Saturday, February 21, 2009

Part 1:Utah

Today is my birthday and as a present to myself, I am finally updating the blog. (Did you notice that sly shout out to me?!?!) As I'm sure you've noticed, if you're still reading us, it appears we have done next to nothing over the last 2 months. But, such is not the case and this post begins a series of updates from our recent past. A disclaimer up front, these are posterity posts and may be less than interesting to 97% of our readership.

We enjoyed 2 fun-filled weeks in Utah during December. It was a whirlwind visit, as ours so often are, but we packed in a ton of fun, seemingly endless visits to family and friends and plenty of blogbook fodder.

Our first night we enjoyed my Mom's last concert performance as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. My Dad retired from the choir last year and my Mom last month so I no longer have a parent who sings with the Mo-Tab. They both had great experiences with the choir and it was always fun to pick them out during LDS Church General Conference broadcasts.
Next on the agenda was a ride on the Polar Express, okay so it's the Heber Creeper all dolled up to look like the real deal, but Caleb and Kenny had great fun! Passengers are encouraged to wear their pajamas (sorry, way to cold for that), everyone is served hot chocolate and they sing and read the story on their way to the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus.

Then we took a quick road trip to Roosevelt, UT, for the boys to visit Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa. Driving conditions on the way back were fairly treacherous, but we made it home in one piece and it was a good visit -- especially for Isaac who had never met his only living Great-Grandpa.
A highlight of the trip was our visit to the Salt Lake Children's Museum. If you live in UT (anywhere near SLC) and have kids, this is not to be missed. Even our boys, both under 3 at the time, really enjoyed the exhibits and could have stayed all day if hunger and fatigue hadn't prevented them.



In the midst of all the fun, we also closed on the purchase of our first home. It is in Austin, TX, and we just had renters move in this week (hurrah!). It is in a wonderful, family-friendly neighborhood, close to great schools, shopping and the major artery leading into downtown Austin. We bought the house without ever seeing it, but had the world's greatest realtor and when we went to visit it finally a couple of weeks after closing, were delighted with our first home. We were in Texas just long enough to open a bank account, apply for driver's licenses, power wash the house, do some yard work and catch a sunset from our "new" backyard.




We had lots of snow while in Utah and Caleb definitely got his fill. He made a snowman, well sort of, out of just what had fallen on my parents' upstairs deck. We made the mouth out of licorice and had to keep replacing it as it melted away from the cold and liquid of the snow.
Christmas Eve and the wee hours of Christmas morning were spent in the Emergency Room at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (this is our second Christmas since becoming parents that we have spent in the ER -- the fact that we have only been parents through three Christmases suggests we don't have a great track record), because Isaac was severely dehydrated and needed some perking up. Christmas morning was slightly subdued as a result, but there was still plenty of merriment and the boys ended up with quite a haul. Caleb enjoyed handing out the gifts probably even more than opening his own. The youngest mobile person in the family passes out the gifts on Christmas morning, and Lyman, my youngest sibling, was only too happy to relinquish the honor that has been his for the last 20 years.



We shopped and ate (and ate and ate and ate) and played and sang and visited friends who were home from places far and wide from California to China. Isaac spent a lot of time working on his walking (a skill he has since mastered) and we made many, many visits to Costco sometimes for no other reason than hot dogs and berry smoothies. Next stop, Colorado.

26 comments:

stephanie said...

wow busy! The house looks nice!
Also, I agree one must go to the childrens museum. My kids loved it!
Sorry about the emergency room. That is never fun.

Megan said...

That's quite a house there missy! I hear you get bargains in Texas compared to our market here in CA... so I hope you did (especially with it being sight unseen you brave girl)!

Anonymous said...

I had no idea you were on the market to become Texans. I spent my first 10 years of life in Austin, TX...my brother and I were absolutely devastated to leave such a beloved place for the horrors of So Cal (which is just to warn you that Texas has a very special way of indoctrinating youth...I still think about moving to Austin even though I haven't lived there in 20 years now!)

Congrats!

Jana and BJ said...

I must be part of the 3%, because I am truly fascinated. We'll miss looking for Bro & Sis Crisler in MoTab, what a fun house in Austin (any reason for Austin?), and how do you do all of that in 2 weeks?

Ilene said...

Saw that Chavez has no more term limit limitations and thought of you.

Isn't it good to know that I associate all things Chavez with you now?

