And Now..... Some EXCITING News!!!!

After months and months and months and months of searching.... We have a job!!!! Dave's new job title is "Virtual Construction Engineer" (so he is now an architect turned engineer :). So we're moving North. Yay! We're very excited to begin some new adventures.

Here are some recent family photos. I just love how they turned out.

I Wish I Had Some Exciting News....

...but I don't. Yet.

This week we turned my parents' living room into a recital hall and had a little piano recital! I had my 9 wonderful piano students play their Christmas tunes for their families. It was great. I have LOVED teaching piano but alas, I have let them all go. We are anticipating a job offer and acceptance by the end of the year (that's why I'm no longer teaching). We've actually have had a couple job offers, but we're waiting to hear back from one more place.

It's weird not having my students, so Sophie and I have been playing a lot outside with the camera.

A Cold, Autumn Day
A Summery, December Day

A Happy Day

...Oh, by the way. Guess who gets to talk in church the day after Christmas? Yep, that's me.

A few uplifting thoughs on marriage

Marriage has been getting a bad rap in the media and stuff. I don't think people generally don't believe in happy marriages anymore. On TV Dr. Phil is constantly counseling estranged couples and then you hear that your favorite Hollywood couple just broke up, etc... Marriage is scary!

However, I believe and have hope in this quote from President Spencer W. Kimball:

"Marriage can be more an exultant ecstacy than the human mind can conceive. This is within the reach of every couple, every person."

And this one from President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"It is not going to matter very much how much money you made, what kind of house you lived in, what kind of car you drove, the size of your bank account--any of those things. What is going to matter is that dear woman who has walked with you side by side as your companion thorugh all the years of life and those children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their looking to you...with respect and love and deference and kindness.... The only things you will take with you, when all is said and done, are your family relationships."

I don't mean to downplay the difficulties that come with marriage--because they'll surely come! But I hope that people will begin to believe in marriage again.

To end, I'd like to show how much Dave must love me through this madlib. I created it, Dave filled in the blanks (the red words).

Once upon a time, Dave met the most bouncy squid in his life. Her name was Lindsey. One day, Dave squished off a cow. It just so happened that Lindsey was dancing by. Dave yelled, "Ow-ow!" Lindsey asked, "Do you need help over there?" Because Dave was only holding on to the cow with one frenellum, he said yes. So Lindsey reached out her orange hand and helped him up. It was then taht Dave cooked into her impressive eyes. He suddenly wanted to run her luke-warm lips. And so he did. The End.

Picture Post

For those of you who haven't seen my beautiful baby girl in a while, here's what she looks like today...
Sophie enjoyed being a choo-choo train for Halloween. Her costume was amazing. We even took her to Pennys to get some "professional" photos, but I wasn't very happy with the outcome.
Sophie is a silly girl that likes to do what her Mommy does.
She loves her Daddy. Daddy time is play time!

I don't have any news to update you on other than Sophie is learning lots every day. Oh- and we had a Binky Weaning Day. It failed. However, Sophie really likes to say "No more binky!" while wagging her finger. We've talked about it a lot, but it's easier to say than do!

Knock, Knock...

Last night Dave and I drove home from Tempe. Most of the time we're driving at night we play silly car games to keep us awake and talking. Last night we were making up our own Knock, Knock jokes. (Note: Kids love Knock, Knock jokes. They are always telling me the most un-funny Knock, Knock jokes. It is because these are the easiest jokes to make up. You just simply fill in the blanks. Who cares if they don't make sense!) Anyway, I came up with a Knock, Knock joke that (I think) is actually funny! Here it is:

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Pat.
Pat who?
Pat the Bunny!

I don't know if it was the content of the joke or if it was just really late at night, but we kept repeating that joke over and over and cracking up because it.
I hope you enjoy my own original Knock, Knock joke. If nothing else, maybe your kids/cousins/nieces/nephews will like it.

Inception

Have you seen this movie?



Whoa. We scored free movie tickets and were able to watch this movie. It was an awesome experience.

"I was nervous the entire time," says Lindsey. "I give it 5 stars!" If you know Lindsey, she's not easily impressed when it comes to movies. "This was the best movie I saw in the theatres since The Lion King." (Okay maybe that's a slight exaggeration--but not by much.)

"Whoa" --Dave. "It gives a whole new meaning to interpreting dreams."

"Mommy!" says Sophie. Okay, she didn't see it, but that's what she says all the time.

What did you think about it?

Les Poissons, Les Poissons! Hee Hee Hee Hua Hua Hua

Utah Trip

Here is Dave with his new friend, Paul. We met him at this side-of-the-road hamburger/hotdog and fishing stand.
Note: Sophie did NOT like Paul.

Dave, Lindsey, and Brigham Young.

We had the amazing opportunity to go to education week at BYU with some family. Let me just say this: It's a wonderful feeling taking whatever classes you want and not worry about assignments and homework.

