Monday, November 30, 2009
Carter Giggling
I had to post this because I think it's so cute! When we were watching Carter on Saturday, Ethan grabbed his bakugan and showed Carter how it works. For those of you who don't know what a bakugan is, it's a ball that opens when you touch a certain spot with a magnet. Ethan put the spot up to Carter's high chair and it opened. Carter went nuts giggling and I had to video tape it! As Ethan says, "Carter is the cutest baby in the whole world!"
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Sunday
Sunday morning we woke up at 6:15, dressed, packed up, loaded the car and drove home. Both Bryan and I had to teach in Church so we had to be home. Ethan was nervous that we would look "like idiots" when we walked in after Sacrament Meeting, but we assured him that no one would notice...until Courtney walked right into Sacrament Meeting 1 hour late. We got home at 10:50 and decided to get ready and go up in time for Primary/Sunday School. It didn't take us as long to get ready as we thought so we went up at 11:55 and Courtney ran ahead...and right into the Chapel. She just stood in the aisle waiting for us until Bryan snuck in and grabbed her. We then sat on the back row for the last 10 minutes of the meeting. ;)
We are glad to be home but we had a great time in Provo!!
We are glad to be home but we had a great time in Provo!!
Saturday
It was the day of the BYU vs. Utah game. David and Mike had tickets but Grandpa really wanted to go and Lisa did too. I kept checking on Craigslist to see if I could get a good price, but Grandpa wanted to wait and see what would happen. When he went running, Lisa and I decided to take charge. We found one that was a good deal and they wanted to get rid of them soon, so she grabbed her cell phone and called the number...only to find out it was one of her friends from their last ward! The girl was going to give us the tickets for free, but Lisa got her to take some money for them. It worked out great and we got them for face value (plus a little because she was a friend).
We then decided to go bowling Saturday morning. We went to the Wilkinson Center and had a great time...minus some glitches with our lane and our scoring computer for a minute. Grandma won. Courtney using the aimer-thing so she did pretty well. Ethan got a strike. Bryan threw the last frame so we would have the same score (I think he did it so I wouldn't feel bad about playing so badly!). Lisa, Mike and Carter just watched and looked cute.
We went back to the apartment and everyone got ready to go to the game. We weren't going so we offered to babysit Carter while Grandma went to scan genealogy sheets. We watched the game on TV and it was a great game!! The kids loved playing with Carter. He was easy to entertain until the end when he was really tired and we were making dinner and couldn't hold him. Luckily, that's when Grandma showed up and took charge of him.
The game ended with BYU WINNING!! It was a bit scary at the end, but it turned out well. The Utah fans were on the corner of Bulldog and University Avenue at Provo High when we were driving around and they were yelling at everyone who drove by. It was a big obnoxious. I was glad we were in a car and not on a scooter because they got the bulk of the harassment.
Dinner worked out well. Bryan and I made Zuppa Toscana (from Olive Garden) and bread from Macaroni Grill. It was good. Then we all went to bed.
We then decided to go bowling Saturday morning. We went to the Wilkinson Center and had a great time...minus some glitches with our lane and our scoring computer for a minute. Grandma won. Courtney using the aimer-thing so she did pretty well. Ethan got a strike. Bryan threw the last frame so we would have the same score (I think he did it so I wouldn't feel bad about playing so badly!). Lisa, Mike and Carter just watched and looked cute.
We went back to the apartment and everyone got ready to go to the game. We weren't going so we offered to babysit Carter while Grandma went to scan genealogy sheets. We watched the game on TV and it was a great game!! The kids loved playing with Carter. He was easy to entertain until the end when he was really tired and we were making dinner and couldn't hold him. Luckily, that's when Grandma showed up and took charge of him.
The game ended with BYU WINNING!! It was a bit scary at the end, but it turned out well. The Utah fans were on the corner of Bulldog and University Avenue at Provo High when we were driving around and they were yelling at everyone who drove by. It was a big obnoxious. I was glad we were in a car and not on a scooter because they got the bulk of the harassment.
