A walk with Max

I have walked a half-mile in Max's shoes. It took 40 minutes.

JB was pushing the double jogger and I was walking beside him around the park. But for some reason (the memory is fuzzy) JB may have let Max out to walk beside us. We now know a universal parenting truth: Once you let a child out of a stroller, there's no getting him back in.

Max loved it at first, scampering beside us as we powerwalked up the hill. But he kept lagging behind. JB told him "Mommy can't carry you. If you are tired, jump back in the stroller." "No! I'm fine!" He'd say and keep running.

Well, eventually JB just kept heading for home with Benny peering back at us, and Max and I meandered through the looonnnnggg route back.

It kind of went like this.

"I'm tired. Hold me. "

"I can't hold you, you weigh 50 pounds."

"Look momma, a rock!"

"Don't throw the rock. Ok, don't throw it again."

Some moments of peace, some walking.

"Wow, a tractor! Can I go over there?"

"No Max, let's keep walking this way to our house...."

"Oooohhh, a school bus, wow!"

"Yeah, it's yellow and rectangular."(A teaching moment. He wasn't listening.)

He saw a tractor. I don't think I can spell out the excitement over that one.

We passed the high school and some skateboarders. He stopped and stared.

"Let's keep going, Daddy is waiting for us."

We slowly start again.

He found a stick and stopped again to dig in the dirt. By now I'm looking at every passing car wondering if JB has come to rescue me. It's been a half-hour since we waved goodbye.

"C'mon Max, only a couple more blocks."

"But I have this stick! I have to dig!"

Not two seconds later: "Hold me mommy, I'm tired."

"I can't carry you, you weigh 50 pounds!"

Finally we made it. JB and Benny were looking out the window for us. Max took the stick into the bathtub with him. They both needed it.

Seattle Odds and Ends

JB researched before our trip and found some amazing places to eat. On our first day, Thursday, we ate at Red Mill, near the zoo. Fantastic smoky sauce on the burgers, and the next day at the reception Natalie told us it's a family favorite so that felt good!

On Friday we at at Mike's Chili Parlor, featured on one of our favorite shows, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." The chili was delicious. The wind, not so much.

On Saturday we popped into Niketown, and JB found a remake of the Air Pegasus, the very first Nike shoe he ever owned as a young lad.

On Saturday we ate lunch at El Puerco Lloron, a place Alicia and Natalie's uncle recommended at the reception. It's tucked into a corner in a landing on the way down the stairs from Pike's Market to the waterfront. Amazing pork. So yummy. Plus real sugar CocaCola from Mexico.

Here's another picture of us on the streets of Seattle. I like this one because the guy told us to crouch down so that he could get the Market sign in the background. It looks like I'm hugging JB's leg.

We saw this little doggy in a front pack at the Museum of Flight. JB pretended to be taking a picture of me, but I think the woman knew what we were up to.

We packed as much as we could into two and a half days, but I would have loved to have seen this cute girl (my friend Autumn's little sister) and this talented girl (my cousin's wife). Next time we'll take our little boys to see their great-grandparents and Uncle Michael. Next time we are definitley eating more seafood.

Seattle Part Three

Saturday was our last day in Seattle so we packed it full. In the morning we went to the Temple.

We also went to the Museum of Flight, where I pretended to be an astronaut and we toured a retired Air Force One. President JBR waved to the crowd.

Then we went over to my brother Michael's house. He now works for Amazon and he and his wife Bethany and son Nathanael love it in Seattle. What a cutie boy too.

We ate at Ivar's, a place my dad recommended. Great clam chowder and fish and chips. We all also had fish and chips and chowder at the Island Grill in Oak Harbor with my grandparents and loved that meal, too.

Sunday morning we flew home. Next post, some odds and ends about what we loved about Seattle, and more awesome eats in the city.

Seattle Part Two

On Friday we explored Seattle. We fell in love with this cool city. Pike's Market was really cool. I've never seen so much fresh seafood!

We are pointing to what we wanted to eat for lunch. Then we had some, at The Crab Pot. It's on the waterfront, and they tie bibs on you then pour out onto the table a pot of steamed crab, mussels, oysters, shrimp, sausage, red potatoes and corn. SO GOOD.

