Flashback--Mike and Karen

This month is the anniversary of the month that started it all for me and Mike. So to celebrate, I decided to take a trip down memory lane, but just from our engagement and then through our wedding day. Here is the picture that was taken the day Mike and I got engaged. My mom was smart and got silk flowers that look just like these flowers for me to keep forever. They are on my piano now.
Here's our engagement picture.
And then the day finally arrived for us to get married and eat cake. Mike's mom made it and it was yummy. We should have taken some on our honeymoon.
I told Mike to NOT shove the cake in my face, he didn't. He was a gentleman and just gave me some. Thanks Mike! I love you and I'm very happy that I married you!

You'll have to excuse my pictures that I took pictures of, our scanner is still not working.

Bean Museum

Mike had the afternoon off today so we headed to Provo to the Bean Museum to see all the animals. We went with Ethan when he was just 2 months old, for a school assignment for Mike, and then I took him a year and a half ago. This time he loved it. He ran all over and was in heaven, as Mike put it.
Aaghh! Good thing this hippo isn't alive anymore!
There were a few kids by us who wanted their grandpa to take their picutre in front of these bears. Ethan thought that was cool so he asked if I'd take his picture by the bears. Here it is! Oh, and to Kristen and Stefani, I'll get pictures up of my hair cut later. But it isn't much different than the last time I saw you, Kristen, shaped and looking better but not much shorter.

Hair cuts, finally!

Yesterday both Ethan and I got our hairs cut! His really, really needed it and it looks great! The best part is that he held still the whole time. Not a peep! Shocking, because the last time he had his hair cut, he squirmed the whole time. One time, he yelled the whole time, while I was holding him. That was a really bad experience, and he was nearly bald, and I will NEVER take him back to that lady! This girl, however, was awesome. I'd definitely recommed that salon to anyone! (I have a $5 off coupon to anyone who wants to go see the girl who does my hair. Just let me know and I'll get it to you!) I had my hair done by a different girl. I love this girl and how she does my hair. It always takes me a few days to get used to my new cut, so if you see me today or tomorrow and my hair looks goofy, that's why. It'll look better in a few days!

Happy Easter

Ethan ready to go hunting Easter eggs at an egg hunt in Kristen's ward.
This morning, Ethan was so excited to see not only candy in his Easter basket, but a big bucket of dinosars, a big "digger", Lightening McQueen, and The King matchbox cars, and a cute picture of Jesus and a little boy we like to call Ethan. We knew that he was aware of the chocolate and fun, but weren't sure that Ethan really knew what Easter was all about. So after church, we had a mini lesson on Jesus and his resurrection. Ethan can now tell you that Jesus was resurrected, kind of, if you know what he's saying you can understand him.

Vegas highlights

Last week, Ethan and I jumped in the car with my mom and drove all the way to Las Vegas! We had so much fun with Kristen and Matt and especially their girls, Mattison, Isabel, and Meg. Ethan adores the girls and was so excited to go see them. The morning we were leaving, he was running around the house screaming and yelling, "Las Vegas!" He didn't realize what a long drive it is, at least for a two and a half year old. It was nice to get away and relax with my sister and mom. Kristen's girls are so good to Ethan and have the best toys! Here are a few pictures of what we did and how much fun we had! We will definitely have to go to Vegas more often!

Ever notice...

Ever notice how little boys like to play with doll houses, especially when they don't get to play with one everyday? Ethan loves doll houses and little dolls. When we were in Vegas, he liked to play with Meg's Polly Pocket dolls and other small dolls. It really doesn't bother me at all because I have seen him get excited over trucks, dinosaurs, and sports!

The Butterfly Park

This is seriously the best park I have ever been to. It was big and had lots of fun stuff for kids to do. It was especially nice to go with Mom and Kristen and just sit and visit and get a sun burn on my neck. This is a big butterfly bench.
There is an area of this park that has big alligators and frogs that is turned into a water park-ish area in the summer. So cool!
There are a whole bunch of big tubes to run through to. Ethan loves to run away and play so this was definitely a great place to be.
Meg, Ethan, Mattison, and Isabel posing on a big caterpillar.
And for those of you who are interested, here is an ariel shot of just part of this cool park. When will we get a cool place like this in Utah?

