Buck-EYES! :)

Well, it's official - looks like we're going to be Buckeyes! The big decision was between Ohio State, Southern College of Optometry, Indiana University, and University of Alabama-Birmingham, and we really feel OSU is the best choice. We were so happy (and a bit shocked) that Andrew was accepted to every school to which he applied, but multiple options made for more thought than anticipated. OSU was always Andrew's first choice. There were LOTS of factors to consider, however...it took a pretty complex spreadsheet to help weigh everything out.

At any rate, it's a fantastic, well-respected program and we are thrilled he was accepted. The university also offers a competitive masters and PhD program in Comm., so I am glad I'll have the option to further my education as well. The school is located in Columbus, so we'll really only be moving about 3 hours northeast. Thankful we'll still be close enough to visit Louisville often! We aren't positive when exactly we'll be moving, but it will certainly be before next fall. Grateful and excited!

Ha Ha Ho

Ooooh Christmas, how we love you. We still count down the days like kids. So much of the magic is in the small details - Christmas music playing, candles lit, the smell of fresh pine, egg nog (diluted with lots of milk), lights on the tree...we love every bit of it. See our 'Tis the Season post for more details.

The holidays are a time to spend with family, and to me, family is almost always synonomous with laughter (said laughter is not always induced by lighthearted merrymaking. Oftentimes it is a result of a family member's serious behavior being ridiculous enough to deem laughable). My sisters and I have a way of finding almost anything hilarious. So by the end of the visit, we've shared enough deep belly laughs to give us six-packs (not really. I don't know why people say this because it's a lie and never works).

Anyway, sometimes things are so bad they're funny. While I adore listening to holiday music, there are a few select Christmas songs I think are just awful. The one about the shoes, the little drummer boy (I know it's a classic, but it makes no sense. Bang on your drum for a woman who's just given birth in a barn and her infant son? Yeah, didn't happen)...there is one song, however, that takes the cake with it's "badness," one that we all first loathed, then laughed at, now love. The song is so awful, so 80's, and watching the video will make you realize how simultaneously terrible and amazing it is. I used to hate hearing it on the radio, but now am convinced that every time it plays, an angel gets its wings.

 



In recent years, Andrew and I have grown very fond of an aspect of Christmas often overlooked, and that is the gag gift. It's so much fun. During this exciting time, as people anticipate what wonderous things might be inside of those beautifully wrapped packages with their names on them, there's nothing quite so entertaining as watching their faces while they discover something completely unexpected, strange, or even downright gross.

For example, a couple years ago when my big sister Liz requested a set of hot rollers  for her silky golden locks, we took the opportunity to fulfil her Christmas wish. One trip to the Goodwill and a dollar-fifty later, we had an old set of hotrollers, complete with scratches, holes from missing rollers, and lots of hair from whoever used it last.

The set, 23 years and 3 owners earlier.

We wrapped it and labeled it to Liz, from Santa (so she'd assume it was from our parents), and tried to mask our amusement and delight as she opened it during our family's Christmas. Watching her confusion mingled with disgust as she still tried to appear pleased and thankful made it all worthwhile! That moment was priceless.

We hope you have a very very merry merry Christmas, and remember to make time to laugh!

Asher Boy

"Man of Steele"

 Making messes and eating dog food  in Phoenix at Aunt Liz's house

 Kicking back with Daddy

 Having a ball with a puppet at Thanksgiving dinner

Asher boy has developed quite the personality! He is such a sweet, smart, happy little boy. He's begun giving us high fives, dancing, waving "bye bye", and covering and uncovering his eyes to play peekaboo. It's odd to think that this laughing, "talking" little boy who's now scaling everything wasn't even born this time last year. My, how the time flies!

Happy Halloweeeen

We especially enjoyed the spooky holiday this year. Having a child to dress up made it all so much more fun! Here are a few shots of this year's Halloween.

     At our ward Trunk or Treat with our sweet smartie

 
 

Asher's alternate costume - a little lion. Love those teeth!

Here we are at the Mill's annual Halloween bash as a Russian figure skater and coach. Andrew's mullet, goatee and earring made my night. So glad I found a husband willing to be silly with me!

Here's a group shot. I was ULTRA impressed with everyone's costumes. Such a fun night!

And We're Back.....Again.

So it's time for our annual update! Not every two-year-old blog can be read from start to finish in 5 minutes, but ours is different. Sad, isn't it? I really do have a problem...but enough looking back! Let's unclog the blog!

Last I wrote we were expecting a little boy, and on January 20th we welcomed Asher Joseph into our family. He is PERFECT! Watching him learn and grow has become one of our greatest joys. We fall in love with him more each day!

Asher is now a happy and animated 9-month old, pulling up, speed crawling around and getting into everything he shouldn't. It really does blow your mind to see how quickly a baby can develop into a little boy! Here are a few shots of him as a newborn.

So I really wanted to post pictures of Asher boy from birth up until now, but alas, have no idea how to get them to upload in order. Every time I try to post a picture it appears at the top of the page and seems immovable. Part of why I rarely update the blog is because I don't quite know how. Seriously, I might be the only 20-something out there who can't proficiently operate user-friendly computer programs. Someone take pity on me and give me a tutorial!


Aside from sweet Asher, the other big news in our family is Andrew's acceptance into optometry school. We were so excited to learn of his admission into Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, and he is continuing to interview at other schools, so we'll see where we end up moving! The gratitude we have experienced over this answered prayer has been so intense and reminds us of all the other ways Heavenly Father has taken care of us. Maybe it sounds hokey, but a grateful heart truly is a happy heart, and our hearts have never been happier!