Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Eco Friendly Family






I've been thinking about what do to when the little pooping machine comes. I know I would like to avoid disposable diapers at all costs. So I've been looking for alternative diapers and I have found quite an assortment! One of the most intersting is the Gdiaper: http://www.gdiapers.com/happy-planet This is a 100% biodegradable diaper and you can also use it in your compost! Also you can buy little G pants in a variety of colors, which I think are very cute! I'm very happy about my eco friendy find and I think baby will be too.

Just to give you an idea of the impact of diapers have on the plant and children here are some tid bits:
-It takes about 500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose
-The manufacture of disposable diapers results in dioxins, solvents and heavy metals being released into the environment
-Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste
-Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S
-Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals
Yes- life might not be as convenient with other types of diapers, but my child and plant are worth it!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Christmas in SLC

Just got back from a week long stay in SLC. I feel relaxed and full!!

Tay and I are happy we were able to spend time with our families and friends. I especially liked the pampering from my mother and mother-in-law. Mom was great making sure I was fed every hour or so. We spent the night watching movies and putting together a puzzle. I enjoyed being snowed in by Utah weather and felt obligated to honor the snow by not going anywhere but by the fireplace.

Shauna gave me the best Christmas present ever... pants that fit! I arrived in SLC with only some sad sweat/yoga pants. Sophia couldn't help but laugh when she came to pick me up one day and I came outside in some green sweatpants and a t-shirt. Needless to say, I am greatful for my mother-in-law who took me out shopping for a few hours to find 3 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 skirts, and 1 pair of shoes. Thank you so much!!!

Tay and I took advantage of our visit and ate at some of our favorite places: Evergreen and Park Cafe'. I was also able to see my 2 new nephews: Dashel and Desmond. What cute babies and even though they are so close in age they couldn't be more different. Dashel is the small thing I have ever seen and sleeps all the time. Desmond is a little chunky monkey and wiggles non-stop!
One special Christmas present I received was feeling the baby for the first time on christmas eve! What a crazy feeling knowing I have a human growing inside of me. The baby likes to move in the morning and has become my new alarm.

I feel like a new woman coming back to Denver: new outfits, new haircut, new belly, and more energy/ less sickness!!! Hurray for the second trimester! Thanks to everyone for such a special Christmas. I'm so glad I decided to take a week vacation to SLC.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Baby Stuff

So many of you are asking if I've gotten anything for the baby yet. Well I did buy the cutest crib set ever................ NOTE: this is JUST the bedding NOT the crib.




Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Why I love Taylor

I feel very greatful for having such an empathetic and kind husband....

Last night I woke up with my belly 2 sizes too big: full of gas and acid. Taylor sat in bed with me for about an hour rubbing my hands, arms and back until I could fall back to sleep. He also wispered kind word of encouragement and listened to me babbled, half asleep. Not that I'm suprise Taylor did this because he has always been very kind-hearted and loving towards me. However, I am amazed at the amount of patients and kindness he has demonstrated during these past months. He is sooo in tune with my needs sometimes he knows what I need even if I don't.
Some people worry when they are pregnant that their husbands will have no idea how to take care of the baby...I have not misgivings about Taylor ability to be an amazing father because he has already taken on so much of the nurturing aspect of our family.

Anyway, I wanted to brag about my wonderful husband and also thank him for all he does for the family.

XOXO

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Christmas at the Wilsures

I wanted the white tree this year, with gold and glass/mirror and I like how it turned out.



The original Christmas calendar...


Christmas pictures and Rudolph figurines.


No fireplace anymore! We decided the stocking could be hung by the front door...


Of course I get the joy of hanging the lights...



Baby update: Here I am at 12 weeks....

My real life...

I woke up early in the morning to get ready for work. I notice how lazy and comfy all my family was and decide to take pictures of the injustice.....






Then I looked around the house. I though about how a persons house looks like when they are not expecting guest.... well here is what my house looks like...




Yep that's my real life.....

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanksgiving with Friends

Tay and I decided to spend Thanksgiving in Colorado with some friends. We rented a little cabin in Evergreen. Carmen and Kelly came down from SLC and Nick and Carrie came from Denver.

It was fun to spend Thanksgiving with friends old and new. I've always seen friends as individuals in my life who I choose to have as family. What I love about my family of friends is you have to treat your friends with a certain level of respect and love to be invited into the family, it's a relationship based on trust, giving and positive regard.

Tay cooked most of the Thanksgiving dinner and he was defiantly the organizer of the event. Nick made 3 pies and Tay (with some help from me) made 1 pie. Later that night we played games, we love Uno Attack!

