HOLY COW!

Forgive me if this post ends up being in ALL CAPS! I can hardly contain my excitement, but I am doing my absolute best...
Should I tell the story, or just the ending....???? Ok, I'm no good at just the ending so: I'm not a winner. I mean, I enter contests all the time and never win. I know everyone says that, and somebody has to win, but honestly it is never me. While working at Archiver's as a Christmas bonus, we were given subscriptions to some magazines (which I totally miss, btw). I absolutely love browsing these magazines and would enter all the contests; hoping to one day win some stickers, or a paper trimmer. I was never expecting anything huge. Just wishing for things I couldn't constitute buying. I know I already have TON of stuff, but who could ever turn down more? Anyway, much to my SHOCK a couple weeks back, I received an email from Simple Scrapbooks Magazine that I HAD WON! Not only did I WIN, but I WON something HUGE! No, not stickers, or a trimmer, or even a pen set.... I WON A QUICKUTZ SILHOUETTE DIGITAL CRAFT CUTTER! All I had to do, according to the blissful email, was to sign and return an affidavit, proving that I lived where I said I did, and giving them permission to publish my name. That's all!! I was so excited, I couldn't help telling SOMEBODY, so I told a few people and then in fear of it being a hoax, didn't tell more. WELL, THE DAY HAS COME TO SPREAD THE WORD! My NEW Quickutz arrived today and I CANNOT WAIT to use it! I have laundry?? Oh well, it can wait!

So, I'm off. I'm off to play with my new toy and hopefully "fix" some of my struggling beginner scrap pages. I'm off to make sure I'm not dreaming. Holy Cow! It's a good thing my kid is asleep, or I may scream from excitement! As Luigi says, " I must scream it to the world, my excitement from the top of someplace very high. Do you know many Ferraris? " (from Cars)! Ok, I feel better :) (although I can't promise I won't stop smiling!) Feel free to google my new fun toy and see all the fun things it can do. I'll let you know what they are when I figure it out :) Anyone want to come scrap with me???

It's Official!

No, I do NOT mean pregnancy! Mason is a walker! He still crawls every now and then, but definitely digs walking! Look at him go!

Ramblings

Well, so much for our awesome play-outside-weather. Today it snowed most of the day. Some kid even made a snowman. I'm sure it won't last too long, but it's still a little depressing. I did however get some projects done that really needed my attn, so that was good. Hopefully it'll clear up in the next couple days.
Other news...well, we come closer and closer to a walking toddler. Mason will walk further between people and objects. He can re-balance himself and turn to change directions. I think that truly, he could walk if he wanted, but really just wants to keep up with Brooklyn. It will definitely be impossible to keep up with him come real warm weather. Just yesterday while playing outside we were up and down the playground equipment half a dozen times. He loved every minute. So much for my relaxing sits on the grass watching kids play...
Brooklyn, too, is changing. She loves it when Mason walks to her. Also, she sees me head for the kitchen and immediately wants to "help". She is fascinated with "Enchanted" and I swear that we've watched it a million times. Out of the blue she'll ask, "Mom, why does Prince Edward find his one true love, too?" uhh...well, everyone has a true love, dear. Or, something to that effect. Sometimes, I just have to say, "I don't know, honey" just so she'll think of something else to talk aobut. Crazy kid. She LOVES puzzles! Her grandma got her a bigger puzzle (100 pieces) than she was used to when we were in UT last and she loves it! I got her a small one the other day and she just whipped it right up. No more 24 piece puzzles for her! It's nuts how she'll just sit there, move pieces around and figure out where they go. I guess she does have a little Holmes in her, eh grandma?
As for me, it's just the same old, same old. Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself, though. I get easily frustrated some days and then I'm more upset with myself for getting upset. How dumb, huh? It's so discouraging on those days when you can't explain it but you just feel blah. Luckily, these are few and far between for me, and I have this incredible husband who doesn't complain when I ask him to ignore his homework for another hour to help me get the kids in bed. Not that I can't do it myself, just that I don't want to do it :S. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just worthless complaining :). I hope everyone else is having real spring weather and soon I'll have to find some new cute pictures or something so this blog is a little more interesting... Happy Spring!

Outside

Ah, how we love being outside! The weather is finally warming up again, although this time with much more wind. A couple weeks ago, it was bliss. We played/walked outside everyday and every single one of us loved it! Mason, however I think, loved it a little more than most. Everyday, after I get him dressed, he brings me his shoes, "uh, uh" he says and tries to put them on. Then he goes to the door and starts banging on it and reaching for the handle. I love it! If you show him his jacket and say that it's time to put it on, he comes crawling over and offers his arm. I have a feeling we're going to have some trouble staying inside this summer!

