Wave Blog - So Clever

My darling mother-in-law Snickerdoodles (not her real name) posted the greatest blog today, you've got to check out. It is terribly clever. Wave blog.

My favorite kind of wave is shown above, with my favorite wave rider pictured. As seen in the wave blog too.

What is your favorite wave?

First Feeding & First Day of School & the Middle Child Making his own PB&J

Shortly after this photo, H said, "I like school much better than summer."

She can't get enough, seriously, this was her very first feeding (the watery rice cereal kind). She is a pro.

Yummers! (below)

Actually, he offered his first sandwich to Sabine, since "girls go first", what a gentlemen!

Great Quote

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I got this from Ryan's awesome church talk (Rachel's was awesome too, I practiced her methods yesterday, literally got through just 3 verses, but was able to jot down in my new calendar book, etc.)

On the talkee, talkee, too much talkee bit (thank you again Janaya) I've caught myself in some definitely questioning moments where I am sure I made people feel bad. Anyway, I am going to put this quote on my blog and hopefully have a better reminder to listen and not talk, etc.

Thanks Ryan.

First Day of School...Tomorrow

Here is my darling 1st grader, who is so incredibly excited to start school demain. He has gone to bed on time for the past two nights, because today he was even excited just to go meet his darling and fantastic new teacher and classmates at the Open House. It was a little crazy juggling O who just wanted to stay in his pre-K class, thus was really being an angry pill, and poor P who just wanted to eat and have some attention paid to her, poor thing. Add to this, filling out paperwork, attempting to read H the class rules, show him his locker, cubby, library, posters, bathrooms, and get him to write his name and decorate a few small pieces of paper (heaven forbid I ask him to color!). Then, the kids and I, along with 2 "strays" took to my task of decorating the tables in the library for the Teacher Luncheon. The kids loved helping me pop open the lanterns and juggle them around then eventually settling them on a table. They helped put on the tablecloths and set out color-coordinating take-out boxes (if you haven't guessed, it was Asian themed, the salad was the famous Ivory Favorites Chinese Chicken Salad, I believe). I hope all went well with it. I was a huge sweat ball at the end, and especially after walking home with 5 kids in tow, and the increasingly sweltering day. It was great, and probably a sign of what's to come for fall, planning on volunteering weekly in each class, along with PTA board, and toting an infant.

Do you want to predict my next breakdown?

Funny AK moment of the day: So Andy was asking, so how long does H go to school? 8:45-3:15. He replied: That's longer than I work every day!

I made it on AK's blog

Since a few more people than me thought it was kind of sad that my very own dh didn't have me linked on his blog, I mentioned it to AK, and a few days later, voila. He said he felt like he was "giving me a key" as if we'd reached some pivotal point in our relationship. Yes, we have been married for 10 years!

Grateful Sunday

1. This week I am grateful for this talk by Bonnie D. Our lesson was again, wonderful, given by darling Amy J. wherein she played the Pete Breinholdt song "What About". I have heard the song countless times in my U of U days, but never considered its true meanings. As Amy taught, and Peter B. had stated in a fireside, he used to have to drive to work a long distance, and I believe Annie suggested he think of all of the things he was grateful for in that drive. Well, something like that, but now its courus of "what about the September moons, and what about all the flowers in bloom, and what about a mother holding her new child." Tears were flowing down my face and I heard countless sniffles from the other relief gang members in the room. I might just have to buy the album again (for like the 4th time!) or check itunes.
2. I am grateful for good music. It makes me dance, smile, laugh, and remember good times.
3. A hard working husband dedicated to providing for our family. And that he has the strength and courage to go mountain bike riding with a very experienced/daily rider/next week "Widowmaker Race" racer, to the top of Solitude and back down and make it home in one piece.
4. Healthy, healthy, healthy children.
5. Bike rides. Yeah, both Rachel and Kate bought road bikes yesterday! Kate and I took in our first road-bike ride in the dusk of last night. I can't wait to ride with Rachel, hopefully in CA.
6. The rest and peace we receive when we really take Sunday off!
7. German oven pancakes! For a quick, easy, fatty, and delicious Sunday brunch!
8. Shade shirts (yes still wearing them, underneath my favorite jean jackets, allowing my to dress for church in less than 2 minutes).
9. That my hair will grow again (unless its like my eyebrows, which seem to refuse to grow in the places plucked for so many years).
10. The boys playing peek-a-boo and making P giggle, giggle, giggle (shown above).
    

