The Life Chaotic

a rare treat

2012-02-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

Getting out to see my heartthrob play is getting harder and harder now that we have 3 kids. Most of Ry's shows don't even begin until after 9pm, so I always feel like I am asking too much of our babysitters, and seem to find myself going less and less.

Luckily I have some pretty amazing sisters, grandmas and grandpas, and in-laws who often hold down the fort for me late into the night so I can attend when I make the trek. Thanks to Aunt Jennie... this weekend was a night I didn't want to miss.

It's been so long since Ryan has played his own stuff, so it was quite the rare treat to hear him play live - and the backing up band are some of the most talented musicians and friends we know... I got to hang out with some cool people, hit up Ryan's friend Bren for his latest movie reviews (he never lets me down), watch my man do his thing and get a tasty bean and cheese burrito from my favorite mexi-dive on the way home.

All in all, it was a fabulous night.

The review is here.

can't hardly wait

2012-01-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

Am I excited for the new Wes Anderson movie? You know I am...

just so I can remember

2012-01-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

This post is mostly so I can remember.

For most of Jack's life, he has had a side kick. Always by his side - every nap, every car ride, every scraped knee... "Bear" was in hand and ever loyal.

Now that Jack has grown older, I have seen with some sadness, the final end of the era of Bear. Jack's posse has officially added on others - or he has out grown most all together. And while Bear was once the favorite, I now see him left behind on the bed each day, as Jack bounds off on his adventures.

For so long Bear was Jack's world, and I am some what sad now that those days are officially gone. I will miss my little man's once sweet little voice, with thumb in mouth, uttering that one word that would solve all problems: "Bear." I will always see the age of Jack's innocence and childhood every time I look into the ratty love-worn face of Bear.

I don't know why, but I still make the bed with a prime spot for Bear on the pillows. But that is where he will stay all day - and most likely will be pushed onto the floor at night, no longer part of the adventure.

I know it's lame, but I'm sad for Bear.

oh my

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Tonight Ry and I hit up a late night movie (thanks aunt Jennie for holding down the fort of sleeping monsters). We went and saw WE BOUGHT A ZOO, and oh how I loved it! Cameron Crow is one of my most favorite directors... so I knew I would not be disappointed, but I left completely taken over. It was so beautiful. And the soundtrack by Jonsi was fabulous and I could go on and on.

Go see it before it leaves the theater if you haven't already.

Sigh.

meet shirley

2012-01-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

Ryan gave me this gorgeous sewing machine for Christmas. She's in great condition... only catch is how to use her. I have been searching online for a manual I could download or purchase but so far can't find the right one. Does anyone have any good sewing books they could recommend for a beginner? I need some good projects to start out with. I am determined to start putting her to good use. I have no sewing abilities whatsoever, so I hope this ol' gal is the beginning of something I thought I would always love.

Oh, and I've named her Shirley, after my grandmother.

Yes... I like to name inanimate objects.

creativity project // bookplates

2012-01-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

One of my resolutions for the year was to try and be more creative. I used to do creative things all the time... and well now I realize it's not so much that I don't have the time to be creative as much as I rarely MAKE the time to. I'm trying to be conscious of doing something once a week - that gets the old creative motor running again.

Today's "creativity" project was dedicated to my books. My personal library is slowly growing. I hope to one day have walls and walls of books. Something like this.

I love to read, but with these three monsters running circles around me, I don't get much reading time in. So for now, I slowly read one book at a time and just keep collecting books I would love to one day get around to enjoying.

So today I made some personalized bookplates for my small collection. I will make a full series this weekend. I like the idea of having all different kinds of birds. Then every time I pick up a new book, they will be ready to be installed. I might even make a small series to give to people whom I know love to read as well. Maybe that will be next week's project. We will see.

latest book finds

2012-01-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

Here are our latest favorite finds at the library.

For Cash I found "Where's Walrus?" by Stephen Savage. There are no words, and the pages follow a great story about a walrus that escapes from the zoo and camouflages into the scenery on each page as the zoo keeper tries to find him. The illustrations are simple and beautiful in color. We loved it.

For Jack I found "The boy who cried ninja" by Alex Latimer. I picked this up merely on how cool the illustrations were on the cover, but the story was fabulous too. It's about a little boy named Tim who keeps getting blamed for things that happen around the house even when he explains it was a ninja, or a time traveling monkey, or a sunburned crocodile. Then his parents discover he was telling the truth. Jack wants to read it every night.

Check them out next time you are at the library - they are good picks. You won't be disappointed.

a post of a post

2012-01-13T07:43:00.000-08:00

This story is such a beautiful and tragic story. Ryan wrote this song 2 years ago when we followed her blog as her son battled for his life. I cried reading this updated post 2 years past, and I am in constant awe of this woman and her faith.

READ HERE.

because of all the throw up

2012-01-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

Because of all the sickness and throw up that was happening at our house around the time I finished my stationery boxes for the boys teachers, I never got around to posting these pictures.

I tried to use mostly what I had around the house, so the patterns and ribbon don't completely match, but I still liked it. I got the cigar boxes from Michaels, the cardboard initials (glued on the front) from Hobby Lobby, and the idea from this crafty girl's blog. Each box had a set of 12 cards with their monogrammed initial in a different font. Then I designed up some smaller note cards which had birds and other motifs stamped on them.

There you have it. I think they turned out pretty good.

so long, farewell

2011-12-31T14:21:00.000-08:00

Goodbye 2011. You've been quite the year.

While you were loads of fun, I'm kinda happy to see you go. The boys have been sick all of the holiday... I was sick just prior to the week before Christmas and I just feel happy to slowly getting everyone back to their semi-normal selves. Ringing in the new year without anyone throwing up and everyone sleeping through the night sounds like a great way to start the year.

I wish I had more time to reflect about what made this year great. Most of all, I realize just how grateful I am for my Ryan who is my gravity... my sun to which my world rotates, my saving grace. And of course for my three little mugwhumps who are aging me faster then I'd like, but who I worship, love and adore.

I hope this new year brings more patience on my end, more movies cozied up on the couch with my boys, more moments for just me and ry, more chances to become someone better then I am and more quiet moments to take in all that I have.

So goodbye to the end of the year, and hello to all that is to come.

hello, I'm still here

2011-12-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

Max is back to sleeping... thank the heavens and everyone in them. A combination of not liking regular milk (I just took him off formula) with the teething made for an insane couple days.

I hope to see you all tomorrow night at the Lower Lights holiday concert. It is going to be fantastic.

Saturday Jack is hosting a gingerbread house decorating party... any excuse to have friends over and gobble up candy. Here are the invites I made. Most the kids started trying to eat them... I can see my design efforts are totally lost on 6 year olds.

why did we do this?

2011-12-11T22:55:00.001-08:00

Our favorite line to say to each other when one of our kids won't sleep is, "Who's idea was it to have kids?" Of course we are kidding. I couldn't love my mugwhumps more. My heart and world revolves around them... but oh! These last few days with Max have been brutal.

We are in a major teething episode. Last night I was up until 4am, trying so hard to keep him cozy as possible... and trying even harder to not fall asleep standing up while I rocked him back and forth. The best moment of the night/morning, was when just minutes after getting him finally down and crawling into bed, my three year old came wandering in our room, announcing he had wet the bed. Of course he did.

But now tonight it looks like it is round 2.

