Ruth, Ruth, and Shawn

 

Well, life has improved immensely ever since our Williamson friends moved back to the mothership.  This weekend, Mark treated us to a stay at his sister’s condo in Park City.  Tisha’s little sis came along and babysat the kidlings while the adults went out.  Of course we graced the Ruth’s Chris and had ourselves a lovely time.  And, of course, Kate loved her time spent with her ‘big girl’ friend and now wants an older sister.  Hmmm...

The next morning, we hit up Ruth’s Diner for breakfast.  She’s grabbed the Best of Utah’s Best Breakfast Award for years now, so we thought we out to give it a whirl.  Of course breakfast hit the spot, but more worthy of mention would be our CELEBRITY sighting while there. 

***Now, before we get into who it was…let me just start with how very proud I am of myself.  Usually, celeb sightings turn on some switch inside of me, causing me act in the most shameful of ways.  Let me elaborate…

Instance #1: The mere sight of Oprah Winfrey caused me and a complete stranger to senselessly cry and hug each other (apparently, this stranger has the same switch).

Instance #2:  Upon seeing my all-time favorite actor Sean Astin exiting the restaurant we were waiting to get into, I yelled and chased him down (I wasn’t going to not introduce myself).  Good thing too.  He was very nice, said, “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ashley,”(mmmm….) and then introduced me to his wife:)

Instance #3: After meeting Karl Malone and Bryon Russell I felt compelled to ask if I could steal a kiss (this would be in my teenage years, mind you).  Both men obliged (I have the pics in my photo album to prove it) and there you have it.  I’m a nutcase.

So anyway, we saw Shawn Wayans (star of Kwality films such as White Chick and Scary Movie). 

He walked into the diner at the same time as we did wearing a bandana and sunglasses.  Mark immediately recognized him, but the rest of us couldn’t be sure until he removed the headress.  Sure enough.  The trouble is…I could not grab a photo for the life of me!  He sat inside the train car and was all too aware of us eyeing him down.  And, once we got seated outside, there was no hope for photo opps.  Oh well.  I was glad I let him eat in peace….I guess.

Anyway, we had some fun times this weekend.  So glad we have good friends to make lots of memories with.

How can I have "s'more" when I haven’t had any yet?

On Friday I had a Dr.’s appointment.  Upon stepping on the scale, I was both shocked and relieved to discover I hadn’t gained any weight!  My first thought, “Well, hallelujah!”  My second, “Wait…WHAT!?!” The doc said it was typical for the mother’s weight to stabilize during this last month.  With Kate I was a bounteous marshmallow packing on an 20 extra pounds during the last month alone. So to say I was elated would be an understatement.

I can’t believe we’re so close to getting our Baby Ferb here!  It’s been a breeze of a pregnancy this time around, and we still can’t believe we’ve been so lucky to not run into any complications again! We’ve got the nursery all set up, which has been a fun project, and have lots of cute boy clothes that we’ve been stocking up on since we found out Baby’s gender. We’re not sure we remember how to do all the baby stuff, but are excited about giving it another go*

*so long there’s no cholic involved :)

This is Baby 3 months ago.  I never posted the pic, but thought it needed to be. I cannot believe the resemblance to his daddy. Looks just like Dave, huh?

First Time Fishing

We went up to Tibble Fork last night for a little family home evening.  If you know Dave and me, we are not what you would call anglers.  But meet, Lyle, my dad… After last night, Dave deemed him the Fish Whisperer.  That man calls to the fish somehow. In only 45 minutes, he had caught and released 10 whole fish! Being that this was Kate’s first introduction to fishing, we discovered she must have a little Lyle in her because she managed to catch a fish!!

Here’s daddy helping Kate get started…

And here they are reeling in her fish…

I wish I could have videoed the experience because there were squeals and screams coming out of Kate’s mouth that I had never heard before. She was so excited!  Oh, it was so fun!

Once the fish made it to shore, flopping all around, Kate quickly scrambled behind my legs.  It was all a little intense seeing a squirming fish up close!  I was so happy she got to catch a fish on her first time, though.

Momma and Kate…

Kate and her best cousin, Hayden… Such a fun night!

Hawaiian Lion

 

Well, after reviewing our past 3 weeks, one might think we’ve become quite the thespians.  I’ll tell you what, though, I’m kind of getting into this theater business!  We bought tickets last November for Lion King, and after a LONG wait, we finally got to see it (along with Dave’s parents and Miss Kate). Amazing puppetry.  Great music and story. But best of all, it kept Kate very much engaged.  She asked all sorts of questions throughout and commented, “I want to watch it again,” once it was over.Nearly a week later, I keep closing my eyes to recapture that image of Kate after each scene…mouth open wide and smiling, and clapping incessantly. Gosh, I love her.

