It was so fun having people visit these past couple weekends (even though Ollie terrorized everyone). First Karene came with the kids, and then my parents came that same weekend for the Hansen family reunion. We loved it! Aside from the reunion, we had a pizza night (the pizza turned out amazing), took the kids to the zoo/park, went bowling, and drew "hamster ball" mazes on the white board. (the iPad also got a lot of use).
The next weekend, Dave's parents came to visit. We met up at Maddox Restaurant (for an amazing meal), and then came to Logan. Dave got to go on a hike with his dad and Dawn Marie took me maternity clothes shopping (which was so super-nice of her!) Saturday night, Katie and Andrew drove up from Provo. We ate lasagna and played card games. They also stayed for dinner after church the next day. It was so nice eating together and just being together. Thank you wonderful family!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
A Day in the Puppy Life
Hi, it's Ollie again -just checking in. Life has been pretty good lately. Look at some of the fun things I've been doing:
Chasing bugs outside on the grass
Meeting lots of new people who visited my house last week
Chewing my new rawhide bones and trying to find good hiding places for them
Sneaking upstairs under the big bed (until my people chase me out)
Playing fetch with my squeaky blue toy
Learning to ring my "potty time" bell
Finding old Kleenex. They are the best treat! (grass is pretty good too)
Sticking my head out of the car window
Some things I don't like:
Getting shots from the vet (I barked at that mean vet lady)
The broom. It is a scary thing that moves all around. I have to get it!
When my people won't let me dig in the grass, chew furniture, or do other fun stuff
When I have to go in my kennel (except when I am very tired)
When I jumped in the pond (that was kind of scary)
The vet said I weigh 10 pounds and am long for my age. So maybe I will just keep growing. I know I am getting stronger and a lot better at jumping. She also said that my people have been giving me too many baths. Hooray! No more baths every week! Things are looking up. I don't know what this baby thing is that everyone keeps talking about. Oh well. Gotta go!
-Ollie
Chasing bugs outside on the grass
Meeting lots of new people who visited my house last week
Chewing my new rawhide bones and trying to find good hiding places for them
Sneaking upstairs under the big bed (until my people chase me out)
Playing fetch with my squeaky blue toy
Learning to ring my "potty time" bell
Finding old Kleenex. They are the best treat! (grass is pretty good too)
Sticking my head out of the car window
Some things I don't like:
Getting shots from the vet (I barked at that mean vet lady)
The broom. It is a scary thing that moves all around. I have to get it!
When my people won't let me dig in the grass, chew furniture, or do other fun stuff
When I have to go in my kennel (except when I am very tired)
When I jumped in the pond (that was kind of scary)
The vet said I weigh 10 pounds and am long for my age. So maybe I will just keep growing. I know I am getting stronger and a lot better at jumping. She also said that my people have been giving me too many baths. Hooray! No more baths every week! Things are looking up. I don't know what this baby thing is that everyone keeps talking about. Oh well. Gotta go!
-Ollie
Friday, July 8, 2011
27 weeks
We had to get a second ultrasound to check the baby's kidneys. We also got these pictures. Pretty amazing.
The Puppy Chronicles
(We got a puppy! Talk about an adventure!)
Hi, my name is Ollie. I am 4-month-old dachshund/yorkie puppy. I am always a very good little dog, except when I am naughty. I get in trouble when I bark, bite, jump on people, chew stuff I'm not supposed to have, climb on the couches, dig, and have accidents on the carpet (those are the main things, but there might be other stuff too). I am still learning to control myself, but, like I already said, I am a vey good little boy. I promise! I love to cuddle, fall asleep next to my people, and chew on my bones and toys. I am also getting better at playing fetch, sitting, and staying. I love kids and meeting new people. Everyone loves me because I am so cute. Guess that's all for now. Can't wait to lick, nibble, and jump on you in person!
-Ollie
Monday, July 4, 2011
Goodbye Mountainside Elementary!
I finished my last day as a contracted SLP for Cache School District! Yay! It was bitter-sweet (but mostly sweet). :) I was sad cleaning out my classroom, saying goodbye to everyone... I learned so much during my two years working there, put so much of myself into it, really enjoyed the preschool kids (most of the time), felt like I still had so much to learn.
