Chan, Jill & AJ

recap...eerrr we're back?

2012-01-19T17:58:00.002-06:00

I won't give any broken promises about recapping the last 6+ months. Sorry friends, I don't want to start this year off on a lie. Let's just say the summer, fall and half of winter have had their ups and downs and have been semi busy for us.

I will tell you that we are still in North Ogden, enjoying living with my parents for about a year now. Chan works for Rio Tinto now. Started there in September. He gets to commute down to Salt Lake each day. That's about 70 - 85 minutes each way. He doesn't love that, but it is getting better now that he re-discovered books on CD.

So AJ and I play. And that is basically my life. We play a lot and we love it.

Here are a few pictures to show you how much he has grown up! He talks like a pro, eats ok, his run makes me laugh each time. He only rides his horse with his cowboy hat on (and sometimes only that). He plays with other kids decently, loves to take bassss (bath). Says 'have a bite' to anyone with food. My favorite, 'yay yay eat?' (AJ eat?) we love him.

(these bike pictures...taken January 14th. it was 40 degrees and sunny. Reminded me of a San Diego January!)

This is a new favorite. His face was so funny!

We love the 4th of July!

We had Superman for Halloween. Yes, we spray painted his hair!

First black eye, August, 2011. Look how BLOND he was over the summer. Blond and TAN!

I love this picture about as much as he loved the swings.

And here's to hoping we keep in touch more. I love looking at blogs, I just don't get around to blogging like I should. excuses, excuses.

Beach Camp

2011-07-12T00:11:00.000-05:00

Beach Camp June 11 - 17, 2011

My sister Jayme has been going to beach camp for the past 10 years. I FINALLY got to go this year. AJ and I loved it! Can't wait to go back.

OneYear

2011-07-05T20:25:00.002-05:00

It has been such an amazing year with AJ. We love him so much! This week we had two family parties to celebrate:

28

2011-06-10T11:18:00.000-05:00

Happy 28th Birthday CHAN! We love you so much!

LAME

2011-05-11T12:34:00.000-05:00

I give you permission to call this blog lame. Not us...just the blog. I'm now going to try and attempt to redeem myself. Would you believe that I have 1663 pictures on my camera? It's true. Think they will actually get posted? Don't get your hopes up. I had a goal of making a picture book of our years in Pittsburgh in the month of January....it's May 11th and I've worked on it twice. I think I need to extend that goal to January 2012. Or at least September when my groupon coupon expires. I don't even have a legitimate reason for the lack of posts. Just enjoying Family, oh, and walking around with AJ...he doesn't stop. Or cleaning up after him, he can sure leave a messy trail in the 2.5 hour increments he is awake. Whatever...we all know I am just lazy and have too many TV shows to catch up on during nap times. lame.

However, we did have one Holiday I should document as well as another trip.

EASTER

How come everything so much cuter/fun when you have a little boy?

We had a little Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning in my parents backyard. I think he liked it, even though it was nap time.

seriously, precious.

We might have given AJ a little head start...he's fast, just not fast enough to keep up with these cousins. (sorry for the bum shot, boo).

Saturday night we drove down to Salina to spend Easter with Chan's parents. They are always so good to us. We had a great time.

PRESCOTT, AZ

Salina was also our stopping point on our trip to Prescott, AZ. Chan's brother, Paul, lives there and invited us down for a visit and for some help on the yard work.

We built a walking path across the front of their yard. We really enjoyed working with Paul and Staci. They are such a great example to us.

While we were there we also went to the Zoo, played with the rabbits, went out to dinner, drove around Prescott, and fed the ducks. AJ loved playing with all his cousins. They were each so cute with him. Shalyn always knew where AJ was, what he was doing and sure told him a lot of stuff. That girl is FUNNY!

GRAND CANYON

On our drive home we decided we might as well hit up the Grand Canyon. We were close enough. I am SO glad that we did. I had been once when I was little, but couldn't remember it and Chan had never been.

He turned 10 months old this day. Still can't believe how fast it is going.

Their second National Park to experience together for the first time. I will always have a visual of the two of them walking around the entrance, with AJ holding Chan's finger. I love watching Chan be a dad, he is the best.

Does this make anyone else nervous? Yes, I let him walk around...Chan has having a heart attack. I have been having panic attacks since we left...what was I thinking?!

I was a little nervous about the 14 hour car ride home...all in one day. But AJ did fabulous! So glad the little guy likes to travel! It is going to be a busy summer!

p.s. I have been accused that when I take pictures of Chan with AJ, I tend to crop Chan out of them and just take pictures of AJ. Above is proof that I can take pictures with all of Chan in them too. :)

Cruisin along...

2011-03-31T00:09:00.000-05:00

9 Months

2011-03-29T17:55:00.003-05:00

We have had the BEST 9 months with this little man,
and look forward to the next 9 - this summer we may even get a little tan!

He makes us laugh every day,
with his gibberish and fun communication ways.

His favorite thing is to get into a nice warm bath tub,
where he can splash and splash then get a full body lotion rub.

His eyes have stayed big and blue,
they curiously look for new adventures too.

His legs are long, chubby and always on the move,
when the music plays he turns on his groove.

He is sweet and has a tender heart,
he has wrapping us around his finger down to an art.

He loves balls, hair and to be tickled,
when Daddy plays with him he gives the best giggles.

He is most definitely a momma's boy,
which is great, because he is my love, pride and joy!

9 month stats:
30-3/4" (97%)
23 lbs 6 oz (87%)

Current favorites:

-Walking while holding our fingers or a walker.
-Not motivated to crawl unless you have food. He will army crawl for food.
-Loves to watch people, especially little kids.
-A much improved traveller. He is well traveled too, including trips to/from: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, MD, MT, NV, PA, UT, WV, and WY.
-He thinks fake coughing is so funny.
-Has 2 bottom teeth and is cutting 4 right now on the top.
-Favorite foods: cottage cheese, vanilla ice cream (bad I know, but seriously the cutest thing), rice, avocado, mashed potatoes, bread, apple sauce, mandarine oranges, peaches, carrotts, baby puffs, baby yogurt, cheese. Luckily he is not a picky eater, he'll try just about anything edible or not!

Our days are filled with...

2011-03-20T23:30:00.000-05:00

short day trips and going to the park. Here are some pictures from Logan, the Golden Spike museum and AJ's first time in a swing.

blue skies

2011-03-13T20:57:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday!

2011-03-02T01:17:00.000-06:00

To AJ's Mom!

my little valentine

2011-02-12T16:03:00.002-06:00

This may be the first year I actually think valentine's day can be cute.

peace out

2011-02-09T16:28:00.003-06:00

I may be a couple of weeks behind in writing about this.

It may be because it wasn't supposed to happen until March 2nd.
It may be I was still surprised my little sister was actually LEAVING for 18 months.
It may be I am slow to processes all the emotions.

Whatever the reason, she has been gone for 3 weeks, and I still catch myself thinking 'when Kelsy gets home from work....'

Note to self: she is not working in SLC anymore.

It will sink in...eventually, that my little sister is now HERMANA ALSUP.

She has already changed so much. I love to read her letters. Besides the fact that she has always been a great writer, she is so full of love for the Gospel, it is addicting. The people of Texas Houston are pretty lucky.

Peace out little miss. See you in 17 months!

recovering

2011-02-09T16:22:00.003-06:00

Our little yinzer had high hopes for his Steelers in the Super Bowl!wonder where he got it from?

alas, we had a sad baby boy Sunday night.

maybe next year AJ.

