Last week tid bits

• Took my very first trip to an Apple Store. That place is crazy! And it makes me feel elderly.
  
• Brandon and I went out for a date and had Pho. I love Pho. For those unfamiliar with this gourmet concoction, Pho is a Vietnamese meat and veggie soup in an insanely delicious broth made better by chili oil and lime. Are you hungry yet? Because you know I am!!
  
• I was fortunate enough to be able to be a waitress for the Mother/Daughter silly supper put on by our Activity Day leaders. It was so much fun! I've always had a dream of being a waitress and it was my Sea Biscuit moment! I had two favorite parts of the night. First, I wore a mohawk that nobody really seemed to find odd. Which I guess means I'm way more punk rock than I realized. Second, I was able to get down with a bunch of 11 year old girls at a Justin Beiber dance party. One of the many perks of being primary president!
• We discovered an app that will take your photo and turn it into a picture of you either fat or old. It made me want to get some expensive moisturizers and go jogging. And while it gave us giggles, it gave Abby nightmares. (Honestly, I think I'm closer to nightmares than giggles too now that I re-think about it.)
• Brandon ran the furthest he's ever run in his life to this point- 5 miles. He did great. He's even flirting with the idea of running the SLC half marathon with me in April.
• We had dinner at Chef Niel's twice this week. He spoils us rotten! He fed Brandon some deep dish pizza that made him want to pack his bags and move to Chicago.
• Abigail got all gussied up and sold some girl scout cookies in front of an Albertson's. I believe it's an important right of passage to hawk wares for a good cause (at least, that's how I justify the mass quantity of cookies we've bought and consumed).
• Brandon got to venture out for 6am baptisms for the dead. He came back all holy ghost-y.
  
• My car received it's annual wash. It was at a critical point. I've had a smashed oreo on the floor of the back seat for over a month now.
  
• Watched the season finale of Downton Abbey and am filled with pain for the year I have to wait until the next season starts!
• And for Aunt Donna...you'll be happy to know that Abby let me know she doesn't think I'm that smart. At least, she said, not as smart as her 8 year old cousin Brinley. And trust me, I know I deserved that :)
  

We've been up to our elbows in fun!

In no particular order, here are a few things we've been up to.

Abby had a few days off school so we decided to pack up el carro and head to San Diego. (Please note that my Spanish has dramatically improved after a weekend in San Diego.) I have never been to the world famous San Diego Zoo before and figured as a lover of nature it was over due. The zoo is wonderful! Highlights included a petting zoo where Abby can groom goats, fairly decent zoo food (I mean a black bean burger on wheat? Happy mom!), and beautiful grounds. The low point? It's hilly and huge. We were effectively hiking! but I loved it....I came home wanting to recycle, buy fair trade chocolate, and attend a local farmers market- which are feelings I generally really like.

We have had some great weather here in Vegas lately. We took advantage and went hiking in Red Rock. Highlight? My child is a serious rock climber! Low point? We forgot water and were pretty sure we were going to end up on the news...

While in San Diego we visited the Midway. I LOVE this ship! It makes me feel patriotic and grateful. Also feelings I generally really like. I was surprised, but Abby loved it! She was climbing in and out of fighter planes and heading through the mess halls of yesteryear. We learned how to make life jackets out of pants. Educational and fun! Highlights? Touching the helicopter that rescued the Apollo 13 astronauts. Low point? The animatronic ship captain that gave my child nightmares that night.

Has Abby decided to go to law school? The cycle of abuse continues.

Can't hit San Diego without going to the beach. This is on Coronado Island, at sunset, on the beach in front of the Hotel Del Coronado. It was magical. I really want to stay in that hotel some day. Oh, and just so I keep myself honest...I did not build that particular sand castle. Highlights? Collecting shells and feeling the waters of the mighty Pacific. Low point? We kind of started having a sand fight that got out of control. There was a bit of pent up feelings as a result of a lot of time in the car and some bad nights sleep at the Residence Inn. (did you know they don't have concierges at those places?!?! I've become spoiled...)

We had awful Mexican food, a great trip to the Melting pot (which is surprising, because Brandon hates both waiting for food and cooking his own), and the most ridiculously good single scoop ice cream cones that $17 can buy. I know it's a ton of money for ice cream, but I think I'd pay it again....yes,... yes I would...

Favorite V-Day moment

It was a great Valentine's. Brandon is so romantic, I got the best pair of running shoes ever!