But also, so relieved to be done and to be home. I had a pretty high-stress year overall (pregnancy made me extra tired). I'm really grateful to be getting in some me-time before the baby comes, getting some things done around the house, spending time with friends, trying to get more prepared for the baby. So far, I am loving it.
But also, so relieved to be done and to be home. I had a pretty high-stress year overall (pregnancy made me extra tired). I'm really grateful to be getting in some me-time before the baby comes, getting some things done around the house, spending time with friends, trying to get more prepared for the baby. So far, I am loving it.
DC and NYC Trip
Starting Memorial Day weekend, Dave and I spent a week back east visiting family and sight-seeing. We spent the first few days with Brian's family, eating Karene's amazing cooking and hanging out. We also did a bike ride and went camping overnight at Bullrun campground. We had a great time there.
Mid-week, we took a bus up to New York to visit David's brother, Steven. He lives in Manhatten, just north of Central Park. He let us stay at his apartment -even in his nice queen bed! We loved New York - just walking around, seeing the city and how big it really is. We walked around Central Park, went to the MET, saw Jersey Boys on Broadway, rode on the Staten Island ferry, saw the Statue of Liberty, walked along High-line park, and ate at some vey yummy restaurants. We also walked around Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Kennedy Center, and the World Trade Center site. We were starting to get pretty used to the Subway. :) In the evenings, we would hang out with Steven when he got off work.
Leaving Steve's apt. to get on the bus to go to the airport, I twisted my foot coming down some stairs. It started to really hurt, and I had to get wheeled around the airport (which was kind of cool). We had it x-rayed and nothing was broken, but it still hurts sometimes. We were so lucky it happened at the end of our trip! Everything really went pretty well the whole time. Great trip -so glad we did it.
Mid-week, we took a bus up to New York to visit David's brother, Steven. He lives in Manhatten, just north of Central Park. He let us stay at his apartment -even in his nice queen bed! We loved New York - just walking around, seeing the city and how big it really is. We walked around Central Park, went to the MET, saw Jersey Boys on Broadway, rode on the Staten Island ferry, saw the Statue of Liberty, walked along High-line park, and ate at some vey yummy restaurants. We also walked around Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Kennedy Center, and the World Trade Center site. We were starting to get pretty used to the Subway. :) In the evenings, we would hang out with Steven when he got off work.
Leaving Steve's apt. to get on the bus to go to the airport, I twisted my foot coming down some stairs. It started to really hurt, and I had to get wheeled around the airport (which was kind of cool). We had it x-rayed and nothing was broken, but it still hurts sometimes. We were so lucky it happened at the end of our trip! Everything really went pretty well the whole time. Great trip -so glad we did it.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Confused Houseplant
When I bought this gardenia last summer, it was a very healthy looking plant - packed with glossy green foliage and large buds. Sadly, even though I tried giving it distiller water, more humidity, and plenty of sunshine, one-by-one the buds all withered at the base and fell off. Now, almost a year later, I find these beautiful, fragrant blooms popping out of a sickly, stick-looking plant. And all because I'd been too lazy to throw out what I'd thought was a lost-cause houseplant.
San Diego
We had a wonderful spring break vacation in San Diego. I felt pretty good all week and was able to eat all kinds of food. I think I got more sun and activity than I'd had all winter. It felt so long-overdue and so nice! We broke up the drive by staying in St. George going both ways, and our new gps helped Dave maintain his sanity in CA traffic. Mostly, we wanted to spend time on the beach and see cool gardens -so that's what we did.
We stayed at an inn in Del Mar (north of San Diego) in the Zen Room.
We hiked around these bluffs down to the ocean (Torrey pines state reserve). Gorgeous.
There was lots of flora an fauna including this blooming yucca.
We rented cheap bikes and went all around Mission Bay. We played on the beach there too.
Scripts aquarium in La Jolla. The kelp forest.
This is taken from the top level of the del mar shopping center. I really liked staying in del mar. It felt vey touristy, small, and nice. We could walk all around the main drag in an evening. Our inn was a couple blocks up from the ocean.
