Lovin' Life

My Little Chickens:)

2010-11-22T13:22:00.009-07:00

Malakai Marion Probert!
What an interesting boy this one has become! He loves to sing and dance and read.
He loves to draw. He LOVES to be outside (what toddler doesn't!) And he absolutely LOVES any type of vehicle: cars, trucks, air planes, trains, motorcycles you name it! He is litterally heat broken each night when he has to say good night to his beloved assortment of these types of toys. He amazes me with his knowledge as it grows rapidly each day. He is constantly asking me, "what are you doing momma", "what are they doing momma", "what is that momma'', and continually dialoging what he does. Even if it is "I hit sister momma, not nice, I go to time out now". Then trots over and has a seat until I come to end the time out. He makes me laugh every day! He is learning to assert himself by constantly telling me "No!", or "I do it myself mom!".

He just had his second birthday! The pictures are of him on his birthday (in the tux, it was on a Sunday) proudly holding up his new age of 2 with his fingers, which took some concentration I might add! Then of his Fire Fighter birthday party. Him in action playing one of the relay games; Stop, Drop and Roll!! His Fire Truck cake which was my first adventure in this kind of cake making. It was a lot of fun and I was pretty pleased with the results:) And the last his classic fake cheeser smile.

Alaykah Linnea Probert!

She is such a doll! She is always smiling and giggling or making some sort of noise:) She is 4 months old now and growing so fast! She is absolutely in love with her older brother Malakai who can make her laugh just by looking at her:) If he is in the room her attention is on him. She is so patient and easy going. What joy she has added to our family! These are just some random pictures and a picture of her on her
blessing day. She was falling asleep so I couldn't get her to look at me or smile with out making her cry:)
Could not have imagined the joy these two ducklings were going to bring to our world:) Just love em!!

Alaykah Linnea

2010-07-07T19:00:00.018-06:00

She has arrived!!
July 3rd at 8pm we checked into the hospital and Alaykah arrived at 5:21am July 4th! 7lbs 7oz and 20 inches long. Everything went extremely smooth and we were thrilled to have our Independence day gal:) Now we are home and settling in as a family as 4 and things couldn't be any better!

My first look at her and her first wash
(above)Proud daddy with is 4th of July chicka! And the best big brother there ever could be. He is constantly asking to hold and hug and kiss her. I especially love how he says her name, "Yayka Linny Po ber" :)
(below)My brother in law AJ came to the hospital and took some pictures of her later that night. We just put a black sheet over the couch, made some head dresses from scrapbook supplies, and played with some props from home . They turned out pretty adorable if you ask me! But I am the momma:) Thanks AJ!!

We are back:)

2010-02-01T18:43:00.006-07:00

Wow! It has been a really long time since I have updated my blog! It was on rare occasion that I did it before anyway because we didn't have our own computer so it took way too much effort to go somewhere else to do it. But now there are no more excuses! We finally have bought our very own computer after almost 3 years of marriage and it is wonderful:) There is so much that has happened since my last post that I'm not even going to attempt to do an update! I will however share some recent news....
#1 I am Pregnant!!! 4 months along!! We are so excited and can't wait to find out what we are having Feb. 19th!
#2 MalaKai is 1!! Well 15 months now but I never announced it back in October. We took an amazing trip to San Diego the week of his birthday to celebrate and to watch BYU play San Diego State!
#3 McKay just had back surgery and has been confined to our home for the last 4 weeks. He has 2 more weeks to go until we will see if he can return to work. I have loved having so much of his time to myself (minus the fact that he is in pain) but he is SO ready to be able to be active again! Poor guy.
I'll leave it at that for now! I'm excited to keep updated with everyone else and (hopefully) I can also keep you up to date on us:) Good Times.

He is practicing being a nice big brother:) We got him this doll to help him practice being soft with the baby. He has been a pro from the beginning. I handed him the doll and this was the first thing he did with it! He then hugged it and started patting it's back when I told him to be soft:) He is too cute.

Can't believe it, 15 months.

This is what he gives me when I tell him to smile for the camera. What a cheese ball.

Just can't wait to see the personality of our next little one!

