Baby Shower!

My wonderful sister, Jessica, offered to throw me a baby shower. She noted that the baby won't be here for a couple months yet, but she and her family moved to Florida last week, so she wanted to be able to do it before she left. She chose the week that my other sister, Jasmine would be in town from Oklahoma, so I got to invite all my sisters! We had a lot of fun, and I'm really glad that so many people came that I don't see very often.

My favorite parts, aside from the general enjoyment of socializing, were the pinata (I had to get a photo of my grandma taking a swing) and the strawberries. I insisted on dipping my own chocolate strawberries for the shower because it gave me an excuse to leave work early to get it done, and I find it relaxing.

Before the baby shower I was going to decorate Reese's room in a red and green ladybug theme, but I decided to go with a more gender neutral decor after some baby gifts that had giraffes on them. I fell in love with the giraffe, and decided to go with a jungle animal theme. Unfortunately, once I had purchased the crib bedding, it looked really boyish. I tried to remedy that by throwing pink anywhere I could. I created some wooden wall hangings of animals using the bedding animals as a template, but I put them on a pink background. They aren't all professional or anything, but I am pretty proud of them.

Grandma Faber taking a swing at the butterfly pinata

Chocolate covered strawberries. Mmmmm.....

Zebra, Monkey, Giraffe, Alligator, Elephant

Compare to what the animals are really supposed to look like

Darren's Graduation

My brother, Darren, graduated this past May. It was a race to the finish line for him, but he made it and we're all so proud of him!
In celebration, we went to Sizzler to eat that night. It was quite a fiasco getting everyone together and everything worked out. Many of the clan arrived at different times- the Dickerson's just got in to town and drove straight from the airport to the restaurant. It's a mystery how our family stays sane in such situations.

Darren and Friends

Darren and Dad

Ellie had a great time at Sizzler. Her cousin, Kylie, wasn't in such good spirits after a day of airplane travel.

The Graduate and Family

The Traveling Dickersons

Internet Again!

It's been about a month now since we've had the interned in our home, so I haven't been able to update any blogs. Luckily, in the effort to get our computers set up in our new apartment, we found Will's haircut pictures when he buzzed his head, and now I can share that with all of you.

Before

During

After. What a handsome man.

Shower

Well, the April Showers were supposed to bring May flowers, but instead the April freezing weather brought May showers.  Hey, speaking of which, my way awesome sister is having a baby shower this month for me and Reese.

I really like to see old friends, but I get all self-conscious inviting someone I haven't seen in a long time to things like this, for fear they'll think I just want presents.  Let's be honest, everyone wants presents, but if you're reading this, and you're an old friend (or even a new one), consider yourself invited, even if you don't bring a gift.  The shower is on Tuesday, June 3, (the date has been changed since this post went up) and you can call or email me for the time and address.  I would love for you to come!

Babysitting Week

This week Will's brother was out of town, and his two kids, Maranda and Gavin, stayed at Grandpa and Grandma Heath's house. Will and I went to visit them while they were there. We played games and dipped bananas into mint chocolate pudding. We also found out that Gavin loves Buzz and is scared of Zurg.

On Friday night we got to do some child-watching ourselves. My sister, Jessica, and her hubby Matt celebrated their anniversary this week, so we took their little girl, Ellie, for an overnight stay. We had tons of fun at home and at the park, and then when Ellie's mom and dad came to pick her up, we kept having fun at Grandpa and Grandma Faber's house.

One bowl for chocolate pudding, one bowl for mint chocolate pudding

Gavin steals Will's banana (again)

The view of Timpanogos from Grandpa Jim Heath's house. We were all on his porch, which I think might fall off of the house at any moment, when this was taken.

Will gets Ellie ready for a walk to the park

Ellie refused to go down any slide but one, even with Uncle Will right there at the top and Aunt Anna to catch her at the bottom

Ellie had to try every swing on the playground

When Ellie's parents came back, we went to (Ellie's) Grandpa and Grandma Faber's house, where Ellie joined in playing "Rock Band"

Will and Matt test out the Faber's new fancy shmancy bikes

Click here to see all of this week's pictures.

A Day or Two Later...

Molly leaving has been a lot harder than I thought. I suppose that having a loving animal around at a time when I honestly believed I wouldn't actually ever have a baby made me grow really attached. Who am I kidding? For sure I would have gotten attached, anyway.

I'm pretty positive that the timing was just right, though. If our landlord had to go and be all crazy on us and force us into a position to make such a drastic decision, at least he did it at a time when I know I have a little girl coming for me to take care of. I've considered getting a plant to hold me over until then, but somehow, no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to convince myself that it will be even close to the same.

Farewell Molly

Sad times for the Heath family. While we are looking forward to a new addition, we are mourning the loss of another. This weekend Molly, our Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is leaving us. Luckily, she's being adopted by someone she knows and we're confident she'll get to love her new home.

I've always been convinced that one of her biggest problems is her excessive cuteness. She's just way too cute and loves to cuddle. I think two of the things she does that just makes me smile are when she closes the front door behind her and when she chases her treats around.

Molly Closes the Door

Molly Chases Her Treat

We'll miss you, Molly!