Is it summer yet??

Last Friday, I went on Liah's field trip with her. Oh she was so excited. They're learning about "habitats" right now. We went to the McNary Wildlife Reserve. Here she is taking a closer look at a leaf that retains water... (I can't remember what the plant is called) She is just soaking up everything she is learning. And she is upset that school is ending next week, because "SHE LIKES TO LEARN!!!"

This past Sunday I was feeling rather domestic, and decided to try my hand at a few things. First I made homemade chili in the crockpot, made from dried beans and everything. Then I used my dessert shell pan and made cornbread in it, making cornbread bowls. I thought it was rather ingenious. Then of course, filled with the chili, topped with shredded cheese and crushed crackers. Brilliant? I thought so. Then I made these beauties:

I used the same dessert shell pan, only I made brownies in it. Then after those were cooked, I flipped it over and baked cheesecakes in the cup part (clever? I thought so, too). Then after those were cooked, I put a cheesecake in each brownie shell, then I made a strawberry glaze from fresh picked strawberries (from my backyard), and topped it all off with a fresh strawberry. They were delightful. The only thing that would have made them better is whipped cream, but alas, I had none. Next time, Gadget, next time.

Speaking of strawberries, they are in full swing in my backyard:

I love my little helpers. They LOVE to pick strawberries. And they're even really good at only picking the red ones. I'm so proud.

Even Addy joins in the fun. Have I mentioned how much I love this kid?

Here is Emily helping me wash and cut the tops off of 5 cazillion strawberries. It is way more enjoyable to do this with company. I'm glad Emmy is old enough to help with it now.

One of Sean's favorite snacks is something he calls "strawberry syrup" which is simply a bowl of cut-up strawberries, mixed with some sugar. Then you let it set for about a half hour, and voila! You have strawberries and syrup. It is also fantastic for strawberry shortcakes.

And of course, let the endless making of strawberry freezer jam begin. I love strawberry season!

Day 5 + Lorie's pictures

The last day of my trip, I went to church with my aunt and uncle and when I walked through the doors, I saw a familiar face. My friend Alane that I went to Wicked with last April moved to Utah last year, and apparently into my aunt's ward! It was so crazy to see her! I watched her conduct a musical number, and sat behind her daughter in Young Women's. My aunt is a YW leader, so my sister and I went with her to class. It's been a while since I've been in that setting. LOL. Good times.

Lorie and I played a few rounds of Smerx (what, you've never heard of Smerx? Only the best game EVER) with Marilyn, then went over to my cousin Crystal's for an amazing dinner. Then my sister had to leave. I knew it would happen, but I wasn't ready for it. I just wish my sister lived next door. She is my best friend. I can't wait until she comes to visit next month! We're running our race together. I can't wait.

This is Lorie and I right before she left. :(

After she left, we all sat around and talked until it was time for me to go to the airport. I got a text from Jeremy as I was going through security that Sean had nearly just lost his eye. Seriously?? I thought I had made it through a trip without one of my children getting sick or injured. Thankfully, other than a nasty scratch across his cheek, he is just fine.

After I got home, my kids were all in bed, but I was itching to take a peek at my sweet baby. So I went into his room, and stroked his cheek with my hand, and he immediately sat up and said "Hi!!!" Oh my heart just melted. I missed him so much. It was so good to get away for a few days, but there is nothing that compares to being a mom.

Here are a few more pictures from Gav's wedding day that I stole from my sister's camera:

*The cone of silence (aka Lorie's ridiculous awesome umbrella). It was a good time. We had to do something while waiting in the rain for Gav and Emily!

Protecting ourselves from the elements...

The sisters minus Emily (Kristen, Lorie, me, Christina)

Yes, more jazz hands. Lorie was feeling a little obsessed today. LOL. Emily was too busy getting her pictures taken. It's like it was her "wedding day" or something. Clearly the real fun lies in jazz hands.

Kristen, Serra and my brother Ian at Gav's reception (see Lorie, I labeled them in the correct order)

Oh, and here is Marilyn's awesome game room.

We played a rather fun game called "Bamboozle"... I think it is going on my list.

A glimpse into the theater...

...and would any theater be complete without a snack bar? I think not! This thing is fully stocked! Those cupboards have theater candy in them too!

Day 4

This morning we had my sister-in-law Kristen's baby shower. She is expecting her 2nd child, baby Alex, next month. Next to her on the couch are my awesome cousin Crystal (the host) and my cute Grandma. Love her.



Me with my gorgeous cousin Heather and my favorite sister, Lorie.

After the shower, my mom had to go back to California. :( Lame. I miss her already. I wish she would move to Washington.

After a rousing yard-saling trip, here are Heather and Lorie giving into the urge to sing and dance to "New York, New York." (remember how I said we're big geeks?)

After playing lots of games, we had a BBQ in my aunt's amazing backyard. Afterwards, some of us went on a lovely 5 mile walk.

Here are Marilyn and my cousin Crystal's oldest boy, Cohen. He is such a cutie! (Makes me miss my Addy-pants)

We watched Sherlock Holmes in my aunt's theatre tonight, and well, it was awesome. Then Lorie, my sister-in-law Christina and I played catch phrase and laughed our heads off... and why am I still up? I don't know.

Tomorrow: fun and games, and going home.

Day 3

Today started out with doing touch-ups on my aunt's house where the reception would be tonight. After that, my mom, my aunt and I went on a quest to find Amy a new outfit. I desperately wanted a cute dress. I have been either nursing or pregnant since 2002, I've lost a ridiculous amount of weight and it was high time I had a cute dress to wear. Am I right?? Sadly, my quest was rather disheartening. Such cute stuff, but absolutely nothing in my size. Halfway through our quest, my aunt found herself a new dress, so that worked out well. After the 5 millionth store, we found it. And oh how I love it. But then of course I also needed new shoes.

