Christmas 2010

Christmas has come and gone. We had a fairly good Christmas. Having James sick for Christmas wasn't too fun, but he is doing much better now. We did many things the week of Christmas. We attended the Bernards Family Christmas Party, the Old Mill fireside at Joe's Parents' house, Christmas Sing-Along at the Energy Solutions Arena, The Cathedral of the Madeleine Christmas Carol Service, and the Lowe Family Christmas Party. 

James hanging out at Grandma's right before their fireside.

Our Christmas family photo.

The family parties are always fun. Just seeing the family that we don't see on a regular basis. At the Bernards party we had a white elephant exchange, and we walked away with a 4 lb of Twizzlers and slippers. At the Lowe family party, we drew names back in October and exchanged our individual gifts. James received an electronic alphabet learning truck from his cousin Cynthia, Joe received an indoor/outdoor thermometer from my brother in law Derek and I received scrap booking supplies from my sister Priscilla.

Christmas eve we spent the night at my mom's and had her famous breakfast casserole on Christmas morning, then spent the next night at Joe's parents. Though poor little James spent the weekend sick with the flu. He slept through the opening of presents and yesterday finally started to play with his new toys.

Even though he was sick, he still tried to smile for the picture.

James and his loot. He didn't have the strength to sit up for the picture.

Well, hope you all had a great Christmas and hope you have a great New Year.

Christmas Carole Sing-Along

Last night we went to the Christmas Carole Sing-Along at the Energy Solutions Arena. We have never been to it before and wanted to see what it was like. It was a ton of fun. They fill the arena to close capacity, then they have a short concert where you can sing along. This year Jon Schmidt performed a couple of songs as well. Though James didn't like all the cheering from the crowd, so we had to move and find a seat at the top away from everyone. At the door everyone received a treat, a sing along book and packet that had vouchers for Jazz games, Bees games, Megaplex theater, motor cross and 10% off at Fanzz. They were also serving free hot chocolate. I think we have found a new Christmas tradition. You should all go next year. I promise you won't regret it.

James at the Sing-Along
Originally we had pretty good seats.

I can't help it....

...I just love this kid. So, here's a couple more pictures. 

At dinner with the grandparents and he enjoyed wearing grandpa's hat. 

One of my favorite Christmas Songs

It's only 15 more days till Christmas. I thought it was time to share a Christmas Song. This is one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy and happy Christmas shopping. :)

Christmas Cards and such

I've been debating whether or not to do Christmas cards this year, then yesterday I came up with an idea for a Christmas letter. Not your ordinary Christmas letter, but I can't tell you or it would ruin the surprise when you get it. Money is tight for us this year, so it may or may not happen. If it does happen and you would like one please email/facebook me your address. Family members, I have yours, no need to send it to me. :)

I've been kind of slacking today. Though I did manage to fix our Christmas tree lights, they are all working again.  I really need to scrub down my bathroom, so the maintenance man can fix the hole in my ceiling with out dying. He is really allergic to cats. He said as long as I bleach it really well and don't let them in there till he's done, then he'll be fine. Now you're probably wondering why there is a hole in my ceiling. Well, last night I notice that we were getting little water bubbles on our ceiling. This morning the maintenance man came and tore a hole and found that the tub drain from above is leaking. I always wanted to look at plumbing while I showered. LOL. That's about as exciting as it gets around these parts lately. The next few weeks will be more exciting since it is full of parties and concerts.

Tomorrow, James will be 10 months. I can't believe in just 2 months he'll be turning one. Totally crazy. This year went by way too fast. Before I know it, he'll be going to college and moving out.

Bath time is so much fun

My funny smiles

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, the pie, the food, the pie... you get the point. I love that it is a time of gratitude. I also love that afterwards is the official beginning of Christmas season.

This year for Thanksgiving we had a Thanksgiving brunch at Joe's parents and then had dinner at my moms. It was a good day, though James was tired and whinny by the end of it all.

This year I'm mainly thankful for two things:

• My family, especially Joe who does so much for me and puts up with my craziness.
• A job where I can work from home.

Of course I have to leave you with a picture. I don't have any pictures from Thanksgiving, but I have a picture from the weekend before. My sister watched James so Joe and I could go on a date. Here is a picture she took of her daughter and James playing together. I'm hoping they will be great friends as they get older.

Abby and James
Abby was born December 8 and James was born exactly 2 months later on February 8

How To Be Amazing!

I wanted to post this link for reference. Its very inspiring, so feel free to read it too.