Then on Friday evening we went to Alicia's open house. It was so good to see her again. She's a gorgeous bride. We lived together for a summer at BYU.

I also knew her sister Natalie in college. She's such a hoot and so talented -- she planned the wedding, while being quite pregnant.

I knew their cousin Meredith first at BYU, and was bummed she couldn't be at the wedding. She's halfway around the world for her job. But it was fun to catch up with her parents.

Next post, more exploring, eating and playing with my brother and his family in Seattle.

Seattle Part One

We are back from a wonderful (though too short) trip to Seattle! It was our first time. Well, that I can remember. When I was 8 years old my family visited my grandparents in Oak Harbor, but the memories are dimming. The first thing we did when we landed Thursday afternoon was go see my Grandpa and Grandma Ruth.

They live in the same house my dad grew up in. I hadn't seen my Grandpa in a few years (they have stopped traveling as much), and it was fun to see how much he reminds me of my dad. In mannerisms, not age, Dad!

While on the Island we checked out the gorgeous view.



We took the ferry, which was a fun adventure (and windy). We also were given a minivan at the rental place, which was good for us to see if we eventually want one. The jury is still out.

You'll notice our little biddies were not with us. Max and Ben played with JB's parents during the weekend, so that we could attend a wedding reception and the temple. More on that in the next post!

Growing pains

My boys are getting big. I mean really big, really fast. Max weighs 50 pounds and is the height of a 5-6 year old, at 3.8 years old. Benny weighs 25 pounds at least, but we haven't had his 15 month check up yet and he's almost 16 months (whoops).

Anyway it was about time we got them into new clothes. Last weekend was Friends and Family discount at the Gap/Old Navy etc, and we got Max set up for a while. We bought two new shirts for Benny but I brought up the storage bin from the basement of 18-24 month old clothing Max wore. I should have done it a few weeks ago. Look at the short overalls he's wearing in the pictures above!

By the way the overalls Max is wearing used to be JB's. He loves wearing them, and has slept in them too. I like them because he can't take them off like his other pants.

Here's another picture of my (big) baby.

AI fans and foes

All ye American Idol fans, check out this post from the brother of my friend who was at last week's taping. The inside scoop is very interesting.

And did Megan Joy throw up last night on stage?? I'm guessing it was just coughing but watch this video to see for yourselves.

Head Banging Part Two

Behold the blond Vulcan that is now my sister. I do not mock -- I only commiserate.

Head banging

The other idea for the title post was "She Bangs," but that didn't feel very original either.

A month or so ago I got a cut and color, with side-swept bangs I really like. But, my hair grows fast and the bangs started to get into my eye. I thought it wouldn't be too hard to give them a little trim.

It's hard.

Thankfully I didn't try anything too drastic, but now they won't lie/lay right. I think I'll have to go back to my stylist.

Also thankfully I don't go to my sister's stylist (and I don't think she'll go back either). Her bangs ended up REALLY short. If she gives me permission, I will post a picture. You may cry.

Couch boys

I love how Ben snuggles with JB on the couch with his "night-night" to watch basketball. Ben loves it.

Max wanted to be in the picture too.

I snapped these pictures with my cell phone camera but when I reached for the bigger, better, more expensive, clearer camera the boys scrambled away.

By the way I think JB wears those blue checkered Jazz-logo lounge pants when watching many of their games. He has some red checkered ones that I saw him wear last night while watching the Utes. I wonder if it's intentional....

Reality Check

I don't want this to turn into a TV blog, but I do have some things to say. Megan -- Rockin' Robin? Really? On Michael Jackson night? But wow, Adam Lambert was rockin'. And the guy with the guitar I don't remember from the Hollywood round was cool. Very Jason Mraz-y.

On to Dancing With the Stars. Always have loved it. But 13 couples? C'mon. Pull an American Idol and eliminate two next week. I like the teeny gymnast, David Alan Grier, and the girl the Bachelor spurned.

