chatting with chase.

i babysat chase today. a little glimpse into our conversations.

C: "i want to watch peter pan"

L:"I want you to take a nap"

C: "i dont want to take a nap"

L: "i want you to make me lunch"

C: "i cant make lunch, im not a daddy yet"

L: "when will you be able to make me lunch"

C: "when im older, and ill eat eggs in a sandwhich"

L: "lets play a game"

C: "ok lets play"

L: "lets play, 'lets lay down and see who is the most quiet'"

C: "that does not sound like a good game, lets play a real game"

chase starts eating my fingers

C: "i love eating hands, like captain hook got his hand eaten"

C: "hey wee, i really want my name to be peter"

he is kinda funny.

from the south bay to the valley

I Love LA.

Since the recent move back to Los Angeles, Brandt and I have tried to do lots of fun things around the city.

I told him before he moved that I wanted him to love Los Angeles as much as I do.

Which is kinda a lot.

So we have gone around and seen some of the city.

Two weeks ago we didnt know what to do.

So we hopped in the car and drove to Hollywood. He's never been.

That is what I love about living here. No big deal. Lets just drive to Hollywood.

We parked at the Kodak Theater. I couldnt remember what is important about the Kodak.

Oh you know, the Oscars are held there.

no big deal.

Then we went to Grauman's Chinese Theater. And examined all of the hand and footprints.

Brandt is convinced that some of the oldest ones are fake and that they cant keep them intact anymore. I think otherwise.

We walked around at Hollywood and Highland.

Looked at all of the stars on the ground.

Drove past the Pantages and El Capitan Theaters.

Then on Saturday we toured around Downtown.

We lucked out at finding an awesome parking spot. free of charge!

Then as we started walking towards our destination I saw a large heard of people on bicycles.

I thought to myself "awesome! LA version of critical mass!"

Definitely LA version. As I looked closer to them I noticed lots of them didnt have shirts on.

"Are they naked!?"

I turned to Brandt, "are they naked!? i dont want to look to see if they are naked, but i want to know if they are naked cyclists!"

Sure enough, men and women on bikes in the nude.

so funny and definitely unexpected.

Then we went to Olvera Street.

It is one of the oldest streets in downtown that celebrates Mexican culture.

Lots of ponchos, hats, guitars to buy and churros and Mexican food to eat.

We also went into Union Station.

next stop: Dodger game!

We were playing the Angels, which Brandt totally insists is "his team" such BS.

Unfortunately my team lost to his team.

I swear im not bad luck.

happy father's day!

well, here I am again. Another family holiday and I bought no present for my father. In my defense he said he didnt want anything. Im afraid im slowly losing my spot as the favorite daughter. Since we dont want that to happen, here is another dedicatory post to my "best dad"

I am a totally daddy's girl.

Although it happens less now that I am older but I do love cuddling up to my dad on the couch while watching television.

My dad has taught me a lot in my life. But easily the best thing he has bestowed upon me is my love for the Dodgers. I would be a completely different person (for better or for worse?) if it

wasnt for this obsession. Thank you father!

When I was little my dad and I created our own language. Its called Alooshkan. We may or may not still talk in it sometimes.

In public places we always check out strangers to see if they are spies. Its our own little game.

He tells alright jokes. But I always laugh at them.

He does a great monkey dance.

My dad taught me how to throw a baseball. And Im pretty dang good if i say so myself.

I would not have passed three years of spanish without his help.

He is in full support of throwing empty bottles on the kitchen floor.

My dad works harder than anyone I know.

He looks like Mitt Romney.

My Dad treats me like a princess.

He would do anything for our family.

He is the greatest example of a worthy priesthood holder with an incredibly strong testimony of the gospel.

i love that a majority of our pictures are taken at baseball games.

love you pops!

you truly are the best dad.

oh. and apparently im not the only one in the fam that writes dedicatory posts.

adulthood!? nahhh....

As most of my fellow bloggers know, I have recently relocated back to beautiful Southern California. Now moving back to LA was definitely not in my life plan. But as I stated in my review of 2009 post, I wasn't really sure of what 2010 had in store for me. Apparently what was in store was coming back here.

I surprisingly was not that sad to leave Provo. Yes, P-Town has been great to me through college but I was definitely ready to move. I did not even shed a tear.

Alright, Ronnie made me cry. And that was it.

It was really surreal packing up my room and leaving my UAC apartment since I still felt like I just got back to Provo. But as I hit the 15 and saw the Y in my rear view mirror I had no problems holding up a peace sign and hoping I didn't see it again anytime soon.

