Pet Fox

I want a pet fox.

I have since my 11th grade AP Psychology teacher talked about people who were breeding foxes as pets. I had kind of forgotten about it until Rich's dad got a National Geographic featuring an article about a research facility that has been domesticating foxes since the late '50s. It was an interesting article, but it mainly just made me fall in love with foxes all over again.

One problem. They cost $6,950.

Yeah, we definitely don't have that hanging around the house. Heck, we don't even have a house!

One reason they cost so much because you have to import them all the way from Novosibirsk, Russia. But don't worry, the $6,950 includes to-your-door delivery. If you want to meet your fox before the adoption, you're going to have to go to Russia. But then, if you're buying a pet fox, you can probably afford that, too.

So, when I become a millionaire, I know what pet I will get. (No, I will not name him Todd like in "The Fox and the Hound.")

You can check out the website for the organization here.

I've already found the fox I want. Now I just need to find the money....

Opening Day

As I told my sister, I have gone from being a basketball widow to a baseball widow. The Mariners currently have Rich's heart.

Hello, baseball season. And this year, we're in Mariners' territory. Rich is in heaven. And I will be doing a lot of reading.

There is something to be said about the beginning of a new season. It's a fresh start, and, if you know anything about how the Mariners did last year, they really need that. And it's fun to see the excitement start all over again for Rich. The possibility that the Mariners might be able to pull off a winning season this year. The hope that this year he can win his fantasy league. And a new plus now - we'll most likely be going to a Mariners game this year.

To help get everyone else excited, I've posted two Mariners commercials for your viewing pleasure.

This one is just hilarious. Love King Felix.

And this one Rich can seriously relate to. He has honestly said, "Oh, I can take it. I'm a Mariners fan."

We're Not in Utah Anymore

Sorry for the Wizard of Oz cliche, but it fits, right?

After a very uneventful trip (hallelujah!), Rich and I have arrived in Spokane.

I was honestly expecting much more difficulty on the move. Rich was a champ for driving the beastly moving truck and trailer towing Vince (Rich's '91 Toyota pickup - I'll have to explain the name later for those who don't know) the whole 12 hours. And I did well leading with our lame Dodge Stratus. Only a sore bum to report. (Maybe you already know this, but my family is not known for sitting still. I inherited that trait, so a 12-hour drive was perhaps one of the most daunting tasks of life.)

The only almost eventful thing happened in Montana when Rich was close to running out of gas. I didn't know how close the next gas station would be, so we pulled off the Anaconda exit (honk if you know where that is) because the freeway sign said we could find gas here. Turns out Anaconda is about 6 miles from the freeway, so we had to truck out there, then truck back out with our caravan. But I didn't want to take the running out of gas risk. That is perhaps the most embarrassing reason to pull off the road.

So, here we are in Spokane. Trying to find somewhere to live. If you have any hints, we would greatly appreciate them. We're hoping we can rent a house here. Spokane is MUCH cheaper than Utah, and that's very promising.

Big Brother...

...is getting married!

Why, yes, this is the picture he sent in the "We're engaged" text. It's the only one I've got of them with a ring on her finger.

So now Rich and I have another excuse to come to Utah. I'll take it!

Changes

I was going to do a post about my birthday (because I really LOVE my birthday), but I never got around to it. I got some awesome presents. Topping the list are "Horton Hears a Who" (the movie) from my husband (he knows my sense of humor well) and my very own brand new SEWING MACHINE from my mom! I'm ridiculously excited for that one. I just need to learn how to sew more than just a straight line... That should be an adventure.

Here are some pictures to make up for my lack of posting.

This picture isn't  from my birthday. We've been to a bunch of BYU games lately, and I liked this picture better than the one we took on my birthday.

The night of my birthday, Rich was recognized for being an All-American in the steeplechase at the BYU vs. CSU game. This is him getting his (second) leather planner thingy. (Just so you know, BYU athletics, a plaque or trophy would have been much cooler.)

This one is a couple days after my birthday. My family came down to the Ghettovale to take me to Buca di Beppo. They give you a candelabra to blow out. Cool, huh?

Aren't they adorable? This is Skyler with his girly friend, Courtney. Max actually gave a real smile for us (no, for Rich).

Carrie loved my bangs so much she copied them (just kidding, sis).

But anyway, this post is called "Changes" for a reason. Rich and I have a big change coming up. 

We are moving to Spokane, Washington.

In a week.

Kind of sudden, right? But that's how Rich and I work. When we make a decision, we don't like to wait around. We might have already left if we didn't have to pack everything still.

We really started considering a move last Sunday. And this past week things have just kind of pointed us more and more in that direction. It just seems to make the most sense. Nothing is happening for us here, and it seems like we'll have more opportunities in Spokane. So, Thursday we bought our way of our contract (I don't recommend it if you can avoid it), and we scheduled the moving truck yesterday (again, not cheap). We pack the truck this coming Saturday, and officially move a week from tomorrow. 

We have mixed feelings about the move. First of all, all of my family is here, and quite a bit of Rich's, too. It's going to be really hard to leave them. And, though Rich and I don't feel like we have a lot of close friends, the ones we have we are going to miss a ton. But, like I said, we aren't getting anywhere here. Spokane has more to offer us for jobs and grad school options. Plus, Rich's parents are there so we're not setting out completely by ourselves. And Rich has a lot of friends from his high school days who are excited to see him return (seriously, it's like the prodigal son is returning when he's talked to them). And Spokane is less than half a day's drive from Utah. It's not like we're never going to be here again. But I don't think that will stop my from bawling my eyes out next week.

