Nathan & Fiona, Kaisa & Everett – Family Blog

I just saw this on a blog I like to read.

It’s amazing. I want to do this to my piano, but it would have to be a different color that matches my house. The finish on my piano is in bad shape. The previous owner allowed their dogs to chew on the legs and the paint is missing in many places. There are a lot of blemishes. I think it would look fabulous with a fun, vibrant coat of paint.

This is a crazy idea, right? If I’m going to repaint something in my house, shouldn’t I start with a desk or table? You know, something simple? For some reason, I am drawn to this idea. I love the little appliques she added, too. I may not have room for that since I have a spinet. Anyway. Anyone want to help me with this project? Natalie? :)

My sister, Melodie, also encapsulated and ingested her placenta after giving birth. We both feel that the pills were SO helpful after birth for a lot of reasons, and we’ve started calling them the “magic pills.” I found this little clip on “Good Things Utah” and thought I’d post it here. It’s very informative, and I’m thrilled that this process is starting to become more popular. If anything, it makes me look less weird. :) P.S. If you are wanting to try this, go with Launi Anderson in Orem. She charges $50 (rather than $175 from this lady).

I don’t usually do this on my blog, but I need to do a cathartic post today.

Growing up, I was very social and had lots of friends. Most of them were just “hang out occasionally” type friends, but I had several close friends as well. I’m still close to some of them today, although I rarely see them because they live in Arizona (you know who you are, ladies!).

Now that I’m married with three children, I’m finding that I lack these close-knit female friendships. I have several women that I would consider my friends, but most of them only on a very superficial level. I don’t often get invited to do things, and when I invite others to do things, they don’t often come. I don’t know. Maybe I’m a bad friend. I could reach out more and look for opportunities to serve others, but I feel that the women I know and associate with most often are always judging me or something. It’s weird. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone even read this blog anymore? It would be nice to get a comment if you do. I’m sorry I’m not a better friend…but maybe this is normal for this stage of my life since so many of us are focusing mainly on our families and that’s about all we can handle. Thoughts? Those of you who have close friends, how do you create and nurture these relationships while at the same time being a good wife, mother, employee, church member, etc.?

November is always a fun month for me, since it’s my birthday month! I turned 28 this year. Nathan and I went out to Tucanos with some friends and I got a new iPhone 4! We then headed over to the Sorensens for a hilarious game of Curses. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard in my life. I got a headache from laughing! Thanks to Nathan’s mom for babysitting! I, unfortunately, did not take any pictures. :(

That weekend, I also got taken to lunch by Nathan’s mom and sister. We all went and got massages afterward. It was great!

One morning, Nathan woke up and opened the blinds to find this:

I seriously love the view of Timp from our bedroom window!

We had a nice, intimate Thanksgiving this year. I hosted dinner at our house and invited my sister and her family. Nathan’s parents and brother also came for dessert. I had prepared a turkey before using an oven bag, but wanted to try something a little fancier this year. I decided to brine the turkey overnight. I didn’t add anything to the brine other than kosher salt. I cut up veggies and both stuffed them inside and spread them around the bottom of the roasting pan. Our 19 lb turkey barely fit in my pan! The recipe suggested I cook it upside down for the first 2/3 of cooking, but I decided not to do that. I think if I had it would have been juicier. Oh well, next time! It did turn out delicious, and I got lots of compliments. :)

Ready for the oven!

Almost done!

Presentation is everything! (It looks burned in this picture, but it really wasn't.)

Trying to fit everything onto my tiny table...yeah, it didn't all fit.

Kaisa loved the drumstick!

Everett being goofy.

So thankful for family, food, and all of my wonderful blessings!

I’m going to play catch up for a few posts…bear with me!

October was a great month! Not only did we enjoy cooler weather and a fun Halloween, but I also got to attend my sister Melodie’s birth and welcome a brand new niece! Kaisa loves having a cousin living so close…especially one as cute as Paisley! Here are a few photos from the month.

Ward trunk-or-treat. Kaisa was a princess and Everett was Spiderman. I did Kaisa's hair myself!

I found his suit at Savers but it didn't have a mask. I looked around the store and found the red had he has on. I took it home, used a permanent marker to draw a web on it, and cut out the eyes out of felt and sewed them on. He hated wearing them down so they spent most of the time on top of his head, like this.

This was one of my dresses when I was little. I wore it when I was a flower girl at my Aunt Judi's wedding. It's so fun to see her wear it!

I was a witch (hence the green face) but the hat I borrowed was too small and kept blowing off, so I ditched it. Harrison was a cute little tiger.

They got SO MUCH CANDY!

Trick-or-treating at Boostability

LOVE this pic! My baby and my babe!

SO CUTE!

This guy's costume was amazing! Ok, it's just a pumpkin head, but he's so tall and the pumpkin made him a giant!

Spiderman taking a break to eat a donut.

Getting ready to trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. Grandma Wendy got to come with us since Melodie was still in the hospital.

This is actually really funny. This is Everett's reaction to eating a Warhead. He ran around the kitchen and then promptly spit it out!

5 cm dilated. Looking gorgeous and staying relaxed!

Welcome to the world, Paisley!

Kaisa loves her baby cousin!