Babysitting Matthew: Isn't he adorable!

Here are some recent pictures from my summer. Mostly my cute nephew, Matthew. And then some by the lake...

Nauvoo

Here's a few pictures from last weekend's trip to Nauvoo.

Independence Day

Here's a badly taken photo of the terrific Oak Park fireworks, which was privileged to see with Emily's mom, dad, and little brother. She's off in California.

Happy Birthday Michelle

Last night Michelle, Andy, and Matthew came up from West Lafayette and spent the night in my little apartment. Then, I had fun babysitting Matthew while they went to the temple. Afterwards, we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory. Here are some pictures.

At the Conservatory, they had a really beautiful spring flower exhibit with all kinds of beautiful orchids and other exotic flowers, as well as fun snapdragons and the like. I loved the Conservatory a lot more than the animals in the zoo, actually. I could spend forever looking at and smelling the plants.

Happy Easter

As you know, my spare bottle of engine oil in my trunk leaked and got into my back seat. It has been quite the ordeal to get it clean. Finally, I took the seat out and brought inside. As we all know, dishsoap is the best agent to fight grease. So I soaked and scrubbed it in hot soapy water. But I was largely unsuccessful. It doesn't look as bad as it really is. The dark you see is mostly the water. The oil is pretty much invisible, but wet and oily to the touch.

I finally went to the hardware store and bought some of that stuff we use in the shop to soak up oil spills (that happen each time I change the oil, no matter how careful I am!). So now we'll just wait and see.... I'd been craving no-bakes all week, but was too tired each night to make them. Yesterday I did make them. They are actually in honor of my friend, Melinda, who successfully defended her thesis yesterday! Congrats Melinda! (I don't think she reads my blog.)
These are from last weekend when I went to Michelles. Isn't Mathew so grown up?! He's sitting up and playing and into everything!

TEOSL Convention 2009

I went to Denver this week to the annual TESOL Convention. It was so nice to see a lot of old BYU people I used to work with. So refreshing. I also gave a presentation on using web-based multimedia and applying the underlying concept behind media-sharing websites for various class activities. I met a lot of interesting people at the conference, so that was nice. I didn't see much of Denver though because we had a blizzard the entire time I was there and so I didn't venture very far from the convention center or my hotel.

Pictures of Me

While in Provo on Spring Break, my friend Rebekah took a bunch of pictures of me. Here they are, un-touched-up. No photoshop yet- just my own gorgeousness.

Visiting Teaching

Isn't this a great video?! My friend Rebekah showed it to me... hopefully I can be a better visiting teacher after this... I don't know.

Mary Poppins

I just got back from Mary Poppins tonight. I thought it was fabulous! Very fun. It's funny- Auntie Myrna gave me the book Mary Poppins Comes Back, which is the second book in the series. I'm about halfway through it. The musical pulled some stories from the books that weren't part of the movie version, as far as I remember. For instance, last night I was reading about Mr. Banks' stern and mean nanny from his childhood, Miss Andrews, who came back to "visit." They had her in the musical, who blew us away with her wretched, but powerful singing. Of course, when they all went into Bert's painting, Emily and I both were disturbed by the naked statue who started dancing. We thought the penguins were better as waiters, like in the movie.... But other than that, we both enjoyed it! At the end, Mary Poppins, with her "practically perfect" posture, floated up over the audience and into the roof somewhere. Great ending. They added some new songs that were nice too, such as "Anything can happen" or something like that. Definitely more substance, story-wise and musically, than Wicked. We thought anyway.

Getting old!

I think flowers are the best birthday gift. Fortunately, I got some.


And we forgot to put the candles in the chocolate dessert (which we ate before dinner). In fact, we didn't have any, except this big one. So I stuck it in my slice of homemade pizza. Thanks so Michelly's culinary skill.
And me, myself, and I.
And with Auntie Myrna. How fun it was to have her with us! -Wait, are your eyes closed? I think so. But the other picture, I had mine closed, so that's why I chose this one. :)
And some snuggle time with Matthew before bed.... although I think he fussed all night. Poor kid. Poor Michelly.

Chicago Botanical Gardens

Yesterday was a really warm day for February. Here are some pictures from my excursion to the Botanical Gardens.

This is called the "Island of Everlasting Happiness." There are no bridges or paths getting to it, so I guess they assume that everlasting happiness is unattainable. I'm glad for the gospel.

Growing Up

My beautifully handsome nephew Matthew. Looking more boyish now.

Quirky Chicagoans

So, in my neighborhood, people shovel around their car, and then put furniture, buckets, or construction cones down to save their spot on the street. I used to think this was crazy, but after spending hours keeping my spot clear, I see the benefit. Besides, who wouldn't want to reserve a spot by your house? No one dares mess with it, either.


Here's my car, with my equipment.

New Years with Mom and Dad

We stood in line for over an hour to go skating downtown.... all the holiday crowds, I guess.

As we stood in line, we watched them put the spire on the 2nd highest skyscraper in the US. This is the new Trump Chicago Tower, second highest next to the Sears Tower.

Dad and I in the park downtown.

This is me giving my sister a foot bath / massage. Fun. :-)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

My apartment. Kind of Christmassy.


Dad (Grandpa T) and Matthew. Playing horsey, like he did with us when we were little kids.


Matthew and me.