The Melvilles. She's having a baby though you can't tell from the picture (or in person for that matter.) I hope I'm allowed to say.

Sophie & Kennedy. Yes, Sophie is eating her shirt.

We spent A LOT of time with some of our cousins this past summer. One cousin in particular has taught Sophie the word "Mine!" Soph uses it often. :)

Other things Sophie has been saying a lot (just a few):

• "I Don't Know"
• Prayers
  (muttering and saying Mommy and Daddy while folding arms)
• "Go!"/" Go?"
• "Mommy!"
  (Apparently 'mommy' just means 'Someone pay attention to me now!")
• "One, Two, Threeeeeee!"
• "Please", "Cheese" (they sound almost identical)
• "W" (I could have sworn I heard her sing along with the ABCs song and say 'w')
• "Doing?"
  (What are you doing?)
• "Apple"

Things she sings:

• "Ee-I-Ee-I-O!"
• "Clean Up! Clean Up!"
  (But it sounds more like "Pick up! Pick Up!"

"Home" in Arizona

Dave, Sophie, and I are glad that the temperatures have been dropping. We've been taking advantage of this with lots of nice walks. We love the desert and all it's surprises --Including cactus flowers and fruit.

Raise your hand if you love the desert!

Life with Sophie

This is one of my favorite videos taken of Sophie. Enjoy!

Joslin Update

Brityn and Madeline came to visit us last weekend. Per Jael's request, here are some photos...

Notice how humongous Sophie is compared to Madeline (who is actually 5 weeks older).

Sophie had a blast on the swing....until she fell off.

Auntie Nicole with her babies.

And Sophie's first time on a trampoline. Notice how excited she is.

Best of all was the Wii Dance thinger. Here's me and Dave doin' a dance-off.



Don't forget to check out my Joke Blog. I just updated it here.

Family Pics

A friend of the family took some family/grad pictures. Here are just a few of our favorites...

Love These Ladies!

I had an amazing weekend with my all my best friends (excluding Dave) in Cedar City. (Dave and Sophie had quality Daddy-Daughter time while I was away). I've been so lucky to be blessed with such amazing friends and I am so glad that we've kept up our friendships! It's also really fun to get together and pretend we're 12 again.

Watch this video....




Now tell me if you see any Sand People in this picture...

I always knew deep down Jael was a die-hard Star Wars fan. :)

10 Things I Hate About U(ofA)...or college in general

We have had a wonderful time attending the UofA. Education is a very good thing, and something we are very grateful that we have been blessed to pursue. With parting always comes sorrow.

However, here are a few things we will definitely NOT be missing...

1. Smoking

If this is an institution of higher education, then why are there so many smokers!? And why can't they read the sign "No Smoking within 20 feet of entrance?"
2. PowerPoint Presentations
More and more professors are using PowerPoint in their lectures. 75% of them do not know how to use it correctly.
3. Spandexed-Rear-Tushies
If you're not a dance major, you're just trying to show off your bum. And we know it. And you know that we know it.
4. The Spanish Department
Don't get me started on it.
5. Professors
The ones who use those PowerPoint slide-shows incorrectly.
And the ones who don't really know what they're talking about.
And the ones who don't know but insist you treat them like they do know.
And the ones who put their political slant on everything.
And the ones who make you do busy work just because they can.
And the Ego. Enough said.
5a. The not-really professors, or TAs (or GAs if you prefer)
So, why are so many classes taught by foreign grad students anyway? I can understand Doctoral students doing this, because they have had some good time to learn the subject. But people only a few years farther along who you can't understand anyway? This is not to bash all TAs, there are good ones out there (many better than the actual professor), but you know the ones I'm talking about.
6. Pedestrians
They're everywhere, like gnats. Off the sidewalk, in the street, in the bike lane, ignoring traffic signals, oblivious to traffic (you've seen the guy, he's halfway across the intersection, texting, before he realizes he's stepped in front of cross traffic). Hope you don't hit one!
7. Unvocabulated Students
Isn't it amazing how some students can use the same word to describe every emotion they feel? (ie: "I #*@$&% hate this!" "I #*@$&% love you!" "That is #*@$&% awesome!" "You are #*@$&% lame!")
8. Lack of Clothing
...and very nice sunburns/tan lines because of it.
9. Homework
Especially busy work.
10. __________________
(We left this one open for your suggestions - add a comment)

Wow, this has been a very negative post. We will now say something amazing about our college experience: We're graduating!!!!!

Falling in L-O-V-E

I am so in love with Marana right now. Look at this picture...


There's a river in Tucson!! Marana is actually working with the natural environment and added this beautiful river walk along the Santa Cruz. I believe that the water here is actually reclaimed water right now but the Santa Cruz gets very full during Monsoon months. Here is the relatively new library by the river...


This rear window of the library looks out toward the river. ♥ it.

