Slackety Slacker!

Hey guys! So, I've fallen into the category of slacker again, my bad! I'd like to think it's because I can't find my little card converter thingy that takes the pics from the camera and puts them on the computer, but that's a lame excuse! I couldn't take it anymore! I decided I'd just do a pictureless post. The converter will turn up eventually, I hope! Pictures are better than my ramblings any day, so here's hoping!

On that note, :) here are a few happenings in the Price World:

--Our little Jentri Ann is 16 months old! She's growing up so fast! I really need to post some pics of her, because I just can't explain in words the amount of cuteness I have to put up with every day! I can hardly stand it! She's so animated now and is learning more and more all the time. It's so fun! Her vocabulary is growing constantly, and this week she learned that "Doe-wah" aka Dora the Explorer was on her sippy cup. So cute! She's all about talking and giggling on the phone and will tell you quite the stories if you let her. She sounds like she's speaking Chinese or something most of the time, but lately she'll start with what sounds like "Um..." I took a slew of pictures to show all of her latest "tricks," so stay tuned for those!

--We took her to the parade in Provo on the 4th, and again the pictures tell the best stories, but I'll fill you in anyway. She LOVED the parade and would dance and cheer when the high school bands would play. She'd even clap for them and say "Yay" when they finished a song. Way to show school spirit, Jen! She didn't much like the fireworks this year. She watched intently last year and even fell asleep during the finale, but not so this year. We'll see what the 24th will bring. Maybe she'll change her mind.

--Jake's officially put in his two weeks at Rocky Mtn Composites and is going to work at RB&G Engineering (his Dad's Civil Engineering firm). His plan is to go back to school in the fall to get a Masters in Civil Engineering from BYU. It's hard for him to be leaving RMC, but working for them and going to school aren't going to work out schedule-wise, and he really feels like now's the time to go back and get a Masters degree. So I pretty much will never see him because he'll still be working 30 hours and going to school, but I keep telling myself it won't be forever! Two years isn't that long! Right? :)

--I won't be able to work at Applebee's anymore with Jake's new job, which I'm so far ok with. It was nice to have an out and do something other than Mommy jobs, but it'll be ok. It's time for a change in that department anyway. Being in the young women's and my sweet little one are keeping me pretty busy as it is, so it'll be nice to devote more time to those things. We'll see how things go!

Well, I guess that's all for now. I'm praying I'll find that converter! Hope ya'll had a Happy 4th!

I couldn't help it...here's another picture from our Zions trip. :)

Our Trip to Zions

Our Trip to Zions was so fun! The last time we went was when Jake and I were dating, so it was a trip down memory lane for us. Jen loved it! She was so intrigued with everything and got so excited at the smallest things. She wasn't too sure about the fuzzy caterpillars or the lizards, but she'd squeal and point to just about everything else. Like leaves and sticks and little rocks along the way. She was crackin me up! We were going to rent a baby backpack, but forgot so we got to carry her most of the way. It turned out ok though.

We hiked the "Emerald Pools" trail, which I've never done before. Talk about BEAUTIFUL! The pic on the right I took looking straight up from the trail where it got a little narrow to say the least. :) I forget how beautiful southern Utah is. I need to take more advantage! There are so many things I haven't done and I've lived here for my whole life!

The "lower pools" as they're called were really cool because the trail went right behind the waterfall. There wasn't much water to speak of, as you can see from the pics on the left, but it was still really pretty. It was pretty wet and misty under there, and Jen didn't like the water trickling down on her much, so we didn't stay there long.

Beautiful scenery though! We decided we'd keep going to the upper pools, the trail wasn't too bad up until then and we were feeling good. The trail was quite a bit harder but it was worth it. It was SO beautiful. And we thought the lower pools were pretty! The pic below on the right is of the upper pools, and the girl at the bottom is our friend Micah. Her mom is hopefully going to marry Jake's brother sometime soon. At least if we have anything to say about it. :) That rock was huge, by the way!!