I feel I have prepared myself mentally that I will not be going to be anytime soon, but I am desperate for him to be able to relax enough to get into a deep enough sleep. Poor little man.

Why does growing up can be so rough?

in case you didn't know

2011-12-07T22:37:00.001-08:00

The Lower Lights are playing their Christmas show, Thursday, December 15th, at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple.

Tickets are on sale here.

I hear the venue is pretty amazing. Add the Lower Lights singing holiday songs... it should make for one killer night.

I hope I see you all there.

If you haven't heard the Christmas album yet... your holiday isn't complete. You can buy it here. I love it. The boys love it. We listen to it all day long.

You can watch this little diddy about the making of the album:

The Lower Lights: Come Let Us Adore Him from The Lower Lights on Vimeo.

holiday craft party

2011-12-03T18:24:00.001-08:00

My cute friend Sarah Sample hosted a holiday craft party this weekend. We got to make mini matchbook advent calendars, reuse books into festive trees, sew adorable paper garlands, and munch on lots of delicious snacks and treats.

I had so much fun, I went out and bought supplies to make a whole bunch more to decorate the rest of my house.

Thanks Sarah!

advent calendar for the boys

2011-12-02T13:17:00.001-08:00

I've spent all of November gathering ideas for a homemade advent calendar I could do... but have found myself in December now and no time to do it. Have no fear. I found this wrapping paper at Target to help me out. I can be uber creative and make something more long term when the boys aren't so young and I have all sorts of time to kill (does that ever happen?).

I just cut out each number, glued it to some adorable mini envelopes - and day I hide the envelope somewhere around the house for the boys to find. They take turns finding each day - and it is fun to have it happen at random times. They get so excited when they suddenly take notice of it on the shelf with their toys or next to their milk in the fridge.

So far the treats have been tickets to The Festival of Trees (yesterday), and going to the Movies with Grandma and Grandpa (today). I have little holiday candy and treats, some craft projects for them to make and color, and other activities like making hot chocolate and reading Christmas books, or driving around to see the lights around the neighborhoods and getting malts afterwards.

I figure the only time this will be as cheap and as fun will be now while the boys are still young. The uber cool designed homemade well thought out and crafted advent calendar can come another year.

i heart this

2011-12-01T13:10:00.001-08:00

Come December first, I can't resist going out and picking the wrapping paper for Christmas. I love wrapping paper! And absolutely love this one from Paper Source. I want to frame it to hang during the holiday season. So adorable.

blah

2011-11-28T20:07:00.001-08:00

Cash got sick the day before Thanksgiving. We spent most of Thanksgiving morning in the only insta-care open that day... the weekend continued on, he stopped throwing up thank goodness, and then Saturday, Max woke with a fever. Sunday I woke with a fever and a nasty cough and then this morning, Jack joined the group with a twin cough to mine. Ugh! I hate getting sick, having sick little ones - or having both of those scenarios at the same time. It makes you realize just how lovely life is when everyone is well.

I'm hoping this virus has made it's rounds on our house and will move on come the weekend. It wasn't how I planned our big holiday weekend would go, but that is life.

Here's crossing our fingers, eyes and toes that tomorrow we will all start feeling better.

happy birthday maxamillion

2011-11-25T19:30:00.001-08:00

It's crazy to see Max's first year go by so quickly. Today we celebrated him turning the mighty one. One year ago today, he was so small, saggy and baggy with his 2 week early debut. Now he seems so big. It really does go in a blink of an eye.

Oh, how I love my little Max. He is such a happy little guy.

Happy Birthday Max. We couldn't love and adore you more.

mmmm, pie 1

2011-11-23T12:57:00.001-08:00

If Thanksgiving couldn't rule any more then it does... making pies the day before has become my new favorite tradition. This year I attempted this molasses-pecan pie. It is cooking in the oven as we speak. I smells just heavenly. I hope it tastes just as good. Next in line, apple-pear spice and my first ever attempt at a home made pumpkin pie using pumpkin NOT from the can.

the best week ever

2011-11-22T11:14:00.001-08:00

In the words of Spongebob, here we are at the start of "the best week evvvveeeerrrr". Today the pies begin. Tomorrow the rolls and prepping of the sweet potato spoon bread and corn bread stuffing and the homemade cranberry sauce. Thursday morning is crazy with cooking and a day of non-stop eating. Max's birthday is Friday. Saturday we will get our tree. Ry has work off. The kids have school off.

It's going to be a pretty good week. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

come let us adore Him

2011-11-19T07:16:00.001-08:00

The Lower Lights Christmas album released yesterday and it is fabulous.
You can get it here.

Happy Weekend everyone.

max's wishlist

2011-11-17T19:06:00.003-08:00

Max will soon be turning the mighty 1 years old. Where has the time gone? Here are a few items I've had my eye on. I'd love to give him any of these things for his birthday:

Ikea Slide

I love the look of this. It's not just a slide, it is a piece of furniture I wouldn't mind having around in any room. I can see it being a great race track for Jack and Cash Hotwheels as well.

Kid o tip truck

I love how minimialistic this truck is. I want... I mean Max wants it in green.

Tobbles

These just look cool - and I kinda like toys and kid items you can keep out on the coffee table that look cool and not just like they haven't been put away yet.

Robeez R2D2 shoes

These shoes will always be my favorite. Max is the master of curling up his toes so I can't get any regular shoes on. He can't fight me on these though. I just stretch them right over those crazy toes. And I love the StarWars tribute version of these.

Wishbone Flip rocker and scooter

How cool is this rocker slash scooter. I love the design of it - and that it has two functions for as your kid gets older.

Carters Bulldog beanie

I think the colors and the design of this beanie is super adorable.

Ikea Finger Puppets

These are cool - and I like the little stage they come with - although Max would rip and destroy it in seconds. At least it could be a cool display for when they were put away in the playroom. The guy in the canon is my favorite.

Gap Polar Bear sweater

I want this for Max's Christmas outfit. The collar on this rules.

Does anyone else know some really great items for a one year old?

jack's heartbreak

2011-11-15T13:09:00.001-08:00

Each year after Halloween, there is the horrible day the pumpkins have molded to the point of becoming a health hazard and I tell the boys it's time to throw them away. I try to wait as long as possible. Jack is devastated every time. He gets very attached to his jack-o-lanterns. I try to take pictures for him to keep, but forgot to do it right after Halloween this year, so his pumpkin had turned into a grandpa pumpkin who was missing his dentures.

We had some tears, and then said our good byes. I always feel like the bad guy when it is said and done.
Poor little man. Poor me.

rake, jump, rake, jump

2011-11-14T15:59:00.001-08:00

I am so happy old man winter gave me one last day this week to rake up my leaves. This is the final week for the year, of our green waste garbage-can pick up, so I was happy to finally get around to it.

Cash was my helper... by jumping in every pile I would create. As much as I wanted to tell him no so I could get done quicker, I couldn't help it - there is not much fun in raking leaves if you can't jump in them. Max surveyed the whole project from his baby walker and ate a few leaves here and there I'm sure.

We picked out our favorite leaves to smash in books and then headed in just as the temperature began to turn. It was a nice couple of hours.

we're not worthy

2011-11-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I'm around Jon Canlas, I feel like throwing my arms up and down chanting, "we're not worthy, we're not worthy". That guy oozes with talent and is one of the nicest humans on this planet. He kindly let our family be apart of his Film Is Not Dead workshop again this year... and I was so excited because our family shots from San Francisco are some of my favorites of our little clan. Now that Max has joined, I was happy to do this all over again.

