So Monday was my b-day. It was a pretty normal day (study, hang with Carson). That night we went to Karl's parents' place and had cake and ice cream (together actually...ice cream cake). It was mint chocolate chip, very good, very delicious (office quote for those of you paying attention). Other than that we have been B to the oring around here.
We got our family pictures in the mail. She did post most of the really good ones. She gave us every picture but only photoshoped the real good ones. It's amazing what a finish that software program puts on the pictures. I've been hearing votes of everyones' favs and I agree. I like the foot one, me kissing Carson, and I love the blue background one (although Carson is pulling a face). It was sooo hard to get him to sit still.
Carson has a few developments but they're not consistent yet. In Hawaii he learned to say Hey or Hi (although he doesn't do it as much now). He knows daddy. The other day he was reaching for his bubble jar and kept saying Bubbo (he's been trying this word for a while now). Twice he's picked up his ball and said ball (baby version with no strong L). And yesterday we were reading a book on body parts and when we got to eyes he pointed to his own eyes. It's been fun to hear and see all these things but it's not really consistent. To get him to say Bubbo for Karl took days. Sometimes it's clear as a bell and sometimes not.
I'm taking the tax/law section of the CPA exam on Monday the 28th. It is probably going to be the death of me. This whole week I've spent 2 hrs studying during Carson's nap and then 4 more once he goes to bed at 8. So I'm up till midnight studying every night and then I have to get up and do it again. I'll be glad to get this one over with. Then I plan to do Audit around mid-August. I'll take the financial section in October (the test isn't offered in Sept).
Karl's just been working hard and watching Carson, and making dinners, and cleaning the house. He has really pulled through for me. I'm so grateful he's willing to do so much so I can get this test over with.
I still haven't touched a camera, so sorry - no pics. I have to get back in the swing of things and carry it around with me every where like I did before.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Just A Few Things
Hey all -
So there hasn't been much going on. I usually like to post with pics but I haven't even touched a camera since Hawaii.
Primary ended up not being a nightmare. The 1st counselor felt bad for me so she didn't go out of town!! The CPA test went well, I think. I felt pretty good about it and wasn't nearly as nervous taking it as I was that morning. It takes a while to find out how you did though so we'll see. Other than that we've just been relaxing and studying.
We spent the weekend at Karl's parents with most of the family. Kim and HL are moving to Utah so it was a last get together kind of thing. We hung out and played games. It was fun and nice to see Kim and HL before they go - we'll all miss them.
Saturday Karl and I went and had family pics taken. We went to the Mesa Performing Arts Center. It was pretty cool. The photographer (Denee Ray) is mailing me the photos tomorrow but she has already posted them on her blog. I added a link on my "friends and family blogs" to the left. You can go see some on her blog. I'm really happy with them. When we were taking them there were of course ones where I was like "oh...I don't like my chin in the pic" or "my eyes are squinting" etc, etc, etc. But there are definitely a lot of cute ones too. We picked a good day too. It was overcast so it wasn't crazy hot, just 90. We also did them early and I was really glad. As we were finishing up Karl and I were really starting to sweat. I just found her online, liked her pics and her price, and called her. I had a feeling she was LDS though. When we got there she asked how we met and we said at BYU. Then she said she had a feeling we were LDS too. It's just funny that sometimes you can tell.
That's about all, I'll post some fam pics on here too when I get them.
So there hasn't been much going on. I usually like to post with pics but I haven't even touched a camera since Hawaii.
Primary ended up not being a nightmare. The 1st counselor felt bad for me so she didn't go out of town!! The CPA test went well, I think. I felt pretty good about it and wasn't nearly as nervous taking it as I was that morning. It takes a while to find out how you did though so we'll see. Other than that we've just been relaxing and studying.
We spent the weekend at Karl's parents with most of the family. Kim and HL are moving to Utah so it was a last get together kind of thing. We hung out and played games. It was fun and nice to see Kim and HL before they go - we'll all miss them.
Saturday Karl and I went and had family pics taken. We went to the Mesa Performing Arts Center. It was pretty cool. The photographer (Denee Ray) is mailing me the photos tomorrow but she has already posted them on her blog. I added a link on my "friends and family blogs" to the left. You can go see some on her blog. I'm really happy with them. When we were taking them there were of course ones where I was like "oh...I don't like my chin in the pic" or "my eyes are squinting" etc, etc, etc. But there are definitely a lot of cute ones too. We picked a good day too. It was overcast so it wasn't crazy hot, just 90. We also did them early and I was really glad. As we were finishing up Karl and I were really starting to sweat. I just found her online, liked her pics and her price, and called her. I had a feeling she was LDS though. When we got there she asked how we met and we said at BYU. Then she said she had a feeling we were LDS too. It's just funny that sometimes you can tell.
