Oh so much to report!

Let's see . . . had lots of friend dates last week, threw a mini baby shower, attended another shower, had a great birthday/anniversary weekend, Jeff has a new job, and am getting ready for

STOP. "What?!!" "What's that?" you say? Yes, Jeff does indeed have a new job! We are excited. We've known for about a week now I think. It has been a long process as he has searched for a new job - a roller coaster. Post resume. Get bites. Interview. Get verbal offer. Don't hear anything. Don't get job after all. Interview and calls for second job. Say they want to bring him in. Don't hear back. No interview after all. Interview for third place (one of the original bites and three recruiters for same job later). 2nd interview. 3rd interview. Verbal offer. Don't hear anything again. Hear they have to interview some other person. Finally hear a firm verbal offer. And papers are sent and signed and two weeks notice put in at other job.

We feel very grateful that we have this new job. It will be a better situation and better money. And who can argue with that?

Jeff's new job will be downtown. It is with a company called PING IDENTITY. They will be paying for him to ride the light rail and I am excited Jeff will get some extra time to read or do computer work every day. We aren't moving at this point - though a move is very possible for the future. We'll see. I don't really want to move. Love Highlands Ranch. Love my ward. Kind of need a different space though for raising kids. We'll see.

So Saturday morning, a package is dropped off. I wonder if it is for my birthday - but it is addressed to Jeff so I don't think so.

It is . . . .



A WELCOME basket from the new company!!! How nice! This is a first for us! And I have to say . . . I have always dreamed of someone sending me a basket like this. Is that pathetic??? It's true though!!!! I've always wanted one. Dreams really do come true y'all!

I had a really great birthday/anniversary. Jeff and I had a really nice date (and Mary did beautifully with Grandpa Charles and GrammE), I got to spend some time with good friends and I got some great gifts! I'd share all my gifts with you, but then I'd just feel spoiled and undeserving (both of which I am). But I will say that I got to wear one of them to church yesterday . . .

SQUEAL SQUEAL!!! (It's the necklace from "My latest obsession" post.)

and I even got some chocolate cake (well actually twice. well actually . . . nevermind) courtesy of the best visiting teachers on the planet (Cathryn Grover and Lisa Crellin). They got it from NOTHING BUNDT CAKES. Yea, it was freakin' delish!

Here are some more pics from the past week.
Love,
A


Met one of my bestest friends Heather and her kids at the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.





Katie's Shower
Met J and kids for a picnic in the park! Here is my nephew whose birthday is just two days after mine.


And I got to spend one last day with Beckie and her chilluns before they headed back home. Sure love them so much and how they dote on Mary.




And my Jeffie . . . a familiar scene - playing with Mary.
She's been doing this squinting thing a lot lately. I have no idea what she is trying to tell me. But I sure think it's cute.

Look at who can pull herself up!

Walked into Mary's room this morning and found her standing up. What a big girl!

Climb every mountain (or whatever is in sight)

Mary is more and more mobile each day. Just look at everything she is trying to climb . . .
The video basket . . .

The changing table/chest of drawers . . .

. . . during story time . . .

the dishwasher (and yes those are dirty ; ) - I'm not saying a word. Talk to my husband)

. . .up the high cafe table chair. . .

and let's not forget her crib.


Pretty soon she will be like one of these little hellions! (I say that with all the love in my heart)

And here is just another cute giraffe outfit (size 3-6 months still fits perfectly - in fact I got it because a lot of the other summer clothing I have for her is still too big). I got the bike shorts ($4) with my gymbucks (so they were actually $2)and then last week the matching shirt for $8. How fitting that the animals are climbing on top of each other. : )

More pool party pics.

Pool Party!

We've been having lots of fun with Beckie here. We had another cook out last night, a family photo shoot and lunch on Saturday, and Friday we hung out at Ivan's pool. It was about 5 in the evening so it was the perfect temperature and a good day to take Mary swimming for her first time. She did very well in the water and seemed to be enjoying herself. So cute right? You can't see the ruffle skirt very well here - but trust me - it's cute.

Jennifer and the girls were gone at girls camp, but Scott came and brought Joe. Check out Joe snorkeling!

And of course their were lots of games with Uncle Ivan. One such one was Ivan had Sterling on his back and he'd say "Hey, have you guys seen Sterling?" and then Sterling would say, "I'm right here!" and then Ivan would turn around to find him but he wouldn't be able to and it'd make the kids just giggle. Gotta love Eveie being a goon here!

Grandma, Grandpa, and Cat came too.Doesn't my Mom look so pretty here?




Even the chipmunk was enjoying things!

Botanic Gardens

Today was a free day at the Botanic Gardens. Beckie was meeting a friend down there and so my Mom and I decided to go too, but we'd just meet up with them for lunch. It was great fun minus the horrific traffic and parking. Nothing like building a new parking garage that is inadequate. My Mom and I have decided we need to run the gardens . . : )
These flowers were my favorite today at the gardens. The ones that have white and pink had the neatest design close up. They reminded me of peppermint candy!

Beckie and me

Grandma Bonnie and Mary


Mary and Me with Beckie's kidlets. Love these guys.

Aunt Beckie and Mary

Sterling (Sterlittle)

Cousins Eve and Mary. Eve was very good with Mary. Don't you love how Mary's hat is pirate-esk in this pic?

Grandma Bonnie and Sheri Anna

Sisters say the darnedest things

A few months ago, Catherine commented on a photo of Mary on facebook saying, "She's so funny looking!". After my initial shock and actually speaking with Catherine, I learned that when she said that, she meant that Mary was so funny and pulled funny faces. Jennifer and I tried to explain to Catherine that when you say someone is "funny looking", it isn't usually a compliment. She knows that now, but she still says "Mary is so funny looking!" I just shake my head and laugh.

Right up there with that . . . my sisters and Mom and neices Hannah and Emma were having lunch at the Cheesecake Factory last Saturday. At one point Beckie said in reference to Mary, "She looks like the dog on Never Ending Story". I just laughed. I seriously was not offended at all. In fact, I was kind of glad she said it. Made me feel better about when I told her last year that her daughter Sheri Anna's teeth reminded me of the Hunchback of Notre Dame (and that was before she chipped one!).
I know exactly what she means though. Mary's eyes, nose, and that cute little tongue that sticks out are all reminiscent of Falcor - who apparently is NOT a dog, but a dragon.
See any resemblance?





This picture would've been better if I could've gotten the picture of Falcor coming up over the buildings of the city. Do you know what I'm talking about?

And don't think Jennifer gets off easy. She told me in the last year that I have a "snaggle tooth". What can I say???? When you are this close with your sisters, you are bound to not edit yourself nearly as much as you do with regular folks.

Love my sisters and love the honesty! And P.S. I still think my daughter is the cutest, most beautiful, most sweet baby in the entire world. P.P.S. Do you wanna know who REALLY does look like Falcor? Victoria Beckham AKA Posh Spice - prior to her nose job.