Ode to SIX!

MJ, I can't believe today you turned six,

Life keeps getting better since we threw you in the mix.
You are skinny as a twig and you show off your "guns"
When you are around- it's always about fun!
You drop a "yo mama" line out of the blue
You say funny jokes but often I miss your cue...
...Then later when I am lying in bed
I laugh to myself at something earlier you said.

Grocery store lines are a place that with you, I fear
You like to ask "innocent" questions about people very near.
You learned how to blow bubbles and snap and read tough words
You scoff at mean people and you think they are absurd!
I love that you love your friends, you are an example to me.
You are loyal and smart and have an amazing memory.

Your heart is so big and your eyes so blue
Every time I see you, I see something new.
My love for you grows with every joke, every inappropriate question
Every hug, every correction.

You are a special girl. HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY!
I love you! --Mom

We call that a crawler 'round here.

This week's top ten
1. Peapod is, uh, almost crawling-ish
2. Rosemary chicken sandwiches
3. The walk-in pantry
4. Mom's visit is just around the corner!
5. Civil War documentary by Ken Burns
6. Homemade creme brulee made with the plumbing torch my Dad left us when they moved to Arizona- as you can see, I am the favorite child.
7. My new Palm Pixi
8. The 801 region- I never thought I'd say it but I really like it here
9. Bleach
10. Cold rainy weather in June!

Today

...and everyday, God is good and merciful.

My 10 +

1. Homemade Pound Cake

2. Getting a paycheck

3. Vegetable gardens

4. A delicious dinner after 24 hours of fasting

5. Warm sunny days

6. Cool breezy nights when you can sleep with the windows open

7. A garage

8. My Bosch Mixer (while the Kitchen Aid mixer is adorable, the Bosch takes it)

9. AH-HAH moments that help you see your potential

10. Lentils

11. Relay for Life and all the generous donations

12. The feeling of community that happens when you live in a place for a while

13. New baby smell (don't worry I don't miss it THAT much)

14. Stress free Sundays

15. Kids that color for hours

16. Yummy salads made by a good friend (because salads always taste better made by someone else!

17. Seeing kids that develop their talents and personalities

18. Babysitters we can trust

19. A good husband (REAL good)

20. Nap time!

Dia de Memorial

I was so excited for Memorial Day Weekend. To have Jared home on a Monday is bliss! We wanted to kick off the summer hiking season with a good thigh busting hike but because we don't have two backpacking backpacks for the toddlers, we opted for a more tame hike/walk/temple square visit/Red Iguana experience.

Here are the kids at Memorial Grove Park- this is Veteran's memorial park two blocks from downtown SLC that I never knew existed until that morning. It is gorgeous and fitting for Memorial Day. It connects to a canyon called City Creek Canyon that has a nice trail that goes up into the woods. Lovely!

The World War I Memorial with Jared and kidsMJ really wanted her picture taken with the box elder bugUtah State Capitol (where all the extremely conservative- and occasionally CRAZY bills get passed)Me and my ladiesBeautiful DeeOh how I wish this was my yard!Classic "Temple Square Visit" photoJust liked the pictureModel of the Salt Lake Temple- The exterior wall on the other side is cut away so you can see all the rooms inside. Very cool.Gorgeous flowers
The next day, Dee put a tea party together.
I LOVE SUMMER VACATION! Having the kids home just seems right!
This morning I was noticing how nasty my kitchen floor was. The girls wanted to ride their bikes and scooters out in the garage and driveway. I put Peapod out there in his stroller so he could watch. I kept my eye on them from inside. This is what they came up with...

Stay tuned for more recipes and of course the dance festival!