Life According to My Nokia, 3

PC hard drive threatening to crash + No access to my pictures saved on my computer + wanting to blog + Nokia phone snap shots =

life since November according to my Nokia.

*I'm using Bry's school laptop*

Just after the kiddos and I had arrived in SLC (November 2011).

I'd claim this little man any day :0)

Can't beat those autumn colors.

View from my Parents' guest bathroom window.

Out for a little stroll.

Em took us out to Pizza at Fat Jack's in Payson.

LOVE this poster in Em's classroom.

Visiting Miss Sheets' 3rd grade class to teach a little French.

Love how she decks out her door for the holidays.

in Em's reading corner.

Uncle Matt taking Brie sledding.

Making Graham's traditional pecan pie.

My Grandma loves birds....years ago my siblings and I

gave her this bird call clock. Still works.

Attempting to keep my toesies warm with Alexander's socks ;0)

Bry checking out one of Uncle Bruce's model cars.

Me & Aunt Nilda. I know you're not supposed to have favorites, but she is definitely one of my favorite aunts....and I love how she still calls me Sarie :0)

Wow folks, found the #1 Cardinals' fan ;0)

f.u.l.l. diaper.

Every time I sit like this Brie says it's a "pool" and wants to "get in"...

Love that 3 of my favorite places I've lived are all connected

by the Fleur de Lys (Paris, Quebec, St. Louis).

Making Christmas goodies with Betsy and friends.

Playing dolls with Brie.

Oh Aldi employees, thank you for being patient with my cram-packed cart each week ;0)

Some fun art in our dentist's office.

She's an angry elf ;0)

You know you're in St. louis when..."Mom, look, it's a Christmas tree" Yeah, made of beer boxes with the Heineken star on top ;0)

Brie and Brooklyn.

George Bailey Party. Oh man, a little slice of heaven

for us gourmands :0)

On Temple Square after doing sealings with the Stevensons.

on an afternoon nap with Bry and Alex

(in a new subdivision near my Parents' house).

Bry teasing Brie and using her blankie as a scarf :0)

Playing Chopin's "Rain Drop Prelude" at my Grandparents---

Sure knows how to win me over ;0)

Briana Joyce + Barbara Joyce.

handpicked card for Emmie after her appendectomy.

Penny Phenigren, the Pig. Rachel's little friend

for Em while she recovered in the hospital.

Just LOVE this view, always have, always will.

Brisk and chilly early January walk.

(Before I started getting in shape I would have NEVER wanted to exercise while on vacation. Progress.)

:0)

After a dozen blurry attempts I finally got a picture of this little man's adorable gappy grin... love those two chompers. Well, when he's not biting me with them ;0) I just love that he has a gap like his mom had.

Love the way Brie wears her accessories. Our little fashionista :0)

These 2 are officially sharing a room. Y. A. Y.

a little mid-week date to My Daddy's Cheesecake. Yum.

Alex's 9 mo. well child visit. Love how he's pointing his toe :0)

This is what every M, W, F mornings look like (exercise/babysitting swaps.)

Can't get enough of the froggy tuque on my little man :0)

Now THAT's a full mouth.

Brie's first night in her "big girl bed".

Playdough glasses :0)

Impromptu family outing to Blackburn Park.

Brie chilling her dolls' juice cup and bottle ;0)

Picnic in February. Yes!

Rachie is here! Hooray! Yay! :0)

Aunt Rachie rubbing off on Alex...backwards baseball cap.

Familiar and frequent site--dropping Bry off at

the Shrewsbury Metro Link.

Danica working her magic at our surprise

"glamour shots" photo shoot ;0)

Looks like a natural, strange...not like she's EVER had

a camera in her face before ;0)

Other day I turned around to see Alex doing this to reach a bowl of green beans on the table. I ran over, to save my child of course...then recreated the moment so I could snap a picture ;0)

Alex with "Zi Zi" at the Buder Library.

Love this.

finally got a little snow in St. Louis.

Frosting sugar cookies with some friends on Valentine's Day.

Brie was my "heart attack" partner in crime.

Came home to find this. That sweet Azhar, what a dear friend.

If we don't buckle Alex in to his high chair he often wriggles around,

stands up, grins and looks as proud as a peacock :0)

Bry teaching me some chess basics.

Fun times. Glad that my faithful little phone captured these moments for me. Life is good.

Happy Valentine's Day...

...from us goofy Gradens :0)

We're sure grateful to associate with such wonderful neighbors, family and friends. We blessed out! Sending our love from St. Louis!!

Flutter by...

The night before the party we turned on some music and my siblings, Bry, and Danny (my brothers' friend) "springified" for the party. I had shown everyone what I had made/collected, told them that I didn't have anything set in mind and to have fun and add their own personal touch. It was SO fun see each person use their unique creativity and ideas to work alongside one another. I enjoyed the party itself but "Sheets' sibling synergy" was half of the fun :0) Thanks you guys for all of your help!

