Like a duck to water!

I am a HUGE fan of the pool, water, swimming...whatever form I can get it in really. I liked to think that I was a "good" swimmer (looking back I am a good swimmer, just not as good as I thought I was a a kid..ya know?) because I was a pieces. Even into my teenage years I would always be the one in the water and not laying out trying to catch the rays (Remember to always wear the sun screen kids!). Looking back on my experience with water I think that liking the water is something that you can learn for sure. But I think that others just have "it". The "it" I am referring to is your fondness for water.

I'm starting to think that Katy has "it". Wait! Back up here! Katy HATED the shower there for a while. Really she was mortified of it. I think it has a little something to do with the fact that she is a bit claustrophobic. Steve doesn't go for stuff like that,though, and kept throwing her in any way. Which paid off in the end because she loves that now too. In fact if you are not careful now a days she'll hop right in there with you!

So back to the swimming. I decided it was time to make a trip to the good old West Valley Fitness Center Pool. Katy was glad I made the executive decision because as you can see by the evidence she had a great time....

Exhibit A: The Waterfall. She loved that thing! I attribute this to Steve's persistency in the whole shower situation I mentioned above.

Exhibit B: Splashing in the water. I can't tell you how many times she kicked me trying to get away, to which she sunk like a dead fish (wait don't dead fish float?). But she just kept getting rescued and laughing. You'd think that this would worry her but she acted as if she could care less!

Exhibit C: The Rescue. Just as I had spoke of above...mom or dad was always there to rescue her.

And might I add that Steveo is looking like he is having quite a splendid time as well! For someone who was pulling out the "too cool" card. Our conversation?

Amy: "Steve, did you pack your swim suit?"

Steve: "No, I don't think I'll get in."

Amy: "I think it'll be fun...."

Steve: Makes a face at me.

Amy: "I'm packing it anyway because I think you'll want to come when you see all the fun that Katy and I are having."

Steve: Sign. "Fine."

Glad he listed to me! I think Katy is too!

Sundays

As it is a tradition for most, I'm sure, Katy and I make the trek to Roger and Joanne's on Sundays to enjoy dinner with them. This tradition started way before Katy was in the picture when we had moved in across the street (on a Saturday) and found ourselves without substance because we didn't make the time in all the chaos to go to the grocery store. The phone call went something like this..."Mom, it's Steve. Hey can we come over for lunch today? We can? Great...we'll see you for dinner as well!" As you can imagine it only took a few weeks of this before they stopped asking us to come over because we would happily show up on their doorstep uninvited!

We were worried that the tradition may be harder to keep when we moved to Riverton, but we have found that it's just as easy to hop in the car as it was to walk across the street. And things changed a bit again when Steve found himself working on Sunday afternoons. Now Katy and I make the trek every week.

All the same we SO look forward to our afternoon visits. And as much as the food is the best and greatest (probably because I am not the one cooking!), the company is probably the best part.

And as Katy has gotten older she has joined the ever long tradition of grandkids and trying to steal Grandpa's pens. For those of you that know anything about Roger, you will know that he MUST have a pocket on his shirts. If you can even believe it he has even managed to find T-Shirts with pockets...yes, they do exhist!

Here is a picture of her in action. As you can see she is really going for the pen! You can see the determination in her eyes!!!

Success!!! What you didn't see here is the pen going into her mouth!

And another favorite past time of Katy? Getting anyone that she can to read her a book!!! Probably best when you can get Grandma to do that for you, as you can see!

Thanks for one of our favorite traditions!!!

The Boss

Just a little update on Chuck Norris:

-he is still "the boss" or at least he thinks he is

-he still hates when Katy climbs on the couch and steals his spot...the great one where he can see everything that is going on outside

-he still tries to attack Katy when she is armed with a string cheese (his favorite)! Maybe I would get more mad if Katy didn't find this so amusing.

-he still acts like he hates Katy but every now and again I will catch a glimpse of him licking her face (and he is not a licker). And although I am sure this is to get that extra string cheese off her face she missed, I like to think that he is giving her a kiss.

-he still spoons with me when we go to bed

-he is still my best friend...we still haven't crossed that weird pet/owner line yet!!!!

Here is to you Mr. Norris!