Seven

2011-01-27T16:32:00.003-06:00

How do 7 months go by so quickly? I'm amazed that my love for him has grown SO much. He is such a FUN baby. A few things about Alex Jay at 7 months:

He has two bottom teeth
Sits up all by himself, has done so for a month or more.
Starting to reach forward...crawling here we come!
Loves his hands. he loves to hold his hands together, have a hand in the mouth, anything with his hands. funny: today while he was eating lunch, he kept putting both hands up in the air like baby superman. it was darling.
LOVES the bath. and that may be an understatement. His arms and legs starting kicking and waving as soon as he is naked. When the water turns on, he dives for it! The kicking and waving don't stop once he is in the water either. I sit in the splash zone!
Loves to be naked...is that a boy thing?
Can almost sleep through the night. he's done it a couple of times, but not consistently. He does nap great and goes down fairly easy. I hope I didn't just jinx myself...
Kinda a momma's boy. yes, I secretly love it.
Likes solid food. Favorites: sweet potato, carrots, apples, peaches, oatmeal. others he has tried: corn, banana, prunes, peas, rice cereal, plums. I've been making his food, which I really enjoy. I just need to venture out a little bit more...
Continues to nurse 3-4 times a day. Still will NOT take a bottle. He just plays with it. cute/frustrating.
Gone are the days of cuddling. He is a busy boy.
Has moved out of his 'serious' phase. He is now a HAPPY baby. He smiles at anyone, laughs at silly things, loves 'stinky feet' and playing 'psych' with Chan (thanks Jaden).
Holds on to fingers. Havi always says, 'look, he likes me' or 'he won't let me go, I'm his favorite, huh?'
Sits in the front of a shopping cart and thinks he's big stuff
Wears size 9 - 12 month clothes and size 3 diaper (same as his 16 month old cousin!)
Prefers to stand up. He can hold himself up against the couch. Also prefers to stand on my arm if I am carrying him somewhere.
Will now tolerate the carseat.
Absolutely gives the BEST slobbery kisses ever!
seriously...LOVE you baby boy!

BFFs

2011-01-26T15:02:00.004-06:00

AJ and Eden are only 9 months apart and already they are BFFs!

Eden comes up to AJ with arms wide open for hugs all the time. i love it.

Lastly, here is Papa with his four grandkids. He loves these kids and they sure love him! The 2 in the back are our iphone/pad addicts. Today is my Mom and Dad's 31st anniversary! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I hope you are enjoying the San Diego sunshine.

Sledding

2011-01-26T14:41:00.004-06:00

One of the things I enjoy most living around family, are the little outings.

Nieces make all things fun. Like sledding.

And having an aunt around to pull you up the hill, makes sledding fun for them!

And AJ just has fun with his mittens. Next year we'll be going down the hill too.

One of my new years resolutions is to have at least 40 blog entries this year. To some, that happens in 2 months. For me, it is going to be a challenge. There are 52 weeks/year, so less than one a week...come on Jill, you can do THAT!

Tiny Tim

2011-01-06T18:40:00.002-06:00

We hope you all had a great holiday season. We took over 400 pictures this Christmas but can sum up our good times with just one. Happy new year!

From Pennsylvania to Florida

2010-12-20T15:26:00.004-06:00

Season's Greetings from Siesta Key! Next Stop Utah!

It finally came

2010-12-19T10:08:00.003-06:00

We'll miss you 716 N. Sheridan Ave and everyone in Pittsburgh!

reindeer bum

2010-12-02T16:54:00.003-06:00

AJ's December 1st present...

Cutest bum e.v.e.r.
Thanks Grandma Karyn!!

sight

2010-11-17T11:15:00.003-06:00

My radar has been spotting an uncommonly high amount of visually impaired people lately.

Yesterday, while sitting at a red light, with my baby asleep in the backseat. I watched a sweet elderly man, with his walking stick, feel his way to the corner of the street. He waited patiently for the light to change, and then headed again on his way.

I was surprised as the tears came to my eyes, as I thought of how undeservingly blessed I am. How great it is to be able to see. To walk with confidence and to see the sidewalk. What an amazing gift, so simple, but SO amazing.

I went home and snuggled the lil' man a bit longer last night. I felt so blessed and so grateful.

I LOVE this Holiday Season.

no check

2010-11-08T14:06:00.002-06:00

Guess what...this is NOT a baby post. I know, I'm shocked too. Not that he isn't the cutest thing e.v.e.r. but I kinda get bored with blogs where people only post about their babies. And since I have been doing more than my fair share of blog surfing today (confession, actually not just today, actually since I came back to work/started work). I decided that I needed to do a little 'adult' talking.

For example, do you, dear blog reader, know that the mister graduates in December? Yes, like real life graduates! Which means that a move is in order! So, to make it blog-official, we, the Pittsburgh Braithwaites, will be moving {temporarily} to UTAH! We are jumping for joy while simultaneously shedding a few tears too. Why temporarily you ask. Well, someday I'll explain it all. Or you can just watch and see what happens in the next 6 months.

Example of jumping for joy. This morning, I missed my bus THREE times. yes, I saw it drive past me while I was literally across the street...all.three.times. How does that happen? let me tell you. 1st time, it was a couple of minutes early. But I know between 7:50 - 8:05 two buses will come by. So I got to the bus stop to wait for the 2nd bus. But then I had a brilliant thought, hrmm yesterday I put my wallet in the diaper bag. yep, it's still there! So turn around I did and head back home. Now, the next set of buses come at 8:20. So I poured myself a bowl of cereal and played with the baby. 8:15 - time to walk to the bus stop (note, not the same bus stop as the 1st incident), I'm not going to miss the bus this time. I'm one house away and across the street and what do I hear? Oh, that would be the bus breaking at the stop sign. I may have started running and waving my arms, but why? The bus driver wasn't even scanning for straggling passengers. rude.
So I start walking to bus stop #1. I kid you not, I am across the street when I see bus #3 drive right on past. This time, I might have actually yelled. I think it worked too, the bus paused. So I started running. But no, it wasn't a stop just for Jill. I don't know what that bus driver was doing, teasing me maybe? She just keep on going.

So if anyone happened to be driving around Highland and Stanton, at 8:00 and 8:15 this morning, yes, that was me, yelling, waving and running around.

Reason #23 that I will not miss Pittsburgh. Public transportation.

For balance, a reason to shed a tear - yesterday we spent some time on the roberto clemente bridge with a friend. two things, one way more than the other, that I will miss, dearly.

this didn't end up being adult talking. this ended up being a post about me. oops.

baby's first halloween

2010-11-01T11:07:00.001-05:00

AJ dressed up as a Giraffe
He drooled a lot

got really cold hands, feet and cheeks (bad, bad parents)

and may have snagged a few good pieces of candy!

stats

2010-11-01T11:07:00.000-05:00

At 4 months old, we have:

18.1 lbs (95%)
26 1/4 inches (90%)
43cm head (50%)
Perfect (100%)

who you callin' fat?

4 months

2010-10-27T08:27:00.001-05:00

FOUR months already? yikes...baby, stop growing so fast!

We go to the dr. on Friday. I'm anxious to see how much he has grown. We can all SEE he's grown, I just want to KNOW how much.