I love that Marana is actually showing off the beauty of the desert. This doesn't happen much in Tucson. Instead, Tucson peeps just cement-up a perfectly decent wash and hope nobody tags it. Marana is really impressing me with all the natural beauty that they're trying to enhance -- not hide. You should see all the flowers they've planted along the roads. It's gorgeous.

Happy, Happy Birthday Sophie Dear!!!

Happy Birthday, Sophie-Girl!

It's Sophia's big 1st birthday! We celebrated by stopping by "Grandma" Mary Anne's for some yummy cake. Soph loved the frosting and sprinkles!

Due to the move, we didn't plan a real birthday party, but the Hancock family decided to get together for an impromptu party!

Everyone sang Happy Birthday....



then we ate cake....


ppened presents....


and got a nice card from Great-Grandma.

It was a lot of fun. Thanks everyone for celebrating whether you were here with us or not!


In other news: Under distressing and overwhelming circumstances, we sadly said goodbye to our old home--the cute little duplex (pictured below).


We're lucky enough to have Mom and Dad Hancock who are letting us stay with them for a while. We feel very displaced right now, but we're grateful for Mom and Dad's generosity and a safe, happy environment. We're looking into buying our first real home (with no shared walls with the neighbors!), so if you know of any gonga-deals, let us know!

Mommy's Favorite Sophie Pics

Here are some pictures from last November.


Rolling...
Still Rolling...
& Rolling s'more.
Just love that angelic face! Rolling in blankets is so fun!

Tummy time.


Here's some from January...

Mom and Baby are Babes!

Stuff About Us

Lindsey's favorite....

• thing to do in her free time: read or go on walks if it's nice outside.
• book: hard question. Baby book: The Babywhisperer. Novel: Deep Blue, Goose Girl, Les Miz,...
• moment in the last 6 months: that one day when we cleaned the house all together. If felt good.
• place to be: home. Where else?
• movie: I can watch Sabrina ('95 version) every month. I love Star Wars (Original) just as much if not more than Sabrina, but I can't watch those every month.
• movie kiss: The Lake House. (1^st kiss)
• pet peeve : misuse of cell phones!!!
• TV game show: Jeopardy
• college course: Photography 101
• date: Dinner theatre. I've attended two dinner theatres. One with my spouse and one not.
• celebrity: Barbra Streisand. No competition. She is amazing. Amen.
• current event: balloon-saucer boy and his insane parents. Believe me, I would NOT watch a reality show about them!
• stupid thing she ever did: You don't want to know.
• phrase/saying: Inconceivable!
• stupid thing she saw someone do: “I got a job at McDonald's. It is so hard! People actually get mad if you get their order wrong!”
• food: nuts, beans. Mmm.
• website: facebook (I know, what a loser I am.)
• language he wished he knew: French
• most beautiful language: English or Irish accent
• talent she wished she was born with: Brityn's voice.
• word she can never spell: defenitly (definitely)

Dave's favorite....

• thing to do in his free time: read, draw, spend time with my family (especially Lindsey)
• book: “so many books, so little time...”
• moment in the last 6 months: when last semester ended, among others
• place to be: with Lindsey
• movie: Batman Begins (and any Star Trek movie, except #5 and Generations)
• movie kiss explosion: that's more like it... Mask of Zorro mine explosion was good. The kiss is pretty good, too.
• pet peeve: #7: incorrect use of apostrophes
• TV game show: Jeopardy
• college course: Design-Build Studio (“World War I and its Effect on Art and Architecture” was really cool, too)
• date: 12/25
• celebrity: Yoda
• current event: the final blow to the Nobel Peace Prize's legitimacy
• stupid thing he ever did: salsa anyone?
• phrase/saying: Today's: “David Donald Doo dreamed a dozen doughnuts and a duck-dog, too” (Dr. Seuss)
• stupid thing he saw someone do: some guy blatantly ran a red light, and then gave me a look like I was the one that did it, since I was staring at him like he was an idiot (I was on the other side of the intersection, waiting for it to change)
• food: Italian and Mexican
• website: Google – it can take you anywhere else (and the one I made is pretty cool, being the impartial informant I am – www.shambach.com)
• language he wished he knew: French and Spanish
• most beautiful language: Russian (because I speak it – French is nice, too)
• talent he wished he was born with: Lindsey's music composing skills
• word he can never spell: committment (commitment)

Happy New Years!!

A great way to start our New Year... Hiking in Sanctuary Cove!

A friend lent me her baby backpack. I am totally sold on it. I gotta get one of my own!
Dave being Dave. Sophie being Sophie.

Hiking can be so exhausting!

• Our Family New Year's Resolution: Go on more hikes once monthly.

• Lindsey's NYR: Read the lessons for RS before I get to church.

• Dave's NYR: Find his old Star Trek Books (which translates as cleaning).