Current Obsessions

These photos are perfect. You will notice that:
A) he has wadded up tissue (Kleenex, to be commercially correct) in one of his hands. He is OBSESSED with tissue. He likes to rip it, hold it, carry it around, and pretend to wipe his nose with is. We only let him have it when we are really desperate. We find bits of tissue laying all over the house.
B) In his other hand he has a small finger puppet. It's a seahorse. It's from Ikea. He has 20 (well, probably 10-12 because we've lost them around town) finger puppets which he loves to hold, suck and carry everywhere. He was more obsessed with them a couple months back, but he still carries them pretty frequently. Whenever Isaac crawls or walks (yes, he's walking a little now) he is carrying something in both fists, refusing to leave anything behind.
C) He's got the Lorax in the swing with him. He LOVES the Lorax. He carries him around when we take him out of Isaac's bed and gives him many, many hugs. He was so psyched to swing with the Lorax.
D) How appropriate that his final obsession just happens to be what he's riding in? He loves any motorized vehicle and was SO excited when he first saw his car swing (though he calls it a truck.)
I think that sums up his obsessions, for now anyway...

You'll Be Missed

My Grandma Adele passed away last weekend. Today was her Celebration of Life. It was a packed house. You can imagine that with 13 children, many grandchildren, and her own siblings, she was very loved. It was an emotional, but very nice celebration. The thing that I will miss the most about my grandmother is her sense of humor. Someone today said that she probably laughed more at her jokes than anyone else, and I think that that's what made her so funny. Grandma, rest in peace with grandpa! We love you. Here is her obituary.



Adele M. Stireman 1924 ~ 2010 Adele was reunited on May 15, 2010 with her dear husband, John. She was surrounded by loving family at the time of her passing.Adele was born to John and Rose Tokar on January 14, 1924 in Superior, Wisconsin. She served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She married John O. Stireman October 19, 1946. In 1956 she and John moved their growing family to Orem, Utah. Together they had 13 children. The Great Depression taught her skills she used throughout her life - how to save, make do and improvise. She passed these skills on to her children. Adele was hard-working, compassionate and creative. She was outgoing and made friends easily. Above all she loved her family. She loved trips to Wendover, painting and lilacs. She had a green thumb and could make anything grow. Adele is survived by her children: John (Dianne), Colleen Morris (Scott), Mary Howes (Joel), Virginia deGroot (Arie), Patrick, Dan (Margaret), Mike (Mary), Laurie Gunkel, Joan Keepers (Frank), Phillip (Diane), Tony (Laura), James, Jan (Eli Jannicky); 31 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and brother Louis. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A private gathering will be held for family and close friends at the Utah Veteran's Nursing Home Chapel. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home and to Sharee and the staff from Bristol Hospice for their compassionate care.

First Real Sugar

Well, what you see above was Isaac's first real sugar. We go to this sushi restaurant called Red Ginger fairly regularly (like twice a month, maybe.) The waitresses love Isaac and always want to hold him (they probably wouldn't even recognize Dave and I without Isaac! He steals the show.) It's the same 2 or 3 ladies every time. Each time we go, they send us home with a Dumdum sucker. It's cute. I usually store them in my purse and toss them into the candy bucket in my classroom when I get a chance, so that other peoples' kids get a sugar high, but not mine. hehe.
Well, tonight the waitress opened one of the suckers up and shoved it into Isaac's mouth. I was a little speechless, but I didn't stop her, either. Perhaps I should have, but it was kind of awkward. She's always so nice to us, and I guess it wasn't THAT big of a deal. Plus, I figured he would forget the sweet, sweet taste of sugar soon enough. Ah well, such is life. There is a first time for everything, right?

On a side note, my entire immediate family gathered at Red Ginger tonight for my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! It was great to have us all in the same place at the same time -- that's harder and harder to do as our family grows. We are still only 10 people, with spouses, fiances, girlfriends and Isaac, but still!

Mother's Day

You know it's time to mow the lawn when it reaches halfway up your baby's back.

We aren't big on holidays in our household, and as commercialized as Mother's Day is, I hate to give it attention. HOWEVER and that's a BIG HOWEVER, I do like the idea of using it as an excuse to be recognized. Being a mother, I now realize just how much work it truly is. Rewarding work, mind you, but definitely work! I prefer to receive services and other people's time for my Mother's Day gifts, though. :)
Service - Dave washed my car for me - thanks Dave!
Time - I spend the afternoon with Dave and Isaac eating at Market Street Grill (DELICIOUS crab and avocado sandwich) and walking/hiking after. It was very nice.

I couldn't be happier than to be Isaac's mother EVERY day, but I think we'll keep tradition of celebrating Mother's Day amyway. Damn those holidays that suck us in :)
Here are some photos from the weekend.

In these photos :Dad's shades

With Ma

Goofiness with Dad

crawling on the flower borders is what the cool kids are doing.


Isaac trying to feed Abbie a dandylion

Easily entertained.


"seriously, mom? How long will it take you to notice that I look like a freakin' MERMAID