A couple of things he does at 4 months:

* the arm has progressed from straight up, to the mouth. Yes, he found his thumb again! However, it is more of a chew toy than a sucking device.
* he is a BUSY baby. the legs are constantly moving, the eyes are big and curious, and the head moves back and forth faster than anything. (unless he catches the TV, then...all still. so maybe my child likes to watch tv upside down. it was kind of expected with Chan and I as his parents, right?)
* Loves bath time. splash, splash and more splashing. It happens to be the cutest thing ever.
* Still HATES the car seat. He now arches his back and straightens his legs when we get near "the seat", breaks my heart. Getting him out though, the BEST feeling ever. He loves whoever gets him out!
* he is a talker. If his head is not moving back and forth too fast, the mouth is going. His voice ranges from deep grunts to high squeals. Yesterday, he sat in his swing for 30 minutes just talking to the cute baby in the mirror.
* LOVES music. He even likes me to sing to him (possibly the only person on earth I can say that about)
* Falls asleep on our shoulder every night, and then gets cuddled until I am ready to put him down.
* Every night we have shoulders drenched in drool.
* Not ready to sit up or roll over yet. He does love to get the legs up and throw them to the side. He and Dad practice 'tumbling', as Chan calls it, every day.
* Has laughed for me a couple of times. that sound, seriously...melt.my.heart.
* Is a good eater and sleeper. How we got blessed with such a good baby...I still don't know.
* He is the joy in my life. I love waking up to his little voice and going in to find that right arm sticking straight up and a HUGE smile on his face.

I love...no, more like I am obsessed with this baby.

(here's a video Chan took this morning)

Daddy's little monster

2010-10-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

Monster or heart-breaker?

he sure has my heart.

The arm

2010-10-07T11:10:00.000-05:00

AJ has a "trick" where he raises his right arm in a very serious manner. He will entertain himself for a long time by just staring at it. He is so funny...

Don't Be Scared

2010-10-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

...if this comes knocking at your door!

(he may only wear it a few seconds though)

What will AJ be for his first Halloween?

2010-10-03T19:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a hint:

babeee

2010-09-29T14:09:00.000-05:00

Some favorites of the babeee...

I've slacked long enough on posting pictures. Hopefully today has made up for it.

walk at WL

2010-09-29T13:59:00.000-05:00

Chan = football game
Me = sick of being inside
Solution = walk along Washington's Landing

faces

2010-09-27T13:01:00.000-05:00

AJ makes a lot of different faces.

I can't help but love them all!!

ten

2010-09-11T11:33:00.000-05:00

ten weeks ago he was this little...

with his ten tiny little toesnow he is this big....

just added ten rolls of chubb!

thanks to McCall for taking the first 2 photos!

Labor Day

2010-09-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

This was a nice and relaxing Labor Day weekend. We were happy to have family visiting Pittsburgh for a fun trip to the zoo, home-made pizza, and swimming!

dos

2010-08-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

the little man is two months old already! CraZY!

at two months, or 8 weeks and 5 days...Alex Jay likes:
*sleeping 6-7 hours each night
*smiling in the morning...afternoons it takes a lot more to get a smile but by the evening he's ready to smile again.
* follows people with his eyes
* is quite the well traveled infant - he's got 9 states, the pacific ocean and 1 national park on his list.
* loves to swim (if the water is warm enough)
* is a great talker and has a deep (cute) voice!
*getting rolls on his thighs and chubby cheeks!

At one month he was 9lbs 15 oz and 22ins. Can't wait to find out where he is at 2 months!!

and he's waking up now...i LoVE this little boy. Can't believe he is mine and can't believe we lived without him!!

AJ visits the West

2010-08-20T20:51:00.001-05:00

Swimming

2010-08-07T23:38:00.000-05:00

AJ went swimming for the first time at Grandmas.

He thought hanging out in his swimsuit was pretty cool. We need to work on our tans.

Even getting his feet wet was fun.

But then he realized the water wasn't as warm as his bath water.

And that was it for him. oh well...we'll try again on Monday!

August 1st

2010-08-07T23:11:00.000-05:00

This little guy was blessed on August 1st in North Ogden.

The men in his life...

Our little family

AJ and all of his Grandparents

Four generations...me, my mom, her dad and AJ

Alex Jay and Grandpa Jay. Two of the men in my life that I love more than anything!

Chan gave AJ a very touching blessing as he was surrounded by all of his Uncles (minus Cody), his grandfathers, and great-grandfather and name sake. We are so lucky to have such wonderful examples of men in our lives and to have all their love and support. Thanks to all our family for coming and supporting us!!

Ball player

2010-07-17T18:48:00.001-05:00

Bath time

2010-07-04T19:23:00.000-05:00

More AJ...

2010-07-03T08:48:00.001-05:00

Home Sweet Home

2010-06-30T12:51:00.001-05:00

What's my name?

2010-06-30T12:38:00.000-05:00

24 hours old

2010-06-28T22:43:00.001-05:00

AJ's first photoshoot

2010-06-28T07:11:00.000-05:00

He's here! Alex Jay was born June 27th at 11:02pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs 14 oz and measured 20-3/4". Jill was amazing throughout the labor and delivery, and we now have a perfect little boy.

37 weeks

2010-06-07T09:36:00.001-05:00

37 weeks pregnant while in Deep Creek, Maryland for a co-worker's wedding. (I know...I don't know how to smile anymore!)

finish line

2010-05-14T08:14:00.000-05:00

Today is the day we came to Pittsburgh for...

LAW SCHOOL GRADUATION!!!

It's hard to believe that it's been THREE years. I'm not quite sure I am ready for this part of our lives to be over. Pittsburgh has been good to us....

1. Our marriage is stronger than ever. Amazing what happens when you truly have to rely on one another (especially with only one car).

2. We have made some of the best friendships. We've met couples that we want to model our relationships/lives after.

3. We have traveled...lots! Serbia, London, DC, Alabama, Nashville, Columbus, Hershey, New York, Philadelphia, Rochester, Watertown Outer Banks, Deep Creek MD, WV, just to name a few

4. Home of the most permanent address Chan and I have had together (or single) since we both left home. 3 years in one place is a long time for us!

5. Reaffirmed our faith that the Gospel is true EVERYWHERE you go. And that the Gospel is made for everyone. We are grateful everyday that we are members of this church.

Three years is a long time. I still remember the day we drove out of Utah like it was yesterday. The knot in my stomach as I hugged my mom, dad and sisters good-bye, sobbing uncontrollably. 'Sleeping it away' through Wyoming. The flat tire in middle of nowhere Nebraska, and then again in Toledo, OH. The rain... followed us from Wyoming to Pittsburgh. The 'Pennsylvania Welcomes You' sign. (It was a bitter/sweet moment for me). And finally pulling into our hotel in Robinson Township. Surrounding our hotel was a Target, Costco, Steak n Shake, Panera, and Ikea. Ahh...suburbia, Pittsburgh wasn't looking too bad. (everytime I go to Robinson, these memories come back).

But then Chan and I went into 'the city'...we had a couple of appointments to look at apartments... I'm pretty sure I didn't say a single word for those few hours as it sunk in that I'll be living here? The cheap apartments Chan had us looking at weren't helping those thoughts much.

Luckily, Gma was looking out for us and the ONE apartment (compared to Chan's dozens) I had emailed about on Craigslist, was open and we could go look at. It was love at first site....new berber carpet, tall ceilings, light paint, no funny smells, washer/drier, detached garage, scary basement with a Pittsburgh potty (still haven't been down there)... We moved in the next day.

Chan started school and I spent a couple of weeks laying on the couch "interviewing/looking" for jobs (I was really motivated). Word around the ward was to do All Temps at Pitt. Another Grandma blessing...I got a temp job 4 weeks after arriving in Pittsburgh, which 2-1/2 months later turned into my full time job. This job has been the best place for me, the people, experience, responsibility, tuition help, promotion...I've loved it (not every minute) but definitely the overall experience.