End of the Dog Days of Summer

Our last day of summer! So of course we went swimming at the C's pool (as shown below). It was our own little country club all summer long. It was much easier with the babies than I thought. P & A love the water just as much as the boys. (We are thinking of doing Australian swim school this winter to prepare for next year!) I am so glad K & J share their pool with us, and occasionally our friends as well, but mostly just us. The boys fought harder, yet became closer as well. K & I didn't want the swimming to end, but the boys became tired and eventually a wicked scratch and punch brawl ensued. We will have great summer memories to last us until next...


The Swim Karate Kids.

H, my H, and W in their summer uniforms. Yes, beginning the first of July, my H wore the mask and fins whenever he was in the water, becoming quite a little dolphin in the water. As I said in a family email, I don't know how we are going to survive without seeing the Creers on a nearly daily basis, now that we won't be at Holladay Pre-K ;( passing by their house every morning or afternoon. If Josh were to ever read this he would definitely say either "Everyday, are you kidding me K?", or "Thank goodness!"

This picture makes me cry. S & O have become little twins, mostly because my kids have started being a little "bossy", or S just chooses to follow everything O does (no socks to messing with older brothers and cousins). They are a tough team, and eternal best buds.
Thursday, we had a surprise visit from Maama, cousins M & C. We had our last summer picnic on the front lawn, play with the remote control car, a trip inside McD's with 8 kids for cones, back for more play, and a movie. Needless to say Maama napped, O put himself down for a nap, and M remained very sleepy.
Of course C was a great helper and loves to hold the babies.

Miss Dub vs. Miss Deutsch

I am sure you all already have checked out Mrs. Dub's blog today, but in case you are living under a rock, and haven't yet, please read what made a grumpy, morning mom totally giggle and become transformed into a happy morning mom today. We will all relate. I laughed hardest thinking how every meal from about 9 months to 18 months is truly finger food thrown on the highchair/tabletop, am I right ladies/gents?

What was your favorite,'I am so a chubby American and I love it' moment?

It's 4:15 & AK,P, H, & I are watching Chariots of Fire

Owen is napping. This is a picture from about a week ago, showing that P in our just benevolently received exersaucer from Aunt Megan, is already on the top level and touching the ground (she is tall). She's barely sitting up, not by herself at all, but in the exersaucer chair and the Bumbo. H is definitely ready for school (and I am ready to have him there). O met his new school chums last night at a get together at the park. And P and I are looking forward to morning walks, and mid-morning naps!

Abrahams just won the 50, stay low, chest out, first stride. This is the classiest movie. I cry like every 5 minutes! And Sam Masibini, such a great character! Harold! Awaiting Liddel's race. Great quotes from the movie here.

Grateful Sunday

I read Leslie's GS today and she encouraged others to try it and so I am poaching her ideas once again (but she just has so many good ones!).

I am super grateful I went to church today. My darling friend Liz and husband Tim blessed their baby Jack (and the one boy of at least 11 girls in our neighborhood that will be born by the end of the year, including P). It was a great blessing and started the tears flowing early (I cry every Sunday, which will lead me to RG lesson). Then another darling couple gave talks on the book of Mormon. She told about her older brother and two friends who called themselves the Stripling Warriors in HS. It reminded me of the 3 Nephites (Peter Jarman & Friends) from my own HS days (they were in college). The Stripling Warriors even had a license plate frame made that said "Stripling Warrior". Pretty cool. Who wouldn't dream of your teenage boy emulating so fully the heroes of the Book of Mormon? Then I caught glimpses of the Sunday School lesson but particulary like 1 Thess. 5:11-20 or so, which states a lot to live up to, but a great standard to live by. I so look forward to scripture class starting again, when we will study the lesson even more fully. Then the grand finale, Stacey P. (my absolutely favorite teacher and one of my fav peeps) taught the lesson about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. She began by saying something like "what if you invited your friend to a place that you could go, once a week and feel something you don't feel all week somewhere where everyone has love for you and you feel love for them, and you can feel peace and calmness in your busy life". Anyway, it totally hit home for me, she nailed it. Ever since I was little, and mostly as a teenager, and going through all of my trials and mistakes, etc. I always loved going to church because it truly always made me happy (I am pretty sure I've blogged about this before). I am always super chipper and stoked, and always have been, and pridefully because I know I am where I am supposed to be.

I am grateful for my testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon (the church's amazing organization is the easy part).

