Mother's Day

Daron's sweet tribute for Mother's Day!

Showers...the kind I like

My dearest sister-in-law hosted us a baby shower last weekend with the help of our buddy Amber and the various contributions of many others that I love.  It was so fun and my friends and family are amazingly generous and supportive.  My mom and Shelly made the long trip from Missouri and that was the funnest thing of my life to have them there and show them off to all my South Carolina people.  We made onesies and yarn letters and ate delicious food and mostly I just enjoyed being surrounded by the best people ever.  Lots of people that couldn't be there sent things and called and texted and I felt very loved!

I am kinda terrible at thank you cards which is embarrassing and I was taught better.  I usually wait too long and wonder if they giver will even remember what I'm referring to by the time the note gets in the mail.  Writing thank yous for the shower was actually a really sweet experience.  I enjoyed getting to take the time to sit and think of and appreciate each of my amazing buddies and family and even some people that I don't know too well.  You all deserve more than a card, but I am truly touched at how thoughtful and kind  you are...for the gifts, for driving, for spending the day with me, for your well wishes and kind words for our baby.  We love you!

The Aftermath

Wheel of Misfortune

We went to Red Bird Studios on a Goupon deal to see what pottery making on a wheel is all about.  I was all geared up because I have wanted to do this for a long time.  BUT...events took a "turn" for the worst.  My pots all went wobbly.  Sad to say I am not good at ceramics.  These guys, however, were prodigies!

Daron's Cool Pot.

Pottery Buddies.

That's Too Small to be a Real Pinecone

Look at our tiny little discoveries!

Yes, that is my lovely smooth uterus (so says the doctor) and look who's inside!?!? ...Not sure, never met him/her but I am guessing they are cool.  Hope you think so too!

Kansas City

Guest writer: Jess
Took the long weekend to see some good buddies in KC, KS.  We ate, we shopped, we talked about every number of things.  We played Cutthroat Spades by what may or may not have been the actual rules.  We watch The Decoy Bride (highly recommended for a girls night in need of the perfect cheesy romance). We ate Egyptian  falafel and grape leaves and  baba ghannoug (adventurous for me) and mostly we felt happy being with quality people who love us and share a common history.  At least I did!

I'm Wearing a Vest!

Here is a run-down of the 2012 cold weather hollidays.

Halloween
Daron and Jess were up to their embarrassing antics again as Garth and Kat for Halloween.  They would like you to think that this was a one night thing, but they as a habit (a bad one) like to sing all manor of conversations to each other. Jess made matching vests to keep it authentic.  There are some videos out there somewhere, but alas I do not have them.  With their fashion sense they are lucky people recognized it as a costume.  The word is that is was a fabulous party, Kristin!

Thanksgiving Highlights
Headed to Greeneville for what was potentially the best turkey ever.
Found Waldo on every page of all three volumes.
Took a ride on the Pontoon!  (Making waves and catching rays up on the roof...)
Family bowling and outlet shopping.

Christmas
They had a Christmas celebration with Daron's folks here and then headed off to Missouri for more festivities.  They saw lots of amazing people and ate lots of amazing food and ten pounds later they returned to me-skin and bones and frozen solid.

Happy New Year!  With the Howes and the Olivers and some good ole' Rock of Ages.  Is there any other way to celebrate?

Camping

Life has been boring around here lately.  Good boring, but boring.  I got a peaceful weekend recently when Daron and Jess opted for sleeping outside on the ground.  They visited Twin Falls and camped at Table Rock State Park with some good buddies.  The trip was reminiscent of the one from a few years back where the roomies won some kind of couple's challenge including games like dirt pictionary, frisbee relay, and throwing equine footwear at stakes in the ground...what they won't brag about.  This year the main challenge was catching falling leaves in transit.  They did not win.

They did...
Take a Nature Nap
Eat delicious food alfresco
Enjoy some beautiful scenery

Here are some photos stolen from this superior retelling/documenting of the weekend.
When David Met Rose

And reminiscing from the trip two years back...
When David Met Rose