Something Good and Something Bad

So lets start out with the bad so I can end on a happy note. Today I had an appointment to get my hair cut. Below are pictures of how HE styled my hair after it was all said and done. For those of you that have known me long enough, this hairstyle is not as bad as the infamous "David Bowie from Labyrinth" haircut that sent me weeping back into Lindsay's arms. . . Tyler thinks it looks okay, and I do agree, it's fine. It's just really short on top (1 inch in fact) and is still long on the sides which isn't what I really wanted. Sigh, it will grow.






The good news is that two of my sisters just returned home from a week-long stay here in San Antonio. We had an awesome time, saw and did TONS, and played a lot of Carcassone. My legs still ache from all the walking and it's been two days since they left. Hopefully they had fun and were able to withstand the humidity. Thanks for the visit guys!!

Facebook?

I recently signed up with facebook. I never thought I would join the trendy web site, it always seemed kind of silly. Then again, blogging is pretty silly too. Anyway, I don't like facebook. Maybe I'm not putting enough effort into it...should I cancel my facebook account and stick to blogging? Maybe I need some facebook advice to jump start my page...

Random-ness

This morning we were visited by the Easter Bunny! Although most of the treats are for Tyler and I, it was cute to watch Bella get excited about her "bites." After opening a few packs of sixlets, we hid some eggs around the house and let Bella hunt for them. I didn't think she would understand the concept of finding eggs, but amazingly she did! Once she discovered the eggs had more "bites" in them, she got distracted.

This evening I prepared my first big meal. Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, I am always in charge of some low profile item. This year I thought I would be daring enough to cook a ham along with some other family favorite sides. Luckily everything turned out yummy! I hate when food doesn't turn out the way you want it to. . . I'm sure Tyler would agree.




We have also been fortunate to see some of our friends recently. We love you! Hope everyone had a fun, spiritual Easter!!

Camera Questions

This is the camera we have been using for the last 5 years! It's just a simple point and shoot, 3x optical zoom, 4 megapixel, Costco special. It has served us well and considering it's age I'm still very happy with the quality of pictures it captures. Now that we have an active child we are taking more "in motion pictures" and the shutter lag is a problem. We have been shopping around for a new camera and thought we would ask all of you what you have had success with. I'm hoping a lot of you take pictures of activities like wakeboarding, and sports where shutter speed is key. Please leave your comments on what you've used that was good and what you've used that was bad. Durability is also important as we tend to drop this camera frequntly and so far it hasn't broken.

Family Pictures

While in Utah for Christmas we had some pictures taken by Brooke Franco. She did a wonderful job. Here are a few I liked. Oh and keep in mind it was about 20 degrees outside. I think the lowest it got here in San Antonio all winter was in the 40's. We had a hard time with those Utah temperatures.

Pretty much a boring week

Well, the title says it all. Tyler had two exams this week and spent all of his free time studying. Bella and I tried to stay out of the way; hopefully Tyler knows we weren't trying to distract him. Bella is becoming more confident in her walking. I think a week from now she will be off discovering her independence. She already insists on doing what SHE wants to do. . . hmm was that from me or Tyler :)

And there she goes!

Seaworld

Tyler's Spring Break was last Monday through Friday. Unfortunately, it rained almost every day this past week. Saturday was scheduled to be in the 60's with no rain. We decided to brave the chilly weather and go to Seaworld. It was a great outing, the park wasn't crowded and the sun wasn't beating down on us!


Happy Family!


Dolphin Cove


Come here flipper. . .


Shamu


Feeding the ducks at Seaworld

New Table

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Stark for Bella's new table! She spends all day coloring and getting on and off her chairs. The fridge is quickly filling up with all her art projects!

My current employer offers a gym membership every month and if you have been paying attention you should be able to tell I have not used it. I requested some reimbursement for exercise equipment and they gave me the OK. So here is my newest piece of exercise equipment compliments of my office! (Dannielle made up the difference:o)
The terrain here in Texas is a lot different from the terrain in Utah, but there are some good single track trails close by. I've ridden to work a few times, but the ladies have expressed some concern over an odoriferous coworker, and some times I fall and get dirty so that hasn't gone well at all. I might post some pictures of my weekend adventures when I remember to take a camera along.

Oh, Dear!

Tyler went into Bella's room to check on her before going to bed last night, and this is what he found:

Happy Birthday Bella!

What a fun day! We spent time playing at the park, opening presents, and eating yummy cake. I can't believe our little girl is one!

Size 2

I'm finally down to a size two!!




Ya right, I wish. . . . Bella has finally grown out of size one diapers! I know this seems like a silly milestone, but I was almost proud clunking the huge box of size two diapers in my Costco cart.

Texas in January

You know your in Texas in January when:


all the convertibles are driving with their tops down

people are jogging in tank tops

people are still wearing shorts

Bella's summer clothes are in her dresser

the Zoo is still open

the sprinklers are coming on at night

and the landscaping business is still hopping


Man what a different "winter" this had been for us!!

Friends and Family

As our trip draws to a close we look back and smile. We are grateful for the time we had with friends and family. Thank you for opening your hearts and your homes to us. There are those we did not get to visit; we can only wish for more time to see every single one of you. We wish you all good luck in the New Year! Lots of love - The Stark Family