Easton turned 1 on the 23rd and has been trying to walk since around the 12th ... he still crawls when he has somewhere to get in a hurry ... but for the most part he's a walker! he reminds me of an orangatan - balancing himself with his arms in the air ;) and he still sucks that ring finger ... funny baby!
Jobs I've Had: Marketing Mail stuffer/Screen Printer at Colores International (wind sock company), Instument Girl for Dr. Johansen, DDS; Assistant interior painter; Document Control assistant at Siemens Medical; Receptionist and Admin at Chatham Technologies; and CEO/CFO/Domestic Engineer for the Andy Shaw Family
Places for a Weekend Getaway: Wow ... just about anywhere - especially if we can drive there in a few short hours. Leavenworth, Anacortes, Seattle, shoot - the nearest Marriott!!
Movies I Could Watch Over and Over: Hitch, Overboard, 13 going on 30, How to lose a guy in 10 days, Footloose, the Bourne movies, Harry Potter movies, Dirty Dancing, Step Up, I could go on ...
Guilty Pleasures: Peanut Butter M&Ms, Big Brother, The Bachelor, Surfing the Blogosphere and Taco del Mar when ever I can!
Places I've Lived: Salt Lake City, UT; Kirkland, Lynnwood, and Everett, WA; and Rexburg, ID
Places I've Been on Vacation: Utah, Idaho, Oregon, New York, Disneyland
What I First Thought When I Saw Andy: Honestly I thought he was just a nice guy, really friendly and kinda like the guys I grew up with. I met him at a Young Single Adult Dance the day after I got home from my mission. He was the one that pursued me and after the first date ... that was it - I didn't want to date anybody else.
If I am In a Jam with Andy, Tactics I Use to get out of the Dog House: We don't usually fight ... I'm a little embarrassed to say, he mostly lets me have my way. I know that he really means it when he has a contrary opinion and then I have to really work to get my way. :)
Favorite Foods: See "Guilty Pleasures" - as well as Mexican (specifically La Palmera), Red Robin Chicken Tender Salad, Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana and my mom's cooking!
Websites I Visit Daily: blogs and email, don't even worry - I spend far too much time on my computer!
First Kiss Location: Actual first kiss - I'm SO embarrassed - standing beside the Custom Custard in my parents yard, Chad McLeod, I was 19 and he was 17, and it was the WORST kiss in the history of kissing!! I had been a proud member of the VL club all through High School and that confirmed all my fears about how GROSS kissing can be!First Andy kiss - SO MUCH BETTER than my first! We were in the stairwell of my parents house ... so sweet, just a nice kiss - I was against 'french' kissing until after marriage ... It can be done!
Places I'd Rather Be Right Now: I've never been to Mexico, Hawaii, or Europe ... I'd love to go there ... but RIGHT now - I'd love to be laying on the floor over there in the sunshine!
People I Tag: Tara, Angie, Mikey and Kelly and JennyCook (sorry friends :))
we're staying put.
After many failed scenerios, mournful tears, and heart-felt prayers we came to the decision that it's best for our family to stay where we are for a while. Due partly to the facts: 1) we are unable to sell; 2) we can't find a bank to loan us the amount we needed at the rate and payment we can handle; 3) we are unsure what effect the recent market mayhem will have on our income; and most importantly, due to our need to 'be wise' - while we have faith that it will work out, we need to use our best judgment so that we don't put ourselves in a position that will put a strain on our family. Truth be told I really wanted the yard - a place for the 4 ping pong balls that bounce around our little townhouse to be free ... we'll just be learning to be more compatible, compassionate, contented and comfortable because as they say: Love grows best in little houses!
We went to talk to the sellers of 'the house' last night and suprisingly they weren't upset with us for not being able to buy their house. They felt bad that we weren't able to buy and were sad that our kids (who had been thru the house and picked their bedrooms and seen all the places to play) weren't going to be able to have the house. They had told the neighbors about us and mentioned how disappointed they'll be too. Overall it was a nice visit/parting with them. They sure are a nice older couple and it would have been wonderful to have that cool old house ... but it isn't meant to be.
Everett 4th Ward will have to put up with us for a little while longer, Silver Firs Elementary will have two Super Smart Shaw Students this year, and we'll be card carrying members at Imagine Children's Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Seattle Aquarium to keep our little busy bodies out of trouble!!
aka: Ammon and Elyssa and Abi! We started 2 weeks of daily swim lessons today! Ammon's a little short on one end for his class ... but he's doing great! Elyssa wasn't so sure she wanted to get in the water ... but took to it like the good little seahorse that she is!! Abi almost forgot to get her clothes off before jumping in! We have friends in Elyssa and Abi's classes -- hooray someone for mom to talk to!! Easton was a little squirmy ... but that's just cuz he wants to get in the water too. It's gonna be a great 2 weeks - pray for sunshine!
Ammon loves the water
Elyssa practising torpedo hands
Abi loves swim lessons!
