A Summer Blessing

We blessed Summer in our church on October 10th. We had a lot of our family in town, and we were so grateful to have them (and missed the ones that couldn't make it).




Summer wore the dress I was blessed in, and my mother was blessed in made by my great-grandmother. She wore a hand-crocheted jacket and booties belonging to my paternal grandma and a sweet flower clip make by my sister. All heirlooms to treasure always.

We had a delicious lunch with contributions by everyone (thank you!). I even managed a little decoration, these buntings I sewed up quickly on the Saturday before. Now they live in Summer's nursery.

Baby Shower Wreath

I saw this darling wreath on kojo designs. I thought it was so cute.

But then I started wondering, is it polite to request all guests bring gift cards? What do you think? I generally think that it should always be up to the guest to determine what to bring.

The berry themed party was darling. See it at kojo designs.

MaLM - Labor Day

Make a List Monday - How to celebrate Labor day with a newborn

1. Take a pass on the early morning hike with family in favor of sleeping in until 9:45!
2. Eat homemade crepes with vanilla yogurt and warm, fresh peaches from your own tree.
3. Run to the mall to take advantage of a few Labor Day sales.
4. Play games with your sweet kids, bonus if you win ;)
5. Plant a few flowers to brighten your new(-ish) flower bed.
6. Have a delicious grilled chicken with all the trimmings dinner followed by a homemade blackberry shake.
7. Play Horse (it has been a while and my basketball was a little rusty), and Catch Phrase (one of our favorite, easy and fun family games) and chat until bedtime.
8. Be grateful for so much happiness and so many blessings.

Birthday Week, 3???

Will there be a third?

Birthday Week, 2

Next up, Scott.

Memorial Day and a Birthday

Matt's birthday happened on Memorial Day this year. We celebrated with a early neighborhood breakfast at the park (unfortunately he was in charge of it and so had to be up working early!), a picnic up Provo Canyon with his family, and a yummy dinner at his brother's house. I love Matt's family and always enjoy spending time with them, they really are my family in every sense.






The beautiful hike



with lots of opportunities to throw rocks in water

and a cool beaver dam.

The sweet kids all had presents for their dad. Here Andrew has just bequeathed his light saber. Lucky for Matt, Andrew will continue to store it and keep it working for him!

Dawn and Rachel each bought a sweet present, too.

I love the sweet ideas that come from my kids. They make life beautiful and full of happiness.

St. Louis and the Doctors

I recently took a little trip to St. Louis with my mom to attend the graduation of not one, but two brothers from Washington University's Law School. It was my first ever trip without my kids or husband since the beginning of this blessed union, 12 years ago.

We did some fun sightseeing (the Arch, the zoo, the botanical gardens which I'll share tomorrow). We had a lovely night with a leaky ceiling at the local Hilton, not so fun. And we had a great time just visting with family that has been "gone" for several years. It was a wonderful time, and so great to be able to share with my newly "Doctored" brothers.






My nieces and nephew are darling! We had a great time getting reacquainted. Usually I'm so busy being a mom that I don't get to be a very fun aunt. But that changed this trip, and I liked it!




And extra thanks to Lane and Julie who took such good care of us (fed us and housed us). They were great.

Charity is Two!

Charity turned two a few weeks back. She had a wonderful birthday. I love how all my kids give presents to their siblings, usually something they have made or don't play with anymore. It makes it more meaningful for everyone!


Dawn gave her an old doll, which she loved! Complete with handmade clothes. (We use old socks to make doll clothes, especially old soccer ones! It works great.)

The ice cream cone bubbles, maybe Charity's most played with toy, she's carrying it around as I type this. Part of Rachel's gift.

The goods, note the play food donut she's eating up. I made Charity some felt play food. I've been wanting to try it for so long, and I'm so happy how it turned out! I'll show you that more in detail tomorrow.

She was a pro at the candles. She knew just what to do!

We gave her a doll outfit that matches her sister's dolls. Aren't they cute all together?

And of course, the close by grandparents were there. Often we invite many cousins and other family to birthdays, but we've found with really little ones, a smaller party is better and results in a much happier child.

A New Nephew

A new nephew, Asher to join the happy family.

Playing Catch Up

When the holidays are over, I'm done with them. You have until January 2, maybe the next weekend, then please, let's put it all away. I love every minute up until then. But then I reach a serious limit.

As a result, I just now downloaded all my Christmas pictures from my camera. I posted a few times, but put them back in the appropriate months. If you are a grandparent or otherwise, crazily interested you can see our holiday decor, meeting Santa, Christmas Day, Andrew's little tragedy, going sledding, being tuckered out from the holidays, a cousin's baptism, a new niece's blessing and football party extraordinaire.

More beautiful parties

More partying going on around the blogosphere.


and much more at Daisy Pink Cupcake