B & B

The first B is for Bracelet:
Okay, how cute is this!! The most darling bracelet, compliments of the wonderful Erors! I absolutely love it! It is too perfect! Notice the cunning little clasp...cycling people are so clever. If I could have figured out the zoom, you would be able to see that it is even a dura-ace chain piece. It really is too perfect!
Thank you my much loved friends!

The other B is for Bread:

Look what I did! I made this bread. Yup, it's true....from scratch. I kneaded it and everything. It rolled on the pan a little bit and I don't know what to do about that.

But look how yummy it is. The inside is even yummier than the delicious crust. For a first time, I think it is pretty impressive. If you know my cooking skills, then you are beyond impressed right now. Especially considering that the Frosted Flakes in the background present a cooking challenge for me on a typical day.

There may be culinary hope for me after all. Oh, the recipe came from the Barefoot and Baking blog that Kenz told me about. It's over on the side of my blog. If you have any desire at all, you too can make this delicious bread. I promise. If I can do it, anyone can!!

Lagoonatics!

So here's what fun is, Lagoon! It was the first of many summer trips to Lagoon for me. I know, you can take the girl out of the amusement park... I can't help it. I love it! I can't count how many birthday parties I had out here, and how much fun we always had. Bunches of friends, all day passes, rides galore, treats in a cooler in the pavilion, prizes just waiting to be won, and money flowing like water from dad's hands to ours. Yup, spoiled beyond belief, and I still managed to turn out sweet and humble. (It's true!)

In keeping with fine family tradition, we had a wonderful day...

Cameron proves he's not too big for the kiddie rides...yet.

Probably Ella K's last boat ride. She's technically too tall, but we snuck her on.


Sass and Cam doing the Dinosaur, Shea's on the side with Griff.

Captain Griff with a boat to himself.

Grady piloting his chopper.

Just getting started, before the wet trip down Rattlesnake Rapids.

The Grady Bug in all his Dragonfly glory!

I really thought this would be so cute, except G-Man has his own water, and G-babe looks like he's doing the watering himself. Oh well. So much for my photo op.

The girlies, all cutsie-pie on the helicopters.

Griffy tames the wildest of stallions, and the chickie is appropriately on the chicken. (okay, rooster)

Some things just don't get old.

A Day In The Yard

This is the after shot, and boy, do I wish I had a before shot. I started early this morning, and entreated the help of two of my favorite guys...Spencer and Sam Pihl. They attacked the weeds like garden gladiators and had this huge mess cleaned out in just an hour and a half. Then I went after it with the trowell (2 Ls?) and a few new flowers. Here is a shot of the whole thing. (Special thanks to the McMasters and the kids from my class who provided beautiful geraniums and some darling annuals.)

This is a close up of my favorite of the new flowers that went in today. It's a lily, but of course I can't remember what kind. Oh well. It's the especially beautiful, blooming the day you bring it home, making the weeding worth it kind of lily.

Ahhh, peonies. Does anything smell as good as a peony? This one bloomed yesterday, and is sooo gorgeous!

I have two white plants, and one darling single petal ring plant, but these baby pinks steal my heart and remind me of my grandma's house. She had a wall full on the side of her garage, right across from the raspberry bushes and the strawberry patch. I will never be as ambitious in the garden as she was, but the peonies bring her close, and cheer me on each summer.

Spectacular! I had nothing to do with this, I didn't pick it out, I don't water it, it needs no weeding, and no one trusts me with power tools enough to let me try to prune it. This is strictly the work of the Big Guy. He does very nice work, doesn't he!

There is plenty left to do...like get those Pihl boys up here again...but this is definitely enough for the day. Nice job nature. Now, no more weeds!

From the Silly to the Sublime

there have definitely been some highlights this weekend. Some that were just plain funny, some that were fantastic and all were lots of fun. I'm sure I didn't get nearly as much done as I should have, but sometimes life just gets in the way, and aren't we glad that it does. At least when it is all good.