After months of planning, brainstorming and doing little projects with Brie (it was fun involving her along the way), the day of Brie's birthday party finally arrived. It was so fun to have the guests arrive and to see all of the plans come to life!


Last Fall while thinking up the party I envisioned it being on a cold Winter day in Utah and having a Spring oasis for everyone who came. But the end of December and the first week of January we had ZERO snow. I was kind of bummed. The morning of the party I woke up to find everything covered in white. Perfect. A little less fun for the invités, but they were all good sports to still come...and the oasis became a reality. Yay :0)

art work By Matt.

I took these pictures hoping that I could capture the "Spring", but I don't think they really do it justice. We'll just let you imagine ;0)

(The giant paper flowers were left over from a Relief Society meeting here in St. Louis. When my Parents came to visit back in September my Mom and I strategically packed them into her suitcase, and sent them home with her. Now that's love. Thanks Mom. They were parfait :0))

We had wings and antennae for the kids...
and adults to wear. So fun :0)

We had a little photo booth. To thank each person for coming we sent out little post cards with their picture, here's one of them.

**Dear Katie was the one who so willingly and beautifully documented the WHOLE party ... after all the time, thought and preparation that had gone into it, it was so nice to be able to enjoy it alongside of Brie instead of being the one to take all of the pictures. THANK YOU, Katie!**

(two of my cute nieces :0))

A few weeks before the party we got Brie's cute cousin Scotty in on the celebrations (he had a birthday at the end of December)...it was great celebrating our little butterfly AND caterpillar.

our birthday bugs :0)

The party: Finger foods and butterfly cupcakes. Flit around the Flowers (type of musical chairs with prizes), Caterpillar Coloring Pages and Hungry Caterpillar Story Time (read by Miss Sheets, thanks Em :0)). I really wanted the adults to be able to eat, chat and enjoy themselves while the kids enjoyed themselves too. I think it was a win-win. Party favor: a mini butterfly terrarium (Brie and I had made)

It was so fun that Brie could celebrate her birthday with her Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and even a few friends. Thanks for all who helped and all who came. We had a delightful time with each of you!

And a special thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting the party!

Here comes the snow.

Well, it finally happened...it snowed here in St. Louis!! We seized the moment, got all bundled up (I love that it took 20 minutes to get all of us dressed and we stayed outside for 10 minutes tops ;0)) and braved the cold. Bry was a good sport with my pictures. {I'd been envisioning a family picture in the snow for months and really wanted to make it happen.} After making tracks in the snow and leaving snow angels on the sidewalks we headed inside for some hot cocoa and warm oatmeal. A quick turn around and we were off to clean the church. This all happened before 8:30 this morning. Gotta love how life changes with little kids...early mornings, but so many fun memories :0)

Belgian Waffles for Teddy Grahams.

For Grahams' birthday (31 December 2011), Rach had the grand idea of doing a Belgian waffle breakfast for her. She has a real Belgian waffle iron and used to make waffles for various occasions...cousin sleepovers, date dances, etc. It was great being able to make her birthday a little more festive in a way that she would have made it for us. We sure love that Teddy Grahams!

Where's Cosmo?

All of us doing "Ys" for BYU.

My Dad had tickets to BYU's New Year's Eve game so our little family + Rach + Tim ended up going. I enjoyed the game (if I'm going to watch any sport, it's basketball), but I think it was more fun trying out O'Crowley's Tacos (Rebecca's Grandpa & Brother's business. Yum.) and watching Alex soak up all of the commotion :0)

AND sweet Bry walking clear across
the Marriott Center so that Brie could meet Cosmo :0)

Who knew it'd be the last time?

A few highlights from Christmas Eve include Emily's very thoughtful and special table setting and devotional that she prepared and presented during dinner. It was a beautiful presentation of different symbols of Christmas and Christ. On a lighter yet fun note, my Dad (just like he used to do for as kids) stomped around outside, ringing bells and masquerading as Santa. Brie was SO excited and beamed as she recounted to Bompa what she had heard. It was too cute :0) I can't help but mention how fun it was to see Alex scooting toward the Christmas tree, ripping open presents... and eating the wrapping paper. Happy first Christmas to our little Alex :0)

Christmas was particularly meaningful this year. For the last several years (probably the last decade if not longer, I can't quite remember) my Uncle Bob and Aunt Elaine have joined us for Christmas morning. It has been such a wonderful tradition. This year like the others we spent the morning exchanging gifts and then enjoying a yummy brunch together...I snapped pictures as usual. None of us knew though that it was going to be our last Christmas with Uncle Bob. [A few weeks after he had a heart attack and then passed away, I'll post separately about that.] How blessed we were to have all spent Christmas together. And that we have pictures along with memories to look back on and cherish. What a sweet and special Christmas it was.

Can't get enough.