Unfortunately, warm weather meant wet tushes. He didn't seem to mind.
Happy as a clam and loves sidewalk chalk. He even writes with it. I've caught it in his mouth once or twice, but for the most part he just loads and unloads the bucket.
For some reason he wanted to go in. I think b/c Jon was in there. He can actually open doors (as long as it's pushing not pulling)
Brooklyn loves outside, too. This last time we introduced the joy of hopscotch. Oh, the days, the days.

Nauvoo and Easter

Photobucket Album

What an adventure we had! Due to our great weekend, we had a TON of pictures. So, I opted for the photobucket album to share them all. Sorry the picture is gigantic, I have no idea why (nor did I really look into it). We left Friday for Nauvoo with the Christiansens. It was great fun! We made it to a session, did some touristy things, drove to Carthage, and made a stop or two on the way back. We have a picture of Mason City, so we had to stop and take a pic of Brooklyn City. It was a weekend well spent with good company and good times. Then came Easter. Although the Easter "Bunny" didn't work out as I'd anticipated, Brooklyn was excited to see what "he" brought. Mariposa, Enchanted and 101 Dalmations. What a good bunny, eh? It was fun to put on new church clothes too. Unfortunately for Mason, I'm not the best mother in the world. He got an uber-cute shorts outfit from my Mom (thanks, grandma) that I put on him without even checking the temp outside. Sadly it's a mere 24 degrees. Due to his jacket being covered with pb from the trip, he froze to and from church in a blanket. There goes the mother of the year award...oh well. Good times, good times. I hope the pictures work for everyone...enjoy!

P.S. the pics are slightly out of order. I could only upload 100 at a time (I know...only), so the first 11 should be at the end. I couldn't figure out how to move them there...oh well :). I figure that you'll get the idea :)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! As this is a time of bunnies for most, I am inclined to post something religious. I know that my blog isn't generally so, but I really feel that Easter is a special time. I would like to share this link (please click {here}) with everyone and invite you to watch "The Bread of Life". It lifted my spirit and helped me remember the true meaning of this Spring holiday. Also, if you are feeling particularly inclined, watch the "Special Witnesses". President Hinckley's is particularly heart warming. Happy Easter Everyone, and may the Spring bring new beginnings, and especially new hope, for us all!

gadgets

What happens when one gets their first i-pod? Well, first of all, one must immediately spend the $25 gift card one received 6 months ago (thx, Jeff and Amanda!). Then, one tackles their private cd collection. Spending hours in front of the computer ripping all the songs one likes.

Only to discover that the current i-tunes program mysteriously cuts off the last few seconds of the last song on some of the cd's one just ripped. So, then, one must re-rip those songs in another program, in a bigger file. Then must reduce said file to smaller size to make more space on said i-pod. Luckily, this fun process only need be done once...then one can freely spend more gift cards and simply download them to said i-pod. Ah the joys of technology.

P.S. No, that is not our entire cd collection... I'd guess about 1/3 of it. Maybe :)

just for...giggles

interesting

I got this in my email a while back and I still think it's kinda funny to watch. If you feel the urge: Enjoy!

http://www.maniacworld.com/frozen-in-grand-central-station.html

swap time

Hello all! My friend Heather is doing a swap! I met Heather doing a swap and she's now a good friend. Even if you don't know her, and you want to participate in a swap; now is your chance!! Get all the information you need {here}. Check it out and play along!

progress

Although my crafting skills are still in the "beginner" range, I feel like I am making progress. And then I remember that I copied these layouts from a book. Oh well... they still look good and they're fun to look at. I love it! And yes, they're almost 2 years old. I had to start somewhere!

catch up

Due to technical difficulties, I was unable to post pictures this weekend. So, I've decided to post few pictures of each "event" and give everyone a quick overview of our recent adventures. Thus, you get LONG post with SHORT comment...Enjoy!

Mason loves to push the stroller. Especially with Brooklyn IN it. He's too stubborn to walk by himself, but push 30 extra pounds? Sure!
We {love} Oreos!

Do you think he wants to get in the tub?? You don't know how much. I've lost count of how many times he's fallen in head first due to such maneuvers.
Day one of "twinner-scar" accident. Saturday, Brooklyn had a not-so-fun run-in with the coffee table at the clubhouse. The table clearly won. She'll have twinner scars with her Daddy. Fun!

Day Two of "twinner-scars"

Day Four

We love Blocks! Build or Destroy, take your pick!

Yep, that's us in a nutshell. I have some videos that might be enjoyed, but I'll save that technical adventure for another day. Happy WARM weather, everyone!

fyi

Someday I may get around to attempting those pics again...they're good pics, too. I should work on that....

