Giggles!

Not sure why this was so funny... :)

A day in the life...

I normally attempt to stick to one subject when I post, but I will admit this one is going to be random. Honestly, we have been pretty bored the last few days--maybe it's still the let down from visitors leaving and me wondering what I did before when I had a whole day to myself.

Maddie is learning and growing so fast right now! She decided to carry her ball all over the house this morning. It was pretty cute. Below, she's doing one of her favorite things... climbing the stairs! Actually, her very favorite thing to do is play outside. I am really wishing we had a (finished) backyard so I could let her roam a little more freely. We try to play at the park every day and she is fearless on the steps and slides. She is also fearless of dogs--in fact she loves them. She ran right up to a huge dog and wanted to pet it. She is a very independent and curious little monkey...

I'm so happy I finally caught Maddie talking on video! The beginning is her silly chatter, but at the end she says hi to ya'll!

Trying to put her own shoe on.

Yesterday she played with my necklace all day. I got out some of her bows to see if I could put them on clips and she enjoyed 'helping' me. We've got a girly girl on our hands!

Don't make me wear it, Mom!

After about a 3 month break, Maddie is teething again. Watch out! She is not afraid to express her discomfort. In fact, after seeing these tantrums, I am afraid to see what they'll be like when she's two. And her clogged tear duct finally cleared up after a year of tear-stained cheeks.

Bored as we are, we have fun together. I am really looking forward to a new face in the house... next month my little sister Em is going to come live with us for the summer! I absolutely cannot wait! She is studying floral design at BYU-I and is going to do her internship here in Vegas. She is waiting to hear for sure, but she may have an opportunity at the BELLAGIO!!!!!!!!! Can I just tell you how jealous, I mean excited, I am for her!??!?!? Mike offered to work from home so I can tag along too... do you think they'd mind? It will be great to have her around and to glimpse the local floral industry through her experiences. It's fun to have a passion in common. If you want to see her latest work, check out our family blog. She's got some talent!

Hippity Hoppity!

We were invited to the world's best Easter egg hunt! The Ungurens go ALL OUT!!! They dye 100 eggs, blow the goo out, stuff some of them with money, and number them for prizes (and let me add they were amazing prizes, like toys, gift cards, movies, tools, bakeware, and more!). They hid them at the park by their house, and some of them were even dyed to match the rocks (accident or not, it was incredible camouflage). All we had to do was bring baskets to trade, and then fill them with loot! We left with $9, a movie, and enough candy and toys to last until next Easter...yeah right.

Maddie assisted in the hard to reach places.

"Dad, look what I found!"

Check out the centerpiece. Hannah cut all of these foam flowers out herself. She is so creative!

I loved the carrot utensils. Not to mention the delicious food... we'll definitely be making their party a tradition. :)

The Easter Bunny 'hid' Maddie's eggs and she seemed to really enjoy finding them and putting them in her basket.

I have always loved holidays, but I am enjoying them even more with little Maddie around to make them exciting. What are your Easter traditions?

Reincarnation

Black, 5-speed, tan interior, made by Honda... the Acura was reincarnated as an Accord! We had it test driven by an expert (Thanks Seth) then purchased (Thanks Sarah for the special delivery) from Rand's Auto Sales (Thanks Johnson's for the tip) in North Salt Lake and had it driven down to Vegas (Thanks Zak & Noelle). We could not have done it with out ya'll.

VROOM, VROOM!

HAPPY SPRING!

(from http://www.hickerphoto.com/)

It's officially spring today! I love spring in Vegas because that's when everyone comes to visit! Not only is it gorgeous weather, but it is a popular Spring Break destination, so our Andrews Bed & Breakfast gets good usage. Noelle, Zak, and baby Emrie are our current visitors, and Dana & Landon are coming in two weeks.

Noelle and Zak actually drove our new car down from Utah when they came (pictures will come SOON...Mike has been driving it so I haven't been able to get pictures during the day). It's a black 2007 Honda Accord that we got for a smokin' deal at Rand's Auto in Bountiful. If any of you are thinking about buying a car, be sure to check them out.

It's so fun to have cousins Maddie & Emrie together. Little Emrie fits in Maddie's doll stroller and Maddie pushed her around yesterday... Noelle got video of it, so when she posts it you will have to see how funny it was! We have also been dying easter eggs, going on walks, and eating yummy food together.

Maddie loves putting her rings on like bracelets. She's already a girly girl!

A visit from Grandma!

Grandma Andrews came to spend some of her spring break with us. We had a great time! Super Grandma! (The little rag-a-muffin is playing with Grandma's exercise band.) Below, we had to take Grandma to our favorite park.

Daddy and Maddie played in this cool tree.

Isn't this beautiful with the reeds and the blue, blue sky?

