Our Nest

First Ever Cousin Sleepover

2011-11-21T18:28:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 18th was our first cousin sleep over. We started the festivities with a mac n' cheese dinner. Everyone loved it.

These guys are best buddies.

Ashlynne was the best baby enjoying all her siblings and cousin enjoying themselves.

It snowed that night so the next morning we went outside to play, have snowball fights and in some cases, eat the snow. Yum.

It was a GREAT night.

Snowbird

2011-11-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

For work, I had the opportunity to stay up at the Lodge at Snowbird to test the new sofa sleepers. We had a great time. It was my birthday weekend, so we went out to a sushi dinner and then headed up to the 'Bird.

They had a great fireplace in the front lobby area.

It had snowed that day so Emma had a great time using her new snow boots and winter coat.

We had beautiful views outside our balcony window. We even got to swim in a heated outdoor pool. We all thought that was pretty cool to swim when there was snow all around us.

New Sink

2011-11-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

We recently had to replace our kitchen sink. We had to replace the faucet and with that came a replacement of the sink too. It looks 100 times better now.

BEFORE

AFTER

Ridicoulous-ness

2011-11-20T19:28:00.000-08:00

For my birthday, I went to get my haircut. This is something of a tradition for me. I love getting my hair washed and styled. The thing is, in Utah, when getting my hair styled, the last 2 times I have had this done, I come out looking like the woman who cut my hair.

I looked like a country music star, circa 1990. Good times.

Halloween

2011-11-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

For Halloween, we had our very own super hero in our midst. Emma wanted to be Batman. She was pretty stoked when we showed her her costume and mask. She did such a great job going to our neighbor's doors and knocking. She kept forgetting to say "trick or treat" and she kept wanting to go inside their houses, but all-in-all it was a great night. Ben took her out one-on-one and when I got home from work, I was able to take her out. We had a blast.

Halloween Program & Pumpkin Carving 2011

2011-11-14T17:52:00.000-08:00

Emma had her day care school program the Friday before Halloween, October 28, 2011.

Her class sang 2 songs, neither of which she participated in. The position she is in here is the position she remained in.

The Sunday before Halloween, we carved our pumpkins. Emma was so excited!

Ben's is on the left, then Emma's, and last but not least mine is on the right.

A fun night had by all.

Tuesday Night S'More Night

2011-10-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight, not only did Ben make dinner for us, he also made dessert.

And not just any dessert-SMOREs. What a guy.

Emma was in heaven making hers.

Only after hers was completely assembled, did she decide she only wanted the chocolate. A girl after my own heart.

It was quite the Tuesday night.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-25T19:35:00.001-07:00

We went to the local pumpkin patch just up the street from us. This particular pumpkin patch has a playground. Emma had more fun with the playground than she did looking at pumpkins. Luckily, with my motherly trickery, I convinced her to take a picture on the pumpkin. You can see by her demeanor that she is 'too cool for school'. i don't care-she is the cutest child in the world.

Family Fun with Fall

2011-10-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, Ben surprised with the idea of going for a drive in the mountains to take in the beautiful fall weather. It was abeautiful day. Perfect temperature and fall colors to boot. We drove through Big Cottonwood Canyon over to the Park City side. We had lunch in Park City at a place called "Flippin Burgers" which I though was a cute play on words. We even stopped by the outlet stores. Every once in a while Ben surprises me with something so amazing, it's surprising ;)Love that man.

On that note, last Friday was our 5th Wedding Anniversary. Five wonderful years being married to my best friend. Love ya babe.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Hebgen Lake, 2011

2011-08-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

One weekend in July, we packed up the old Corolla and drove up to Hebgen Lake, Montana. Emma had a great time with her 'Murf' the Smurf and even decked him out with her sunglasses. She's so considerate.

She got to sleep in her own sleeping bag on the floor in her great-grandpa and great-ma's living room. What a lucky girl! Also, take note of Murf again.

The next day, we went into Yellowstone National Park. All in all, it was a good trip for us.

Here are some pictures of Emma with her cousins and Grandma and of course, the main attraction of the park, Old Faithful.

July 4, 2011

2011-08-08T21:12:00.001-07:00

HAPPY 4TH of JULY EVERYONE.

i know this is kinda late. but better late than ever.

emma loved the idea of sparklers and had a lot of fun with her daddy.

we had a lovely barbeque with some friends and stayed up extra late to see the fireworks.

emma was TERRIFIED of them. and i use that word with much feeling. she spent the entire firework show with her hands over her ears smushed up to my chest with her eyes shut tight.

poor girl.

During the day, though, she had a pretty great day. especially holiday shopping with mama in the morning hours and hanging out with mama and daddy that afternoon and night.

ben didn't go shopping with you guys? you might ask. no-no he did not. ben was one of the lucky ones who went skiing at snowbird on the 4th of july. it's only happened a few times before this and it is quite the novelty. snowbird is so awesome.

A Story...

2011-07-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

tonight at dinner, i told emma she was going to be a flower girl at nicole's wedding. isn't that so exciting, i asked her.

she immediately starts shoveling in her mac and cheese saying we had to eat quick, quick because we had to go to 'micole's wedding.

i told her not tonight, but later on we would go to nicole's wedding. she then says to me, tomorrow?

me- no not tomorrow, after that.

emma- saturday? saturday we're going to micole's wedding.

at this, i just laughed and said yes, on a saturday we are going to nicole's wedding.

i thought it was pretty cute :)

Our Home

2011-06-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

We are slowly getting settled in our "Casa de Holbrook." We have found out that Emma actually likes eggs. Much to her father's happiness, since eggs are his absolute favorite.

