We're having a . . .

Many of you may not know, but I am now twenty weeks pregnant. Clay, Eva, and I went in for our ultrasound on Wednesday morning to see of the baby was healthy and what the gender is. Clay and I were excited to find if our baby was healthy, but we got emotional when we found out we are having a baby BOY! Clay is pumped. This pregnancy is much different than the first because we've been through this all before. But now that we know we are having a boy, it has changed Clay's and my excitement level. I took a couple of pictures with Eva in her pig costume (because she was born in the year of the pig) with a stuffed ox (this baby will be born in the year of the ox). She has had an attitude problem the past couple of weeks so they didn't turn out too great, but still enjoy.

Nursery

All ready for nursery!

Eva is officially 18 months old which means . . . . .drumroll . . . .she is in nursery. Clay and I are so excited she is finally able to go. We both have demanding callings, so it was getting extremely hard to have her with us, although Clay had her most of the time. We took her in nursery yesterday and left her alone the entire time. We debated whether or not we should stay with her but opted not to. We would peek in the window occasionally to see how she was doing. She was playing well with the other kids and during the lesson and snack she sat in her own chair and followed along with everything. When it was time to pick her up we peeked in the window before hand. She was laying on a little piece of carpet while the other children were playing around her. She was exhausted. When we went in we asked the teachers how she did, they said she did great. She never cried and fell asleep for about twenty minutes. Did I mention she did all this without her binki. We are extremely proud of our smart Eva. Thank heaven for nursery.

Contest

I entered Eva's picture in a photo contest for smiles at the Select Health dental website. Follow this link and vote ( you can do it once a day from each computer) and be sure to tell your friends, family members, neighbors, etc.

http://www.protecttoothy.com/smileContest/photoDetails.aspx?photoID=397

Halloween Part II

Mommy and Piggy

Amy, Nick, and Eva

Clay pulling the kids around

Social piggy, talking on the phone

Eva's Pig Noise

All of our pictures and video didn't fit in the last post, so here they are!

Halloween

Wrestling Ebby

Our Little Piggy

Trick or Treat

Closing my eyes again

Happy Halloween

Eva LOVED Halloween. She had a really busy day. She first came to my office for our office lunch (which was terrible) and then went with Ash to hang out with Nick and Abby while Amy was with Sophie's class. After I got home from work we made the rounds and visited Grandma & Grandpa Anderson, Janae (where she was wrestling Ebby the dog in her costume), Pat & Howard, and then to Cannon & Amy's to go trick or treating. Luckily I got to pull Eva & Nick in a wagon because we were out for almost two hours. Eva loved to go up to the doors and would hold out her bag, but she didn't really get that she had to knock and would just stand on the porch waiting. When she would get one piece of candy she would stand their waiting for more. We kept reminding her only one piece at each house. She laughed almost the whole time in the wagon cause she kept trying to poke Nick in his bunny costume; he wouldn't wear his Lion outfit. Enjoy all the pics, even though she closes here eyes in almost every photo, and the video, which was shot sideways and wouldn't let us make any changes. The video is of her snorting like a pig. All day when we would ask her to say pig, she would snort instead.

Pumpkin Time

Eva sitting on our porch

Loving her little pumpkin

Seeing Double

I haven't ever really been that into Halloween. I have a few decorations here and there and got Eva an adorable costume. However, I do love pumpkins and Eva shares that love. She gets extremely excited whenever she sees pumpkins. We had a lot of fun the other night picking pumpkins as a family. Now she loves to sit on the front porch playing with the pumpkins and running around with her little one. I'm surprised the little pumpkin hasn't exploded yet, she's dropped it plenty of times.

Up and Running

So, our new computer finally showed up today which means that Ashley will be taking back her post as lead blog contributor. I am sorry to those who have come to embrace the new direction that this blog was taking, folk rock and soccer, but the rest of you will be happy to see more pictures of Eva, who is cuter every day. There are also always new stories of hijinks that she gets herself into as well. Hopefully Ash will update soon, if not, I will have to find some more random videos to post. I don't think you all can take much more of it...

RSL at RTS

Sorry, you get another Clay post. We are waiting to get our new computer, our replacement just died :(, so it's all me. Ash and I are getting pumped for our midweek excitement. An event that has been in the making for four years (not as dramatic as Neil...at least in that sense). We have tickets to the first game in Real Salt Lake's new Rio Tinto Stadium, thanks TDA! We are pumped to see them secure a crucial three points in ESPN2's weekly primetime MLS matchup this Thursday, October 9th. Be sure to check it out, 8 pm mst. Here's a little stadium pub to get you excited...we are. One point of interest about the stadium...no bleachers, just chairs!


Real Salt Lake Stadium Commercial from Shawn Francis on Vimeo.

Neil Effing Diamond

It's as if the stars have lined up for an event 26 years in the making. On the night of December 19th (my b-day) Ashley and I will be enjoying the musical stylings of the greatest singer songwriter in the history of all worlds! Neil (effing) Diamond. It's like Bob Wiley said: "There are two types of people in this world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't..." I, personally, LOVE him. Jealous!