Ducks, ducks, ducks

We went to feed the ducks and I got Ethan to stop and say "cheese" just long enough to get this picture.
Ethan and Meg feeding the ducks.
I'm not sure if we fed this duck or if that piece of bread it's going for was from someone else. But we had fun! Can we go again next time, Kristen?

Shark Reef

While in Las Vegas, we went to the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay. It was so cool, a bit over priced but isn't everything that is cool and touristy? Ethan was so excited to see the sharks. Here we are at the beginning of the tour.
Ethan and his favorite girls in the world. Mattison, Isabel, and Meg.
Here's a shot of the big turtle that kept Ethan's attention for a good long while.
These are the lion fish. Aren't they pretty?
And guess what? I touched a sting ray. It may have been this one. Oh, look, there is one buried in the sand underneath it. Sting rays are slimy little bougars!

Ducks, a Park, and an Elephant

That was what our day consisted of. This morning we went to feed the ducks and I was very nervous because the last time we went to feed ducks, Ethan fell in. Not really into the pond, but into a smaller pond and me not thinking, I didn't take an extra pair of clothes. He didn't fall in today! He had fun. Then it was off to the "butterfly park," I'll post pictures of that later. We were there for a long time and had a great time. The weather in Las Vegas is so nice! It was fun to kick back, relax, and watch Ethan play with Mattison, Isabel, and Meg. After lunch, Mom took us to see "Horton Hears a Who." Ethan loves elephants and managed to stay awake and not wiggly during the movie. (It was nap time, but he refuses naps when his cousins are around and he usually wiggles a lot during movies.) It was a fun day! Thanks Kristen!

Vegas, here we come

Tomorrow Ethan and I are heading to Las Vegas with my mom to visit Kristen and her girls. They were here last summer and since then, Ethan has been asking for them. He sure loves those girls! Kristen says it's 70 degrees. Sadly, I haven't been summer clothes shopping so I'll have to make due with what's in my closet. But, I am excited to go and bask in the warmth of Vegas.

Ethan Rex, the carnivore

Ethan has recently learned that brontosaurus ate grass and leaves and was a herbivore and that T-rex was a carnivore and ate meat. He sounds very funny when he says, "T-rex, a carnivore!" But he sure knows what he's talking about.

Ethan has never been much of a meat eater, unless it's chicken nuggets, but last night at dinner, my dad did a very smart thing. He got Ethan to eat roast beef by telling him the he, Dad, was going to be a carnivore and eat meat. When Ethan ate that first bite of meat, I thought he was going to spit it back out, but he surprised me and ate three more pieces and then asked for meat for lunch today. I wonder how I can get him to eat hamburger....

My bosom cousin

Today is my bosom cousin's birthday and I just wanted to shout out a big happy birthday to Julie. You were always my favorite, sorry Catherine, Stacey, and everyone else with "Callister thighs," and you still are! I love you lots and hope Jef took you on a hot date, or at least did the dishes! Happy birthday!

Gilmore Girls ROCK!

Right now, while Ethan is napping, I get to watch Gilmore Girls and it's just about one of my favorite ones. The one where Luke and Lorelai kiss! And Mike is home early because he has to work Saturday (when that happens, he gets a half day off during the week!)

Wahoo!

I finally got the computer to upload our pictures from our trip to the dinosaur museum! Take a peek!

We're off to see the Dinosaurs!

Ohh, way out of focus, sorry. Here is our free pass though, thanks Kristen!
Mike and Ethan were both really excited to see the dinosaurs. I barely got them to stand still long enough to take one picture.
I forget what dinosaur this foot belongs to, but it sure was big.
Ethan loved to watch the workers working on excavating the dinosaurs. "Look at the t-rex" up on the top of the shelf!

Pictures with dinosaurs and a BIG shark

Ethan was so excited to see the dinosaur bones and not at all afraid of them. Here he is saying, "Cheese!"
Mom and Ethan under a BIG dinosaurs!
Aahh! Does he look scared?
Last time we saw this little dino, Ethan wanted nothing to do with it. He wouldn't even touch him. This time, Ethan warmed up to him pretty fast.