It was after I got this job and a 'kick in the pants' letter from my sister, that my mindset changed and I decided we would make the most out of our time here. I set a couple of goals for us and our time here:

1. I would work until I became 'vested' at the University...that happens June 3, 2010!

2. Get involved in volleyball .... Thanks to Elite Volleyball and the YMCA, I have coached and played on city leagues. I love being part of the volleyball community.

3. Take classes .... this one I wish I took more initiative on. I could have taken classes at Pitt for free. Amazing how fast 3 years can go when you think...I'll take a class next semester... At least I took the cake decorating at Michaels, I'll just have to count that.

4. Spend a day at the Hershey Spa.... CHECK!

5. Make friends (in and out of the church). done and done

6. Work full time, through the summers without complaining because I will NOT work a third summer in a row ... This was originally with the intention of being DONE with school, but maternity leave counts too! I just have to make it to the end of June, not June 4th like originally planned.

7. Not have a baby until we are done with school but still had health insurance.... based on the original time line, this could be counted as a success?

8. To not leave Pittsburgh with any 'I wish we did...' This is not done yet. We still want to go to a few Carnegie Museums, the Zoo, Aquarium, Dozens Cupcakery, and eat at Dor-Stop, which was featured on Food Network. But other than this small list, I think we will be able to leave Pittsburgh and if anybody ever asks us 'did you do/try/go to blank in Pittsburgh' We hope to be able to say 'yes!'.

I guess it's a good thing we have a little bit more time to finish off our list, considering we're not finished with Pitt yet.

1 more semester = 1 more degree? Sounds fair to me!

Plus we get our Pittsburgh Souvenir at the end of June, an official yinzer to remind us of our time here.

So Law School Graduation, WELCOME! We made it to you! We may not be participating, but we made it!

We're not quite done with Pittsburgh yet...

33 weeks...

2010-05-10T12:36:00.001-05:00

oh yeah....

2010-04-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

Remember how we said we were pregnant oh...10 weeks ago? I just thought it was about time to update/document this phase of life.

The pregnancy itself hasn't been too bad, I still can't complain. But what amazes me, is how you go from this:at 26 weeks, to THIS:

in just 3 weeks!

Maybe it's just the shirt? yeah...that has to be it! From now on, it's all solid tops for me...But honestly, I still can't complain, but I do want to remember a few of the 'milestones' happening now:
* the kid does not stop moving. at least it's about the time I wake up, during work and in the evening. He knows I like my sleep and stops moving when I go to bed.
* 2 weeks ago this thing called heartburn entered my life after I ate chocolate cake late at night, and now when I eat peanut butter cups too (but does this stop me, of course not).
* Our intramural volleyball team made it to the championships last week. And my City league lost last week too, so my volleyball season is now over, till August at least!
* I bought the first box of diapers this weekend. That was a surreal experience.
* We have awesome friends here in Pittsburgh, I've said it before. But they really make living here fun. They threw me a surprise shower at the end of March, when my mother was here! It was a blast! I had a few hints. The theme was cookies & milk and it was delicious/adorable! The kid/me got spoiled!(and by hints, I mean, hey let's stop at Dave and Allyson's after we just drove from DC...all day)

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU to our fantastic friends here! I LOVED IT!

So yeah, that's about where we are at with the kid & the past 2 months.

Did you notice the tulips? Yep, spring has arrived in Pittsburgh and it is beautiful & warm, and believe it or not, the sun has actually come out too!

remember these?

2010-03-31T10:30:00.001-05:00

I knew Chan was a creative guy when I married him, but this took it to a new level!
yes folks, that is paper mache! Apparently you still use the stuff for class projects during your MBA. It actually worked too! He put my little computer underneath and it took you through a slide show of funny pictures. His teacher loved it, but I guess not enough for the $2000 cash prize. Maybe if the paint actually turned out red instead of pink? Oh well, I'm still proud/impressed with Chan!

TTR 3

2010-03-31T10:18:00.000-05:00

It's not a birthday in Pittsburgh without a little Ticket To Ride. We had the 3rd Annual Ticket to Ride tournament a couple of weeks ago.

Poor M - it was her first time playing and she got stuck at the table with three ruthless players. I think she had fun...

We LOVE our friends here in Pittsburgh!

The Champion and his little helper. Congrats Team 'A' for the victory!!

Quarter of a Century

2010-03-02T12:42:00.000-06:00

Today is yet another milestone in a wonderful life. Happy Birthday Jill, love you

sometimes..

2010-02-18T13:39:00.000-06:00

...I know I'm my mother's daughter when I get to the check-out line and I just have to have one of these.

I also wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for your comments. We are so excited about this baby.

wintery blast

2010-02-10T09:01:00.000-06:00

Thank you Wintery blast for turning my 2 day weekend into a 5 day weekend!! Between Friday afternoon - Saturday morning we got an estimated 21'' of snow! It's a big storm on any scale, but for Pittsburgh, it will literally shut the city down for 5 days. There are no plows on the roads, the stores have run out of snow shovels, and everyone is content to just stay in their houses and let work/school be canceled day after day.

Here is our house, covered in snow! I think this is the prettiest its ever looked. :) And the best part is right across the street I get this view:

A common site around the city...and this was Sunday afternoon!
And here we are in the second storm...Tuesday night - Wednesday. Only 6 inches so far.
No, there is not a parade later tonight. This is Pittsburgh's way of saving your parking space if you have shoveled your car out.

I wish I had a super clean house, cleaned out closets and 5 books under my belt to show for these extra days off. But let's be honest, there have been lots of naps, baking, snow shoveling and L&O watching going on. It's been great! Too bad Pitt thinks they are opening up tomorrow...I might have become motivated!

Out Numbered

2010-02-02T08:17:00.001-06:00

You really didn't think that was it, right?

Re-cap: Bachelor was good, seriously though, Vienna has GOT TO GO! He's in love with her because of bungee jumping, if he'd taken any other girl on that date, he would be in love with her instead. Move on buddy, enough said. Bachelor is extra fun when I get to watch with friends, thanks girls! Love you!!

Now, if you are anything like me, and someone takes a 'blog-cation' for a month or more, you expect some big exciting news when they return; a great trip, sickness stories, a move, or the obvious…a pregnancy. Well…..I'm happy to say, I won't disappoint!

Hello People….WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!

That's right, Chan and I are going to be parents!! We are beyond excited.

Details:

The pregnancy has gone really well so far. I had a few weeks in November where I wasn't feeling too great, but after that, it's been really nice. Why am I so lucky, I have no idea, but I'll take it!

Baby is due June 26, 2010. That makes me 4 months along, or 19 weeks! Almost half way done!! Excited, nervous, scared, impatient? YES!

We found out on Friday what baby is. And:

Yes, the inside is BLUE in case you can't tell. For the first time in my life, I'm going to be outnumbered by BOYS! I'm pretty excited about that, and Chan is excited to teach this little guy how to swing a golf club correctly.

Alright, there you have it friends, our big news…a BABY!!

Hello, Welcome Back

2010-02-01T18:26:00.001-06:00

Hi Friends, remember me? I've decided to come back from my blog-cation (it was great by the way).

We have had a very busy 6 weeks or so. I'm going to spare the 'recap'. We all know Christmas was great, weddings were beautiful, work has been super busy (main reason for no blogging) Chan's been in school and with that, we are here, 6 weeks later.

You would think I had a lot more to say in 6 weeks. I guess there are a few new things to share…but I don't want to overwhelm myself with a huge post on my first day back, baby steps right?

It's about time for The Bachelor, so with that, I'll leave you. Thanks for checking back!

