I know, you just can't wait...

Here's Asher in part of his costume (yeah, he won't wear a tie for Church, but he will wear one for a Halloween costume):

And, then, of course, there's Luke (we're working on his ferocious roar).

Tricky Luke

Should I tell Luke that you're supposed to wear a lampshade, not a toilet seat?

Conversations with the Boys

Asher "making dinner" in the bathtub

Mom: Asher, are you making some dinner?
Asher: yeah!
Mom: What are you making?
Asher: Water!
Mom: Oh, water sounds good. Could you make me some noodles, too?
Asher: No, Mom. Just water.




4:45 am, Luke has been crying in his bed…

Luke: Mom?
Luke: Show?
Luke: OK!

Dr. Ray, Our New Family Dentist

How lucky am I to have a cousin who's a dentist?

I've never been a fan of going to the dentist. I only go when something is wrong, which happened a couple months ago. So, I went to a good dentist up the street. Nice guy, good work, but I thought I really should take my dental needs to my cousin, Peter (and not just because I have this running theme on my blog about chatting about my extended family). So, this week, after a month of a really bad tooth, I reached the tipping point and called Peter's office.

My sister, Rachel, graciously watched the boys, and I got to visit with my cousin AND get my tooth fixed. Frankly, it was the most fun I've had at the dentist's...

And, Pete is REALLY good (it helps that he's seen me cry about less than a cavity; actually, he's seen me cry about a lot more than a cavity, too.). I didn't even feel the novicane shot, got that filling done, and it hasn't given me a problem since.

So, you Gilbert-area people should totally go seen Peter, er...Dr. Ray. Gosh, even those of you who don't live in Gilbert should go see him because really, when was the last time you didn't feel the pinch of the novicane shot?

Now, if I could just relearn to chew on the left side, I'd be all set.

Feminist Genealogy

I wrote a post about my great-grandmother at my Mormon feminist website today.

Family members, I'd particularly love to hear your input and stories.

Pa's Paintings

Because contributing to three blogs isn't enough...

http://etpart.blogspot.com/

My sister started this blog to try and get all of our grandpa's paintings chronicled in one place. He was an inspired artist, and we thought it's be fun to have a catalog of all of his pieces.

Aunt Brooke's Blankets

So, my aunt went and started her own business a bit ago with her own logo and website. How cool is my entrepreneurial aunt?!

We family members have been reaping the rewards by getting these super cute blankets that are so soft. I've given a couple as gifts, and I bought one for Luke (because we, ahem, want to support Aunt Brooke's business--at least, that's how I justified it) that I love so much.

Well, I've decided its now my blanket, even though Asher tried to steal it today. Geeze! Like he doesn't have his own blanket!


With the cute wrapping and gift tag, these blankets are such perfect baby gifts. I can't wait to have more friends have babies!

Who needs Mr. Darcy?

I got to go to Boston last weekend for an Exponent II retreat and to see some friends. It was so much fun! I hate to brag, but really, I have lovely and amazing friends (um, some of you clearly need to get blogs--how else will people know a. you exist and b. more importantly, that you're one of my lovely and amazing friends?). I got to see many (but sadly, not all--note to self: rent a car next time) in Boston, and then, I had several holding down the fort for me in Phoenix. Seriously, so blessed!

Nate wasn't too excited about me going, but he was nice when the time came and did a great job keeping the boys alive. That goose egg on Luke's head? Um, that happened the morning I got back from the retreat and watched him tumble out of the grocery cart head first.

Also, I got to read an entire novel this weekend (love airplane travel w/o kids) and thoroughly enjoyed it because it has a heroine and hero I sincerely admire. I've often suspected that I'm the only Mormon woman who isn't a fan of Pride and Prejudice and who doesn't wish Mr. Darcy would come and marry me. But, I am a fan of Captain Jack Elliot, and well, Nate is my Jack Elliot.

Oh, the picture? That's the house across the street from us in our old house. It's the only picture I took this weekend that makes me happy that I live in Phoenix now. (Incidentally, there are lots of reasons I'm happy to live in Phoenix now, but it's hard to take pictures of the snow, the lack of drive-thrus, and the cost of living in Boston or conversely, an Arizona sunset and all the family that surrounds us.) I figure I'll spare us all the pictures of the drug dealer's home (he lived under the stairs of the house next door and the prostitute's house who lived down the street.