Now, they are no all-denim-family portraitures like what I grew up with, but I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. This was just a few he posted on facebook. I can't wait to see them all, and I hope to get to see some from the other photographers that were attending the workshop. Stay tuned I guess.

people

2011-11-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

The boys and I first discovered and fell in love with Blexbolex back in September of last year. We kept checking out his book, Seasons, for about two months straight. Then this week, we found People. The illustrations are so wicked. I want to make something inspired by the colors and look of this book. I think I might buy these for Max (me) for Christmas. Next time you are at the bookstore of library - give it a look. It is so hip.

the big day

2011-11-11T09:16:00.001-08:00

Our friends Jill and Charlie are tying the knot today. It's going to be a big day of setting up and making sure everything runs real smooth for them. With all the planning, it's been long awaited and I'm excited it's finally here!

Here our their invites I designed for them:

like crazy

2011-11-10T10:46:00.001-08:00

I can't wait to see this.

the catchup

2011-11-09T22:59:00.000-08:00

I've been horrible about blogging lately. Max is teething AND carrying on a monster cold for the last few weeks and so life has been, well - not much but trying to keep him happy.

After he is snoring soundly in bed, I have no energy left for much else, but to drool over things like this diddy. I think when life returns to normal, I will attempt to make these. Don't they look like heaven?

The boys and I found this book by super hip illustrator and designer Frank Viva on our latest trip to the library. I love the illustrations, and wouldn't mind adding this to our home library sometime in the future. This is his first children's book, and I hope he does more.

Halloween was a blast. The weather couldn't have been more dreamy. Jack, Cash and I took on the neighborhood as PowerRangers, while Max sported a Where the Wild Things are costume I convinced my mom to help me make. Each year we get together to trick-or-treat with all the cousins and then hang back at my brother's house for various home made soups and sugar overloading on candy.

I'm getting super excited for Thanksgiving. I have all my recipes picked out for the big dinner. Cornbread stuffing, Molasses-Bourbon Pecan Pie... I love this time of year. The boys are getting ever excited for Christmas as well, and when Ryan is not in the car, we turn up the holiday music even though it isn't December yet.

Shhhh, don't tell.

something like this

2011-10-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Aren't these amazing? Ray Villafane's pumpkin sculptures. I doubt my pumpkin will resemble anything like this.
Hope everyone enjoys a happy and festive weekend.

what I'm listening to

2011-10-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to Bon Iver's self titled cd all weekend and it is good. Give er' a listen. You may realize you like it as well.

pearl jam twenty

2011-10-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

Just watched Cameron Crowe's documentary PEARL JAME TWENTY on PBS. So rad. Oh I love that band. I miss the summer Ryan and I followed them around Vegas, California and Arizona.

I love me some Cameron Crowe as well. I met him once in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock. It's the first time I've ever been star struck. If you haven't seen Almost Famous, stop reading now and go watch it. If you don't love you some Pearl Jam, repent now and get listening.

more pumpkin

2011-10-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite and easiest pumpkin recipes. All you need is 1 spice cake mix (any brand - but watch out, come October, spice cake mix goes missing off the shelves - so I usually by several), 1 can of pumpkin, 1 package of MILK chocolate chips. The spice cake mix makes these cookies so light and soft. And trust me... spend the extra 20 cents for the real chocolate chips - semisweet don't cut it on these cookies.

Then pour in the spice cake mix, don't add any of the eggs or water/oil as it calls for, just add the can of pumpkin. At first it will seem extremely dry, but keep mixing with a spoon until both the pumpkin and spice cake are well incorporated. Add chocolate chips, and cook at 350 for 12 minutes. I have a small cookie dough scoop that makes these the perfect size. The dough is incredibly gooey, so I recommend using something similar to that or an icecream scoop to keep the mess to a minimum.

This is another cookie I have to plate up and immediately distribute to the neighbors or I will eat the whole batch. I often double up the recipe, they seem to go so fast. They are heaven when they are warm.

I wrapped them up with a little Halloween themed card, and thought they looked quite nice.

hello october

2011-10-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

I love October. The air is amazing - scarfs and sweaters start making their debuts... the windows can be left open again - and most of all, the house smells constantly of pumpkin. Pumpkin in all forms; cookies, bread, pie, soup - you name it. I could kiss this month on the mouth.

Yesterday I made these cookies I found on my of friend Stephanie's blog. She has the best recipes and has never lead me astray. They were super simple to make - and made a ton, so I was able to plate them up and take around to some of the neighbors... which helped me from eating them all myself. Tomorrow I will be making the pumpkin gingerbread bars she also posted about... I'm telling you - her recipes are golden.

Then today I tried this recipe for pumpkin bread with cinnamon pecan filling. It was absolutely delicious. It makes 2 loaves, but we ended up eating both... no neighbor sharing on this one.

Ahhhh, hello October. I'm glad you are here.

i am so sad about this

2011-10-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

summer flashbacks

2011-09-29T23:16:00.000-07:00

Since Ryan is all about film now... it takes longer to get prints back then the quick download of a digital camera. But I don't mind so much. It's always a happy surprise when he gets around to it. I love having that sudden moment, remembering back.

Me and my loverboy Max on the Fourth of July. And the boys in St. George.

What a great summer it was.

my ears are happy

2011-09-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

I couldn't be happier about the release of this new Wilco album, The Whole Love and the soon to be released Ryan Adam's record, Ashes and Fire. You can listen here to each of the albums if you'd like. Boohyeah!

cashman

2011-09-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

Cash, St.George, July, 2011

i heart peaches

2011-09-26T00:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend I made two peach pies and two big dishes of peach cobbler. I am trying to eat as much peaches as possible before they go out of season. We had to wait over a whole month later then usual to get these guys into the framer's markets around town... and now it's already time for them to go. A very sad moment for me. I love me some peaches.

why i love my city mini double

2011-09-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

I was recently telling a girl friend of mine just how much I love my double stroller - so I thought I would share the love with anyone else who may be looking to invest in such a product.

Here is why I love my Baby Jogger City Mini Double:

1. It fits through a standard door frame. THIS is an amazing feature. I take this puppy with me everywhere and have no problem getting in and out of stores and school doors and where ever else I need to be. I love it.

2. The thing is amazingly light weight. It mostly totes around Max and Cash, but ever so often I wear Max in the backpack and Jack and Cash can still ride and be pushed without effort.

3. Jack can still fit and have a cover over him, without bumping his head. This was a big deal - I have really tall kids.

4. Plenty storage underneath. A section up top for water bottle (or the occasional diet coke), and other accessories

5. Folds in one quick motion (see single shot... double is the same, you just need two hand to grab each seat pull).

6. The head covers come down in 3 sections - so depending on what angle the sun is shinning - your kids are not getting blasted by light. It has little windows you can pull back on the top so you can still see in.

7. There are a ton of accessories - including a little glider that I want for Christmas. This allows an older kid to ride on the back if needed. There are is also this great little baby muff that keep Max toasty in the winter.