6°

2009-12-11T16:20:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving

2009-12-03T08:28:00.001-06:00

This year, Chan and I went down to southern Maryland for Thanksgiving. One of my best friends from high school moved there this summer with her cute little family. We had a blast. It was great to catch up with Jessi, meet Jimmy P, and get to know Jim.

Not to mention, Jessi is a great cook and we had a delicious dinner! Chan testing the bird.

I don't think it would have been a true O'Brien experience without a little fishing. So we went to one of the lakes near their house. Jess, I love this picture! You are an incredible mom!

And we got to be entertained by this little boy all weekend. He is adorable!

Thanks O'Brien's for letting us come. We had a great trip.

I am so grateful for good friends. I'm grateful that we can pick up like we never left, but can also include our spouses like we've always known them. I'm grateful for the experiences we shared growing up. San Diego was a GREAT place to grow up! I'm grateful for our families, and their friendship.
But mostly, I'm grateful that we were friends, are friends, and will always be friends!

ABC

2009-11-10T14:32:00.000-06:00

There have been a lot of Gratitude posts going around. And for once, I'm hopping on the band wagon.

My ABC's of Gratitude:

A: Apple Cider w/ carmel
B: boots
C: Chan, Christmas
D: Dad, dates w/Chan
E: excitement
F: Family, Friends
G: Gospel of Jesus Christ
H: health, happiness
I: in-laws
J: job/work
K: kisses
L: Lunch Dates, long sleeve shirts
M: MOM, memories
N: nieces, naps
O: optimism
P: Parking Pass lent to me by a faculty member for the week!!
Q: quiet time
R: respect for/from others
S: Sweaters, sisters
T: Tickets to go HOME in December
U: umbrellas and the lack of use lately
V: volleyball
W: warm days in November
X: xylophone/instruments and music they make :)
Y: yummy food
Z: zebra patterns (why not!)

free? OK!

2009-10-26T10:52:00.000-05:00

My new goal for all sporting events, is to never pay for a ticket again. That's the perks of having friends that know people. This week I got to go to a Penguins game (my first one)! Granted, I was a third wheel, they only had 1 extra ticket, sorry Chan. But hey, it's free!

I still don't think Hockey is all that exciting, but this is Pittsburgh, and fans are crazy for their Penguins. And that made it fun! And hanging out with B & R made it fun.

Then Saturday, my friend, who, like me, endures a job here at the University, got free tickets to Pitts homecoming football game! And not just any tickets, we were in the club level! I'm talking VIP, hand and ticket stamps, bouncers at the door, and most importantly, cover from the possibility of rain!

remember that sweatshirt from highschool? dang, I think it's about time for a new one.

Now I can say I have been to a Pirates, Penguins and Pitt game. All I have left, is - STEELERS!

I love sports, and I love free tickets!!

it's the milk chocolate

2009-10-21T15:12:00.000-05:00

Chocolate world ride: $0.00

Purchase at Chocolate World = $24.83

Admission to Hershey Park = $0.00Body Wrap at Hershey Spa = $60.00

More chocolate: $6.001.5 days of chocolate, friends, Miley & laughs = PRICELESS

(Kelly Bates, me, April Shumate, McCall Newland, Tiffany Hatch, Helena Erikson)

Can't wait for the next girls weekend!

camping and baseball

2009-10-09T12:50:00.000-05:00

we also went camping with our ward a few weeks ago. and before that, we went to a Pirates game with some friends.

And becasue you can't tell, I'll just say it, we are only 5 rows away from first base. It pays to have friends with connections.
Best seats I've ever had.

pedal/paddle

2009-10-06T08:54:00.000-05:00

We went with our YM/YW group a few weeks ago on a pedal/paddle adventure at one of the local state parks. PA really does well with the State Parks. There are so many that are around an hour away, that are so well taken care of and offer lots of outdoor activities. On this activity, we rented bikes,
Pedaled for 9 miles, well some of us pedaled for 5 minutes, rested for 9 minutes, pedaled for 4 minutes, repeat. Sadly, Chan and I had to bring up the rear, so it made for a LONG bike ride for us. Then we ate our lunch, and packed into our rafts. If there was more water in the river, we might have actually floated down the river and hit some fun rapids. But there wasn't enough water to give us a good current and cover the rocks. So we pushed and pulled our rafts down and over all the rocks. Needless to say, there were a lot of laughs, screams and cries/prayers of desperation to get away from those dumb rocks! And surprisingly, just about all of us fell out of the raft at one point or another.

Over all, it was a beautiful day! The leaves were just starting to change, it was cool but not cold, and I got to hang out with Chan all day. I'm glad Heavenly Father created these beautiful places to be enjoyed during this beautiful time of year!

1857.77

2009-09-23T09:08:00.000-05:00

1857.77 miles or 27 hours 41 minutes (make that 26ish hours, I am Jay's granddaughter..) that's how far away from this 2 week old little baby I am.and it's KILLING ME!!

to the best sisters and MOM ever...keep those pictures coming!

What else is killing me today?
Missing this lady...

(picture from Kelsy's blog)
3 years ago yesterday...

the sandwich

2009-09-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

After much grief about my lack of dinner making, (surprisingly, not from Chan) I had to reflect a lot about what I like to eat/make and what my favorite food actually is. And the winner is...THE SANDWICH

It's so perfect...in any form. Whether fresh, toasted, grilled, wrapped, on a hamburger bun, crescent, bagel, anyway you eat it, its delicious! I can never get sick of them.
My favorite...that's a toss up between the chicken salad sandwich and a turkey sandwich on honey whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, lite mayo, mustard, provolone or Munster cheese, and a pickle on the side. Throw in some chips or french fries and a chocolate chip cookie and you have a full meal. Of course I could eat a pb&j and feel just as satisfied. And does anything beat a grilled cheese (on Grandma Sycamore bread) with tomatoe soup on a cold day? I do not think so. So if I was stranded on an island with only one option for food, I would pick the sandwich.

And that is what I will make for dinner on any given night.

(and why do I always want to spell sandwich - sandwhich??)

seriously?!

2009-09-01T14:54:00.000-05:00

hiccups, 2 days in a row (while at work) should NOT be allowed!

my pov

2009-08-28T14:34:00.000-05:00

As you may be able to tell from previous posts, Jill and I are doing well. We enjoy living in Pittsburgh in what feels like a never-ending phase of preparing for the real world after school. We have great friends and are always finding new things to do.

Today I decided it was time to post some happenings from the past month or so (okay, I'm pretending it was my idea but Jill gave me the camera and said, "It's your turn.") That's fine, maybe our ever expanding audience would like to hear my point of view. Or maybe just my mom. Either way.

August has flown by. I finished working at a law firm right before our trip to Utah. I really enjoyed working there for a lot of reasons: co-workers, clients, work schedule, etc. My boss was so nice that he let me wash the building's windows on my last day. School starts this Monday so I'm back to window cleaning retirement... how long will it last this time?

Jill and I have enjoyed our callings this summer (when we haven't skipped out for the weekend). Here's one of our activities. Go Buccos!

The highlight of our year is going home and spending time with family. We buy our tickets far in advance and then wait impatiently for the time to come. For this past trip we were fortunate to receive one first-class ticket and one in coach. If you have ever seen the Seinfeld episode it was just like that. Jill had about three empty recliners next to her while I got to know the gentleman next to me very well. Apparently, they served a nice breakfast up there in between naps while I was served a lovely butter cookie. Hey, I was grateful for the cookie. Eating it gave me something to do since I can't sleep or read on airplanes.

