Friday, August 21, 2009

Slice of Heaven

Cheesecake, how I love thee. I went out with the girls for dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. It was divine. Good food, good friends. What more could you ask for? It was a little bittersweet because both Rainee and Tamera's husbands just graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic and will be moving shortly, to Alaska and Arizona respectively. It's sad to see such dear friends move so far away. At least I could find comfort in the pure bliss of my slice of heaven...

Monday, August 17, 2009

First Day of School

Today marked the end of summer and beginning of a new school year. 20 second graders walked into my classroom this morning and were greeted with this face. See how excited I am to be awake and functioning this early instead of peacefully dreaming in my nice warm bed? Hmmmm. Excited might not be the right word, but my brain is still stuck in summer mode and can't think of a more accurate/impressive word at the moment. Shocking, I know. (Ali, I may have to relinquish my title as a walking thesaurus and bequeath it to someone else if this keeps up...never mind, I guess I haven't lost it yet.) Anyway, the day went pretty well. There is always a honeymoon time during the first few days when the kids are either too tired or too shy to cause much trouble. I sure hope it lasts. If a bad storm hadn't blown in 15 minutes before the end of the day, causing dismissal to take an entire hour past the last bell, my day would have been perfect. Oh well, what can ya do? My favorite part of the day was an activity we did after I read the book Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. Each flower petal had a part of the story the class had to put in the correct sequence. Then, the students worked together in small groups to illustrate their part. They all signed the leaves. Here is our second grade flower garden. Cute, huh?:
I have decided to categorize myself for the time being as a "profile prego," meaning for you can't really tell from the front or back that I have a baby bump. However, one look from the side gives me away instantly. Here is the updated profile pic. Before you say anything, I am well aware I am wearing black again when I said I wouldn't. I didn't get dressed with taking this picture in mind, sorry. I just happen to like the way I look in this shirt and wanted to feel presentable on my first day of school, so deal with it. Besides, it is easier to accurately compare my growth since the 20 week picture if I am wearing the same thing. Different shirts make me look different sizes. So, here are my 25 week front/belly shots:

And the close up:

It's just over 3 months until Dylan is born, and only 177 school days left...but who's counting?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Week 23 Update

I'm home! (Well, my current home anyway.) After being gone for so long, I was anxious this morning to go see my doctor and also go to the hospital to find out how Dylan is progressing. I got good reports during both of my appointments. Dylan has a healthy heart rate of 150 and weighs 1 lb. and 4 oz. I am really excited because the doctor at the hospital said that the cysts in his brain are gone. *whew!* He continues to be very active and I can feel him move and kick all day long, which is very reassuring. His kicks are so strong that Desiree' actually felt them when she put her hand on my belly a few days ago. She was so excited. Here is an ultrasound picture from today. It kind of looks like he is flexing his skinny little arm. He has a long way to go if he wants to have strong, big beefy arms like his father.

Monday, August 3, 2009

How I Know I am the Favorite

As I was starting to pack my suitcase to fly home this morning, Ashlyn walked over and parked her little self in the middle of my suitcase and had the time of her life playing in it. I know this is because I AM HER FAVORITE AUNT and she wanted to come home with me to keep me company for the next month and a half while Autrey is away. I mean, look how happy she is at the thought of going with me. Can you blame her? I am glad I now have proof that I am her favorite and that argument can be put to rest. Oh, and while I am on the subject, I am also dad's #1. I am pretty sure providing him with a grandson will secure that spot for quite a while. Go ahead, I dare you to say otherwise...

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Manti

After a late night last night, we drove down to visit Grandma Miller down in Manti this morning. We went to church and visited with some of Dad's friends. Aunt Norma made a great dinner for us with all of our favorites: BBQ "pageant" turkey, yummy potatoes, "frog eye" salad, corn on the cob, and yummy dessert. Most families give nicknames to each other. We give them to food items. It just shows how important good food is to us. Anyway, it was great to spend time with the Millers.



Ashlyn watching Hannah from the safety of Desiree's arms



Partying with the Holdaways

Today was a big day for Grandma and Grandpa Holdaway. This year they are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and both of their 80th birthdays so they decided to gather the family and some of their friends to commemorate all 3 events at once. We had a BBQ at Uncle Keith's house this afternoon, a new family picture, and a party at the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course club house (which is on the land off of Holdaway Road that was once a part of their farm). There are 92 members in our family. (Dylan will be great grandchild number 37.) Not all of us were there, but we were well represented. In addition to relatives, 260 of their friends joined in the fun. It felt like half of Utah County was in the room all at once. They sure know how to party.

Someone needs to explain to Ashlyn exactly what a "dress up" party means...

Looking like a movie star is getting warmer

Kristen and Ashlyn outside the Golf Course Club House


During the party:




Grandma and Grandpa are amazing people and have touched so many lives. They are definitely young at heart and will hopefully continue to dance together for many years to come. I am so happy for them and glad I could fly out to be here for the festivities. I love you, Grandma and Grandpa!