There's just nothing like being home and spending time with my family. Yes, I have to admit that this trip was a stressful one for a variety of reasons, but overall I was so grateful for the time I got to spend with my family. I sure love those guys. Here are some of the highlights...

"Choreographed" dance in the kitchen *Bompa taking Brie swimming at Provo Rec * Celebrating Dad's 60th (Texas Roadhouse and home video) * Em making us a {mexican} dinner * Dinner and pics with the Soderquists * Café Rio with Matt & the kiddos * Bry having his first Ripples experience--Chicken in a Basket * Bry learning some study skills from Matt * Seeing Alex get around and stand up next to things * finding out Ben & Ashley had adopted their little girl :0) * Going to the Provo Temple to perform the baptism and confirmation ordinances for Grandma Sheets * Taking walks with Bry * Watching "Gnomeo & Juliet" and "Megamind" * Being on a "Marriage Panel" for Matt's Elders' Quorum * Playing Settlers of Zarahemla, Imaginiff, Rummikub and Scribblish * Doing a photo shoot for cousin Katie * Chicken Nuggets and BYU Bookstore run with Rach * bathing Alex in the kitchen sink * Sewing projects * Shopping with Mom * Going to cousin Nic's beautiful wedding reception at the Provo Academy Library * Spending time with my family * Attending the PV6th ward * Watching Brie try on a bunch of possible Christmas dresses and narrowing it down to the "pink one" :0) * Having a final family dinner, Elaine included *

A Christmas Carol.

Growing up it was tradition for my Robertson relatives to go see A Christmas Carol (at the Hale Center Theatre in Orem) every year Thanksgiving evening. I can still remember how, oddly enough, we loved the smell of the mist and how we'd skip across the street to buy candy at the gas station during intermission. It was especially fun to be hanging out with my cousins since we didn't hang out much. In any case, this year Alan & Liz performed in it and got everyone tickets to see it. The second night we were in Utah (23 December 2011) we went to see them. It was delightful in so many ways...being reminded of the message of the play, seeing Alan & Liz in costume and holding Bry's hand (there's a story from our dating days, you should ask ;0)). Thank you guys for treating us!

Just the beginning...

...of a wonderful Christmas break. I'm going to have to do this vacation in pieces. We started off by staying with Bry's family. Here are some of my favorite pictures and highlights from our time with them (a few of the pictures were taken by Dad and Julia):




*Bry doing family history with his Dad * games & cookies with Alan & Liz * watching 17 Miracles * Doing sealings and having a lovely dinner at the SLC Temple with the Stevensons (carpooling and chatting with Julie & Walt) * New Years' Day at Gpa & Gma Stevenson's * Staying at the Johnson Bed & Breakfast ;0) * Seeing Brie and Alex play with their cousins * Seeing Alan & Liz perform in the Christmas Carol * Taking part in a Sub4Santa * Seeing pictures of Bry & his family when they were young * Singing songs around the piano * Brie sitting next to Grandpa as he played the piano * Spending time with Heather for the first time after her mission * getting handmedowns from Heather & Julia * Having a quiet, peaceful Christmas day *

Best.Surprise.Ever.

Guess who just came to my door?
.
.
.
RACH!!!!!

She totally and completely surprised me...oh my goodness...what a perfect birthday surprise! A beautiful bouquet, Gooey Louie and all. Takes the cake ;0) Here's to the big 2-9 tomorrow and celebrating with my twinner!

Just sayin'.

It takes me F.O.R.E.V.E.R to update my blog after a vacation. I have oodles (we'll just say that because I don't want to admit the real amount. I know, I have a problem taking too many pictures. I know.) of pictures and have a hard time narrowing them down. The above screen shot is the narrowed down pictures from the first 4 days we were in Utah. Yikes. I am not super excited about getting caught up with posts, but I know I will be grateful. Go, fight, win! :0)

P.S. just for the record, I haven't updated my blog header for Winter because I've been waiting for the snow. We sure haven't had any, and on days like today when it's 65 degrees and we're picnicking outside for lunch...I'm OK with no snow.

the day the camera died.

(27 may 2011)

Sorry for the belated post. For whatever reason it dawned on me that I had never posted about Rach's and my outing to see Josh Groban in concert...and that HAS to be documented :0)

Other than my DSLR giving out on me during the concert (out of a camera for 2 months + $250 repair = major bummer!), the evening out with Rach was SO much fun! Ted Drewe's started us out on the right foot ;0), it was my first time riding the metro in St. Louis and my first real evening out without Alex (I thought I was going to explode ;0)), and Josh Groban was amazing in concert! One funny thing though, Rach and I had picked out a song from his new album ("Hidden Away"), fully anticipating that he'd perform it that night. We listened to it over AND over again until we had it memorized...so that we'd be able to sing along with him at the concert. He never sang it. Oh well. Thanks for the fun times, Rach! :0)

Here it was, the moment right before my camera died.
One too many clicks...bummer!

(Headed home after the concert, taken with Rach's phone.)