I am not leaving it up to her to remember everything. I recently got our plane tickets, secured our hotel and car, and bought our tickets for the Polynesian Culture Center. I have our itinerary somewhat put together, and now all we can do is wait for the exciting event to be upon us. We leave August 5th and return the 12th. I wanted to be there on my birthday. Nothing like swimming in the ocean and relaxing on your birthday--unless you get attacked by a shark.

Gabe and Brittany Keogan!

June 11-14th I flew out to Oakland, CA, for one of my best friend Gabe's wedding. I had never met his wife Brittany before, but she is perfect for him, and so nice and fun. They fit so well together. He was so happy and totally relaxed, and himself with her. I am so happy for them.

This picture of me is terrible, but for some reason I can't find any others... hmm. This is the friend picture. Gabe and Brittany look so handsome/beautiful.

While I was out in California I went to San Francisco on Friday. I took the BART train in from Oakland and spent the day. I think I attracted every homeless person and wheeler and dealer. I didn't even make eye contact! The target must be lone people with maps. One time I was running away from a homeless person only to run into a Burger King loaded with them. I quickly ran out and into the mall. All in all it was fun. It was my second time there--but my first time alone. I went to the stores off Market Street, down to China Town, took the bus down to the pier, had a cookie bottom sundae at Ghiradelli's (so good, but so rich), and then took the old trolley back up to the mall and then back to Oakland. Saturday was the wedding, and then Sunday I headed back to Utah. I got a great rate at the Courtyard Marriot so my hotel was in a good place in Oakland and was pretty nice with a hot tub and pool.

SKIRTS!

Addie had been wanting me to make skirts for the girls and got me a really cute and easy pattern to make them. I made Brook a couple first while I was home one weekend, and then made Kt and Izzy their skirts for their birthdays. I think they turned out pretty well, and I can usually finish 2 of them in about 3-4 hours. The only part I don't like is the unfinished edges on the inside, which a serger would be nice for (hint, hint).

One of the pictures I told Brook to put her hands up so I could get a picture of the skirt. She looks like she's ready to pounce with those hands.

Izzy insisted that Addie take a picture of her flying like a bird.

And, one of Bk, cause he is just cute.

Kt's 7th Birthday!

Kt turned 7 on June 19th. Addie had an art themed birthday party for her. I was not able to attend, but it appears to have turned out fantastic. Kt loved the purse she got (leopard one she opened). They played pin the smile on Mona Lisa and ate cupcakes. The party was held on the 13th of June and on the 19th we (Addie, Shaun, Izzy, Kt, and I) went to Kt's favorite place--California Pizza Kitchen. She loves the kids pizza. I gave her a box of Lucky Charms since she is the lucky 7 now. It was the first time she has ever had them. She was pretty excited. I wasn't finished making her present (skirts), and so that had to hold her over till the next day.

In the next picture you will notice that Izzy is taking Kt's presents out of their packages in the background while Kt is blowing out her candles.

Izzy's Princess Party - May 30th

Izzy turned 4 May 30th, and had a SUPER fun birthday this year. Sleeping Beauty showed up at her party and sang a song to them, told them a story, played a game with them, and taught them a dance. She was really, really good. Afterwards Izzy blew out her cake/cupcake birthday cake. When that was happening she only had eyes for her cake and even started to cut her cake after with a plastic knife. She got a lot of great presents and had some great ecstatic reactions when she was opening them. One of them being a barbie horse and another one something grandma gave her that she had picked out and already knew what it was. She's funny. All in all the birthday turned out so cute, as usual. Addie is a great party planner.

Brook's Dance Recital

Brook and Bk at Brook's dance recital. She was one of the tallest ones when we watched the video, but also one of the only ones following along. Izzy was the same way in her and Kt's dance recital (which I don't have pictures for, yet).

Kt's Broken Arm

Over spring break at Kt's school this year Kt had a little accident. While riding her bike really fast she got to close to Izzy on her bike and fell off her bike. She wanted Addie to pick her up and carry her into the house, but Addie couldn't do it in her present pregnacy state. Kt kept saying that her arm hurt and so Shaun and Addie took her to the doctor and low and behold she had broken her wrist. Poor girl. All of our reactions to the accident were "Wow, she is accident prone!" I don't know of anyone in our family having broken a bone and this is Kt's second. When she was about 3 she jumped off the bed and broke her foot. She is a sweetie.

April and Chris Moved to a House!

There is a lot to catch up on so I thought I would start with what I believe to be the farthest back in history (if that makes sense). April and Chris moved into a house a couple months ago. It is very nice and has 3 bedrooms and a HUGE backyard, which April loves for her daycare business. She spends a lot of her time watching the kids out there.