Cartoon Shan

I "Simpsonized" myself simpsonizeme.com. How do I look yellow?

I also made myself into a South Park character a while back:

And here I am as a teaching M&M. Don't mess with me or I'll hit you over the head with this book!

Biking

I went and bought a bike my first day back. It's called a "comfort bike" since it has a big, squishy seat (which I learned is called a saddle). I really like it and think I got a good deal.

I clocked the time it takes me to get to work today. Driving-3 minutes. Biking-8 minutes. The ride wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. It did take me a while getting back home because of traffic on Highland Knolls. I'll get used to it and am very excited about the extra exercise I'll be getting.

Life is rough

I had no idea how hard coming back would be!

Kaelah Ann...Briggs someday!

I spent a week in Colorado visiting Sarah, Danny, Meigou, and Kaelah. Kaelah is such a sweet little girl. She doesn't really cry, but has a hoarse little whimper. Every time I held her, she went to sleep! She is so happy and so loved. I call her "Girly Girl" because she has so many outfits and matching blankets! Sarah and Danny have started calling her "K" for short, which I think is really cute. Danny says that Kaelah will not be allowed to date until she's married, so an arranged marriage with my nephew, Austin, is perfect. Those two know each other all ready. It's so neat. When I was with Austin, I mentioned her name and he started cooing. When I was with Kaelah, I played a recording of Austin talking, and she got quiet, smiled, and looked around. Hopefully they will get to reunite before their wedding day.

I'm having serious baby withdrawals now that I'm back home.

Saying good-bye

It was so hard to leave Utah. I didn't go through security until 30 minutes before my plane took off. If you can't tell in the picture, tears are starting to well up and I'm about to lose it. I went through security bawling. Austin was a good sport, and Meg really tried to make it easier for me. She took tons of pictures of me and Austin. I miss that kid!

Here are just some other pictures from my last day there:

Pat-a-Cake!

GO 'Stros! (Think Austin looks like Daddy?!)

Funny face

Looking through the photos from yesterday, I decided that I needed to add this picture, too. Austin is making a frog face! Ribbit!

Happy Boy!

Megan and Justin had to work yesterday, so I baby-sat Austin for an 8-hour shift. He was so good. He will just lay there and talk to Aunt Shanny for 10 minutes straight. Before Meg left for work, we did a photo shoot with Austin. He was in such a good mood for me that I took more pictures of him after she left. I hardly ever call Austin "Bugaboo" any more. Now I mostly call him "Happy Baby."

Last week, Meg checked out some Baby Einstein videos from the library for him to watch-he loves them. I am amazed at how they hold his attention. He even coos at the babies on screen and "sings" along with the music!

Scout Camp

On Thursday and Friday last week, I went with Justin to Boy Scout Camp at Camp Tracy in Mills Creek Canyon. It was beautiful. We had 3 11-year-old boys, all very hyper. We went with them to the different classes. Friday was a lot more fun than Thursday: we had riflery and archery. I didn't get to touch a gun (too many boys in the group we were in) but I got to try archery and loved it. By the end, I had a pretty good aim. My arms sure were sore, though. Being with the boys was good because it gave me a little taste of what's coming in a few weeks with fifth-graders. Justin gave me a hard time because I was suffering from hypothermia up there (seriously, I had goosebumps all day!!)-he bought me an icy pop to cheer me up!