2009

I know I am a little late but I did want to write about some of the highlights of 2009! It was an action packed year as we welcomed our first baby on January 2nd, barely missing New Years. Peter went back to school and was, as usual, busy studying. I decided to abscond to MN with Quinn for a few weeks to visit the fam and got back just in time for us to move up to Hamden. We got settled in our new place and Peter started a new semester. My brother came to stay with us and we all took a trip to England. David stayed until mid August and then headed back for school and we prepared to start yet another semester. We celebrated all the fall holidays and then headed to Utah for the Christmas holidays.

One of things that stood out to me was what a creative year it was and wanted to share some of the things that we made.

We successfully planted some tomato and basil seeds. (Well really how hard is it to plant seeds?) But the best part is that we didn't kill the plants after they started growing. We are looking forward to trying some new veggies and herbs this year.

I finally finished some pillows I had been making that I started the first year we were married. I also altered these curtains I had previously made to fit the windows in this apartment and Peter and I made the window bench. We are planning on making a second one so it runs the length of our window and putting some molding on them to make them more elegant.

I made this quilt for Quinn. I am really happy with how it turned out and with how my sewing skills grew.

I also have been making a quiet book for the moose in attempt to entertain him during church. I have so many ideas for this and am eager to keep at it and make a truely entertaining quiet book.

We have been cooking up a storm trying lots of new recipes as well as old favorites. We have enjoyed lots of homemade bread, granola bars, yummy desserts and a variety of delicious dinners.

And two of the best things we made this year:

Quinn David Bracken

Born Jan 2nd, 2009

Pudling #2

Due August 11th, 2010

Law Student Stress Buster Fair

Quinnipiac is doing a stress buster fair today from 4-6pm in the Faculty Commons and LC 317. Come relieve your stress by playings games, doing yoga, eating pizza and the best part? 10 minute massages. I will be there helping out with the massages so make sure to swing by and fit some relaxation in to your busy finals schedule. Oh, did I mention its free?

First Steps

Quinn took his first steps on December 1st and has been getting better all week. I guess he wanted to wake up and show us what he could do tonight as he woke up around 8 full of beans walked around for a little and then when back to bed. We are so proud of our little moose.

Food, Books and Quinn

Food~

Quinn and I made homemade granola bars this week. They were so yummy! Even more so because I put chocolate in them. I mean you can't just have raisin granola bars. And the fruit mix I bought to put in them was disgusting! Every variety of fruit tasted the same as another kind. Thats just not right! Never buy the cheep dried fruit. I look forwarded to making them again...probably a healthier version this time.

Books~

Did you know the best way to read a book is to sit on it? Its the only way.

We have been reading lots of fun books recently. I was so excited to find this particular book at the library. I had completly forgotten about it until I stumbled on it this week. Elizabeth was a princess and was going to marry Prince Ronald. Unfortunatly a dragon comes, burns up the castle and carries off Prince Ronald. Elizabeth finds a brown paper bag to wear since all her clothes were burned up and sets off to rescue Ronald. She cleverly tricks the dragon and defeats him. But sadly Prince Ronald is a snob and tells her to come back and rescue him when she is dressed properly and is cleaned up. Elizabeth replies "RONALD! Your hair is nice. You look like a prince. But you are a BUM!" And they didn't get married after all. Love this book! I remember reading it all the time when I was little. Maybe because the Princess was named Elizabeth. Maybe because it has awesome pictures and the Princess is smart. But probably because I liked her sass.

And of course, I have to add a few pictures of Quinn.

Quinn likes climbing in things.

And under things.

And pretty much on and through and under everything. He loves being on the move. Last Sunday he pushed a little chair all the way around the church building. He loves pushing his toy boxes, and pots and pans, and the vacuum and bits of paper. Anything he can get his hands on.

He is our pride and joy.

Christmas is here...sort of

The master tree fluffer. And yes that is a bowl of cranberry sauce you see, and yes I was just eating it straight out of the bowl with nothing else. I love love love it!

And Quinn loves loves loves tinsel

But not as much as the lights!

Its officially the Christmas season and as much as I am aprehensive about it snowing as I am not looking forwarded to being stuck inside all the time I do love the snow and it never feels like Christmas without it. We all had tons of fun stringing up the lights and listening to Christmas music.

Halloween

This year for Halloween our little man dressed up as this....

And made a super cute pumpkin. I dressed up as a princess and Peter was a Jenga piece (A.k.a a box with Jenga written on it which he held up) It was a great costume! The night before Halloween, we went to our ward chili cook off and then went to Olive Garden and miniature golfing to celebrate my birthday. It was a blast! Halloween morning I ran a 5K which my friend Elizabeth and her husband put together. Lets just say I am extremely out of shape but it was a lot of fun!

Blue Mountain Massage

One of the things I have missed since we moved to CT is being able to use my skills as a massage therapist on a regular basis. I didn't feel good about going out and getting a massage job but decided that I would like to set up my own business. It has been a slow process and a bit of a low priority but recently I have been trying to make it more important so I can finally get my business up and running. One of things I thought was most important was making a website as it is a useful informational and marketing tool. Its finally finished! And Blue Mountain Massage is offically open for business. Check it out!

BlueMountainMassage.Net

The holidays are a great time to get massages; to relax from all the stress that comes from all the festivities and gift certificates always make great gifts. Plus the holidays make me feel generous so there will be lots of specials and discounts.
Check out JoDeeYostPhotography.Blogspot.com for a special she is running right now. The first person to book a massage with me wins a free mini session. Its too great a deal to pass up!
So come get a massage and pass the word along!