Author: McAdmin

Date Night Announcement

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 13, 2010

Cupcakes Please join us for a special community “date night” event supported by the United Way of Utah County, the Sweet Tooth Fairy and VitalSmarts, home of the New York Times bestselling book, Crucial Conversations.

Spend an evening with three-time, New York Times bestselling author and world-class presenter, Ron McMillan, to learn how to hold crucial conversations. You’ll learn:

How to talk in crucial moments
How to hold your spouse accountable with love and respect
How to be both 100% honest and 100% respectful
How to listen and be heard

When: Friday, September 17, 2010
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Provo City Library
550 North University Avenue
Provo, UT 84601
Who: Everyone
Cost: $5.00 suggested donation. All proceeds benefit the United Way of Utah County.
Details: Dessert provided by the Sweet Tooth Fairy. Ron McMillan will sign books following the event.
Register Now

Personal

Fabulous Friendships

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 11, 2010

The main reason the Fernstens came to Utah over Labor Day weekend was see us. The second reason was to celebrate Rachel’s old friend Allison Funk getting married! The reception took place over an hour away from where we live, but it was a lot of fun to be there in that beautiful backyard setting.

Here is a photo of Chase, and Allison’s nephew, Bryson. He’s the son of Allison’s older sister, Jamie. Jamie was my best friend growing up, and without her, my teenage years would have been a lot more boring! She is such a beautiful, vivacious, entertaining person.

I love the photo below because the two boys were just sitting there, enthralled as they watched the newlywed couple have their first dance together. So precious!

I was so glad the groom’s parents had this ground-level trampoline in their yard for the kids to enjoy! I loved it that Chase had such a blast running around with all those little Funk cousins. He doesn’t have any cousins of his own, but he’s always glad to adopt any that he comes across!

Becky also came with three of her four kids, and I was glad they came to join in the festivities. It’s always so much fun to be with my friends that I can laugh with and with whom I also used to laugh when I was 13. Becky is not only one of my favorite people ever, she’s also gorgeous, and she is raising four healthy kids!

The girls and I also met up once at Becky’s place a couple days before the wedding, because we love every excuse to spend time chatting and laughing together. (Photo courtesy of Becky’s talented 4-year-old daughter).

Personal

The Pleasure of the Fernstens’ Presence

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

Nathan & Rachel rolled into town for a quick Labor Day weekend visit. What fun! It was nice to lie around, chat, play, eat, have extra help with the kids, etc.

Below was the T-Girls’ favorite photo. For whatever reason, it cracked us up big time. The uninteresting background info is that Jessica kept putting her foot on Rachel’s tummy, claiming that there was nowhere else to put it, but there really was elsewhere to put it! I loved how we were all just sitting there, entangled.

We went out to Red Robin to celebrate Jessica’s and Nathan’s birthdays. Look at this cute newlywed couple!

….And this semi-cute non-newlywed couple.

Chase insisted on wearing this blue bowtie when we went out to dinner.

On Sunday, we had a huge barbeque feast, including these 3 chocolate cakes that ended up at our house! (Laura, Gretchen, and Chase had each made one.)

Charlotte really loves men. When Nathan’s around, she is content to sit with him and check out the phone (or computer, or printer, or whatever techie gadget he may have on hand).

Personal

Do You Want a S’more? …S’more of what?

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

Pace had foresight when he decided to build us a simple firepit in our backyard a couple years ago. We’ve used it a lot this summer, and of course we usually have to bust out the s’mores. I love it!

Here, Charlotte has already had her fair share, but she’s searching the empty wrappers for any signs of leftover chocolate. *Sigh* She’s her mother’s daughter and both her grandmothers’ granddaughter!

Personal

Sweet Summertime

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

Oh, how I love the sunny days of summer! There is so much we can do outside on these warm days. I relish this beautiful time that we enjoy before the frigid winter weather shows its mean, ugly face (can you tell that I’m not a fan of cold weather?).

Ranting

Poor Pig

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

function show(){document.getElementById(‘movi’).style.display = ”;}
function stop(){document.getElementById(‘movi’).style.display = ‘none’;}

I need your help McBlog readers. Our flash guy at work made this amazingly cute pig bank that kept shrinking when money was spent. Well editing time came and the pig got cut. I was so sad because this pig made me smile so much every time I saw it. Will you help me spread this pig across the internet? I have him available in an animated flash object, an animated GIF, and a PNG image file. Please use which ever you’d like and post the pig around the internet. Or just share this blog post about the pig. We’d like to dedicate this to all the great work people do that gets left on the cutting room floor.

Watch the original clip. PLAY / STOP
clip copyright VitalSmarts®

This content requires Adobe Flash. Please install or upgrade Adobe Flash and revisit this page.

And here is the cute little guy in sharable format:

This pig requires Adobe Flash. Please install or upgrade Adobe Flash and revisit this page. The pig is worth it.

Flash

PNG

Happy Pig
Animated GIF

Personal

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 9, 2010

Fear not mcblog readers! We will be having a spike in mcblog posts starting next week. Joy will have a new setup to blog with and she will fill the internets with pictures of us.

Just a note for hope

Reviews

Wow

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 3, 2010

This gave me the chills, it was so good!

Chase Adventures

Chase’s New Life

Post author By McAdmin
Post date August 29, 2010

Preschool and soccer have brought a new element of excitement into our lives! Chase started both of those activities last week. He’s the type of kid that needs action and movement most of the day, so we’re glad he at least has these activities going on.

I checked out a couple of preschools in our city (I didn’t want to drive far or pay a ton), and this one out of someone’s home was the best one I found! Mostly, I just love the teacher’s imagination and her loving, bubbly personality– so perfect for guiding these little kids. Also, this is her 12th or 13th year teaching preschool, so I figure she’s got it down pretty well!

Pace volunteered to coach Chase’s cub soccer team, so he’s officially their coach for the season! When my mom was here, she had the brilliant idea of highlighting all our team’s games on the schedules for each family, and assigning the snacks for each game from the get-go. So far, this has worked out really well! We liked pretending to be organized little soccer moms and getting all the papers ready to hand out at the first practice.

The first game was a challenge, because the kids didn’t really know what was going on, and everyone was getting used to the whole idea.

But the second game was awesome, because everyone knew the drill, the kids (including Chase) were more excited to play, and our highly energetic bro-in-law came to help coach (which was especially helpful, because Pace had rolled his ankle the previous day). Chase played well, and we were very proud of him. I tried to take a video, but I’d forgotten to put the battery back in the camera after charging. Next time, though!

Here are a couple more riveting photos of Chase checking out his new preschool.

Family Fun

Visit from T-Grandparents

Post author By McAdmin
Post date August 28, 2010

My parents came for Education Week a couple weeks ago. It was a lot of fun! My wonderful mother stayed with Chase & Charlotte every morning so I could attend Education Week! It was so great. It was pretty weird being back at BYU taking classes, especially because one of the classrooms I went to was one I actually had for a class or 2 while a student at BYU! I loved taking classes without the pressure of any actual tests. I’d be glad to go back every year if I could! (hint, hint)

We got to spend the afternoons and evenings doing fun activities like playing games, going to the park, library, & Costco, etc.

We went to the County Fair one warm afternoon. It wasn’t an amazing fair, but the parking and admission were free. And we saw an entertaining juggler, lots of animals, and all the fair entries like crafts and garden vegetables. I actually only spent 5 bucks there (for cotton candy and a ride for Chase). It was a great outing and a great week overall! Thanks to Dad & Mom for the visit, the love, and the Costco groceries!