Asian Festival

For the 2nd year in a row we headed to the grounds at Franklin Park Conservatory for the Asian Festival. Here are some of the reasons I love it:

1. Beautiful location
2. IT'S FREE!
3. Good food (lunch can be Indian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Pakistani, Filipino, etc)
4. Fun Children's area with painting, crafts, dress-up, etc


5. Cultural entertainment the kids loved watching and dancing to


6. Sepak-Takraw (what I believe should become the new American sport -- AMAZING!!! Imagine a sport that is a mix between volleyball and hackey sack with roundhouse kicks to spike the ball. Wow.)

7. Bubble Tea (Basically a smoothie or slushie with huge tapioca balls at the bottom that get sucked up through a massive straw -- weird, but fun. You can buy them online fairly cheap. Boba party anyone?)

Another visit from Nana

I know, we're spoiled. Nana came out for a little over a week and we had lots of fun just enjoying the great weather. The kids got to use their wheels for the first time this year and there was lots of playing outside.

First Attempted Photoshoot

Our good friends were looking to get family photos taken to send out with their graduation announcements. When she asked if I'd be willing to help out, I agreed to give it a try as long as they were willing to accept the fact that they might end up wasting an entire evening. So we gave it a shot and actually had some success! I am hoping to get a lot of practice (and studying) in with our camera this summer (lighting is the big one to figure out), but this was a fun trial run. I was going to post some of the pics, but Jessica already did! I think I'll stick to engagements or Senior pics in the future though -- or at least have Q there to blow the whistle and jump up and down for me -- then I could focus on the composition, lighting, etc. Kids do look so cute though -- I mean check out the Buckeye above. He looked adorable in every shot.

Fun Run

Having never participated in a fun run, I wondered how they were going to get the younger kids to run from point A to point B -- suckers, candy? Nope, just magic words, "Ready, set, GO!" I remembered to bring the camera... but not the memory card. So luckily my friend Sarah grabbed some shots for me. I wish I would have brought my video camera to capture the sheer euphoria every time a new heat began and C worked his way into the line-up pile with the older kids so that he could burst out when he heard those words called.

Kirstin, the organizer, didn't treat them like a bunch of pansy little kid runners either. They worked hard and ran quite a ways for their popsicles and chocolate gold medals. There were even Pixie Sticks along the way to keep the energy level up. It seems our little girl takes after me -- the picture of the two of us running to the finish line shows how happy and excited she is to be finishing... because EVERYONE is cheering her to the end (they were waiting to start the next race).

Don't Forget the Lyrics

Sometimes when you're listening to songs you've known forever you realize that the words aren't what you've always thought them to be.

Like who knew Whitney Houston sang, "Bittersweet memories," not, "Bittersweet, than Maurice." Or there's that one song by the Clash that seems to go, "... the sheep don't like it! Lock the cash box, lock the cash box."

So what songs have you realized you were belting wrong at the top of your lungs? I remember Anna telling us one about Joe -- how did it go?

Our Favorite Pizza

ANOTHER ONE JUST FOR COLUMBUS

IT'S BACK!!!! Soon after finding our favorite pizza place ever, BonoTogo Pizza disappeared and we were severely depressed. But it's back... if only in a temporary setup and with a lot of obstacles to overcome before it becomes permanent. So if you're looking for a fun date or a family outing, let me recommend Bono Pizza. And just think -- you're supporting a local business and getting the best pizza in town! You can read all about it here and here.

The restaurantwidow also has some pics and a great write up.

Free Northstar Veggie Burger

For all those in Columbus

Northstar Cafe is offering their famous Veggie Burger for free today in celebration of Earth Day. I've been wanting to try their specialty for a while, and there's nothing I love more than FREE! I called to verify and was told it's from 11 am to 10 pm, dine in only. Enjoy (thanks for the heads up Lisa)!

The picture and a great review come from this site: www.columbusfoodie.com/2007/11/28/northstar-cafe-veggie-burger/

South Weber goes Big Time

So this is an older write-up that I never got around to posting, but while I work on updating the blog you can check it out:



As a kid I always thought of my little town as perfect -- small enough that you know everyone, feel safe, and have a real sense of community -- but close enough to larger towns that you don't seem isolated. Well the other day I was signing out of my Hotmail account and ended up on the MSN front page. There was a link to "America's Top Ten Affordable Suburbs." My sister had sent me an interesting email regarding said link so I clicked and found that someone else felt the same as I did.

That's right, my sweet home South Weber has made an impression (maybe they'll start including it on more maps or give it another stoplight). A tiny place that most people in Utah haven't even heard of... and it's being touted as scoring amoung the best in the nation for cost of living, lifestyle, school, and strenght of local economies. While I'm sure the Mayor feels proud (right Dad?), I hope the article in Business Weekly doesn't bring too much attention. I kinda like it just the way it is.

(Q just pointed out that it no longer has the stoplight...)

A Spring Sneak Peek

I want to live in a place where it is Spring and Fall 70% of the time, with Winter and Summer each getting about 15% of the year (so that there can be white Christmases, skiing, swimming, 4th of July BBQs, snowmen, etc). Spring may not officially be here yet, but WOW, the last couple of days have made me feel like a new woman (and mom). The weather is perfect, allowing for running, playing in the backyard, going to the park, flying kites, eating meals outside, etc. We've been trying to take full advantage of it all and especially after feeling so rotten, it's literally been a breath of fresh air!