Amazing Race -- it would make me wring my hands every week if I wasn't onto the producers' tricks. Quick shots between the last two couples -- who will make it to the mat first? Who will be eliminated? Back and forth, forth and back, it's a race! But many times it's not really a race. Last week the sky was much darker over one of the last two couples. Still, I will never give up the show. It's too much fun. We like to talk about who JB would race with, because it ain't gonna be me. Remember my breakdown on the zipline in Costa Rica? Maybe he should race with his sister Suzanne. They'd be good together.

America's Next Top Model. My guilty pleasure that makes me squirm when I confess I watch it. My sister and I now just tape it, fast forward through all the drama and get to the photo shoot and judging. Tyra is fierce!

Big Bang Theory. Not a reality show. Well, maybe it is for some people! It's my new favorite sitcom.

Online finds

I may have too much time on my hands tonight. I am reminded of the part on "The Office" when Michael Scott discovers YouTube and doesn't work all day. I love this video of Paul Hunt's hilarious gymnastics routine, and all related.

I also found this one of a young baton-twirler on Britains Got Talent, and would you believe I got a little teary-eyed?

Then I found these cakes and I want to go to there (thank you Liz Lemon for the line on "30 Rock").

I think Ben would love the basketball cake (he's obsessed), but he may want to play with the "ball" instead.

American Idol

I totally called it. Last week the judges loved Megan Corkrey's performance but she was not one of the three that America voted to put in the finals of American Idol. I said to anyone who would listen that the judges would bring her back for the wild card round and put her through. And they did last night.

We first saw Megan on TV in January, when the Salt Lake auditions were shown. I thought her voice was unique, and so did the judges. Simon Cowell said it was one of the best auditions, and you know he's hard to please.

But she wasn't shown much during Hollywood week, because of all the drama of the other contestants. I think this is why she didn't get enough votes when she sang as the second group of 12 in the top 36 last week. I don't think people knew enough about her. Maybe people didn't like her image -- that tattoo is jarring -- or don't like her voice.

But I like her voice. She missed some notes while singing last night, but I think she's more interesting than some of the other girls in the final 13. There are 13 by the way because of a surprise move by the judges, which I didn't see because I DVRd the episode and it went late because of drama from Tatiana (Tatrama).

I may be biased because she's from Utah, but hey. It's exciting. Bountiful's Carmen Rasmussen went far in the second season, Murray's David Archuleta did fantastic last season, I hope Sandy's Megan Corkrey does well too.

Motion Sickness

I hate the new motion sensors on, well, everything. Except the paper towel roll. I can take that.

You would think I would embrace them -- no more touching yucky toilet handles or sinks. But I find the sudden surprising spray to be more disconcerting.

I was sprayed today by an enthusiastic sink, so that's what's on my mind. But I have a funny story to share along the same lines.

A few months ago, while still nursing my pre-teeth baby, I pumped while away from him. I found a clean public bathroom one day while on a story assignment, and gingerly sat on the edge of a toilet.

After a while, the bathroom's motion sensor lights decided I was no longer in the room and switched off. Suddenly in the dark, I stood up. This activated the motion sensor flush, scaring me to death. I sprang away. Flush! I waved at the ceiling, walls, and door which finally got the lights back on, and I rushed out to the sink to wash up and get out of there. Spray!

Opinionated

At family dinner on Sunday I was asked which one of my boys is more opinionated. I immediately said "Max."

The response was "Are you sure?"

I looked over to see Ben squealing, shaking his head "NO!" and about to throw his dinner off his highchair tray. Hmmm, Ben is giving Max a run for his money all of a sudden.

He has started to use his teeth to get what he wants. He left a mark on Max's head after Max took a ball from him. He throws his body backwards while in your arms if you don't go where he wants.

This morning JB says he tried to offer Ben several of his favorite foods for breakfast. Angry nope, nope, nope. Instead he toddled over to the closet and pulled out a granola bar and wanted that.

What has happened to my sweet baby?! I blame teething. If I could bring that molar all the way out for him I think he'd be much happier.

By the way I think Max is growing more patient, especially with Benny. He never strikes back physically. But I have noticed he'll secretly take Ben's toys and hide them. Just my kind of passive-aggressiveness.