Our Latest Adventure...

SOoooooo..This is something that I have been really excited about. I was asked to participate in an art show tribute to Bill Murray at the R&R gallery in Los Angeles. I did a painting for the Dance Magic Dance show based on the film the Labyrinth in July, so was pumped to be doing another pop cultural group show at the gallery.

It turns out that it hit a nerve with a lot of people. The response was pretty amazing! Not only was the show promoted in many newspapers, blogs, websites (try googling Bill Murray art show and you'll see what I mean..) BUT the LOS ANGELES TIMES did an article about it! They actually mention my painting and Mark was so sweet to say nice things about it. :) The guys that run the gallery (Mark and CW) were also interviewed by the news. So congrats to R&R for having an idea that blew everyone out of the water!

Well we had talked about going to LA for the show but had decided not to go...until the day before. In true Em and Nick fashion we bought our tickets at 1:30am the morning of and flew out for the show! One thing is for sure, I can trust Nick to keep me on my toes. It was hands down CRAZINESS! I am going to post more photos and info about the actual event to come.

This is a detail shot of my painting of Bill Murray. I really wanted to portray the playful and sweet qualities that he brings to his characters. I feel like that is one of the reasons he is so endearing. There are references to The Life Aquatic and What About Bob, but the painting is really more about his spirit than anything else. I am really happy with how it turned out.

my painting: The Sailor, mixed media on wood, 15"x30"

Our trip was quick but laid back and relaxing. It was kind of an early birthday for me according to Nick. My sweet, sweet parents watched Jack for us. We had time to go to a great art musuem in LA - LACMA. Which coinsidentally was THE very first real art musuem I had ever been to (when I was 16?). It was just as amazing as I remember. There really is nothing like looking at works of art in person. There are some other great museums out there too, but I want to go see them when I can commit some serious time.

Nick and I getting our snack on.

I'm playing it cool on the outside, but on the inside - uncontrolled evil giggling...hehhehheehhee

Handsome Jackson

Eyes just as big and beautiful as ever..

We have spent so much time at the Bear Lake house this summer that we were able to get a lot of great photos of Jack at our home away from home. Here he is on Grandma Hart's famous tree swing.

Grandma's piano

In the apple orchard

We also have spent lots of time in the Bloomington Canyon. Jack loves to run in the trees and jumps out to yell "SURPRISE!"

Jack Jack at Two and two months

((Okay well my little disclaimer here is that I realize this is a lot of information about one little boy, but I really write it mostly for myself. There are so many little things that I want to remember that I may go on and on sometimes, it just feels great to get it all written down. It all changes so fast. I'm so grateful to have an outlet that helps me do that :)))

• We have seen some tantrums, but all I can say about two is that there is way more good that comes with it than bad.
• He loves to dance, and can't seem to help himself when a good song comes on! He does a great robot (along with voice). He likes to watch break dancers on TV and does tricks with them, which consists of rolling in slow motion on the floor and ending in a pose.
• TV & Movies: Diego and Dora, Finding Nemo, Toy Story "to infinity and beyond!"
• Favorite toys: choo choos, dragon castle, Nemo, Buzz, Dinosaurs, and his GI joes "guys"
• Speaking in full sentences, understands and follows several commands or just says "No no no I don't want to!"
• Is very descriptive of things like "plane in clouds up high. Too far away....lights on it.."
• LOVES to read books! He climbs onto my lap with a book or just sits and reads them to himself. I can't buy enough to keep up.
• Sits on toilet and pretends to pee pee in the potty. Tells me whats going on in his diaper.
• Sleeps like a rock about 12 hours a night with a two hour nap. This kid L O V E S going to bed. He actually asks to go nigh nigh. CRAZY right?? He loves our little routine: book, brush teeth, say prayers, bottle and blanket. When we put him in he says "nigh momdad luff you." It is the best.
• If you didn't think I was spoiled enough..The kid eats so well, just about anything I give him and never really gives me any trouble.
• He can't get enough of the Bear Lake House and says "Way to go IDAHO!" He especially loves to go on the four wheeler. "weee haw!"
• Loves to go to "chuch" where Nick and I are in the nursery with him. He gets excited to wear a tie to be like daddy. He also now thinks that every man in a painting is Jesus ha ha.
• Loves sports. Kicks and dribbles the soccer ball. Throws really well.
• Spends a lot of time in the back yard and loves to run around with trouble. His favorite thing to do is to run across the yard, smack into the fence and fall down. He thinks its hilarious. Then he just lays in the grass and looks up into the sky.

