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Our Top Five Christian Christmas Books
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Photography Class
Tonight I was fortunate enough to participate in the second part of a photography class given by Jen Perkes, a very talented photographer in our ward. She has really helped me (and some other members of the ward) understand my camera settings and how to manipulate my subject to get the picture that I want. Last week we reviewed the principles of photography, but this week was the fun part! We went out on a "safari" and took pictures. Here are some of the pictures I took this past week and tonight using the principles I learned from this class. Thank you, Jen!
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Breakfast dilemma
I've been having problems as of late deciding on what to have for breakfast. Lately dairy products aren't sitting very well with me, so I've had to cut out cereal and yogurt. I've been eating a lot of oatmeal, but the later into the pregnancy I get, the more heartburn it gives me. We don't have a toaster, so I can't do bagels or toast! I'm running out of ideas! I just had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and my body seems to be pretty happy with that, so I guess I'll be living on a lot of pb&j for the next 2 months! We are such a dairy family. Cheese or milk is in every meal, so its been tough figuring out what to put on the menu, and most of the time I just suffer through the stomach pains because I can't live without m'cheese! I know I'm going to have to cut back on it, though, because the bigger I get, the more it bothers me. Ho-hum, I guess these are the small prices I have to pay to bring a life into the world! It'll be worth it, I'm sure:)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hair
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Haircut!
The camera batteries are still dead, but I will get a picture soon, I promise! Saturday I had my mom hack 10 inches off of my hair. My very heavy hair was really starting to weigh me down. It hurt to put it up, and when I wore it down the top half would be pulled flat while the bottom half would be frizzy. It wasn't pleasant. Why 10 inches? That is the minimum donation for Lockes of Love. It ended up being shorter than I planned, but I love my new hair length! It goes about 2 inches below my ears. I can get it into a pony tail, but it falls out after a few minutes. It is short enough, though, that I don't need to put it up. I'm glad I got it cut at the beginning of the hot summer.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
32!
Shane turned 32 on Saturday. We celebrated all weekend. Friday night we ordered in Chinese food from Yangtze. The General Tsao's and Orange chicken were delicious! The crab rangoon was not sweet enough for our taste, very bland. We will definitely make that our regular Chinese food spot.
Saturday morning we both worked on our talks that we had to give on Sunday. I also took the car for a much needed inside cleaning. I was also able to fix the lever that allows us to open the storage compartment underneath the trunk. It was a mini birthday present for Shane:)
In the afternoon we headed over to Shane's parents for his birthday dinner. We had brats, burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, and Shane's annual birthday cake; vanilla cake with homemade whipped cream and strawberries. Irene upped the stakes this year and made white cake. I didn't know that cake could get more delicious, but it was perfection! As a combined birthday/anniversary gift, Tom and Irene gave us some deck furniture so that we can actually spend some time on our deck. They even bought Oliver an adorable little beach chair and beach toys. He loves carrying it around the house because it is Oliver sized! Shane loves to guess his gifts before he opens them which drives me CRAZY, but I thwarted him this year and he didn't guess a single gift! His big gift was also a gift for me...an E-Z Pass!! Its so nice to not have to worry about having cash for the tolls. I also bought him an electric shaver, and shirt, and a lunch bag. Oliver's birthday present to Shane was that he slept in until 745 Sunday morning! He usually wakes up at 6am, so it was a great gift:)
Our talks went great and Oliver was very well behaved while we took turns going up to speak. He also made it through Nursery again, and he went in awake this time! I feel so refreshed after two hours of uninterrupted gospel time.
When we got home I spent the rest of the afternoon making Birthday Dinner Part 2. Turkey pot pie and cherry pie. They both came out delicious and we had a nice evening. We didn't get to have the cherry pie until 1030 because Oliver decided not to go to bed until 10pm! Needless to say he was a grumpy gills all of yesterday.
