Reality Check

I don't know about you, but I love reality shows. One of my favorites, Project Runway, just started up again. I love seeing these talented people come up with something amazing out of nothing and seeing them compete and rise to the top. When my favorite person wins, it's kind of like I've won a little bit. I wish I had more time, money, and education to be able to create some of the clothes they make and I feel like I get a chance to live that dream a little when I watch this show.

Some of my other favorite reality shows are Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, The Apprentice, Biggest Loser, The Mole, and The Bachelor. I like these shows more for the competition and seeing how people react when forced to live with complete strangers. It gives me a chance to escape from my everyday life and live vicariously through these people, if only for an hour a week. I'm always glad when it's over, though, that I live with the people I love, have food to eat and clothes to wear, have a normal body, earn a regular paycheck, and don't have to compete with 15 other people jumping through hoops to get it. Now that's real life!

Sister's Weekend 2008

I just got back from Nauvoo, IL visiting with my mom, who is on a mission there, and sisters for a girl's only weekend. It was awesome seeing everyone and going to the plays and sites but we were so busy that when I got home I felt like I needed another vacation just to recuperate!

Here we are on a wagon ride through Nauvoo.

All of us after the wagon ride.
One sister's baby shower. Three of my sisters and sis-in-law are pregnant right now and one just had a baby in May. We love babies!

At the gardens outside the Visitor's Center.

In front of the Nauvoo Temple after a session.

My mom walking down Parley Street after we all saw the play "Sunset on the Mississippi".

18 things I love about Leah

Since Leah is 18 months old now I thought I'd write 18 things that I love about her.

1. Her cheesy smile and cute dimple

2. How she laughs and giggles all day long

3. How she says "Mama" and cuddles with me

4. Her big hugs!

5. How she trys so hard to sign "I love you" at bedtime

6. How she is always so excited to go somewhere, saying "Go, go, go!"

7. How she starts dancing the second she hears any music

8. How she walks around making animals noises (barking, quacking, and mooing are her favorite)

9. How she is always so happy and energetic in the morning

10. How she always says "Bye, bye, house" or car or store when we are leaving somewhere

11. How she says "Uh, Oh, Spaghettios" when she drops something during a meal

12. How she throws her hands in the air and says "Yay" whenever something is exciting or fun

13. How she says more like "moe?"

14. How she loves to bring me books to read (her favorite right now is Moo, Baa, La, La, La)

15. How she brings me her crocs (shoes) several times a day, hoping I'll take her outside to play

16. How she repeats almost anything we ask her to say, like a parrot

17. How she loves to dress up and put on glasses, shoes, hats, jewelery, etc.

18. How she is always willing to give a kiss, hug, or smile to anyone at anytime to brighten their day!

Just one more cute one to show off her personality!

We love you, Leah! I can't believe you are 18 months old already!

Parades, Fireworks, and lots of Red, White, and Blue

We had a great 4th of July weekend! It was perfect weather so we took advantage of it and went to our church pancake breakfast, the parade downtown, and then had a barbeque with friends that evening and did fireworks afterward in our driveway. It was an awesome day!

Leah holding the flag. I love this picture!Abbie and Leah loved the popsicles and candy they gave out...
But soon had a meltdown from all the sugar!
Waiting for our Yam Fries from Seva after the Parade! Yummy!
Abbie with her first sparkler...

And watching bigger fireworks with her friends!

Jared and the girls relaxing on the hammock after a great day!