How To Be Amazing

Cleveland-Llyod

Saturday, James and I tagged along with Joe on a field trip for his class that he TA's for. There was about 40 students going on this field trip and the professor was kind enough to let us come too. First this in the morning we all boarded the bus and headed to Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. It was about a 3 hour bus ride to the quarry. On the way there we watch Jurassic Park; very appropriate for the occasion. James did very well on the trip. He is definitely a little adventurer and loves going places even if it's just to the store. The quarry is a pretty neat for people to go and see what digs sites look like. After the quarry we stopped at the museum in Price.

Allosaurus in the visitor center at the Quarry.

Part of the actual quarry that they enclosed for people to come and look at.
About half of the bones are real and still in the ground and the other half are casts.

The front area of the visitor center.

View of the Quarry.

I'm sure these ranchers don't see buses very often.

Had to wait for them to move the cattle off the road.

An accident on highway 6. Yes, the semi is on it's side.

 It was a fun little trip and can't wait till James can actually remember the cool places we go.

Look At Me!

Look at me! I'm 9 months old. I weigh 19 lbs 7 oz, and I am 27 1/2 inches tall. My favorite food is bananas. My favorite thing to do is play peek-a-boo. I love to find new things to play with, like daddy's homework, DVDs/video games and dinner plates. See the assortment of fun things in the picture below.

I even pose for  pictures

My daddy and I

Petals & Posh

A friend/ex co-worker has started her own little online business called Petals and Posh. She's amazingly creative. and makes everything she sells. She'll even do custom orders. 

I'm totally in love with this lamp from the site:

She makes headbands too:

Check out her site and see if you fall in love with Petals and Posh too.

Halloween

I guess it's time to post about our Halloween activities. Friday night we went to a party that Joe's friend hosted. It was fun and Joe enjoyed having someone to talk dinosaur stuff with that he doesn't see on a daily basis. Saturday, we went to the museum at Thanksgiving Point for the World of Dinosaur class field trip that he's a TA for. Then it was off to Grandma & Grandpa's for some good old football watching and family time. Sunday was just a relaxing day with my boys.

Of course our weekend wasn't just peachy-keen. We had some issues with an apartment, had to leave our party early on Friday to deal with it and then Saturday/Sunday had many discussions on the fact that the problem will be fixed on Monday. Ah, the joys of apartment managing, but oh, well, wouldn't go back to working at the Inn and sending James to a sitter. I've been spoiled the last 2 months with working from home. I don't know if I will ever be able to leave my little man with some one else every day again.

Just take a look at our cute little puppy dog all strapped in his car seat ready to go to a party.

Would this be considered animal cruelty?

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!

Warning: A bunch of rambling.

Up late. Don't really want to go to bed. What do I do? Blog of course.

Let me just tell you how much I enjoy my job. Sure it has it's ups and down, but what job doesn't. Because I work from home sometimes I find it really hard not to stay in my PJ's everyday. I just have to remind myself that it is a requirement to be dressed for company as I have no idea who or when someone will be by. I enjoy being able to be home with my little guy every day.

I have turned into a major football fan. Not NFL football, college football. I blame my husband. I find myself watching the little sports center program on ESPN and I even get mad and talk to the TV when they talk bad about my team or I disagree with their analysis of other teams. Saturdays... I'm not watching movies or doing housework. I'm right there watching football games along side my partner in crime. Of course he thinks it's great and funny when I don't quite understand something and have to ask him. I'm new to this and someday I'll be an expert. :)

We recently received a desk. A desk that wasn't in that great of condition, so we decided to get the family together and do a bonfire. Since we decided to have at my sister's in her fire pit it turned into just a fire. It was a fun evening. It's always an entertaining time when my family gets together, even when it's just half of us.

Well, I better get going to bed. Maybe next time I'll have something good to blog about, maybe I'll give up the whole blogging thing all together, go private or change of blog address.  I don't know, we shall see.

Silly kitty

Joe is a Paleontologist

Pittsburgh

Joe spent 5 days in Pittsburgh for the Society of Vertabrate Paleontology annual meeting. He presented a poster during one of the poster sessions on his research project he's been working on since January. His project is on a Tyrannosaur Metatarsal (in other words a foot).  He's been comparing it with other Tyrannosaurs during that same time period. He may have discovered that there was some kind of land barrier that kept the Tyrannosaurs from the north intermixing with the Tyrannosaurs in the south. That's about all I can say on it without getting some facts wrong. It's pretty neat the things they can tell from just the bones of these prehistoric creatures. He's hoping by the end of the year to have a paper written and get it published in a journal. During the poster session he met a couple of the authors of paper's he referenced on his poster. One of them even told him that he really should publish a paper on it.

SVP was a great experience for Joe. Not only did he present but he was able to meet the professors at the colleges he's been thinking about going for his Master's and start a networking needed to get into a good program.