So, we're nervous, scared, sad, unsure, worried.

But also excited. We're ready to get up there and make things happen.

That's what is coming up for us. Wish us luck, and if you're ever up in Spokane (it's a real hot spot destination, I'm sure), look us up!

New Hobby

I found something to do to while away the hours at home. With encouragement (and supplies) from my mom and sister (you'll see I'm definitely not doing this for anyone in my household), I have myself a new hobby.

My favorites, so far.

This one was my first. Wouldn't this be adorable on a cute little man? Too bad the onesie is too small for any of the little men in my life. Who did I make it for, you may ask? I have no idea.

Becca, I think you may recognize the fabric. The cool thing about this project is that I can literally make it from scraps. And the onesies my mom has just hanging out in her craft room. Carrie requested the chunky little elephant for Lola Bug. Not that she's going to fit in a 9-month onesie for much longer.

I really like this little birdie pattern. I think there will be many more like it. No idea who this one is for either.

So, now I have a new hobby. I will be making tons of these. If you have any requests, seriously let me know. I can tell you Rich won't be wearing them anytime soon. And I just want to make stuff.

I Drive a Dodge Stratus!

If you know me, you probably know that I don't really like talking on phone. Okay, I pretty much HATE talking on the phone. So much so that it's basically a fear. It's fine if it's Rich, or my mom, or my sister, or Alex. (No offense to anyone who's not on the list. I promise - it's not you, it's me.) For everyone else, I am just afraid I won't be able to come up with things to say. Or that I will say something wrong. I get really nervous before I dial the number, and then I get all tongue tied when I try to talk. It's ridiculous, I know. (Just FYI - I think texting is perhaps one of the greatest inventions. Ever.)

I used to work at the Heritage Halls Front Desk (a residence area at BYU), and I dreaded when the phone would ring. I knew the answers to most of the questions, and I had usually a manager to fall back on when I didn't. But I hated answering that darn phone. I would NEVER be able to work in a call center.

This absurd fear also makes it difficult for me to call to make doctor appointments or to report visiting teaching or pretty much anything like that. When possible, I make Rich do these things (and he graciously does them).

Which is why I'm pretty proud of myself today. The transmission in our car ("I drive a Dodge Stratus!" - see below) is having some serious issues, and we needed to get it towed to a repair shop. This would typically fall under Rich's realm in our household, but he has to work and can't call around to figure things out. I am proud to say that I (finally) stepped up to the plate for this one. I called the repair shop and then got a tow truck. I almost had a panic attack getting myself to do it. But it's done.

Maybe I'm one step closer to conquering my fear. Or maybe not.

If you didn't understand the "I drive a Dodge Stratus!" reference, watch this SNL skit. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, you can skip to around 2:40 and watch from there.

Fredrickson Family Pictures

The last time the Fredricksons took family pictures (besides weddings) there were no children. In fact, there weren't even any in-laws. Needless to say, these were long overdue. We found out it's a lot harder to take pictures with all the chilluns, and with my dad's transition lenses.

There are only three kids in this picture, and we still can't get them to look at the camera.

"Dad, take off your glasses!"

 

Check out Max's fake cheese. Not in the mood for a photo shoot. Khloe wasn't either, but it's a good thing she's adorable, as this photo clearly shows.

Best Present Ever (Well...In My Top 5)

So I have an obsession with sports. The secret is out.

Along with this obsession comes a strange fascination with team logos. I used to draw the NBA team logos and put them up on my wall (colored-in perfectly, of course). I also love tracking the progress of teams and looking at the current standings on a daily basis. I appeased the baseball nerd in me by buying an MLB standings board a couple of seasons ago that includes a little batting helmet for each team. However, since then I have always wanted a similar contraption for the NBA. I described to Shara one day what they should invent to please basketball nerds like me...and apparently she was taking more careful notes than I realized because on Christmas morning I opened this:

That's right. My wife is AWESOME. She went online and printed out every NBA team's jersey and logo and mounted them on magnetic paper. She even included the Eastern and Western Conference logos and a complete Finals bracket for when the playoffs roll around!! Her thumb is still a little numb from all the intricate cutting...

I wouldn't have been able to guess in a million years what the present was while it was wrapped. She included a big magnetic frame which she will put to good use during the off-season...unless I get a baseball or football set next year. Not even Santa's elves could have followed through the way Shara did this year. She even offered to hang it up in the kitchen...which even I have been a little hesitant about. Needless to say, my evil plot to brainwash her into my sports-infested fantasy world is nearly complete. Thanks honey!!!!

Christmas

I just wanted to put up some pictures from our great Christmas.

Max knew just what he wanted for Christmas - he just couldn't form the words for Santa.

"How about a nice football?"

"Football? What's a football?"

Lola was all about climbing on the presents.

We wrapped up Max for his mom.

"I don't want to be a present!"

Trying to get to the forbidden tree

Opening Christmas joys

Hope your holidays were fun! Happy 2011 in just a few more days!