That's about all, I'll post some fam pics on here too when I get them.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Hawaii!!!
We just got back from Hawaii today! We had a ton of fun. It is definitely a little different to travel with a 1 yr old (i.e. a lot of work), but still worth it. My mom was great enough to watch the kids a bunch of times so we could go do non-baby activities.
So...what did we do? The fun started on Sunday (we went to church), and then we headed up to the north shore (working our way back down). We went to a few beaches and went snorkeling. We did a little hike that leads to lava rocks that the waves wash over forming a pool (called Queensbath). It was fun and there were a bunch of fish in the pool.
Monday morning we did the coolest hike to the bottom of a waterfall. I've seen the waterfall from the top every time we go to Kauai - but I'd never been to the bottom. Jackie had done it before and showed us the way. It was so powerful and loud! We tried to swim as close as we could but the waves coming away from it were so strong we couldn't even come close. The water was cold but felt good after the hike. The first pic is at the top, the second you can see our tiny heads at the bottom left.
Monday we also went scuba diving. We did one easy dive (to get everybody accustomed). Then we did a second dive, Sheraton Caverns. Karl and I had done this dive when we went in '06 and loved it so we were excited. We learned on the first dive that we all go through air differently. We all went down and Karl was down the first to peel off - way before anyone else. Then Jessie peeled off. Then Dad and Vickie had to head back up. Jackie and I were about even and got to stay down awhile longer. We all got to see lots of huge sea turtles, eels, fish, and a bunch of things the guide would point at and do hand signals to explain what it was but I had no clue what the hand signals meant...I just appreciated the under water experience.
Tuesday we decided to take it easy and I honestly can't remember what we did. Maybe an update later.
Wednesday stunk since I came down with a cold and was running a fever all morning. Mom had volunteered to stay home and watch babies and she ended up taking care of me too (Thanks Mom). Everyone else went Kayaking up a river, then hiked to a waterfall. Karl and I did this trek last time so I wasn't completely heart broken, but it would have been fun. It sounded like they all had a good time. (Pics posted online).
Thursday we went to a local beach and relaxed some more. Pool time too. Here are some pics of Carson playing in the sand. We had a real hard time keeping it out of his mouth. You can see Grandpa's hand taking the shovel away.
We went boogie boarding that afternoon. Everyone took a turn, including Dad. Dad also gave us all pointers on how to do it better. I never realized that when my dad lived in Hawaii as a young adult, he and his brother got pretty good at boogie boarding/body surfing.
Saturday we checked out but had the whole day to kill. We did some shopping and then hit my favorite beach (Kealia, in case you are traveling to Kauai in summertime). The waves are pretty big and the beach has this unique thing where there are waves moving away from the shore as well. So the waves going out and the ones coming in will hit and pop you up in the air a bit. We also boogie boarded. You'll ride the wave and then all the sudden pop up into the air. Then we headed up north again (the fancy side of the island). We were doing a little shopping and eating shave ice when we ran into Rob Lowe! I stared at him a long time trying to decide if it was him or not before I realized that I was rudely staring at him forever. But when he took off his sunglasses it was for sure him. It added a little excitement to our last day.
Other generals - Carson loved having Cordell around. They played together pretty nicely. There were a few fights over toys but really not that bad. Carson did try to give him hugs though. But Carson's hugs end up as tackles to the ground. Cordell held his own though and didn't let Carson be a bully. It was great to hang out as a family and relax.
We got home and within a half hour I got a call from the bishopric asking me to be the 2nd counselor in the primary presidency. They normally don't do it over the phone but they really needed to call me this Sunday because next Sunday the president and the 1st counselor are out of town...so I'm in charge. Hmmm...I don't even know how primary goes, so this will be interesting. I also sit for the first section of the CPA a week from Monday! Welcome home - back to the real world. But I'm excited about my calling, I love primary. I know I'll be nervous for awhile though.
I'll post all our pics with in the next few days. It's nice to be back home!
So...what did we do? The fun started on Sunday (we went to church), and then we headed up to the north shore (working our way back down). We went to a few beaches and went snorkeling. We did a little hike that leads to lava rocks that the waves wash over forming a pool (called Queensbath). It was fun and there were a bunch of fish in the pool.
