Uh uh uh oh

We have a few Jack Johnson albums, and apparently Pepper is a fan also... mostly of the song "At or With Me." She started singing along with the chorus about a year ago, and regularly requests the song whenever we are in the car. "Uh-oh Mommy! Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!!" She isn't always a fan of her carseat, and sometimes this song is the only thing that will get her to stop whining/crying/wailing. Oftentimes when she realizes this song has started playing she will excitedly scream/sing at the top of her lungs... makes us laugh every time. It makes her realllllllly happy. But needless to say, Corban and I get really tired of this song anytime we are in the car for longer than 20 mins...

It's kind of a stupid music video, but you can listen to Jack Johnson sing it here if you want:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM_10MzkX6k

This video is MUCH cuter:) .....

Party Party

We went to Wayne and Susan's home last weekend for a family birthday/graduation party... With the big bowl of soapy water (BUBBLES!), backyard to play in, dogs to chase, sprinklers to run through, and cousin Elsa to play with, Pepper was in heaven. Be sure to watch the video at the bottom... so cute:)








38 weeks pregnant... induction is scheduled for Monday 6/20. We're so excited!

A few random ones

I believe we left Pepper alone for all of 3 minutes and lo and behold...

You really can't get mad at this face, can you?

We often refer to Pepper as our "little smash and grabber." She isn't allowed to play in our bedroom or the bathroom, and she knows this. When she and we both notice at the same time that either Corban or I accidentally left one of the doors open (she hasn't quite figured out how to open doors--YET:) she RUNS as fast as she can and will grab whatever is in sight before dashing away with her new found treasure. Her loot of choice is usually a squirt bottle, deodorant, lotion, toothbrush/toothpaste, or a washcloth. Or as was the case below... a foot file/brush, which she then rubbed on Corban's feet.

One of the first things Corban did after graduation was grow a beard. Male BYU students have to shave regularly, so he was thrilled to show off his non-studentness and rebel a little. As for me... I'm ok if this beard was a one time thing:)

Can't tell they're related, can you? :)

Graduation

Six weeks later my computer is finally cooperating long enough to get these pics up!

Graduation was really exciting... and really surreal. Despite being done with classes and BYU, Corban is still studying everyday for the CPA exam... so overall it doesn't feel like we're 100% done. But we are CLOSE!!

We had to leave at about 7am the morning of convocation... that is a very early hour at our house! We hired a tenant in our complex to watch Pepper so I didn't have to
1. Chase her around the Marriott Center
2. Watch her tumble down the bazillion concrete steps at the Marriott Center
3. Send myself into preterm labor by trying to keep track of her in the crowds
4. Go insane
5. ALL OF THE ABOVE:)











Corban's best friend Ed came into town for graduation. And yes, he wore a kilt. Anyone who knows him won't really be all that surprised or inclined to ask why... that's just Ed! Jeff (another friend Corban grew up with) also came. Corban had a lot of bonding time with Ed and Jeff that week.

Corban with his parents after the ceremony...







It's a little hard to tell... but Corban is holding a Harry Potter wand (aka stick from the front yard).

Happy Easter!

Yes I realize Easter was a while ago... better late than never, right?

I'm happy to report that since Easter Pepper has learned that smelling flowers doesn't necessarily involve using her tongue.

Videos

We spent last weekend at my grandparents home in Bountiful. My dad was in town and Pepper had lots of bonding time with him! She would like to thank my dad for introducing her to an endless supply chocolate chip cookies. She officially says grandpa now (or rather, "gapaw"). For the first few days we were back home, Pepper would randomly stop what she was doing, look around with her hands up, and say, "Gapaw go? Go? Gapaw?" And then she would look all around our apartment for him... down the hallway, in the entertainment center cubbyholes, out the window, etc. She misses her Grandpa Jan!!

I've tried uploading graduation pics a few times, but my computer has been giving me a hard time. One of these days I will get them up!




Kindra and her family came over on Friday. Pepper and her cousin Elsa (about 9 months apart in age) played together so cute. They shared lots of kisses:)

2 days and counting

Corban tried on his graduation robe today and immediately started laughing...

"I feel like I'm at Hogwarts!"



Even if he were graduating from the best school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world, I couldn't be more proud of him and the hard work he's put into the last 5+ years.

Daddy's Girl

Pepper reallllly loves her Daddy. She loves standing at the top of the couch, looking out the window and waiting for him to come around the corner after a long day on-campus. She barely lets him put his bag down before she's hugging both of his legs with all her might, waiting for him to pick her up. Pepper loves it when Corban tickles her, and is always willing to tickle right back. When she's really missing her daddy, she will go find his PJ shirt and has a blast putting it on all by herself.

