Sunday, April 27, 2008

Maren vs. Sparrow


Well, I don't really know what kind of bird it was, but here's the story. I kinda wish it had been documented on video. Thursday morning I was getting ready to meet Candice at the mall and we had just opened the back door to leave when this bird flew into the house. I didn't see exactly where it flew to, so I started looking around and heard it fluttering by the front door. So I opened the front door thinking it would just fly out, but instead, it flew right by my face and headed in the opposite direction. By this time I was having visions of this bird pecking my eyes out and every time it moved I would scream at the top of my lungs (Candice can attest to that- I was on the phone with her). Of course Derek and my parents were out of town and after 4 years of living in this house I still don't know any of my neighbors, so I had to deal with it myself (Although Carter was nice enough to offer to drive home from ASU to help me). The bird finally landed on this window ledge above the entertainment center, but it was pretty high up so I got the pool net and tried to scoop the bird into it. After about a 20 minute standoff, the bird decided to hop onto the edge of the net, and I carefully lowered it down and out the door, and it flew away. It was quite eventful, to say the least. I was only an hour late meeting Candice and later that day I saw Clara outside with the pool net trying to catch birds. She's still talking about it.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Clara's Dance


My videoing skills are not good, so I apologize if it's hard to watch. In my defense, Janie was climbing all over me and I didn't want to lift the camera too high to obstruct others views. Clara is second from the right. Enjoy!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Las Vegas/Clara's dance recital

After my Utah trip, I was home for a day, then off to Las Vegas with Derek for a convention he had- it's been quite the relaxing week! I was missing the kids after being away so long though. Maybe because I'm used to having a busy day and I was by myself for 3 days. I made good use of my time while Derek was at meetings during the day and shopped, shopped, shopped! Derek was laughing at me because I got blisters on my feet from all the walking! We also got to go see KA, one of the Cirque shows- it was AMAZING! The dancing, music, and costumes were incredible.

At Caesar's Palace for good shopping and food

In front of our hotel

We got home Friday just in time for Clara's dance recital. I was amazed at how well she did- I thought she would get up on stage and freeze. She was one of the least animated at the beginning, but then she got into it. I'll try to post the video I took.


Monday, April 14, 2008

Utah


Candice and I went to Utah over the weekend to visit Kelli, Mason, Amanda, and their cutest week old baby Jonah. We packed a lot into 3 days! Highlights included shopping, shopping, and more shopping (we WERE without kids so what else were we gonna do?), eating out at Kneaders, J-dawgs, Ruth's Diner with the mile high biscuits, Costa Vida, Pizza Factory, my mom flying up and surprising us at Gateway Mall, taking lots of pictures of our new nephew, and going to church with Kelli so she could point out all the weirdies in her ward.

Baby Jonah- he's the sweetest! I think I only heard him cry once while we were there.

Looking at Mason's baby pictures to see similarities between he and Jonah.

How cute is that?


The mishap of the trip

Pizza Factory with Kelli's friends

Jonah loves his favorite Auntie Maren! Mason, Amanda, Jonah, and Kelli- move home now!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission

My younger brother Carter just opened his mission call tonight. He will be serving in Independence, Missouri and he will be preaching the gospel in sign language. How cool is that? We've always said that Carter is the next Joseph Smith so this is the perfect place for him. He leaves June 25, just 4 days after his 19th birthday. Congratulations Cart!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Like Mother, Like Daughter


I walked into Clara's room a few days ago and saw this. I started laughing because it looked funny, but also because it reminded me of when Candice and I used to play with our barbies. My mom always said we'd have a child just like us. I'm afraid for Clara to grow up.