As part of our Labor Day weekend, we also checked out Thanksgiving Point’s Luau.  I will say that the food was better than your typical Hawaiian Luau, but the entertainment was pretty mediocre--and the line to get in…ridiculous! 

Kate made the most of it and hula’d for the majority of the show in her grass skirt and BONGO’s (Kate’s word for coconut bra), which was probably my favorite part of the night.  A close second: keeping warm under our quilt; kind of fun now that the weather is starting to turn.  Overall, something to do on your Labor Day, but probably not to do again. 

She’s a Big One!

 

Because every important first should be documented…  Kate’s first day of 3 year old preschool!

Are Dave and I the only ones who think she looks like a business exec.?

Babymoon

 

With Baby Boy on his way, a babymoon was in order.  Dave and I spent the weekend in San Francisco for our first real vacation without Kate.

We checked into our room at the Ritz Carlton (got a screamin’ good deal too)…

Got one amazing couple’s massage…and yes, I”ll expound.  While I’ve had a few massages in my day, this was the first time the masseuse was gutsy enough to venture down to my squeezy cheeks zone.  And while it felt ‘nice’ I suppose, there’s still something very unsettling about having a stranger rub your bum (especially by a same-sex masseuse in San Francisco).  Oh, well.  It certainly eased my pregnancy pains, and I think Dave’s too.

Once we got out of the hotel, we ran into a couple of crazies…

Ate lavishly (and at this little gem twice)…

Saw some sites…

Chinatown

Rode on the cable and street cars…

Got our Disney fix… This museum housed original scripts, concept art, letters, awards, photos, and other Walt Disney memorabilia.

Took the tour of Alcatraz… At first this place looked like nothing more than a pile of rocks, but they had a seriously cool audio tour narrated by actual prison guards and prisoners that taught us a lot about the prison. It kept our undivided attention for the whole visit (which I am still amazed by).

We learned all about some of its infamous prisoners (aka-Al Capone, the “Birdman,” and many others). We explored the cellhouse, solitary confinement, the dining hall, the control room, the showers, the library, etc.  But my favorite part was hearing about escapes, and seeing the escape routes. Very cool.  Research the place if you get a minute.

And my very favorite part of the trip….

WICKED!!!

I was very suprised that I liked it as much as I did.  While you can sign me up for most any Broadway show, I generally tend to get bored at some point in every show (the truth comes out).  But not this one.  The cast was awesome; Glinda was hilarious. So glad we got to see it at its home in San Francisco before it leaves next week.

So anyway, that was our trip!  Aside from LOTS of walking, and lots of dough spent on taxis, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Loved having some one-on-one with my Number One, and so glad he believes in silly traditions like “babymoons” too.  But, boy, were we both so glad to see our little girl after only 2 nights away from her!  We’re such wussies, huh?

Kateisms

Our latest and favorite words uttered from our child's mouth:

1. Dave and I transformed Kate's playroom into the baby's nursery. Dave removed some of Kate's fingerpainted masterpieces from the wall and to that Kate calmly asked, "Are you TRYING to make me cry?"

2. I am combing Kate's hair while she unsuccessfully tries to tear the floss from its unwieldy dispensor. Kate's pipes, "Um, Mom, this is a little awkward."

3. Yesterday Kate and I are rounding the corner to go downstairs to make breakfast. Out of nowhere, Kate rumbles, "RRRRrrrggghhh....Mom, sometimes you drive me crazy!" Totally stunned, I ask her why. Rolling her eyes she says, "You just do."

4. Probably a month ago Kate's turning her back side to me, grunting, and desperately trying to push her bum out. I ask her what she's doing. "I'm trying to get a big bum so I can be a mommy like you." I'll go ahead and not be offended by that. And for the record, my bum is not that big.

5. AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE...
Making a late-night drive home one night, Dave and I are conversing in the front seat, while our little bean constantly shooshes Dave from the back seat. Finally, Kate petitions me with, "Mom, I'm trying to get Dad to shut his mouth." I laugh, "Why do you want him to shut his mouth?" Kate explains, "I want him to shut his mouth so the vomit won't come out." Yes. She really did say that.

6. And, last, an almost daily conversation occurs before and after mom has makeup on her face. Before the makeup, Kate likes to inform me, "I don't like that face." After the makeup, she examines me carefully, gets so excited and says, "I LIKE YOUR FACE!!!" She's just so complimentary.