Harry Potter

I decided last week to read the Harry Potter series. I finished the final book yesterday. It was fantastic! I would recommend the books to anyone. If you have already seen the movies (which by-the-way the 6th was so incredible I am already anxious to see it again), the books will only enhance the Harry Potter experience. Eric and I recently purchased all of the available movies in the series on blue-ray. Last night we watched The Goblet of Fire. We are both die-hard Harry Potter fans. Even Eric is reading the books! As a side note: my favorite book was The Goblet of Fire, though my favorite movies have thus far been The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half Blood Prince. The best thing about both the books and movies are the dynamic and unique characters. Without question, since the beginning, my favorite character has been Professor Snape. However, if I could be any character from the book I would choose Nymphadora Tonks- the ability to change my hair-color and length daily- how great would that be?

“Oooooh Pretty”

Yesterday I purchased Emily a charm necklace (.99 @ Smith and Edwards). While standing in the parking lot, next to our car, I pulled it from the bag to show her. Emily’s face lit up. She said, “Oooooh Pretty”. We all stood there for a moment in amazement- where did she learn that? Then we burst into laughter. Emily, enjoying the attention, continued to articulate “Oooooh Pretty” over and over again, giggling at herself. We thought each time to be as funny as the first and had an incredibly amusing drive home.

Another funny expression of Emily’s: “Not me!”- wonder where she learned that one?

Bah-whoa

Emily loves her “bah-whoa” (aka bottle of milk). And yes she is nearly two-and-a-half and I STILL give her a “bah-whoa” WHENEVER she asks. For those of you who frown on bottle-drinking after two, I have this to say in my defense, “My Bottle-baby drinks more milk than most Sippy-cup-babies. I learned my lesson with Travis- once the bottle is taken away less of the good stuff is consumed". NOTE: Though I took Travis off the bottle early, I put him right back on when the milk-drinking began to dwindle.

More of Emily’s favorite words: Nope, Yesssssssss, Candy, Cookie, Tyler, Carly, Travis, Ewe Yuck, Ewe Gross, Nose, Thanks, One, Two, Nine, Out, Shoes, and Goose (because I always call her Silly-Goose). She also sings "Ashies Ashies All Fall Down" and her own made-up words to the tune of Twinkle Little Star.

My baby’s favorite moves: “The Punchies” (named by her older siblings), Hand-Stands, Jumping, and Pointing Her Toes!

Congrats Bryan!

Law School Graduate (May 2009)

Dance, Dance, Dance….

Dance was my world during the months of May and June. We held our end-of-the-year recital at Weber State University on June 10^th and left for Tuacahn in St. George two weeks later. The recital was fantastic, both Quincy and Carly danced beautifully. Carly was featured in six routines. She has thoroughly LOVED dance this year. Tuacahn was a blast- hard work, but fun! Our girls took workshops from Thayne Jasperson (So You Think You Can Dance) and Terrance Thomas (Contemporary Ballet/Hip-Hop). My hair was drenched with sweat after the second workshop. The highlights of our trip were the live productions of Annie and Footloose. The latter being my favorite- an incredibly fantastic and entertaining musical! Thayne played the lead and did a fabulous job. Many of the dancers lined up after the performance for his signature, including my daughter.

Hmmmm….

Travis and Carly were both stung by a bee at Lagoon this week while riding the Sky Ride.

Mrs. Utah America

Yesterday evening Heidi was crowned Mrs. Utah America 2009. I am so proud of my amazing and talented little sister; she is gorgeous, as well as kind, selfless, and compassionate. Heidi’s most preeminent quality is the beautiful and radiant spirit she is continually sharing with those around her.