On this note, I have pre-read our next lesson by my neighbor (I see her on walks in the morning) Bonnie Parkin 'Gratitude'. Thanks Leslie for giving me a heads up on expressing gratitude, which as you say in your blog, totally mirrors the lesson, and how important it is to do.

I have issues, but I obviously dig these things...

thanks janaya, well, you don't know it and you may never know it, but i totally copied this from your site.

five things i was doing 10 years ago:
1. getting ready for my last quarter of undergrad as a newly married woman.
2. working at cb richard ellis and getting stuck cleaning 508 sometimes
3. living on Princeton for $300 at $1/square foot
4. cruising around sugarhouse with ak on the scooter
5. loving my one and only niece Bailey

five songs i know the lyrics to:
1. Do You Know (the ping pong song)
2. Come Come Ye Saints (my favorite hymn)
3. Summertime Rolls by Jane's Addiction (I even translated it into French!)
4. "I want to ride" from the cd that comes with the mike and the bike book
5. shake your rump by beastie boys (well, I try)

five things i would buy if i were a millionaire:
1. my home's mortgage
2. a wicked, macked out suburban (because then I could afford the gas, sorry environment)
3. furniture, the good stuff, sorry ikea
4. put some of it away for kids' college/retirement
5. summer vacations in france, italy, argentina, africa, japan, china, new york, etc.

five things i would never wear again:
1. a bikini
2. daisy dukes
3. moon boots
4. mini-skirt
5. reeboks

five things i would like to do:
1. bicycle through france and italy
2. african safari
3. pay for kids' college
4. enjoy my children's childhood
5. live up to my potential

five favorite toys:
1. my snoopy belle doll (i took every day to kindergarten, and i still have it!)
2. anything that giggles
3. a toy record player which I played cinderella on over and over
4. legos, building blocks, still love them
5. barbie/matchboc cars - as a total tomboy, they are a tie in my book!

Genie Fall Trend Wishes

I did this pretty quick, but in my fall shopping dreams, I would buy these luxuries. ALA Mrs. Dub's Seasonal Fashion Genie.Ribbon Back Boots from Anthropologie $298 or so. I've been wanting these for at least 3 years.

If I had the money, I would buy something funky for the season like this. It's the Prada Hobo Ombre.

TSE Cashmere Dress. I love Grey. I love Cashmere.

Fashion Show in SLC

Style Camp Fashion Show

A friend of a friend has started a new business called a 'Style Camp' for girls. She is hosting a fashion show in downtown SLC, which would be a fun ladies or gents night out.

From my friend Karen: My friend, Erin, who I met through Ladies Who Launch is starting a style camp business. To kick it off she is hosting a Free Girls Fall Fashion show on Sept 8th. To support her new endeavor, I wanted to help her get the word out. Please feel free to forward this on to anyone you know who might be interested. Erin is really an exception individual with a lot of experience in the fashion industry so I'm sure the camps will be both informative and fun. Check out the details in the attachment or visit www.hauteandprim.com

P Rolled Over!

I wanted to document P's first roll over today (8/15) at Kate's pool. She's been working on it, and yesterday morning AK asked me if I had left her sleeping on her tummy as I left for morning bike ride, which I hadn't, but this is the first witness of her rolling over. I am having so much fun with my little, long baby!

And I wanted to show this darling moment of AK and P having a snoozy, deep, afternoon nap in the tent at Bear Lake this last weekend.

Loose Tooth

 
This is a picture of H and his first loose tooth. It is in the bottom row, you can see the gap between it and the side tooth. He is so excited since he was one of three kids in his kindergarten class that didn't lose a tooth this year! He loveswiggling it and can't wait for the tooth fairy to leave him some money.

How much is the tooth fairy paying for teeth these days anyway?

S'mores for Me

Thank you Grammy Mary Sue for the dessert quiz (and something to post, since Iam too lazy to upload new pictures to blog about). I am s'mores too, yummy, had some this weekend in Bear Lake.

You Are Smores

Unusual and unconventional, you make your strange ways work for you. You've got personality - no one's denying that!