Dinner worked out well. Bryan and I made Zuppa Toscana (from Olive Garden) and bread from Macaroni Grill. It was good. Then we all went to bed.
Friday Activities
Later in the morning we all went to the club house in the apartment complex. They had a dance floor, which Courtney made quick use of with Grandpa and Bryan as her princes with me on the piano, and a pool table which Ethan loved! We played with Carter and then the kids played tag with Grandpa!
In order to give the kids, and us, something to do Friday afternoon, we all went to BYU and had a pizza picnic on the grass above the library. All the statues had shrink wrap on them in preparation for Saturday's game against Utah and Ethan thought this was fascinating. Then we walked around the library, bought books at the bookstore (which had a Black Friday sale!) and then we took the kids to the Bean Museum on campus. They loved it.
There are all kinds of stuffed animals and exhibits there, but the best part (according to Ethan and Courtney) was when a worker brought out live snakes and lizards. Courtney was fascinated and got closer than I would have believed from her, but Ethan would actually touch them. It was great.
We then went back to Lisa and Mike's apartment where Bryan took over the kids and I took a nap!
That even was a BYU basketball game. We really wanted to go so we took the kids and Grandpa treated us to the game. We had to stand in line a long time to get tickets and they were way high up, but the kids had a great time at the game. Ethan was instantly sucked into it and was cheering along with Grandpa and Bryan, but Courtney got bored after a while. The cheerleaders helped to keep her entertained.
It definitely was a fun day!
In order to give the kids, and us, something to do Friday afternoon, we all went to BYU and had a pizza picnic on the grass above the library. All the statues had shrink wrap on them in preparation for Saturday's game against Utah and Ethan thought this was fascinating. Then we walked around the library, bought books at the bookstore (which had a Black Friday sale!) and then we took the kids to the Bean Museum on campus. They loved it.
There are all kinds of stuffed animals and exhibits there, but the best part (according to Ethan and Courtney) was when a worker brought out live snakes and lizards. Courtney was fascinated and got closer than I would have believed from her, but Ethan would actually touch them. It was great.
We then went back to Lisa and Mike's apartment where Bryan took over the kids and I took a nap!
That even was a BYU basketball game. We really wanted to go so we took the kids and Grandpa treated us to the game. We had to stand in line a long time to get tickets and they were way high up, but the kids had a great time at the game. Ethan was instantly sucked into it and was cheering along with Grandpa and Bryan, but Courtney got bored after a while. The cheerleaders helped to keep her entertained.
It definitely was a fun day!
Black Friday!
We CLEANED UP on Black Friday!!
Thursday afternoon Courtney and I walked to the gas station by Lisa and Mike's apartment and bought a newspaper. We all spent the day/evening going though and making lists of things we wanted to buy. After we put the kids to bed, Lisa and I decided that we wanted to run to Modbe because they had a deal for $5 shirts. The sale began at 11 p.m. and then Toys-R-Us started their sale at midnight. Since those stores are close to each other, we decided to his Modbe and then get in the Toys-R-Us line.
We QUICKLY changed our minds. We decided to show up at the store around 10:30 p.m. When we got close to the stores all we saw was a mass of people! We parked across the street and while we were getting out of the van, a car came screaming through the parking lot loaded with women who all jumped out and ran for the line. Lisa and I were floored. We walked over to investigate the line and realized that the line was probably 2 blocks long (estimate) and that the line for Toys-R-Us was at least that long. We walked it, took a photo as proof and then loaded back in the van. We decided that if those women needed a $5 shirt bad enough to stand in a line in the freezing cold that they deserved it!
So we drove back to the apartment, did some rethinking of lists and made a plan with Bryan's mom to wake up the next morning and leave at 4:30. Bryan's words when I told him that: "You're crazy!"