The trip home was great. My family reunion was the first weekend we were home and Jill's was the second. Salina always feels like home. In addition to seeing a lot of my family, I saw some old friends at the Stake Hoe Down and throughout the weekend. When we took a jog to the slaughter house we were reintroduced to the high altitude. Jill's favorite part was probably the hike up to the NS on the mountain. Doesn't she look excited?

We left Salina for North Ogden where we spent time with Jill's family. We enjoyed some grilling, grass volleyball, Cheesecake Factory, baptisms at Bountiful Temple, and time with the fam.

I played more golf in the week than I had all summer. It was great! It was also a lot of fun to go to Idaho Falls and be with Jill's grandpa Hammond and all the cousins. The theme of their family reunion was Amazing Reunion and it was organized like the Amazing Race show. A lot of the clues had connections to the Hammond family. The winners received trophies, and mine sits on our dresser so Jill can see it every morning and night. Go American Heroes!

To round off the month, we have been getting ready for school to start back up (two weeks of orientation for b-school...) and spending some fleeting free time with friends, including, you know, a men-tathalon, thumb-wrestling, wake-boarding on the Allegheny River and a trip to a farm.

And, as a final note, I've received a lot of letters from concerned readers about our birds. Nulla and Kiwi are in a better place. They now live with Miss Teresa, a traveling scientist with a show on PBS. Thanks for your concern.

a good one

2009-08-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

you know those days when you are walking home from the bus stop and you just feel good? you're not sure where that smile came from. it was just a good day, nothing spectacular, just good. yeah, i had one the other day and it was nice.

the right way

2009-08-20T14:02:00.000-05:00

i ate trail mix for the first time today since the no sugar challenge... and i seemed to have eaten all the m&m's first. i think that's the way trail mix was meant to be consumed.

HCP

2009-07-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

That's Hill Cumorah Pageant, in case you were wondering. That's another great part of this summer. Chan is actually on this continent and we can do all the things I talked about doing last summer. Like going to THE pageant. We did just that last weekend, well we did a whole lot more than just that.

We saw the Erie Canal.

We went with these FUN people! Mike and Madelyn O'Farrell.
We did a session here.

And finally we got our seats and were entertained by these people before the show began!

Summer and Anna were too cute! Made some new friends.

These girls are in our stake's youth group. They are beautiful and so spiritual! They are going to be GREAT missionaries.

And finally, the show started!! It was great, lived up to the hype, the lights, water, fire...all of it! I love how it made the Book of Mormon come to life. It was a great spiritual uplift that I have been needing.

I really wish I had the after pageant pictures too. I laughed so much this weekend. Just picture Chan and Mike wrestling, Chan and Cody leg wrestling, a trip to WEGMANS, but not the best wegmans, just the second-best one and ending with a race in the Target parking lot that looked like this:

Screaming apparently makes you run faster!

But we all ended winners with a couple of these flashy tats.

summa time

2009-07-17T14:08:00.000-05:00

te amo summer, but really...who doesn't? here's a few reasons why I'm loving this summer:

* wakeboarding, or boating in general
* sunshine
* tan legs
* shorts (even if they are to my knee)
* road trips
* bike rides
* tennis lessons
* pools (and not the highland park pool, real pools!)
* midnight movie premiers
* finding REAL mexican food in pittsburgh
* actually going to PAGEANT as it's called out here (aka Hill Cumorah Pageant)
* new friends
* sand volleyball
* farmers markets
* baseball games
* only 3 more weeks till we are in UTAH and on Westmoreland Drive (which is a picture of summer time!)

Chocolate chip cookies

2009-07-12T14:03:00.000-05:00

This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I have found. I'm just putting it on here so I always have it, no matter where I am!

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown

Sweet Home Alabama

2009-07-06T15:02:00.000-05:00

Chan and I got back from a fabulous weekend down in alaBAMA! We went to visit my Grandma and Grandpa, and so they could see their favorite granddaughter! (you know it's true). It was Chan's first time to the South, and my first time back in 12 years. Here are a few highlights from our trip:

* Stopping in Nashville for a night
* Whitt's BBQ sandwiches
* Grandma and Grandpa being so excited to have a car parked in the driveway "we have a visitor!"
* the matching shirts
* little kids golfing at point mallard park
* visiting with David, Amy and Jordan (picture dad with a tan (from tanning), and if he went to the gym everyday, then add facial hair, that's kinda what David looks like)
* being woken up by thunder and lightening and laying in bed watching it
* dinner at Macaroni Grill - oh how we miss that place!
* our private tour of Decatur
* Austin High School (Go BLACK BEARS!)
* Hearing Grandpa conduct in church and bear his testimony
* the beautiful drive back
* BLUE sky and SUNSHINE!!
* and of course the best part was Grandpa and Grandma A!

look familiar dad?
WELCOME TO ALABAMA!
Nashville: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Parthenon
Athena

lots and lots of cornfields on the way down. Sorry the pictures are in no particular order.

Black River

2009-06-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

I think that is what this river is called. It feeds into the St. Lawrence River or was it Lake Ontario then St. Lawrence River? Check out the sky...it was beautiful.
Me and Brianna...the bride.

Oh, and this is my at a monument for the battle of 1812. Bri's mom wanted me to take a picture by the monument for Chan. She thought he would like it....because he likes history. She was cute. (aren't you impressed I actually followed through and added pictures?)

how?

2009-06-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

How do two weeks go by so fast? recap I guess? Chan works at the law firm Monday - Wednesday, washes windows Thursday - Saturday (because i am mean and think he needs to make a little bit of money this summer, and because he wants a new tv). So his weeks fly by. Weekends are so jammed packed with lessons (tennis and church), weekend trips and naps. Last weekend I went to Watertown, NY (an hour further away than Syracuse, NY), 7 hours from Pittsburgh and 2 hours from Rochester. To do some wedding planning with Bri. It was a lot of driving, especially when I stayed awake the whole drive there. Chan was shocked. I saw some beautiful country, had the best breakfast of blackberry bread french toast with a lemon sauce...yummy. And finalized some wedding plans. Oh yeah, we also saw lake ontario, st. lawerence river and a battlefield from the battle of 1812. I love little towns and their history and the things they are so proud of.

This weekend is girls camp. Then next weekend we are going to see G&G A in Alabama for the 4th! I love long weekends and taking trips.

Book updated: I finished These is my words. I really don't know what took me so long to pick it up and read. I loved that book.
Currently reading: Uglies. Nothing like I expected, but I don't know what I really expected. Enjoying it anyway.
Next: Fablehaven #4 is waiting for me at the library!!! finally.

Sorry there are no pictures, maybe I'll add one when I get home...

It is your birthday

2009-06-10T07:29:00.000-05:00

HaPpY 26th BiRtHdAy CHAN!!

Thanks for making life so fun! I can't wait for the next 26 years!!!

In true student fashion, we went to Red Robin for some FREE birthday dinner! yum.

books, books, books

2009-06-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

Since I am my mother's daughter and love to read, I thought it would help to post my book list so I actually have it somewhere other than in my head.

Currently reading: These is my words, by Nancy E. Turner (love when I walk into the Library and they actually HAVE the book...no wait list for this baby!)

Up next: Fablehaven 4 (ugh! wait lists! can't you other 13 year old's just go buy the book!)

'The' list: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (i love series)

The Uglies

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

Any other recommendations? Hopefully I'll actually report back on these books and add more to the list. I found that this time in my life is GREAT for reading. 20 minutes on the bus each morning and afternoon, plus an hour at lunch each day!

p.s. i must confess that a few of the books on my list come from teenage recommendations. Should I be embarrassed? Sorry my leisure reading is not classics and books you may not want to be seen reading in public.