Now I would like to point out that although I ain't got no job, and I moved back in with my parents I did in fact pack my car up (excellently well I might add) all by myself. And I drove all the way by myself too. Both of which I have never done before.

I guess I am slowly becoming an adult.

My roadtrip was seriously great. For something that I usually dread doing (even if I am going with someone else) I absolutely loved being alone the whole time. (Something that I usually hate.) I spent most of the drive on the phone (thank you Taylor and Laura!) and singing my little heart out to GLEE.

First stop. Cedar City with Heather. Upon my arrival, Fay immediately had my laughing. We made dinner, then she gave me a tour of SUU and then a movie with some yummy shakes. I begged Heather to cuddle with me that night but she refused. I could not believe it. After a great waffle breakfast I was on the road again headed to my next stop.

Vegas with Bardi. Nothing is more fitting then seeing Nick Lombardo at In N Out. It was so great to see my fellow Lanai royalty and discuss our recent bouts of unemployment. Im glad Im not the only one. Then on the road again. (unfortunately I took no photos while on said roadtrip, Im sorry AJB for letting you down!)

My family wasnt sure how long my stop was going to be in Vegas. So I decided to trick them as I was coming home. When I was about 45 minutes away from home I told my mom I was like 2+ hours away. As I was driving into the Valley I was seriously so giddy to be back home and surprise my parents with my early arrival.

I believe I was hyperventilating. Shocking?

I ran in the door and jumped up and down for being back in CA. Its a good thing I came home early, because after being there for only 30 minutes my parents and I were then on the road.

Destination-- Dodger Stadium.

What better way to celebrate my arrival to SoCal then with my boys in blue and a Dodger Dog in hand!?

Ive now been home for about a week and a half and could not be happier. Now, Ive just gotta find me a job....

But in the mean time I have been seeing this munchkin on a daily basis.

And multiple times through out the day. Every time I see him he never ceases to give me a huge hug and a kiss. Sometimes he even screams with excitement as if i havent seen him in weeks. He definitely makes being home worth it. The other day he said to me (completely on his own) "Wee, Im so glad you are at Grandma's house" followed by "I wove you wee" Oh. I just cant get enough of him.

Like Ive said, Ive spent most of my time at Laura's (and she hasnt even been paying me with money, food, or clothes) and its been really fun. While at her house making dinner one night Chase requested a song to be played and I was able to snap this video. Just add it to his blackmailing collection. That file is getting pretty big.

I love his dance moves and the fact that he doesnt want anyone else in the kitchen with him. Ha.

belated Grad photos

so my dad loves to take photos (now you know where i got it from). But unlike me, when my dad takes pictures, we never get to actually see them. So it has taken me over a month to get these pictures from my dad of graduation. Its so crazy to me that I was so looking forward to graduation and now its already been over a month ago!!

Of course I HAD to take a jumping photo. it was kind of a process but i totally started a jumping photo trend in front of the BYU sign.

During my commencement for some reason I decided to not bring in my cell phone. so weird. so i couldnt ever find my family and then my dad tried to come down to the floor to take my photo when i walked across the stage but to no avail he could not find how to get down there. as a result he missed the prime photo opp of me actually "walking" and getting my named called. when i met up with the fam after graduation and they had to break the news to me i was kinda sad. this is when my dorky sister suggested that we just recreate the moment and she would pretend to be the person to hand me my "diploma." Laura also said this way is better because I didnt know the guy that handed it to me, but that I do know her. So here we are shaking hands and her giving me my diploma.

Unlike most of the April grads, since I graduated in December I already received my diploma months ago! suckers.

Laura was sweet enough to come to Utah for my graduation. I really love this photo. Although I dont tell her this often to boost her already large ego (dont get her started on being funny), she is beautiful. But you know, most people think we look identical....

Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me to college! And Dad, thanks for letting me be a Cougar.

Brandt and I stole his friends camera and sneakily took a photo of ourselves, then we realized it was actually a pretty dang photo for being snapped so quick.

obviously, nothing else exciting is going on in my life that i needed to post something that happened over a month ago....

Flashback Tuesdays?

Remember when

we were

ROOMMATES.

On Saturday I ran into Whitney at the gym and in a matter of seconds we made lunch plans together for later in the day.

Our lunch plans turned into a girls day as we hung out and ran errands together all day long.

I loved spending time with my little Whit and it made me miss having her and my other roommates in my life on a daily basis.