Jake and Jen on the trail...

She's such a happy girl, I love it! Oh, and let's not forget her sharing abilities. She loved drinking out of Jake's Camelbak, but she paused for a minute to share. That's my girl!

We had tons of fun! I was impressed with the triathletes for going on a hike the day before the triathlon, but I guess that's why they call them athletes. :) This hike actually wasn't too bad. I highly recommend it for kids especially because most of the trail is in the shade, and it isn't too steep. So next time ya'll go there. :)

Here's a family pic at the top. Kinda goofy, but that's us! :) Happy Thursday!

Triathlon - Jake's Version

You've all read Kate's version of my first triathlon, now its time for the real story:

It all started a couple of years ago when Casey was doing a lot of triathlons (for those who don't know, Casey is my brother-in-law... he's kind of athletic). I figured if he could do it, it couldn't be that hard - so I told peeps I was going to do one. Work and school gave me a good enough excuse to never really pursue it too much - and I thought I would always have that excuse, but then Aly (my sister) signed up for the St. George triathlon. I couldn't let Aly do one before me - so I signed up.

It wasn't long after registering for the tri that I realized the only thing worse than Aly doing a tri before me was Aly finishing before me. So, in January I started to train. I woke up at 5 every other morning and went swimming at Golds Gym - and ran / biked on the other days. It was a pretty horrible couple of weeks - then I got sick. It was a pretty bad illness, we're lucky that I'm still here - but eventually the cough went away. The only problem was that after not going to the gym the morning I was sick - it was way to easy to not go the next day (or next several weeks, as it turned out).

My new training became drinking Dr. Pepper (to follow the advise that I consult a physician) and watching TV (to learn techniques on how to run faster by watching shows like CSI New York, The Office, NCIS, etc.). I was much more disciplined with this training than the previous, in fact I followed this training up until the night before the race.

It turns out - I should have stuck with my original training. Luckily, Kate's prayers were answered and the swim portion was canceled. I was relieved to hear the news (I figured I would at least survive the race now) - but there were some people that were actually upset! In fact - one guy decided to swim anyway - sucker.

The bike was fun - but trying to run afterwards proved harder than I thought. I ran until I was out of sight of the crowd, then slowed it down a little. They had guys out on the course taking pictures, so every time I saw one, I would run - and just after I passed them I'd slow down again.

To give you an idea of what I mean when I say I'd slow down - at one point a 12 year old kid walked passed me. I then decided that I had to at least walk as fast as junior. The torture ended eventually, and I actually finished before several people. The details aren't too clear on how many I beat - probably thousands - but I know for sure that I beat Aly (only by 6 minutes, but I still beat her, and that's really all that counts).

Come to find out after the race that I was competing against some Snarrs. It was pretty close - Kate's cousin Greg finished 1st in our class, and I was right behind him (47th - that number that Kate mentioned was 547th overall). Sam did the longer race and did really well from what I understand.

All in all, it was a very depressing race for me - but I do plan on doing another one and preparing a little better.

It turns out that Kate's version was a lot better than mine - and sorry for not posting any pictures, but I'm pretty sure that you don't want to see them anyway - no one should have to look at me wearing bike shorts.

I think I'll leave the posting to Kate for a while.

Four years already!?!

Happy Anniversary!!

Wow, has it really been four years already!?! I'm feeling a little old right now...hmmm :) It doesn't seem like it's been that long. This year's anniversary was nice. We had a nice day at home on our anniversary, and then spent the weekend in St. George for the Triathlon. I'm not supposed to tell you that Jake came in 547th, so I won't. :) I'm so proud of him for even attempting a triathlon. I'm pretty sure I would die because I can't swim to save my life. Hence, I'd die. He thought he'd increase his ability to float with a strict diet of Dr. Pepper and burgers. I suggested that may not be the way to go, but what do I know? Anyhew, I'll post those pics in a little bit, but back to the anniversary.