Of course it wasn't all just meeting stuff. A lot of his friends from school were there too and they had fun at night at dinner and such.

I'm glad we were able to scrounge up enough money at the last min for him to go. Even if it caused some extra stress when my paycheck ended up MIA for a couple of days. Joe almost didn't have a way home because of it. It all worked out and James and I were glad to have him back home again. We miss him a lot when he's gone. Next years meeting is in Las Vegas and we're planning on making it a family trip.

Halloween Video

Check out our Halloween video. Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

8 Months Today!

8 months old and sitting.

Jazz Scimmage

Last Saturday we went to the Jazz Scrimmage. It was fun to watch them play against each other and see the new talent we have on our team. Since they just recently changed the logo and colors of the Jazz. They unveiled the new floor at the beginning of the scrimmage. We sat pretty close to the floor and I know we'll never be this close during an actual game. Sitting that close you can actually see all the little things they do and hear what they say to each other during the game. It's crazy how tall the players actually are. They don't seem that tall on TV. It is definitely different and better in person. I'm excited for this season and hope our Jazz does well.

Here's a video of the unveiling of the floor:

And here are some Pictures:

Here are the Jazz. Coming out of the tunnel.

Filming a commercial

Still filming a commercial

James is showing his support for the Jazz in his new T-shirt.

Southern Fried Chicken Strips

There's a first for everything and this is the first time I'm sharing a recipe. Exciting huh? I got this from my little sister. I have made it a couple of times and think it's about time I start sharing recipes of some of the yummy things I make.

Southern Fried Chicken Strips

1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
2 lbs chicken tenderloins or chicken breast cut in strips
Oil for Deep-fat Frying
2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional)

In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and buttermilk. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic, powder, pepper, salt and paprika. Dip chicken in egg mixture then flour mixture.

In an electric skillet or frying pan heat oil to 375 degrees. Fry chicken a few pieces at a time for 2-3 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.

Enjoy!

Field Camp

Last weekend was full of camping and digging up bones. As for James and I, it was a weekend full of sitting at home watching/listening to football and other random TV shows and of course missing Joe.

Joe left Thursday and got back Sunday. He had a good time as always. It is something he absolutely loves doing. Too bad we we're able to get him out there over the summer.

The 4 days in Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monument, Joe and the other volunteers/students mostly got the site ready for winter. Finished digging up the bones that were close to being done and covering up the ones that weren't. I tell Joe it's his vacation, but he insists that it is hard work. Plus they have to hike about 60ft to the site from the camp.

Our awesome geology vehicle that can take Joe just about anywhere even on the Death Ridge Road.

Next weekend Joe is headed to Pittsburgh, PA for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting. He is presenting a poster about his research on a Tyrannosaur Metatarsal. A project he's been working on since January and will be writing a paper to submit to a science magazine. My husband will soon be a published paleontologist.

7 MONTHS AND COUNTING....

James turned 7 months last week. He just keeps growing and growing; weighing in at 18 lb. 10 oz. and a little over 24 in.

The following are pictures taken while he was hanging out at Grandma Lowe's house.

Don't you just love that face? I sure do!

So close to sitting on his own, but not quite.

James with aunt Kellie and his cousin Abby who is exactly 3 months older then him.

A couple of weeks ago, we escaped for the weekend. School had just started and the reality of another long semester (but the last for bachelor's) ahead. We took time for just the three of us. We had a great night in Africa. I will surely miss getting a great deal. Maybe I'll have to save up my dollars and go again next year for our anniversary. We could stay in another exotic place and pretend we went really far away. After our night in Africa, Joe surprised me with a stop at the Golden Spike National Historic Site. He knows how much I love trains. I felt like a little kid watching the historic engines start up and demonstrate what it was like back then to have those two trains meet at that spot. I learn so much history of the Continental Railroad that I didn't know before.  Too bad James didn't like their Steam show too much and I had to take refuge in the building. Poor guy cried and cried because the trains were too loud.

Well, now it's PICTURE TIME!

James falling asleep on daddy

He looks so tiny on that awesome huge bed.
Someday I will have a bed as awesome as this one.

James and I checking out the trains

The three of us standing in front of the Jupiter.
My favorite train and it's the one I've been wanting as the engine for my future model train set.
I just couldn't remember the name of it till I saw this one.

I love our little adventures together. I'm almost constantly being surprised with new places to see. Joe sure knows how to make life fun and interesting.

