Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Beginnings

We would first like to thank all of those who made Christmas so special this year. It was so much fun and seemed to end too quickly. Unfortunately, we didn't take very many pictures of Christmas, so no Christmas pictures to post. We also rang in the new year with just the two of us and so no pictures to post of that either. We thought about inviting Rick over to our house so that he could take a picture of us kissing at midnight, but he informed me that he would be down on the strip at the big party. Since it's the start of a new year, we thought we would post some of the new beginnings in our lives.

This console table is new in our lives. Actually, I just wanted an excuse to post a picture of it since I am so proud of it. Patrice and I made a deal that if she would let me buy the woodworking tools that I wanted, I would build the furniture that she wanted. The first thing on the list was a console table for our front entry. The list is very long and I have seemingly hit a speed bump in my building. One of my new year's resolutions is to get back to building. I think I need to hang up my autographed picture of Norm Abram for inspiration.

This is also not really a picture of anything new, but I had to post it. That is a batch of caramel that I made for our ward friends and home teaching families. Patrice made fun of me because I told her to take a picture for our blog. She said "you mean take a picture of you baking for your blog." Then she asked if I was going to scrapbook afterwards. I can't help that my talents are abundant.

For those of you who still do not know, we are expecting a baby at the end of June. This ultrasound was taken on December 17th and we were so excited to be able to actually see the baby.

New golf shoes and a new driver for Christmas. Santa was very sneaky and these presents were a great surprise.


Patrice has decided to quit her job and make clothes from home. Actually she is just trying out her new sewing machine that she got for Christmas. Her specialty is sewing up old blankets that should have been thrown away years ago.


This is the new office building for Goodsell & Olsen, the law firm where Rick and I work. Although we have moved in, there is still a little work to be done, like the firm's name on the building.


This is my new office. I still need to do a little bit of decorating. It is hard to find time between cooking, blogging, and scrapbooking,


Here is a picture of Rick's new office. Yes, he only has one window and someone else has two. HA HA!



26 comments:

Billie Sue said...

Ah ha! First to comment on your blog! I am so proud of your blogging abilities and I have had a good laugh! Very entertaining! Olivia was standing here reading it with me and she wondered what Rick did for New Year's Eve while she nursed Luke's stomach flu at home alone! I love the table and the books especially! I actually could probably donate some more since I was able to score on old books over the summer. I'm very proud of your caramel making abilities and ambition! You can pass that knowledge on to your own children someday. And the picture of the "Baby" is priceless! I will just have to call her "Baby" until I find out who she really is. That's okay, Patrick Swazye liked Baby too. I'm proud of Patrice for trying to be frugal and make repairs on old blankets that should have been disposed. The office is beautiful and it looks like you and Rick's offices are impressive. Keep it up! Lovies!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog. A-) I am blown away that you built that console table. My birthday is Friday and I would like to tell Patrice that is what I want. The color of wood in our living room escapes me right now, but I will let you know when it comes to me. B-) Look at that little baby!!! I want to pinch that little belly and cheeks. C-)Old blankets are irreplaceable. You just keep patching those holes.

Zach 'n' Amy said...

Hi! Super cool office! Your BB is sooooo cute already. I see Patrice...

Billie Jo said...

I have done such a fine job of setting an example of Betty Homemaker Martha Stewart Butikofer that I know you just try to keep up with me. While I have no wood working skills I did lay endless amounts of slate in my house. I love the picture of Patrice sewing because I saw that old table I salvaged from the bus at Grandpa's!!! I guess I am Norm in a way, sanding and staining it. I am most impressed with the console table and could add some projects to your list. I have a child to exchange for the work you do but I am not telling you which one until you complete the project!!! Good Job!

Staci said...

Yeah for a new post... I have to say I am so impressed with the both of you... Patrice sewing, Allen Making Tables... Holy Crap!!! AMAZING!!! My mom offered to get me a sewing machine for Christmas one year... I had to pass, the only thing I can sew is hair scrunchies and I suck at that!!! I remember the ragged blanket Patrice had in High School. Is that the same one??? The ultrasound picture is so cute. It's amazing what you can see at such an early stage. Is it to early to find out the sex??? I need to know so I can start planning the baby shower. You really should do the 4-D ultrasound. We had one done at around 28 weeks and looking at them now they look just like Sienna did when she was born, in a kind of alien like way. I hope that you are feeling better. Keep up the blogging... I love to see pictures!!!

Chelsea Johnson said...

I'm so happy you updated--I was in dire need of a good laugh since I'm sitting at work at 4 am with a very long day ahead of me! I love your sense of humor Allen, and then Patrice busts out with some pretty funny things too! You're definitely a good pair. I need to get sewing lessons from Patrice and caramel lessons from you! I love little baby girl and can't wait to see more pics of her. We pray for Patrice and the baby everyday and can't wait for you to be parents! Its the best!

The Gunnerson Family said...

