Pumpkins in a Patch

Hope everyone had a very fun Halloween. We did!















Hot off the presses! Edited by Jacob:)

Coronary Death by Pie

Ever in search of the Perfect Pie Crust, Dana and I embarked on a culinary adventure to conquer the unconquerable. As far as my only moderately refined taste buds could tell, this was some good pie crust. Though, my taste buds were probably distracted by the delicious apple filling, roasted pecans, caramel, and the 1/2 pound of butter streusel. Wow!!

Begin salivation now.

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A la mode. Even better.

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Jacob, the wet-blanket doctor, reminded us that we were certainly accelerating the decline of our coronary health by eating it. Here he is demonstrating how much he loves pie.

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The three of us ate it all-- sorry to everyone who missed out on this transcendent gastronomic experience.

Special Visit from Nana

We were treated to a wonderful visit from Nana who generously came for a whole week to help us out while I was getting over an injury. Thanks Nana!

We went for lots of walks, enjoyed more moderate summer temperatures, went to museums, met Dallin H. Oaks at a bird show at the zoo, cheered (loudly)for Michael Phelps, listened to Jacob’s crazy ER stories about patients who sit on jars, and took a very fun and educational trip to the local world-class Kennecott Copper Mine. We visited while mining efforts were in full swing. The huge scale of the operation, the huge tiered crater in the earth, and the scores of huge earth moving equipment made it a wonder to watch. We all loved it. Go see it the next time you visit Salt Lake.



It really is huge.




Nana and Ellen entranced.




Nana teaching Ellen how to use a microscope to view a geologic specimen.




We had such a fun time with you Nana. Thanks for coming and saving the day! We love you and we owe you big!

The Tricycle

This is kind of a flashback movie, made more than a year ago... before Ellen knew how to ride a tricycle, when she was a little less aware of the world around her, and when we had to come up with lots of random projects to do like this because we had to stay home all the time so little 1-month-old James could take all of his naps.

Presenting, The Tricycle. Edited by Jacob.

Happy 1st Birthday James!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Jacob brought home some beautiful music when I was about 37 weeks pregnant with Jamesy. This song will forever remind me of how he came to be with our family. We love you James!

Where does milk come from?

Ellen now knows where the milk in our fridge comes from.

Jamesy's First Facial

Jamesy had an Oreo treat this week which he worked into a gloopy saliva-cookie paste that was all over his hands. As it was nearing the end of the day, he was feeling a little sleepy and started to rub his eyes. He didn't know he was smearing it all over his forehead and face like a little Oreo mud mask. He also didn't know why we were laughing at him, but he joined right in.

When kids are sleepy it's so quick for them to go from ecstatic laughter to the depths of despondancy in mere moments...

Scooter

This happened more than a month ago, but it's still fun and exciting for us.

We've entered the world of forward purposeful movement! Way to go Jamesy!

He's kind of a slow poke, so we had to speed this one up a bit.

And actually, he's not a slow poke anymore. There's some very adept, speedy scooting at our house these days.

Daddy Daughter Date

A very fun afternoon for Daddy and Ellen, and a very fun movie just hot off the presses courtesy of Daddy and Ellen.

Even with a very demanding 7 days/week schedule, Jacob makes it a priority to treat us to high-quality time with Daddy with any precious free time he has. We're so lucky to have such a great Daddy!

Big Girl Bed!!

After many talks with Ellen about not getting out of bed, making sure to stay in the bed, threats of having to return back to the crib... we tried the big-girl bed for the first time today.

Before the nap

During the nap

After the nap

We added a little extra bling after Ellen woke up to make sure she would fall in love with the big-girl bed even more. When it was all up and ready she said, "I wanna take a nap again!" and pretended to for the next 20 minutes.

Big-girl bed: so far, so good...

TEAMEKINS in training

The running events have a new top contender.

TEAMEKINS, MADFIGS Septathlon 2008