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Our Week

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This week went so quickly. And considering it rained for the majority of the time, Eva and I still got out and had a lot of fun. On Tuesday, we had a couple of hours without rain, so Eva and I went on a little walk/jog on the river path to Hoboken. We then made our way up to Washington Street which is where all the cute restaurants and shops are in Hoboken, including Carlo’s Bake Shop from The Cake Boss.

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My heart was literally pounding out of excitement as we walked into the bakery. I even started laughing because it was so funny to me how excited I was. It’s not that I really even care about the show too much, I watch it on occasion. But it was still really neat to be in there and try it out in real life. Buddy’s sister was in there running the place and I tried to take a picture of her like a stalker, but they all came out too blurry since I was trying to be nonchalant about it. We took home a nutella butter cookie and a cannoli. Oh, they were so good.

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On Wednesday, we had a picnic at the beach (there’s a park near us with sand and beach chairs right on the Hudson). Eva loved the sand… a little too much. She started throwing it EVERYWHERE, so we went over the splash pad and park where Eva had a blast. She was laughing and screaming out of excitement. It was awesome. Almost as awesome as the ridiculously long nap she took when we got home. I can’t wait for more warm, sunny days!

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Other than that, we’ve just filled our week by coloring, walking around the mall, going to a Relief Society activity, and reading lots of books. “Buh buh buh buh!” Eva says.

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And just for kicks, I threw in a picture of my shopping cart that I take with me to get groceries. When Eva goes with me, I push her stroller with one hand, and pull this thing behind me with my other hand. There are times where I definitely miss our car, but I’m sure I’ll look back on these days and laugh about it. It’s a pretty good workout too…

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Family Photos

You may have noticed that I changed my blog header photos… it’s about time! The photos were all taken by Lacey Jones with Lacey Lii Photography. I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out and I thought I’d share some more of my favorites with you. Thanks, Lacey, for your amazing work!

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A Little Bragging

I have to put a little word out about my husband tonight. I am overwhelmingly proud of him. T.J. has worked day and night this semester. Well, really ever since he got into the BFA Graphic Design program. It comes with a lot of sacrifices, but guys… It always pays off. ALWAYS. You put good work in, you get good work out. Here are the latest examples:

Yesterday T.J. presented his final motion project. He hand drew the entire thing and then used after affects to put it together, so I’m told. I had seen him sketching for weeks, but when I saw the final video yesterday for the first time I was blown away. And for it to be about The Walking Dead, that just made it a hundred times better. Bonus: It was voted number two in the class!

Then tonight, we attended an Awards Night for the Visual Arts Department. T.J. won a talent award and the most outstanding senior award. They both came with checks, so that’s awesome.

And last but not least, we came home after celebrating with root beer floats at Sonic, already so happy and excited about T.J.’s awards. We checked our emails and found out that T.J. got into the AIGA: 100 Show, which is Utah’s most prestigious juried competition for design. Not only did he get in, all three of the pieces he submitted were accepted!

So, that’s my little tribute to T.J. I am so proud of all his hard work. He has amazing talent, dedication, and passion. Congrats, T!!!

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My Ol’ Kentucky Home

I decided to visit my parents in Kentucky for a number of reasons:

  1. The flights from Kentucky to SLC were way too expensive in April, meaning my parents weren’t going to be able to come for T.J.’s graduation as we had planned.
  2. My dad was going out of the country for two weeks and I thought it would be fun to surprise him when he got back.
  3. My mom broke her wrist and needed some cheering up/help around the house.
  4. T.J. is really busy with school and wouldn’t notice we were gone.
  5. I’d be in town around my birthday… Happy Bday to me!

So, I asked my mom what she thought and a couple hours later, the ticket had been purchased.

It was such a great trip. My dad was very surprised when he got back from Australia and I was sitting on the couch when he got home. The two unenthusiastic questions he asked me were, “What are you doing here?” and, “How much did it cost?” haha! But really, he was excited and we all had a good two weeks together.

Some of the highlights were going the Krohn Conservatory, the art museum, Kenwood mall, PF Changs, watching Downton Abbey together, helping my mom out at school, going to the park with Eva, a visit to Cynthiana-the “big town” near where my mom grew up, and eating LOTS of goetta.

Thanks for the trip, mom and dad! Miss you guys so much already!

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Snow, Snow, Snow

It doesn’t snow too much in Kentucky usually, but the day after Christmas we got a couple of inches and, a few days later, got dumped on again. It really made it feel like Christmas! I wished so badly that I felt well enough to play in the snow with my darling nieces, but these photos my dad took have to suffice.

