A LOT!!!

I suck at blogging lately. Frankly I've just been so freakin busy with work, Daniel, chores, and not sleeping well. So below there are about 8 new posts. I would've just done one big one but I liked Julie's blog book and thought separate ones would facilitate a better layout. Sorry! But make sure you get to see all of them!!!

Random pics

These are just some great pictures that I love.


The missionary shirt he got from my dad.


The calculator proves that he's my son.


I hate that he looks sad but I like that picture. Is that bad?


Daniel's also going through a very grabby stage and one time when Matt walked by the stairs with him, he grabbed on and so Matt let him hold on... Grandma Eve was not quite as thrilled.

And of course Daniel has to be like dad and play his Madden.

My new toy

Well, Daniel's new toy. When Jason, Aubri, and BriAnna moved, they gave Daniel their exersoucer. He loves it! There are so many things on it for him to play with. He was amazed with it at first and didn't know what to do. As you can see though, he even plays in it so much he just tuckers himself out. Yep, he's full blown asleep.

6 months

I cannot belive that Daniel is 6 months already! We took him to get his shots, and he screamed worse than he ever has. I hated it! Luckily he was tired so he fell asleep before we even left the office. He was 18 lbs 4 oz and almost 28 inches long. And of course, here are his pictures:

The Vote

So the election this year was bittersweet. I voted for McCain for lots of reasons so I was sad when he didn't win. However, on the plus side, Prop 8 passed, preserving traditional marriage in California. It was nice to see considering Matt & I had gone "tracking" around neighborhoods talking to people about prop 8 as part of the protect marriage coalition and also hanging reminder notices on poeple's doors. When your hard work pays off, it feels good. As many of you know there have been lots of ramifications before and after the election - signs were stolen or shredded, cars with bumper stickers were vandalized, and since the church has had to close down the temple one day due to protesting right outside the temple grounds. LouLou joked saying maybe Heavenly Father's showing his disapproval of protesting at the temple with the fires - not that farfetched if you ask me. But yay for Prop 8! I'm proud to be an American and I love that I get the chance to vote.

Utah wedding

Last weekend, my friend Matt Powell got married. More people would know him as my best friend Lauren's brother. He's a great guy and we're so happy for him and Jennifer. We decided to go, with my mom and Lindsay joining us, and drove up there. We left Thursday afternoon and stayed with my grandparents in Cedar City, then had breakfast with them the next morning before heading in to Lehi. A big thank you to TJ & Julie for letting us stay with them even though Julie and Reece were in Canada. We got to hang out with Lauren & Scott and meet their little girl Carter on Friday night with a bunch of Lauren's old friends. It was so great to see them since I haven't seen Lauren since my wedding!! I missed her and we promised not to ever let it go that long again. We thought while we were there that it'd be fun to take a picture of the babies together and they put Daniel in the middle of the 2 girls, Carter and Lily, with his arms around them. It was so funny and he was loving all the laughs and cameras! Scott didn't so much love it... The road trip wasn't too bad, Daniel's a good baby. The reception was fun, especially seeing the wedding video - you gotta love the old school photos. Anyways, Congrats Matt & Jennifer!

All things Halloween

I was debating this year about whether or not we should go to the pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin. I mean, it was bound to be more expensive and Daniel's not going to remember anyways. But I did want it to become a tradition and I knew if we didn't do it this year, it might not ever happen (especially since Matt would rationalize not going from that time on!). So we found one - they're not as plentiful around here as they used to be - and took Daniel there one evening. Now I don't remember ever going to a pumpkin patch but were there always games and bounce houses and stuff? It was a lot of fun though.





Then we came home to carve the pumpkin. We went super traditional & Daniel was very interested in all of it, though he didn't want to touch the inside. We didn't carve the smaller one so it's now being used as a Thanksgiving decoration. I think we'll get small ones for each kid to decorate but that may be a lofty idea. This year was a lot of fun though since it was something new and exciting for our little family.








Then of course, there's Halloween. Now the inspiration for Daniel's costume came before he was born. Early in my pregancy, Matt planned a date night that consisted of a Star Wars marathon since I had yet to see any of them (I know I know - don't stone me). He decided to go episode 4,5,6 first. When we got to 6, I fell in love. With the Ewoks, of course. They were the cutest thing I had ever seen! I decided then and there no matter what we were having, the first halloween our kid was going to be an ewok. Wouldn't you know that you can't find an ewok costume anywhere - not in stores, not at Disneyland, not online. So we decided we'd make it. And wouldn't you know, there aren't any patterns for an ewok costume either. So we bought a different pattern that we thought would work and modified it. A huge shout out to Auntie FAB (Becca) for making it and designing the cape/headpiece, and to my mom for helping her modify the pattern. It turned out super cute! Matt then decided he needed to be Luke for Halloween, though I think it was actually an excuse to buy a light saber. The original thought was that I'd be Leia but I'm not sure I could do that with my hair and then Matt wanted me to be the sexy gold bakini Leia and that for sure was NOT happening. Becca bought these little hair barrets that looked like Devil horns and covered a pair of her pumps in red sequins material so they matched them. So when she was done with it, I totally stole the costume. I think I agree with Lauren though, next year I won't be lame and we can be themed. We went and visited my dad and then went to trunk or treat. Even though trunk or treat was a little lame this year, it was mostly to show off his costume anyways.





After trunk or treat we went over to the Hickens for a little party. Daniel's buddy Parker Hasek was there as Pooh Bear, along with his parents of course, Brad's sister Natalie, the Brannons showed up as M&M's, and the Blacks showed up as robbers and dressed their newborn as a cop with a badge, gun, and all. It was fun - especially when Matt & Mark couldn't get each other wrapped in the mummy game!!!

Real Food!!! ... Sort of...

For about a month now, Daniel's been very interested in our food so a few weeks ago, on the 22nd, we decided to start giving him rice cereal. We thought the first few times would be rough, getting him used to it and ending up with more on him and the floor than in his mouth but boy was he ready! While he still ended up with a messy face, he downed 3 tablespoons and got all upset when it was gone. He also likes his high chair but gets upset if we put him in it and don't have food for him. Guess we just can't mess around with this kid and his food! He also had some green beans last night that he seemed pretty excited about. We'll have to see how all the rest of the veggies go as time goes on...

How Do All You Women Do It?!?!

A la Matt B.

So, as most of you know, I watch Daniel during the day. He is totally a good kid, and a lot of fun most of the time, but sometimes not so much. I just can't believe that many of the women that I know do this for so many years and with so many kids. I don't know how you don't just completely lose your mind and put a gun in your mouth or start drinking alcohol or something. I love my son, and I love that I have this year to watch him and spend some special time with him, but it always seems like at the worst time like when I have to write an essay or study for a test he has one of his worst days. All the other times he's great! All of you women out there who are listening to this and are just laughing at me, I totally understand. Just know that I have a new found respect for women, and I know why men like to be the ones who go out and work...because it's a heck of a lot easier than dealing with this day in and day out. Don't worry about me though, I'm ok, just thought I would post an ode to all you lovely women, and dedicate this post to my mom who I seriously have no clue how she didn't kill me and hasn't killed Josh, you're amazing. Peace be the journey, I only have 5 weeks of school left forever!!!