Kate found her "squeaker"

So, we were late as usual for church today and as extra added punishment we wound up on the fourth row. We have grown accustomed to enjoying church from the cushy seats in the back, but lo and behold...a baby blessing. Kate is quite the conversation piece among our friends in the ward-she loves to flirt and will yell at you if you aren't watching her intently. So, we didn't think that the Isom's and their cute girls would mind if she entertained them from the row in front of them. She didn't disappoint. about 15 minutes into the meeting she decided to test out her decibel range. If you haven't witnessed this first hand, you're in for a treat. She pauses ever so slightly before she lets out a series of short dog-whistle piercing screams followed by clapping. This did the trick on the Isom's. She had the four of them laughing so heartily that she decided to follow it up with a little thing we call "shaky baby." A trick that involves shaking her head back and forth rapidly without ever moving her eyes. A little creapy, but no less effective at getting a laugh. All of this inspired Alayne to declare that in the spirit of Toy Story, "Kate had found her squeaker!"

Chris' Favorite Picture

Yay for new posts!

Hello my loyal followers (I realize that you may be dropping like flies due to my lack of updates)!

We have a few new things to share:

• The salon renovation is finally done...well almost. Chris generously volunteered his spring break to run our salon renovation. The results are fantastic. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this project a success. Among the highlights of the remodel were the Hyde family's help (go Garrett!) with the demolition, Nana and Papa Homer's generous donation for our awesome new space-age hairdryers, Justin's amazing front desk that he built from our recycled cabinets, Chris' school buddies who installed a beautiful slate backsplash And Brent's handiwork installing the new "featherweight" sinks. We still have a few "tidying up" projects, but we love to see the progress of the hard work that went into my second home. Once again, thanks to all who volunteered time, money, skills and baby sitting services.


• Kate had six month pictures taken last month. Nevermind that she is now eight months! We are always a day late and a dollar short these days, but we are LOVING Miss Kate and all of her new tricks. She surprised us with two bottom teeth last month...she never even uttered a complaint so, it would come as no surprise that one morning we woke up and there they were. She rolls back and forth to position herself for whatever she wants (or just yells at me to get it for her, whichever is easiest), claps, dances and says MaMa. She is Soooooooo much fun!


• I published an article about cupcakes for a new online magazine dedicated to Southern Utah. I have always wanted to write and I got a little taste (pardon the pun) this week. I may be writing a little more for them in the future and I had a lot of fun with the experience. You can check out my article at aliveutah.com, it is posted under the section entitled "Taste."


• Chris is busy with school, spring football meetings, drivers ed and training for his Salt Lake century ride that is coming up in May. I think he has found a new passion...cycling! He hasn't forgotten about fishing, but if he can't make it to the river, the open road is a fair consolation.

The sink bath at Nana's house
Worn out! What a rough life...

The "Cupcake Tower"

Kate, a Little Football and Some More Kate...
We aren't shy about our little "Katie Bug" so I guess we can brag about her just a little bit:

• Kate has new tricks this week. She started rolling over (back to front) on Sunday and has decided that she likes to play with her toes. So far it looks like she has my flexibility (sorry Chris, but being able to reach your toes was a dead giveaway) which is essential since I am starting her dance career asap. She also loves to hear her own voice and has added a new sound to her repertoir-she makes her lips vibrate. She even throws a new spin on crying by spitting/working the lips to let us know when she is extra mad.
• Sadly football is over and we all know how it ended, so we aren't going to dwell on it! I catered the football banquet last Wednesday and spent two days baking approximately 450 cupcakes...I know, having a baby gave me some sort of "Superwoman complex." Kate let me know that she wasn't happy to be left out of the baking process-she was NOT happy about hanging out in her swing. The banquet was great, Chris kept the evening positive and focused on the kids and their achievements. He is so great. I am so proud of everything that he has accomplished, it was well worth some of the small personal sacrifices that we made to be able to have this experience.
• Christmas is around the corner and we are feeling especially grateful for all of the things that we have-Wonderful family and friends that are so good to us, a beautiful and healthy baby that we adore, jobs that we love (well, me at least...), a successful football season and having the gospel, which helps us keep it all in perspective. Thank you all for your love and support this last year (can we call this the Homer family Christmas card?). Merry Christmas!

Semi-Finals, here we come!
So, I think that football may be getting a little predictable. Chris' team will be playing in the semi-final game this Friday morning at 11 against Park City. This season has been a fun ride, one that we hope will last another week. It seems like we were here just yesterday and now we are back here again. Thanks to everyone for your unwavering support of Tiger Football, see you at the game!