Last Day

Today was my last day at the Inn. I feel a little sad, but also over joyed. Things here haven't been quite the same for the past month and a half. Mostly because the change in management and most of the friends I have made there have moved on to other jobs and so I have. For the past month I have only been working on the weekends and haven't really had to deal with much of the politics and hoards of new people. I love my new job and it is a great blessing to have. No more Day Care sucking away my income!

Things I will miss:

• My co-workers.
• The stories about the crazy people that stay here.
• The extra croissant/cinnamon roll (Though no matter which one you chose to eat, it makes you feel blah aferwards and then you regret the yummy goodness.)
• The cookies, the delicious chocolate chips cookies.
• The cup of hot cocoa when it's freezing
• The cute couples. Young and old.
• The awesome employee discount. Probably won't be able to afford staying there again for serveral years.

Things I will not miss:

• Annoying/rude guests.
• Having that one radom person in a bath robe hanging out by the front desk at 7 am.
• The 4:45, maybe 5, ah, I can sleep in till 5:30.... mornings
• The not cute or flatering at all vest.
• Trying to understand Spanish.
• The never ending TV problems.
• The cookies-I think I have had too many....
• Delievering breakfast all the way on the top floor and of course they want lots and lots of coffee.
• Working the weekends/holidays. I finally get weekends and holidays off.

That's about it all.

Vote for James!

I entered James into the Gerber Generation Photo Search. Help us win great prizes and maybe even the grand prize of scholarship money. Just vote here: Vote for James. You can vote once a day, so keep on voting. Thanks a ton.

Updates to come. I just have to get the photos onto the computer.

1/2 birthday

James turned 6 months old about a week and half ago. I wanted to do something for his half birthday, but we ended up moving that weekend instead. I guess we kind of did something. My best friends Sara and Kendra were helping us move and we had pizza one of the days and ice cream the other.

Some fun facts about James:
      *He now weighs 17 lbs. and is 24 in. long
      *Loves to talk, and is even babbling right this min.
      *Rolls over and is currently trying to figure out the sitting up thing.
      *Has just started eating cereal and baby food, so far it's too weird for him and loves to just spit it back out.
      *Loves to go on adventures even if it's just to the store
      *Is loving having mommy working from home

Here are some fun pictures of James from last week:

Playing on the floor with his new bear

Fell asleep after a trip to the grocery store

A Father's Day Gift

I know it's kind of 2 months past father's day, but I finally have a few minutes to post what I made for him.

San Rafael Swell

We had a great camping trip at the beginning of this month. We went to the San Rafael Swell. Such an awesome place and so many cool pictographs to see.


Day 1: 
Consisted of packing up cars and heading out. Driving and driving.... Our first stop was Cleveland-Loyd Dinosaur Quarry, and then on to many cool pictographs, the Wedge, a Dinosaur foot print, and a swinging bridge. Joe got our car stuck in the mud and it took about 45 min. to get him out. There went our plans for the campsite. Back up campsite here we come.  First night not too bad. Set up camp, had dinner, went to bed. 


Day 2:

More pictographs, Dutchman's Arch, Swasey's Cabin and Lucky Strike Mine Ghost Town. Then we reached a very muddy road, just a few miles from our 2nd campsite. Another back up campsite here we come. We then camped at Temple Mountain; a huge old mining area. 2nd night, set up camp, had dinner, made red ants angry, watched a storm roll in. It rained and rained almost all night long. Next morning took down camp, found very angry red ants. I guess they don't like it when they find carrots on the ground that are too big for their hole. After checking that everyone was ant free. Headed out for day 3 adventure.


Day 3:
Went to Goblin Valley, did a Geocach. Played around on the goblins. Then went to our first gas station in 2 days. WOW! After a fill up on gas and snacks, on to Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef National Park. Found both ways looking a little iffy. Decided to go to the visitor's center and find out the conditions of the roads and the possibility of more rain. Learned that Cathedral Valley had received rain for pretty much 7 days straight and there was no way anyone was going in (roads way to muddy). So took a drive around the main part of Capitol Reef and headed out to their campsite called Cedar Mesa. Again another back up campsite. That night the lightning was striking soooo close we had to take refuge in the cars till the storm passed. Pretty cool I thought, but wouldn't be as cool if I was stuck in the tent. Yikes!


Day 4:
Brought more time spent in Capitol Reef. Hiked to the Hickman Arch and to the Goose-necks. Also, checked out some dinosaur prints, then headed home. Made a stop in Bicknell for dinner.


What a trip! It was a ton of fun and Joe's brother took video of pretty much the whole thing. Can't wait for him to edit it and turn it into a DVD.


Here are a few pictures from our trip:

The Explorers

On our anniversary

My Nephews

Dutchman's Arch

Goblin Valley

My Friend Sara and I

Of course I had to bring something back for James