Sweet Grandma Sharon and Great Grandma Yost

2009-05-21T17:38:00.001-06:00

Two wonderful women who have brought great joy to me in my life have passed on. My Dad's Mother, Grandma Sharon; and my Mom's Grandma, Great Grandma Yost.
Great Grandma Yost died on Wednesday, May 13th of wide spread cancer. From the little I do know about her 88 years of life, she was a great example of endurance. Not merely getting by, but having grace, integrity, love, and joy as she endured.
She was the youngest of 8 children. At 18 months she was sent away to be cared for by an aunt and uncle on a farm in Idaho because her father was seriously ill. This living situation became permanent when both of her parents passed away, she was 8 years of age. She earned her keep by working the fields, tending the cattle, and the many other hard laborious chores that came with living on a farm. Thus at a very young age learning the importance of hard work. She learned never ending patients and trust in the Lord through being widowed at a very young age with three small children to care and provide for on her own. Throughout her life she was known for continuous service, kindness without end, a love for every one, charity, integrity, and virtue, regardless of her current circumstance.
I am very thankful that she was able to be apart of our lives for so long. I am so happy that she is with her eternal companion once again. I love her and she will be greatly missed.

Sweet Grandma Sharon left us on May 10th, Mothers day. She was only 67 years old. She has endured with poor health for most of her life. But you would never have guessed it because of her continuous care for others, pure love of life, and a great sense of humor. She could always find humor in any situation. She had a way of uplifting everyone around her. She was determined to live, and to have joy in every moment. Her faith was unshakeable.
When she was 10 years old she contracted polio, at that time it was claiming the lives of many. In the course of a day she went from having a pain in her armpit, to having a high fever, to eventually being placed in an iron lung in the hospital to make her breathe, not expected to make it through the night. That night in the hospital administering to the sick was President David O. McKay and The Twelve. They were able to give her a blessing and her mother was assured through the spirit that against all odds she would live. She was one of the few that survived the disease. Because of the severely high fever attacking her little muscles she had to have a rod placed in her back so that she could hold herself up, she had parts of both shin bones chipped away, her arms were left so weak that she was unable to lift them over her head, she could pull but not push anything with them, and her grip was left very weak also. Because of these effects, among others, form the polio she was told that she would never be able to have children because it would kill her. Her response was that she would die trying. She had many; many miss carriages, most of them in the late second or third trimester, and Gary who was carried full term that was still born. None of this stopped her and through it all she was blessed with 5 healthy sons that she literally would have given her life for.
When Grandma was young her mother used to baby-sit President Thomas S. Monson. Just before Christmas this last year she fractured her hip and was put into a rehabilitation center. To her great delight and surprise he visited that center while she was there and they were able to reminisce. He said that he hoped that he behaved himself and she reassured him that he did:)
Grandma also shared the same birthday as Mr. President Eisenhower, October 14. When he found out about her miraculous recovery of polio she received a letter from the white house inviting her to celebrate their birthdays together. So on her 11th birthday they shared a cake at a large celebration.
I have so many memories of tea parties, sleepovers, and honey toast on Saturday mornings, dress up, tickle attacks and bedtime stories. Walking next door just for a quick visit, lemonade and pop cycles in the back yard on hot summer days and hot cocoa with lots of marshmallows after making snowmen all day in her yard. Christmas with yummy traditional Swedish dishes, rushing over with report cards for kisses and praises and a sweet treat for doing well or loving encouragement to do better. She and Grandpa were always thrilled to see us and encouraged us to be the best we could be. Growing up next door to my grandparents was such a privilege. I have millions of memories and stories but I've gone on long enough! I am so happy they are now sharing eternity together. I miss them so much more than I could express, and I rejoice that I will have the opportunity to see them again someday.
These are pictures of Grandma Sharon throughout her life:)
Two wonderful women who have brought great joy to me in my life have passed on. My Dad's Mother, Grandma Sharon; and my Mom's Grandma, Great Grandma Yost.
Great Grandma Yost died on Wednesday, May 13th of wide spread cancer. From the little I do know about her 88 years of life, she was a great example of endurance. Not merely getting by, but having grace, integrity, love, and joy as she endured.
She was the youngest of 8 children. At 18 months she was sent away to be cared for by an aunt and uncle on a farm in Idaho because her father was seriously ill. This living situation became permanent when both of her parents passed away, she was 8 years of age. She earned her keep by working the fields, tending the cattle, and the many other hard laborious chores that came with living on a farm. Thus at a very young age learning the importance of hard work. She learned never ending patients and trust in the Lord through being widowed at a very young age with three small children to care and provide for on her own. Throughout her life she was known for continuous service, kindness without end, a love for every one, charity, integrity, and virtue, regardless of her current circumstance.
I am very thankful that she was able to be apart of our lives for so long. I am so happy that she is with her eternal companion once again. I love her and she will be greatly missed.