The dinner was great, but I can't say my nose liked the aftermath. Everything smelled like pie and gravy and it made me sick. Sadly, my sickness came back this weekend. We went to a restaurant in the morning and I had to leave because the smells were making me nauseous.

I was grateful my friends were just as lazy as I was and didn't want to go shopping, jogging, hiking or do anything that took effort. We enjoyed throwing rocks into the frozen river and lake and watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The only thing I couldn't do was sit in the hot tub with them, but I did dump a bucket of ice cold water on Taylors head in the hot tub (like a true Leasure).

Saturday, we came home from the cabin and we all took a nap to recover from our lazy Thanksgiving! HA! Later that night we saw the movie "slumdog millionaire" which was a great movie! I recommend it for anyone. Tay, Kelly and Carmen went to a show that night, while I went to bed.

Today I will be doing more homework and decorating for christmas! I can't wait for school to be over in 2 weeks!


Friday, November 21, 2008

Say hello to Lilja or Elliott Wilsure


Me and Baby at 9 weeks

That's right... Due June 20th 2009!
Doctor said the baby looks strong and healthy. I just started bawling when I saw little baby flapping around and the heartbeat! Don't you think the baby picture looks like a cupi doll? HA!

It's been one crazy ride. Morning sickness (aka: all day sickness) started around 6 weeks and just started letting up a little around 9 weeks. I have been in "survivor" mode the past 2 months just trying to get the energy to go to work and school full-time. In addition, I feel ambivalent and scared that something will happen. At this point I feel I need some good pampering, a haircut and some relaxing/carefree times.
Needless to say, Taylor has become the soul caretaker of the family. He does EVERYTHING around the house and for the pets. Not to mention, takes care of me and by takes care of me, I mean he is my slave husband.

I can't wait to be done with this school semester and 1st trimester and just have a relaxing holiday season.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Getting caught up

Sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile. Well, my birthday and Halloween came and went this year. Nothing special, I wasn't feeling well so we took it easy this year.

For my birthday Taylor had all my presents laid out on the table. I woke him up so I could open them. He got me some new boots, a handbag, some herbal scents for the bathtub and some Halloween pictures. He also got me 2 mini cakes: a cheese cake and a chocolate cake. I went to work but didn't go to school because I was too tired. I spent the rest of my birthday in bed! HA! The next day we went out with a few friends to dinner.

For Halloween, I went as princess Laya at work. We had a big Halloween party at work and I was tired by the time I got home. Tay and I spent the night watching scary movies.



When Lauren came from SLC to see us, we ended up making some yummy sugar cookies!
We also carved pumpkins with Nick and his friend.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Fall Harvest

It's my favorite time of the year, Fall! We just took a trip into the mountains last weekend when Mike came to visit. We went to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Aspens are a beautiful golden yellow and they look amazing against the dark green pines. I have a great maple tree in the backyard that is a sunset red color! The dogs and cats have been loving the weather and I just decorated the house all Halloweenish!
Enjoy the Pictures!




Saturday, September 27, 2008

September happenings

Hi everyone- I've been so busy with school, work and home that I have not been able to post this month.
First off, I guess I should update everyone on my school. Naropa is a totally different school experience compared to the traditional colleges I've gone to. We don't take test, but we read a crazy amount, do experientials and then write about it. For me, this is the best way to learn. If I don't understand how to apply what I've just learned... I typically forget about it. We are also required to learn the practice of meditation. This is a new class for me and I think it has been really helpful to be more present when I'm with people. I feel I'm less annoyed at work with others. Well, I wouldn't say I'm less annoyed, but I'm more aware of where the annoyance comes from. I recognize I'm feeling that way and I'm able to not let the feeling consume my thoughts and actions. I've also been practicing my listening techniques of mirroring/reflecting and minimal encouragers. This has helped me when I talk to frustrated clients at work. It has made the resident feel heard and valued. I've even had a few of the clients say this to me!

September has been a crazy month as far as personal life goes. We had a visitor stay with us for 2 weeks while she worked volunteering for the Obama campaign. She is an acquaintance from Utah and she rented out the spare room for the 2 weeks. Also during the 2 weeks Kelly, Carmen, Jason, and Robert came to goto the Monolith concert. Red Rocks is by far the coolest place to see bands. The atmosphere is great and the music is too (if the sound person doesn't mess it up).

Yesterday, Taylor had his first show. His new band, Black Sleep of Kali played at the Old Curtis St. Pub. They were really good and you could tell the audience was really into it. It's nice to see that Tay was able to find some musicians to play with in Denver. Tonight, Tay and I are going to Sigur Ros at Red Rocks. This is an Icelandic band and I love their music. I'll post pics soon of Red Rocks and Tay's show.










