first snow first lights

Friday November 18 Bethany and Olivia went to a sleep over. I intended to take everyone to Riverwoods to see the light celebration, but had to bring back the little ones, due to fighting over who got to wear which hat. Sam, Ben, and Kyle took Caitlin. Anyway, its fun for the kids to have separate outings. Everyone enjoys the new dynamic. 

They returned and we had Pier 49 for pizza night. I ordered Sam's favorites, pesto chicken and spinach Alfredo.  Later we looked outside and saw snow falling.  Grant was so excited, he ran out in his pajamas and bare feet.  Sam helped all the kids get on coats and boots for a late night snow ball fight.  I was nervous about driving Grandma Martha home in the new, slippery snow, and grateful to return home safely.  The biggest thing I don't like about winter is the possibility of limited mobility.  Grant wasn't worried about anything.

Saturday morning the kids went outside as soon as they could. Sam and Kyle took Grant and William sledding. I had to take Olivia shopping, which was agony for her. She couldn't wait to get back to sledding. Mary and Kyle started a snow man at the park, but decided to transplant it to our yard. By afternoon the snow was almost gone, but the kids intended to use up what they could.

Monday, November 21, the little kids went to Grandma Martha's house for the day.  I spent the time getting my Utah driver's license, the kind of thing I dread.  Not sure what hoops I'll have to jump through, what paperwork will be slightly off. As predicted there was one glitch.  I went to the wrong office. Testing was only done across town.  Just as well since I had forgotten my glasses. Tried again after lunch, passed the open book test, failed the eye exam--good thing I had my glasses, and the happiest thing, walked out with a picture I didn't detest.  I felt pretty euphoric about the whole thing.

In the afternoon Sam wanted to accompany Ben and me to downtown Provo for Ben's guitar lesson. He  found out that I sometimes get lured in to the Peruvian restaurant next to the guitar shop for papas fritas and the most delicious spicy green dipping sauce.  On the way we saw this rainbow over the Y.  I was limited by my cell phone camera and the fact that the light turned green right as I decided to go for the picture. Here's the best I could do.

Tuesday was the kids' last day of school for the week. Mary and Caitlin came home dressed in paper bags and construction paper feathers. I can remember so clearly my own oatmeal box Indian drums of childhood. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Caitlin and her new friend from school.

Tuesday evening, I surprised the kids with a trip to Pizza Pie Cafe to start off the weekend.  I loved this pumpkin pizza.  The place was packed. They were having a text special; three dollars off the regular buffet price.  Caitlin had a coupon for two free kids buffets for her October reading reward. 

After dinner Sam and Mary walked over to the mall to enjoy the lights and the gingerbread houses in all the shops.

Thanks for the pictures Sam.

school

Monday March 14,  Fifteen years later I went back to school.  I have text books.  I have quizzes. I have classmates. 

What makes Megan happy?  Not the mom, not the wife, just me?  School.

Really,  it was that simple.

School is the safest place on Earth.  I will never leave it again.

Other things make me happy too.  Like Sophie in the St. Patrick's day dress that Grandma Martha gave her.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Green pizza this year.  Chicken and spinach alfredo from Pier 49.

And here is the Little Italy.  The kids weren't  happy with the pepperoncini, but I love them. Tomatoes and sausage together are delicious.

Something else to be very happy about, Friday March 18, I took Sophie to the Pediatric Cardiologist at Primary Children, the Riverton office that I love. Happy news. The doctor said that Sophie's heart tumor is getting hard to find on the ultra sound.

In the evening Grandma Martha hosted the big boys and Grant at her house for a sleep over.  I took the girls and William to meet my good friend and former roommate Eileen and her children.  They had just arrived from Japan post earthquake.  We ate and played together at the Spanish Fork McDonald's. Wonderful to see her.

Saturday, I'm sure it was cleaning and a little shopping.  Birthday party delivery etc...

Saturday evening and Sunday, March 20, wind and kites.

valentines

Now I have to share some pictures, for the sake of archiving.  I didn't want to write about my blood and valentine's day in the same post...too much like an eighties horror movie.

I felt so happy to be able to spend time at the elementary school.  I was in charge of the cookie table in Olivia's class.

Kyle's stash.

Mary's artwork.

Heart shaped pizza from Pier 49 Pizza.

Chocolate and strawberries are everywhere this year.

In the evening the Bishop and Becky, his wife, came by with this desk that they didn't need anymore.  We put it in Kyle's room. He loves it. 

my life in drop shipping

If this doesn't qualify me for State of Utah residency...  I bought into a we'll-train-you-how-to-make-a-passive-income-on-e-bay thing.  So now I have e-bay homework. Here's a list of a few things I'd rather do...

- Fold laundry..

- Check for cavities at the dentist...

-Sniff out what's rotting in the kitchen...

- Hunt down the dwarf hamster who's been missing for two weeks but was spotted alive, scurrying about Monday morning in the basement.

-Post pictures of the mundane details of my life on blogger...

Like the pizza, for instance...

Friday we went back to Pier 49 Pizza.  This is the Ghiradelli... Ham and Pineapple with Alfredo. Yummy concept. Very delicious.

The Lombard Street...Sam and I agree that this one always remains the favorite...barbecue chicken, red onions...so good.

Their pepperoni, the 49er, is nice too. I try to reserve it for the little kids, but usually end up snitching.

Here's a piece of advice for anyone who might be going through marital transition...don't do something just because it's the kind of thing you wouldn't have done while you were married....You probably haven't changed that much.  But I'm still plugging away at this e-bay thing..trying to come up with my own cheesy, annoying slogan to make myself want to sell things like...Imperceptible growth is still growth.  How's that?

Off that topic,  we had a fun weekend. It was great to have a visit from Uncle Joe and Aunt Courtney.

Sophie and cousin Mia's first meeting.

Courtney and Joe always come bearing sweet gifts..Red Vines for Ben...

and Valentine Loft cookies..something to love about February.

Sunday Sam was in the kitchen making Superbowl pretzels and homemade cheese sauce.

That's Olivia and her 3D glasses. Monday night we saw Megamind. We've decided to try to go out more for Family Home evening...just to make it different than our other nights of scripture-time-turned-chaos.

 Tuesday..found out I do have cavities, three in fact.  And here I am Wednesday, doing what I can to avoid browsing the drop shipper's catalogue.  What does sell on e-bay?  Not rubber chickens apparently.  I'm tempted to try selling the Alien paddle balls Grant was admiring  over my shoulder. You may find them for sale here soon.

happy, hallows, holy

Friday, November 19, we started off the weekend with pizza night.  Back to Pier 49 Pizza.  Sam wanted to try the Fisherman's Wharf.

Shrimp, crab, tomatoes and green onions, Alfredo sauce, all together an amazing concept.  I wished that the shrimp and crab had been more fresh and flavorful. I imagined how wonderful it would taste to have the juices from the seafood actually seep out and flavor the cheese and sauce. I wished that the tomatoes and particularly the green onions had a stronger presense. They could have cut them thicker.  It's like they had a great idea but then backed away from what could have been a beautiful thing.  I'm getting a little carried away now.

I love this incredible cheese. What tenacity.

 Sam and I both agreed that Pier 49 Pizza's pepperoni is particularly savory. Grant seems to like it too.

Saturday morning the big kids walked to the movie theatre nearby to see the new Harry Potter.

I sent them with my camera and the assignment to document the experience.

Sam's been talking about this one.  I'm always up for Matt Damon.

Expecto Petrolum.

Sunday was cozy.  Kyle made his first batch of chocolate chip cookies.

I couldn't keep the others back from their snow worship.

I was grateful for a happy weekend.