I didn't sleep very well because I kept waking up nervous that I would miss it! ;) Finally, I got up at 4:15, dressed and met Lisa and Mom. We took our van (it had the most room) and were off. We first went to Walmart. There were cars everywhere and lines all over. Lisa wanted a couple of things that were 5 a.m. doorbusters so Mom took one and Lisa took the other while I walked around trying to find what I needed. Now, just to give you a little insider tip, at Walmart many times they have the toys on shrink wrapped pallots back by the Toys section. But...they also have the same type pallots, with the same shrink wrapped toys, at the front of the store hidden by the cosmetics. So while everyone in the back is fighting over toys, you can go to the front and get the same toys anytime you want after 5 a.m. So that's what I did. Lisa was a lifesaver/very smart woman because after she got her items, she ran to the front to get in a check-out line, then sent us a text to let us know where she was. I got everything (well, except for one thing that wasn't a doorbuster) I had on my list and we were in and out in about 20-25 minutes!
We then decided to move on to store #2, Best Buy. I dropped Lisa and Mom off while I went across the street to stand in the JoAnn's line (it didn't open until 6 a.m.). They went right in, got the printer Lisa wanted, and then had to wait a while in line to check-out. No problems even though we were there about 30 minutes after they opened their doors!
I, meanwhile, was freezing in the line at JoAnns. But this is the best time to glean information from other shoppers who have more experience doing this than I (i.e., old ladies who quilt all day long). At JoAnns you can buy flannel by the bolt and not have to stand in the 3 hour long cutting line! There are 8 yards per bolt and at $1.49 instead of $5.00 per yard, it is more worth your time to just buy the whole bolt. What I do is making Christmas pjs for all of us and the girls have the same fabric and the boys have the same fabric. I need about 5-6 yards per set of pjs so I have a couple yards left over from each to make rice bags or something else from the fabric.
When Lisa and Mom caught up with me I only had about 10-15 minutes before the store opened. We made a plan that I would run and get the 2 bolts I wanted and Mom would run and get something else that Bryan is giving Courtney. I had a 50% off coupon for the other item and the flannel was cheap. We were in and out in about 15 minutes with a savings of about $90!
Lisa, meanwhile, had gone next door to the infamous Modbe store to see how picked over it was. We joined her when we finished and were amazed to see how much was left. We had no problem finding shirts we wanted in the mostly-empty store! So much for standing in line for hours!!
Then we went to Shopko for more sales. I ended up pretty much finishing my Christmas shopping there. They had great sales and, by the time we got there (about 7:00 a.m. or so) there weren't lines and the items I wanted were still there...and then some ;)
One last stop at a music store that opened at 8:00 a.m. (I think, I was a bit tired by this point and things get fuzzier). We stood in line and then crowded in to overwhelm the one cashier they had on duty that day.
With everything but one item from my list loaded in the trunk and Lisa and Mom's purchases all over the back seat, we were headed home feeling a sense of satisfaction. I didn't have to push anyone and I wasn't pushed by anyone. People were very friendly. I think it helped that none of us were really getting any "high demand" items so they were still there after the door buster crowd went in.
It was a bit of a challenge getting it all loaded in the van and home before anyone could peek. But we all had a great experience!!!
Thursday afternoon Courtney and I walked to the gas station by Lisa and Mike's apartment and bought a newspaper. We all spent the day/evening going though and making lists of things we wanted to buy. After we put the kids to bed, Lisa and I decided that we wanted to run to Modbe because they had a deal for $5 shirts. The sale began at 11 p.m. and then Toys-R-Us started their sale at midnight. Since those stores are close to each other, we decided to his Modbe and then get in the Toys-R-Us line.