Glad you had a lovely time in the states except for the trip to the E.R. And congrats on your mortgage!

dana said...

Happy Birthday! And congrats on the home purchase! You guys went through with it. We never saw our home either when we bought and I was sooo relieved when we showed up 6 months later that there was actually a house on the piece of land.
Oddly enough, we're trying to sell the home now!

Nice recap. Keep it coming...

Lauren in GA said...

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

That is so neat you got to see your Mom's last concert performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I think it is cool that you once got to pick your parents out of the choir during broadcasts.

What and awesome Children's Museum!! My favorite picture was the boys in the KSL Channel TV stage.

So, does the house mean that one day you will move to Austin, TX? It looks like a great house!

Sorry about the ER visit. I had to go to that exact hospital when I was visiting Utah for my brother's wedding. I got a horrible stomach flu after the reception. When we got back to Virginia (where we were then living) lots of my friends from Utah said, "Hey, I was born in that hospital!"

Star Gazer said...

Happy Happy Birthday!!!! :) Hope you have a very special day!

bwebster said...

Happy birthday, sweetie! Sandra sends her love, too. ..bruce..

The Songer said...

Happy Belated b-day! I miss utah.... glad the trip was great for you guys!

Yay, your own home!... and its a great looking house... How long til you guys get to be the actual tenants?

I love your Christmas Tradition with the presents.... I would have been able to take more pictures if we did it that way! i think I have found a new tradition!

I remember your mom and her lovely voice! Now im going to back and watch past conferences to see if i can point her out!

Lisa-Marie said...

Happy late birthday!!! And welcome back to the blogosphere!

CONGRATS on the house! That is exciting and I love your yard and deck! IS that a hot tub I can see peaking out from the corner?!?!?

Christian said...

Congrats on the house! That's great news.

Oh, and ¡Feliz cumpleaƱos!

Hazen5 said...

Sounds like you have been really busy! A new House... Wow!

Jenibelle said...

Wondering why Austin, Texas?

I have been worried about you! Glad to know you're okay and doing happy things!!!

Heather said...

Ok- I need a copy of the picture of the kids at the news desk. Best picture ever!

And so I totally forgot to wish you a happy birthday last week but I was definitely thinking about you. We'll celebrate belatedly with dessert from Tanta.

Abrazos,

Heather

Tammy said...

Utah is gorgeous, I was just in Park City...such a beautiful spot. Did you have a blast with Adrianne and family??

Mar said...

Wow. congrats on the birthday and the new house! Details. I miss lots of things about Austin. You'll have to tell me more... Hope you are well.

Hazen5 said...

Are you still there? You haven't blogged in a while, just making sure you are okay!

Nortorious said...

True and I'm very grateful. So grateful in fact that I am waiting to film a thank you. Snuggie was a big surprise, it came yesterday. You are totally over budget but I love them both you malignant recreant. (shakespeare taught me that.)

Lauren in GA said...

Hey friend...thank you so much for your comment to me elsewhere in blogland. That was such sage advice...feeling guilty doesn't help others...it truly doesn't.

Steph Glazier-Collao said...

Hey girl! I am just catching up on all my blog reading (I'm slow) and had to comment on your parents sad departure from the MoTab. I always picked them out and it made me feel so happy to know someone's face each Sunday and Conference.
Also - good house purchase! I love Austin and wished we were there instead of Dallas. Maybe one day...
Do you plan on living there eventually?

Heather said...

Oh why have you forsaken us? It's been over two months since your last entry! At least post some recent pics please...and yes, I know that I need to do it myself...people in glass houses and all.

stephanie said...

What's up? Where have you gone? I miss your posts. I hope all is well

Kimberly said...

Hope you see this! Contact me if you want to get together when in Utah...

Jason said...

Hello,

I have enjoyed reading your blog. I am getting ready to join the foreign service as a IMS. My wife and I would love hear any and all advice you have about joining the foreign service. We are from Utah and it looks like we share some cultural heritage. If you are able please send me an email to jason dot d dot hale at gmail dot com. I would love to hear more about the ins and outs of joining the FS.

The Doughracle said...

Hi Linsey,
Hope you, Kenny and the boys are well. We don't hear much from you lately, but wanted to check everything was ok? How is Venezuela these days? Congrats on the house buy, by the way, exciting stuff! And great that you've had it rented out already! Perfect stuff.
Hope to hear from you guys soon!
Nicola

 

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