I had a great weekend celebrating Shane's birthday and I'm so grateful that I get to celebrate the rest of his birthdays with him. He is such a blessing in my life and I'm grateful that he chose to spend the rest of his life with me!
Saturday morning we both worked on our talks that we had to give on Sunday. I also took the car for a much needed inside cleaning. I was also able to fix the lever that allows us to open the storage compartment underneath the trunk. It was a mini birthday present for Shane:)
In the afternoon we headed over to Shane's parents for his birthday dinner. We had brats, burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, and Shane's annual birthday cake; vanilla cake with homemade whipped cream and strawberries. Irene upped the stakes this year and made white cake. I didn't know that cake could get more delicious, but it was perfection! As a combined birthday/anniversary gift, Tom and Irene gave us some deck furniture so that we can actually spend some time on our deck. They even bought Oliver an adorable little beach chair and beach toys. He loves carrying it around the house because it is Oliver sized! Shane loves to guess his gifts before he opens them which drives me CRAZY, but I thwarted him this year and he didn't guess a single gift! His big gift was also a gift for me...an E-Z Pass!! Its so nice to not have to worry about having cash for the tolls. I also bought him an electric shaver, and shirt, and a lunch bag. Oliver's birthday present to Shane was that he slept in until 745 Sunday morning! He usually wakes up at 6am, so it was a great gift:)
Our talks went great and Oliver was very well behaved while we took turns going up to speak. He also made it through Nursery again, and he went in awake this time! I feel so refreshed after two hours of uninterrupted gospel time.
When we got home I spent the rest of the afternoon making Birthday Dinner Part 2. Turkey pot pie and cherry pie. They both came out delicious and we had a nice evening. We didn't get to have the cherry pie until 1030 because Oliver decided not to go to bed until 10pm! Needless to say he was a grumpy gills all of yesterday.
I had a great weekend celebrating Shane's birthday and I'm so grateful that I get to celebrate the rest of his birthdays with him. He is such a blessing in my life and I'm grateful that he chose to spend the rest of his life with me!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Obsession of the Week
Cinnamon Toast Crunch! I had such a compulsive urge to eat some before dinner last night. I have NEVER had a craving like that! At least it wasn't for molten lava cake!
Although, we did head over to the Cameron's last night to watch Wipeout. I brought brownies and hot fudge, Ariane supplied the mint chip ice cream. At this rate, I think I will gain those last 15 lbs this week! It was delicious though! Shane and Mike were good little boys and played tennis for an hour before eating their sundaes.
I can not control my laughter during Wipeout. It really is hilarious, and it is not just the people being knocked off all types of obstacles. The commentators really make the show what it is. I was laughing so hard that I ran out of sound. I was silent laughing! Shane wants desperately to go on the show and show everyone how its done. He loves the whole concept of it being a life sized video game. I think I would be one of the wimpy people that give up before the first obstacle. Endurance is not my specialty.
Thanks Camerons for another fun night!
Tonight is Shane's last class of the semester. He finished his Securities class on Monday and I don't know what tonight's class is, but after tonight...he's done! ...Until Monday when his new semester begins. He is only taking one class over the summer, so it will be nice to have him back Thursday nights. A little over a year and he'll be done! I'm so proud of him for pursuing this goal. The blessings it has already brought us are astounding. In Sunday School we talked about getting as much education as we can in this life, and Shane is making the most of this!
Although, we did head over to the Cameron's last night to watch Wipeout. I brought brownies and hot fudge, Ariane supplied the mint chip ice cream. At this rate, I think I will gain those last 15 lbs this week! It was delicious though! Shane and Mike were good little boys and played tennis for an hour before eating their sundaes.
I can not control my laughter during Wipeout. It really is hilarious, and it is not just the people being knocked off all types of obstacles. The commentators really make the show what it is. I was laughing so hard that I ran out of sound. I was silent laughing! Shane wants desperately to go on the show and show everyone how its done. He loves the whole concept of it being a life sized video game. I think I would be one of the wimpy people that give up before the first obstacle. Endurance is not my specialty.