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Happy Birthday Dori Girl

Tia Dori - we are your biggest fans. You are the most rocking Aunt and I love it. I have enjoyed the many hours and development on your guitar hero, but love most to see you rock out. I love you for the bond you have with the boys and now P through Tulsa and all of your generous tending of our most precious gems. I love your development and maturity that we have been able to witness and become a part of as you have become an amazing woman from a sweet, dancing teen. I love cooking with you and enjoying your specialties (hello salsa!) and favorites. We have had some good desserts, (hello strong tiramisu), and great meals (like every other day in Tulsa and Finn's forever!). I love that P could be your child and seems to have your gorgeous body (long and thin) and beautiful eyes! You are amazing and thank you for being such a great friend and sister-in-law. Love, Boo

Oneity Fall Stuff/Summer Sale

Alas, if I had any more money for clothes (or room in out closets), neither of which we have, or need any single item more, I would be checking out the summer clearance stuff this weekend at Oneity Friday and Saturday and previewing the fall selections, like the darling stuff above. If you haven't been (Megan) you really need to check it out. The clothes are inexpensive, are for a good cause (10% goes to charities specific to each article of clothing - you get a blurb attached to the item), and of course, are darling. My kids' own favorite pants are from last year's winter collection. I for one, will not be there along with all of the other Chi O's and U of U people there (wear make-up and look decent, a great tip from Kate - saving me from sure embarrassment last year!). As we are done, done, done with clothes shopping until at least next summer!!! I am seriously considering not even buying O some needed sneaks for school and having him continue to wear his beloved, smelly, "basketball" shoes for a few more months.

Happy Belated Birthday Cici

Happy Birthday Cici. I guess I thought since I talk to you three times a day, I kind of let the 'blog birthday shout out' slide, so sorry! You know I love you to death and for eternity. Although you are my little sister, you surely have been my example and beacon in my life. When my life wasn't so "straight" you gave me the push I needed simply by saying "What are you doing?", plain and simple, but enough to let me know how much you love and care for me and how you wanted me to be a part of your eternity. I love being with you, since you make my belly ache and my cheeks burn with laughter and hilarity. My favorites are drive-by shouts, especially "say no to crack" on Bayside, tampooning (you don't want to know, if you are in college or truly desperate, maybe you do), rollin' in the accord playing N.W.A., screaming through rain puddles on the island, my dorm room and making up words for the pearl jam song (I can't remember for the life of me), Nikki Ricci and I taunting you with the Depeche Mode song 'I ask myself, is it a sin, to kill Rachel, the alien', driving with you and Ryan ANYWHERE, going to restaurants with you guys and always getting horrible service and still tipping well, Jesse's bouquet jump wedding shot of you, cheerleading with you, practicing our cheerleading photos with you years before we were actually cheerleaders, driving to seminary with no contacts with you, making you an accomplice in our post-CIF basketball win everyone invited over to our house party, beating the heck out of you when we were little kids (you totally held your own though), sharing rooms with you until Irvine Terrace, playing tennis at the Bay Club, shopping H&M on the first day L.A., visiting you as an hermana in Spain (was looking at pictures today), picking and tooting, fighting with Josh in St. George (go Rachie!), guiding you on your new biking adventures, and more. You are awesome. I love you. You are 30! I outted you for posterity (which outs me since I am older!). You are a beautiful, sweet, hilarious, yogurt leaving on the top of the car, super sister and best buddy.

Breakdown

So starting with my Thursday hair chopping (it's gone, the long, flowing,, shedding locks are gone), which was (I thought) thoroughly considered and thought out for months now, so it couldn't have been a result of my following breakdown. So I was sad, I have no hair, I look like a boy, my darling nieces and nephews and friends' kids are way too honest with their words and looks, but trying to be sweet because they know that it really looked better before and know how long it will take to grow out again. Then I went to bed and woke up too early on Saturday (fun bike ride, totally worth it) but got really grumpy with lots of fun activities (Home Depot for making art boxes with the kids, etc.) by the late afternoon when we discovered O had left his backpack which contained his bather and whatnot at Home Depot, I was looking for trouble. And most of you know me, I need my sleep, and when I am grumpy, I HAVE HAD IT. On top of this I had found some old junk in the garage and was reading through an old journal, mostly during our trip to Spain (yeah, go Sister Cici) but then our experience in Casper, Wyoming. Wow, was I ever depressed. Poor sweet H, he was the happiest little critter, while I wallowed in bed while a world of drabness and a husband that was on the road 85% of the work week was gone. But what depressed me today was how I was all upset that I weighed still 10 pounds more than pre-preg, which today is 20 pounds more! So I got in my bather and headed over to Kate's to dive in to the very invigorating waters. Sunday was all good, except I had made a big boo-boo with my sister, who will remain nameless, and whose wrath is not cool (sisters attest). I think we are all good now.?. Also, I have issues with finance, my husband's employment, and more. Kids are totally chill and fabulous. So I am so grateful for friends. It seems when I hit my low this week (Monday morning), my friends were calling me. Mostly out of the blue, and some because we were to do planned things this week. I wasn't answering or returning calls, but I acknowledged that I needed to know and feel of their love and comfort and friendships. So poor darling Hill, who I finally connected with, got a full-unleashed unloading of my stuff. Then I talked to Villi yesterday and I let her know I was having a 1/3 life crisis and she replied well, of course, you are post-partum! Okay yes! I love being able to pin-point er blame my sorrows on something, it really made me feel much better. And I realized today that I kind of hit a wall while trying to entertain my kids in these last days of summer. It's really working for them, they are happy and crashing to bed early (O at 6pm snuck off to la-la land!) I just wanted to bring it all down to reality for y'all. I'll tell you about the fun we had this week (hint it involves some bikes, a pool, rock climbing, a park or two, a few babysitters, and the cookies & pizza that O & JR made). No wonder I am crazy right?

