Yet another home project

I'm realizing there's becoming a theme to my posts. Home improvement has come up several times and...drum roll please...here is the latest:

First, a before shot:

Now, the final project!

Here's Evan trying to figure out if he put the toilet back on correctly. So far so good!! I've really come to love decorating. Poor Evan is going to be busy with my visions the rest of his life :)

It hasn't been all work and no play lately. With Evan taking some time off, we headed to the Monterey Aquarium. They have a great new exhibit about seahorses. Dallin loved the huge tank with sharks! But he's just like his mom who still gets a little scared when those things get close to the glass wall. (what if there was an earthquake, right NOW?)

Ultra Marathon Man

He did it...50K (that's 31 miles folks)...8,000 feet elevation gain...Up and down, up and down hill after hill...80+ degrees. I am impressed. If you told me the man I got engaged to five years ago would be an ultra-marathoner, well, I don't think he'd believe it either!

I'm so proud of Evan. What an accomplishment!!

Happy Birthday John!!

John and Toria,

Remember these good times?? Happy Birthday John! (These were taken in 2003!) Come back to the bay area!!

A quiet saturday night

Evan was up at the crack of dawn to run 15 miles. He's preparing for a 50K in a couple more weeks. He's exhausted so it's a quiet Saturday night for me, alone.

We've been encouraging potty training with Dallin but haven't put a hard stake in the ground, yet. Tonight I was so proud when he called out from his crib "Mom, I want to use the potty!!!" See every night Dallin usually gives me another reason to change his diaper but tonight, well, he is a big boy! 'nuff about the potty.

My pregnancy is ever-evolving. The pill Zofran (anti-nausea) continues -unfortunately- to be my friend. Heartburn is ever-so-slightly beginning. Tonight I bought a maternity swimsuit at Target...I will apologize in advance to the city, but a girl has gotta go swimming in the summer! I tried not to think of recent comments I've received as I tried on the suit... "you are huge and you've got a long way to go!!" and "how big was your first?"...Can the rest of the world pinky swear to be kinder to pregnant women :)

And just because every post should have a picture, here's one: D&D (Daddy and Dallin) washing windows. Thanks boys.

Creating

At the Womens broadcast for our church six months ago, Elder Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk in which a portion of it was devoted to creation. I loved the talk. I was again reminded of it with this lovely youtube video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k

I've been working on a few creations:

First, of course, my baby. The latest ultrasound here. We are having a boy!!
Second, my beloved veggies (pray they live with the transfer outside)Finally, cool ninja costumes with leftover fabric...More creations to come..

Happy Birthday Dallin!!!

Dear Dallin,

You are three years old pal. Happy Birthday! It's just not possible to express how much I love you.

You are so sweet and care about others. You're known in nursery and at Ritas house as being the one who always makes sure the little babies are happy and have something to play with. I've seen you give hugs and kisses to the little babies and I know you're going to be a wonderful big brother. You notice when others are sad, left out, or need a toy.

You LOVE chocolate. You would eat it for every meal if I let you. You help make the pancakes in the morning by adding the chocolate chips and eating about 20 of them in the process. You often request chocolate milk, cookies, and happily munch on anything that is chocolate flavored. Your always happy to help make cookies.

Your cars from the Disney movie 'Cars' is your great love. You know all the names of the cars. You show me on the computer all the cars that you want. You love to paint and when I ask you which ones you want to paint it's always the same: 'Lightining ta-Queen,' 'chick hicks,' and 'Mr. King.' Sometimes when we can't find the dinoco Lightining ta-Queen you get sad. You sleep with about eight cars lined up on your pillow each night.

You've mastered climbing all playthings at the park. You proudly call out "look mom how high I am!"

Dallin, you're so caring and protective of your mom! You're always telling me "Mommy, you pretty" or that "I like your dress." Sometimes when you see my cry, you come up and give me a hug and look lovingly in my eyes. When you saw daddy give my bum a swat, you thought daddy was hurting me and went right up and punched him.

You are independent. You're happy to do things on your own like play with your trains in your bedroom, or turn on a show. You love watching Curious George.

You are my little best buddy. There's no one I love to be with more, or spend more time with. Though it will be fun to have a sibling, I have loved - cherished - relished - the you and me time. I know we'll always be pals.

Happy Birthday Dal-Dal!!

love,

mom

Spring Cleaning

This post is really for my mom, but you're welcome to get a sneak peak into my kitchen cabinets as well.

The Container Store (one of the best, in case you've never explored it) is having a tax time sale PLUS 25% off everything!!! Go to their site http://www.containerstore.com/ to print your coupon. I picked up a few more items for the kitchen and Dallins room. I sure love to feel organized. So this morning after picking up my free compost from the City, I pulled out my cupboards, wiped everything down, put down new liner and got organized.

I'm putting the prettiest picture in first:

This is the dreaded corner cabinet. I tried to clear this out, though it's still almost impossible to make the deep corner useful space. Notice my new liner paper--I love how much cleaner it makes everything look.
The top shelf is mostly these awesome 'keeper' containers. They are rectangular and have these great flexible lids. As I write, I'm realizing how geeky I sound raving about lids..

This is my newest find in the kitchen section. I don't know about you, but it seems like I have to dig deep to find some things. With this item it's got three separate containers. I put in most of my baking items (salt didn't fit) but it will be slick when I make cookies.

Happy Spring Cleaning everyone! Tell me about your favorite finds at the Container Store.