Thanks Camerons for another fun night!
Tonight is Shane's last class of the semester. He finished his Securities class on Monday and I don't know what tonight's class is, but after tonight...he's done! ...Until Monday when his new semester begins. He is only taking one class over the summer, so it will be nice to have him back Thursday nights. A little over a year and he'll be done! I'm so proud of him for pursuing this goal. The blessings it has already brought us are astounding. In Sunday School we talked about getting as much education as we can in this life, and Shane is making the most of this!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
This Week
I'm sure most of you know, but I have to put it out into the blogosphere...Oliver made through all two hours of nursery with no problems!! It has been a bummer being in a ward where I don't have a Primary calling, but still having to sit in Nursery for two hours. For sure, I don't know if this will change anything for next week, but it was nice to sit with my husband during Sunday School and to pay attention and contribute in Relief Society. I also got a calling last week as Relief Society teacher, so every third Sunday I will be teaching the lesson. It is a perfect lesson for a soon to be mommy of a newborn...not too demanding!
I think the main reason that Nursery worked out is because Oliver fell asleep the first hour of church, so when it came time for Nursery, I just handed him over to Sis. Jones (the nursery leader) and she just held him until he woke up. That way he woke up to her and toys. He had no choice but to play! He doesn't usually fall asleep during the first hour, though, so we will see how next week goes...
Sunday night the Camerons invited us over for some fried chicken goodness. They got a fry daddy a few months ago and, after that meal, have pretty much convinced us to get one! The chicken was delicious, and fries are so much better fried than baked! We finished the meal with Ariane's delicious strawberry pastry dessert.
Monday was just a hangout sort of a day.
Yesterday I had my 28 week appointment and Oliver had his 18 month appointment in the afternoon. At my appointment I had to drink the LOVELY glucose drink. It was fruit punch flavored, which I hate regularly, and when a bunch of extra sugar is added, it does not improve the taste. After the appointment my blood was taken, three vials of it! The last vial only filled 3/4 because apparently I ran out of blood. While at the appointment Oliver fell in LOVE with one of the nurses. When she left the room he cried like he does when Shane or I leave him! And then she showed up later and he ran over, hugged her, and let her hold him! Maybe this is the beginning of the end of separation anxiety?
In the afternoon Oliver had his first appointment with his new provider, Hilltop Family Practice. I chose them off a list of providers and they had an appointment the soonest so I picked them and I'm so glad I did! His PCP is wonderful! He usually cries and is uncooperative that well child checkups, but he was wonderful. He let her do all of her poking and prodding with no complaints! And for the first time in his life he is actually underweight for his height! He has stayed bascially the same weight since his birthday, so it wasn't too surprising, but still cool to see. He is obviously still a big boy. His weight is in the 90th percentile and his height is above the 95th. It has always been switched. After my pregnancy I am definitely going to go to this practice for my primary care. They were so nice and welcoming to Oliver. It is also pretty small with only 3 providers, which I like. I go to the Avis-Goodwin Community Center for my prenatal care and it is just so huge! The walls are lined with pictures of the providers. They even do dental work there! They are also all very nice, but after going to Moultonborough Family Health since I was 8, I'm much more used to smaller practices (they, too, only have 3 providers).
After the appointments Marisa came down to visit. After I put Oliver to bed at 730 we headed over to Chili's for some dessert action! We split and molten lava cake and a chocolate chip paradise pie! I like the pie better and Marisa like the lava cake better so it worked out. They were HEAVENLY!