We QUICKLY changed our minds. We decided to show up at the store around 10:30 p.m. When we got close to the stores all we saw was a mass of people! We parked across the street and while we were getting out of the van, a car came screaming through the parking lot loaded with women who all jumped out and ran for the line. Lisa and I were floored. We walked over to investigate the line and realized that the line was probably 2 blocks long (estimate) and that the line for Toys-R-Us was at least that long. We walked it, took a photo as proof and then loaded back in the van. We decided that if those women needed a $5 shirt bad enough to stand in a line in the freezing cold that they deserved it!
So we drove back to the apartment, did some rethinking of lists and made a plan with Bryan's mom to wake up the next morning and leave at 4:30. Bryan's words when I told him that: "You're crazy!"
I didn't sleep very well because I kept waking up nervous that I would miss it! ;) Finally, I got up at 4:15, dressed and met Lisa and Mom. We took our van (it had the most room) and were off. We first went to Walmart. There were cars everywhere and lines all over. Lisa wanted a couple of things that were 5 a.m. doorbusters so Mom took one and Lisa took the other while I walked around trying to find what I needed. Now, just to give you a little insider tip, at Walmart many times they have the toys on shrink wrapped pallots back by the Toys section. But...they also have the same type pallots, with the same shrink wrapped toys, at the front of the store hidden by the cosmetics. So while everyone in the back is fighting over toys, you can go to the front and get the same toys anytime you want after 5 a.m. So that's what I did. Lisa was a lifesaver/very smart woman because after she got her items, she ran to the front to get in a check-out line, then sent us a text to let us know where she was. I got everything (well, except for one thing that wasn't a doorbuster) I had on my list and we were in and out in about 20-25 minutes!
We then decided to move on to store #2, Best Buy. I dropped Lisa and Mom off while I went across the street to stand in the JoAnn's line (it didn't open until 6 a.m.). They went right in, got the printer Lisa wanted, and then had to wait a while in line to check-out. No problems even though we were there about 30 minutes after they opened their doors!
I, meanwhile, was freezing in the line at JoAnns. But this is the best time to glean information from other shoppers who have more experience doing this than I (i.e., old ladies who quilt all day long). At JoAnns you can buy flannel by the bolt and not have to stand in the 3 hour long cutting line! There are 8 yards per bolt and at $1.49 instead of $5.00 per yard, it is more worth your time to just buy the whole bolt. What I do is making Christmas pjs for all of us and the girls have the same fabric and the boys have the same fabric. I need about 5-6 yards per set of pjs so I have a couple yards left over from each to make rice bags or something else from the fabric.
When Lisa and Mom caught up with me I only had about 10-15 minutes before the store opened. We made a plan that I would run and get the 2 bolts I wanted and Mom would run and get something else that Bryan is giving Courtney. I had a 50% off coupon for the other item and the flannel was cheap. We were in and out in about 15 minutes with a savings of about $90!
Lisa, meanwhile, had gone next door to the infamous Modbe store to see how picked over it was. We joined her when we finished and were amazed to see how much was left. We had no problem finding shirts we wanted in the mostly-empty store! So much for standing in line for hours!!
Then we went to Shopko for more sales. I ended up pretty much finishing my Christmas shopping there. They had great sales and, by the time we got there (about 7:00 a.m. or so) there weren't lines and the items I wanted were still there...and then some ;)
One last stop at a music store that opened at 8:00 a.m. (I think, I was a bit tired by this point and things get fuzzier). We stood in line and then crowded in to overwhelm the one cashier they had on duty that day.
With everything but one item from my list loaded in the trunk and Lisa and Mom's purchases all over the back seat, we were headed home feeling a sense of satisfaction. I didn't have to push anyone and I wasn't pushed by anyone. People were very friendly. I think it helped that none of us were really getting any "high demand" items so they were still there after the door buster crowd went in.
It was a bit of a challenge getting it all loaded in the van and home before anyone could peek. But we all had a great experience!!!
Thanksgiving Day
After school on Wednesday we loaded up, picked Bryan up at work and drove to Provo. It was a pretty uneventful drive. The kids watched movies and Bryan and I talked.