So here's Digger as a giant chihuahua. He looks utterly disgraced to be kitted out this way. However, it was his beloved Ali (see next photo) who created his look here, and he adores her, so in his way he was probably fine with it. Oh Digs, we love you even if you are a sniffer and insist on protecting me no matter where I am in the house.

AliBali and TomTom were so cute playing in the phone booth at Rio Grande. By the way, the food was amazing. If you haven't been there in a while...go back! Everyone loved the food and the atmosphere was terrific too. Rod Decker was even there, although I didn't risk a photo. You'll just have to believe me. If not, I'll sic Roc Decker on you.

Now, away from the silly and toward the sublime:

Paris was ordained an Elder tonight. Chase T conferred the blessing and it was beautiful! To see P surrounded by friends who have become family, and to feel the spirit of the event...It was w0nderful. There was Nana Puddin of course, and plenty of laughs as the film crew kept trying to get us to repeat the conversations that they missed. Congratulations P! You're on your way!

and finally, the loveliest surprise came this morning when Kenzie found out that she is having a GIRL! Naturally I started shopping for the baby months ago, and we had to meet Shel to add to the outfits today now that we know to focus on pink. I can't wait for the little one to be here so we can see her in all her finery. The only thing we were missing this weekend was our Brazilians, Drew and Rach. (Especially when I tried to make peanut butter cookies by myself and had to try 3 times. Rach, I need you!!) I'm sure they were here in spirit. So many wonderful people to call my own and such blessings! Ahh life, if this is what you are up to, keep getting in the way.

Going away get-together

So, the cake says it all. Bunches of people came up to see Rachel and Drew before they left. In spite of the fact that they were going away the next day, it was a really fun night! There were all kinds of baked goodies, and amazing homemade ice cream (special thanks to Ann for the huge assist on that), and lots of laughing and happy hanging out.


Here are Rach and Drew with Ann and Bob. They were actually looking at the camera above me, but I didn't want to make them keep posing for me.


My two favorite girls showing off their baby bumps...only they are only visible if the mommies show them off. These skinny minis are staying that way...no matter what they say... meanwhile, I'm eating for all four of them.

Wills is trying to be kept warm while playing. How cute is he?

He just wants to play with the big boys!

The big boys.

Working those Croquet skills! The killing shot!

Mike is showing them how to do it with style.

It is always good humor to hear Michelley explaining her "cedar chest".

It was such a fun night and so good to be together. I wish I had pictures of everyone else who came. There were so many darling family members and good friends that came to wish them well and even fit in a game of hand golf (whatever that is). It is easy to see how loved these two are, and for good reason!

Departure Day

Trying to fit it all in.

The march of the suitcases...not including carry ons, or the dog.

Lunch at Zupa's before the ride to the airport.

Rach and her darling sister.

At the airport, the suitcases are getting weighed, but our weight target was too high and Delta honestly charges over $400 dollars per overweight bag. Can you even believe that? It would be cheaper to bring two additional bags, than to pay for one overweight bag. Pure Craziness!!

Quick last shot of everyone at the airport. Hard day, but Rach and Drew are doing so well already! It's mostly getting easier to focus on being happy and excited for them. Plus, they are awesome about calling, and soon they will be in their own house and we'll be able to call them too. Hurray!

So Many Sharons

Our darling Sharon's birthday was a few weeks ago. In spite of best intentions, a couple of us who love her dearly, did not wish her a happy birthday on her actual day. We felt horrible, and clever Shelly came up with a plan to show her lots of love, by creating lots of Sharons.

We had Baby Sharon, Princess Sharon...



...Granny Sharon, Summer Sharon...



...and my favorite: Lake Powell Sharon!

She was very surprised to see herself show up at the Broiler and a good time was had by all. Now Shel's birthday is coming up. I wonder what Sharon will do.