Friday, August 29, 2008

1 Year in Denver

Today marks the 1 year of living in Denver. We have had so many new experiences and challenges since moving here. Although we miss our friends and family we know we were met to be here and I'm happy we decided to go outside our comfort zone and move.
I have learned more about other cultures and have been exposed to more ideas and people.
Taylor and I are finally forming our group of friends, which always makes living easier. We have also had plenty of great friends and Taylors family that have visited us this past year. This year We bought a house and I got accepted to grad school.
I started school this week and I must say I am glad we didn't wait till this year to move. There are many people in my classes that just moved to Colorado and they seem extra stressed out!
School is going to be challenging and fun. I will be in it for the next 3 years so we won't be moving anywhere for awhile. So it is official for now.....Taylor and I call Denver home.

Here are just a few pics of the things that have happened over the past year:



Sunday, August 17, 2008

Belize it or not!

What a trip!! I had soooo much fun! We started off nice and easy and went to the islands for a few days. Caye Caulker was great. No one drives cars, just bikes and golf carts. HAHA! We got to meet lots of local and travelers alike.
Then we headed to San Ignacio to explore a Mayan Cave where they did rituals including human sacrifices. We had to swim in the cave and fit through tight spots to get to the huge opening where everything was done. It was dark and full of bats and we waded through water that was chest high. If you ever go there you must do this tour! We saw old pottery and skeletons. We also met lots of travelers there too and we hung out for a few days together.

After that adventure we went to Guatemala, Tikal. We saw some amazing Mayan ruins and climbed to the top of some. It's an experience no one should miss... being able to see the ruins of an ancient civilization that had such a sophisticated system. You could feel something was different there. While we were there we met some more travelers and had dinner with them and shared traveling stories. It's so fun to meet other who are traveling, you get to know so much about them in such a short period of time and then you go on you separate ways.

To end the trip we went back to the islands to Ambergris Caye. This was a bigger and more popular island. It had good food and nice beaches. The dogs were friendly too and we had a few following us around town! We also met some locals and spent most of our time hanging out with them.

This trip had it all: adventure, relaxation and new friends... I couldn't ask for more!

got my haircut



Let me tell you how great it feels to have short hair again. It's not in my face constantly and it takes 3 seconds to do. Plus it's not in a ponytail everyday. Tay likes it long but when have I ever cared about that! HAHAHA!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Oh how we've grown!

I starting to scan old photos into my computer. I have come across some funny ones. I also noticed how many there are of Curtis and me. We've really done a lot together. So I just wanted to post a few collages of the old photos.




Curtis and Kendyl throughout the years!

Boots went on an adventure

This last Thursday Boots did not come home. We looked for him Friday night and Saturday went to shelters and posted fliers. Taylor even put a missing ad on craigslist in hopes of getting a response. Well we did get a response from a man who said he had our cat, he read off the description Tay had written. Taylor asked the man where he was and the man responded, "I'm in the graveyard burying your cat because I killed him." Who get pleasuring in saying something like that? It made me sick! Taylor was very unset and so was I. But happily Boots came home that night around 11:00pm. He was very hungry, thirsty and needy! He purred all night.
Welcome home Bootsy Boy we are happy you are safe at home!

The Veggies of our Labor


Our garden is now producing a ridiculous amount of Zucchini!! We only planted 1 this year too! We also now have fresh squash and peas and green beans and tomatoes! I'm making zucchini bread today and giving the rest to co-workers tomorrow.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

On the yard front

The yard continues to grow. We now have sweat peas in the backyard and I have some hydrangeas growing in the front yard both are very pink!
My garden is now starting to grow veggies! We have tomatoes, peas, green bean buds and a little zucchini.

On the home front

Thought I would update all on how the home is coming along: We got out new couch and chair for the front room along with my purple curtains.



Taylors 32nd Birthday Bash!

It's taken awhile to get Tays birthday pics up but here they are. We had our Denver and Utah friends over for the weekend and it was a blast. Some highlights of the weekend:
Friday: Lauren, Tay and myself visited the Denver Zoo on probably the hottest day ever! HAHA! Lauren and I consumed a outrageous amount of ice cream that weekend.
Kelly and Carmen got into town we went out to eat at City-o-City.
That night Taylors friends from a fellow Utah band, Gaza came to Denver and crash at our house too... that made 7 visitors sleeping over!
Saturday: We all went to WaterWorld! This water park puts all Utah water parks to shame. We had a blast and I have to get back there soon!
That night everyone came over and helped celebrate Taylor b-day BBQ. We at Wolfs BBQ tofu (you must eat there if you come to Denver) and I made angel food cake, strawberries and whipped cream.
Sunday: We all took it easy, went to Watercourse to eat and then down to the water front to hang out until Kelly and Carmen had to leave. Lauren got up early Monday morning to fly home but missed her flight..... but don't worry she eventually made it home!