Make a Rain Stick

I still haven't done the cute wilding stick Grammy found, but I just found this rain stick idea as well that we may try today. There is also a cool draw a frog (shown above) site. Our library's city theme this summer is frogs, so the city is all about frogs this summer. Check it out at GoCityKids. Thanks again to Chelsea for the gocitykids project ideas this summer.

I can't sleep

Random Moose shot from our Alta hike a month ago. We've seen moose almost every time we've been in Little Cottonwood this summer. A few nights ago when on a very fun hike with the Creers we saw a momma and baby moose! We always see some deer and did I mention we saw a coyote earlier this week as we were driving up, we slowed down, and with no worries in the world, it was a little deliriously just strutting across the road, almost against our car. Did you all know my husband is a moose magnet (and wild turkey and deer, but mainly moose). If you want to see a moose, bring AK along and it's a guaranteed moose-spot. He's nearly run one over, lucky the moose awoke and got up, or else he really would have run right over it! (Summer 2002, Big Emma at Snowbird with Kate, Harrison, Holden, and baby Weston! don't we have those pics somewhere?)

I got this quiz from my darling friend Mandy Davis from Phoenix/Interact days. Yet another one, I know, but here goes...I changed # 2 because it was kind of creepy, otherwise this quiz is random enough and different. Let me know if you fill it out and post.