Good Times . . .

Eva as a cowgirl

We have had a very fun month already. Eva's little friend Stella turned one and there was a big cowgirl party. Eva had the cutest cowgirl hat to wear, but refused and threw a big fit. We did manage for her to wear a little bandanna around her neck. Then the other morning Eva and I were playing outside, she saw her cowgirl hat in the garage and wore it all morning while pushing her stroller around outside. She is always surprising us. I have learned that kids never do what you want them to do when you want them to do it. I'll snap a picture of her wearing it soon.

Celebrating Nick's 28th Birthday

Crazy Eva

Eva on top of the world
Eva has let all of this blog fame get to her
Mcdonald's ice cream can cause a zen like state

So I (Clay) took Eva to the playground last week to get her out of the house. She loves playgrounds, doesn't mind the woodchips or dirty swings at all. The first thing she does is climb to the highest point on the playground while I look up (nervously). She proceeded to go up and down the tallest slide by herself four or five more times. This girl has no fear....except horses.

And we're back...

Pony Rides, Eva was terrified.

24th of July Parade. Covered Wagon made by Clay's mom.

Really bad picture of Eva eating her first sucker.

Our little Beauty Queen

So, we have taken a three month vacation from our blog. Big deal! Most of it is due to the fact that our computer gave up after four good years and we just got a replacement. So, we will post more information later, but Ash wanted me to put up these pics to hold you all over.

Happy Birthday Dad

Don't send a lame eCard.
Try JibJab Sendables!

Eva's One Year Old

What a great memory we have of Eva's First Birthday. We had great people, great food, and a beautiful day. The months of planning really payed off. We will have to scan the invitation we sent out and post it because it is one to remember. We really lucked out with the weather. It was in the mid 60's with a slight breeze. There was a pink pig pinata which the children loved. The food was amazing, lettuce, flour tortillas, refried beans, mexican rice, lime chicken, corn, homemade mexican ranch, cheese, homemade salsa, nacho cheese, nacho trays, chips, watermelon, churros, the works!! The candy table was adorable with celophane bags with pig stickers all over them and pig artifacts collected all through the year because Eva is our little piggy. The candy was all pastel colors including, peanut m&m's, plain m&m's, sour watermelons, taffy, frosted animal cookies, crunch eggs, and white chocolate kisses. The day was absolutely perfect. A big thank you to Uncle Tyler and Aunt Rachel for the Fiesta music. It was a hit. People were dancing all through the evening. Clay was such a trooper helping without any complaining. He barbecued all the chicken and people were raving about it. Also, a big thanks to Janae for all her help. Couldn't have done it without her. What a great day! Thanks everyone.

We're Back

So it has been a very long time since our last post. May just passed us by and we didn't post anything. Eva had her first birthday complete with an epic party. We spent a week in NYC and Boston for Jenna's and Cam's graduations. We will post pictures and video of the party and trip with complete details. Stay tuned.

Eva's Messes

Eva making another mess, pulling all her wipes out of the container.

I have finally come to terms that my house will never be clean again. Eva is a mess maker. I am now used to the fact she pulls all her toys out of every bin everyday, pulls her wipes out, empties our dresser, and so on. While growing up my mother would look at all of us and ask, "Why can't I have anything nice?" I sympathize with her and now understand. But these next two stories threw me for a loop. Just to warn you, they are intense.
A few weeks ago I was giving Eva a bath and she started to play. I was putting some laundry in, folding clothes, cleaning up downstairs, etc. . . Our downstairs is small enough I can hear or see Eva well and I don't worry doing a few chores while she is playing in the bath. After a while I went in to get Eva out. Well, she had pooped in the tub and it was EVERYWHERE!!! It was so gross. It was smeared all over the tub. I got Eva out and had to contain her in a secluded spot. I drained the tub, scrubbed it, threw up, and did I mention all her bath toys were in with her. I filled the tub again, bathed Eva, got her dressed, and washed all her toys. By the time this fiasco was over it had taken me all morning to get everything cleaned up.
Just yesterday I had given Eva a bath and put her down for a nap so I could get ready. I had a morning dentist appointment to go to. I got out of the shower and heard Eva crying. I knew she had a stinky diaper because she had only been asleep about twenty minutes and she HATES sleepy in stinky diapers. I know that as soon as I change her she'll go back to sleep. I walk in her room and she is standing in her crib with no diaper on screaming. She had taken off her diaper, thrown it out of her crib, and poop was everywhere in the crib. She was so upset. She got the mess on her feet and was walking around her crib disgusted. There were Eva poopprints all over. She just thought she could change her own diaper. She discovers something new everyday. It took a while to clean her up and the crib. I was late to my dentist appointment.
Children are wonderful, but they are a mess. . .