Well, what a popular site. When I went to bed last night, Mom was the only comment. When I woke up this morning, I am down to number 7! I guess you have to wake up pretty early in the morning to make it first on your comments! Loved the post. I think you both should be proud of your many talents. And you thought that you wouldn't have anything to blog about!

Laura said...

Glad to see that you are both putting your skills to good use. I had heard "rumors" that you guys are expecting, but glad that you made an offical announcement.

Kati said...

Very very impressed with all of the talents your little family is developing. Now...Allen. that is exactly the table I need for my entry way. Do you make things to sell? I am serious. Also...I need to have your caramel recipe and the secret. I tried making some and it failed miserably. I'm serious. I had to throw the whole pan out. Sad. very sad. Please let me know if you make things to sell.
Kati

Anonymous said...

Congradulations on the Baby! I am so excited for you guys. Allen I am gald that you pay tribute to Norm and your craftmanship is excellent.

Addison

Mont said...

A&P, congratulations on your baby. Please come up with a name as soon as possible, so that your mom will never again have reason to refer to The Worst Movie Ever Made.

Also nice work on the table -- I see you and Gunn throwing the whole legal world over in a few years in favor of a shop/boutique in Kayenta. I'd do it myself, except that I have no other skills.

Go Aggies!!

Billie Sue said...

Comment to Mont -- Worst Movie Ever Made -- only if you do not love romance and dancing!!!!

Giselle Rasheta said...

Yay...of course when I need a laugh, all I need to do is look to your blog. I love the hilarious comments you and Patrice have for each other, and that your goading and joking is the best way for you to express your love...it makes me smile to hear you tease each other like that. Nice craftsmanship on the table...I LOVE it, and I'm happy Patrice has already whipped out her sewing machine. I took me a few months to really utilize mine, but now I love it. I'm really excited to get to know my overlock machine now, so I can SEW SEW SEW! I love and miss you guys...nice work, and the new office looks great!

By the way, did i miss something? Are you having a girl? Why am I always the family member that's out of the loop?

The Cox Family said...

Allen- I never knew you were so talented. Blogging, woodworking, candy making, what is next? I am very impressed with your console table. I told Curtis he needs to take lessons from you.
Congrats on the baby! I am so excited for you guys. Just wait, your whole life is about to change. So Patrice, are you going to continue to work after the baby is born, or stay at home? Good luck with everything.

Kamal and Amber said...

Allen and Patrice,

Hey I found your blog through mutual friends. Just wanted to congratulate you both on the baby! How exciting. Life will never be the same. Cherish the moments you have now, but know that even greater ones are ahead.

Staci said...

It has been 10 days without a new blog post... What the heck??? With the way the McNeil family competes I thought you would be all over this new post thing... Could you get on that please???

Jamie said...

Brian says to send his love Allen! Congratulations on your baby coming this summer! They are so much fun-and a lot of work! We'll have to check back-Do Joel and Tiffany have a blog?

Zach 'n' Amy said...

Dander is awesome! Ha! I wish we had thought of that. Maybe for her middle name, we can call her Kat Dander... I think we will!

Callister said...

Allen & Patrice, Hope you both don't mind that I found your blog and am commenting...

I'm so excited for you two to be parents! Congrats! We're having a baby too, due the middle of June.
Hope you two are doing well!

Nicole

The Prices said...

Hey--This is Sunny (Zach's sister). I found my way to your blog via theirs. Anyway I LOVE your console table. You did a great job. So are you out for hire? You can pack up all your tools and head out to Virginia because I really need some custom bookcases!!:)

Rowe Family said...

Hey Its BJ Rowe (Tiff's Mom). I love the table!!!! Amazing work! Hope all is well with you guys!! Tiff misses ya

Tahnie said...

Wow guys, I've never seen so many comments!! How does it feel to be so loved? I found your blog through Amy and Zach's. I'm excited you're finally blogging and first wanted to let you know how happy I am that you guys expecting!! And secondly to Allen, I ran across the Woodland Ward's bake off cookbook from 1993 for the young men and women, and before I even read the comment about you baking, planned on making your entry for the Chile Rellenos Casserole. It looks really good so not only can you make carmels, it looks like you can cook too! I'll let you know how they turn out.
Tahnie (Moon)

Cassie Jo said...

It appears that someone needs to do a little updating... This blog hasn't changed for a long time, Allen! Just Kidding. Love you!

Billie Sue said...

Okay - it is really PAST time for an update! I know you have really exciting things to blog about -- so get on the stick! I am insulted you haven't commented on mine, as I know you were looking at it when you were on the phone with me the other day! Come on kids!!!

The Richards family said...

OK you guys kinda told on yourself in your comment on Olivia's blog. Now we are all waiting. It is time to tell us some new news, Like maybe something we don't know about. We are all waiting...

Chelsea Johnson said...

This is getting ridiculous----if you're holding out for the 30 comment milestone--I will leave 4 more. If you're holding out for some other reason--stop it and update!!!!!