Sweet Grandma Sharon left us on May 10th, Mothers day. She was only 67 years old. She has endured with poor health for most of her life. But you would never have guessed it because of her continuous care for others, pure love of life, and a great sense of humor. She could always find humor in any situation. She had a way of uplifting everyone around her. She was determined to live, and to have joy in every moment. Her faith was unshakeable.
When she was 10 years old she contracted polio, at that time it was claiming the lives of many. In the course of a day she went from having a pain in her armpit, to having a high fever, to eventually being placed in an iron lung in the hospital to make her breathe, not expected to make it through the night. That night in the hospital administering to the sick was President David O. McKay and The Twelve. They were able to give her a blessing and her mother was assured through the spirit that against all odds she would live. She was one of the few that survived the disease. Because of the severely high fever attacking her little muscles she had to have a rod placed in her back so that she could hold herself up, she had parts of both shin bones chipped away, her arms were left so weak that she was unable to lift them over her head, she could pull but not push anything with them, and her grip was left very weak also. Because of these effects, among others, form the polio she was told that she would never be able to have children because it would kill her. Her response was that she would die trying. She had many; many miss carriages, most of them in the late second or third trimester, and Gary who was carried full term that was still born. None of this stopped her and through it all she was blessed with 5 healthy sons that she literally would have given her life for.
When Grandma was young her mother used to baby-sit President Thomas S. Monson. Just before Christmas this last year she fractured her hip and was put into a rehabilitation center. To her great delight and surprise he visited that center while she was there and they were able to reminisce. He said that he hoped that he behaved himself and she reassured him that he did:)
Grandma also shared the same birthday as Mr. President Eisenhower, October 14. When he found out about her miraculous recovery of polio she received a letter from the white house inviting her to celebrate their birthdays together. So on her 11th birthday they shared a cake at a large celebration.
I have so many memories of tea parties, sleepovers, and honey toast on Saturday mornings, dress up, tickle attacks and bedtime stories. Walking next door just for a quick visit, lemonade and pop cycles in the back yard on hot summer days and hot cocoa with lots of marshmallows after making snowmen all day in her yard. Christmas with yummy traditional Swedish dishes, rushing over with report cards for kisses and praises and a sweet treat for doing well or loving encouragement to do better. She and Grandpa were always thrilled to see us and encouraged us to be the best we could be. Growing up next door to my grandparents was such a privilege. I have millions of memories and stories but I've gone on long enough! I am so happy they are now sharing eternity together. I miss them so much more than I could express, and I rejoice that I will have the opportunity to see them again someday.

These are pictures of Grandma Sharon throughout her life:)

Happy to be a Mother Day!

2009-05-10T18:41:00.004-06:00

As you all have probably concluded, I am not much of a blogger. While I do enjoy it, I always just look at the computer and decide I have something better to do with my time. Not that this isn't the case today(especially since it is sunday), I have just decided it was time for an update (and my wonderful husband is making our dinner tonight!) Our sweet Kai is just growing up so fast and let us all be honest, he is the star of my blog. He is the reason I do it and the reason you all look at it:) So to all of our family and friends who aren't able to see his sweet face often enough I apologize for my slacking!
It is also Mother's Day and I am feeling especially grateful for the little guy in my life. I cannot express nor could I have comprehended the joy that he brings to me on a daily basis. I absolutely adore and cherish every moment of mothering him. He is now approaching 7 months, has two adorable little teeth, and is about to take off crawling any second! His constant gibberish chatter and sweet giggles fill our home and our hearts. Love, love, love you MalaKai! Here are some of his recent and old mug shots...

Where have we been??