As much as I love my Nike Vomeros....my favorite Valentine's moment came from Abigail. Brandon had bought her a card and on the envelope had written "To my Precious Child." When it was time for Brandon to give Abby her Valentine, he pulled her into his lap, put his arms around her, and asked, "Abby, do you see this card? Do you know what it says?" Abby looked at the card and answered...

"Wassup Baby?!"

Almost After...like 95% After

This can't truly be a before/after shot because I haven't cleaned up yet! And I still have nowhere to hang a towel and I haven't put rugs on the floor...but I'm impatient. And while it may be without towels and rugs, it's also probably the only time my bathroom wont have dirty clothes on the floor. Accentuate the positive!



Pros? I could shower an entire Alaskan dog team in that shower! Con? I didn't consider something to put your soap/shampoo/conditioner on when you're in the tub. I haven't officially moved into it yet, but it already seems a lot easier to clean, a lot more functional, and in my mind...a lot better looking! (Sorry to offend anyone- I mean, someone liked that red racing stripe tile well enough to put it in...someone...just not my thing)

On to the next room!

For Becky

Dear Becky,

I love that our girls love each other and that they unsolicitedly hold hands in public. Just so you know, if it wasn't creepy...I'd hold your hand walking into our dance class together and do a loud spinning/clapping cheer with you every time we say goodbye. That's the kind of love I have for you.

Peace out,

Jamie

Get your Groupon on!

Every "Brandon & Jamie" Leavitt family photo we've ever taken of the three of us has always been on the back end of a giant photo session with the in-laws. Now, my in-laws have exquisite taste, but their taste leans toward photos where we are all wearing coordinating suits and pencil skirts, trying to look casual in front of fire places. We've been looking like healthy, successful, captains of industry for years now. And as much as I've enjoyed my home being filled with photographs of us looking like we're heading off for job interviews, I decided I wanted to try my own thing for once. Which is why, when a groupon came up for a photographer who would take my pictures outside (heather harris of pure photo), I snatched it up. I am so freakin' glad I did. She was wonderful- she didn't even bat an eye lash when I opened up the back of my car and hauled out 3/4 of my living room furniture. Here are some samples pre-photo shop that we took this weekend.




You know we'll be back for Heather Harris!!

Gonna hammer in the mornin', Gonna hammer in the eve'n

This picture was taken about 15 minutes ago, on a Sunday evening, in what was my master bath. First, the picture is blurry from the flurry of activity taking place. Second, Brandon's helper crew was intentionally left out of the picture to protect their innocence (since we are literally breaking the sabbath- breaking it with power tools and sledge hammers! But trust me when I say my ox isn't in just mire- he is in drywall dust, broken glass, and a fair amount of black mold. Thanks Max and Ben!! [names potentially changed to protect the innocent]).

We saw a little spot of mold on our wall by our shower and that was all the motivation we needed to rip our master bath out. We've hated it for a while and it's one of the two remaining untouched areas of our home. However, if I had known the dang EXPENSE of a bathroom before we ripped off walls, I might have just worn a haz-mat suit to protect me from the mold while I did my make up. But, the mold was much worse than we thought, so I am slightly glad we did this. I'm sure further gladness is coming. Here is our before:

What you're missing in this picture is all the interesting dry wall choices on the ceiling line we're changing. I'm excited for the changes, but the sticker shock is unreal. I've felt that about almost all the areas we've changed in our home. I was actually looking back at my blog and realized I haven't done a good job updating all of the changes. Home changes are some of my favorite things to read on others blogs, so hopefully when we've swept up all the broken shower glass and finished this project, I'll take some pictures and do a house tour. Even though it is costly, I can say it's one of my favorite hobbies. I love, love, love gutting a house! I'd do it every time if we could afford it. I get to have exactly what I want (within reason), and we use the heck out of it! Two examples from this weekend...

My back yard. I love it! Perfect place to dirty all of my linens making forts and drinking capri suns with friends. I love watching the children run through the grass, ride scooters, play basketball. It feels like childhood is happening out my windows and it was totally worth it.

My cozy kitchen. I love that people stop by all the time and sit in my kitchen. It is the perfect size for my family (and hopefully future family) along with visitors. I love the lay out. It isn't huge, but it's super duper functional. This picture is from one of those said visits. Our friend Chef Niel brought us some freshly smoked ribs and hung out with us for a while. Sure, I need to paint my table legs yellow, hang some art work and install a ultra white subway tile back splash- but I'm sure happy to have my kitchen!

From my money pit to yours!

Love, Jamie