Storey took her first steps!! This milestone is a little surreal since I feel like she was just born last week, my baby is getting to be not so babyish.
I'm not sure how it ever started or why, but a tradition of "Bad Movie Night" began soon after we moved to Phoenix.
It's pretty self-explanatory. Basically, we get together with our friends Mandy and Nate and watch really bad movies. Most of them have been older (think 80s, early 90s), others we have stumbled upon unexpectedly in the New Release section of Blockbuster (Just My Luck with Lindsay Lohan? Yeah, awful).
They are nights filled with rolling eyes, groans of disgust, memorable stupid quotes, and lots of laughs.
The temperatures we are experiencing right now in Phoenix are like unto those in hell.
My friend Aaron once told me that his aunt leaves a pan of batter on the hood of her car in the morning and when she comes out after work, she has fully cooked brownies.
Kind of gross.
Not sure if the story is even true, but it is that hot here.
Fortunately, the weather isn't always awful.
Let's turn our focus to Exhibit A:
Date stamp on this photo? December 31st.
That's right, Zak is taking down our Christmas lights.
The Phoenix version of a Winter Wonderland.
I have a feeling 2009 is going to look a little different.
That's right.
I'm sure it won't take the place of his current day job (searching for employment), but it will hopefully give him a creative outlet.
See??? Etsy is for everyone!
Jakson is very quirky.
He gets it from Zak's side of the family.
For sure.
When he is nervous or uncomfortable, he firmly claps his hands over his ears.
Understandable in this situation (although I remember a time when he would fall asleep to the drone of a lawnmower).
But this?!?
Does he know something we don't about Grandpa's fire starting abilities?
I love you, Zak.
A whole penny. We are big spenders.
I have been rescued by my lovely blog readers before and I am hoping that once again I can count on your knowledge and expertise.
Here goes---
Question #1: Does anyone know of a reasonably priced wedding photographer in Las Vegas? I know plenty in UT and AZ, but no one in Nevada and despite my blog searches have come up with nothing. Google has failed me, so now I am looking to you for help.
Question #2: I need information about living in the Salt Lake area. I'm looking for a good neighborhood with lots of kids, preferably close to a Target and grocery store, and not ridiculously priced. I realize this is a lot to ask, but any kind of advice is good advice. If you have opinions about where I SHOULDN'T look at houses, please let me know. I'm pretty familiar with Utah Valley, but once we get north of the Point of the Mountain=no idea.
And no (unfortunately), that's not an announcemeent that we're moving or have a job, it's just a possible opportunity. We are still very much unemployed (so keep praying!).
Thanks all!
Here's my email in case you'd rather advise that way-bethanycr {at} gmail {dot} com.
Historical Teen Fiction
I was so disappointed when this book ended. Like her other historical fiction novel, Fever 1776, Anderson takes a period of U.S. history that is often too graphic for juvenile fiction and makes it readable, accurate, and appropriate for the age group---and incredibly interesting/enlightening for the adult reader as well. Highly recommend.
Historical Fiction
I've seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid many times, but have never paid attention to Etta Place, Sundance's girlfriend (the scene where she and Butch are on the bicycle). After reading this book fictionalizing her life, I am intrigued. Apparently, no one really knows much about her. There's no history regarding her upbringing and then once Butch and the Kid are killed, she seems to disappear off the face of the earth. Koplan takes what little IS written about her and details from the time period to create a wonderful storyline. Highly recommend.
Historical Fiction
Another book about an obscure historical figure. Jeffery Archer normally writes mysteries and short stories (highly recommend his collections of short stories!!), so I was surprised to start reading and realize that this was not a mystery. At least not a typical mystery.
It is a mystery of sorts because no one actually knows if mountaineer George Mallory was the first man to reach the top of Mt. Everest or not. The credit has been given to other climbers, but this is a fictionalized account about Mallory. Highly recommend.
Fiction
My friend Annie turned me on to the author Harlan Coben a couple of years ago and I have really enjoyed picking up one of his books when I need to be distracted by an easy, quick read. The novels are page turners and this one was no different. The perfect summer read. Highly recommend.
