TO IOWA!

We moved.  Three weeks ago we loaded our Budget two-room truck and shuttled ourselves across the mid-west at a raging 65 miles per hour.  We sold our car and handed our house down to Blake and Zoee so they could continue our Ogden legacy, and we said goodbye to our rockin' families.

 Look at this cute picture of Grandma and Grandpa Green the morning we left Utah.

 And look at this Budget Beauty with a built-in governor to halt your naughty lead foot when you see higher than 70 mph.

We were lucky enough to stay in a trashy motel just across the Nebraska border and wake up to this haze, while enjoying our morning waffles with two sweet night-gowned ladies  and a gaggle of truck drivers getting their morning smokes in. Oh Nebraska, you have my heart.

While Brian drove ahead in this Blindspot Terror, Scarlett, my mother, and I talked and snacked and cried in our Corolla.  It was fun.  I'm being serious, Scarlett mostly slept the whole time.  She only cried when it'd been four hours and she was hungry and still strapped  into her car-seat like a child criminal.

    My mom was a huge help along the way and stayed with us for a couple days to help us move in and get settled. She hopped onto our road trip just a day after traveling home from Disneyland with Dad and a few of my siblings. She's adventurous. I'm sure she was glad she didn't have to drive another 18 hours back to Utah, although, her layover in Denver was extended because of hailstormage, so I think it took her awhile to get back on Utah soil.

Cool diversity-loving sculpture in front of the airport.  They're all holding hands while they skip off to their flight.   This happens to everyone who flies out of Cedar Rapids.

We already miss our loved ones in Zion. Can't wait for Christmas! Santa's bringing us a new niece via Sarah and Alex.  See you all soon!

He Is The Man

     We celebrated The Brain's birthday a couple of weeks ago with a couple of good meals and a new TV.  You could say we are living the American dream. We are trying to sell/giveaway this ol' box that was kindly handed down to us from my sister-in-law, Ashley, after it broke through her car window. I will miss that humungous glow-in-the-dark remote.

         This TV served us well, but when we found out it would cost $100+ to buy the converter box to take advantage of the many digital channels included with our rent, we decided to go crazy and buy a new, lighter TV that could handle all the digital channels for $200 at Costco.  I'm happy because our expanded channel selection has become a great tool to lure our friends over. Who knew there were so many BYU fans in Iowa City?    It was pretty cool to see them demolish Texas on Saturday. I'm not really into football, but apparently it was a big deal.
           On Brian's birthday weekend, we went downtown  to look at a bike trailer for sale at Iowa City's, Bike Library, and to go swimming at the CRWC. It was the Hawkeye's first home game, so we were curious to see what the tailgating was like. 
 There were Hawkeye Tents set up everywhere selling merchandise and food at 10:00 in the morning.  The game started at 2:30, but people start tailgating by Kinnick Stadium the night before home games here.

 

 

      To the left: Kinnick Stadium.  It seats 70,000 fans and home games sell out quickly.  The guy in the corner is wearing the popular gold and black striped overalls.  The style is to keep one strap unhooked, and show off your manliness with a naked torso like a centaur.  Brian wants a pair.

 Fans cram their parked cars into front yards,

 and golf courses, probably costing a pretty penny this close to the stadium.  Many people park in Coralville and take a train shuttle to Kinnick.

    After we passed that business, and looked at the used trailer at the Bike Library, we decided it wasn't that awesome for the price.  So we decided to go look at the mall to find a better deal.  I had low expectations because usually when I'm looking for deals I don't find them, but we walked into Scheel's and BAM, they were selling out their old models and they were on Clearance.  Sweet.  So we got this two-seater for $119: the cheapest price we've seen.

And savvy Brian found this adjustable helmet online for 15 bones. She doesn't love it, but I do.

    After we bought it and smooshed it in the back seat (we had our jogging stroller in the trunk) we headed to the pool.  I love to swim I love to swim I love to swim. Scarlett tries her hardest to enjoy the cool pool water, but she doesn't really relax until we get in the big hot tub at the end.  Its pretty much the same temp as her bathwater and it has no age restrictions so its perfect for her.  That's when she returns to normal and continues communicating as a baby dinosaur.

   After the much-needed swim (Iowa City is going through a heat-wave this August) we headed over to lunch at The Pit.  Brian wanted me to take a picture of him and his "Man Salad".  It was BBQ pork  and Bacon and Cheese tossed over their Homemade Tator-Tots.  Heartburn Heaven.

