Brillant Idea

So a lot has been happening but I just saw this idea on DesignMom and it's so smart.

Why didn't I think of this?

What a great way to organize cords! 

We're definitely implementing this for our computer and TV/dvd cords.

Odds and Ends...

Meet a new member of our household....

She's pretty sassy with her giraffe print body. She does an amazing job curling and straightening my hair as well as hair much shorter - my husband is a great sport. Curling his brown locks just made him look like Brett from Flight of the Concords.

Cute Right?
Other things that happened this week...
So I guess it turns out that washing your phone in the washing machine doesn't produce the expected results of a cleaner and better looking phone....as a result we will have another new member in our household tomorrow.

I'm very excited to meet her.
Yesterday I chopped Ryan's hair off. He looks very handsome. He has now not had a professional haircut for almost a year...he still claims it's a good thing.

We finally booked our flights from SLC to LA for our connecting flight to NZ....and we booked our rental, which turned out to be very reasonable. It's crazy how close it's getting.

Other great news - we can officially stay in a hotel room in NZ from all the points we've accumulated over the past 2 years.

Only 2 1/2 more weeks of class and then finals and then graduation. It's nuts. 

Also - anyone have any suggestions or advice on whether we should move to DC or Boston?

Happy St. Patricks Day

This day always reminds me of two things...

My Granddad because today is his birthday and corned beef and cabbage. One of my favorite memories happens to involve both of them together. When we still lived in St. George, my family and the cousins went over to Granddad's for this special birthday dinner. It's a happy memory. He always made me feel loved and adored. He was a wonderful grandpa.

"His clear blue eyes and friendly smile will serve as our remembrance of him always."

Happy Birthday Granddad!

Lately...

Not a whole lot has happened lately...but here are a few key highlights.

1. Ryan and I met our newest nephew - Evan - Danielle and Jayson's first baby. It was really neat to see such a new baby - he was only a couple hours when we met. He's also very cute. I think he probably liked me more than his uncle Ryan given that he went to the bathroom while Ryan was holding him. It'll be fun to be around him for a few months before we leave for grad school.

2. Happy Birthday Dad! Last week it was my dad's 60th birthday and all of us kids surprised him by meeting in SLC. He was really excited and really surprised when everyone started showing up. The birthday surprise also marked a new high for me and Corey. I think we're now great friends - it only took running around outside with him, looking for fish, and quacking at the ducks for hours to make me officially his favorite aunt (although he didn't ever tell me these specific words, I'm sure he was thinking them). 

3. Ryan has been accepted to several grad schools! Yippee, we at least have somewhere to go next year. We're still waiting to hear back from a lot but it's looking good. I'm glad that he's so smart and such a hard worker. So far it looks like we'll either end up in Boston or DC area. They both sound like great places to spend 4-5 years. Now just for me to find a job....

4. Ryan and I bought our cap and gown get-ups the other day - so I guess it's official, we will be graduating in 6 weeks. Pretty crazy.

Also....NZ in about 7 weeks. Huzah!

So in my marketing class we've been watching lots of commercials and looking at different print ads and such here are just a couple of my favorites so far. They're really funny so you should watch...

Ikea Lamp Commercial

Fireman Rescue

Boxing...

Last night I got into a fight.....

With the door.....

I lost.

Excited....

Everyday I get a new little surprise from here which makes my day. This photographer is amazing and gets me so excited to go explore New Zealand.

Lately I've been researching different travel books - I seriously can't wait. Anyone have any suggestions of favorite books that have guided you through your adventures? When I was in India I got a book from "Eyewitness Travel Guides" and loved all the pictures...I would love suggestions.

However, if you're suggestion-less and have a few minutes to kill, go click on this link and check out how beautiful New Zealand is. Here's a little teaser to motivate you....

Why Sundays are so Fun...

I like primary. It's super fun. We got to move up with our kiddos this year so we have all 5 (or 6 some days) boys to hang out with for two hours every Sunday. They are each so different and full of surprises. One has probably become my favorite. Every Sunday he makes a point of telling me that I'm "boy trapped" - meaning that I'm completely surrounded by boys with no way out. 

Today the boys were a little bit wild. The favorite saying was "kids are all in zero gravity" and then they kept repeating "zero gravity" and randomly giggling throughout the lesson. It got them all really excited because of course that meant that they could lift their feet off the ground and then be floating - pretty exciting stuff right? It's also fun when we see all 5 get to church - each will see you and then smile or wave or tug on his mom's dress to point us out. It makes me feel a bit famous. 

So morale is if you're stuck in sunday school, you should probably be a little jealous and try to ditch out and come to our class because it'll brighten your day (and plus we get to play tons of fun games).