Pepper is very liberal and loving with her hugs and kisses these days. Occasionally she will turn the other way if she knows you're coming in for a kiss, then she'll look back slyly over her shoulder to see if you still want one... then she'll run away giggling. She will often pat your back when she hugs you (something she picked up from Corban), and it cracks us up every time.

One for the grandparents...

There's not much to this video, but I knew my Mom and Dad would enjoy it so here you go!

Socks = Infinite Fun

Pepper has been obsessed with her socks and shoes for quite some time; they are more play items than practical, everyday necessities in her eyes. Recently she has progressed to playing with Mommy and Daddy's shoes and socks, which provide even MORE fun because she can put them on all by herself. When she finds a pair of big socks (aka HEAVEN!) she puts them on and wears them all over.

Also--Corban's last day of class is Wednesday. In two days. Last day. EVER. These days, Corban is a cross between a giddy school boy on the last day before summer break and a kid on Christmas morning. I've never seen him so ecstatic:) We thought it would never come, but graduation is NEXT WEEK!!

We found a fantastic couple to take over our spot as managers, and we got permission to live in a TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT while we train them! We're moving in two short weeks!! Hallelujah!




Trying on Daddy's church socks yesterday morning...

Visit from Aunt B

Brook came to visit for a few hours today. Pepper was so excited that she refused to nap... which turned out ok because she went to bed for the night at 5pm.

We wish Brook lived closer!!

Victory! VICTORY!

Pepper puts up an occasional fight when it's time for a new diaper and PJs. Last night there was a particularly fierce battle with much wailing and gnashing of teeth, so we let her, ahem, feel the sweet breeze of victory for a short time. She wasted no time running to the top of the world (couch) to proclaim herself victorious to passersby.

Cousin time

Pepper had some bonding time yesterday with cousin Elsa. We love it when she comes over! Pepper automatically says "cheese" and smiles REALLY big whenever she sees the camera... even if she is on the other side of our apartment. Mostly that means she tries to show you as much of her teeth as she can:)

I _____ pregnancy

I really wanted to title this post "Braxton Hicks can SUCK IT," but I knew my mother wouldn't appreciate that. It's a little more subtle if I say it in the body instead of in the title... right? The few BH I had with Pepper were barely noticeable, but over the last day or so my body has decided I need long, uncomfortable, frequent, borderline painful reminders that I am in fact pregnant. Because apparently I'm not aware enough. Thanks, body. Thanks a lot.

(If anyone comments along the lines of, "Just be grateful that you ARE pregnant!" you should know that these BH are making me crazy and I cannot be held responsible if I go insane-pregnant-lady on you.)

We had a slice of heaven for Sunday breakfast: Stuffed Blueberry French Toast... mmmmmm... Corban and I both agreed that a scrumptious thing like this probably needs to reserved for holidays or birthdays. It's too rich and amazing to eat on a regular basis, but a delicious breakfast treat that's great for special occasions.

On Sunday I was craving some brownies, and what a pregnant woman wants, a pregnant woman gets. I found a recipe for brownies from scratch with a bazillion amazing reviews, so I decided to give it a try. This turned out to be my biggest, messiest, smokiest failure in the kitchen EVER. The crazy thing is I still don't know what happened. I measured everything right, and put all the right ingredients in... I guess sometimes things just don't work out!

Because Pepper never really adjusted to the time change last fall, the last few days have actually been really nice with her sleeping schedule. Yesterday she slept in till 9am, and because she is our alarm clock, Corban and I also got to sleep in a little. She's usually up at 6:30-7am, so it was a nice treat. She has been sleeping great in general lately, which I attribute to the fact that she has croup. I figured she'd be up at all hours of the night coughing and miserable, but it's actually the opposite. 13+ hours of sleep every night, and often 2 naps during the day. One night last week she slept from 5:30pm-9am: 15.5 hours! All this coughing makes her one tired little girl. The worst part about croup has been when she coughs so hard that she gags herself and then pukes. After long coughing fits, she just looks at me exhausted with tears in her eyes and cries this really pitiful moan. My poor baby!

Corban takes the first part of the CPA exam on April 1st, and has been spending every spare moment studying for it.... every spare moment that he isn't at work or studying for his actual school classes, anyway. Which leaves a lot less time for him to spend with Pepper and I, but at least there is an end in sight! The CPA exam is split up into 4 parts, and he won't take the last one until July, but after school is over next month life can return to some semblance of normalcy. Hopefully...

I'm so proud of Corban for working so hard. He was up till 2am last night doing homework, pobrecito. There don't seem be enough hours in the day for him to get everything done, and even though I don't get to see him as much as I'd like to, he does a wonderful job of making me feel loved and appreciated... especially when I make divine dinners, as was the case last night. I don't even care that it wasn't exactly low calorie--Corban and I both needed some comfort food. We had broccoli cheese soup in bread bowls... aka: Heaven.

I'm making Irish Soda Bread and Irish Pub Stew tonight (minus the pub atmosphere...). Hope you have a great St. Patty's!

