Niner years today.

Our getaway to Victoria. Thanks Stephanie for the babysitting!

Ah, marital bliss. I can't imagine it getting any better but I said that last year and it has. Thanks for my big surprise- it was perfect in EVERY way. I love you. I mean I really freaking love you.

Love,

Kimbo

Kinda crazy round here.

I was just going to post a few pictures for now but then the idea of posting led from one idea to another to another. Pretty soon the idea of posting the last month became a burden I was not ready to bear. So here I am, pushing a good hearty post off for another week or so. Hoping that your appetite for Allgoodisms will be temporarily satiated.
Here I was making a cake for MJ's birthday party. I had set the bowl of frosting precariously on the edge of the sink and OF COURSE I bumped it and it spilled ALL OVER me and the rest of the kitchen. Not even my hair was spared. I blame myself entirely- why can't I learn? Why Me? Oh right, I am my father's daughter. (My dad was cooking something on the BBQ yesterday- something wasn't right- the propane tank starts to light on fire- he throws the BBQ in the pool. If you are wondering who I belong to...there's your sign.)
Next we have our trip to the canyon. My mom, sister, sister's 2 kids- punky and nancy, and our family went to have a bbq in the canyon. The river was running too high for playing in it so it was a pretty quick 'up and back' (for fear we might lose children in the current). It was a beautiful day though and I realized how much kids love to be in the forest. There is no place like the canyons when you live in Utah. So much creativity happens there. Thank you canyons!

Auntie Heidi and Peapod

MJ and Rebs hoarding their smoresFudge stripe cookie smores (not traditional but WAY tastier!)My entourage

Have no fear, there is more to come...

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!

Preschool Graduation!

Jared Junior (Rebs) graduated from preschool last week! It was a big day and I recorded several short videos but for some reason they are not loading properly. So, I am posting all the photos I took and will post the videos later.

All set up- anxiously awaiting the big entrance!

Here in her cap- she was the youngest in our family to graduate from preschool- we have high hopes for her! The Pledge of AllegianceThe post pledge of allegiance round of applause- of course.Miss Sheryl's Preschool- CLASS OF 2010!
Rebs protector and hero the whole year...Introducing...the future son-in-law! (in 30 years of course)Rebs' wonderful teacher, Miss Sheryl (but Rebs calls her Aunt Sheryl)
Yesterday, May 24th- snowstorm. For real.Peapod- super excited about the snow
Congratulations Rebs! Harvard or Bust! ;-)

And remember, if you are able...please donate to Relay for Life- we are running in a couple of weeks! The instructions are on the previous post!