Look what was spotted poking up from under the dead grass -- our first flowers of the season. I LOVE when this time of year comes! They pop up all over the front lawn, challenging Winter with their bright colors.

The kids love to check each morning to see if there are new buds and colors.

On a side note, that hat is now an essential part of his every day attire. He asked for a hat one morning and now won't leave the house without it. Since it was from last year and no longer stretches over his melon it seems I'll have to go find a new one and see if he'll attach to it instead.

A Visit from Mom

Unluckily for her she entered a house of plague. The girls of the house were miserable all week (seems like the boys are heading into it now)... but what better time to have your mom around?! I slept in late, took naps, read a book, and even changed the oil, got haircuts for all, visited a Sports Med doctor about my hip, and went kid-free shopping!

Q and I got a date night playing racquetball. It was easy to tell who's been playing a couple of times a week for the last few years... it wasn't me! Yay for Family Hours at the RPAC.

We hit the zoo on a chilly morning that turned gorgeous and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Some friends met us there and the kids had a blast.

We also managed to make it to COSI where we watched, "Fly Me to the Moon." It was a 3-D adventure involving the moon so C was thrilled. Seriously about 7 times a day we have a discussion that goes something like this:
"Momma, moon?"
"Where's the moon?"
"Up. Sky! Hiding."
"Um out Moon! Um out!"

Really though we just enjoyed a couple of days being and home and letting Nana get as much playtime with the kids as possible. Thanks for the help and the visit Mom -- sure love ya!


Also (sorry for the long post), I know the hair's a bit much, but I'm still figuring out sponge curlers. She gave her 1st talk in Primary on Sunday and it was ADORABLE! She brought her daddy from her doll house and told all about dads and how her dad "loves chocolate and is my fan and is my favorite."

Big Boy Bed, Make-up and Chili

When the crib broke last week we decided it was time to make the transfer to a toddler bed. I wasn't sure I was ready. He's got a lot of energy and the crib was the perfect place to let him relax when he was getting wound up -- he'd snuggle with his animals and read books. I knew the bed probably wouldn't have similar results. But the transition went great and he loves his bed!

"Soooooo big!"

This is what Q found when it was a bit too quiet upstairs. I had to use a q-tip to get the cover-up out of his nose. Hopefully he didn't take my laughing as a go-ahead to do it again.

Here we are at the Riverside Ward Annual Chili-Chocolate Cook-Off. I'm not sure if you can read the apron, but it says, "1st Place Chili!" Daniel, Scott, and Krista were some friends that we invited to come to the event. Just because they were the chili judges and our friends doesn't really mean anything. Honestly. Our chocolate won "Most Original"l as well -- no apron for that.

Finer Foods, Vday, and a Shiner

So Q was invited to join a gourmet cooking club by some other guys in our ward. I knew the "Finer Foods Club" was going to be intense and delicious... it was both. Our hosts did a great job of documenting so I'll just send you to their blog here. I brought the cupcakes as a trial run for the cupcake exchange as seen on Jessica's blog here (man, this blogging is getting easier and easier). It was impossible to eat all 12 cupcakes in the couple of days before they got dry, but we tried!

Thanks to all who inspired me to do 14 days of Valentines. I think we all had a lot of fun making it a special holiday this year. On Saturday we went swimming at OSU and then to an AMAZING new Mediterranean restaurant just down the street from us -- Lavash Cafe. Yum! Tomorrow night we swapped bbsitting and get to stay out as late as we want for a post-Vday date.

On a completely unrelated note, I have a black eye. Actually it was mauve and now it's becoming green and yellow. A sweet little boy yanked open a door just as I was bending over to pick him up. Ow. Though lots of friends just thought I was getting crazy with the make-up, my favorite comment came from our little girl, "Wow. You look just like Hanna Montana!" How does she even know who that is?!

January 2009 - Winter and Birthday

It's been cold. Really cold. And snowy. And icy. Really icy.

People have been sick.
We've been inside a lot.
All survived.


Can you see how much ice is on the tiny branches?
Our car was sealed with a sheet of ice.
Beautiful.
A pain.

We are now the parents OF A FOUR YEAR OLD!!!
Crazy.

Making her birthday breakfast with Pop (it's so funny when she calls him that)

Trying out her new Dora game


Bowling was a blast -- Q started his game with 3 strikes!

She and her buddy Wyatt are so sweet together --
I hope she doesn't realize he's a boy anytime soon.



And ice skating with Mags -- they had a great time
(it was painful for us trying to keep them on their feet, but...).
As Magei put it, "Falling is just part of the experience."


During her birthday dinner at Bravo! she leaned over and whispered,
"This has been the best birthday ever!"

The Black Hole

No, we did not disappear into a Black Hole as some of you have wondered. We are just starting to resurface after our EXTENDED vacation. After leaving unexpectedly to be able to attend my grandma's funeral, we stayed in Utah for 2 weeks enjoying some family time.

Then off to HAWAII!!!
Yup, we spent 7 days cruising around the Hawaiian islands over Christmas. I can't even describe how incredible Christmas day was as we snorkeled and played on the beach. I always thought I needed a white Christmas -- I was wrong. Thanks for a wonderful trip Grandma!



There were WAY too many pics to choose from so check them all out here if you're dying to see millions of pictures of us having an amazing time. Make sure to look at the ones on the zip-line. That was my 30th birthday excursion -- you know, a WILD send-off to my youth.

Once back in Utah we stuck around for another couple of weeks and then headed home to Ohio. A freezing week, a nasty cold, and a double ear infection later we are finally getting back to normal life.