Lovin me some soup!

Corban and I are both big fans of french onion soup. I think Corban likes it mostly for the cheese, but he will happily eat the whole bowl so who cares:) I made it for the first time last night using a very simple recipe, and it turned out DELICIOUS! (click here for the recipe) I tweaked it a little:
omitted parmesan cheese (shhhh, don't tell Corban!)
added a few splashes of worcestershire sauce
reduced the amount of salt
simmered for 30 mins, not 60 (we were hungry!)
used multigrain bakery bread instead of french bread--yum!

Next time I will cut onions down by 1/4-1/3... there were slightly too many, but it still turned out amazing.

Hooray for successful kitchen adventures!

Cheeeeeeeee

I'm honestly not sure where Pepper learned "Cheese!" from... Corban and I haven't taught it to her. Regardless, it makes us smile every time.

She also gives you a quick glimpse of her kissy face in this video... there's no puckering, but instead a big, pouty bottom lip:)

Please excuse the runny nose... it's not even 10am and I've already wiped her nose at least a dozen times. Poor baby!

Boxmania

Pepper entertained herself yesterday for a lonnnnng time with this new and exciting toy. She kept getting in and out of the box with different toys, blankets, etc. Maybe she's not so hard up for entertainment after all... er... wait...

Four Years

Four years ago today Corban and I got married! I feel very lucky and blessed to have Corban in my life. I know it's cliche, but I'm going to say it anyway: Corban truly is the best thing that ever happened to me. I love that he continually makes me want to be a better person--and he doesn't even have to try!

Recently we were talking about how naive we were when we got married. We were friends for a very short time before we started dating, and 3 months later we were engaged. Another 3 months passed, and we were married... and we probably would've gotten married even faster if we could've. Sometimes I find myself wondering, "What were we thinking? Why did we get married so fast? We barely even knew each other!" And though I look back on that Teneill of 4 years ago and wonder what my thought process was, I've never regretted the decision of marrying my sweetheart. We were indeed very naive, but we knew we were in love and both knew that getting married was the path we were supposed to take.

The time we spent dating and engaged are starting to become a blur now, but the thing I remember the most is how incredibly happy I was. I had never dated anyone like Corban before. He was (and still is!) honest, handsome, a hard working student, affectionate, smart with his finances, active in the church, RM, respectful, and super duper sexy (sorry mom) to name a few. We met through mutual friends, and got to know each other better while watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I thought he was a great guy, though maybe a little too 'Peter Priesthood' for me... so I set him up on a date with my sister, Brook. They didn't hit it off, and shortly thereafter he asked me out on our first date. I was actually very busy at the time though, and put him off for a few weeks before I finally said yes. He took me out for sushi and I was in heaven. (I later learned that he does not care for sushi but wanted to take me there because he knew I loved it. Everybody say it with me: awwwwwwwwww!!!!)

The first date was wonderful, and things just took off from there... the rest is history. I am grateful everyday to have Corban in my life. I'm not going to say that the last four years have been sheer bliss and that we've glided through every second of it with delight and enjoyment... like any relationship worth having, marriage requires sacrifice and isn't always a walk in the park. But another thing I love about Corban is his willingness to communicate with me, forgive me, and work with me to keep our relationship healthy and strong. I can't imagine traveling through life with anyone else.

And now, some pictures from our courtship and beyond:)

This was the first picture we ever took together, and was before we started dating. It was on my birthday, and Corban and his roommate gave me a set of Harry Potter movies. Come to think of it, this was probably the first time we had ever even touched--hence the reason why we look so awkward.

We fell in love quickly... throughout our courtship and first year of marriage I was happy that Corban was a Ute fan (hence the shirt he'd wearing in the pic). I reallllllly didn't want to ever end up in Provo again... but once again, things worked out better than we ever could've planned. Corban's acceptance into the accounting program at BYU has been a huge blessing to us. Go Cougars!

We had been dating for 5 or 6 weeks when Corban and his roommates decided to throw a Halloween party. Corban asked me numerous times what I was going to be, and the night before the party I told him I'd decided on Cruella de Ville. The day of the party he found stuff to create a makeshift dalmatian costume and hurriedly put it together. I thought it was pretty darn cute that he wanted to match--even though he smelled like spray paint all night:) His costume choice was a big sign to me that he was serious: "If this guy is willing to dress up like a dog just so he can match me, he must really like me!"

On one of our dates, we took the scenic route up a canyon to Ogden. We stopped at a few spots to take pictures, including East Canyon Resort where my family has a timeshare. Little did we know we would be returning there for our honeymoon in just a few short months!

Speaking of our honeymoon... we were very in love and very, very happy.

Corban, I'm so glad you are mine! Thank you for being the amazing man that you are, and for continually making me so very happy!