To Grandmother's House We Go...

So a couple weeks ago we got the chance to go see my family in Colorado while Rob was away. It was soooo fun and we were so excited. I had never taken Etta on a plane before so I wasn't sure what to expect.

At first it appeared to be a total plus, I was escorted to the front of every line! Everyone was so eager to help. If you know SLC airport well you'll understand what went wrong. They told me my gate was E64. Let's call E "Alaska". So I double checked on the TV screens after security and I was indeed suppose to go to "Alaska." This seemed odd for Delta but I trucked all my stuff up there. Being the frugal woman I am I'd decided to carry on. So I had my small duffel, large diaper bag, and Elizabeth in her car seat in tow (they charge $15 bucks each way for one bag now!).

I stopped to get a snack because I was famished after a full morning of skiing then straight to the airport sans lunch. I get to my crowded gate and plant so I can eat my delicious parfait. After 10 minutes or so I realize I haven't heard anything about my flight which should be boarding soon. So I figure it's going to be late and lug all my stuff up to the counter to inquire what's going on. He proceeds to tell me my flight moved to B12. Let's call B "Brazil." "How am I suppose to get from "Alaska" to "Brazil" in time with all this stuff I ask him! It's impossible, will you call and tell them I'm coming?" He proceeds to tell me that they won't wait for anyone. Comforting, thank you. "Will you just tell them?"

I grab everything and start on my way down towards "Brazil" in a frenzy. Every corner I turned that revealed yet another walking (running at this point) escalator and not my concourse was painful. I felt like my arms were going to break. Where were all those golf carts you ask? I have no idea! Suddenly not one was any where to be seen.

Needless to say after much ado I finally arrived in "Brazil" to find a very sweet man waiting for me. He informed me that I wouldn't have to check my car seat because they got me my own row and he apologized for the confusion. Thank you! We got to Colorado all in one happy piece to an airport with trains to get you where you need to go, thank goodness.

We waited for my parents in this fun all glass waiting area where baby had a blast talking to her friend who looked mysteriously like her twin.

We had so much fun with grandma in her big bath and were so excited to where new PJ's!

Elizabeth loved Bear. I can't say the same for him but he put on a brave face and let her climb all over him.

She actually really loved riding on the plane!
And loved exploring every nook and cranny of the airport.

Thanks Mom, Dad, and Julia for a very fun, relaxing weekend of shopping during the day and Mexican train into the wee hours of the morning! We love you guys!

Baby is 9 months and everywhere!

She's definitely gone up the stairs before but this time she started and never stopped. She was up both flights of stairs in a flash of light! She turned around just before finishing, crawling into her room and giving herself a good celebration clap!

9 month stats are:

Head: 17.75 inches (81.17th percentile)
Weight: 17.68 lbs (29.88th percentile)
Height: 27.75 inches (58.66th percentile)

She really is totally crazy. She's into absolutely everything and is on the brink of walking. She's such a blast to play with. She's so giggly and active. We couldn't love our little girl more!

Finally!

So this is what our living room has looked like for the past month or two and it's driving me crazy!!!

I was ecstatic when my sister called and offered her piano for a time until she is more stable. Unfortunately we hadn't finished our basement yet so our small living room was the only place to put it. The room already over crowded with two couches, an end table, a coffee table, a 6 ft lovesac and entertainment system (one for us and one for baby), has now become unbearably claustrophobic. This is what it looks like on a clean day with the excersaucer pushed up next to the TV, the couches in one long strange configuration, and the lovesac in the the walkway/kitchen. Yikes! So it's no surprise that I'm so happy to announce the commencement of our basement! No longer will it be an obstacle course to get from front door to back. We will move the TV and lovesac downstairs to make a suitable place for the beloved piano. So wish us luck as we embark on our huge headache...I'm sure we'll need it!

And the winner is...

Adam Lambert. Hmm. I hated it. I loved it. You're skills baffle me. "It left me confused...and sort of happy." I had to watch it 10 times to decide it was sick.

Sound Off, One Two...

What are you thinking? So I usually don't go as far as to blog about TV shows but have to sound off here for one moment....Judges I thought I could trust you but you are no better than America. There are many people in this years top 13 that I'm on the fence about, I suppose I'm not catching the vision. Uh, Kris whatever your name is for starters, and I know so many people LOVE Danny Gokey, but come on...for me at this point he is so mediocre and o-ver-ra-ted! Didn't he win last year? Oh wait, that was David Cook, a slightly better version of the same thing. Not buying the hype.

Maybe he can change my mind...but moving on to someone who can't. Jasmine, judges...really? So she can sing, I get it. It's not that she has a bad voice but can we just talk about Ricky Braddy for a minute? He is unreal. Maybe he's not a star yet Simon, but he has one of the best voices I've heard on American Idol and would've loved to see him grow in to the star he has potential to be. He has a sick voice and can make any song sound good with his ridiculous vocals!?

Now you America...I'm sorry but Scott MacIntyre? With Scott, I think it's amazing how far he's come with his disability but let's be honest, can you really tell me that's not the main reason you voted for him? And Michael Sarver? Once again, not bad...but was he better than say...Ju'Not Joyner or Von Smith? There were so many people for whom I had high hopes that came out and like busters, totally blew it! Enter Stephen Fowler.

Basically the new format this year is confounding, and unfair. The three highest vote getters each week made the Top 12. The top guy, the top girl, then the person with the next highest vote count, guy or girl. This disallows us to watch the development of each contestant, and doesn't really let us get to know who they are as ‘artists’ until the Top 12! (which of course axes someone every week anyway). Well, that's my little rant. I'm just glad Matt and Megan made it late in the game or I may have never watched again. Ricky, whatever you end up doing...I'm rootin for ya.