So I am already at the stage in my pregnancy that I have to go to the doctors every two weeks! I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone! Oliver's just seemed to last forEVER, but I think I'm too distracted with his day to day life to obsess over this pregnancy, which is good, because it just makes me anxious. I do think I have to slow down on the ice cream/lava cake runs, though. I found out I put on another 5 lbs this month! That makes my total weight gain so far 20 lbs. I was hoping to keep it around 25, which I now know won't happen, but I really want to stay under the recommended 35 lbs, which is exactly what I gained with Oliver. That also means I would stay under 200 lbs which is just a self esteem thing...noone likes standing on a scale and seeing the number 2 at the beginning! Pregnant or not! I've been taking less walks with Oliver because I don't know as many moms around here and walking alone can get, well, lonely! I will try harder, though, to keep the weight down and the fitness up! Also, the pool here should be opening soon, and once that happens; you know where to find me!
I think the main reason that Nursery worked out is because Oliver fell asleep the first hour of church, so when it came time for Nursery, I just handed him over to Sis. Jones (the nursery leader) and she just held him until he woke up. That way he woke up to her and toys. He had no choice but to play! He doesn't usually fall asleep during the first hour, though, so we will see how next week goes...
Sunday night the Camerons invited us over for some fried chicken goodness. They got a fry daddy a few months ago and, after that meal, have pretty much convinced us to get one! The chicken was delicious, and fries are so much better fried than baked! We finished the meal with Ariane's delicious strawberry pastry dessert.
Monday was just a hangout sort of a day.
Yesterday I had my 28 week appointment and Oliver had his 18 month appointment in the afternoon. At my appointment I had to drink the LOVELY glucose drink. It was fruit punch flavored, which I hate regularly, and when a bunch of extra sugar is added, it does not improve the taste. After the appointment my blood was taken, three vials of it! The last vial only filled 3/4 because apparently I ran out of blood. While at the appointment Oliver fell in LOVE with one of the nurses. When she left the room he cried like he does when Shane or I leave him! And then she showed up later and he ran over, hugged her, and let her hold him! Maybe this is the beginning of the end of separation anxiety?
In the afternoon Oliver had his first appointment with his new provider, Hilltop Family Practice. I chose them off a list of providers and they had an appointment the soonest so I picked them and I'm so glad I did! His PCP is wonderful! He usually cries and is uncooperative that well child checkups, but he was wonderful. He let her do all of her poking and prodding with no complaints! And for the first time in his life he is actually underweight for his height! He has stayed bascially the same weight since his birthday, so it wasn't too surprising, but still cool to see. He is obviously still a big boy. His weight is in the 90th percentile and his height is above the 95th. It has always been switched. After my pregnancy I am definitely going to go to this practice for my primary care. They were so nice and welcoming to Oliver. It is also pretty small with only 3 providers, which I like. I go to the Avis-Goodwin Community Center for my prenatal care and it is just so huge! The walls are lined with pictures of the providers. They even do dental work there! They are also all very nice, but after going to Moultonborough Family Health since I was 8, I'm much more used to smaller practices (they, too, only have 3 providers).
After the appointments Marisa came down to visit. After I put Oliver to bed at 730 we headed over to Chili's for some dessert action! We split and molten lava cake and a chocolate chip paradise pie! I like the pie better and Marisa like the lava cake better so it worked out. They were HEAVENLY!
So I am already at the stage in my pregnancy that I have to go to the doctors every two weeks! I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone! Oliver's just seemed to last forEVER, but I think I'm too distracted with his day to day life to obsess over this pregnancy, which is good, because it just makes me anxious. I do think I have to slow down on the ice cream/lava cake runs, though. I found out I put on another 5 lbs this month! That makes my total weight gain so far 20 lbs. I was hoping to keep it around 25, which I now know won't happen, but I really want to stay under the recommended 35 lbs, which is exactly what I gained with Oliver. That also means I would stay under 200 lbs which is just a self esteem thing...noone likes standing on a scale and seeing the number 2 at the beginning! Pregnant or not! I've been taking less walks with Oliver because I don't know as many moms around here and walking alone can get, well, lonely! I will try harder, though, to keep the weight down and the fitness up! Also, the pool here should be opening soon, and once that happens; you know where to find me!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Montreal, Day 3
On Sunday we took a walk around the business district, and we came upon a movie set! Imagine our surprise when we saw NYPD cruisers in the middle of Montreal!