Monday we also went scuba diving. We did one easy dive (to get everybody accustomed). Then we did a second dive, Sheraton Caverns. Karl and I had done this dive when we went in '06 and loved it so we were excited. We learned on the first dive that we all go through air differently. We all went down and Karl was down the first to peel off - way before anyone else. Then Jessie peeled off. Then Dad and Vickie had to head back up. Jackie and I were about even and got to stay down awhile longer. We all got to see lots of huge sea turtles, eels, fish, and a bunch of things the guide would point at and do hand signals to explain what it was but I had no clue what the hand signals meant...I just appreciated the under water experience.
Tuesday we decided to take it easy and I honestly can't remember what we did. Maybe an update later.
Wednesday stunk since I came down with a cold and was running a fever all morning. Mom had volunteered to stay home and watch babies and she ended up taking care of me too (Thanks Mom). Everyone else went Kayaking up a river, then hiked to a waterfall. Karl and I did this trek last time so I wasn't completely heart broken, but it would have been fun. It sounded like they all had a good time. (Pics posted online).
Thursday we went to a local beach and relaxed some more. Pool time too. Here are some pics of Carson playing in the sand. We had a real hard time keeping it out of his mouth. You can see Grandpa's hand taking the shovel away.
Friday we drove up to a lookout and then started a hike that was supposed to go to another lookout (I think...I was just along for the hike). The trail got really muddy and I kept waiting for it to get better but a mile in it was just getting worse. We decided to turn around and call it a hike. The lookout was amazing though.
We went boogie boarding that afternoon. Everyone took a turn, including Dad. Dad also gave us all pointers on how to do it better. I never realized that when my dad lived in Hawaii as a young adult, he and his brother got pretty good at boogie boarding/body surfing.
Saturday we checked out but had the whole day to kill. We did some shopping and then hit my favorite beach (Kealia, in case you are traveling to Kauai in summertime). The waves are pretty big and the beach has this unique thing where there are waves moving away from the shore as well. So the waves going out and the ones coming in will hit and pop you up in the air a bit. We also boogie boarded. You'll ride the wave and then all the sudden pop up into the air. Then we headed up north again (the fancy side of the island). We were doing a little shopping and eating shave ice when we ran into Rob Lowe! I stared at him a long time trying to decide if it was him or not before I realized that I was rudely staring at him forever. But when he took off his sunglasses it was for sure him. It added a little excitement to our last day.
Other generals - Carson loved having Cordell around. They played together pretty nicely. There were a few fights over toys but really not that bad. Carson did try to give him hugs though. But Carson's hugs end up as tackles to the ground. Cordell held his own though and didn't let Carson be a bully. It was great to hang out as a family and relax.
We got home and within a half hour I got a call from the bishopric asking me to be the 2nd counselor in the primary presidency. They normally don't do it over the phone but they really needed to call me this Sunday because next Sunday the president and the 1st counselor are out of town...so I'm in charge. Hmmm...I don't even know how primary goes, so this will be interesting. I also sit for the first section of the CPA a week from Monday! Welcome home - back to the real world. But I'm excited about my calling, I love primary. I know I'll be nervous for awhile though.
I'll post all our pics with in the next few days. It's nice to be back home!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Happy 1st Birthday!
So Carson had his first birthday yesterday. We invited some friends and family over and had a little party. I made Carson a cake (my first ever). It ended looking pretty good, not perfect but I was pretty proud of myself. It looked like a snake. It was two bundts cut in half and pieced together, a fruit by the foot for a tongue, and peanut M&Ms for eyes. I was going to do the decorating (as seen in picture) over the entire body, but I decided I shouldn't undertake something like that on my first cake. So I made the snake a diamondback. I felt it appropriate being in Arizona. Carson got some cool new toys, books, movie, and clothes. He got lots of little trucks, a basketball hoop (so he doesn't have to use a baby swing), a Bee Movie, and lots of other fun stuff.
Karl and I waited to give him chocolate till his birthday so we thought he would just go crazy for it. At first he didn't even want it. He kept trying to throw it on the ground, but once Karl got some in his mouth he realized it wasn't too bad. He ate some and naturally got messy but what he really loved was the ice cream. He had a big handful and was sucking on it and then would smile.
He was a little bit cranky all night though. He's got teeth coming in and had a slight fever the whole day (off and on). The ice cream probably felt good on his gums. So he wasn't the happiest, but it was still fun.
He had a doctor's appointment this morning. He weighs 24 lbs 8 oz and is 32 1/2 inches tall. He's 75 percentile for weight and over 95 percentile for height. He's one tall boy. He got three shots and was not happy (obviously). The doctor said his gums are really swollen and it can take awhile for these next ones to come in. So that's fun.