We had some deep conversations while she was here. I think Mike was trying to teach her an engineering principle in this one... something about ionized water. He is studying for his PE exam coming up! Sunday was pleasantly wet in the valley, so Mt. Charleston got a bunch of snow. We took a drive to show Anita that we do have a beautiful getaway not too far from us! It was snowy and misty, but the sun was shining through and it was gorgeous up there!
Anita has so many fun recipes for healthy food. Since it was St. Patrick's Day, we decided to try this Irish soda bread (in the background). For the main course, we tried a recipe for black bean cakes (with onion and red & green peppers) on a bed of spinach. The side dish is polenta. There was a bit of ethnic mixing, but it turned out really yummy!

The eency weency Maddie played with the water spout...
A sweet little moment reading a bed time story... Unfortunately (or fortunately for us) Grandma was going to leave today, but she made it to the freeway and experienced some car trouble, so she is still here until it gets resolved. Thanks for making the effort to come visit!

Apple Dip

Last week I ate the best apple dip and remembered I have a recipe similar to it. I also tried a new one for our ward book club and heard it was delicious, so I thought I would share them. They are good with other fruits too, or even by themselves! :)

Apple Brickle Dip

Beat together:
8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Then add 3/4 package of English Toffee bits.

Honey Dip

1 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temp.

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

I'd like to add a cute picture of Maddie or something, but all I have is her two bandaids from her 1 year shots. She also came down with a flu bug last night so she's a little out of it. It's so sad to see her sick! She has been so snuggly and lethargic because of her fever and lack of energy. This is her first real bug so we're treading new ground. I got a glimpse of true mommy love when I changed the sheets 3 times while trying not to breathe... it's just been a rough week.

Wanna see our family pictures?

I just got the link: http://megansagersphotography.instaproofs.com/. (The password is Lauren.) We wanted to do some professional pics of Maddie for her first birthday, and I'm so happy we did! Megan captured everything I love about my sweet little girl: the smiles, silly faces, her blue eyes, her little waddle, her curiosity, and even a frown. In fact, as I watched the slideshow I just balled.

Be sure to tell us which ones are your favorite!

Only a few more...

Last night was the final chapter in the birthday celebrations. We gave Maddie her presents from us and let her eat another cupcake. She's liking this sugar stuff! :)

P.S. Sorry for the birthday overload... it is mostly for memories sake that I am being so detailed!

The big ONE!

Good morning, birthday girl!

It is hard to believe it has been a year since we welcomed her into the world!

Madison Marie made her big entrance at 3:27 a.m. on March 10, 2007. (For those who have subscribed to our blog from the start, these pictures may look familiar!)

Although her birthday is really today, Saturday was the big party! It was to be a Ladybug Picnic at a nearby park, where we were sure to enjoy the outdoors, roasted hotdogs, and good company! Alas... the beautiful 70 degree weather of the early afternoon turned into a windstorm that send party trays flying into the pond (thanks for the rescue Blake!), lodged dirt between the teeth, and made the idea of balloons and candles wishful thinking... but the party must go on!

This is the best shot I got of Maddie playing with all the kids... I think she had a good time.

Free reign on the ladybug! Maddie wasn't too interested in the cake itself, she just wanted to eat the oreo eyes and spots.

Daddy helped her get a little bit messy. Suprisingly, she started pushing it away before she was even dirty!

We got a sweet video of her smiling and looking bashful during the Happy Birthday song, but it's on our regular video camera and I don't know how to upload it!

Acura Integra RS 1994 ~ 2008 R.I.P.

Acura Integra RS was a seasoned travel companion and old friend who was taken from us unexpectedly during the early hours of March 8, 2008. She was preceded in death by a 1989 Honda Accord and a 1989 Ford Mustang. She was born to The Honda Corporation in 1994 and learned early a love for travel, coming to the United States through the Port of Los Angeles. Under the auspices of Acura of Mission Viejo, Integra RS was marketed as a 1.8 liter DOHC 16-valve engine w/ programmed fuel injection and a 5-speed manual transmission.

Original Window Sticker

She was equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes and a double wishbone suspension while boasting fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. Although she came stock w/ a driver’s side and passenger airbags, it is our understanding that she never used them in the ensuing 14 years of her life. It was her dream to be let loose on the open road and heat up those 195/60 R14 tires doing 100+ mph while hugging each turn and handling each straightaway effortlessly. On the 24th day of April, 1994 it was her turn, she was driven out of the Mission Viejo dealership never to look back.

It was not long before Integra RS found herself in the good ole’ South cruising up and down all 25 variations of Peachtree Street in Atlanta Georgia. The history books are unclear what the first five years of her life was like but there are clues that her antenna had problems even at an odometer reading of 11,613 miles. This disease would persist until her last breath. Evidence shows that she was maintained w/ regular visits to Texaco Express Lube and Nalley Acura.
Fast forward to fall of 1999. After an intense search for his next vehicle, Michael R. came across the following ad in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: ACURA INTEGRA 1994 5spd, blk/tan, AC, PW, 83k, 1 owner, rcds, $6995/obo. 770-937-****.

