(Jenn) Today is the big day! My awesome little brother Brady is returning home from his mission in Chicago, IL (South mission). He has been an incredible missionary and has worked so hard. He has also had a LOT of fun being a missionary! I'm jealous of anyone who got to be his companion or work with him while he served in Chicago. Brady is seriously one of the most warm, radiant, lovable, hilarious, and centered people I know. He really has it all figured out! I'm sad that I won't see him this afternoon when he arrives in Utah, but he'll be coming here in just 2 1/2 weeks! I can't wait!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Elder Griffin Returns
(Jenn) Today is the big day! My awesome little brother Brady is returning home from his mission in Chicago, IL (South mission). He has been an incredible missionary and has worked so hard. He has also had a LOT of fun being a missionary! I'm jealous of anyone who got to be his companion or work with him while he served in Chicago. Brady is seriously one of the most warm, radiant, lovable, hilarious, and centered people I know. He really has it all figured out! I'm sad that I won't see him this afternoon when he arrives in Utah, but he'll be coming here in just 2 1/2 weeks! I can't wait!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Mommy's Bootiful Hair
(Jenn) My nephew Isaac has an obsession with touching my girls' hair ALL the time -- especially his mom's, grandma's, and sister's hair. He recently told my sister Kati, "Mom, I wish all the hair in the world would come and be on your head, and make your hair very long. Then I could always put my fingers in your hair." It is getting so out of hand that they're probably going to have to get a dog to help him slow down his addiction. Isaac is the only reason I got a little nervous when Henry decided to stroke my hair for about 10 minutes today. He kept saying, "Mommy's hair is VERY bootiful!" How could I resist letting him? Only time will tell what will come of this . . .
MLK in Pennsylvania
(Jenn)
This is my old roommate Emily and her husband Dave. They live in PA about 1/2 hour away from Philadelphia. For the MLK Day weekend, we invited ourselves to visit them! This picture was taken back in the good old Centennial days, but fortunately Emily and Dave look exactly the same (except Dave is even thinner now -- I think dental school is keeping him too busy to eat!). I should probably also add that their apartment is very tastefully furnished and decorated, so if I had remembered to actually take this picture of them on Sunday night, the background would not include tacky Christmas lights taped to the wall and that nasty Centennial couch.
This other picture is the home of John James Audubon, the naturalist for whom the National Audubon Society is named. This house is within walking distance from Emily and Dave's home. They spend summer nights there sitting on the back porch, looking over the beautiful grounds! It was a gorgeous place!
This is my old roommate Emily and her husband Dave. They live in PA about 1/2 hour away from Philadelphia. For the MLK Day weekend, we invited ourselves to visit them! This picture was taken back in the good old Centennial days, but fortunately Emily and Dave look exactly the same (except Dave is even thinner now -- I think dental school is keeping him too busy to eat!). I should probably also add that their apartment is very tastefully furnished and decorated, so if I had remembered to actually take this picture of them on Sunday night, the background would not include tacky Christmas lights taped to the wall and that nasty Centennial couch.
We shared a lovely Sunday dinner, played that night, and then we spent the night. The next morning, we went with Emily to Valley Forge, which is just a few minutes from their home. During the Revolutionary War, Washington and his troops camped on the grounds at Valley Forge for a winter. It was cool to see the cabins the soldiers stayed in as well as the memorials there.
This other picture is the home of John James Audubon, the naturalist for whom the National Audubon Society is named. This house is within walking distance from Emily and Dave's home. They spend summer nights there sitting on the back porch, looking over the beautiful grounds! It was a gorgeous place!
The official "reason" we went to Philly was to visit the University of Pennsylvania. Ben has applied to the Wharton School of Business' PhD program (along with 8 other programs), so we thought it would be nice to check out the campus just in case it ends up being one of our options. We had tours scheduled at the school, but it was so FREEZING COLD that we decided just to wander around on our own for as long as we could handle it. The campus is unique and very cool. It definitely has the feeling of being right in the middle of the city, although many of the structures are pretty old. All in all, Philly seems like a pretty nice city, at least what we were able to see! We'll keep you posted on whether we might end up there (or anywhere else) in a few months!
