My Brother, the Actor

Since I was in grade school, I have seen many many plays that my big brother Jared (pictured on the left) has performed in. Over the years I have seen all of his plays, and I couldn't tell you a single one where he had a bad performance, or disappointed me in the least. I confess that many of them have touched me so, that they have brought me to tears. "J" really has a gift of acting, as anyone that has watched him can attest to. Last night I got to go see his latest role as a priest in Westminster College's "Red Noses". "J" was the lead and was on stage the whole time, making it really fun for me to watch, but the highlights for me were when he tore up the floor at one point with his dancing skills, (he really knows how to move) and even did some ballet moves. I can't tell you how proud I was of him, seeing his big applause and the people afterward trying to talk to him. Then, while walking to our car, Chad and I heard the group of people walking behind us say... "Oh, yes.... his name is Jared. Wasn't he fantastic?" I had to turn around and tell them he was my big brother, where they continued to tell me what a great actor he was.

I would of course recommend you all going out to see it, but last night was the closing show and I wish I could've taped it, and shown you all how great he is, but these pictures will have to suffice. Lucky for us "J" will be acting in many more plays to come and give me many more reasons to be proud.

My Little Dancer

Today was Emmi's first dance class! I am so lucky that my mother-in-law Kim and sister-in-law Kristin teach dance. They just built a beautiful new home, with the studio in their basement. Emmi is only 2, but I have been very excited to get her into dance and see if she likes it as much as I did, and all I had to do was help her put on her leotard, tights and slippers and she was more than excited to go dance. She had trouble paying attention and staying still, but she talked about it all the way home and will be waiting to go back next week. If anyone is looking for a good dance studio, it is called Utah Valley Dance and you should check out the website here.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Yesterday my little Sam turned 5 and we partied at Chuck E. Cheese. We spoiled him with a new Gameboy, and the Superhero Squad toys that he had been wanting. He is still telling me how much he loved his birthday, which of course makes me very happy to hear. My computer crashed the other night, so I have been very thankful to have Chad's laptop to use, but bummed at not being able to upload pictures in the meantime. In place of the birthday pics I thought these ones capture Sam and all of his personality really well.

Sam is a loud, very solid kid, with the uncanny ability to destroy my house and make me angry. However, I would be lying if I said that I would trade him away. For he is also the best helper I could have with Emmi, the best comic relief ever, and the boy's smile and dimples melt my heart. He is my little buddy and my home and life would be very boring without him. Happy Birthday Sam... I love you!

Basement walls are great...

As I am writing this we have major noise and dust coming up from the basement. Today we have the trim and finish work going in. These are pics that I took yesterday, pre-trim. It is so trippy to go downstairs and actually see walls after living with it unfinished all these years. It is finally taking shape and it is great!

My Family

I got to spend today with my family, and I kept thinking on my way home how much I truly love them. I met my sisters and my mom and we headed off first to buy new flip flops, then to the nail parlor where we all got simultaneous pedicures, and then to a cute cafe where we met our brother for lunch. It was a fun day full of laughter and occasional tears, but it was over way too soon. I love this pic that our nice waitress took of us, I just wish my cute Dad was in it as well. (We missed you "B"!)
Our feet in their painted glory with our snazzy new flip flops.

Babies and Doughnuts

This morning Emmi came into my room telling me that she had a baby. I didn't think anything of it until I turned around and saw her with a ball up her shirt. I guess it is a good sign that she does understand why my stomach has gotten bigger. One of these days I will have to post a belly shot and show you how Emmi is not exaggerating.

And for those of you who aren't quite sure of what Chad does at work, Emmi will tell you what she thinks.... :) Who, may you ask would give Emmi this idea? My mother.