Blog Addresses

Hello Friends, A couple months ago I changed the design of our blog, and, sadly, lost all of your blog addresses. I feel SO out of the loop. Could you please send us the URL for your blog (via email or comment on this post). Can't wait to see what you are all up to. Thanks, Kelly

My New Favorite Picture

St. Patricks Day

Savannah wore her favorite shirt to school on St. Patrick's day... Minne Mouse.

Savvy acting shy.

Savvy's showing Mommy her shirt.
Savvy looking at her shirt saying, "Hi Minnie Mouse!"
And, I caught this one at school. When I went back to get the photo for the blog I thought... Gross!
When did whe start picking her nose! I guess she wanted to wear more green.

Savannah's First Hair Cut

On Saturday I took Savannah with me to get my hair done. She was a hand full, but after a while really loved it there. Everyone was so nice to her and even gave her a lolly pop. They showed me how to cut Savannah's hair. I just wanted to even everything and they gave me the confidence that this is something I could do myself. So, when I got home I did it!

Brian was really worried that I was going to mess up, but it was so simple. It came out perfectly even. Her hair was really long in the back was shorter in the front, but now it is the same length all around. I saved the first snip, tied a ribbon around it and put it away in her keep sake box.

Savannah wasn't too happy about getting her picture taken- she is so shy.

The FINAL product. She is leaning forward, but it really is completely even. She still has her curls, but when I blow dry it it flips up all the way around.

Tomato

Savvy saw a big, red tomato in the refrigerator and really wanted to eat it. I explained that it wasn't an apple (just in case that was the point of confusion). She was dead set on eating it. Brian asked if we should take it from her, but I thought, surely after she take a bite she will realize it is not an apple and give it back. Well, nope. She loved it. She at the entire thing. Now she loves to eat them all the time. However, they are really messy so I have to strip her down to a diaper when she gets one.

Dressing Up

Savannah got a bunch of dress up clothes from Auntie Lisa. She loves all of it, but especially those white beaded high heels and the red purse.

Valentines Day Party

Friends in our ward through a Valentines Day Party. It was super fun and Savannah loved it- Especially the bounce house. She love looking through the valentines day bad and looking at the valentine's and eating the candy.

Auntie's Funeral

Auntie's funeral was a while ago, but I wanted to mention it on my blog. All the details from the day, including photos, are on her ALS blog.

It was a touching and surreal day. I was asked to give the prayer at the luncheon and prepare all the snacks for the family's cars to the grave site. My friend Emily helped me shop for the stuff and pack the coolers. Peter came in from Dallas- looking handsome as always. Peter, Matt and my Dad were all pallbearers. My Mom spoke and told funny old stories. Savvy, of course, wore a huge, puffy Luann's dress (I thought Auntie would like that).

Peter's new look was fake black rimmed glasses. It's just for looks, but it totally adds to his new reporter image. Next thing you know he will be changing into his superhero outfit in a phone booth :)

Friends

A neighbor of ours is the lead singer in a country band. I always thought, OK, ya, lots of people are in bands. However, it turns out that he is in a really popular band. He invited Brian and I to watch them at the House of Blues in Anaheim, Down Town Disney. Brian stayed home with Savvy and I went out with my girlfriend. It's so neat that after almost 8 years I still have 3 great friends from high school- all three were bridesmaids at my wedding.

Rainy Day

A couple weeks ago it was really raining on a Wednesday. This is the day I work from home so we go outside and play a lot. Usually she rides her tricycle or we take Lilly for long walks. Since we were stuck inside we had a reading day. I set up her table and chair in the living room, made a big stack of books and we made it a game of going through the big stack. After a while she became very independent and wanted to read the supper small books on her own. By the way, I just love her big soft hoodie that she is wearing in the photo. Super cute!

A long Day

I snapped this photo because it was just too cute. After a day full of activities and school Savannah wanted to eat her dessert (pudding) on the couch. It just screamed, "Give me a break, I've had a long day".

Chapman Cubical

It's not fancy, but it's mine. I was given a office space for office hours with students. It's exciting to be moving towards this new carear. I am looking forward to someday being a tenured Professor... someday, but this is the first step.

Lesson Learned

I realized that I tend to always tell everyone about the good stuff when it comes to grant writing. However, I have hit a couple speed bumps lately. I have been trying to fund a new asset building program, but needed seed money of 1 million. So, technically this wasn't grant writing, and more like fundraising (aka begging). Asking for money face to face is just the worst. Imagine just me on one side of the massive board room table with two people on the other side. They ask how much do you need, and I have to throw out a number. This is actually a very strategic conversation- reading the room, their enthusiasm for the project and considering their financial situation. Today, was an off day- nothing went right in this meeting. Nothing is worse than asking for money and getting an immediate response of NO. It's just awkard- how do you wrap that up? How do you leave and still save face? It's awful. I rather just sit on the couch and write grants then go beg for money in person- it's AWFUL!