2009-02-24T21:10:00.002-07:00

Wow I feel like we have been cut off from the rest of the world for quite some time now. We recently moved and have not had regular access to the Internet, so I've had to take a break from life online:) Honestly, we've been so busy that I haven't had much time to worry about it anyway. A lot has happened since the last time that I was able to blog.... Where do I begin? Where I left off I guess, which was at my parents house just before Christmas... On the 22nd of December we were supposed to fly to Oregon to spend Christmas and New Years with the Probert's . I say supposed to because our flight ended up being canceled ( after waiting 5 hours at the air port might I add) because of the awful weather in Portland and in Salt Lake. We tried to find another flight but they were all booked until the day after Christmas! We tried every air line and there was nothing. So in our desperation and lack of sleep we decided to drive. The worst ever. We drove for 8 hours to get to the Idaho border to find that it was closed. Yep. No one was allowed to drive into Idaho because the storm made the roads too unsafe for travel. Our only option then was to turn around and drive back to Tremonten and stay the night in the Sandman Motel:) We found an alternate highway to get into Idaho and were able to reconnect to I80 the next day. We had an early 5am start and arrived in Lebanon Oregon at McKays parents house at 2am the next morning. Little MalaKai was such a trooper bless his heart. It was way too stressful on him, (in turn causing me to stress and worry), for me to ever do that again with such a young baby. NEVER! In our family though our motto is that it is all about the experience, and what an experience it was. We tried to make it as fun as possible and the memories will last a lifetime! MalaKai's first Christmas was one to remember!!
Oregon was a blast and the drive home was just as long and stressful but we made it just in time to start moving the very next day. Looking back I can say that I am so happy to be done and moved into our new place! Speaking of which... We now live in Canyonlands Apartments. Student housing right next to where we used to live. Why move next door you are wondering? Well, for free rent that's why! We help to manage one of the buildings here and in turn live rent free. It is so great because I can be with MalaKai and take him with me while I do whatever I need to do, and McKay can go to school and work, and we can afford to live AND save!! It's beautiful. Plus it is where our romance first began... McKay and I met while living here when I first moved to St. George almost 4 years ago. Good times. We still have 3 rooms, we now have 2 bathrooms, new tile floors which are a breeze to clean, and my favorite; a washer and dryer of our very own. The best part of it all is that it is all FREE!! All we pay for is the electric bill, everything else including the other utilities, cable, and internet is paid for by Canyonlands. We are so blessed to have found this so we don't have to go broke while McKay finishes school and I can be a full time mom to my sweet MalaKai.
Next up, for those of you who haven't heard the news... little Jen Jen is getting married! I can't believe it! My baby sis is going to be married come June. My parents will have gone through us all. CRAZY! I love her so much and I am so excited for all of the fun and festivities!
I have tons of pictures so I'll just shove them all in a slide show and call it good:) Probably the worst up date, but an update none the less:) Until next time. Peace!

Family Fun!

2008-12-20T17:58:00.013-07:00

We have had such fun in December so far! On the 10th it was my handsome, wonderful husbands birthday. He is now an old 26 years of age. We had quite the day of celebration, as birthdays are a big deal in our family. He is such an amazing husband and an unbelievable father I could never do enough to thank him for all that he does for us! Love, love, love you babe!

Here he is about to blow out the candles on my hilarious attempt at a football field birthday cake. I ended up just putting the footballs all around it to give it some help. Oh well I may not be crafty but it's the thought that counts and he loved it!

This is the birthday surprise room that baby Kai and I put together with all of his presents for him. Dad loves surprises!
His favorite present was the one from MalaKai of course. We made him a "My Dad Is #1 Because....." book with the top ten reasons he is the best dad with pictures of him and baby. Kai added his own special touch on the back with some fancy finger painting (only a little help form mom).

Next came tree hunting time! We decided to make it our family tradition to cut down our own Christmas tree each year. It is so fun hiking around in search of the "perfect tree". This year it was a beautiful mini tree. We decided not to go to all the hassle of getting a big one since we are going to be in Oregon for Christmas. We are so excited!

I love the mountains!!

MalaKai and I enjoying the pleasant weather. I think I was enjoying it a little more, judging by the look on his face:)

And our precious MalaKai turned two months on the 17th. How the time has flown by. He is a hefty 13lbs and 22 inches. We love him and cannot remember life without our little guy!

