July 27, 2008

Garage Sale-ing and stuff

Staci and Anne-Marie came down to my house to help me go garage sale-ing for some baby stuff. We set an ambitious goal to leave my house by 7 am, but of course this really turned to close to 9. I got to drive our new (new for us) '93 GMC, in case we found anything good so we could just stick it in back of the truck. One of the fun quirks about our truck is the power steering. The steering works just great while I am pushing hard on the gas pedal. But as soon as I have my foot off the gas (like to turn into a parking space or back out of one, or turn a sharp corner) - the power steering disappears and I have to use my mighty strength. Staci was the photographer for our outing and snapped a few pics.

Here I am starting the car:


Here is Anne-Marie, afraid of my driving:


We found parking quickly at Harmon's



Some pregnant pictures:



A couple of our finds:


This 1 year old Peg-Pérego stroller was quite a steal. I had never hear of the brand and came upon this stroller at our first garage sale stop. The lady selling them had everything Peg-Pérego and loved the brand. She first offered it to me for $100 and in my mind I thought "lame! I hate it at garage sales when they are trying to make a ton of money. I'm not buying this for $100." I should have done my research. Luckily Staci took over and looked at this one, and had the lady show us all its amazing features. Then the lady offered it, and a bassinette for $75, because she said I had "good energy."


I didn't want to buy it right then, so we drove off saying we'd probably be back. We quickly called my sister Becky in Seattle and she said "What! Go back NOW. That is such a steal. The Peg-Pérego brand is like the Mercedes Benz of strollers. My crap stroller from Target even cost $100 - you need to go back and get it!" So, now panicked, I tried to do a U-turn in my non-power steering vehicle and ended up causing a traffic jam as I made a 6 point turn on a narrow road. We made it back and I paid $80, since I had no smaller bills. I think I made out well though.





We probably would have found more bargains, except Staci got sick. She puked across the street from our next garage sale stop, and we quickly drove away. She felt fine afterwards and it was probably from downing a Jamba Juice in 10 seconds flat.



Afterwards, relaxing at home.




And a picture of Jasper in his new football pads and helmet. Go Gremlins!

July 22, 2008

Gremlin Football


Jasper is now officially a Gremlin. . . in football. We finalized his registration today for Hillcrest Football, and his age group is called the Gremlins. He had to weigh in, and then they gave him his helmet and pads, pants and shin things (whatever they are called). I've hardly seen him so excited. He tried on his shoulder pads and helmet, and his coach said to him "now do you want to hit something real bad?" "Uh-huh," Jasper said while nodding. Then his coach asked him if he'd been practicing, running and biking all summer to prepare for football. "Uh-huh" he nodded. In my mind I thought "running? hmm, I don't think so." I think his coach figured most kids his age don't go out running regularly - besides around the yard with their friends. So he told him it wasn't too late to start and to start running and biking everyday. "Okay" Jasper agreed.


This football program seems intense! His practices will start out 5 days a week, a couple of hours a day. Then when school starts he will practice 3 times a week after school. He needs cleats, a mouth guard, and a cup. Since Jasper is so big for his age, he will be a line man, and he is pretty excited about that.


Today when I got home from work he was at a pool with some friends. When he got home, he quickly changed out of his wet clothes, and into dry clothes, as well as into his helmet and pads. He said he needed to get used to wearing them. He's probably right. I think David and I are almost as excited about football as he is.

July 19, 2008

One Year







We got married one year ago today. I can't believe it. So much has happened in one year, but it still went by so fast. I'm a lucky gal!

July 12, 2008

Button-misser

David and I just got back from The Cheesecake Factory. The franchise arrived in Salt Lake not too long ago, and the waiting times are usually ridiculous. But today we got there before 6, and our wait was only about 1/2 hour. . . much better than the 3 hour wait my friends and I endured last time. It sure is good food.


I had just about finished my meal, and as I am huge and pregnant, I had to use the bathroom suddenly and urgently. So I struggled up from my seat (I am exaggerating a bit, but I feel so huge right now . . . pregnant pictures to come soon), and waddled off to the restroom.

Later as was washing my hands I glanced over at myself in the full length mirror. What did I see? All my buttons were completely mismatched and my shirt was noticeably crooked. I was wearing one of those empire waist pregnancy shirts, so the empire waist tie thing was completely crooked, and one of my shirt tails was significantly longer than the other. I just burst out laughing.

Then I remembered all the places I'd been today with my mis-buttoned shirt. . . well - all over the cheesecake factory, wandering around to find the bathroom, the mall next door while we were waiting to be seated, blah blah blah. Oh well!

Everyone at work can't stop commenting on how HUGE I look. Especially the claimants I am helping, who are complete strangers. As soon as they realize I'm pregnant, they love to comment on it and ask me when I'm due, what I'm having, etc. Sometimes they ask if I've gotten all the baby stuff I need yet. Um. . . not at all. I figure I'll get it eventually. All he needs is milk and diapers right? Kidding. So Thursday, this lady asked me:

Lady: "Are you due any day now?"
Me: "no actually, I'm not due until October."
Shocked lady: "You're kidding! Are you having twins?"
Me: "nope."

What makes you say that to someone? Especially a stranger? If a friend or relative asked me that it would be nothing, but to a stranger? I just think that's weird.

July 7, 2008

I ♥ the Olympics




David and I have been watching the US Olympic trials for the last couple of weeks, and I have to say, I just LOVE the Olympics. I love watching the trials, the competitions, the wins, the losses, the tears. The Olympics are amazing!



This girl is Shannon Rowbury, and the winner of the 1500 m (1 mile). Her time was 3 minutes something, and it was so amazing to watch. She burst through the pack of runners, and as she won the expression on her face was full of so much joy. I cried. I cry watching most Olympic events - because I'm a geek like that.










This girl was in the same race as Shannon above, but didn't qualify for the Beijing. But she was amazing because - look at her! She is 16 years old and she was so fun to watch.










And then . . . there's Dara Torres. She qualified at 41 to go to her 5th Olympics. During the trials she broke multiple American records, including her own. Her first Olympics were in 1984 and she was 15. Can you imagine? 41 isn't that old - but compared to the rest of the competitors who are 16, 17, 20, it must really feel old. She is so inspiring.