Piano Lessons

Katy is one lucky girl because she has so many people that love her so much. Katy doesn't have 2 sets of Grandparents she has 3, RaNae and Ken included. Whenever she is over there she always seems to make the most of her visits. She has even convinced RaNae that she is old enough to start her piano lessons. Here are just a few shots from todays lesson:

Keep up the good work Katy and maybe someday you will have a little of that musical ability that I so wish I had!!!

PS: not that any of you might find this as cool as I do but these shots are straight out of camera!!! Yeah. I know my way around photoshop for sure but it's my pet peeve to get those "overly photoshopped/processed" pics! No need to worry about those now!!! We can go al-natural

My National Holiday

If you already didnt know we do it up big around here for your birthday....we actually like to refer to them as your national holiday!

Steve took me to Olive Garden (my favorite) and we went to Park City to bum around. I also went and got my pedicure that Steve gave me for Valentines! Steve really did make it such a great day.

But what is a birthday without presents? Ha, that sounds so selfish doesn't it? It is mostly what I am writing about today! I had a minor stroke yesterday because of the overload of excitement that was bestowed upon me....I had my second child yesterday: May I introduce you to her? Her name is Mark II

Isn't she beautiful!!!! I have been eyeing this little filly for over a year now. We have been saving for quite sometime and Steve thought it was only fitting that we make it happen in my National Holiday Month of March! Also this is a happy Easter, Mothers Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Arbor Day, Vetrains Day, Kwanza, Christmas, Thanksgiving, 24th of July (did I miss any?) for the next few years to come!

It also seems that my birthday month is always graced with a stellar workshop (Britney and I went to the NicoleV workshop last year). This year my sister Britney and I attended Photo Camp Utah, an all dayer held at the Miller SLCC campus in Sandy. I really had such a great time there today. There was some great review, and I learned a few new things as well. If nothing else it was a great excuse to get together with fellow photographers and admire what photography does for so many people! Cheesy I know! But it was a blast!!! Thanks for signing us up Brit!

PHOTOCAMP WOO

The money shot....Sorry Brit this is the best I got of you all day. And we didn't remember to take a pic together!!!! Lame!

In the bag!

We did it!!! The last race is in the bag!!!! 2010 winter series is over!!!

I really am glad that I did this race, although I really don't think it will be one I'll do again. And I wouldn't even go as far as saying that I wouldn't recommend it because I think it's good to have a mental breakdown when you are running every once and a while??? Well if that is your cup of tea be my guest!!!

Ha, this last 9.3 miler was pretty great. Much better than the 10K, although I really do think that race bit the big one because I donated blood the night before. Maybe it was in my head but that was the worst of the 3.

Just have to give a shout out to my homies Jena and Nickie.....what up that was great! Let's do another real soon!

Eggaholic

I have dreaded this time of year for one reason.....my sweet sweet temptation the Cadbury Egg!!!! It's back and it's been in full force at my house!!! To be honest I have been eyeing this puppy for months now. And lucky for me the 7-11 in West Valley has kept them in stock! Steve has been subjected to my many requests for these gems!

Well I guess the tables turned when Steve decided for Valentines day he would get me a box. Yeah a box....what were you thinking that cute little 4 pack? No I am talking a box! 48 delicious sugar coma inducing nuggets!

You can imagine my happiness and sheer joy when I saw this. My sheer joy turned to horror when less than 2 weeks later when I reached into my box and my hand was met with only 3 eggs.....I decided to put them all out of their misery and eat them all that day. It was the only humane thing to do right?

Any advise? I swear I run so I can not gain 100lbs!!! Those things have 150 calories and 6 grams of fat each!!! I have not been doing too bad...I have had a few more but I figured when I practically downed a box in less than 2 weeks I was clearly out of control!!!! Help me! NPS/Market Square stocks the leftovers well into August!!! Guess I wont be going there anytime soon! Really though...any advise to get off the stuff?

Love is in the air...

Happy Valentines Day to you! I know that a lot of people may think that Valentines day is just another corporate holiday invented by the candy companies to make money.....but I am sold! Who could resist cheap teddy bears and candy hearts? Yum!

So in the spirit of everything that is Valentines, I hope you had a great one!

Too Early?

Does anyone else think it may be a bit too early to have the tampon talk? I'm thinking that it just may be!