Our actual anniversary is on May 7, and I woke up before Jen (which almost never happens) and my hubby was nowhere to be found. I was planning on making him breakfast in bed but he was gone. I was really confused thinking he'd gone to work without saying anything, and I thought that was a crummy thing to do on our anniversary. Especially since he'd planned to take the day off.

Well, I called him and it turned out he was at the store getting a few things for omlets. YUMMY! He thought he'd be back before I woke up, but as you can see, he wasn't. I guess I ruined the surprise by calling him, but at least I could stop being upset with him. :) We had a nice morning with a yummy (and not to mention big) breakfast. I love breakfast food, in case you were wondering. Especially eggs and orange juice. We don't eat a good breakfast very often, so this was nice.

I went downstairs to find four gerbera (correct me on the spelling, Melissa) daisies and a Willow Tree figurine on the table. The funny card with the hamsters on it has a story behind it. I was so pleased with myself for finding this card for my brother's birthday, because it plays this silly song that's on I think Robin Hood or something. Anyway, I haven't heard the end of it since from either Jake or Devin. So Jake got it for me and wrote on the inside "I know how much you love this song..." It made me laugh. Jake said later he was going to get me four dozen roses for the four years, but decided against the cost of them and went with the four daisies. So cute! And he even remembered that we had some of these at our wedding reception. Points for Jake!

Since the whole breakfast in bed thing was out because we were all up by the time he got back, we made breakfast together. Jen ate her banana like she does most mornings, and tried a bit of our omlet, but spit it out. We'll try again later, I guess. More for me! ;)

We took our time getting ready for the day, and then it was off to Salt Lake. Jake had to drop off his bike at his sister's house in SL (she was transporting it to St George) so we decided to pay a visit to Grandma Snarr, and let her babysit while we went to lunch. Aren't we nice. :) We were still pretty full from breakfast so we ended up just getting ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Which always reminds me of good old MHS and they even had the flavor I'd always get in high school! Everybody's Favorite Candy Bar. YUM! I am one spoiled girl! I felt like we were dating again too because we walked through Sugarhouse Park while we ate our ice cream (his sister lives right by there, hence the choice of park). We talked about our relationship then and how it's changed now (for the better of course). I'm a little upset with myself that I left our camera at home. I'm putting this story to shame with a lack of pics! Sorry, Steph, who documents things oh so well! ;)

Anyway, it turned out to be a good day. We switched babysitters mid-day because my mom had piano teaching to do, and Jake's mom offered to watch her in the afternoon, so we thought we'd take advantage. We don't get a babysitter very often, so it was a little weird to not have Jentri with us. We went to Pizza Factory (love those bread twists!) for an early dinner and then went to see Iron Man. Pretty good show. I didn't think I could see Robert Downey Jr. as a superhero, but he did a pretty good job. I had a YW activity to go to, so Jake dropped me off at home and went back to his mom's to pick up Jen. A good ending to an anniversary day, I guess. ;) We were off to St. George the next day so we stayed up late getting ready for that. It was actually a really fun day!

I just have to say that I am such a lucky girl to be married to Jake! I feel so blessed to be married eternally to the man of my dreams! The Love of my life! He really is the best hubby in the world. He is SO good to me, and I can only hope to be 1/2 as good to him. I LOVE JAKE! :)

Phew! There's the play by play! I haven't written in my journal about all of this yet so forgive me if I go off on details. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the day we got hitched. We look so young! Or skinny, whichever comes first. :) What can ya do? Oh yeah, eat healthier. :)

May 7, 2004

Spring has Sprung!

Happy Spring!