Funny Sayings (many he has been doing for awhile..):

• Who you gonna call? Jack: Ghostbusters!! (this comes with a dance)
• What do you say to the ladies? Jack: HUBBA HUBBA!!
• Dunnna na na na na na naaaa...... Jack: Batman!!
• He likes to "RHAAAAAAR" like a dinosaur
• "mom stop messin' around!!" (thanks Nick)
• Skunk: "PU!", Peacock: "peeecock!!", Walrus: "hello, I'm Mr Walrus"
• Says really cute little prayers (on his own sometimes)
• Says "no no no" to most questions, but oddly says "no way!" when he means yes
• Yells "SURPRISE!!" every time he walks into my mom's house. still.
• Counts to 12 in English, 10 in Spanish (thanks Diego..)
• Can sing the ABCs
• Songs: Wheels on the Bus, Sunbeams, Popcorn poppin', Puff the Magic Dragon, Diego songs (Rescue Pack, etc)

2 Year Stats:

• wieght: 32 lbs 10 oz 91%
• height: 36 " 81%
• head: 19.5 " 69%

More than anything we just love to be with this little guy. He is such funny, sweet and happy boy. He is so interactive, and will just laugh with us. I wake up everyday so so so thankful to spend my time with him, he keeps me smiling every day.

This and That...

Introducing.... L a z e r B e a m R o b o t!

My dad got Jack Jack a headlight like the one he wears on his bike and Jack has been having a blast with it. He puts it on and becomes "Lazer Beam Robot" which comes a long with his robot voice, robot dance, and getting people in the eyes with his lazer beam. Thanks Grandpa!!

These guys have so much fun together! I think Grandpa has a fan :)

DAVE MATTHEWS at USANA
Our buds Chris and Michell scored some great Dave Mattews Band tickets and asked us to go with them! They are so fun, the last time we hung out we went to Roller Derby. So its pretty safe to say that if you're hangin out with Falks you are in for a good time!! We had a blast and the seats were great. Dave Matthews was awesome and I love his talking and dancing just as much as the music ha ha. We had some very entertaining umm "inebriated.. ' people in front of us. So Michelle and I really got a chance to pick up on some sweet new dance moves. It was an all around great time!

Michelle and Chris

Rockin' hard

Education Week
My mom is so cute, she planned a really fun couple of days for all the girls to get away and head down to Provo to go to Education week at BYU. It was really hard for us all to leave our kids and get away, but totally worth it! It was kind of hit and miss getting us all together at the same time, but it was so fun to drive out there with Erica. We shopped, ate out and went to some great classes. Same time next year?? I bet my mom already has the hotel booked ha ha!

Park City Anniversary

Nick surprised me by planning a trip to Park City for our 8th (yes 8th) Anniversary. We don't usually take a whole weekend to celebrate so this was really unexpected. Just the fact that he took the time and effort to plan something really meant a lot to me, let alone something as awesome as this get away. Seriously one of the best weekends I have ever had.

The first thing Nick did on Friday was completely SHOCK me by taking me to the KURA DOOR in Salt Lake for a spa day on the way to Park City. We had been there a couple years ago and love this Japenese Spa. What a great surprise. Afterward we had a great lunch at our favorite high school date spot The Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square.

We stayed in a beautiful condo at the Deer Valley Resort.

Breakfast and Hot tubbin. We did tons of great stuff, but one of my favorite things was making Nick breakfast and eating out on the balcony. I love being in the Mountains, especially with this guy.

I know this looks like a hot chocolate ad. ha ha

"you wanna get out a here?"

It is so amazing to be at the ski resort in the summer. We rode up the lift and did the Silver Lake Hike down the mountain. There were great views and it felt great to be running around in the Mountains. LOVED the hike! We really want to try mountain biking sometime too.

Park City Resort - summertime happenin' place

ALPINE COASTER! TWO thumbs up!! Nick and I rode together so that we would go extra fast..and we thought we were going to fly off the tracks, in a good way. Wish I could have gone over and over!

The climb..

Uh huh....he is so cute I can't stand it.

Lots of Driving time!

Historic Main Street. We did the Park City Gallery Stroll and got to see a lot of artwork. I loved the Pheonix Gallery and really would have loved to be able to buy some of the over priced painting there. I am so lucky that Nick likes art too! We have so much fun looking at galleries together, and he totally puts up with my overexcitement, and patiently listens to me ramble on and on critiqueing art to myself. What a sport.

On Sunday we went to the Park Silly Market, its like a Flea/Farmers/Performance..market place on Main Street. Then Pizza!

MR. Photographer. This is typical Nick behind a camera! Love this photo machine. Thanks for one of the best weekends ever.