After that, we went up to the wedding in Salt Lake. It was beautiful. Gavin and Emily are so in love. Gavin was basically ready in his suit since the moment the sun came up. Slightly anxious to get married. Emily, of course, was just gorgeous.

Here is the happy (that word doesn't even cover it) couple.

This was kind of hilarious, after the initial pictures, Emily went over to talk to her sisters, and 2 of my brothers came running over to Gavin squealing stuff in high-pitched girly voices like "Oh my goodness, congratulations!!!" "OOhh, I'm so excited for you!!!" "Let me see!" and then Gav flips out his hand and shows off the ring. Yes, we are a bunch of geeks. But it is way more fun that way. You should try it.

Me and my gorgeous favorite sister, Lorie. (and my new dress and shoes)

Don't say I didn't warn you we were geeks. Lorie insisted on a picture with "jazz hands." Apparently, I have a lot to learn.

I didn't get a picture of the cone of silence (you've seen Get Smart? well you should), but fear not, more to come on that. I'll steal the pictures from Lorie's camera tomorrow.

And then here is my super cute niece, Serra. I love her! She is a funny girl.

After that was the lovely reception at my aunt's house. I did an encore performance of the song I wrote.

After the reception, we watched a movie in my aunt's movie theatre. It. was. awesome. My uncle even popped us popcorn at their snack bar. So cool.

On tomorrow's list: my sister-in-law Kristen's baby shower!

Day 2

Another fabulous day. I did a lovely workout this morning in my aunt's gym, only I wanted to die because apparently a change of over 4000 feet of altitude makes a huge difference in how well you can breathe. Hopefully tomorrow's will go better!

Then I spent the next few hours working with my mom and my aunt on this beauty:

My nearly sister-in-law designed it. I did most of the detail work. Oh, and that's my daddy in the background. :)

And remember my post of last week where I was flipping out over how excited I was about something? Well now I can reveal it. I've been working on and off for the last few months on a song for my brother and his fiancée. I told them I was working on something for them, but needed a little more information from them before I could finish. I emailed them separately, asking for their engagement story, when they first met, when they knew they wanted to get married and anything else they wanted to throw in. Emily wrote me back almost immediately and I was able to finally put words to this song that I had written. I had the first line, but that was it. Gav wrote me back only a couple days ago, but you know. It still worked out. So here is what I was excited about. I printed it up and took it to Staples and asked them if they could make it look like real sheet music, and they did! It turned out SO well! That Staples guy has not seen the last of me! I've already taken more music to him to get printed. It looks AMAZING. I would post a picture of the inside here, but I need to protect my work. So if you ever want to see it, just ask!

Tonight, we had a family dinner up at Emily's aunt's house in Park City. That place has an amazing view! After dinner, I gave Gavin and Emily their gift and played it for them, and they were so excited. (and so was I! phew!) Gavin wants to learn to play it now. I'm so relieved they liked it.

Inside the music, I also included a copy of each of their responses to my email. I thought they'd like to know what the other one said!

Tomorrow's agenda: The wedding!!!

p.s. Funny story: Jeremy called me last night to inform me that quote "I don't know how you do it!" Finally. And then tonight while I was at the dinner, he called my phone, then called my mom's phone, then sent me a text that said "Call me Now", so I'm sitting here thinking that one of my kids must be in the E.R. or something. No, no. Apparently Jeremy was making the kids mac and cheese and NEEDED to know if the orange powder in the pantry was cheese sauce. LOL. Good times... That's an emergency situation if ever I heard one. ;) (I love you Jeremy!)

Day 1

So it turns out 2 hours of sleep isn't a lot. I stayed up until 2 last night finishing up laundry and housework so my family could enjoy a nice clean house while I was away. At least for an hour. And 4 am comes early anyway, but especially when you went to bed at 2. So my family drove me to the airport and I said goodbye. I haven't flown alone since I was 14. True story. I have either had my husband or at least one kid with me. It was kind of weird. (and kind of awesome). I just read a book the whole time and nobody asked me for anything.

My mom and my aunt Marilyn picked me up and we went shopping, then toured her awesome new mansion. This place is amazing! My cousin Heather came over and highlighted and cut everyone's hair and waxed our eyebrows. Never had that done. It hurt. And as I was wincing, I thought, Amy, you have had 4 children. 3 naturally. Pretty sure you can handle an eyebrow wax. It was so worth it. Here is me and my makeover and my awesome cousin Heather.

We went out to eat tonight at the Mayan. If you have never been there, you are missing out. This place is AMAZING. You're basically sitting in a Mayan jungle, watching cliff divers while you eat. What? I went 10 years ago when I used to live here, and 10 years later it is still awesome. We even witnessed a marriage proposal. The guy totally did a cliff dive in Mayan attire, climbed out of the water, grabbed the ring, knelt down and proposed. We were getting all emotional for no reason. We don't even know these people! But it was like straight out of a movie...

After a night of playing games with my family and laughing our heads off at stuff that really isn't that funny (what am I talking about, we're HILARIOUS), I think I should probably go to bed.

Tomorrow's agenda: cake decorating and finally meeting my brother's fiancée.

I'm so excited!

....and I just can't hide it! but I'm going to have to hide it anyway for a little bit longer. I have in my possession the finished product of something I've been working on for my brother and his fiancée for their wedding next week. I'm so excited!!! It's not like he reads my blog, so it would probably be okay to post about it now, but I can't take that chance. And so in lieu of that, I'm just going to post this ridiculously cute picture from today of my sweet Addison. Have I mentioned how in love I am with this little boy?? I just can't get enough!