9 things

2009-05-20T11:17:00.001-05:00

I have been meaning to update on:

1. It's been sunny in Pittsburgh...a lot. And this makes me VERY happy! (and slightly tan)

2. Did I ever tell you that my smarty pants husband got accepted into the MBA program at Pitt too? (I know I have told most of you, but I think it's kinda blog worthy too) So December 2010 he will be Chan H. Braithwaite, JD, MBA (yes, it does mean we will be in PGH for another semester)

3. This weekend is my last volleyball tournament of the year. Sweet and Sour. I have really loved coaching these girls. It was rough at first, but now they are some of my favorite girls.

4. Chan bought a bike...for $7. We hope the bike can make it to our first bike ride in Pittsburgh with my bike from 5th grade (that I still think is cool).

5. I am currently reading the 2nd book in the Fablehaven series.

6. Our friends have moved on, and by on I mean away and not within a 4 minute drive. And not all of our friends but some of the closest ones since moving here to Pittsburgh. we miss them. We are now accepting applications for new friends of a close proximity :)

7. I get to be a bridesmaid on 1/2/10 when our friends B & R get married!

8. the residence on n. sheridan has become a bit of a storage closet while we house things that Chan is selling for people on ebay. Its a little summer biz that he started.

9. We are really excited about this summer, being together in Pittsburgh. Hopefully there will be a lot of little trips made!

and that is all the updates I can think of!

about time, right?

2009-05-01T11:02:00.001-05:00

I finally have my camera here at work and an adapter to get the pictures out. So enjoy some...
Baby Shower cake for a friends party.

Easter eggs with the Aldous' and Misners

Walking around the point on a sunny day.
Day at the park.
Mom and sisters came to visit.

the first

2009-04-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

It happened...I got my first burn/tan line of the summer!!! Today the high is 70 degrees and soo sunny. A rarity in Pittsburgh. I had to take full advantage of it and sat outside all during my lunch. And it happened...I came back, looked in the mirror and there it was! My first burn/soon to be tan line! Thank you sun...I have been missing you.

these 4 beautiful faces

2009-04-09T09:09:00.000-05:00

are on their way to see ME!!! I'm sooo excited!!

NERTZ anyone

2009-04-01T07:25:00.000-05:00

WHAT: CARD NIGHT

WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH (POSSIBLY DURING PRIESTHOOD SESSION?)

WHY: BECAUSE I AM GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWLS

WHO: ANYBODY INTERESTED?!

WHERE: PITTSBURGH PLEASE

please girls...I really want to play so table slapping, rib bruising, elbow pushing, finger smashing NERTZ! anyone up for it?!

Addition to the family

2009-03-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

Jill told me I'm in charge of blogging about this so here it goes. As many of you know, my lovely wife is "allergic" to most animals, so I decided a long time ago that if I wanted a pet I'd have to explore a loophole - pets without fur! Long story short, this week was spring break and with a little spare time I found myself at Petco buying two budgie parakeets. Yep, much to Jill's dismay, we have two pet birds... or as Jill reminds me, I have two pet birds. So far I haven't found any windows accidentally left open and I have actually seen her in there talking to them.

The birds live in "Chan's corner." As you can see it's the one crevice of our apartment that I'm allowed to keep all my books and hang my Tiger Woods poster.

Nulla and Kiwi

I wish

2009-03-03T18:30:00.001-06:00

I wish that every weekend was a birthday weekend. It was great! We went to Oakmont Bakery (come visit me...I'll take you there!) for lunch on Saturday and then we did this:
Flattering isn't it?! It was a blast...and we were really good, okay not really. We all made it up at least once on the easy wall. (The pictures with David and Chan are only of their backsides and Chan would delete that as soon as I posted it...sorry!)

T did a lot of this and was so cute! He just scooted all around that putting green. His dad was sure proud.

Then on Sunday night we had the second annual Jill Braithwaite Ticket to Ride Race for the Cure Happy Birthday Tournament! It was so much fun. Quite the mix of old and new friends. Thank you to everybody for coming! We loved it. Then on Monday, the real March 2, I was over whelmed with all the texts, messages and thoughts that were sent my way. It really made my day!

Now I have to say how much I love Chan. He is worse at surprises than I am. (When I was little I used to snoop at Christmas and my birthday. Bad, I know, but I couldn't handle the anticipation! One year I even found my birthday presents, I don't think Mom knows about that. It was during the bunny phase from Costco. So back to Chan, well this year he got me a Nano! It came in the mail in the beginning of February and he did a really good job playing off the package, he said it was a book or something else he is always ordering. See, I didn't even bug him about it, I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Well not an hour after we are home he's so excited about it, he calls me into the room and says 'I have to show you something in my sock drawer'. What?? Yeah, my thoughts too. But he's so cute he pulls out the nano and says 'Happy Birthday!! I got you a nano'. So cute! way to ruin any surprise you had Chan! He did put it back and I didn't snoop at all (okay maybe once when he was still at school, but not like I ruined the surprise or anything?!) Anyway, thanks for the Nano and Nike+ babe! I love it and love you!

24

2009-03-02T14:41:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday!

Last year I posted pictures of you growing up so I won't do that again. Maybe just one video...

California

2009-02-24T11:50:00.000-06:00

Jill and I spent Valentines day weekend with my family in California. It was a quick trip to celebrate my parents' 40th Anniversary later this year. It was great to see everyone and break up the monotony of work and school but we missed Cody and Merry and their family. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Clementines

2009-02-06T14:23:00.000-06:00

I love you clementines. I have a huge bag of you at home and have been eating you till my heart's content for the last week. You don't give me sores in my mouth like an orange would if I eat more than 2 a day, and you are sweeter too. Not to mention peeling you is so easy. Best of all you are so small and cute!

(It's Friday afternoon...and I'm really bored at work!)

What's new

2009-01-27T13:15:00.000-06:00

This has happened a few times lately, I get asked 'what's new'? I so badly want to have something exciting to tell the person, like: I finally became a Layer's Stylist - let's have a party (like I have talked about for MONTHS), or we bought a house, or even something as easy as...oh, I don't know...I actually did something at work today! But what really flashes through my mind when someone asks 'whats new' I think, well what day is today? Today is Tuesday, that means a new Biggest Loser is on! And this week both the youngest fall below the yellow line. (I do know their first names, but I'm holding out because then I seem like a total loser that lives in reality shows). Oh, and did you see Gossip Girl last night? Don't say anything if you did because I haven't watched yet. And the most critical...are you watching 24?? This season is AMAZING. Of course the shows vary based on what day you ask me. I have a show for every night. Some nights--multiple shows.

Yes folks, that is really what I think about when someone asks me what is new. I am embarrassed. But it's so much better than what really happens in my day.

Don't believe me? Here's what is really new on a Tuesday: It's 17 degrees out. This morning I ran to my bus stop because I left at 7:28 instead of 7:27 and I got nervous I would miss my bus. I waited for 3 minutes for the bus in 17 degrees. I'm listening to Harry Potter The Deathly Hallows on my bus rides. It's a good book. I only played a couple of games of Spider Solitaire. I play single suit and try to get the least amount of moves as possible...the record is 87.
Forgot to make the lunches last night so I had Five Guys for lunch. Grilled Cheese - delicious! Read more of New Moon.
The first part of this day can easily be confused with any day; Monday - Friday. Except Wednesday, Lunch is Panera on Wednesdays with Bri.
(Exciting yet?)
2:00 - 4:30 : a little more spider solitaire. set up a few meetings, surf some blogs, go home.
So after work life gets a little more exciting. Like tonight I have volleyball practice! I LOVE coaching. This group of girls is a lot of fun and actually have some skill. Sadly, I do rush home to watch Biggest Loser. (Chan is in class until 6:30, so it's not like I have to make dinner or anything tonight! (or as Chan would claim...any night)).