Next time I post it will be about Hawaii!! Aloha!
He was a little bit cranky all night though. He's got teeth coming in and had a slight fever the whole day (off and on). The ice cream probably felt good on his gums. So he wasn't the happiest, but it was still fun.
He had a doctor's appointment this morning. He weighs 24 lbs 8 oz and is 32 1/2 inches tall. He's 75 percentile for weight and over 95 percentile for height. He's one tall boy. He got three shots and was not happy (obviously). The doctor said his gums are really swollen and it can take awhile for these next ones to come in. So that's fun.
Next time I post it will be about Hawaii!! Aloha!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
More Water
So with it already being 110 degrees here and Carson and I have all day to hang - we've been doing a lot of water activities.
He started swim lessons, every Tues and Thurs. They don't actually learn to "swim" but they get really comfortable with the water and I'm learning a ton about water safety and good water games. He's learned how to kick and blow bubbles. We also learn how to spit (I know, awful) but then they don't swallow the pool water. They've learned how to monkey crawl around the edge and climb out of the pool (Carson still needs a little help with these two). Most important is called queuing though. He's learning that he can't get into the pool till I come around and count to three and bring him into the pool. There's a few other cues they're working on. Next week we start getting comfortable with back floating - which he'll hate. He's never liked being on his back - even on land. But it's fun and he absolutely loves it!
On Wednesdays we go to water park play group with the other ladies in the ward. It's just a park in a neighborhood near by that has a big water center. So free, cooler, and fun. He was actually a little apprehensive at first which is a very rare thing for Carson. But once he found a shovel (something to hold) he felt more comfortable - kids are so funny. By the end he was literally sticking his head directly in front of the shoots and thinking it was great.
Karl and I had a fun anniversary weekend. We got a spa package at a hotel. We've never really celebrated our anniversary before so we figured for year 5 we should do something really fun. The massages were great and they had a relax area to go to before and after the massage - steam room, sauna, jacuzzi. It was really nice. We went out to our favorite restaurant, Ra. It's a sushi place and it is sooo good. We got a ton of food and then Karl was determined to finish it all. Needless to say he was full. Then we went and saw Iron Man (pretty good). Karl and I love to analyze movies afterwards. I think when we first got married I would always do the analyzing and he would just listen - but now he looks forward to it after the movie too. We saw a few major flaws and had some unanswered questions...but still good. Karl's parents were nice enough to watch Carson for Sat and Sun so we could relax. Here's just a pic of us before we went out - yes we took it ourselves with the timer.
He started swim lessons, every Tues and Thurs. They don't actually learn to "swim" but they get really comfortable with the water and I'm learning a ton about water safety and good water games. He's learned how to kick and blow bubbles. We also learn how to spit (I know, awful) but then they don't swallow the pool water. They've learned how to monkey crawl around the edge and climb out of the pool (Carson still needs a little help with these two). Most important is called queuing though. He's learning that he can't get into the pool till I come around and count to three and bring him into the pool. There's a few other cues they're working on. Next week we start getting comfortable with back floating - which he'll hate. He's never liked being on his back - even on land. But it's fun and he absolutely loves it!
On Wednesdays we go to water park play group with the other ladies in the ward. It's just a park in a neighborhood near by that has a big water center. So free, cooler, and fun. He was actually a little apprehensive at first which is a very rare thing for Carson. But once he found a shovel (something to hold) he felt more comfortable - kids are so funny. By the end he was literally sticking his head directly in front of the shoots and thinking it was great.
And on Fridays we've been going to the pool play group. We just meet at someones house with a pool and all bring a snack. It's pretty fun too. Carson has a little rash guard so he doesn't get too much sun - he's got a little farmer's tan now - barely though since he still wears SPF 50. Carson loves all the activities - he gets a little stir crazy sitting in the house all day...oh wait, maybe that's me.
Karl and I had a fun anniversary weekend. We got a spa package at a hotel. We've never really celebrated our anniversary before so we figured for year 5 we should do something really fun. The massages were great and they had a relax area to go to before and after the massage - steam room, sauna, jacuzzi. It was really nice. We went out to our favorite restaurant, Ra. It's a sushi place and it is sooo good. We got a ton of food and then Karl was determined to finish it all. Needless to say he was full. Then we went and saw Iron Man (pretty good). Karl and I love to analyze movies afterwards. I think when we first got married I would always do the analyzing and he would just listen - but now he looks forward to it after the movie too. We saw a few major flaws and had some unanswered questions...but still good. Karl's parents were nice enough to watch Carson for Sat and Sun so we could relax. Here's just a pic of us before we went out - yes we took it ourselves with the timer.