I love this city mini series. In the double form and the single. You won't be sorry you got this.

beards are weird

2011-09-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

Not that Ryan needed any more encouragement about growing a beard, but these are pretty awesome. He loves himself that beard. I just think it's really scratchy. Happy Weekend everyone!

overheard

2011-09-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

It is not just the cheap prices that keep me coming back to WINCO, but also the amazing conversations that I often get to overhear. WINCO has some crazy shoppers. Today's was awesome. I wish I could have stayed around to hear how this woman achieved such a miracle, but I had to be on my way to get the groceries back home in time before Cash was done with preschool:

jack's sad brain

2011-09-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Today when Jack got off the bus, he told me one of his friends got mad at him for not sitting by him (he wanted to sit by the cute girl on our street - looks like we are teaching him right). Then his friend told him they couldn't be friends anymore - which is pretty awesome since I heard the boy ask Jack as soon as they got off the bus, if he could come play.

As we were walking back home, Jack then told me what happened and how sad he was. He said, "My brain cried a little." I don't know if that is possible little man, but it sounded heartbreaking all the same.

i heart these

2011-09-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

I'm really happy about the recent appearance of these sandwich shape makers. We have always made shapes out of our PBJs with cookie cutters - but they always waste so much on the side. I love how these take up the whole bread and knock out the crusts which the boys make me take of anyway. Plus - what makes eating a PBJ more exciting for a little boy more then when you can pretend you are eating the head off a dinosaur as you do it? Although after these are cut out, they look more like the loch ness monster. The boys didn't seem to care.

i love peaches

2011-09-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Jack is not really our most adventurous kid. It has taken us a solid week to convince him he would love peaches if he would just try them. I finally tried the "it's just like an orange" approach and he gave it a small nibble. Then with big eyes proclaimed, "Oh yeah! I love peaches!" After he devoured two or three, he then drew this picture and titled it "I love peaches". I want to make a shirt out of it.

thank you for being

2011-09-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had a wonderful backyard party at my friend Nicole and Naomi's. After taking over the weeds and overgrown trees, they laid down some fresh sod and decided to christen their backyard facelift with some good food and good friends.

I love my friend Nicole. Everything she does is amazing. She has such attention to details. Every time I am around her, I am inspired. She is the master behind all my letterpressed baby announcements, and has her own company which she designs and illustrates everything to perfection. I am in constant awe of her and all her doings.

We had a lovely evening and walked away with some mini party favors that I couldn't adore more. I wish this weather and such nights would last for more then just the short month of September.

Sigh. Now the week begins again.

happy weekend

2011-09-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

A better photo from our adventures last night.
Not sure why Ryan and I are dressed the same. Maybe we thought we could hit up a high school Sadies dance later on.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I have plans to make me some tasty peach pies.

(Aunt Jennie with Maxamillion.)

(Max demonstrating his new found talent of waving.)

the state fair

2011-09-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight we took the boys to the State Fair. I LOVE the State Fair. All the smelly animals, cheap carnival rides, crazy dressed people who only come out of the wood work for such an occasion, and above all... the funnel cakes!

The boys had a blast. Cash felt pure terror when I made him ride the big sack slide with me. I would have given anything to see his face... the big crocodile tears were all I got after we got to the bottom. Jack was Mr. Adventure this year. Trying all sorts of rides. He's always been our softy, so it's nice to see him getting a little more brave this year. The boys both won stuffed animals at the dart booth, and we got to see a baby calf that was just one day old.

Word of advice... pass up the food booths at the front of the fair. Cheaper and yummier food is further back - including THE PIE pizza. I was so mad I ate some horrible tasteless $8 chicken BBQ sandwich because I thought I had no other options. Cash could have ridden the race car ride until he threw up for the same price.

The weather was perfect. The boys couldn't have had more fun. And I got to see some really fat pigs.

A great night all around.

best line ever

2011-09-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

"I love you with everything, all my weakness. All my strength. I can't promise anything except that my last breath will bear your name and when I'm gone they'll sing a song about a lonely fool wandering around the world and back again..."

Steve Earle

hey bro

2011-09-13T22:59:00.000-07:00

This is in honor of Ryan.
There is nothing he hates more then people calling him "bro".

So watch out if you favor the phrase.

a new era

2011-09-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Jack started Kindergarton today.

I will admit, there was a moment as he was getting on the bus, where he still hadn't let go of my hand, but I couldn't walk any farther because of the bus doors, that I thought I might lose my brave face, but I stayed strong, smiled and waved goodbye. Then I followed the bus like any other first time mom, just to make sure it actually took him to the right school.

He had a blast - thought the riding the bus was "the coolest thing ever", and loved his new school altogether. I have to remind myself - it is just like preschool but with a bus... so why does it feel so different?

I joined the PTA... signed up to volunteer in his class and feel we've officially started a new era. I will miss our carefree mornings a bit, but think I will love the alone time with Cashman (No, I didn't forget I have another kid, Max just takes a killer morning nap.) and now that I have to be up and ready much earlier then my slacker non-traditional school schedule allowed before, I think I might get more done in the day. We had the beds made, us all dressed, the laundry going and the kitchen cleaned and it wasn't even 9:15.

Very strange indeed.

happy birthday jack-attack

2011-09-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Jack's birthday. I can't believe he is 6. It is blowing my mind. Looking back at these pictures of him kill me. Where did these years go so fast? I miss those wicked blonde curls he used to have as a baby. Hints of them are still there... but nothing like it once was.

Today was a fabulous day filled with new Lego sets (don't worry "nicola"... I let Jack build most of them), eating pizza at the Pizza Factory followed by some mad bowling at FatCats. We partook in our very last sno-cone of the season at our absolute favorite joint, cup-o-sno, and had some of the grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles over for cake and ice cream. We had celebrated with Ryan's family the night before at Sunday dinner - then my family tonight and the upcoming "friends party" on Saturday... I guess Jack knows how to make his birthday last.

Oh how I love my little man. Happy Birthday... now stop growing up so fast.

(No, I do not like to dress my boys alike. But when one puts on their Lego Batman t-shirt... it doesn't matter what the other one was wearing - they will immediately change so they are also sporting the same shirt. It is quite the phenomenon.)

(Not sure what face Jack is making here... part pirate, part terrified of the bee that is flying next to mom as she takes my picture. Cash is doing his usual ham-it-up face.)

day 20, I'm sorry you got left out

2011-09-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

So Day 20 came and went and there was just too much happening and I didn't get a chance to write. The day challenge was to wear "sunday shoes" or basically dressy shoes you would only were on a day you dressed up. I wore some high wedges... and realized after Max is a little older and I'm not carrying him around as much, I need to invest in some better options for shoes to doll up in. Carrying babies in high heels kills my back, so it's not really in the cards right now.

We took the boys up to Deer Valley to see Ryan's friend Katie Herzig play. The weather was heavenly, and the boys behaved themselves the entire time. Katie played a great set, and on the way home I decided I need to plan less events that interrupt Max's bed time. That kid is not happy with staying up, especially if he is in the car. Did we ever get a ear full.

Today is the official last day of the wardrobe challenge... I am going to pick up the first few days I missed and catch up. I'll post today's outfit later.

day 19, adorn

2011-09-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Day 19, adorn your hair. Done and done.

My friend Lizzy gave me this headband and I love wearing it. The western shirt I found at the Levi outlet when Ryan and I were first dating and spent some dreamy dates up at Park City. I equally love wearing it.