Our second weekend we made our way to our neighborhood park, 10 minutes away. Emma had a good time with her sunglasses on.

Like mother, like daughter.

She climbed this thing all by herself. I was such a proud mama- Although secretly afraid the whole time.

It is my hope and dream to update more often. Especially with home projects and updates. We shall see what the future brings.

Until then... happy summer everyone.

May 6, 2011

2011-05-23T19:11:00.001-07:00

On May 6, 2011, I graduated from the University of Utah. I started college the summer of 2004. Finally, I am done. Ben, Emma, my parents, and my sister, Amy were all there to see me receive my diploma. David stopped by, which was appreciated and Ben's brother, Stephen came to see too. It was a pretty awesome day.

13 Miles to Freedom

2011-04-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

April 16 was my first half marathon. 13.1 miles. I ran it in 2 hours and 13 minutes.

I beat my goal. Ben and Emma were there at the finish line cheering me on. It was one of the best moments of my life.

Now I know I can do anything I put my mind to!

Nook of Books

2011-02-01T19:51:00.001-08:00

Emma loves reading books. LOVES it. We recently found this great bookcase, which is just her size, for her room to keep all of her books neat. She will sit in her room and read books to herself. I have to admit, I think it's because she is a little genius who will grow up to cure cancers and rule the academic world (just like her mom).

These Shoes are Made for Walking

2011-02-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

Emma loves wearing my shoes. She's pretty cute in them..and walks pretty well too. It's pretty impressive.

Love this girl :)

Dad-this one's for you

2011-01-17T18:51:00.001-08:00

My dad got Emma these Cubs pajamas. They are a 3T. My little girl is only 2 and she is now wearing 3T. This is besides the point...we allow her to pick out her own PJ's every night and these are the ones she has picked out and wears almost every night. We might not be huge Cubs fans- GO CARDS!- but Emma loves these PJ's.

Good Job Grandpa!

Emma's First Ski

2010-11-29T19:31:00.000-08:00

On Emma's birthday, we took her up to Snowbird for her first skiing experience. She has been talking about "Emma skiing" for a while now, so we decided her birthday would be the perfect day to take her. Needless to say, she had a blast.

You can imagine how ecstatic Ben was to take her up. He couldn't wait to get her out on the mountain. This is Emma in her snow bibs getting her ski boots put on her little 2-year-old feet.

Here she is in her full get-up. Ready to ski.

Outside on Chickadee.

Her first chair lift ride.

She had a great time, and it was fun for Ben and me too. This was my first time for about 2 1/2 years. It was good to get back on the mountain. We're going to try to start going every week or so. And, Emma might get a sled for Christmas so we can start sledding together too. Hopefully, when school's over for me, I can get some weekend days off. We shall see. Only two more weeks for me until I'm a college graduate.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

Emma had a great time in her "big girl" chair watching Ben and me in the kitchen getting Thanksgiving dinner together.

Ben did the majority of the cooking (as planned) and did it with a smile on his face. What a guy!

All in all, it was a good day. Emma had a hard time with nap time, because both mom and dad were home. It was hard not to stay up to get quality time with both parents. Who can blame her, we are pretty cool. We hope the rest of you had a Happy Thanksgiving too.

First Haircut and First Sucker

2010-10-28T19:06:00.001-07:00

Emma recently got her first haircut at "Cookie Cutters." She had a great time and sat really well for the lady to cut. She also got her first sucker that she completely demolished. It was a good time for all and I got some great pictures too.

Pretty Cute eh?

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2010-09-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

So, for those of you who aren't familiar with Emma's eating habits, she refuses to eat anything for dinner other than chicken nuggets and applesauce. Tonight, we tried chocolate chip pancakes. She really likes the chocolate chips (who wouldn't) and I thought I would be able to fool her with my motherly trickery. But to no avail. She picked out almost every chocolate chip in her pancake and left the pancake part alone. Ugh. I don't know how to win with her.

Here are some pictures to prove she attempted eating dinner with me tonight.

September 22, 2010

2010-09-22T18:53:00.001-07:00

Emma and I had a great time putting on PJ's tonight.

This is her new stool that she likes to sit on.

Notice how she has no pants on. Her new favorite past time: taking her clothes off (including diaper sometimes).

These are her new slippers and hand puppet for bath time. She absolutely loves putting them on...all the time.

Isn't she the cutest. I sure do love her.

Antelope Island

2010-09-02T19:32:00.001-07:00

We recently went to Antelope Island with my parents while they were in town. It wasn't all that exciting but we did get some good pictures. Here they are.

Emma and Papa on the saddle.

Emma and da-da looking at the buffalo- I mean bison.

A very rare picture of Ben and me without an arm out-stretched.

I'm not sure what drew Emma to this end of the bison but she kept pointing at it.

Emma and mommy.

It is a lot prettier after going through my photo-shop. It was a fun day. Thanks mom and dad!

Popsicle Fun and Other News

2010-08-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

One of Emma's favorite treats is Popsicles. This is her, cute as ever, smile because she is thrilled to be eating one. Notice how I color coordinate. What a dork. Anyways, it was hot today.

In other news, we have put an offer down on a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with basement and will hear to see if the seller has accepted our offer tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that this one goes through because it is a perfect house for our growing family.

Also, it is my goal to start updating my blog more often as well. We'll see how that goes.

Here's to the next -and last- semester of school!