Nike Football

I Heart SNL

The Gang 2002-2003

The other day at lunch I recalled making a video in college for my elementary education computer class. It was a 7 am class in Logan, Utah, winter semester. Thinking about waking up that early to march across campus in the bitter cold makes me cringe. I thought my face would fall off that semester. I came across the video today looking for another cd. I laughed when I found it and laughed even harder when I watched it. You Logan friends will appreciate this. ENJOY!

8-1

As you can see from recent score lines, indoor soccer is tough. At least for me playing defense. Last night we squared off against the "All Blacks" which is actually a team name for a New Zealand Rugby team. I don't know how many kiwis were on the team. We started off pressuring up top ok, but when it came time for me to mark the ball, I got burned, alot. They put up five goals pretty quick, but we held the line the rest of the half. Things started to get chippy in the second half as cards were being handed out. Joon got the first, then some little punk on the all blacks got the second. When the second card was awarded is when Coby and Pyfer combined for our only goal. It was a great set piece from the top and cpnverted nicely. We had some other chances, and I pushed a dude over, but was not carded, which was funny. Fitness continues to be our main area of concern, aside from me playing defense. Meisters are still searching for that illusive first win.

Five Favorite T.V. Shows From my Youth

1. The A-Team
2. Saved by the Bell
3. Magnum P.I.
4. Full House
5. Mr. Belvedere

Coming in as Honorable Mentions:
Perfect Strangers, Alf, Silver Spoons, Murder She Wrote, and Airwolf

What time is it....The Todd Time

This little gem is from an episode of "Scrubs" where the Todd is wearing a t-shirt that reads TheToddTime.com.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rj1EDNVQsgY

Go there now, thank me later.

10-3

The Meisters F.C. indoor club has dropped it's second consecutive game. We did improve quite a bit from last week, though it doesn't seem like it. The addition of Pyfer proved to be key last night as he had a goal and an assist, not to mention the fits he gave the opposing defense/keeper. He also stepped on the keeper's face, which was kind of awesome. Ryan Hamblin opened his account with a sweet tap in that John Martin couldn't finish (John had trouble finishing anything). There were multiple injuries with Coby and Joon rolling ankles while Smitty popped a meniscus and is likely done for the season. Pour some propel on the curb for Smitty. I shifted back to central defense and after getting beat a few times managed to put a body on some guys and disrupt their flow quite a bit. J-Ro had another good performance in goal (get down!) stopping alot of 1 v 1's that I let by. Meisters F.C. look to pick up their first win on Tuesday. Be there.

Meisters Highlights 3/20/08

Something to Think About . . .

Janae, Jenna, Eva, and I were sitting in Taco Bell the other afternoon. Eva needed a diaper change. While changing her we calculated how many dirty baby bottoms Janae has cleaned over her lifetime. 30,000 . . . what are we getting ourselves into?!

Meisters Des Universum FC

So, last night marked the season opener for my new indoor soccer team, Meisters Des Universum FC (www.myspace.com/meistersdesuniversum). We had been playing futsal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futsal) at the peaks in provo since November, but we decided to take our game to the turf. It didn't go so well. We got beat 9-2 by a group of 30 something supermen that didn't get winded while we were subbing every 2-3 minutes. I wanted to black out and die. We did have some bright spots of possession and Coby maintained his top form notching two goals. I had a good chance but mis-hit the shot, it was unfortunate. I did however fall square on my arse trying to clear a ball out of the air. It was embarassing to say the least. I am trying to edit some video highlights to post as well, so stay tuned for those. The video showed that I run like a hunchback, a very slow and awkward hunchback. It was rough to watch. Our next game is Tuesday at 11.25 pm for those interested. Support us!

St. Patty's Day 2008

Ashley and Clay

Nick, Ashley, Clay

Clay and I had a great time with our dear friends up in SLC at MacCools Pub. What a great made up holiday!

Crazy Hair

There is a great story to go with this picture. We took out Eva's pig-tails to put her down for a nap. After several minutes of Eva's crying we went in to check on her and found her hair looking like this. When she saw us she started laughing, we put her binki in and she went right to sleep. I guess she really wanted us to see her hair.

Blue Steel

Eva's Daily Brush with Death

Eva has officially achieved daredevil status. We are thinking of changing her middle name to "knievel" to reflect her personality. In the past week she has gotten her first black-eye--that will teach her to sass Janae, (Eva really fell on the edge of our day bed), almost fallen in the toilet (three times), eaten dog food, dove out of the bath tub, and almost fell face forward out of her stroller while dad carried her up the stairs. She has also shown her jealous side when she tried to push her little friend Stella's highchair down the stairs...while Stella was still strapped in the chair. Eva certainly is evolving into quite the little trouble-making munchkin. Ashley and I are sure enjoying all of her antics and she keeps us laughing daily. Our new favorite trick that she does is "mouth-farting" where she places her palm over her mouth and blows. It's nasty and funny all at the same time. She is getting so close to walking and cruises from couch to couch with ease. Her love of diet coke is growing stronger every day and Janae does nothing to discourage this. To sum it up, we love Eva and can't wait for all of you to see her again. Until then, enjoy the latest pics.