I'm excited for the long weekend. Jack will be celebrating his mighty sixth birthday, Ryan will be mowing the lawn after being gone for over the last 3 weeks (the boys go out to play and get lost it's so long), and I'm hoping to just get to relax during some of these heavenly cooled off nights.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

day 18, statement jewelry

2011-09-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

The only statement jewelry or accessory I can wear these days is Max in his electric lime green baby Bjorn. But today we gave this a try. Max only tried to eat it a handful of times. I don't know if it makes any kind of special statement, but I like layering up the two together.

Cash was also sporting an unusual choice of statement jewelry with morning breakfast. I love this kid... so hilarious. He loves him some goggles.

As for the baby Bjorn... I bought a knock off version when I had Jack. The first time I wore it... after about an hour I could barely walk. It killed my back. And then I gave it to DI before I had Cash because I couldn't wear it without needing major chiropractic work afterwards. My mother-in-law gave me this Bjorn when I had Max and I cannot believe the difference. They are pricey, I know - but they are worth the cost. Perfect back support, Max loves to be in it... and with 2 other meatballs to keep up with - this helps keep my hand free. I would invest if you have a little one and do not already have one. You won't be sorry you did.

day 17

2011-08-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

Day 17 I dreaded... "repair and wear". I don't sew... so repairing sad, put to the side articles of clothing was not top on today's to-do-list. But I DO have a lot of jewelry that has strangely enough, been broken by each one of the boys when they were little babies (so some of these items have been bagged up for almost 5 years now!). Most necklaces I have just tossed and had a moment of silence over... but there are a few I have held onto to hopefully one day give a second birth to.

So did I do that today? Not really - instead I organized each broken item, made a note of what was needed to repair it, and this weekend I will head off to the craft store to finally fix them.

In the mean time, I realized even greater then the few broken pieces of jewelry was the state in which all my accessories were in. This was truly a system I needed to "repair" so I could "wear" better. Am I stretching this a bit... oh well. I think it works. So I set off to Ikea to get a few storage containers, organized and set aside what which items I could donate if I didn't seem to be wearing them enough or anymore, and cleaned up my accessory drawers. I hope this will help me wear more of these items - rather then always turning to what is on top of the pile or my "safe" pieces I always wear.

So does that count for my "repair and wear" challenge, if even in a very abstract sort of way?
I hope so, cause the day has come to an end.

day 16, menswear

2011-08-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, this day might have been a bust for me. It was hard. The only mens vest I own, I found at a thrift store, and well, it is still a little too small (Or am I still to chubby? Don't answer that). And I have a pair of suspenders but after Cash has been playing with them, I couldn't find them anywhere. So I resorted to stealing something from Ry's side of the closet. He has all these great western shirts, so I just picked my favorite color and belted it up to be slightly a dress. It's still too bloody hot, but I think some boots and a chunky sweater with this outfit would be killer for fall.

Ryan is starting to slowly come down from the high of recording all weekend. Being home at 3 in the morning each night might also have something to do with it. Everything I have heard is amazing and I can't wait for it to get mastered. It's nice to have him back home. He was gone to Folks Fest for 9 days, then only home a few days before he had a Lower Lights fireside and then onto the four days of non-stop recording. It feels like we haven't had any down time together in ages. So what did we do on our big night back together... don't worry, this is a family blog - we tended my nieces and then Ryan watched me do my yoga. Not very romantic, but I'm in a routine now since he has left me so many nights alone, and if I stop it takes me days to get back in the rhythm.

I spent most the day running Cash to and from preschool and prepping more of Jack's decorations for the big party. He is super excited and I'm trying my hardest not to become one of those moms who goes completely overboard. Ryan and I have always discussed how I would need to tone it down once I was a mom. Being a designer - I just like making things look put together and extra cool, and usually I go over the top... I have already been told I cannot help with any of their science projects. I think I am keeping it to a minimum, (kind of). We are making super hero caps and masks (thanks to my friend Holly's great idea and use of her son's cape/mask to use as my template), setting up an obstacle course for the kids to run through and be superheros, and then it's cake and presents. What more do you need? Run around the yard a bit, get sugared up, tear apart some presents. Sounds just about perfect.

day 15, hair

2011-08-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to day 15: Do something different with you hair and plan an outfit around it. I'm not sure how my hair inspired this outfit, but I was just happy my hair was long enough to give a little curl to it. I am also head over hills for this dry shampoo my friend Katrina gave me. It has saved me many a mornings as well as adds a great amount of texture to my other wise extra fine hair. Between that and Bumble & Bumble's Surf Spray, I am nothing without those two products.

Then as my hair grows out more, this is how I'd like it to timeline out the styles and length. I absolutely love this first one:

oh yeah, and day 14

2011-08-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

2 posts in one day required because of my need to respond to new friend "nicola". So here is another. Bad photo, but you get the idea. Day 14 was to copycat a look. I love this one from JCrew, but was missing a neutral scarf to wear on the waist. My wedge strap shoes also just gave up the ghost last Sunday, so I'll have to keep an eye out for both items so I can complete the look in the near future. I love wearing socks with wedged sandals though. I think it is very grandma chic. Plus I got to use this shirt again making it officially one of my remix items.

dear lego employee

2011-08-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Lego Employee aka "nicola" (see comment on day 13 as reference),

Thank you for your unbiased review of your product, my parenting skills, and my overall "magical" use of the English language.

Please be advised that when I referred to my husband as "insane" (see day 13 blog as reference), I did not mean it in the medical or legal sense of the word. He is a very good father and is overall confused how he got dragged into your review. I have submitted a formal apology his way for suggesting such unfit parenting skills as you so clearly pointed out.

Now, may I take this time to thank you for becoming a follower of my controversial blog. I'm so happy to have you. I know my future "magic" words will bring you ample critiquing, to which I looked forward to.

I know your company puts a suggested age for each Lego set, which up to this point we have ignored. Jack has been putting his own Legos together for some time now... and can you believe he doesn't fall under the suggested age! Blasphemy! When I help my younger son though, which you so strongly discouraged, I thought we were having a bonding moment. We both seemed to be having a good time. I didn't know I was doing such a disservice. What a freeloader I have been raising. That will change, don't you worry!

I will also let both boys know that I am not letting them get off easy anymore. I didn't know I could ask my kids to clean up after themselves? What a novel concept. You have opened my eyes and I see the light! Even the 9 month needs to start pulling his own weight I'd say.

I apologize when I disgusted you with my description of how "sick" I was to find out the value of one Lego set. But let's both be honest. Your product has gotten pretty pricey over the years - and can you imagine how many other Lego boxes we would have purchased for Jack for the price of the one Batman set?

I see now, my so called magical words were confusing to you... I was not literally sick, mentally or physically. I was just amazed that such a small box could have produced so many other boxes at the same price that he would have equally loved and adored. I forget words can mean several things. I will take your advice with my future blogging and use my words more carefully. Especially now that I know people, whom I do not know, somewhere out in the internet universe, are taking them so literally and judging me over every line. You should be commended for being able to call me such a bad mother with such grace and ease and without any way of me to know who you are, or see your own blog.

Tune in next week when I discuss how I hate letting my children open their own bananas because of the way it smashes the top into banana goop that makes me gag a little. Imagine all the lost moments of invested child dexterity on that one!

Yours sincerely,
me

dreaming of a white christmas on day 13

2011-08-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Now I could do without all the snow... but watching these live feeds of the Lower Lights doing their Christmas album has me aching for the holiday to be here. I am so excited for this new record. It is going to rule.