The individual who posted the ad said he was selling it for a friend. Although somewhat foolish, Michael R. test drove the vehicle at night (I would not recommend this). The light of the sun brings all things to light. Nonetheless, Michael R. had to have the vehicle. AutoServ was commissioned to inspect the car and the purchase was made the following day, December 17, 1999. The odometer read 83,492 miles. $6100 of the negotiated sale price was financed at 9.75% for 24 months making the monthly payment $290.44. Michael R. wasted no time by installing a new stereo and new speakers into Integra RS on the 18th of that month.

Driveway in Atlanta - 1

The early years of this new friendship would be spent traversing the country at break-neck speed. The first trans-continental drive was in April of 2000, from Marietta, GA to Orem, UT for Michael R.’s first term at BYU after a long hiatus. The trip was approximately 1906 miles from door-step to door-step. The two-day return trip (never longer) would take place just two months later as he returned for summer employment in the Atlanta area. The vehicle was always crammed to the gills for these trips w/ the possibility of getting a speeding ticket almost a foregone conclusion. Each day would require about 13 to 14 hours of driving. Falling asleep on the straight and waking for the curves was the modus operandi for these two travel companions. It is a wonder that Integra RS & Michael R. ever survived these trips intact. The records show that on May 5th at 94,443 miles, the spark plugs & wires, air filter, distributor cap, and rotor were replaced in addition to an oil change. Fuel injector cleaner was also added by way of the fuel tank on the same day.

Driveway in Atlanta - 2

In preparation for fall semester and another trip across the country, Integra RS was outfitted w/ (4) brand new tires. The odometer read 100,070 miles. The west-ward trip occurred in September with a return trip in April of 2001. Integra RS was expected to perform w/ high average speeds through each state. Additionally, a record of fuel economy was noted at each fill up. Over the years, and after countless calculations, the average speed across country including pit stops more than likely turned out to be 71 mph.

In the pit - Orem Utah

In September 2001 after a summer of working hard in the residential construction industry, Michael R. again set out across the country attacking each state with the goal of breaking the previously held “Integra RS Land Speed Record.” The hotel of choice was always Motel 6. (Thanks Tom Bodett for leaving the light on).

The resting spot for Integra RS and her 142 horses at 7000 rpm was always between St Louis and Salina, Kansas depending on the direction of travel. Don’t worry, the 125 lb-ft of torque got to rest alongside the horses as well.

At the end of January, Integra RS was minding her own business at the intersection of State Street & University Parkway when a young lady suddenly rear-ended her. She pulled over at the nearest parking lot and was side-swiped by the same lady! It is hard to say who was more surprised. The young lady was evidently under the influence of some medication at the time. Her father happened to own an auto body shop and was willing to buff the scratches out of the driver’s side door and touch up the rear bumper. With an additional $100 cash from Mr. Auto Body, Michael R. was willing to call it even.

In June of 2002, Integra RS took a trip to Idaho after spring term to visit Lauren M. and her family before traveling east to Atlanta. The old vehicle had been having troubles with overheating and eventually she warped her head in the process. Unfortunately this was the second time during this relationship that Integra RS pulled this little (and expensive) stunt. This required machining the head smooth, installing a new head gasket and heli-coiling in a fair number of head bolts that would not hold their torque. The invoice at Commercial Tire came to somewhere around $1200+. It is again a small miracle that Michael R. and his travel buddy made it back to Atlanta.
August of the same year would be the last time that Integra RS would travel the familiar highways from Georgia to Utah. It should be noted that she had an oil change on the 13th at 141,168 miles. The old vehicle had over-heated once again and could no longer be trusted to take long trips across the country. This was a sad time for these two travel buddies. For the rest of her life, Integra RS would only take local trips to school and work.

During this time, Integra RS would receive a string of (7) parking tickets during one semester at the afore-mentioned institution of higher learning. She was court-martialed and sentenced to no parking or driving privileges on BYU streets for a full year. At the end of her sentence, a hearing was convened where she was once again given permission to grace the hallowed asphalt.
It should be noted that Integra RS had a cracked wind-shield dating back to pre-Michael R. days which she finally had replaced in January of 2005. The State of Utah required this before she could pass her safety inspection and then be registered in the state. It was a difficult day when the Georgia plates, peaches and all, were removed from those bumpers. It is likely that Integra RS had an identity crisis for some period of time.

