When is March Madness again?

Tonight, while monitoring Jake playing outside on the neighborhood playground, I was talking with our friend/neighbor. He asked me where Blaine served his mission (Connecticut) and when I answered him, he asked me if Blaine was super excited about [their basketball team]. (I used brackets there because I have no idea what team he said. I know it was basketball, but don't know or care enough to try and remember.)

Now, I've always been "on the outs" with sports-- not because I have something to prove, or even have anything "against" sports or sports fans at all (everyone needs a hobby!)-- I just don't care enough to follow them. There's been the rare occasion where I have paid attention to The Jazz (remember the good 'ol Western Championship days?) and I enjoy attending sporting events, but I shamelessly admit that I am there for the ambiance and, more often than not, the food. (I said it.) 

I only know who "Jimmer" is thanks to Facebook statuses.
I only know about that other BYU football player getting kicked out thanks to Conan.
Every year, Blaine and I have to ask someone who is in the Superbowl.

I am so happy that I married a dude who doesn't care about sports either. I love that this month is now over and I'm not relieved that I get my husband and the TV back. I mean, I may have to deal with the computer games and Tuesday nights being off limits due to "gaming night", but at least when I'm sans Blaine, I still get to watch the TV. (Thanks, honey!)

Here We Come

This has been planned for a little while now and I don't know know why I haven't blabbed about it yet... I'm so freakin' excited...
But today I need a little happy reminder that vacation is coming soon.... soon... soon...
We are going here:

And here:
Oh, I can't wait.
Especially today.

C'mon!

Really? The Dish is canceled? C'mon!

I love you, Topanga.

I mean, Danielle.

The Fort

Guess what I found when I came home from one of the baby showers I went to today?

Makes me smile Every time...

Van Douglas Carter

Van Douglas Carter was born on Saturday, March 19th.
7 lbs. 2 oz. 19 in.
Jen and baby are doing great (despite a cesarean birth). As soon as we had the green light, we jumped in the car and headed south to meet the newest Carter.

 Jake was less than excited about the impromptu photo shoot in the car.

 Hanging out in the waiting room.

 

 I saved the best for last. I love this picture. Doug is already a great daddy.

Van the man.

And Jen's already a great mommy.

My Current Favorites:

 Raising Hope

If you haven't watched it yet, then shame on you. I love it.

Phineas and Ferb

Yeah, I said it. And I mean it too. This show is hilarious.

{Jake thinks it's pretty great too.}

Nineties flash-back

Today I've listened to a little Pearl Jam, some Stone Temple Pilots, and Counting Crows: "August and Everything After"...

Now, where are my Doc Martens?

Mishaps

When I was three years old, my dad wandered outside to find out what the loud, metal-crushing sound was that he was hearing from inside the house.
He found me, his firstborn, using the roof of his brand new car as a trampoline.
I don't remember getting up on the car (I was three years old), or which friend coerced me into the jumping performance for all the neighborhood kids... but I can still remember the way my dad's voice sounded when he said my name and asked me what I was doing. I remember the way my blood ran cold and the fear I felt in knowing that I was in Really. Big. Trouble.
Over the years, I've often wondered at how my dad didn't straight-up kill me right then and there. But tonight--when I found Jake hitting and smashing his pine-cone against my brand new kitchen table, I saw red.
So, I'm sorry Dad. Really... and I mean it this time.

*I have been debating if the crack in the table top's seam and dent in the leg (straight out the box!) warranted a return. I think that now--yes it does. 

Nice Day for a Walk, a Nap, and a Pine-cone

Clapping and Peek-a-Boo

This little girl is ten months old and loving it. {So are we, actually.}

She loves to clap and really gets a kick out us cheering her on. She has an adorable little show-off smile that is killer.

She's also started playing a little peek-a-boo with us. She isn't always spot-on with her hand placement and will sometimes just end up smashing her little cheeks or forehead, but it is always the cutest trick ever.

It's so fun watching her hit her milestones. They are so different from Jake's--which is kind of fun.
Gosh, we love this little girl.

Photo Shoot for No Reason at All

Does anyone really need a good reason to take a ridiculous amount of pictures of your kids?

I could use the practice... Some of these are really not great. At least the subjects are pretty.

{Even though a certain little girl kept trying to escape the lens to make her brother laugh.}

Anyway, I love the frothy tutu. My amazing friend, Allison made it for me when I was pregnant and I've been dying to snap a few pictures of Sarah in it.

I also love the crappy clapping pictures. You really can't tell what's going on --they are so blurry, but clapping is Sarah's favorite past-time these days. We all think it's pretty cool.