A little head cold...

Poor Alec started with a slight fever on Wednesday, then added a runny nose by Thursday.

Yet, somehow being sick doesn't seem to slow him down.

Now that he's passed it on to me, I'm not certain how to keep up:

Reception Pictures

Sabrena and I had a good time all week preparing fondant and baking! My cousin Nikki was out from Utah, so we enlisted her aid in making the flowers, running errands and putting it all together on Saturday.

Kari was very happy with the cake, so it was all worth it:

Here's a photo with my siblings and some cousins:

Temple Pictures

Kari and Ben were sealed in the LA Temple on August 15, 2008 for time and all eternity.

Afterwards, we had to wander around and do loads of photos, before heading to the luncheon at the restaurant down the street. Kari decided on a Chinese theme, since Ben's father is Chinese. So, she asked me to dress Alec in his pajamas from Paul's Chinese cousins-she originally mentioned him being a 'Buddha' because of his belly...so I casually mentioned a sheet cake from the local grocery store being a lot easier than a 10 layer cake and the matter was dropped. He did look awfully cute:

Here he is learning to make a 'pop!' sound with a rose petal and my cousin Chad:

On the steps of the LA Temple:

Sad News on the Move...

Well, unfortunately, Paul's research is taking longer than planned. Primarily because his advisor's wife got pneumonia and Trevor is a good husband, so stayed home to help out. Unfortunately, Paul thought his model was wrong and spent the time trying to fix that, only to have Trevor return and point out the data was wrong...a whole month...wasted...long story short, we can't afford to move yet and since I accepted 3 classes at the college this fall we will be stuck here at least until December. On the bright side, we still have loads of free babysitters and with me able to work, Paul will have more study time.

I lost the battery charger for our camera, and it's completely dead, so I can't download any wedding pics yet.

On a good note, my cousin Sawyer got his mission call-MONTANA, BILLINGS!! We're so excited for him!!

Some more pictures...

There are a lot of good things happening out here right now!

Most importantly, my sister, Kari, is getting married on Friday in the LA Temple! She has always dreamt of a 10-layer cake and so I've been making loads of fondant and buttercream icing, which takes up all my free time.

Apart from that I'm working on: 1. packing organization (I threw out 4 boxes of 'stuff' on Saturday!), 2. moving van plans (can we trust someone to drive our 'stuff' to Colorado safely or drive our own things and our car?), 3. insanely missing Paul (video chatting twice a day just isn't enough. He may have to finish writing here and go back again for a few days to defend it much later), 4. caring for Alec (not that this is bad, but he is a VERY active & curious little boy), 5. the dogs (my family has left for California to go to a Dodgers game and California Adventure before the wedding, leaving me in charge of 7 dogs), and 6. refugee work (gathering donations & home visits). I do prefer to stay busy, so I would definitely choose all the commotion over sitting around and missing Paul.

In the meantime, here are some cute shots:

Here he is wearing grandpa's sunglasses:

Last Sunday we went to celebrate my Uncle's birthday and Alec (as usual) wanted to go out back and play with the 3 boxers they have. The dogs were very loving. If Paul would let me have a third dog I would steal Tank, their male boxer. He's so great with Alec and stands over to 'protect' him from the other dogs...who also want a turn licking Alec...

Here's Alec playing with his Uncle Christopher. My brother just adores Alec and Alec loves it when he comes over, because he'll play with him! Here he is carrying him around in nana and grandpa's 'garment hamper', then racing about in his car:

Here he is playing 'prison guard'. For some reason Alec thinks this is hilarious:

Uncle Kevie also loves playing with him and lately they've been practicing on recorders.


This past Friday night was Kari's bachelorette party. We went to Joleen's home (our sister-in-law) to watch a movie and eat pizza. Alec really liked the pizza idea:

Alec making new friends...

Last Friday night we went back to visit the Yasser family and I brought Alec with me. He was (of course) quite popular and really got on well with the youngest son, Baker, who loved playing with him, and loved that Alec would go running to him when he held his arms out.

Ayser, the mother, made dolma for dinner. I hadn't had any since I was studying in Egypt, so I was very excited. Alec loved it and was calling out 'yum, yum' between bites. She took the time to explain the recipe to me, so I may try it out soon.

Ayser also enjoyed swinging Alec around...and he was laughing aloud.

Larry brought over a guitar for the older boys and he and Omer were enjoying trying to learn some chords. Alec decided to join in the fun as well...

Once again it was a fun evening and everyone was so great about Alec roaming around! We look forward to visiting again.