The boys and I spent the day being lazy and mostly playing with Legos. We spend all kinds of hours building spaceships with crazy morphed Lego men that are out to defeat all villainy. Ryan and I somehow introduced our kids probably too early to the world of Legos... now they rule our house. I can't vacuum a day without sucking up some sad missing arm or helmet visor that is camouflaged into the carpet. And I know it drives Ryan INSANE to see all the parts everywhere and mismatched. It takes us forever to build these masterpieces when we first buy them, and then seconds for the boys to destroy and loose most their parts, but I love how creative they get with them after they have joined the box of mass Legos. Jack spends all kinds of time creating these Lego forces of ships and cars and while I'm not sure yet how to keep Max from eating most these tiny parts, I just really like that the boys are into them as much as they are. My mom had a box of batman Legos that she originally bought for one of my nephews just as he lost interest in Legos. So she held onto and many many years later, gave it to Jack for Christmas. Of course he went insane over it - and the batmobile maybe lasted 2 weeks assembled. You cannot imagine how sick Ryan and I were to find out that, that very same box of Batman legos was going for over $450 on ebay. The Batman figure alone was $50. I think that is what pushed Ryan over the edge. We almost considered packaging the whole thing back up and selling it as "slightly used", but couldn't bring it upon ourselves to take it from Jack. Oh well.

I tried to organize myself for Jack's first official "friends" birthday party. Up until now, we have just always done it with family and cousins... we spent a good time at the party store drooling over all sorts of treats and surprises for the party. Jack couldn't decide between Batman-themed party and Spiderman-themed party, so I think we are going with an all over "superhero unite!" themed party. My friend Holly did this amazing superhero party for her son and lent me some of her supplies to possibly copy a few things and make some of my own. I just love the photos of the fan blowing the kids capes back. Hilarious.

Day 13 of the challenge was to wear neutral with a pop. Max broke my "pop" colored necklace within about 2 minutes of me wearing it, so I then turned to these kelly green/gold earings that I adore. I also love just to wear vibrant red lipstick as my color against a neutral. I think the more subtle you are, the better sometimes. I'll have to admit, if I hadn't been doing this challenge today, I would have been lazy in jeans and a worn out tee... so maybe this is doing something for me.

Well, I'm off to make cookies and kill some time before I need to feed Max again and since Ry won't be home until the wee hours of the morning, cooking is my way to keep myself company.

day 12, the lower lights are in session

2011-08-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Lower Lights are back in the studio to record not only the second album, but also a Christmas mix, boohyeah! You can watch a live feed of all of this and much more then I'm sure you want to see her e. I've been singing along to them all morning.

I'm going down there tonight with some of the other wives to hang out, be a groupie. I'll be sporting day 12 of the challenge... dress up your jeans. Today's wear made me realize I haven't taken the dry cleaning in this week. I had only one non-tshirt option left to doll up. Glad I remembered before the weekend.

Hope everyone has a weekend.

day 11

2011-08-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

So posting pictures of myself is getting old fast... and since I think only three people actually read this blog, I am sure you are bored out of your mind, but here it is none the less. Day 11, skirt or dress day.

This was an easy one for me. I LOVE skirts. I wear them constantly. They are my staple item truth be told. And this one is my favorite. It can be worn higher on my waste with a great tucked in blouse or layered up casual style as seen above. The material has a slight stretch to it, but still holds a shape and form of almost a loose pencil skirt (the wind blowing doesn't help show any of this, sorry). I will wear it into the ground and then cry the day I can wear it no more. I love you gray skirt. Please don't ever leave me.

In other news that actually matters, the boys and I headed up our first official ever "back-to-school" night. It seemed so strange that Jack will be riding a bus, and going to school with double the amount of hooligans, and just growing up on me. I'm scared out of my mind. The whole night I kept scoping out the other parents and kids, trying to come to terms that my soft and sweet-hearted Jack won't stand a chance. He's just too nice. And there are so many mean kids out there. I know I was judging people wrongly and completely based off their looks, but I had my concerns.

Then I got to the kindergarten room and realized all these menacing-looking kids were older then Jack (Jack is SO tall, sometimes I forget most kids his height are two years older then him), and so maybe I could put off my fears and paranoia for another year until he hits the big halls and first grade.

I am super excited for him to start school. He is excited - I love that he will have all these little new friends. I will just be saying my prayers that he will not pick up "baby talk" from some kid on the first day. I really hate that more then anything. It always happens on the first week of preschool or summer camp. Then takes me about 3 weeks to get it out of their system. There is always that one kid... and I want to sucker punch them for teaching my kid how to talk like that. Other then that... and me learning how to not follow the bus every day to make sure Jack made it to school okay, I think we are golden.

day 10, ry's song, and max's wild mane

2011-08-24T22:05:00.000-07:00

Today was day 10: closet orphan. Find something in your closet that has lost your love. You don't wear it for what ever reason... and today was the day to let it have it's moment in the sun. I was surprised to have quite a few of these in my closet. Poor things. I think most of it is because I have been pregnant, or still chubby from being pregnant, or cause I was/am still nursing and needing all tops to immediately turn into a milk train station at Max's every whim.

But today I chose this orange striped number. Not sure why it gets pushed to the back, but I actually liked it again, so I might wear it more often.

Max is sporting is wild mane that causes people to stop us in the grocery stores so they can pet it and laugh at his puffy mohawk. I just love this little meatball.

And here is my man Ryan's song from Folks Fest. What a songbird.

starting late: Day 9

2011-08-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

So I caught this on one of my girl friend's blogs; the 21 day wardrobe challenge. I'm coming into late, but I'm still going to try it and then catch up on the days I missed in the end. I'm not too hip about posting 21 pictures of myself, but I am bored with my closet choices as of late, so hopefully this will help revive some old numbers for me.

Today was Day 9: wear something monochromatic. I love this idea. Did you ever pay attention to the wardrobe on the counselor from Glee? I just started that series, and think she's always sporting the greatest stuff.

walk to cure

2011-08-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Today the boys and I joined up with other friends and families for the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at Wheeler Farm. Jack's good friend Avery has diabetes and we walked to support him and such a great cause. There was music, games, food, and enough bouncy slides to keep us entertained for hours. But most important of all... Mr.Avery was there. Jack met Avery at Preschool this last year and they have been best buds ever since. I wish I wasn't so hot and sweaty after the walk, or I would have remember to take a picture of Jack and Avery together.

It was such a fun morning. We love you Avery!

so yummy

2011-08-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried the Macadamia Salted Carmel Clusters from Costco? They must have been made by the devil himself they are so good! It takes all my will power not to buy them each time I go.

I just finished the last one in the container tonight, and I'm a little sad I can't eat five more.
You must try.

a book to read

2011-08-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

I just finished this book, and loved it. I recommend if you need a good read.

really max? really?

2011-08-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

Just a snapshot of my awesome moment with Max at the grocery store. The picture does not do this justice, I couldn't quite get it all in.

I got half way through my shopping before I reached down and felt, with horror I may add, that wet green poop had exploded out of Max's diaper while I had him strapped in the baby backpack. With each leg pump he had pushed more and more of it out and all across my stomach, down my pants, and then his little leg had spread it down to almost my knee. He was covered. I was covered. It was amazing.

I stood there - captivated by how fast he could create such a devastating mess, the whole time giggling while he did this, and also a little frozen trying to decide what to do next. Do I just give up, leave the cart and head back home? There were too many refrigerator items... Do I haul everyone back out to the parking lot (grocery shopping with three kids is the worst), change the diaper and head back in to finish?

