August Craziness

1. Colorado Trip

Brian had a trip to Brazil planned 3 days after he returned from England, so I decided to pack up Emily and head to my parents in Colorado Springs while he was gone. S0, besides a fun blow-out (Emily - And we did not have a change of clothes so I was WT mom with my 2-year old wearing only a diaper) on the plane ride there, we arrived uneventfully, just in time for 1 1/2 weeks of rainy days. But finally the sun came out near the end of the trip, and Brian was able to join us for a few days. We did a little bit of hiking, and hanging out with my dad while my mom taught her piano lessons.


Emily couldn't hike very well with her cast, so daddy got a work-out hiking with her on his shoulders.

2. 'Wicked' Trip


The weekend after we got home from Colorado, Brian's sister and family (2 boys) came to visit. While they were here, Brian's parents came down for a night and watched all the kids. We went to Hollywood where we saw Wicked the musical, and stayed the night in Hollywood. We did the cheesy Hollywood thing that night, walked around the Gromahns Chinese Theater, and we even went to the wax museum. I hadn't done any of it before, despite living within 45 mins of there my entire life. I forgot my camera, and took some cell phone pics, but then my phone died and with it all my photos. My sister in law took a few, so when I get them I will add them to the post.
The hotel we stayed at was great, it was right next door to the Kodak Center/Mall. Went to Mel's Diner for Brunch, and then back home to the kids. It was so nice to sleep in as long as I wanted!!!

3. Emily got her cast off!!! YEA!

4. Jack Johnson Concert

Brian's brother Matt got us tickets to go see Jack Johnson. We went last night. What a great concert. Love his music, it was at the Verizon Ampitheater, outdoors, what a great venue. Besides getting high off second-hand pot smoke (right next to us) it was perfect! He was a great performer, and I didn't want it to end.

I've Created A Monster

OK - We are visiting my family right now in Colorado Springs. Last night we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. While we were eating our rice and entrees, the Chinese waiter came up to check and see if we were ok, and if we wanted anything else. He refilled our drinks, and Emily turns around and says to him, "Chocolate Shake?" OK- she's two and has figured out who to ask for the sweets- not me, not daddy, but the waiter! We all laughed, and the waiter said, " We don't have any chocolate shakes, we are not McDonalds! Do you want hot chocolate?" Emily of course said, "Yeah." I don't think so. Emily has only had a little taste of shakes when we have gone to Ruby's so I have no idea where that came from!

Determined

Tonight we had Brian's friend Floyd and his family over for a BBQ. While the kids were playing in the backyard, Emily was determined to keep up, despite the broken leg. What Cast?

Broken Leg

So, while we were hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa at the beach Wednesday night, there was a minor incident. Grandma was walking, carrying Emily next to a sand embankment and she stumbled. Somehow, even though Emily didn't fall or hit the ground, somehow her leg tweaked, and broke. The break is in her femur, just above her knee. She has been such a trooper. After 8 hours on Thursday at the doctors, xrays and emergency room, finally she got her cast on Friday morning. Today she started walking on it, and is becoming quite good at hobbling around.

Baby Train

Emily got in between her two doll strollers and said, "baby train!" Grandma and I, who were standing nearby, thought that was so cute!

Tuesday Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

This past week was pretty eventful. Brian went to England for work, and while he was gone, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. We had so much fun. We had a nice walk on the pier, a great dinner at Ruby's and went to the Tuesday street fair downtown. On the walk back from Ruby's, Emily decided to do a one-man show-dancing to the music of two guitarists on the pier.




The guitarists were even nice enough to let Emily play the guitar a little!
Then, at he street fair, Emily got to get a balloon flower, pink of course. She was fascinated by the balloon guy. I was excited to find the most amazing nectarines. Emily had so much fun being pampered.

So You Think You Can Dance

So was anyone else bummed when Will got voted off the show? I totally thought it was obvious who the final 3 guys would be- Will, Twitch, and Joshua. Mark??? Hello, people who voted. You are crazy! (I never vote so technically I shouldn't be mad but I still am!)

Duck Feet

The other day I took Emily swimming. When we were getting her all ready to go into the pool, she saw my swimming fins in the pool bag. She pointed to them and said,"duck feet." I repeated, "duck feet?" and she said, "yea." I thought that was so cute. They sure do look like duck feet.

Bike Rides

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a beach cruiser and a toddler seat to take Emily on bike rides. She loves going on the bike. She gets to wear her "pink hat" and loves to sing songs while riding. I don't love my "hat" as much as she does- but I'm trying to be safe.
Yesterday, Brian and I (with Emily) rode from our house to Newport, it was a really fun day.

Cleaned Pics Off Cell Phone

So, today while I was a passenger in the car, I was bored and decided to email myself all the photos I had on my cell phone. Enjoy!

Mom- These are for you...

Emily loves the cute outfit you sent!

Jaybird

A funny thing happened tonight. Emily was taking a bath, and when we were done washing, I unplugged the drain to let the water out. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. It was just me and Emily, Brian was gone, so I ran to answer the door as there wasn't much water left. It was one of the missionaries serving in our ward, along with a ward member as a companion doing splits. I explained that Brian was gone, and that my daughter was in the bath, and they were about to leave, when here comes a wet naked Emily, running at full speed toward the elder! The expression on the missionary's face was priceless. He left very quickly!

Emily Accessorizing

Little Gangsta'

Fast Cash

I just added "Craigslist" to my Grateful For: column. Why, you might ask. Well, over the past couple of weeks, Brian and I have combed our house for items that we do not need anymore, which someone else might want. And we are moving to a different house, and certain things aren't going to work in the new house, so we added these to our list also - and have sold almost everything we posted! Right now, even after making a few purchases (off the same site), I counted the money in the piggy bank (yes, for real) and could not believe that we made so much. And decluttering our house at the same time! It is great!

Name That Tune

Every night after prayers, I (or Brian) rock Emily and sing to her. Tonight, as soon as the prayer was over, she looked at me and said, " Tinkle Tinkle." It took me a minute to realize that she wanted me to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to her. When I finally figured it out, she was happy, and laid her head on my shoulder while I sang it to her. When I was done, I asked her what she wanted me to sing next. She said, "Beam!" This one was harder. But after thinking long and hard (ok not that long) I said, "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam?" The answer was a definite yes. So I sang that one, and asked for one more. "I Am!" Ok... I was able to figure it out, as we sing the same songs (basically) every night. "I Am" is I Am a Child of God. When that one was done, she said, "I Am again!" So we sang it again. I love how her words are developing, and she knows her own mind. She is definitely her own person, growing and getting smarter and smarter. This is one of my favorite times of the day. No matter how cranky she has been during the day, bedtime is always sweet.