Cabin

We had a fun weekend up at the cabin with my family and Cole's.

The kids had fun playing outside and getting dirty. And oh did they get dirty. These pictures are after the first full day of playing outside. Ashley and Alan brought up a Razor and it was a blast. The first day we drove it over to what we call the secret valley. When it was finally time to wind down and call it a day, we were all covered in dirt. (I think Tate takes the cake for the messiest face though.)

The Razor:

I think a few of these might be blurry here and I am too tired/lazy to fix it

Another day we went to Mill Hollow Reservoir for a picnic and a little dip in the water.

The wild flowers were beautiful!

What started like this:

Became this:

Turning into this:

...and you see how it went:

Everyone wanted in:

Crafting

Ella is now trading in her walk for a speed walk and I think she thinks she's running.

She can say baby, ball, juice, Momma, Dad, and Tate... although I don't think it really sounds like Tate at all. =) I would say her favorite word is Momma because she follows me around 80% of the day saying it while clinging to my leg. I won't lie, 80% of the time it drives me crazy. BUT... I do love the little stinker. We sometimes call her crew ella devil. fitting? crewel? She continues to love to climb on things. This morning she carried a stool in front of the toilet and put it down so she could climb up onto it. Soon she'll figure out how to get up to the sink. Soon she'll be a little girl, and not my little toddler trying to run around me. And while I don't think I'll miss how much she cries, I know I'll miss all this!

Tate is a little boy now and it's so fun, and so sad!

Summertime

Wow, where does the time go?

This summer has been one of a kind for us. I am so far behind on blogging it's not even funny... and so not like me! It's been a summer of realizing how important life and loved ones are. Without going into detail (more details here & here) we are currently being reminded how fragile life is, and trying desperately not to forget just how important everyday we have together is! (For those who may not know, this is my father in law... Cole's Dad)

Taking you back to the first of June...

Great Sandwich

I just got done eating this for lunch and loved it so much I thought I should share.

Get Away

Good times at our family cabin over the weekend.

Happenings

...Breaking promises to Cole.

He graduated and I said I wouldn't mention it, but I can't not!

I am so proud of him and his plans to go on and further his education! We think he's pretty smart, and we are pretty proud! I still am getting used to him going to bed before me, and waking up before me too. It was a neat day. I was really happy for him and it was neat to have our little family there. I hope they (our babes) follow in their dad's footsteps and even though they are young, I'm so proud of his example to our kids.

....Doing a lot of this:

Tate got a bike, and Ella is now walking and getting faster every day.

...Anxiously awaiting this.

It's not even for me. My Mom is getting a fun cruiser bike, and I'm SO excited to take it for a spin!

...LOVING Dr. Pepper and seriously feeling fueled by it!

Coke can't even compete. It's SOOO good, and SOOO bad. I never drink pop, but after having no energy yesterday I picked one up and stayed up to 2 am. It was great. Now I'm trying to forget how great it helped me stay awake so I don't go for another! =)

...Enjoying my newest photography purchase.

Simply put, I am in love.

...Day dreaming of what color I would get:

Already The End of May?

The kids and their dogs.

She is walking!

Salsa Roundup

Funny how salsa can taste so different.

One person may love one recipe, while another doesn't.

Cole and I have been testing out different salsa recipes trying to find the best there is.

For Cole nothing beats Los Hermanos.

For me nothing beats my old favorite.

Try it out and let me know what you think:

2 tomatoes chopped

1 bunch green onions chopped

1 can mild diced green chili's

1 can diced tomatoes

cilantro chopped (I like a lot)

salt & pepper

Blend together in blender and add a little pepper with a bunch of salt.

If you have a good fresh salsa recipe leave it in the comments.

Grandpa's Day

These pictures are beautiful to me.

I personally find it so incredibly neat that it was pouring rain during my Grandpa's Funeral. The heaven's were weeping, as they say.

It made for some lasting pictures.

Published

Tate is in the May/June issue of Utah Valley Magazine.

He was voted to be one of the cutest cuties born in 2005!