Him

HE is a Good Dad
HE tickles me when I deserve it
HE just turned 25 and devoured every marinated ounce of tri tip and coconut shrimp I made him
HE taught Grace to say "SASSY!"- I need to record this
HE knows his scripture stories like the back of his hand
HE has the entire "I have a Dream" speech by MLK memorized, and can recite it perfectly
HE ate with nothing but chopsticks (even his cereal) the entire year of 1995
HE attacked me with a sharpie while we were dating and gave me eyelashes that went to the middle of my forehead. Oh! and whiskers!
HE can long board like its nobodies business
HE has someone named after him- an adorable 15 month old tongan baby
HE has completed a triathlon
HE Loves Grace

HE made me mow the lawn and rake leaves on Saturdays- Josh thanks him every time they chat
HE baptized me when I was 8
HE loves his family and ancestors
HE made me my very own desk when I was 9
HE taught me my assertive bargaining/not letting people take advantage of me "skills"
HE has read the BOM cover to cover in 24 hours multiple times!
HE is the Ebay king!
HE ordered a 200 lb shipment of walnuts to our house when I was 12. We shelled them and used them as Christmas gifts for others.
HE makes cool sound effects when he holds his grandkids. They LOVE it, just like I did when I was little
HE gave me his car when I turned 16. 1986 Chevy Nova. And then bought 3 more for the rest of his girls. ( I have 5 sisters, 4 of which can drive)
HE gave me my nose
HE looked like superman
HE worked at the marina on Lake minnetonka renting and selling boats
HE loves all 5 of HIS girls and my Mom with all of his heart
HE is a great Dad.
(this post is about 2 weeks late!)

Sneaky

Not a Baby Anymore

- Opens front door and leaves when she pleases
- Asks to play with her friends and cousins on a regular basis
- Folds her arms for the prayer and says "amen"
- Has used the big girl potty 1 time
- Saw me eating a cookie and asked if she could just "hold it"
- Said " No touch it" today after she got in trouble for banging on the computer key board
- Will sit still for an entire hour and a half to watch " Wo Wo" (nemo)
- Thinks trail mix should be served at every meal. Yes, she devours cashews, almonds, raisins and dried fruit. Also loves olives and GREEN ONIONS! What!
- Will be a big sister on Jan 7th 2010!

Eastern Market. Down town

This last Saturday we went down to the Market. It was the highlight of my week as it brought back some perfect memories of going with Grandma Mixa when I was little. She always bought fresh nuts, bread and jam.

I went a little crazy on the pictures but I had to take in all the colors, smells, and sights. I will be going again soon.

Aunt Buff

We LOVE our Aunt Beth. Look how beautiful and grown up she is.

Cari is HERE!

Cari got here Sunday and Grace has been on her hip ever since. Tonight I borrowed "Kee Kee" while we were waiting for "Akk"to get home and we enjoyed some pilates. Cari whooped me, she is SO strong!

(picture courtesy: my hard working husband)

23

(so sad I didnt get one of Josh and I)

morning kisses + a special package + ckn cordon bleu (from Jenilyn) + funfetti cupcakes + PF Changs + Sur Le Table + something green (a new plant!) + rice krispie treats + lots of Birthday wishes = A Happy Birthday!

Playground Heaven

This was the parks of all parks! More visits and pictures to come.

Botanical Gardens

Saturday was Jenilyn's birthday, so in honor of her broad knowledge of plants ( her degree is in Horticulture) we went to the botanical gardens in Vienna. They were so refreshing and seemed almost as if we were in a dreamland of GREEN. We are excited to go back in a few weeks when more of the flowers are in bloom.


( hahah this is me making my chubby face=)

93 degrees and the Fountain

The pool at our apartments is not open for a few more weeks, so we decided to improvise..

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home..

Grace and I sing this as often as we can. We really miss Josh while he is working all day long. We started singing this when Grace was about 6 months old and before Grace was 1 Josh taught her HIS version of the song. It goes like this...

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy... "and you know the rest.

Today Grace must have been bored, she decided to switch things up a bit by singing..

" Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Dee-an, Dee-an, Dee-an, E-yee, E-yee, E-yee" I laughed so hard! It was so cute that she was thinking of Dylan and Ellie, she misses them so so much.

Painting with Wes

My sister Jenilyn set this up for Grace and Wes. Within about 2 min, the walls were blue and so were our babies! They had so much fun eating and throwing paint.

Great Finds

Used this....

Read this...

Made these....