Several other shoppers eyed me wearily as I stood there, motionless in the middle of the aisle, staring at my custom painted outfit. Finally I decided to head to the baby aisle, grab a pack of wipes and try and clean us up a bit. Half a pack of wipes later, we were back to finishing the shopping. I was still covered in green stains - fearing at any moment the diaper could send a second wave, but figured I'd left my pride somewhere back on aisle three, so who cares.

Thanks a lot Max. Giving you life was not enough. You had to take my dignity as well I suppose.

Sounds about right.

our weekend

2011-08-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had Ry's company party up at Snowbird. It was actually a good time. They had all sorts of carnival rides, bounce houses and slides and other such things for the kids to do. There was all you can eat snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn... and "the candy castle" which was a tent with a massive table of all the candy you could grab, eat, and stuff in your pockets for later. Despite Cash's face (he's trying to look cool in his new sunglasses he got in his gift bag), the boys had a blast and never wanted to leave.

How was your weekend?

first day of school, first day of school

2011-08-09T12:37:00.001-07:00

Cash was just about excited to go to preschool for the first day as Nemo was. Bouncing around the house all morning, backpack on as soon as he woke up, asking every ten minutes if it was time.

As long as he still wants me to "cozy him" on the couch during a movie and at night before bed, I can stay calm over this whole growing up thing. It really does go by in the blink of an eye.

the help

2011-08-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last night I finished The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Oh, I loved it. It is such a great book... I highly recommend. The movie comes out this Wednesday I believe. I hope it is as good - such a sweet story. Let me know what you all think.

the bedroom bears

2011-08-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

Our boys have been pretty good sleepers for the most part. We still can't get Jack to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night without first hopping around in our room telling us he has to go, to which we announce, "Okay, then go" and he runs off and does his thing. It is a very strange ritual he keeps up, but I suppose I'd rather be woken up to his declarations of bathroom needs over the alternative, to which I would be changing the sheets.

But this last month Jack began to experience his first signs of nightmares, and being completely terrified of the dark. The first few nights, we took turns (multiple turns) each night putting him back to bed, calming him down, and getting him back to sleep. But night after night it continued.

One night, it was three bloody a.m. in the morning, and I had yet to go to sleep because I had been getting up and down with him so much. I finally convinced Jack I had a bottle of magic good dream spray. I would spray it on his bed, and all his bad dreams would go away, and he would only think of happy things. I pulled out the Febreeze, ceremonially sprayed his bed, his blankets, his favorite stuffed animals and sure enough, he fell asleep. Genius move you are thinking? Oh no. I created a magic spray monster. Not only did I have to spray everything every night, but Cash as well wanted in on this just to be included. On top of that, Jack would then continue to wake demanding more spray in the middle of the night. Ryan wanted to kill me.

In desperation, I was more complaining to my older brother of my sleeping woes then getting advice on what to do - he having older children and full of all kinds of wise advice - when he came up with this master plan.

He told me I should get the boys some type of stuffed animal that could only stay with them if they stayed in their beds. If they continued to get up, the animals would have to go live somewhere else. I was trying to think of what would be good enough to keep Jack in bed? One of those annoyingly overpriced pillow pets maybe? Ryan was wary of the idea all together since the Febreeze disaster. But then that night, we came home to discover my brother had secretly set up something for the boys while we are out.

Waiting for them were the two largest bears the boys or I had ever seen, as well as the following letter:

"Dear Jack and Cash,
We are MAGIC bears that have been sent to your home to be your bedroom buddies, and to watch over you while you sleep. We are really good at making sure you sleep safe and sound and helping you have good dreams.

We have a secret though. We can only stay with you in your home as long as you are good boys; do what your mom and dad tell you to do; and MOST IMPORTANT, that you stay in your bed and in your room during the night. If you get out of your bed and your room a lot during the night, we will miss you WAY too much, and we will have to go to another home to find other bedroom buddies to watch over.

Please take good care of us and love us by staying with us each night!! If you do, we will be such good friends.

Love, The Bedroom Bear Buddies"

Jack made me read the letter about twenty times, and was totally convinced. More importantly, he has slept through and stayed in his bed every night since. I owe my brother big time. The only downside? Having to carry two massive bears down each morning to watch cartoons.

A fair trade I'd say though.

let's hero up

2011-08-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

Jack and Cash's cousin Tanner is here from California. These three are inseparable once they get together, and there is nothing I love more then seeing them immediately dress up into superheros the moment they are reunited. Although it took everything in me to not laugh at Cash's SnakeMan meets Wolverine get up. He's always taking it to the next level.

The boys swam all day, saved the world from evil robots and super villains, made mom super-happy by eating all their spaghetti, ran through the sprinklers in their tighty-whiteys, then ended the night by sharing a big blanket on the couch together while watching the 1960's Spiderman series.

I wish we had Tanner here more.

And being young enough to almost think you are a real superhero is just about one of the greatest moments of childhood I think.

meet roman

2011-08-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

My little sister Kari delivered her adorable little Roman tonight. All went well and he is cute as can be.
Welcome to the family little man.

i love me some rain

2011-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

I love rainy days. I love the smell. I love how green everything looks against deep gray clouds. I love the sound of it on the windows and the sides of the house. I love umbrellas and rainboots and watching the boys splash in puddles.

Add summer to the mix, and it get's even better. Summer rain is heaven. I hope it rains all day and night.

new favorite

2011-07-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

Meet my new favorite babyfood. It's from chef Tyler Florence, and I love it. I used to watch him on the food network here and there - so I thought I'd give it a try. Everything smells super yummy. I love the pouches which don't leak in your diaper bag once you open, like the other baby food containers.

Listen to some of these flavors: Summer Squash with Yukon Gold Potatoes & Parmesan, Roasted Bananas & Mango, Baked Sweet Potatoes & White Beans, Roasted Peaches with Rice Pudding - it makes me want to eat it. And I love that it has basic ingredients in it, uses stuff like brown rice and seems to have half the sugar as other brands.

If you have a wee one, you should give them a try. I found it at Walmart. Please don't judge me.

stella & dot

2011-07-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Tara is hosting a stella & dot trunk party August 2nd. Their stuff is killer, and I can't wait till Max is old enough I can start wearing jewelry again without ripping it from my ears or drooling all over it. I might have to treat myself to something and save it for a night out with my man. If you want to go to the show, I'll send you her info.

heaven help me

2011-07-26T10:56:00.001-07:00

I've decided I have put off getting in to shape long enough. Now that Max is a bloody nine months - what is my excuse? I started up my yoga again today. Bob kicked my butt once again. Tomorrow is swimming laps, and then hopefully in the near future, jeans that fit me better and a belly that no longer holds all of Max's leftover baby fat. Thanks a lot Max. Babies can be so selfish sometimes.

I also need to stop eating those devilishly delicious chocolate-chocolate donuts from the Dunford factory down the street from me. Why do they have to be so tempting. It's like I drive down the street, and I can hear them calling my name - taunting me.

I think tomorrow I will go out and purchase my very first scale. That will keep me in control. I hope.