Balboa park horticultural garden. Loved it! So many amazing orchids and other houseplant-like things.
Balboa park rose garden. They were all in bloom. It was magical.
Balboa park desert garden.
Balboa park japanese garden.
Another garden at balboa park. Notice the delphinium peeking out over the hedges.
Del mar beach. I found lots of seashells.
Cliffs above the beach where we would walk around.
And then the dessert. We stopped at two parks on our way back. This is anza-borrego state park. So many cacti were in bloom! We went on a hike that ended in a palm oasis. Crazy.
This is Joshua tree national park.
We did a cool hike there that led to this dam.
We stayed at an inn in Del Mar (north of San Diego) in the Zen Room.
We hiked around these bluffs down to the ocean (Torrey pines state reserve). Gorgeous.
There was lots of flora an fauna including this blooming yucca.
We rented cheap bikes and went all around Mission Bay. We played on the beach there too.
Scripts aquarium in La Jolla. The kelp forest.
This is taken from the top level of the del mar shopping center. I really liked staying in del mar. It felt vey touristy, small, and nice. We could walk all around the main drag in an evening. Our inn was a couple blocks up from the ocean.
Balboa park horticultural garden. Loved it! So many amazing orchids and other houseplant-like things.
Balboa park rose garden. They were all in bloom. It was magical.
Balboa park desert garden.
Balboa park japanese garden.
Another garden at balboa park. Notice the delphinium peeking out over the hedges.
Del mar beach. I found lots of seashells.
Cliffs above the beach where we would walk around.
And then the dessert. We stopped at two parks on our way back. This is anza-borrego state park. So many cacti were in bloom! We went on a hike that ended in a palm oasis. Crazy.
This is Joshua tree national park.
We did a cool hike there that led to this dam.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Boise Weekend
We had a nice weekend visiting Dave's family. Steve was in town for a friend's wedding and we got to see grandma as well. We went on a walk with dad, ran some errands, went to the cheesecake factory for Melissa's birthday, and played lots of angry birds on the iPad.
Friday, March 25, 2011
13 Weeks
The word is out! We are expecting a baby! The due date is oct. 8. We were able to see the baby on an ultrasound at the doctor's yesterday, which was pretty amazing. It's little hands were up by it's head, and it moved around like it was hiccuping or something.
I cant say how happy I am to finally be at this point, as the weeks have been passing painfully slowly. If you've wondered why I haven't blogged in the past couple of months, the answer is that I really haven't done much of anything -besides go to work and sleep- since Jan. (Morning/evening sickness is no good. blah.)
We are both excited (Dave is very excited) and both trying to wrap our minds around this new major development in our lives (especially me). So this is it. Our greatest adventure. Here we come. :)
I cant say how happy I am to finally be at this point, as the weeks have been passing painfully slowly. If you've wondered why I haven't blogged in the past couple of months, the answer is that I really haven't done much of anything -besides go to work and sleep- since Jan. (Morning/evening sickness is no good. blah.)
We are both excited (Dave is very excited) and both trying to wrap our minds around this new major development in our lives (especially me). So this is it. Our greatest adventure. Here we come. :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pepperidge Farm Factory
On our way back from Rigby the other weekend, we stopped at the Pepperidge Farm Factory in Richmond (something I'd been wanting to do since my student-days at USU). We didn't tour the factory or anything, but we did buy some reduced-price-goodies. Tying for my affections are their Milano cookies and their freezer cakes. Remember these?
My dad used to buy these cakes all the time and snack on them for dessert in the evenings. Biting into that fudgey striped goodness really took me back to those days. -I'd highly recommend these cakes (although I'm not sure what they go for at full price).
My dad used to buy these cakes all the time and snack on them for dessert in the evenings. Biting into that fudgey striped goodness really took me back to those days. -I'd highly recommend these cakes (although I'm not sure what they go for at full price).
Friday, January 21, 2011
Christmas / Winter Travels
Mini-Christmas -Dave and I did our own mini-Christmas the weekend before our Christmas vacation started. We had a fire going in the fireplace, sang carols, read the Christmas story, watched a Christmas movie, and slept downstairs on the air mattress right next to our Christmas tree. (I'll admit, I'm stealing this idea from some very festive roommates I once had on Darwin Ave.)