    Brian and I are pretty laid back when it comes to gift-giving.  Neither of us are very good at it. Our theory is that if you're going to spend our money on something for the other person, then maybe you should let them get exactly what they want. Sometimes we do surprise each other with little gifts and that is fun, but it doesn't make us any more excited about what the gift was. 
   So this time around I decided  to get him something he needed for his birthday, with  the help of my mom.  While she was here helping us get settled, she noticed the ragged state of Brian's blanket. That thing has been his only other sleeping companion since age 11.  It had a good run (14 years), but it was shredding and getting pretty mangy.  My mom and I stopped by Joann's and picked out some fabric, and through the magic of the US Postal Service and a mother's love and skill, it came the Monday after his birthday (along with a tie, birthday card, some salsa, and treats for me).
     I think I may love it even more than he does.  It turned out awesome.  I am amazed at my mom's Turn Around Time and by her generosity.  Thanks Mom!

       It has little bikes on it, one of Brian's loves. We retired his old blanket and he's been enjoying this new one.  Maybe it will last 15 years.
     I'm glad may Brian's been around these 25 years.  He's made me life exciting, happy, humorous, peaceful, and whole.  I love him I love him I love him.  We've been married for 3 years and I'm looking forward to a million ten thousand seventeen infinity more. I have been awestruck at times when I think about how he loves me back. Happy Birthday, B-dawg. We love you.

Hair Vanity

Pictures are for hair viewing purposes only and in no way reflect superior camera skills:

 Don't worry she's fine.  She just loves to fall asleep with something in her face.  In this case, my hand.

 Nursin' fool. Look away if that creeps you out.

 

Oh this is a nice one.

Hot mess, to be current

 I would like to whine about my current hair problem, because this is my blog and because I can.  Yes, it is getting long and almost mermaidesque like I had planned, but it is falling out...like CRAZY.  I don't think I have a bald spot or anything (is it shallow to say that is my worst nightmare?) but it is detaching from my scalp and getting e'rwe'where.  I have swirly curly strands all over my pillow, and Brian's...maybe I do take over the bed at night; the couch, floor, and bathroom-especially- are getting pretty hairy.  I'm constantly pulling strands hanging below my hair line and flicking them into the garbage, and Scarlett keeps grabbing them and putting them in her mouth....ewww yech.  Not good, i tell you.
   I'm thinking its payback for experiencing little to no hair loss during pregnancy.  Now the hair gods are cashing in on all that thick-strong-never-even-falls-out-in-the-shower hair power.  Booooo, hair gods. Some of my sister-in-laws told me that this would happen 3 to 4 months after delivery.  I'm sad that I wasn't an exception, but I guess this means there are more kids in my future....haha.  Plus I love families and babies and brothers and sisters and grandparents and love. Those are good too.
   So I'm thinking the solution may be to cut my hair short, so it has less chances of falling out, and less surface area to cover my apartment if it does.  I want a hair style that will be cute without having to style it too much every day, 'cause I 'taint really into that. Here's what I'm thinking...

Haha, yeah, they are all of Jasmine Harper on this season's SYTYCD. Maybe its just because I love her that I love her hair so much. Vote for Jasmine!  Do you think that this could work on Caucasian ungraceful me? I might not be bold enough to do it, but I especially love the last pic where her hairs all crazy on top.  But, eh, its just hair, it'll always grow back, right?

.....And the little one said

ROLL OVER.

The night before we started our move, we stayed at Maureen and Alan's house.  I woke up with Scarlett in the middle of the night to save her from her hungry little baby belly, and I was quite frazzled when I picked her up in my blind, groggy state.  She seemed to be back bending way over my hand and wiggling all over the place.  I nursed her til she fell back asleep and went back to bed confused but too tired to dwell on it.
    When I woke up to her calls in the morning, I found her wiggling and whining on her belly.  Light bulb.   That morning while Brian and I ran errands, Grandpa Green saw her roll over, and we were all jealous.  Since then, she does it every time we set her on her back.  Now its no big deal.  Cute kid.

Fishing with Sunbeams

Brian and I just left the cutest 3 and 4-year olds in our old ward.  Co-teaching sunbeams is probably my favorite calling I've had so far in my 15 years of membership, not that serving as Mia-Maid Secretary wasn't awesome.
I just wanted to share our favorite game and teaching tool, because I am proud of it.  Fishing.

I used my mom's Cricut to cut out the fish with her special Stampin' Up paper. She's a demonstrator and is a very very crafty woman.   Then we laminated them and paper clipped each one. Suuuuper Easy.

 Then I bought some wooden sticks at JoAnn's (I forgot the proper name for the craft wooden sticks), tied on some yarn, and  used the hot glue gun at the Steiner's house to attach the mini magnets.  I completed these steps during Jeffy's Halo bachelor party while Brian defended my honor in a ping pong match.  Wow that was awhile ago.