Curse you chocolate-chocolates.

max a float

2011-07-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Just got back from sunny St. George.
A week of nothing but sun, swimming, and good food. It was a blast.
Coming home to a air conditioning unit that had frozen over, not so fun.

my new read

2011-07-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

I just ordered this. The library had a waiting list of 233 people, so hello Barnes and Noble. It has received some great reviews... I can't wait to read it:

Before I Go to Sleep by S J Watson - US Trailer from S J Watson on Vimeo.

Sigh of relief

2011-07-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Good news: right foot is here to stay.

Which is awesome, cause I kinda like my right foot. Last treatment of antibiotics was a success. They think they caught up with the infection. Sigh of relief.

Now how do I get all this permanent marker off my foot? I kinda look like Frankenstein.

Thanks to everyone who has been helping me out these last couple days.

hang in there right foot

2011-07-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

I know this is gross... a picture of my feet... but I just wanted to document how crazy this weekend has been.

Thursday suddenly my foot hurt - that is when I noticed it was cut. Friday I woke up and it had blown up like a balloon. I could barely walk on it by the afternoon, so I found myself at the instacare for some antibiotics, as well as an nice Tetanus shot (why do those hurt for so long afterwards) since I couldn't remember when my last one was.

The first inner line is where the infection had spread from Thursday to Friday. The dotted line on the outside is how far is spread overnight to Saturday. So once again, I headed to the instacare... this time they hooked up the IVs and started pumping me full of antibiotics. I had to go in on Sunday and I'm on my way now for my last dose. If this doesn't work - they said they will have to hospitalize me. That would be awesome (if by awesome I mean the worst thing ever).

I'm supposed to be off my feet all day. Not quite sure how to do that when you have 3 kids. I joked earlier about my foot falling off... now I'm starting to get a little nervous about.

Wish me luck.

it's the weekend, and I feel great

2011-07-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

Except for the infection that has taken over my right foot. Somewhere this week I cut myself... yesterday my whole foot swelled up and sent me to the instacare for a nice tetanus shot and waiting for over an hour for some tasty antibiotics. I hope I can stop whimpering as I walk today.

3 weekends ago Max was sick, the next weekend I had strep, last weekend Ryan was sick with some nasty cough thing, this weekend my foot is about to fall off. Really? I just want a weekend already. For the love. Maybe I need to eat a Nutrigrain bar:

hello lovely

2011-07-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

I imagine this chair and I could be good friends. I want it, and this couch.
Stupid sexy urban outfitters and their ultra hip furniture.

if you missed this, I feel sorry for you

2011-07-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

No words to describe. This whole night was epic.

i will be here,

2011-07-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

and so should you.

oh, i love this

2011-06-27T16:24:00.001-07:00

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

believe in yourself

2011-06-18T09:14:00.001-07:00

We are trying to teach Jack to ride a bike. Let's say it hasn't been easy - but we are hanging in there. We showed him this video today to try and pump him up:

oh Z, please don't leave me

2011-06-16T21:48:00.000-07:00

I was devastated to hear that our absolute favorite pizza joint, Z PIZZERIA, will be closing it's doors this Saturday. No one will ever be able to create the heavenly perfection that was their buffalo chicken pizza. I really can't emphasize enough just how sad this makes me.

If you've never tried this pizza or any of their pizzas for that matter - you have 2 days left... it's all I will eat for the next few days.

Maybe it is better that you don't know what you've been missing and would crave and want for the rest of your life.

Zach and Miranda, Salt Lake will be a sad place without your Z.

I'm in mourning.

overheard Cash saying to Jack:

2011-06-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

"Come on Jack. Get up.
Let's go save the world."

spiderman

2011-06-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

Another one of Jack's superhero portraits. Awesome.

best weekend ever

2011-06-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

Ryan and I some how managed to convince family to take our kids for the weekend while we stayed down town last Saturday. We ate at some amazing restaurants, watched four movies almost back to back, slept in until a heavenly 10am, and almost didn't come back. It was divine.

If you are looking for a good movie, I would recommend any of the four:

* * *

hello weekend, give us some love

2011-06-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hello weekend. We are ready for you.

There is just a few things I ask of you. Let's have some sleep and for the love, please send us some sun (minus the cold wind).

Cash has recently found his swim goggles and has been wearing them non-stop. I guess they have replaced his winter goggles for now. My favorite is when they get fogged up from being so sweaty and hot on his head. He always has to have an accessory on him. I love it.

Max has been sporting a nasty cough and cold since last weekend. I haven't slept through the night since last saturday, and my back hurts from bouncing and toting around a very unhappy baby all day long, all week long.

The rain and cold weather hasn't helped things. I'm not at my wits end, but I'm exhausted to say the least.

Big plans for the weekend anyone? We will be celebrating Ry turning one year older to old man status. Our plans to spend the birthday weekend down town and over night were foiled by Max's poor timing in getting sick. Thanks a lot Max. But we will party all the same.

Tonight we are taking the boys to our new favorite custard and frozen yogurt joint for a pre-birthday celebration, then I'm planning on making this amazing french toast casserole for Ryan to wake up to. IT is heaven, but takes 12 hours of pre-soaking time to reach it's prime yumminess.

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

done and done

2011-06-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

I actually got Max's baby announcements mailed out today. Wonders of wonders, miracles of miracles. Does anyone care that he is already 6 months old and looks nothing like the picture I enclosed? Oh well.

it's on!

2011-05-31T14:00:00.001-07:00

Just to let you all know... our favorite snow shack, cup o sno, has officially opened for business for the summer season, as well as opened a second location.

Cup o sno has THE best shaved ice and the most yummy non-syrupy (is that word?) tasting flavors. Word is out that the sandy location had over a 60 minute wait this years on the day of it's seasonal grand re-opening. It is that good.

Here I am enjoying nectarine with ice cream at the bottom. Boohyeah! I couldn't be happier. I guess it can rain all it wants, as long as I can eat like it's getting closer to summer.

Go get yourself one. You won't be sorry you did:
2640 west 9000 south, west jordan (in the reams parking lot near the conecutters)

or

8725 highland drive, sandy (in the fiesta village shopping center near the car wash)

batman

2011-05-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Jack is thoroughly obsessed with Batman. He's been him twice for Halloween (probably will be again this year), has more action figures then he can keep track of, and can usually be found flying around the house as him, chasing the Joker and other such villains.

He recently has started some portraitures. This one is my favorite.

ugh

2011-05-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

Conversation between me and the checkout girl at the grocery store last night:

Her: Oh, hi! Where are your boys?

Me: Home in bed thank goodness.

Her: You look different.

Me: Oh yeah?

Her: Yeah? (very perplexed) Oh wait, I know what it is. You're wearing makeup.

Nice.
For the record, I'm always wearing makeup when I'm out of the house.
And hey, I just had a kid. Wait, no I didn't... that was 6 months ago.
I guess I need to try harder.

oh I can't wait

2011-05-26T09:28:00.001-07:00

This solo album of Eddie Vedder comes out next Tuesday. I can hardly wait. Eddie Vedder is as cool as it gets.

He says he hopes that Ukulele Songs would encourage listeners to step away from their computers and televisions and make some music of their own, preferably with friends. I love that.

Here is a listen.

6 months

2011-05-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

My little max-a-million turned 6 months this week. Time flies when your not really sleeping. Oh I love this little lima bean. He is so happy and mello and puts up with so much "in your face" attention from his two big brothers.

I really can't believe he was ever this small and saggy-baggy. His thighs have plumped right up and the mohawk I've loved so much is starting to finally flop over like an old man come-over.

We love you max!