Monday, February 23, 2009

Slowly Catching Up

I've been putting off updating the blog until things slow down, but I've since realized that things aren't going to slow down. It seems that as soon as one thing ends, another obligation starts up, so I'm stealing some time while Mylee is asleep to stop procrastinating and catch up. Sad, I know, but my last post was in November, and a lot has happened since then... Enjoy the pictures =)...
Mylee and I had a great time in Utah for Thanksgiving. RJ wasn't able to make it cause he had to work (stupid work!) but I think secretly he enjoyed it because he could watch as much football as he wanted. =)




We spent Christmas here in Cheyenne, and had a grand time. Mylee especially loved the wrapping paper. She's got this insane addiction to paper. Later on you will get to see her rip up a phone book.

Aunt Priscilla gave us this adorable Christmas dress. We got a million compliments on how adorable Mylee looked in it. And Mylee loved chewing on the white puff balls. =) So THANK YOU Aunt Priscilla!
Thanks to the generousity of many people, we haven't yet had to buy clothes for Mylee. I find myself very greatful for the support of friends and family, without which, the past 8 months would have been much much more difficult. This particularly adorable ensemble came from Brielle.

I can't believe Mylee is 8 months old already. It has gone by so fast! I used to say that I was excited for her to start crawling, but I had no idea what a tornado she would create! She is going to be one independant little girl, and she never stops going. She's gets into everything, (unless she's allowed to get into it - then she doesn't want it =) ) She had ZERO teeth until about 3 weeks ago. Now she has 5 and I'm pretty sure another is coming in. She has been super cranky, but I'm glad it happened all at once instead of being a long drawn out process of crankiness. She also got sick for the first time last week, which has been no fun, but again, I can't help but be thankful that she hasn't been sick more often. She's usually such a happy baby.




We made the mistake of leaving a phone book on the floor...


She went crazy using both hands to rip the pages out and toss them aside, only to rip out some more. It was quite the mess, but she had fun doing it, and I had fun watching her, so it was worth it! And of course, the day wasn't complete until she ate it...

Whenever our para in the infant room is gone, I have to sub for her, and the school gets a sub for my classroom. But on those days, I get to bring Mylee with me to work, and she loves it!
I am convinced though, that whoever designed the cribs knew nothing about children, because they have mirrors in them. Whenever I go to lay her down, she sees herself in the mirror and starts playing. I finally had to cover it with a blanket so she would sleep. It was cute though to see her play with her reflection.




We had some friends over, and Mylee had fun stealing food from her new friend David... He looks pretty happy though, so I don't think he minded too much. =)


Grammies gave Mylee some bubbles, and she loved them! Sidekick did too, although he seemed a little confused as to why they would disappear when he tried to eat them. I thought this picture was adorable.


The last few months I have been consumed with preparations for the culinary competition. The kids worked really hard. We had practices on Thursdays and Saturdays for the past couple months, and despite some difficulties with team members dropping out just weeks before, the kids did fabulously. We took 2nd place, and won the award for the best starter. Here is a picture of our team just before they competed. Special thanks to our mentor Chef Justin Picot. Without him, we never would have done so well! =)

Goofing off before they competed to release the nervous jitters... We had a fun team this year. And two of them should be coming back next year, so we should have a fantabulous team!


The students had 1 hour to prepare 2 identical 3 course meals with only 2 butane burners and no electrical equipment. They were commended by the judges on their teamwork and organization as well as their appearance and sanitation. This was towards the end as they were plating the food.


It is a little bit hard to see, but here was the result. The starter was a cowboy cobb salad with barbeque chicken and a spicy ranch dressing drizzled with black truffle oil. The entree was a buffalo tenderloin complemented with a cranberry relish, loaded blue cheese red potatoes and steamed asparagus. The dessert was sauteed phyllo pastry with a white chocolate cream sauce and fresh berries. RJ spent the last week at a conference in Boston with the J Reuben Clark Association, (I think that's what it is called =)) He had a blast and has lots of fun pictures that I really wanted to share, but as I was going through them, I didn't know which ones he would want to share, and he knows more about what went on anyway, so I'm going to make him post it himself. =) Here is one though of him and his law school buddies. I was a little jealous that he got to go without me, but he promptly reminded me that I got to go to San Diego last year without him. I couldn't argue with that =)

After this semester, RJ only has a year left! I am counting down!!! =)
Oh and here is a video of RJ making Mylee dance that I thought was cute. The things we do to our kids...