Miss Lisa's Graduation!

"My big comeback" . . . not so big. I am really behind with my blogging (family history), but I just got some pictures from my dad so we'll start here . . . .

Lisa graduated from Utah State in Social Work on May 3! So for my parents, 3 out of 4 down with only 1 to go. Not only are Ansen and I proud of Lisa, but frankly we're pretty proud of ourselves since this is the first sibling graduation we made it to in whole and on time (that will have to be a post to come since there's a good "mom memory" there).

Ansen, Ashleigh, Olivia, Jeff, Lisa, Mom, Addie, Dad

Kate and Lisa

We went to Iron Gate for dinner (another "luxury" that opened 2 months before we moved) and then back to Lisa's apartment for 3 different kinds of cake. Lisa loves cake so Kate made her a sugar cookie cake, I made her wax ball cupcakes with blue and white frosting (for USU, not BYU) with of course sprinkles and then I also made chocolate cupcakes at my cake decorating class that morning which I brought to share. So, all in all-BIG, FUN day. Lisa is moving to Salt Lake later this summer and I can't wait to have her closer! I get to be one of those people that "goes to lunch with their sister (and mom)." Congratulations Lisa!

What I learned in high school . . .

Natalie posted (as usual) the funniest park experience that I keep laughing at. Look at Natalie & Ben-March 27, "A New Low" http://benatriley.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-low.html. Anyway, Natalie's blog reminded me of the moto we made up in high school that I've held onto . . .

Making a fool of yourself only gives people something to talk about and you something to laugh about.

Natalie's recent experience at the park reminded me of a favorite of mine. And to Natalie . . . thanks for the laughs and laughs then (the library window comes to mind) and now.

I was in Salt Lake over Conference weekend. Ansen's dad and Ansen were ushering at Conference and I was enjoying a mature ladies shopping day with my sweet little 6 month old. I was at the mall walking around when I noticed that Addison had lost her binky so I decided to re-trace all my steps looking for it. I was concentrating on the floor so hard that I didn't notice my baby slowly slipping out the bottom of her strolled. I was completely unaware of any problem-except for the missing binky-until I heard a loud slapping noise (Addison's belly, hands and then face slapping the tile floor) and then ran over a bump (my baby) with the stroller. The ladies at the check out counter looked absolutely mortified and I'm sure they were thinking what senseless mother let that immature girl babysit their helpless baby. But oh, no I was the mother. I did find her binky under a clothes rack as I was bending over the pick up her up, which made me question whether it had ever even been lost in the first place or just under her in the stroller.

Unfortunately this whole scene happened a little over a year later at Temple Square while we were looking at the Christmas lights with my friend Jen. Addison was a little older, but there was a bigger audience.

She lived and I actually think she's exceptionally smart considering. I have learned my lesson, kind of, since I strap Olivia in every time in spite of the screaming and kicking. But, really who am I kidding, it's not a safety issue, it's a containment issue.

Monkeys, Tigers and Snakes . . .Oh my!

Welcome to the Jungle!

I did my first friends birthday party for Addison this year. We did a Jungle theme and I tried to turn the basement (with great stretch to the imagination) into a jungle safari. We had a river with rocks to jump on before the crocs got your toes, monkeys hanging all over, a snake pit, hanging vines and a tigers lair. The kids got safari hats, pills and a shot so they wouldn't get sick. I did such a great job hyping up the jungle Mason was too scared to even go on the safari. Some games, a craft (that my mom, me and Ansen really enjoyed doing for 11 kids as it turned out) and a snake cake. I think we're good for another 5 years . . . .