We all stayed at Lisa and Mike's apartment. The kids loved this because Carter was there and they were able to play with him. We got there in the evening, so we just sat around talking and then put the kids to bed.
Thursday morning we had cereal (so as to not fill up our tummies too much) and then drove to Salt Lake to Bryan's Uncle Dan and Aunt Karen's house. Now, for those of you who may not know, Courtney is TERRIFIED of dogs. Dan and Karen have this small white dog named Toby and the minute Courtney saw him she freaked out and began screaming and hanging on to me. She is one that when you try to convince her of something she just digs in her heels and won't change her mind. Everyone tried to talk her into petting Toby and playing with him but it was only making the situation worse. So poor Toby was isolated from where she was.
Dinner was wonderful. The adults table was upstairs (adults= siblings and spouses of Bryan's mom) and then the kids tables (everyone else) were set up downstairs. We had a great time downstairs talking and stuffing ourselves. When dinner was over, we helped clean up the tables downstairs so the ping pong table could be set up and then we all played games. I had a blast playing Cranium with Bryan's cousins and aunts. I have a freaky music/entertainment knowledge that really serves me well on those kinds of games. ;)
When we were downstairs setting up the ping pong table Courtney yelled down at us to come up quick. When I went up, there was Uncle Dan holding Toby and Courtney was petting him!! I was floored. She was still pretty cautious and didn't like Toby to be on the floor, but she was petting him. Uncle Dan had been playing with Courtney and threw Carter's blanket on the floor over by Toby. He threw the blanket closer and closer to Toby until Courtney finally realized that Toby didn't care that she was there and wasn't interested in licking and/or biting her. That's when Dan picked Toby up and held him tight so Courtney could pet him. It was great!!
When it was dark we decided it was time to go back to Provo and put the kids to bed. At Lisa and Mike's house Bryan sat on the couch to cuddle with Courtney and soon she was fast asleep in his arms....something that NEVER happens...EVER!
It was a fun Thanksgiving.
We all stayed at Lisa and Mike's apartment. The kids loved this because Carter was there and they were able to play with him. We got there in the evening, so we just sat around talking and then put the kids to bed.
Thursday morning we had cereal (so as to not fill up our tummies too much) and then drove to Salt Lake to Bryan's Uncle Dan and Aunt Karen's house. Now, for those of you who may not know, Courtney is TERRIFIED of dogs. Dan and Karen have this small white dog named Toby and the minute Courtney saw him she freaked out and began screaming and hanging on to me. She is one that when you try to convince her of something she just digs in her heels and won't change her mind. Everyone tried to talk her into petting Toby and playing with him but it was only making the situation worse. So poor Toby was isolated from where she was.
Dinner was wonderful. The adults table was upstairs (adults= siblings and spouses of Bryan's mom) and then the kids tables (everyone else) were set up downstairs. We had a great time downstairs talking and stuffing ourselves. When dinner was over, we helped clean up the tables downstairs so the ping pong table could be set up and then we all played games. I had a blast playing Cranium with Bryan's cousins and aunts. I have a freaky music/entertainment knowledge that really serves me well on those kinds of games. ;)
When we were downstairs setting up the ping pong table Courtney yelled down at us to come up quick. When I went up, there was Uncle Dan holding Toby and Courtney was petting him!! I was floored. She was still pretty cautious and didn't like Toby to be on the floor, but she was petting him. Uncle Dan had been playing with Courtney and threw Carter's blanket on the floor over by Toby. He threw the blanket closer and closer to Toby until Courtney finally realized that Toby didn't care that she was there and wasn't interested in licking and/or biting her. That's when Dan picked Toby up and held him tight so Courtney could pet him. It was great!!
When it was dark we decided it was time to go back to Provo and put the kids to bed. At Lisa and Mike's house Bryan sat on the couch to cuddle with Courtney and soon she was fast asleep in his arms....something that NEVER happens...EVER!
It was a fun Thanksgiving.
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