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Christmas Traditions

Some of the Swainhart family Christmas traditions include:

  • Pajamas on Christmas Eve for the kiddos
  • Drinking lots of hot cider
  • Country Ham on Christmas Day
  • Christmas Eve dinner and Mass with the Dorans
  • Visiting Santa downtown Cincinnati
  • White Elephant (Yaaaaaankee Swap!) gift exchange on Christmas Eve
  • French Toast Casserole on Christmas morning
  • Reading the Christmas story together
  • Singing lots of Christmas carols
  • Eating large amounts of goodies

What are some of your family traditions? I have seen a lot of people start the Elf on the Shelf tradition. When Eva gets a little older, we will definitely be participating!

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Gingerbread display of CincinnatiPhoto Dec 21, 4 50 44 PM

About to see SantaPhoto Dec 24, 8 17 51 PM

Lots of concerts and singingPhoto Dec 24, 8 19 20 PM

Christmas Eve dinnerPhoto Dec 29, 5 36 21 PM

Eva in her Christmas pajamasPhoto Dec 31, 7 08 50 PMThe Christmas Tree at the Westin downtown Cincinnati

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Blair and Anna Visit

My good friend from high school, Blair, and her little sister, Anna, stopped by on the Thursday before Christmas. Usually we get together often when I visit but Blair was busy going on a cruise with her boyfriend. Lucky duck. Anyway, here are some pictures of the afternoon. My little niece Claire always has loved Blair, so all morning long before she came over, Claire kept asking when she’d be arriving. Pretty cute. We spent the afternoon playing games, going to Target, and listening to Claire play instruments for us.

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Christmas Day!

Get ready for a picture overload…

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Santa’s Helpers

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Ashley and Claire

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Claire and Fancy Nancy

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Silly Eva

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My pretty sister Mary Beth

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Ashley and her fiancé Jeff

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Claire and Amelia with their new dolls

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Setting up the girls’ tent

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Eva in her cute Spring coat (it was mine as a baby)

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Me and my neices

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The girls (minus Amelia)

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My family (minus my brother and his wife)

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Christmas with the Derricks

On Sunday, December 16, we got up bright and early to hear T.J.’s cousin give his homecoming talk. It was so fun to go to church with all of T.J.’s family and to dress Eva up in her Christmas dress (which was mine as a baby). We proceeded to T.J.’s aunt’s home for brunch and then spent the rest of the day up in American Fork with T.J.’s immediate family.

After the babies napped, we had them open up the presents from Grandma and Grandpa Santa. The girls got baby dolls in strollers and Cohen got a little car to sit on or push. It was so cute to see them play with the toys and (attempt) to share. Time sure flies – it feels just like yesterday when we were holding our newborns in our arms on Christmas.

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Grandma gave Eva her first candy cane. She devoured it in a matter of minutes.206703_10151155435996447_78957204_n

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We decorated Santa Sleighs.386750_10151155435651447_576855509_n

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Chocolate fondu party!Screen Shot 2013-01-02 at 4.18.48 PMCohen and Eva could barely wait for their turn to get sprayed in the mouth with water. Too funny!

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Try to Remember

Thursday morning, we received the news that T.J.’s Grandpa Lyman had passed away. About a month ago, he was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer. He tried to fight it, but the type of cancer was too aggressive.

It’s been a long time since someone close to me has passed away. I was a Freshman in high school when my grandmother Penny passed away and then just a couple months after that my grandmother’s husband, who was like a grandfather to me, passed away. So, it’s been a while since I’ve felt this way. And although Lyman was not my actual Grandpa, he was a great man who I admired and loved.

I was asked to play the piano for T.J.’s aunt who is singing at his funeral this coming Monday. You know, the Lord works in mysterious ways. A couple weeks ago, I decided to start practicing the piano again. So, when I was asked to play I actually felt very comfortable to accept. Hopefully I’ll be able to remember all that I have practiced and not get too emotional in the two songs. Pray for me, please.

I just want to share my personal and simple testimony with you all. I know that families can be together forever. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. I can’t imagine losing a loved one and thinking we’d never see them again. It gives me light in the darkness and strength to continue when times are hard. I have a testimony in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and know that He lives.

To read Lyman’s obituary, click here.

Here are the lyrics to one of the songs I’m playing at the funeral. Lyman loved this song and listened to it a lot this past month.

Try to Remember (Lyrics by Tom Jones)

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Deep in December, it’s nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it’s nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it’s nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.

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