Here's just a video of Carson in that shelf again and him making a homemade basketball hoop (Thanks Kari for letting us borrow this multi purpose toy). He just makes me laugh.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Camping in Flag
So, we went camping in Flagstaff over Memorial Day weekend. The weather was nice there the week before, but for the weekend a cold front moved in. Karl and I showed up Friday night at 7 pm and started setting up fast so we could so we could get settled before it was dark. By the time our tent was set up and we were moving everything in it started to snow!!! So we got everything in and bundled up a bit more and then got ready to camp while snowing. We had borrowed a space heater that runs on propane so that helped. We also got Carson this warm fleece sleeper that saved us. He slept toasty warm each night. We called him our little Ewok in this outfit.
The wind kept Karl and I up a bit but the cold wasn't that bad. We spent a day checking out these old Native American ruins. It was pretty cool. The one with Carson is over a "blow hole." There was cool air just flying out of it. You can see Carson's hair coming up (and there was a gate on it so nothing can fall in).
We also played some more paint ball. For some reason my left arm was a magnet. I got hit three times in the left arm and once in the left hand. I was pretty sure if I got hit in that arm again I'd cry. Karl got a mean bruise on his back. But of course it was fun. We tried a new game where we all start together and get 10 seconds to run and hide - all against all. I didn't do so great though because I hadn't closed my hopper tight enough and all my paint spilled out as I was running to hide. So then I was frantically picking up paint as everyone else hid. Needless to say, I was the first out. We also all went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie. I thought it was pretty good but it was my 1st Indiana Jones movie ever so I didn't have expectations. I think some thought it was a little out there.
I got all my CPA review material and it is hefty. So now I'm going to start plugging away at that. Karl got to go to a Diamondbacks game with clients for work on Thursday. He had a good time. And then we both went to a D-Backs game last night. Karl won tickets at work. So that was fun. Vickie watched Carson for us and I forgot to take wipes over to her house. And of course Carson had a major mess. So if I ever ask you to babysit - perhaps make a checklist before I leave your house.
Carson is starting to talk complete jibberish all day long. It's pretty funny. Some of his favorites are liddle liddle and well...tons of others that I can't figure out how to spell. Karl and I are getting very excited for Hawaii. The Cordell family is going on June 21st. Also coming up is Carson's 1st birthday on the 18th. Karl and I have our 5 year anniversary on the 7th. Big month!
Kasey
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Official
Well it's official - I'm employed. I start in September so I have the summer to pass the CPA exam and relax - and visit Spokane!!! I got the offer on Friday and am excited. I think Moss Adams will be a really good fit for me. So now Karl and I have a bunch of decisions to make.
I forgot to blog about an IRS day I had at the end of the semester. Our fraud accounting class got to be "IRS Fraud Investigators" for a day. It was pretty fun. We had to solve the accounting mysteries. We worked with a whole team of IRS agents and had to do interviews and fake search warrent situations. I was hoping that sometime in the day I could shout "Where were you on the night of the murder?"...but it never really applied. I should have just thrown it into my suspect interview anyway - that would have really scared them. Anyway, the project is called "Project Adrian." And the IRS has only done it at a few schools so far. It was really cool that they choose to try it at ASU. Here is the link to the school article on it http://asunews.asu.edu/node/3140. Our teacher, Barb Muller, is really involved and was my favorite professor ever. The project was really fun, although I'm pretty sure I'm not going to become a fraud investigator.
That's all - we're going camping this weekend so I'm sure there will be pics to come.
I forgot to blog about an IRS day I had at the end of the semester. Our fraud accounting class got to be "IRS Fraud Investigators" for a day. It was pretty fun. We had to solve the accounting mysteries. We worked with a whole team of IRS agents and had to do interviews and fake search warrent situations. I was hoping that sometime in the day I could shout "Where were you on the night of the murder?"...but it never really applied. I should have just thrown it into my suspect interview anyway - that would have really scared them. Anyway, the project is called "Project Adrian." And the IRS has only done it at a few schools so far. It was really cool that they choose to try it at ASU. Here is the link to the school article on it http://asunews.asu.edu/node/3140. Our teacher, Barb Muller, is really involved and was my favorite professor ever. The project was really fun, although I'm pretty sure I'm not going to become a fraud investigator.
That's all - we're going camping this weekend so I'm sure there will be pics to come.
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