Mike's dinosaur habitat

Ever seen a grown man do this?
So much to concentrate on to make it just perfect.
Ta Da! Don't those dinosaurs look right at home?

Ethan built a dinosaur habitat, too

Ethan was a little hesitant to jump in and play. I think he was afraid of getting dirty.
It didn't take too long until he jumped in to play.
Adding a tree to the mountain.
"Hmmm, where should I put this dinosaur?"

Building a dinosaur and finding dinosaur bones

Ethan and Mike built a dinosaur and Ethan wanted to use the triceratops' head!
Dad took over, and here is the final product!
Ethan loves the sand and was right at home in the sand looking for dinosaur bones.
Mike joined in the fun too!

Irritating...but I'm okay, really!

I'm trying to post some of our fun pictures from the dinosaur museum, but the computer won't do it. Sorry. I'll have to try again later, so don't lose hope.

It's so nice today that Ethan and I got to go on a walk and play in the backyard. I'm so happy that spring is around the corner. I really enjoyed the snow, but I'm ready for the warmer weather now!

DINOSAUR BONES!

Yesterday we went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point (I think it's really called the Museum of Ancient History, but I like thinking of it as the dinosaur museum). It was a lot of fun. Ethan could have spend hours there, we were there for 2 and then left because we were hungry and wanted dinner. I got lots of pictures of Ethan, and Mike, playing in the sand and water making dams, rivers, and mountains. Ethan was a little hesitant to get dirty, but soon had lots of sand in his hair. We had a lot of fun. I'll post those pictures tomorow.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Herrington!

I'm doing this today because I know I'll forget if I leave it until Sunday, which is really Patty's birthday. This is a great picture of 8 month old Ethan playing with his Grandma Herrington. I love that you can see his dimple on his right cheek. When he was just a few hours old, I saw it and it reminded me of Grandma's.
Happy Birthday, I love you! Love, Ethan.

So many things to make me happy today!

Today has been a good day and I have a few things that have made me happy today. Ethan really needed new shoes, so we went to Wal Mart, his choice, to get "Buzz Lightyear" shoes, as he called them. No luck with those, but I did find some Spiderman shoes that he liked, they even light up! They were $10, my limit for feet that grow like his do, and I got to the register and they were $5!! Beter than Kid to Kid! I was thrilled and still am!

It's been such a nice week, we went outside to work on the flower beds today and try to make them look better, and I wore flip flops! I love that it is warming up here.

Today is pay day, need I say more?

Ethan is watching "Cinderella," one of his new favorite movies, and when he laughs, it's so funny and it makes me laugh too.

Mike will be home in a little less than an hour and he has the day off tomorrow...more to come with that tomorrow....

I got emails and comments on my blog from some of my friends in Bakersfield this week, I miss them!

And lastly, Jenessa made a comment on my blog. I just have to say that she is my best friend and I miss her a lot and can't wait to see her again, when will that be, Jenessa? I'd love to go see her and her family, but I don't think that will happen soon. (Mike doesn't have a lot of time to take off because he took so much off at Christmas to go see his family (which was worth it and fun))

Girl Scout cookies, yahoo!

Today my Girl Scout cookies were delivered. Mmm, I have just enjoyed a few too many and I think I want more. Anyone want a thin mint or samoa? Come on over! I could eat them all myself, but it will make me more happy to share.

Raking the leaves

Saturday was a beautiful day, in the morning at least. Mike and Ethan headed out to rake the leaves that fell from our HUGE tree last fall. Ethan is showing off just what he is to Dad.
Here he is with his rake ready to help Dad.
Both my guys working hard to make the yard look a little better.

Chocolate Pie!

After a day of screaming kids, I needed a yummy, fattening dessert. So Ethan and I made chocolate pie. Of course Ethan wanted to, and I let him, lick the beaters.
Ethan wasn't shy about it at all, he dove right in....


And when he was done, he wiped his mouth clean. What a good boy!