Babysitting

Dear Colin,

I watched my niece and nephew today. Pretty much I'd be ok just taking them home with me. I love them.

We had a great day, despite waking up at 7:30 am. They cleaned the house- not because I made them. It was chore day. And then we went to the park. That didn't last long, since it was a million degrees outside. My elbow pits were sweating. Then it was time for lemonade and lunch.




We used straws. Because that makes drinking lemonade more exciting.

We drew pictures next. L drew a lovely princess:




Today was the second time in my life where I was told by a little girl that I didn't draw dragons very well. Perhaps it means I shouldn't be drawing them.

Then we went on a walk. I don't know why. I think they forgot how blazing hot it was outside. Which is why after the walk we turned on the hose and sprayed down the trampoline, and covered it in ice. Perfect summer day activity.










Bubble baths, curlers, and a little more drawing-




Little niece drew a picture of identical twin bees.

L: These are twins. Only one is fat. The other is thin.

Me: One is fat?

L: But they are still identical.

Me: Oh ok.

She then proceeded to label the bees as Amy as Emily.




She circled the fat bee, just to clarify that it was labeled as Amy.

L: Don't worry. You aren't that fat.

Lets not forget how later in the evening she was asking me about the hair in my armpits. Awesome. I do shave. Really.

Finish off the day with dinner and a bit of video games, and ice cream. Lovely day.

Let's have kids, shall we? They make me laugh.

Miss you.
Love.

CTR

Dear Colin-

Remember how you got your birthday packages a week early? I do... But now you have a nice CTR ring again. :)




Love.

Anyways...

Dear Colin-

I went to Bear Lake with my sisters. It was beautiful, and we should go together again. We hiked up a bit to Bloomington Lake:







I also found myself running thru the hills, singing "The Hills are Alive". You would have sung with me...




That's why I love you. You would run in the field with me, singing at the top of your lungs. And we would be like a cheesy love movie.

Miss you.

Love.

Accomplished?

Dear Colin-

I have been apart from you for two weeks, even though you didn't officially leave the US til last Tuesday... In that time, I have tried to keep busy too! Though you can tell me if I'm actually accomplishing anything or just procrastinating real work...

I have:
- walked 6 miles and biked 2
- made it thru an entire day of dance rehearsal without collapsing
- read ten books
- unpacked my three bags
- played with all my sisters and yours
- watched as the basement slowly is remodeled
- gone shopping more times than I have in the past four months
- turned on my computer once
- taken at least one photo a day
- gone to one doctor appointment
- completed one interview
- done my laundry twice
- read my scriptures a lot
- written in my journal a lot
- prayed a lot
- slept a lot

I have not:
- done any push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, or anything like unto them
- finished the skirt I have started to sew
- made my bed
- gotten my appetite back
- looked at my thesis again

I'm sure there are more things I haven't done. Its just that I like reading books in one sitting. I like visiting sisters. And I like not thinking about my thesis. Although I have a few more interviews lined up for further research, I have yet to hear from my committee... Maybe I should get on top of that...

Love.

Candy!

Dear Colin-

I went out for lunch and ice cream with my sister and niece. They are so lovely. Plus, the ice cream bar we went to was A. Mazing.




Can't you see the amazement in my face?! A pound of ice cream. I ate a pound of ice cream. (Ok, just 12 ounces, and part of that was a cookie. But it was a lot.)

Plus they had almost every candy imaginable to put on your ice cream. Including:




To my military hero. :)




I miss you.

Love.

Cool?

Dear Colin-

I've just been wondering if we can classify ourselves as "cool".

Remember this?

Can you be cool if your phone cover looks like this?

How about Magic card gaming?

I think we are cool. We are also nerds. Which I guess is cool right now.

I miss you.

Love

Ballet

Dear Colin-

I went to my niece's ballet recital tonight.




She gets the smile from my mom too. :)

Watching it made me excited for when we have little girls in dance. Get ready for the years of dance and music recitals ahead!

Love

Basement

Dear Colin,

Mom and Dad are remodeling the house. First up- a kitchen in the basement.




So far, just plumbing and electrical. Next up is tile floor. Then cabinets. And appliances. And carpet. And then begins the upstairs. I will keep you informed, as I have unofficially become project manager.

It kinda feels like your job. Without the national importance.

Love
me

Cheese

Dear Colin,

I get my smile face from my mom.




Now when your mom wonders why I smile like that, I can say I inherited it. :)

Miss you.
Love.

Books

Dear Colin,

In the past two days, I have read three books.

That's all.

Love

Coping

Dear Colin,

I went shopping today. I hope it doesn't become my coping mechanism for when you are gone. Because I went crazy. (Well, crazy for someone like me who hates most shopping...)




I miss you. I want to show you everything I bought, but that will have to wait.

Love
me

Beginning

Dear Colin-

I just said goodbye to you. It was harder than I actually imagined.

Saying goodbye to our home was hard- it's been a good home for two years.







We've been through earthquakes and hurricanes and tropical storms here. It has treated us well.

Saying goodbye to you was not fun. (To say the least...)




I miss you.

Love
me