(Well, almost summer now, but we'll just go with it :) )

I am so far behind! Easter weekend was fun, complete with an Elmo Easter Basket, courtesy of Grandma's eye for bargains. On a side note, Jen's warming up to Tickle Me Elmo, but still isn't 100%. However, she loves anything else having to do with Elmo and/or Sesame Street. So she was really excited to get an Elmo basket. Anyway, moving on ;)

These pics were taken the Saturday before Easter. Jentri loved looking for and shaking the eggs on the egg hunt at Grandma Price's. Some of them didn't make any noise, and she'd look at it as if something was wrong with it. Pretty funny. She had a blast though. She didn't quite have the walking thing down then, so Dad helped her walk around the yard and look. She loves being outside, especially when all of her cute cousins are involved. She loves watching them, whatever they're doing, and "yells" at them to come back when they get too far away or if she can't see them anymore. She's so funny.

Her eggs were all the yellow ones, and she did pretty well at leaving the other kids' alone. She'd get excited when she'd find another one, and almost drag Daddy to run and get it. She wasn't too keen on the ones by trees though. She's never been keen on anything that moves by itself (that isn't a person I guess), and it was a little windy that day, so we had to help her with the ones by the trees and bushes 'cuz she wouldn't go near 'em.

I feel I should document the story behind Jen's Easter dress. Grandma Price was watching Jen while I got my hair cut, and decided to do a little shopping to kill time. Grandma said in passing this dress Jen practically leapt out of the cart to grab hold of it, took it off the rack, and apparently wouldn't let go for the life of her. Naturally Grandma HAD to get it for her. Grandma said Jen got upset when she even put it in the bag. When I met up with them, Jen was hugging her new dress in her carseat. I wished I'd had my camera. This girl cracks me up. I'd say Jen has pretty good taste, she looks pretty cute ;) I don't know if you can see her piggies in back, but they're pretty cute too.

It worked out for us to go to Grandma Snarr's on Easter Sunday, and have yet another egg hunt. Lucky us! :) Jen again was so excited and did an even better job at finding the eggs and putting them in her basket.

We feel so lucky that Jen has such fun Grandmas! They both are so quick have us over for dinner and plan fun activities for the kiddies. Not to mention watch little Jentri at the drop of a hat. Yay for Grandma's!! Love ya both!


Jentri seems to be growing leaps and bounds every day. She's running all over the place, and getting faster and faster at getting around. Unfortunately for me, I've had to adjust to the time it takes for her to run for the door when someone opens it. Sometimes I don't quite get there in time!

And I'm sorry to report that she had her first temper tantrum in Wal-Mart the other day. A couple months ago she learned how to drink from a straw, and wanted some of Daddy's DP. Well, when we wouldn't let her have any she put her hands to her head and screamed for all to hear. She wasn't in the cart at the time, and even tried to run away. It was horrible! Not my sweet Jen! I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt in that she hadn't had her second nap that day and it was close to bed time, but man. It was traumatic to say the least. She's getting better at not doing that I hope, and we've been teaching her a few signs to help her communicate a little better. It's actually helped a lot I think, but we've still got a ways to go. Ah, the joys of motherhood!

There's so much more I want to post, but I think that's it for today. Nap time is getting shorter and shorter it seems! It goes by too fast. Anyway, I apologize for the lack of posts, and will definitely have more to come. Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday to Jentri, Part II

Here goes nothing...some more pics from Jentri's birthday!

Uncle Bean was generous enough to share his wealth with Jen. I'll tell her when she's older how mean he was not to let her keep it, but she held on to it for a while. She even put it with her toys for safe keeping, as seen in the next pic.

She's Rich! For a minute at least until Uncle Bean put it BACK in his wallet. How rude! :)

So what d'ya think? America's Next Top Model? As long as I'm not her hairstylist, I suppose. I think she'll be taking the runways as soon as she can master walking though. :)

I really just snapped this pic to get her "eating ice cream that's cold" face, but hmm. How did I get such a beautiful daughter??? These glasses were a big hit, thanks Aunt Toni! We put them on her and she got so excited and scanned the whole room to show everyone how stylin' she is. SO CUTE! Now when we put them on she'll do a Stevie Wonder style head nod with a huge grin. I need to get it on video, I can't explain it well enough for you to have the whole picture. It's so funny!