Next up: the newest John Grisham (I realize it's not the greatest literature, but it's a guilty pleasure) and Gone with the Wind (on recommendation from Katie B). It's one of her favorite summer reads and I am hoping that it will be one of mine as well!
As mentioned in posts past, our children are not fun road trip buddies. In fact, if you don't have kids and are considering changing that status, I suggest taking a little ride with our two before making any final decisions.
So when making mandatory trips to UT, we've had to mix it up a little. Our idea this time was to take a look at the Grand Canyon.
Notice I did not say "hike" because I do not, in fact, hike. Bless you who do think that sort of thing is fun.
After discovering that the Grand Canyon is extremely out of the price range of anyone who is unemployed, we made the spontaneous decision to drive the "Scenic Route" version of the normal freeway. The fact that the detour took us right past the Vermilion Cliffs may actually have been Zak's real motivation. We all know how prideful he is about his family name (even when it is spelled wrong).
It was a fabulous choice. We happened upon Cliff Dwellings-Jakson's version of Heaven. And it was FREE!!
It was too irresistible. I had to take this one. Too bad I think his shorts are ruined.
In case you're interested, Cliff Dwellings is located along 89A near mile marker 597.
I created a little art corner/kids table for Jakson about six months ago out of some things we had laying around---a wooden step ladder, the top of an old coffee table, leftover peg board for displaying art and a magnetic metal cabinet door from the IKEA "as-is section".
I've been taking it apart little by little-sadly. More memories to leave behind in this house. I hope that there will be room in our next house for a similar corner. It has been perfect for displaying Jakson's masterpieces and working on "school" activities. All of the kids who eat at our house are banished to the table to eat as well.
It's good at multitasking (and doesn't mind a little dirt).
The step ladder before:
After a coat of Leaf Green paint:
Those ugly green chairs? Perfect size, but hideous. Our eventual plan is take them apart and spray paint the seats some amazing, fun color. Suggestions?
This past weekend, we drove up to Snowflake (northeast AZ) to visit my grandma. Two things the trip made me realize:
1. My children are not fun to road trip with. If Storey starts to cry, Jakson screams along with her. Just.for.fun.
Fun for him, not so fun for us.
2. I'm glad that Jakson isn't potty trained. We only stopped only once and it wasn't to use the bathroom. Instead it was to take in the amazing view.
And apparently let Jakson hone his climbing skills.
While we were in Snowflake, Jakson was able to become acquainted with a few of the local horses. The encounter didn't begin all that well--Jak stuck his finger up the horse's nostril upon being introduced, but by the end, he was kissing the horse and proclaiming, "I love you too."
Storey was happier keeping her distance.
Just as good as they say it is.
I am constantly bookmarking sewing projects that I want to whip up, but sadly only a fraction of them ever get made.
And I never make anything for myself. I think that stems from being a mommy and always thinking about my kid's. You know, cause I'm such a good person and all.
Sewing clothes for an adult also seems a bit more risky. A lot more seams to rip out.
On top of that, I'm never happy with my size. Taking my own measurements is a bit depressing. It's not like a scale where you can fudge a bit on the numbers (take one foot off, the number goes down. Not that I've ever done such a thing, I'm just assuming.). If you subtract a few numbers from the measurements, your sewing time will be fruitless and you'll have to give everything you make away to the skinny people.
But I continue to bookmark in hopes that one day I will have the time, weight and motivation.
I saw this tutorial on Sew Mama Sew for a Spring Ruffle Top a few weeks ago and, of course I filed it away.
A few days ago, in an attempt to stave off the laundry duties one more day, I actually got around to using it!! And I didn't make just one shirt, but TWO!!
Two shirts that cover up my fat, but hopefully are not flared enough for the "are you expecting?" question.
This one I made from a sheet I thrifted a couple of years ago.
Fabric is Alexander Henry's Kleo
Obviously, I left off the ruffle sleeves--when I have a choice, I'm not much of a ruffles girl--and added a Shade underneath for modesty purposes. I have plans to use my stash to make a few more! Sew it. Wear it. Love it.
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