 The concentration is this room looks a lot like reverent children. This really is the best way to get them to pay attention: bribe them with a once in a lifetime chance to catch a paper fish.

 Brian would "read" the activity each fish had on the back of its scales. I think we were learning about how our bodies can move in this particular lesson.

 They love a good challenge. Our class was never too rowdy. Never.

When we were called, the rule was "no treats allowed".  I don't think anyone really followed it.  On our last day, we had Jack's favorite: saltine crackers.  This kid could've eaten the whole sleeve of them. Also, we added some marshmallows we needed to have eaten.  Thus, this culinary masterpiece was created:

They said they were better than those sandwiches you roast by the fire with chocolate and stuff.

I miss them already.

Wedding Day

             My eldest brother Daniel got married last Tuesday in the Bountiful Temple to Nicole Sheridan.  They are cute.  Sadly, we only got pictures of ourselves so far.  I'm excited to do a real fat wedding picture post and steal some from her photographer, if Nicole will allow of course. He is my last sibling of legal age to get married in my family.  Get this---five weddings in 17 months. And that's not including ours three years ago.  My mom is a fantastic wedding planner. I'll give you her number if you're interested....but I bet she ready to retire for awhile.

 

 This baby was like eye candy all dressed up in her wedding attire.  Everyone coveted who got to hold her (except for Dan and Nicole, they just wanted to hold each other).  I'm going to miss that when we move.  Its nice to have 20 babysitters ready for the job.

I loved the wedding colors Nicole picked: Coral and Mint.  I love getting new dresses every time we get a new member of the family. It rocks.

 Our baby looks Asian.  I love that skunk.

It is so awesome to have more wonderful in-laws get sealed to my brothers and sisters and make their lives so happy. I love it! Congrats Dan and Nicole!

Ol' Ben Lomond

Hey.  We did it. We conquered this brute just North of my parents house:

Apparently Ben Lomond Peak is the inspiration for Paramount Pictures. Read all about it here.

The hike is approx. 8.2 miles to the summit and 3600 ft elevation gain. Yowza. Brian had some insomnia issues the night before, and I think we were both a little nervous he wasn't going to make it (or be his pleasant well-rested self) on his hour and a half night's sleep. But he did.

We completed our 16.4 miles in about 6 and 1/2 hours. Not bad.

Here's most of the crew at the trailhead parking lot. I believe Austin was sleeping in his car and Ben was using the facilities:

 

 It was fun to walk and talk (and gossip) with the family + Austin, Chad's cousin. I bet Austin thinks we're weird.

The hike wasn't really too bad until the last mile when it sharpened its incline.  It was nice to have a sit at the top. The little one behind me, Renae, is my mini-me and the official family member record holder for minutes holding Scarlett. Okay, actually that's probably Grandpa Green.  He could hold her all day. 

Chad was so hungry he finished my bitten apple. Now we share immunity.

 Behold: The Greater Ogden Area and Beyond.

 Olivia's head is slightly chopped off but at least she has mobile service.

Matching Jazz hats.  We wore them just for Steve.  Oh and did I mention we saw Steve & Heather Godfrey and little bro Godfrey up near the top? That was fun. Small world.  Big mountain.

It was very windy and real cold. Brian is leaning into the wind and not even falling (not really, that is a lie).

Also, cute story.  On our way back down we kept having to give up our pedestrian rights to motorcyclists.  I chose one side of the trail to flee to, while everyone else chose the other.  I teased that they all chose a weird side to go down the mountain, and then the sticker plant I jumped in put my foot in my mouth. It was prickly.  Chad saved me with his inspiration to bring his wallet, and I used a credit card to shave off the damage. He's a good one, Cheryl. 

 

 

          There is not a happy after picture cuz we were not in the best of spirits after almost 16 1/2 miles on our abused feet.  So we jumped in the car, picked up our cutie and dined at Pizza Pie Café by Kirt's.  We had coupons for $5.00 a person.  Not awesome pizza, but I liked the salad & pasta bar.  Oh, and that dessert pizza...mmmmmmm. Worth the 5 buck entry. 

        Later we joined a Weber State party at Surf and Swim.  It was so good to get our sore muscles in some water. Scarlett enjoyed the waves coming in at our feet, but soon got too comfy in my arms and fell asleep.  Love it when she does that. Then we ate too much again at Burger Bar: Home of the Big Ben. Aaaaannd...then we zonked out.  Luckily, Brian didn't have to you use any Walgreen's sleepaid we bought on the way home.