Jentri and her friend Natalia playing with all her presents.

She is one spoiled girl!! Thanks everyone!Cousin Sydney and Aunt Wendy got a hold of my camera. They're pretty cute I guess :) Cousin Hayden outside with the Elmo pinata, and in his words, "I'm beatin' the crap out of Elmo!" and kept repeating that every time he got a hit. Take it out on poor Elmo!?! Are we surprised that he was the one to bust it open? Hmmm...

No, Jake isn't helping the kids with their candy, he's fighting them off so he can have his own. I tried to tell him we had a whole bowl for him in the house, but he didn't listen. He's my big kid, for sure! Needless to say, he likes pinatas. :)Cake #2 was a lot more messy, which I guess is what we were going for. ;) She dug in pretty good, but was pretty slow at it. The cousins didn't stick around to watch her finish. It was pretty funny. messy face!
Mmmm....cake.... Sharing some with Daddy, that's so nice...
After cake and ice cream we played guitar hero and the Wii to our hearts content. This pic was classic of Hayden. He was so good at this game, he beat me at it! I guess that's not saying much for me, my guitar hero skills are next to nothing, but still. He was pretty good. As you can see, he got into it.

Jen decided she'd had enough fun. I put her jammies on and thought I'd let her play with the cousins a little longer, but not even kidding within 10 seconds of sitting down with her, she was out for the count. Such a fun day!

Well that's it for her birthday, now that she's almost 13 months old. :) Just a little side note update, Jake and I got new callings. We won't be teaching primary anymore, and we're so sad! Our new callings will be fun though. Jake is going to teach the 15-16 year olds in Sunday school, and I was called as the 2nd counselor in the young women's presidency. I'll be over the Beehives. I'm already overwhelmed and we haven't even had an activity yet! It'll keep me busy for sure! I'm excited though, it'll be fun.

Well, Jentri's waking up so I must be off to more Mama duties. Happy Tuesday! Love Ya'll!

Happy Birthday to Jentri!

I know what you're all thinking, FINALLY some pictures to look at! Well, here's the mother load!!

We celebrated Jentri's first birthday!! Crazy! Her actual birthday was on the 4th, and we had a low-key cake & ice cream deal with Aunt Kristi and Uncle Casey. And then on Saturday, the 8th we had a Sesame Street birthday party. Here are a few pics from the events... The face of a one-year old. Just another day, I guess. It's rough being 1. We tried pigtails again, we're still pretty new at it as you can see. Her hair reminded me of Darla from Finding Nemo, "Fishie, wake up!" :) Anyway, moving on... :)

One month old...

12 month old...

I saw this idea in a scrapbook magazine: to take a picture of your baby every month for the first year (with the same stuffed animal) to show how much they've grown. I'm surprised I kept up with it. It sure was hard to get her to hold still these last couple of times, I'll tell ya that! She looks so big and has changed so much!! Where'd my tiny little preemie girl go?
Her actual birthday was a low-key one. Grandma Snarr came down and took Jentri and I to Brick Oven for lunch. Yum! Jentri had some of my pizza, and her first taste of root beer. She didn't like it at first, but it's growing on her I think :)
You win a prize if you can find Grandma! Jen knew just when to move her balloon I guess. Speaking of balloons, who knew that a FREE balloon was all we had to get her for her birthday?!?! I should've known! She got so excited and was very upset when I had to tie it down and she couldn't quite reach it in the car. She played with it for the rest of the day.
Ready for your cupcake, Jen? I'm ready for the mess!

Testing the waters...not really sure what she thinks of it...

Eatin' a little, but not digging in like we thought she would... More on her hands and arms than in her mouth

Pausing to do a little crowd pleasing...

AND FINALLY.....(drum roll...)

Thrown to the floor, the unfortunate fate of the cupcake.

TO BE CONTINUED....