So that's whats new in my life. Pretty exciting huh! It's okay that the day to day is kinda lame. I have good things to look forward to. Like: Superbowl on Sunday (not that I really care about pro football, but it's a reason for a party with friends, & I live in Pittsburgh...Steeler Country), Disneyland trip in 3 weeks! Hello SUNSHINE in CA! my birthday! Holly & Jayme are coming to visit me=NYC, Volleyball tournaments, volleyball being over, a day off in March. I love having something to look forward to.

ok- there you go. That's my answer to 'whats new'?

Christmas

2009-01-11T19:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-12-08T19:10:00.000-06:00

Chan and I had a quiet, fun Thanksgiving here in Pittsburgh. Chan got up and played in the Pittsburgh 1st ward Turkey Bowl. I got up (much later) and watched a bit of the Parade. I thought a lot about memories of watching the parade at Grandma and Grandpa's with cousins, sisters and lots of people around. I think that makes the parade better because watching it alone was slightly...boring.
When Chan got back though, the day got better! Wednesday night we went out and got our rotisserie chicken and things for our favorite side dishes. We put everything together and had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for two!

And in case you were wondering...yes we did wear our matching sweaters.

Murder Mystery

2008-12-08T18:49:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago Chan and I went to a Murder Mystery dinner hosted by some of Chan's law school friends.
Isn't Chan a scary 'gestapo agent'?!

I'm a Russian aristocrat...at least I tried right?!

This is the whole group. They were a lot of fun!

Bless you me

2008-11-20T09:23:00.000-06:00

It's time for an update and I need to vent about something. There is this new guy at work...and he sits behind me now. (You know that feeling that someone is looking over your shoulder...) Anyway, this guy just sneezed. Then he said, 'Oh, bless me'! ...Really? He didn't even wait for a 'bless you' from anyone else. And usually when you sneeze, don't you say 'excuse me'?

People, what is proper sneeze etiquette? Or am I just looking for more reasons to find this guy annoying. (which is probably more true than in-proper sneeze responses')

Live from Salina!

2008-11-07T20:14:00.000-06:00

My parents got their first home computer recently, and I don't know who has enjoyed it more - me or them. My dad actually set it up from the beginning, which was very daring of him. It was the first time he had turned a computer on! My mom loves it because she can work on her lessons and input grades from home.

Tonight was a big night. The co-pilot, which many of you know is an As Seen on TV remote with two dials (start time and end time) that beams a message to your VCR to record Walker Texas Ranger, has now become obsolete. I showed my dad how to access full episodes on major networks' websites. I won't tell you which show he is most eager to watch, but here's a hint: it's on the CW and Jill loves it too.

We also video chatted on iChat, where they showed me new school pictures of Trevin, Ally and Sethy. They have all grown up so much since we saw them last.

Cake

2008-11-04T11:35:00.000-06:00

Chan and I were not really into Halloween this year. This cake is as festive as we got! I took it to work and they ate it so fast I didn't get a picture of the top....the batter was dyed accordingly.

Washington, D.C.

2008-10-25T16:06:00.001-05:00

Rochester and Palmyra!!!

2008-10-25T16:01:00.001-05:00

Football

2008-10-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, yeah I'm slow!, we went to State College, PA with Allyson, Dave and Thomas Aldous for Thomas' (and our) first Penn State Football game! Beaver Stadium rivals any BYU or Utah football game I have been too. The fans are so into the game, it is unbelievable. Allyson's family has season tickets so we had great seats. Great seats make for a great football game!

My name is Jill

2008-10-02T13:45:00.001-05:00

My name is Jill. Just Jill. I love that my name is simply Jill.... It is NOT JILLY! But for some reason everyone I work with thinks they can call me Jilly. I'm honestly going to explode one of these days. Jilly do this, Jilly where's this, Jilly find this, Jilly, Jilly, Jilly! AHHHHH

Funny how it has never bothered me before, this little nickname or term of endearment. Maybe because I know they are going to ask me to do something for them when I hear 'Jilly'.

Ok, now that's off my chest and I feel better.

Love you Grandma!

2008-09-22T19:01:00.000-05:00

Sept. 22, 2006. Probably the hardest day of my life, but one I can look back on with peace and love. As hard as it is to think about that day, I do enjoy thinking about Grandma and all that she has taught me.
She is a fabulous homemaker, her raspberry jam, mint brownies, cookies... oh it's all so good! The smell of cantaloupe will always remind me of summer breakfasts at Grandmas.
Her love of the Temple and family history. Someday I hope to be as knowledgeable as she was.
Her selflessness. I can think of so many stories right off the top of my head about Grandma's service and love for others and her family.

So thank you Grandma, for everything you have taught me. Thank you for the legacy you have left, I am lucky to be part of your family.

TaDa

2008-09-17T15:16:00.000-05:00

Sorry to those of you who thought I would be back quickly after that vacation! 7 days on the beach takes a lot of time to get over. Throw in starting and finishing Breaking Dawn into that recovery and here we are…3 weeks later finally ready to blog!

So suspension over (did our new picture give it away?)...our great vacation was a trip here:

The Outerbanks of North Carolina. We stayed in an amazing 8 bedroom beach house with a pool, movie theater, pool table, hot tub and Volleyball court! Not to mention a 2 minute walk to the beach. Thank you Atherly’s for the great find!! There were 8 couples/families there and it was a full house. So what did we do for 7 glorious days at the beach? Well…lots of sun tanning (I can almost compete with my sister's tans now). We may/did get a little sunburned mixed in with our tans, but not too bad.

We rented some ocean kayak’s and had a lot of fun with those, lots of bruises and life threatening attempts to get back in. We took the kayak’s to the sound side of the island…not as exciting as I thought it would be. The water never got deeper than maybe 4 feet and the only wildlife we saw were killer bugs that bite me and jumping fish.

We also got boogie boards!!!! I totally felt like I was back to the good ol' days of La Jolla Shores. Swimming out, floating around, getting stuck in a rip tide and avoiding the jellies. Okay, so I did catch a few good waves and ate it a few times too. AHhh…I love the beach!!!!

Chan had a lot of fun too. Not so much about the boogie boarding, he tried but the swimming in the ocean thing is still new to him! He did take the kayak out a lot though and did really well. He liked riding that in on the waves more than the boogie board. Of course he couldn’t get too far from school… Isn’t he so cute!

(picture may be slightly staged)

Other things we did besides the ocean were lots of movies in the movie theater. I think we had a showing every night! A trip to the nations largest all brick light house. It was beautiful. At the top you can look out and see the most southeastern part of the United States. It’s called the elbow of the Atlantic, where the current from the gulf meets the Atlantic current (I think).

We also played lots of cards (my kinda vaca!) We played hoof and mouth (aka hand and foot by some), NERTZ (which has been spelled differently by pretty much everyone of us that went and blogged about it!), Ticket to Ride, pool and some Rock Band. We also had lots of good food and Italian Sodas almost every night.

The trip had to come to an end as Hurricane or Tropical Storm Hannah came in on Friday. No big deal though, we just got back to da burgh a day early and enjoyed a day off at home. Over all, we had a great time.. fabulous location, great weather, fun friends and great new friendships. Thank you to everyone for such a fun week!