Thai Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

2-4 cups cooked rice

Chicken:
2-3 chicken breasts
½ red onion, minced
1-2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 T minced fresh ginger
2 cloves minced garlic
soy or Teriyaki sauce
1 T Thai chili paste (optional)

1 head iceberg Lettuce

Sauté onion in hot oil until tender. Add chicken and sauté until no longer pink. Add the cabbage, carrots, ginger, garlic and sauté until tender. Sprinkle with soy or teriyaki sauce and Thai chili paste as desired for flavor. Eat right away, so cabbage doesn’t get soggy.

Peanut Sauce:
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup sugar
¼ cup + 2 Tabs. soy or Teriyaki sauce
6 cloves minced garlic
¼ cup + 2 Tabs. water
¼ cup oil
2 tsp. Thai chili paste (optional)

Cook sauce in a pan on medium heat until sugar dissolves. Whisk until smooth. Stir often and keep warm.

To assemble wraps, spoon rice into a lettuce cup, top with chicken mixture, and spoon on peanut sauce.
( Thanks Deb and Miss for this delicious recipe!)

Discovered these...

( and ate almost all of them!)

Found this blog .....

(and I have spent a good 12+ hours on it! Its that cool- Thanks Hill)

And let G and W play in these...

(by far the best bubbles you will ever purchase)

Dandy Lions

We went to the park and this was Grace's favorite thing! And all she did for about 35 minutes, it was so cute. While on her hunt for yellow flowers, she came upon a worm. She picked it right up and stuck it into her mouth and when it moved she threw it. Love my curious 15 month old.

Fairfax Virginia

Well we have arrived. Josh got here Tuesday at 3 and we flew in at 5. We are so excited to spend this summer on the East Coast! Neither of us have been this way, and I am excited to brush up on some history.

A few things that I have noticed so far are...
- Brick is "in". You wont see any stucko or siding
- Most people here are on a mission to get somewhere. They walk fast and all look alike in their black coasts and leather bags
- SUV's and trucks are not "in". I get quite a few confused looks while I am out
- The greenery here is amazing. AND TALL! Cant find your way without a GPS
- You are going to be the only person in the store with a child. I have seen about 5 kids since I have been here
- The freeway takes me every where. EVEN TO THE PARK!

Its different and I like it. Ill keep you posted on our adventures.

Easter Sunday

Easter morning we said goodbye to Josh as he left for a 3 day car ride to Fairfax Va. Because he was gone, this was an excuse to go to Lorna's ward and spend Easter with her and Craig. We enjoyed a beautiful sacrament meeting with some very talented musical numbers followed by a beautiful R.S. lesson on Joseph Smith. It was such a nice break from serving in the Nursery (although we LOVE our calling).


Happy EASTER!

Date Night

Cari and Alec were in town for spring break and I wish so bad that I had proof! I guess I do have a little, Josh and I were able to go on our first overnight date since January of 08! We had so much fun just being together. Thank you so much Cari and Alec!

Cari took a few pictures before we left.

Collette Reunion: Zions

For our Collette reunion we spent conference weekend in Zions National Park. We enjoyed doing crafts, watching Conference, playing Aquire( I won for the first time in my life!!), great food, dirt biking, hiking, and an easter egg hunt. Grace had so much fun playing with her cousins and Josh enjoyed long dirtbike rides with his siblings. We love our Collette Family.

Sister Satuday

A few weeks ago my sisters-in-laws and Lorna and I all spent a day in Salt Lake. It was so much fun to be just the girls. We ate a delicious lunch and then checked out some really neat shops. My favorite was The Children's Hour, if you get a chance, GO! And tell me what you think.

Cool Girls

California

Josh, Grace and I decided that we had had enough of this terrible Utah weather and headed to see my family in Sacramento for the weekend. Every time we go we are treated like royalty, a big comfy bed, amazing food, shopping, good talks, free baby sitting, great company and lots of SUNSHINE!

My Dad BBQ'ed every night! He is so sweet and thoughtful and knows just the kinds of food that Josh likes. My Mom worked on Beth's prom dress and made it look just right. Beth looked absolutely beautiful! Sometimes its hard for me to see my little sisters growing up.( last time I went home I told Cari that it was weird for her to be driving me around. HA! She got mad and said "ROSE!!! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR LIKE 3 YEARS!!!!" hahah)Grace had so much fun playing with her cousins Evie and Dallin outside on the backyard everyday. It was so nice to just let her play in the dirt and find bugs! Cari and Mel were so sweet to arrange a playdate at Tricks for our girls to do some gymnastics and play with our friends London, Jody and Matthew.




We miss you already California.

Love the Collettes