Refugee Work...

I wanted to share a little of what's been exciting me lately. During my Anthropology course this summer I taught a section on Sudanese refugees. The students read a novel on the refugees re-settling in Minnesota (Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives), then watched a documentary on two boys and their difficulty in assimilating to America (Lost Boys of Sudan). My students were really touched and wanted to help out.

I require them to write an ethnography on a new culture they are expected to go study during the course. So, 3 of them were determined to visit some refugees for their project and continue aiding them long-term.

After a frustrating day of calling all the refugee charities in the US, I was finally directed to the 2 in Vegas. Unfortunately I'd left emails and voicemails with both already! I called the Catholic Charities again and hit jackpot!! Nicole, a director there picked up and had read my email. We pushed and she agreed to come speak to my class Monday night and take my 3 students and I to visit a family Wednesday night.

So, we met up with Nicole at an 'El Pollo Loco' to fill out some paperwork and give her some more donations that the class had gathered.

Here's Nicole (from the Charity), Mark, Larry and I:


Mark, Larry & Tania are my students:



We piled into our cars and headed over with our 'goodies'. Here's Larry, Mark & I unloading the car:


The Yassar family are refugees from Baghdad, Iraq. They were so excited to see us and practice their English. Larry clicked really well the boys; Omer (15), Ali (17) & Baker. Omer was kidnapped one day by the Iraqi Guard. A black car drove up to him playing on the street and called him by name in the car. They starved him (fed him once a day) and beat him for 6 days, until the American Army found him:


The mother, Ayser connected well with Tania and I. She was a high school PE teacher at a women's school.

Mark was trying to help Yassar figure out his waist size so Larry could order his work clothes, here's one way to do it:


Our big group shot at the end:


I was only planning to stay for a few minutes. Since we've decided to move to Colorado in 5 weeks, I know I can't spend a lot of time developing a relationship with them. But, I really enjoyed it and now we're having a pizza party/movie night Friday night with them! Ayser wants me to bring Alec over so she can meet him. Which means I'm already attached and will spend time with them until we move. I'm excited to start this up in Colorado now!

Spiked Hair and Pioneer Day!!

I'm tired of people telling me Alec's a 'big boy' because he looks about 9 months old. He's right on track for weight, but, like his parents, he will always appear much younger than his age. So, when his Uncle Kevie spiked his hair, I liked it! His hair is so light it looks funny in pictures, but I think it makes him look older.





Saturday Alec was able to attend 'Pioneer Day' with his Uncle Christopher & Auntie Jo (I had to finish up more classwork). He had a great time and was so smiley when he came home!! Here he is enjoying the slide with the protection of Auntie Jo:

Apparently there was a little girl on the teeter-totter, so Alec walked up to her and rubbed her arm and she got scared and ran off! He then attempted to enjoy the toy himself:

Ahhh...watermelon. Alec loves this sticky, messy fruit and they've been especially sweet all summer. Luckily he also enjoys baths at the end of the day...

Visiting LOH...

I had to go get a form filled out by HR at Paul's previous employment and I took Alec upstairs to visit Paul's ex-boss and fellow employee. Connie and Joy are so sweet and they love Alec to pieces. I appreciate that Connie made sure Paul had a breath mint before sending him back to the hospital before Alec was born!!

Connie & Joy playing with Alec:

Pictures

Well, life here is crazy. Between lecturing 2.5 hours a day, 4 days a week, an incredibly active 15 month old & 2 puppies, I'm so busy! So, I will get back to better posts later, but for now here's some photos of my little man:


Here's Alec a bit worn down. I love how he sleeps!


I always take Alec with me into the Anthropology Department (the secretaries and professors love pinching his cheeks and holding him). This time everyone was enjoying watching him explore and he was fascinated with the hominid skull collection! Maybe a future anthropologist after all?


Alec's favorite times of the day are when he gets to brush his teeth. He gets a huge smile on his face as we enter the bathroom and starts swaying back and forth in anticipation on the counter while I get toothpaste on his brush:

We got to church late on Sunday and were waiting in the foyer during a baby blessing. A little girl walked right up to Alec and kept hugging him! It was so cute, though he was having none of it.

Having a good tussle with Milo. A boy and his dog:



Last week my friend Jodee's afternoon baby-sitter was on vacation, so we watched Landon in the afternoons for her. He and Alec had a great time in the pool:


The genius at the grocery store who thought of adding toddler cars to the carts deserves a medal! Keeps Alec happy the whole time and makes other patrons smile at his antics.

Just a smiley boy!!