A Beachin Birthday Party

My brother, Andy, turns 26 today. And b/c he has been counting down his big day since Easter...we knew his party had to make a splash! We celebrated with a Sunday surf and turf dinner, ice-cream cake, and some serious booty shaking.

For birthdays we always go around and give a toast to the birthday star. Heather's big day is tomorrow so we toasted to her too. Here Issac is giving a sweet message to his mama.

Happy as a clam to be stuck in the middle of these two.

Glad to see my parents still have some summer loving.

My beach boy bro's.

I hope you have a fabtastic birthday today bro:) We will see you soon!

Merry Valentines...

When I was little, I was always so sad to see the December decor go. So I decided then and there that when I had my own house, the trimmings would come down during my own due time...which for me hits around Valentines. I know not everyone concurs with the overlapping of holidays, but for me combining anything with Christmas is like chocolate cake a la mode...it makes every bite that much sweeter... and somehow putting up hearts while we are hanging onto Christmas gives me some much needed comfort during this cold January month.

James and I are sick for the second time this season. And if kind of enjoying cold meds, hot cocoa, and cuddling with my baby while we watch chick flicks is wrong...I don’t want to be right!

John is sick too but since he has school, his final project, and loads of work, there is no rest for the weary...But we’re keeping the couch warm and will give him some hot supper when he gets home.

So happy Cupidmas...And even though I get weird looks when the neighbors come to the door, I’ll have my cake and eat it too....Or just do whatever we have to do to survive this cold, flu, and winter blues season:)

a sappy short about snowshoeing:)

I will l never forget my first wintery love... (skiing down the slopes at Snowbird)...But, strollin’ atop six feet of powder is a close second. We spent Saturday scaling the snow packed trail of Red Pine with our friends, the Christensen’s.

Before you judge us for taking James out in the cold...we stuffed his p.j.'s with hand warmers like he was a Thanksgiving turkey and then gave him a good glazing of layers. And because we forgot a gator for his face...John gave up the shirt off his back.

From our window, these hills look like a wintery whiteout but looking closer there are colors that can clear your mind and cultivate your creative spirit within.

And here I will bare testimony...God’s gifts of scenery, greenery, and family are all this gal needs to live happily... hallelujah and amen.

Have I mentioned I am a fan of this sport... All you need is some shoes and some snow and you can strut your stuff for less than it costs to go to the movies. Oh, and a bun workout is a pretty nice bonus.

I love that after a good snow day, take-out tastes like Tuscany, a hot shower feels like a massage, and cuddling up in bed is by far the most blissful thing in the world!

And they slept happily deeply many hours after...Hey... if glass shoes can change Cinderella’s life...why can’t snowshoes change mine:)

This little man melts my heart...

What do we do during the day?...

(besides a little work, dishes, diaper duty, and laundry)...

We PLAY...

Cooking up a storm and eating like it's going out of style with some of my favorite gals.

Everything we had for lunch was homemade...Holla for sweet potato fries, dipping sauces, paninies hot off the press, fruit soup, and ice-cream and waffle cones for dessert.

Soaking in the hot tub with my little beach bum baby and pretending we are in Bermuda.

TGIF... because...

How we survive sacrament...

My friend Vickie took this video of the boys getting their NASCAR on!

Resolutions

Because I need a little kick in the pants and some accountability:)...

Kelle Hampton's Video

This video made me cry... and then take out my credit card. It hit home and made me wish we had a home video of the first time I held my baby brother. I know Andy's as well as our family's life has been enriched because of this organization. I love Kelle Hampton's outlook on life and I am thankful for her example and work for such a worthy cause. Visit her beautiful blog with cute pics of her little baby here.

Happy Birthday Grandma Gregory!

A Quest for Color on a Cold January Day...

I met my sister, Heather, in Park City for a little art gallery hoppin’. Nothing quite beats the winter time blues for me like a double dose of hue. I feel blessed to be able to enjoy so many inspiring artists in the area. Because, for me, beautiful pieces of art are like a summer day for my soul...something I need when the thermometer says something like 7 below!

My guy turned 15 months old today!

We just barely beat the starlets who will soon be strolling down these city streets for the Sundance Film Festival. Thanks sis, that was just what the doctor ordered on this day, smack dab in the middle of winter.