We have also been to three work Christmas parties, 1 ward party, a wedding, and found out will be moving in the first of January to manage an apartment complex for free rent! So much fun already and the best is yet to come! Stay tuned:)

Mr. Independant

2008-12-02T20:44:00.006-07:00

Kai is such a fun baby. Lately, each morning and afternoon he has to have what I call his "personal time". After he wakes up and eats and is changed he has to have at least an hour, sometimes more, either on the floor or in his bouncer to himself. He doesn't want to be cuddled or walked around and sometimes even fusses when I talk to him too much during this time, ha. He will just sit and kick and coo, then when he is done, he gives a little fuss and is ready to eat and nap and start the process again. I just love to sit and watch him enjoy exploring his little world on his own. Usually when I try to video him he stops and is too intrigued in the camera to continue his usually routine. Finally today he let me get a little clip of him. He still calmed down a bit because of my presence and the camera but he still talked a lot so I decided to share! You need to listen with sound. Just ignore my embarrassing baby talk!

Thanksgiving, Blessings, and a Tribute to Diane

2008-11-30T17:03:00.013-07:00

We had our first successful vacation over Thanksgiving weekend with our precious Kai. We traveled up north to Salt Lake to be with my family for the holiday feast, his baby blessing, celebrating birthdays and lots of family time. He did so well. He was understandably overwhelmed with all of the commotion and attention from adoring friends and family but held up like a champ. The little guy was an angel and even slept for all 4ish hours of our drive there and back, stopping only once both ways for about 30 min for a quick feeding and a diaper change. He is just precious and is getting so big.

Saturday November 29th McKay blessed Malakai. It was such a wonderful day. We had a family gathering in a church house, with a small program and then his blessing. It was just perfect. It was so intimate and the spirit was so sweet. Thank you to all of our family that came to support us, and we missed all of you that weren't able to make it.

Here is the little chunk getting a bath before his big day. He isn't quite sure if he likes the water or not yet!

He is the sweetest thing in his little tux. What a stud!

Aunt Jamie was able to be with us for Thanksgiving and for the baby blessing. It was so fun. We love you:) And, Jamie, nothing will really make me blog more or faster ha, I honestly just can't get myself to really get into it. I do it for the masses ha. It's a time sucker! I do enjoy everyone else's and, I'll admit, I do get a slight thrill when people leave me comments:) But I'm just not patient enough to do it all the time!

This last picture is of Diane Rich. Another angel in my life. This is the woman I took care of for about a year and a half, until the last month of my pregnancy. She had M.S. When I quit working she was expected to live for about another year. A week before MalaKai was due, at one of her check ups, she found out that she only had one to four weeks left to live. It was shocking and devastating news. To my joy she was still alive when precious Kai came. Three days after MalaKai was born I went to visit her because she was so excited to see him. I had spent pretty much everyday with her since McKay and I were married. Unfortunately by this time she was barely coherent. I was told that she wouldn't be able to open her eyes or speak, but that she could still hear me. When we came in she looked as if she were sleeping. I hugged her and whispering in her ear asked her if she would like me to hold him on her lap, I was not expecting a response. My heart was so happy when she barely whispered a yes. She then, to my surprise, lifted her arms and took him up, opened her eyes and smiled at him. I was even lucky enough to get a picture before she didn't have any more strength to hold him. One week later she passed away.
If any of you have given your love to someone through taking care of their physical and emotional needs each day you know how bonded you become to them. We became the best of friends. She was a remarkable woman who shared the gospel and her love with people in Germany, Australia, Hawaii, New York, and to many who she came in contact with in her daily life. She taught me so many things has forever influenced my life for the best. I am so happy she is able to begin her work on the other side and is no longer in pain. I will miss her everyday and I look with joy to the day that I will be able to see her again. She was truly one of God's earthly angels.

I have enjoyed more than anything discovering all that it takes to be a mom. I cannot express all the joy and light that Kai has brought to our home and to my heart. It is like nothing else, he is my little piece of heaven. Being a mother is such a humbling job and I wouldn't trade it for anything. ....I believe all is up to date!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2008-11-01T13:38:00.013-06:00

Happy Halloween everyone! Little MalaKai and I enjoyed the day just the two of us hagin' out and celebrating him hitting the big two week mark:) He has changed so much already. He eats non stop so he's getting a cute double chin. He is going to be a big boy! At his one week check up he was 8lbs 1oz already so I can't wait for to see where he is next week. Thank you all for the love and praise. We are doing awesome! Here are some more pictures just for fun...