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Lack of Snow in Winter
(Jenn)
I took this picture last week in a prideful moment, when I was thinking, "Ha, ha, all of my friends and family in Utah are shoveling snow and freezing to death, and I am at the park in short sleeves in 66 degree weather!" Maybe that wasn't a very nice thought. Sorry! It was beautiful, and this week hasn't been so bad either (more like in the 40's though). I really WOULD like to have at least one more good snow this winter. We got Henry a snow tube for Christmas and have been reading Curious George Goes Sledding, and still Henry has never been sledding! So a good snow day would be nice. I just hope it doesn't come in 3 1/2 weeks from now when my family is here (they're coming to visit for my birthday week!). My brother Brady gets home from his mission a week from today! I can't even explain how excited I am!!!
Henry Quotes of the Month
(Jenn) So Henry's phrases are starting to get longer and more complex as he experiments with the English language. The result? Some pretty funny stuff! Man, this kid is making me laugh. Here are some examples:
Henry's Mixed-Up Version of English:
* "What's that noising?"
* "Who's that people's name?"
* (In response to my "You can eat that with your hands. It will be easier.") "Do it with a spoon, want."
Profound and Obscure Statements:
* "President Hinckley watches through the night."
* (While looking out the window at our next door neighbors' toy-filled back yard) "Lots of free toys!"
* (During yet another frustrating Henry-won't-eat-anything dinner) "Mommy do a angry face?"
* (In response to his own question, "Where's Daddy go?") "In New York City, in Empire State Building, with the missionaries."
* (Referring to a straw covered with chocolate milk residue) "Look! Has poop on it!"
Henry's Mixed-Up Version of English:
* "What's that noising?"
* "Who's that people's name?"
* (In response to my "You can eat that with your hands. It will be easier.") "Do it with a spoon, want."
Profound and Obscure Statements:
* "President Hinckley watches through the night."
* (While looking out the window at our next door neighbors' toy-filled back yard) "Lots of free toys!"
* (During yet another frustrating Henry-won't-eat-anything dinner) "Mommy do a angry face?"
* (In response to his own question, "Where's Daddy go?") "In New York City, in Empire State Building, with the missionaries."
* (Referring to a straw covered with chocolate milk residue) "Look! Has poop on it!"
Lip Liner, Round 2
(Jenn) This time he used real lip liner. I can't decide if he was trying to look like Mommy or Grandpa Dave. And my first thought was, "Dang, I hope he didn't waste too much of the lip liner. I can't buy another one until next month!" (already used all the money at ShopRite's Can Can Sale)"
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The Sock Song
(Jenn) Henry got bored of singing Christmas carols and is now composing his own songs. Here, his self-composed song about his not-so-secret love for socks. It may help you to know that Henry says his L's as N's, so when he says, "I nuv socks," he means, "I love socks." And trust me, he really does love them.
Sock Song from Ben and Jenn on Vimeo.
Sock Song from Ben and Jenn on Vimeo.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
People in Order
(Ben) A co-worker of mine shared this video with me. It's people from age 1 to 100 hitting a drum. I know, sounds weird, but it's cool.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
18 Stunning Bridges from Around the World
(Ben) I'm a little disappointed that the Brooklyn Bridge didn't make the list, but you've got to admit that these bridges are pretty impressive. Enjoy.
It's Pretty Hard
(Jenn)
Have you ever tried to wash someone's face while they're trying to lick/suck on the wash cloth you are using to try to wash their face?
Have you ever tried to coerce a 2 year-old to eat ANYTHING?
Have you ever tried to convince a 2 year-old that if only he would take ONE bite of his French toast and chew it, THEN you would give him more powdered sugar and syrup (since he had already licked off all of the sugar he was given to start with)?
It's pretty hard. [a.k.a. it's 7:26pm and Ben still isn't home. I'm really not used to handling dinner alone! I don't know how some moms deal with this all the time!]
Have you ever tried to wash someone's face while they're trying to lick/suck on the wash cloth you are using to try to wash their face?
Have you ever tried to coerce a 2 year-old to eat ANYTHING?
Have you ever tried to convince a 2 year-old that if only he would take ONE bite of his French toast and chew it, THEN you would give him more powdered sugar and syrup (since he had already licked off all of the sugar he was given to start with)?
It's pretty hard. [a.k.a. it's 7:26pm and Ben still isn't home. I'm really not used to handling dinner alone! I don't know how some moms deal with this all the time!]
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