We have always said that we thought it was interesting that we still refer to each other as our old roommates, not friends or best friends, but roommates.

Because to us, being roommates for so many years together (For Whit and I at least) mean something so much more.

These girls are my best friends.

And even though they all went off and got married on me, and I dont get to see them everyday, or gchat while looking at each other sitting on our beds in our rooms, or get to have them drool on my pillow while they take naps, or whisper late at night about our late night rendezvous with boys, they are still my best friends. And I know that it will continue to stay that way.

I LOVE these girls and cant wait for our friendship to continue on.

Adios Oak Canyon!

Thursday was the last day of school. Wait, actually Friday was. But who goes to school on the last day? No one. So I didnt either, hence Thursday was my last day. Officially ushering in summer! As I turned in my keys, cleaned out my box and walked out for the last time, I was really sad to be leaving the school, my co-workers and the pesty junior high kids. When I started this job back in January I thought that there was no way anything could ever come close to being at Wilson High. That I would not feel the same sentimental feelings to this school and these kids as I did in DC. And although these were two completely different experiences and situations I am surprised at how much I honestly loved my job and grew to love these students as well. Of course there were many days I walked out of there and wanted to pull my hair out or had to go straight to the gym to work off my frustration (and im not even a legit teacher! jr high kids, im telling you...) 9 times out of 10 I loved being at Oak Canyon every single day. Some of my favorite things about my job and some of the highlights....

-I could read as much as I wanted. The fastest I got through a book was in two days.

-I frequently got to watch movies. Although I never got through the whole movie in one class period. I had to watch The Incredibles three times in one day without ever getting to see the end. Oh, and it was in Chinese.

-Every once in awhile we were in charge of doing Bingo. The kids loved when I called out the numbers.

-Usually at least once a day I had to do lunch supervision. Not my favorite part of the day.

- I loved walking down the halls and have at least three students say hi to me.

- My favorite was once a student said hi to me and his friend didnt know who I was, the first student replied by saying "Ms. Robins is so tight"

- There were so many times I would get to school and find out that lunch was being provided for us that day. Brick Oven, Mexican, Wallaby's.

-So I learned the Jerk when I was in DC. Mostly because it was what ALL the kids were talking about and so we wanted to learn it to fit in. We wanted to be the funny white teachers that were trying to impress our black students who were obviously way better at jerking then we were. When I showed my students I could jerk, they were kinda impressed, but kinda laughed. I might have been referred to as looking like "a retarded rabbit." But I was ok with that. Once I got to Oak Canyon and revealed that I could attempt to Jerk--they loved it! They thought I was so cool. I cant even tell you how many times I walked into a class and heard "Ms Robins I heard you could Jerk!" And I had never even seen this kid before! Kids were demanding me to Jerk during lunch, during class, in between classes in the halls. I had to start telling kids it was bad rumors that were being spread about me.

-Speaking of rumors. One student told me the rumor that went around school about me. According to him, all of the 9th grade and 8th grade boys (he doesnt talk to 7th graders though since he is in the 8th grade ha) said I was the best looking SAC lady they have ever seen. oh geez... i didnt like hearing that. Awkward.

-If I had a dollar for every time I heard "Ms Robins you are my favorite SAC lady" I would be rich. And the kids agreed with me.

-I loved walking down the halls and hearing this one boy in particular scream, literally yell, "Hi Ms. Robins!" And he would do it multiple times a day, didnt matter how many times I saw him.

-On our last week we got an email saying a teacher had left over pies from a party he had in class and that he put the excess in the faculty fridge. My co worker Gina and I went over to check it out. Fridge stacked with pies! We walked out of there loving our jobs and loving pies.

-On our last day we were so bored. Nothing to do. So Gina, Erin and Megan and I decided to put in a movie in one of our work computers. I then suggested we make popcorn from the popcorn machine in the faculty room. We straight up watched Disney's Robin Hood in the SAC and it made me so happy! Dont worry, later on in the day we put in The Emperor's New Groove and Erin and I attempted to make more popcorn, but I think we broke the machine. woops.

I had so much fun at my job. There are so many students that I just loved, and I loved the other ladies that I worked with. Im going to miss catching up on our lives, gossiping about all the bad kids, talking about our favorite shows and just the good chats in general.

Megan, Me, Erin and Gina watching Robin Hood.

And im going to miss driving past this house every day! I LOVE this house. Its my total dream home. Look at that white picket fence! and the little porch. its just perfect. one day I will live in a home exactly like this. In either California, DC or Boston.