This year is the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In at a hotel in Montreal. This is where the song "Give Peace a Chance" was written and recorded. Pretty cool!
Saint Cinnamon apple brioche! Delish!!
Pink trees at the Palais du Congres, our underground destination!
Frite Alors! I was very excited about this place because they served poutine, a very French Canadian dish. Shane and I were discussing that we need to find a guide book that directs you to local, ethnic dishes so that you can experience the local delights!
Poutine is fries smothered in gravy and cheese. I finished my whole bowl, Shane only got through half of his!
Our final meal out we went light and got crepes; whipped cream, nutella and banana, and nutella. Little did we know that the next morning at our B&B we would be served crepes with fresh fruit! I far prefered the B&B ones.
On Monday we were going to walk around for the morning, but it proved to be much colder than we expected, so we headed for home early. Oliver slept for half of it and was very pleasant for the rest. They had a Border Patrol stop set up between exits 31 and 32, around Lincoln. We think they must have gotten a tip about something being smuggled. It was interesting. Don't worry, they let us go with no problems; the person next to us wasn't so lucky! It was a perfect first family vacation. Lots of outdoor siteseeing and short! I'm already getting excited for our next family vacation; the Bahamas next March! This was the perfect vacation for us right now, though.
This year is the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In at a hotel in Montreal. This is where the song "Give Peace a Chance" was written and recorded. Pretty cool!
After the sun started to beat down on our poor, sunburned heads, we decided it would be a good time to try and navigate the Underground City. It is mostly only used in the winter/when it rains, so we basically had the the "city" to ourselves! Oliver could nap without the city noise and could run around without us worrying about him running into traffic, so it worked out well.
Saint Cinnamon apple brioche! Delish!!
Pink trees at the Palais du Congres, our underground destination!
Frite Alors! I was very excited about this place because they served poutine, a very French Canadian dish. Shane and I were discussing that we need to find a guide book that directs you to local, ethnic dishes so that you can experience the local delights!
Poutine is fries smothered in gravy and cheese. I finished my whole bowl, Shane only got through half of his!
Our final meal out we went light and got crepes; whipped cream, nutella and banana, and nutella. Little did we know that the next morning at our B&B we would be served crepes with fresh fruit! I far prefered the B&B ones.
On Monday we were going to walk around for the morning, but it proved to be much colder than we expected, so we headed for home early. Oliver slept for half of it and was very pleasant for the rest. They had a Border Patrol stop set up between exits 31 and 32, around Lincoln. We think they must have gotten a tip about something being smuggled. It was interesting. Don't worry, they let us go with no problems; the person next to us wasn't so lucky! It was a perfect first family vacation. Lots of outdoor siteseeing and short! I'm already getting excited for our next family vacation; the Bahamas next March! This was the perfect vacation for us right now, though.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Montrea, Afternoon of Day 2
Lunch time!
I had sausage and sauerkraut (best of my life) and Shane had a chicken burger with goat cheese and homemade mayo. Delish!
Biodome
"Habitat" from Expo '67-Does anyone know why we don't have Expo's and World's Fairs anymore?
Dinner! This is a chain Lebanese restaurant (didn't know it was a chain at the time) We need more ethnic chains around here! (And I don't count Taco Bell as one)
Shane had falafel (not very good) and I had lamb kabob, again delish!
In the afternoon we gathered with about 200 other people to watch this man dance with a back hoe. The Council of the Arts is trying to "bring the arts to the people" so we got to watch this amazing performance for free! His choreography was incredible. He really made the machine seem very human-like. It was my favorite part of the trip (other than the food, of course!)
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