For now, I'd like to let you all know about this awesome tech support that just came into fruition. My incredible bro-in-law just started a business from his home. He is going to remotely fix computers! It's great! Everyone should check it out as he can explain it better than I!

So, without further ado, I give you.... Geexonline! May it help you all in your technical endeavors :)!

clarify

Ok, so I suppose I should clarify...I could post I just couldn't add pictures; which, let's face it...is the POINT of posting :). Anywho...I wanted to post a youtube video this a.m. that I've been dying to share with someone who will love it as I do. (Jon said, "uhhh, I don't like that song.") Talk about a bummer! However, my technical difficulties continue as youtube won't let me add my blog so that they will send the video. Oh well...you all will have to deal with clicking a link (so much effort, I know). It's the video of Blake Lewis performing on American Idol. I {HEART} Blake and I am DEFINITLEY going to be purchasing this song, whether Jon likes it or NOT! :). So, without further ado, I give you....Blake Lewis!

Please...someone swoon with me!!

P.S. The Bachelor adventures start tonight and Beauty and the Geek tomorrow! Woohoo for time wasting entertainment!

try try again

So, I was going to put up a new post tonight, but after trying a dozen times with no success I give up. Better luck tomorrow!

the date

I don't know why it's so fun for girls to get all dressed up.....But it IS!!! Last night was the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law Banquet and Jon decided we should go this year. After months (ok, maybe just a month and a half...) of deliberation on what I should wear (some said "formal", some said "same as I would wear to a wedding", some said, "slacks"...); I got a new dress (yipee!), spent a couple days looking for a cover-up of said sleeveless dress, and got all dolled up by Debbi! Finally it was time to go. Debbi did my hair and it turned out awesome! We should've taken a picture of it. It was all curly and half up. So cute! Anywho...we ditched our kids on the Christiansens and off we went. This is us as we dropped off the munchkins:

Doesn't he look awesome in his suit??? {sigh} the perks of having a lawyer hubby! The banquet was at the downtown Marriott. It was really fun to finally meet all the people that Jon spends his days in the library with and who I hear so much about. They were all so nice and included me in the group. We had a nice dinner, Lobster Bisque, some chicken something-or-other and this YUMMY strawberry shortcake-type dessert. (P.S. I was WAY sad Bren and Haylee weren't there!). It was really fun. Then came the certificates for their participation on the e-board (editorial board). The Editor-in-chief, Ben, did all the presenting and he did a great job. Then we heard a talk by the secretary of Agriculture for the State of South Dakota. He was a really great speaker and graduated from Drake just 3 years ago! There's a lofty goal for anyone!


Next, Ben presented the awards for the Most Outstanding... there were three or four of them and they were all nominated and voted on by the members of the e-board and the staff. Jon was given the "Outstanding Board Member Award" and I am so proud of him! Ben kept mentioning all the time Jon spent working for the Journal and how hard it must have been. It does my heart good to hear my hubby appreciated for all his hard work! He definitely earned it!
It was really fun to go out and be together for the evening. Getting all dressed up was definitely an extra bonus! Thanks again, Wade and Debbi, for taking our munchkins and killing your evening! I can't wait until there's another reason to get all dressed up (but I'm sure Jon can :) )!

the next step...

Our little man is growing too fast! He'll now take 3 or 4 steps before he either (1) dives for the nearest object/person or (2) sits down. This is the best we've gotten so far...Enjoy!

Tagged

This tag has been going around and someone thought of me...here we go!
A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friends: Jon
C- Cake or Pie: I like both, it really depends on my mood...
D- Day of choice: Kinda depends on the week...any day we get to do something fun.
E- Essential item: hmm..sunglasses, i guess
F- Favorite color: purple
G- Gummy bears or worms: Both
H- Hometown: Corinne, UT
I- Indulgences: Sugar dominated foods :)
J- January or July: Depends on my mood. at the moment...July
K- Kids: Brooklyn (3 1/2) and Mason Gerhardt (1)
L- Life is not complete without: my Family and my church
M - Marriage Date: September 13, 2001
N- Number of Siblings: 6
O- Oranges or apples: again...depends on my mood :)
P- Phobias or fears: I hate spiders. They freak me out!
Q- Quotes: "O Be Wise, what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12, Book of Mormon)
R- Reason to smile: My oober-cute kids!
S- Season: I love them all and I love that they change!
T- Tag three friends: Carissa, Lisa, and Lynsi
U- Unknown fact about me: I love to ride my bike :) (sorry, kind of a lame one...)
V - Very favorite store: Maurices
W- Worst habit: Eating sweets
X- X-ray or Ultrasound: I've had both...no preference
Y- Your favorite food: Bread
Z- Zodiac: Sagittarius