He's wide awake!

His first Sunday. What a little stud! Little did mom Know he was wetting through his diaper this very moment, thus the unhappy cry:(

Saturday is Football day with Dad!!

A rare moment of peaceful sleep, (sigh).

Hated the bath, loved his cuddly towel afterwards.

2008-10-21T21:35:00.000-06:00

Pure Perfection

2008-10-21T18:08:00.007-06:00

Our little piece of heaven was sent to us Friday, October 17th at 6:49pm. MalaKai Marion Probert was 7lbs 15oz and 20 inches long. Here he is, calm as can be, a few moments after birth relaxing on mommas chest. I cannot express how much joy i felt through the whole process of briging him into the world. He is a daddy look alike with my fat lips, so precious! I love him more and more every moment. We cannot wait for all the fun time ahead with our new little family!

St. George

2008-10-11T12:57:00.014-06:00

We have so loved living in the just right size town of St. George, Utah. It is just big enough to always remain interesting and small enough to still feel cozy. Not to mention it's beautiful landscape. If you can survive the intense summers and won't miss the snow then this is the place for you! While biding my time waiting for this precious baby boy to decide to be born I have enjoyed being outside and walking around a few of the historic sites of our town that are close to our home. The weather is absolutely beautiful right now! Here are a few pictures of my wonderings for your viewing pleasure:)
(The picture above is of the middle of St. George. We live just to the left of the temple. It is wonderful to be able to walk out and see it from our front door everyday.)

St. George Tabernacle
Started 1863
Completed 1871

Woodward School 1901

Judd home and store. Still in business!

Orson Pratt Home(above) and Historic Inn(Below)

Home of Brigham Young
Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Momma Judy, What a Woman!

2008-10-09T21:59:00.006-06:00

My mother-in-law (who hates to be called that, she is mom!), Judy Probert, is such an amazing lady. Living in Oregon she has been dying not being able to be around during my pregnancy because she loves to be involved in everything and do what ever she can to make every experience special for her family. To our complete delight and surprise she was able to come to St. George! She came Tuesday October 2nd and hopefully will be able to stay until the baby is born (my due date is tomorrow. I don't really want to talk about it). Ever since she arrived she has catered to our every need and beyond. Not only cleaning and cooking every day (love it!), but being so much fun and such a riot! I have completely enjoyed every minuet of having her here. Her love and support during this time has been exactly what I have needed. Her spirit has brought so much joy to our home. I love her so much and have enjoyed our bonding time thoroughly. Thanks momma Judy!

Just a waiting!

2008-10-02T17:15:00.004-06:00

Here I am! Full grown. As you can see I am retaining water now, swollen hands, feet, and face! So much fun. 8 days until our due date and I really cannot wait. Over these past two weeks I have not been working so it has been somewhat of a challenge to pass the time quickly. I've probably organized and re organized everything about a million times, cleaned out drawers and closets, read some old books, and laying around way too much! While poor McKay is so busy every minuet with full time work and school, never with a complaint. He is so completely wonderful! One thing I have really enjoyed is being able to go to the pool almost every day. It is so relaxing. Most of the time I am the only one there, or on rare occasion McKay and Jake come out with me. Anyway, that is about all I have to update. We are just in complete anticipation of this little baby and I don't really think about much else these days!

Here are some more pregnant pictures so no one can complain any more that they haven't seen me pregnant! And of the beautiful pool that we are able to use!

McKay loves that my belly is now bigger than his!

Sorry if the bare bellies gross you out but I just love it!

So great!

Obviously I had some company this day! (I can't wait to loose the excess weight, it really is not flattering:) But so worth it!)

It is not an illusion!

2008-09-14T15:37:00.000-06:00

So I have finally set up a blog. Shocking to most I know. Better late than never! I don't really know what to do with it yet so I've decided to post some fun pictures of what we have been up to since we have been married. Enjoy:)

Trip to Disney land, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. My favorite places ever!!

Football, Football, Football, did I say Football?

Last the best of all the game!

We are precious little baby boy on October 10th. 4 weeks and counting!!

We have had a lot of fun times and I couldn't possibly blog about them all! We are so excited for what is to come. We are loving St. George as our home and will be sad when it is time to leave. I'll do my best to keep things fun and interesting!