New Blog September 4, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Thoughts , 1 comment so farFrom time to time, I will be writing on another blog in addition to this blog. This other blog can be found at www.theerrandofangelsblog.blogspot.com/. It is a corroboration of several authors, writing about family, church related topics, relationships, etc.
Check it out!
Swiss Days September 3, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Family, Utah , 4commentsTelling really accurate stories is not my forte, so please read this account of how Midway came to be with a huge grain of salt.
My Great-Grandfather (or maybe it was my Great-Great-Grandfather . . . too many details to remember) emigrated from Switzerland a long, long, time ago. He was one of the first people to settle Midway, Utah. Today, the town is made of mostly Swiss descendants, and the buildings and homes resemble traditional styles found in Switzerland. Most of the citizens in Midway and Heber (a neighboring town) have the same last name as my maiden name, and I am related to ALL OF THEM. I don’t know many of my cousins (because there are like a thousand) but I just know that everywhere I turn, I’m PROBABLY RELATED TO SOMEONE.
Swiss Days is a festival every year over Labor Day Weekend honoring the town’s Swiss heritage. The celebration has turned into a craft show, and it is the largest of it’s kind west of the Mississippi River. 60,000 women, men and strollers come to this small town to watch the little parade, eat great Swiss pastries, and buy crafts.
This is the first time I have been in over 10 years. Two of my sisters, Allison and Rachelle, and my mom went with me. We had a great time, and we saw some great things. Check it out:
Me, Allison, and Rachelle. I would like to point out that I am NOT wearing make-up, and I DID NOT do my hair. You know, I like to look my best when I see long lost relatives.
This is the MC. I don’t know his name, but we’re probably related.
This dude was an AMAZING PIANIST. He didn’t look the part of a concert pianist, so I think that made him even better.
This is my uncle Gene, my dad’s older brother. He was the Mayor of this town several years ago. He looks just like my grandfather (who would be 113 years old if he were still alive). Pa, this is your future . . . eleven years from now.
Um . . . a woman DID NOT come up with this name. This sign has “Y” chromosome written all over it.
This sign is a must for every household.
Check out this chick listening to her music. ON A WALKMAN. WITH A CD. IT WAS PLAYING, I SAW IT SPINNING. My jaw dropped to the floor for two reasons when I saw this.
First, what music is that good that you just have to listen to it while at a huge craft show, maneuvering your stroller through massive crowds?
Second, can you still buy Walkmans? I haven’t seen anyone wear one in years. You would think a music enthusiast would have a digital music player.
Ugg! It was like a 100 degrees outside . . . so why this chick decided to sport her favorite Eskimo attire . . . (notice how she is carrying her jacket . . .)
Two of my cute sisters, Rachelle and Allison
This is the Town Hall. It is so quaint and Swiss looking. It’s almost like you’re in Switzerland.
The Town Hall
The gas station across from the Town Hall. All the buildings are very “Swiss” looking.
I found some great things to buy, and I enjoyed eating bratslies over the weekend. However, seeing how many people come to this event made me think, WHY DON’T I HAVE A BOOTH HERE? I could make millions off these crafty consumers! One of these years, you may see me in a booth, making a lot of money off craft-crazy-people!
Dallin, Where is Your Owner’s Manual? September 2, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, Little Man Dallin, My Handsome Husband, Photography, Princess Hannah, Thoughts , 2commentsI would like to thank all of you who have sent suggestions to me about Dallin by e-mail or comment. My quiet time is limited, so I’m sorry I can’t respond to each of you individually. We’re still not sure why Dallin is so fussy, but everyday we come up with a new theory. David thinks he is always hungry, and I think he has a myriad of problems like acid reflux, gas pains, or being overly tired or overstimulated.
I bet if Dallin could talk, he would tell us that NONE of aforementioned things bother him. In fact, he’s probably crying because he wants more hair, or he wishes it was curly.
During this trying time, I have found a few ways to cope:
I only listen to classical music in the car. It seems to neutralize the crying sound, and I can actually think while I’m driving.
I try to focus on the fact that crying is another way of talking. Dallin is obviously trying to communicate something. I pretend he is talking incessantly all day long.
I schedule Mommy/Hannah time. She needs quality time too, and if I don’t schedule it, she gets overlooked.
I take time for myself everyday. I am grateful for a supportive husband and in-laws that make this possible.
Since I am breast feeding, I am living off food that has no taste. You know the kind, like bread and potatoes. This diet is very boring, and I am jealous of my husband who gets to drink milkshakes, but then I consciously remember the motto I now live by: NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SILENCE SOUNDS. Unfortunately, I don’t think cutting out almost every good food known to man has made a difference.
There is a 99% chance that Dallin will stop crying within five minutes when he is placed in the Snuggli. Wearing him all day makes it difficult to be productive, but not wearing him makes it impossible to get anything done.
I have memorized his smiling face in my mind, and I pull up this mental picture when he is sleeping, nursing, or otherwise calm. It brings a smile to my face because he really is so cute. I also pull up pictures of him to stare at his cuteness.
I take Dallin to the doctor often. One of these days, WE ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT HIS PROBLEM.
NOTE TO DALLIN: Before I taint your reputation, I want you to know that you are excellent sleeper during the night, and for that I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. I’d rather you scream all day and sleep all night than the other way around. At least I’m not tired when you’re crying. This household certainly couldn’t handle two cranky people. You are a handsome boy and I LOVE that you let me KISS YOUR FACE OFF even when you’re crying. You have very kissable cheeks. 
Almost Been There, Don’t Want To Do It Again. September 1, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Friends, Islands, Thoughts, Utah , 4commentsFirst of all, can I just say how grateful I am that we haven’t moved to Houma, Louisiana yet? If you haven’t heard about Hurricane Gustov hitting Houma, and New Orleans, THAN YOU MUST LIVE ON ANOTHER PLANET. All our friends in that area have been evacuated and the hospital (where David will do rotations) is closed. I hope the hospital is standing when this thing blows over!
Last year in August, Tropical Storm Dean brushed Saba before it turned into a hurricane. Our friends, Daniel and Lydia, were visiting us when it hit and it was quite an adventure! I can tell you right now I DID NOT LIKE EXPERIENCING A TROPICAL STORM. I CANNOT IMAGINE EXPERIENCING A HURRICANE.
With winds from 50 to 70 mph, the ocean was tumultuous, and the island was very isolated with no way to get boats or air traffic to or from Saba. The power was out, and it was SO HOT inside our house because all the windows needed to be closed. We couldn’t cook anything and opening the refrigerator was limited. Can I just say how BORED we were? Sitting around, breathing each other’s recycled breath?
Here are some pictures from the storm:
The coconut tree in front of our house.
This is a view from our patio. Check out the swells in the ocean! Our house was at about 500 feet above sea level, so the white caps you see are probably close to 15 foot swells.
More storm coming our way . . .
The ocean heaving itself upon the rocks at the tide pools.
I’m so glad I am in Utah, in a house with power, and NO THREAT OF A HURRICANE. EVER.
WHY ARE WE MOVING TO THE GULF COAST?
