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Vegas Work Trip

My dad had another convention (Shot Show) he was working at in Vegas in January, so I went down to help him for a few days. The show was pretty crazy, I’ve never seen or been around that many guns in my life, but it was really fun getting to spend quality time with my dad. Unfortunately, I had to cut my trip a little short because Finn had gotten sick and couldn’t go to his sitter. Of course, it had to be when I was out of town! Till next time, Vegas!

Saturday at the Office

One weekend at the end of February, TJ had a last minute urgent project for work that pretty much took him all weekend. On Saturday night, we got takeout from Chili’s and brought him dinner. It was pretty much the best idea I’ve ever had and should do it more often because the kids were able to run around, we didn’t have to wait in a long line at Chili’s, and I was able to get out of the house with the kids (I was going crazy!). Sidenote: TJ’s project turned out great! I’m so proud of him!

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TJ’s New Job

TJ has been working at his new job now for three months and really has enjoyed it. It’s been a great company to work for with so many great benefits and perks. Plus, we both love that the commute time is just a short five minute walk since we only have car. Last week his team went on a trip to San Francisco and then to Portland. It looks like they had a good time. I was pretty jealous that he got to go on this trip but I have traveled a lot without him, so I guess it was okay . Don’t you love this photobombing couple behind TJ? Makes me laugh so much!

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Here are some other work-related photos:

His team has done a couple hikes this summer, including Mt. Timp which is where this photo was taken.

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They have a cafeteria at his office with really good food, so we have come to eat with TJ a couple times this summer.

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What up 212?

We are moving! T.J. accepted a job offer in Manhattan for Johnson & Johnson (the company he interned with last summer). We are very excited and grateful for this opportunity, but we are a little nervous for the huge move and very sad to leave our friends and family here in Utah. It is exciting to see things fall into place, though, since we’ve made the decision. We still have some loose ends but we know things will work out.

See you in two weeks from today, New York!

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PS: If you’re looking to buy a car, LET US KNOW! We are hoping to sell our car before we leave because it doesn’t make much sense to have a car out there.

 

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Swainhart Productions

While I was in Kentucky, I helped my dad with two projects. One was something he has been working on for months, even when I was there this summer. It is a video campaign for Miami Valley Christian Academy. The second project was a wedding. And holy cow, I have never seen such an elaborate wedding in my life! It was so fun to help my dad capture all the little details that I’m sure they spent thousands on. Here are a couple photos from the two events.

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It’s a Party in the L-A-O

A couple weeks ago, my old coworkers from the LAO (and besties) threw me a Last-Hurrah/Girl’s-Night/Baby-Shower. We munched on a LOT of delicious desserts, laughed about all of the funny times we had at the library, and, of course, got our Just Dance 3 on.

To end the night, they gave me a bunch of adorable books (so appropriate since we all worked at the library together) and Jeanette also surprised me with Toms for the baby that she’ll be able to wear next year. Seriously, high top pink Toms? My baby is going to be better dressed than me!

Anyway, thanks guys! It was a wonderful night and made me miss working at the LAO!

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{Last} Party in the LAO: Can I get a scholastic holla?

Two years ago, in addition to just getting my wisdom teeth taken out, I had an interview at the Harold B. Lee Library on campus in the Administrative Offices (LAO). With my cheeks still puffy, I met with the man who became my boss for the next three years. His name was Roger.

I guess the wisdom-teeth bruises didn’t scare Roger too much because he gave me the job offer to be a graphic designer and I accepted. Shortly after I started,  I realized that Roger, among many others, would be some of my favorite coworkers (and bosses) I had ever had.

A little bit about some of the people at the LAO who influenced me:

Roger, my design boss. The most understanding boss you’ll ever come across.

Wendy, the office boss. Always has an awesome/crazy story to tell us about her young women.

Danica, the blonde-then brunette-then blonde secretary. The only person who catches all of my obscure Arrested Development and Office quotes.

Eliesa, the stylish secretary. Has the hair of movie-star and might eat just as many goldfish as me.

Jeanette, the hilarious secretary. Cannot hold back her laughter even in critical moments–so naturally, I try to push her limits.

Cassandra, the secretary who’s not really a secretary. The sweetest freshman you’ll ever meet.

Christopher, my fellow graphic-designer. Always helped me with the projects I didn’t want to do–even if he didn’t want to do them either.

 

There were many more secretaries, graphic designers, and administrators who all helped to make these past three years some of the best. And all the times we had together will be memories I’ll keep forever: The day the alarms went off and we thought it was a terrorist attack, the day I cut my finger and had to go to the Health Center, the fall conferences I was allowed to attend, the many MANY gchats we had when we were sitting next to each other, all the crazy projects we had to do, the day Rebecca Black’s Friday video came out, the day the HBLL released the Newspice video, all the food we got to eat (oh, so much food), the time we got to watch Jimmer in the conference room, the time we got to taste-test Yogurtland for “work purposes.”

Believe me, I wouldn’t be leaving this place if there was anyway for me to stay. But unfortunately, rules are rules. And BYU is kicking me out after graduation. I loved my job and am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work for the library. Now, I’ve gotta wrap this up because I’m a hormonal pregnant woman who is about to burst into tears right here at work.

So, here’s to the HBLL and more importantly, the LAO. You taught me how to be a scholar. I’ll miss you guys.

 

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Old Woman, Old Woman

When I was in 6th grade school choir, we sang this weirdo song about a boy who asks this old woman to do things for her. It would go something like this:

“Old woman, old woman, will you do my laundry?”

Then the old woman (the girls part) would reply in song, singing how she was deaf and that he’d have to speak up.

So, as the song continued, the boy would get softer and softer asking questions to see if she was really deaf. Then the boy decided to play a trick on her.

“Old woman, old woman, will you please marry me?”

Then the old woman, screams yes…

It was so weird. So weird. And now, when anyone says “old woman” I immediately think of that strange song.

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Anyway, that story relates to this blog post because my body is currently in an “old woman” state. I’m helping with the construction of the new exhibit in the library right now and so at work, I’ve been doing things my body is not used to. Yesterday, I had to sit on the ground for two hours and cut nails out of wood. Not only did this bruise and blister my hands from using the tools so long, my bottom region is SO sore. Oh man. It keeps cramping up and then I literally can’t move or get up. T.J. thinks it’s hilarious when I’m paralyzed on the bed and yell for help. But I don’t find it as humorous.

We have this pillow massager for your neck and I may or may not have used it to massage that area. No way of knowing. But all I know is that a pregnant woman cannot be responsible for her actions. She’s gotta do what she’s gotta do.

 

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Check it out…

I finished Abby Alger’s photo blog! Go through it and tell me what you think and please tell me if you see any errors or mistakes!

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Treat Tuesday

In our office, we have “Treat Tuesday” and last night I was really in the mood to bake. But I know baked goods can really pack on the pounds during my pregnancy, so I decided to make something and bring it to work instead. So, I found a recipe for homemade strawberry cupcakes, whipped up a batch (yes, I even pureed fresh strawberries), tried to frost them (although I’m a very bad froster), and brought them into work today. Oh, and bonus, they’re festive for 4th of July

You should make them for your 4th of July picnic this weekend (recipe yields 12):

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 large egg whites, room temperature

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
  2. Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
  4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
  5. With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
  6. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

{I just made some buttercream frosting for the top, but I think cream cheese frosting would be delightful.}