1. Do you like cheese? Unfortunately, yes! I could be a frenchie and eat all of the stinky cheese daily.
2. Favorite actor/actress? Matt Damon (I can't wait to see the new Bourne!)
3. Do you own a gun? No, definitely not a gun fan. But my boys have light sabers, so maybe I am protected? hee
4. Your favorite song? Oh dear. Looking at my favorites on our ipods, I guess it's Nothing Better by Postal Service (most played). I have to shout out for Sweet Magdelena of my Misfortune by Cracker!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes. Especially since the only time I go to the doctor is for gyno appointments and for the kids' shots!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Gross, I try not to think of all of the bones and cartiledge and yuckies of the pig that goes into them, when I feed them to my kids at bbq's.
7. What's your favorite Christmas song? I love the Kelly Clarkson version of 'O Holy Night'
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Soy milk or water. I previously forgot, HOT CHOCOLATE!
9. Can you do push ups? A couple.
10. Is your bathroom clean? Yes, but only because my Andy cleaned it.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Engagement and wedding ring.
12. Favorite Hobby? Reading and right now, blogging
13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? Well, on Andy, I think it was knowing the Fletch movies that most impressed him.
14. Favorite clothing store? Fred Segal, Melrose. Of course I can't afford to shop there anymore, but in HS I loved going there and trying on stuff when I had the body for it and looked good in anything.
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? My hair, right now. I just butched it and I am so sad.
16. Middle Name? Boo Stayner (not official)
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I wish I could sleep, I love talking, the air conditioner feels good
18. Name the last 3 things you have bought? You mean like received that I purchased or bought? A snowboard is waiting for me to pick up at REI, sprite and water at the grocery story for a luncheon on Friday, and hair dye (2 colors, that I still haven't used yet) at Rite Aid, because of my recently chopped hair looks extra hidi with the brassy highlights left in it.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Sparkling or soda Water, Soy Milk, and crystal light flavored water.
20. Current worry right now? Money and going to church with my new 'do, seriously pathetic, but I love the girl that cut, but she's there and I don't want to make her feel bad, because I am really bad at hiding my true feelings, etc.
21. Current Hate? Shopping! Because of worry #1
22. Favorite place to be? On my bike in Crystal Cove
23. How did you bring in the New Year? I seriously can't remember. And I was probably sleeping.
24. Where would you like to go? On a bike tour in the south of France or Italy, I know super cliche but I hope I really get to do this someday.
25. Name three people who will complete this and return it? Rachel,maybe, but our family does these a lot of these, so she may be burned out.
26. If you could see the future would you want to? Yes, but as Mandy said, it probably isn't a good thing.
27. What shirt are you wearing? "Sleep shirt" (G force top for those in the know), really quite nothing, not even a nursing bra tonight, too hot! TMI
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No! Yuck, egyptian cotton for me, it has to be really soft, I can't bear sleeping in yucky sheets.
29. Can you whistle? Yes, quite well actually, but no the finger in your mouth loud kind.
30. Favorite color? Blue
31. Would you be a pirate? No, scurvy creeps me out.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever's in my head.
33. Favorite girl's name? Penelope Jane, of course. I do like Giselle and call her Gigi (I am hoping for a sister for P someday, we'll see!)
34. Favorite boy's name? I love Sebastian too, which we totally thought we were naming H that, but haven't had the guts to do it. My next kid (if there is one, but if we win the lottery I want another boy and a girl (Giselle) and we will name the boy Laird or Lincoln probably.)
35. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets currently, but probably a receipt if I had one.
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Rob and Big and the manpon espisode.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? Laura Ashley, my yellow and blue one, I still have the comforter. Now I always do boring white sheets. ALthough the Ralph Lauren I got for college was softer and even prettier (I think I still have this comforter too).
38. Worst injury you've ever had? I "broke my back" in HS. It was more of a cracked vertebrae thing, and I had to quit volleyball over it, very sad.
39. Do you love where you live? Yes I do.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2.
41. Who is your loudest friend? To compete with me? It's got to be one of my sisters, probably Megan. But I can definitely compete.
42. Who is your most silent friend? Kristi Goldsberry.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? No.
44. Do you wish on shooting stars? Yes.
45. What is your favorite book? Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, ever since 1993
46. What is your favorite candy? Milk Duds, I can't resist them.
47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding? Probably A Wink and A Smile (also my debutante theme song) otherwise I can't think of another song I requested, although I am sure I did!
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I can't recall the name, but it's in the church Hymnbook; and probably a wink and a smile.
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Going mountain biking with Kate (I woke up at 6 am to be at her house at 6:30 and I was early!)
THE END!!

Pizza Making & Garden Vegetables

Our new favorite thing for dinner, is making pizzas. It is so quick and easy (I buy the $59 bag of pizza dough, add water, wait 5 minutes (meanwhile grading the mozzarella, etc.) and voila. Spread the bottled pizza sauce and let the kids decorate. For Andy we have added peppers, canadian bacon, and sausage. The kids love it! The veggies are from our backyard neighbor's garden except the tomatoes are from ours. We'll see if we get many squash? We haven't had a full grown one yet (just one I see growing). Pics for you Dori. Funny story about neighbor, this morning as I was heading for my bike ride late, I couldn't find the pump and AK had ridden last night so I was cursing him with temper flaring and threw the yucky pump in the grass and I hear this "Hello", it was my backyard neighbor Mike gathering veggies in the early morn (they are leaving for a trip). I apologized profusely and told him how much we loved their veggies we had cooked up last night (pictured above) and so we got more. I was even later to meet Susan and still so embarrassed by my behavior, but oh well. I'm human.

Happy Birthday Liz!

Happy Birthday Lizzie! When I was little and you were a blossoming, terribly messy, chic, and brilliant teenager, you were my idol. I would wear your clothes (after you left for school), mostly wearing too big sized full Esprit pant suits, the silk b/w jacket, and always shopping where you worked at the Limited, even though that too was a little big for my 5th/6th grade-ness. I went so far as to copy how you used to do the "nose wipe" which I think you may have been trying to pull up your nose? It's hard to explain, but you would pull your nose by your palm upwards. Even to the way you brushed your teeth (vertically, to benefit our huge front teeth,I suppose). I have still always loved your chin length bob that you sport in your Becky and you dance photo. You've always had it all - big boobs, sense of style (wholly your own), smarts, artistic talent, scripture mastery (I clearly remember at Irvine Terrace house your all day B of M reading binge), captain of cheerleading, hot guys (dude, Gunnar G., like the hottest guy ever at CDM!), and good friends. Now you have a great career and sweet family to add to that, what a great example. Thanks for all the memories and to many more... Love, Boo P.S. Since you are not a blog reader, I will have to email this to you or something.