The Latest and Greatest

So lately Elizabeth has picked up some new skills.

Clapping



Crawling (sort of . . . more like scooting and inching)



And Reading. (Just kidding.)

But she is starting to really get into story time. She turns the pages, touches the textures, smiles at the babies' faces, and puts every bobble and doo-dah into her mouth. I suspect Adam enjoys story time just as much as she does.



So happy eight months on Friday, Elizabeth! You've come a long way, baby.

The Decemberists at Radio City Music Hall

Our first Decemberists concert and my first animated gif.

Boy, can Colin Meloy's voice really fill that place. What an experience it was to see the Hazards of Love performed in its entirety. Initially convinced to go based on our love for the Crance Wife, Emily wasn't too excited about this tour, but was quickly won over. Their variety of instruments, great stage presence, and crowd involvement for the chorus of Sons and Daughters, all made for a very memorable evening.

I Got All of Them Cut

A few weeks ago, I decided that my bangs had gotten way too long and needed a trim. "How hard can it be?" I thought to myself. And with those famous last words, I hacked away at my fringe. The results were not pretty. And it was two days before the ward talent show. I ended up getting it "fixed" by getting my hair cut short. I have always wanted to try a short bob or something like that, and I figured this was my chance. Unfortunately, I didn't bring in a picture of what I wanted, and when I did point to one I liked in the book at the salon, the stylist said she'd recommend shorter layers on top to blend the inordinate amount of hair I'd mistaken for bangs and cut away. She styled it with lots of mousse and pomade. I lied and told her I liked it. (Who doesn't?) And I walked out of there feeling like a cross between a middle-aged Relief Society president and an Italian Brooklyn mom.

I liked that it was short, though, until Adam got home and looked so crestfallen when he saw what I'd done. ("Jo! Your one beauty!"*) and I even shed a few tears when I was washing it the next day and my fingers kept grasping at hair that wasn't there.

I have since tried different ways of styling it, but I haven't found my groove yet. I guess it will just take time to get used to. Here are some pictures:

The bad bang job.

After the salon.

My attempt at styling it the next day.

Me performing with Adam at the talent show. My hair looked its best that night. Haven't been able to replicate it, though.

Moral of the story? Don't trim your own bangs. Or at least don't hack off inches at a time, thinking that's what you really want your bangs to look like. And don't go to the salon without a picture and the guts to say what you really want.

*Little Women quote. Adam doesn't call me Jo.

Reunited

Several weeks ago, we got the great news that Adam's mom and step-dad were finally going to be able to be sealed in the temple. They chose Memorial Day (a fitting day for such a memorable experience) and Adam's brother, Jason, who lives with his family in Missouri, decided to make the trip. It was going to be the first time in five years that Adam and both his brothers would be together. And the first time he'd be in the temple with his mom. We wouldn't have missed it for the world. Plus, it was a chance for Jason and Co. to meet Elizabeth. (I like to think that was a big selling point.)

We played . . . (squirt guns, kickball, catch, Wii, Rock Star, Apples to Apples, bikes.)


We ate . . . (Margaret's World-Famous Smoked Turkey)


We spoiled Elizabeth rotten . . .





But most importantly, we witnessed the sealing of two wonderful people.

Oh, and there was some modeling going on, too.


We also had an awesome talent show (but I didn't get any pictures :( which culminated in a dance party, with Jack on the organ, playing ABBA's Dancing Queen.

So thanks, Giovo's . . .

Jack, Megan, Margaret, Kim, and Matt.

And Johnsons . . .

Ethan, Sarah, Jason, and Tori.

For an awesome and memorable reunion.

Boo-Yah

I think breaking your wooden spoon while stirring cookie dough is like busting the guts out of a baseball; you're sad you ruined it, but man! You're awesome!