In early May of 2006, Integra RS was loaded on a 4-wheel transport and towed behind a brand-new (believe it or not) U-haul truck to Las Vegas, Nevada. She had a hard time getting used to the hotter-than-you-know-what temperatures. Here wiper blades had to be replaced more often and coolant added to the radiator on a regular basis. It was not until August that she was registered in the State of Nevada and would again undergo an identity crisis. The trips to work were about 6 miles round-trip until January of 2007 after which they were 18 milers. The last recorded odometer reading was 150,440 for her emissions test in mid-September.

The Last Plate

Integra RS was again rear-ended in late 2007 during a return trip from a site visit for work. She was the lead car in what would become the worst 4-car pile up in the history of Las Vegas. Actually, she only sustained minor damage to the paint just inches from where she had been hit by that over-dosed girl in Utah. After month of trying to reach the insurance agent of the individual who had caused the wreck, Integra RS finally had an appointment for a repair that would never occur.

During the week leading up to the end, Integra RS had been making a noise that sounded like the bearings were going bad on her water pump. When Michael R. pulled into work on Friday, that noise became noticeably more pronounced as steam began to emanate from the engine. Before the trip home, fluid levels were noted with the dip stick reading ¾ of a quart low and the radiator looking empty. This was assumed based on the lack of a recent top-off and the amount of fluid on the ground below the water pump. A gallon of coolant was purchased at the nearest convenient store and added to the radiator to not much avail. It was simply spilling out the water pump almost as fast as it could be filled. The trip up the 95 was uneventful unless of course one noticed the temperature needle steadily rising. By the time Integra RS exited the highway, the heater was on full blast in an attempt to dissipate heat from the engine. The needle was fully pegged against the “H”. It was only a matter of time. This girl was “coding”.

The vehicle made it to within three blocks of home when she let out a high pitched gear-on-gear scream at which time Michael immediately pulled over and shut her off. He was unsuccessful in restarting her and left her there for a short walk home. Later that night Lauren M. attempted to restart Integra RS as she was passing by in Nissan M. during and errand run. The plan was to have her towed the next morning to the shop. As it turned out, Integra RS was no where to be seen the next morning. She had been towed by the Metro Police Dept. at 1:28 AM for “safe keeping”. After a little research, Michael R. contacted the wrecking yard and was notified that it would cost $277.02 to get the vehicle out of impound. He was informed that they could tow his car to the street in front of their lot for $43 or tow to a pre-determined location for $85 for the first 5 miles and $4.50 for each mile there after. Knowing that the cost of repairs would far exceed the cost of the vehicle, Michael R. inquired what the wrecking yard would pay for the vehicle. He could surrender the title to the vehicle and they would discount the towing and storage fee by a tremendously generous $50 for a total of $212. Michael R. decided that visit Integra RS one last time and see if she would start or not. If not, he would take a few pictures and have a moment of silence before saying his last goodbye.

Upon arriving at the wrecking yard, Michael R. was informed that to attempt to start his vehicle, he would have to pay a $39.50 visitation fee. (Are you kidding me!) He paid the fee and took the long walk across the gravel lot to his old friend. The few attempts to start her were not successful. He considered pushing the car to the street to save the $43 towing fee. The lot attendant would not be able to assist him in this endeavor. After what must have seemed like an eternity to the lot attendant, Michael R. made the tough decision to surrender the title and gather his personal effects from the glove box, etc.

Upon returning to the towing office with his title, he was informed hat the copy was not sufficient and that an original title would be required to turn over the vehicle. It was evident that yesterday the vehicle had been operable but today he could not even give it away. While he tracked down an original title, the storage fees would continue to accrue. After 5 days, a lien fee of $90 per day would be added to his already hefty fees. At some point (which is still unclear) a $500 fee would be accessed as Integra RS was readied for the auto auction. If a vehicle was abandoned in the yard and payment never received, the wrecking yard would simply file a complaint with every credit bureau known to man. They would then take your home and first-born child. Mercy! Can’t the end of a vehicle’s life occur with dignity? The escape from the wrecking yard is so expensive that they make it cost prohibitive to rescue your vehicle. In the mean time, they make more money on misc. fees than your average bank while selling cars on the black market to the highest bidder. I forgot to mention the nice BMW’s and Mercedes that I passed on the way to Integra RS' “burial” plot. At least she will be in good company.

Below is a fitting eulogy penned by J. Allen Poer:

This old car has carried me
To my destinations wherever they’d be
Through the years, my trusted friend
We’ve been together until this end
Our troubles we’ve had and seen them through
Broken windshield, the muffler and the brakes too
My first transportation mode for the start of my career
Rain upon snow and year after year
The time has come for you to retire
A more fitting end would be a highway car fire
Courage you’ve had and you’ve never left me
On the side of the road or as part of a tree
It’s the Old Car Home for you and I know it’s hard
No great car should have to end up in the Junkyard.