Thanks to everyone for making this a great b-day for Taylor. He said it was one of the best ones he has ever had!

Monday, June 30, 2008

JUNE BIRTHDAYS!! Paula: she funny and is ready to have a good time. She also must love white shirts! HAHA!
Taylor: is a troll-o-matic. Look at all the adventures we've had together!


Mom: She has a lot of love to give to the family! She also likes Crime/Mystery books! HAHA!

We'll it's time to highlight June birthdays and I've got quite a few to cover.
Paula has been in the family just a little longer then I've known Taylor (12 years). I can't believe all the fun I've had with her. I remember she fit right into our family when we started having a food fight and she joined right in with us. Unfortunately, she also got yelled at by Dad! HAHA! She is always making the worst/funniest jokes and she can never keep a straight face when she is trying to trick someone. She has become an awesome mother and I admire her loving nature but also the fact that she sets boundaries and disciplines (a rare thing now-a-days).

Next is Mom! There is so much to say about mother. I will just mention a few fond memories I have of her. I remember when I was a little girl she would find fun ways to get us to do boring things. For example, to get Curtis and I to get our clothes on faster she would sing a little jig and we would race to see who could get all the clothes on first! Nothing was better then sitting next to mom at church! She would scratch our backs, play hand games with us and give us lifesavers. I remember fighting with Curtis many times for the premo seat at church. Mother was the best teacher I ever had. She was the one who got me through math and reading. There were times when I just couldn't read a chapter and mom would sit on the couch and read the whole chapter to me.
Nothing was worse then getting in trouble by mom. Like the time I peaked at my Christmas present and then decided to ask mom for that exact thing (a sparkled eyed My Little Pony- purple please!) HAHA.. she was soooo mad! Or the time I ate the cake batter and let Kira and Mark take the fall for it. But I did come clean later that night! hehehe!
Mom has been the best mentor, listener, nurturing person in my life. She is the glue that keeps the leasures together!

Lastly, Taylor. I've know Taylor since he was 20 year old. He is now the BIG 32! Taylor and I have done just about everything together since we met 12 year ago. He is defiantly my best friend and confidant. One of the best things I love about Taylor is that he shares my love for animals. I didn't think I would every find someone who would be a crazy about animals as I was... but lucky me I did! We now have 3 cats and 2 dogs. (also we had 1 ferret, Gwar who we LOVED). The other things I love about Taylor is his willingness to accept and even on occasions go along with my wacky ideas. He is an awesome musician and loves to talk about it if you give him an "in". He can make a dull story into a tale of epic proportions. He loves adventures just as much as I do and we support each others goals.
Happy Birthday family you are all so important to me and each holds a special place in my heart!
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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Summer is officially here!

This weekend we participated in the summer solstice in the following ways:
Friday: Tay went with Nick to the Rockies game and enjoyed a baseball game at Coors Field. I decided to take a "Kendyl night" relaxed at home with the dogs and cats.
Saturday: Once again we hung out with Randy and Sarah at the pool. Then that night we went to Red Rocks and watched the Robert Plant and Allison Krauss concert. It was a beautiful night and great music. They played 3 Led Zeppelins songs too! It's amazing that 20 minutes away from my house there are mountains with beautiful red rocks.
Sunday: We decided to go with Morgan, Crysta, Randy and Sarah to the Denver Gay Pride Day. It's one of the biggest pride days in the country. It reminded me of SLC pride day, just a lot bigger. Needless to say it was good people watching and it was cool to be able to walk around downtown in the streets. After that we went to Licks (the best ice-cream shop in town) and I got some mixed berry ice-cream.
I also found a very close Farmers Market that I will ride my bike to and check out this summer.
All-in-all it was a great introduction to our summertime fun. I must say I live for the weekends.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

We're going to Belize!

Tay and I are planning a Trip to Belize in Aug. We wanted to take one last relaxing Vacation before I go back to school. It sounds fun and I get to see some Mayan ruins!


Tikal ruins. Temple 1 known as the Great Jaguar.

This is the "Blue Hole" its part of the Lighthouse Reef System, was once an opening to a cave system during the Ice Age.

Caracol discovered in 1938 it's 140ft high and is the tallest man made structure in Belize.