Christmas Vacation - We spent the first week of our vacation in Boise with David's family, and it was wonderful. We made delicious meals and treats (including roasted marshmallow shakes -compliments of Steven), worked on puzzles, shopped, went downtown (where we tried "the Boise Fry Co."), went on walks, drove around town to see the Christmas lights, went to Harry Potter 7, saw Melissa's apartment, went to "the egg factory" for breakfast with Dave's grandma, and I learned to crochet (which has been very therapeutic for me since getting back home, btw). We went to St. George for the last few days of the vacation, which was good, minus the winter-driving. We got to visit Becky and Lee (my friends) as well as Katie and Andrew (Dave's sister and her husband) in Provo. In St. George, we got to hang out with my family (including Brian and Karene), and I met up with my friends, Jennifer and Erica, for lunch. Dave and I were both happy to get back to Logan and see our house again, but more than a little sad too (at least I was).
Rigby trip -This last weekend (Martin Luther King day), we drove to Rigby, ID to visit Dave's Aunt Nancy. It was a lovely trip and an easy drive (2 and 1/2 hours seems pretty short to us these days. --I don't think I'd been up through eastern ID since Kelly and Bonnie's wedding reception. -Man, was it snowy up there). Kind of like my dad's earned the reputation of "super-sub", Aunt Nancy must hold the title for "super-aunt." She's very involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews and very family-oriented. Anyway, we loved spending time with her, talking, learning Madsen family history, cooking, doing needlework, or whatever. Dave's Aunt Kay and her husband, Paul, also came to Rigby Saturday night and we all went out to dinner together (for the record, there is a really yummy Chinese restaurant in Rigby).
...and life goes on in here in Logan. January is plodding along. It has warmed up a little lately and the days are slowly starting to get longer (or so Dave tells me almost every morning). For me, it's been a lot of going to work, worrying about work, resting from work -usually by watching instantly-streaming Netflix shows on my TV (thanks to the wireless device that Dave gave me for Christmas), and trying to get over a lingering cold that wore out its welcome several days ago.
Christmas Vacation - We spent the first week of our vacation in Boise with David's family, and it was wonderful. We made delicious meals and treats (including roasted marshmallow shakes -compliments of Steven), worked on puzzles, shopped, went downtown (where we tried "the Boise Fry Co."), went on walks, drove around town to see the Christmas lights, went to Harry Potter 7, saw Melissa's apartment, went to "the egg factory" for breakfast with Dave's grandma, and I learned to crochet (which has been very therapeutic for me since getting back home, btw). We went to St. George for the last few days of the vacation, which was good, minus the winter-driving. We got to visit Becky and Lee (my friends) as well as Katie and Andrew (Dave's sister and her husband) in Provo. In St. George, we got to hang out with my family (including Brian and Karene), and I met up with my friends, Jennifer and Erica, for lunch. Dave and I were both happy to get back to Logan and see our house again, but more than a little sad too (at least I was).
Rigby trip -This last weekend (Martin Luther King day), we drove to Rigby, ID to visit Dave's Aunt Nancy. It was a lovely trip and an easy drive (2 and 1/2 hours seems pretty short to us these days. --I don't think I'd been up through eastern ID since Kelly and Bonnie's wedding reception. -Man, was it snowy up there). Kind of like my dad's earned the reputation of "super-sub", Aunt Nancy must hold the title for "super-aunt." She's very involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews and very family-oriented. Anyway, we loved spending time with her, talking, learning Madsen family history, cooking, doing needlework, or whatever. Dave's Aunt Kay and her husband, Paul, also came to Rigby Saturday night and we all went out to dinner together (for the record, there is a really yummy Chinese restaurant in Rigby).
...and life goes on in here in Logan. January is plodding along. It has warmed up a little lately and the days are slowly starting to get longer (or so Dave tells me almost every morning). For me, it's been a lot of going to work, worrying about work, resting from work -usually by watching instantly-streaming Netflix shows on my TV (thanks to the wireless device that Dave gave me for Christmas), and trying to get over a lingering cold that wore out its welcome several days ago.
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