Suddenly Summer

It's suddenly summer!.. So we celebrated with…

- a jog in the canyon with my good pal, Abbie.
-a dip in the pool, eating popsicles with my peeps.
-a nap with a soggy baby on the porch swing.
-hanging with my hubby while he got ready for high adventure.

Everything is better with a baby but ‘specially summertime... the pansies are prettier, strawberries more succulent, and the sunsets more spectacular!
Thanks Aunt Cathy for the fabulous day in your pool ... and thanks to my honey pie for working so hard so I can be with our baby… I will be making you lots of yummy dinners as a special thanks!

Playing at the Pool

Today I took you to the pool 3 different times. Two fish-like friends, like Ariel and Flounder. I can’t get enough of how happy your feet get when they are wet. I think it must have something to do with the 9 months you spent swimming in my belly... and why you weren't ready to dry out until a week after your due date.

Your tiny hands smack the surface of the water spraying beads on our faces splish splash,splish splash...The chlorine makes you cough, coughing makes you laugh, and your laugh is sunshine for my soul.

I can't keep my lips off your soggy head. Kiss Kiss Kiss. Pruned toes are a prelude to me carrying you out into the cool springtime air. I quickly swaddle you in terry cloth towels until you look like a snowman. Soon you will be what your daddy calls sawing toothpicks. Sleep deep my sweet...when you awake we’ll head back into the blue.

Grandma Graduates!

My mom getting her bachelors at BYU back in the day.. I was in her belly:)

After our little vacay, we drove to the Navajo Nation of Kayenta for John to get down to biznass. It wasn't quite as blissful as the Grand Canyon (picture scary stray dogs, a sleepless seven month old, and a serious strain of food poisoning) but it was still an adventure and the above scenery made it all worth it.

Here is John in his work clothes. I love a man in uniform.


We gave James baths everyday to wear him out at the hotel. As long as this boy is fed, changed, and entertained he is one happy baby.

My honey posing by hogan.

The background looks fake but this is the real deal folks.


We kinda drove this road loads since the reservation wasn't really rockin.


This is the new hotel located right in the park.. Every room has a balcony with an incredible view.. hence the name, The View. I could get used to waking up to this scenery every morning. We didn't stay here but James and I pretended we did and hung out in the lobby a good hour enjoying the chic decor.

I am kind of falling for the dessert. It is so majestic and it radiates energy that makes me want to run around and shout... and sometimes I do.


Spring time is definitely the time to head down here. The weather was perfect and the wild flowers and green grass juxtaposed against red rock rocked my socks!


Did anyone watch Modern Family last week when they went to Hawaii? The mom says, "when you have kids it's not a vacation, it's a business trip"...That cracked me up! Being on the road with a little tyke doesn't allow for much R&R.
I am loving having a travel buddy to read historical markers and go museum hopping with and John's pretty elated that he doesn't have to anymore.
Nice to meet ya, Monument Valley. You're scenery was SUBLIME!

On the Road Again...

John had to work in AZ so we ventured down early to do a little sightseeing in the southwest...

We picnicked most meals to save on mula...Sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...mmmm...I am happy as long as I am with my hunnies.

pleased to be out of my parka and into the sunshine.

This is where we stayed. It was sweet!!! I'd never have known about this place if John hadn't stayed here previously for work... Here is why you should go on a road trip and stay at the Cameron Trading Post ASAP...

We only paid $70 bucks a night and the rooms where clean, comfy, and had some serious southwestern flare.

The garden was a little oasis in the desert. Completely unexpected from a cheap motel in the sagebrush.

I knew that we would be eating some tasty fry bread when we walked in the motel restaurant and it was packed with Native Americans.

I went wishful shopping at the trading post. It was packed with authentic Navajo souvenirs. These are the things I would have bought if I was one of the rich Europeans passing through.

So it turns out the GRAND CANYON isn't just a clever name! It was GARGANTUAN and absolutely breathtaking!!! There were people from all over the world that traveled so far to see it and it is practically in our backyard.

The building in the background was designed by a woman in 1906. Awesome. Her name was Mary Colter and she was the main architect/interior designer of the buildings in the park back in the day. Holla! I wasn't expecting such girl power at the Grand Canyon. I will be checking out a book about this inspiring chica soon .

Fact: This bridge is over 100 years old... it doesn't carry cars anymore but carries John's pipeline.

Tourists asked to stop and take our pic on our hike. I guess they don't see many babies in backpacks... or at least way cute babies.

This view is one of the many reasons I am wild for the the West.

This is what happens when we apply sunscreen to my babies hair. So stylin'

The Grand Canyon was the perfect way to spend my first Mother's Day. I think I might be praying for pipeline problems in this area so we can head back down south really soon!

Happy Mother's Day to Nana and Grandma Gregory!

We love Nana too! We have a special post for her coming soon!

recipe

Here is the recipe I made with the cabbage. It was pretty yummy and the name makes you want to eat a lot of it...Which is why I will be renaming all my recipes...bulging belly brownies, swim suit season squash, etc.
-It makes a ton, so freeze some for later.
-I would only use one onion next time.
-Don't tell your man the name..skinny isn't the best adjective when your feeding a hungry hubby:)

Ingredients

1 (2 lb., 3 oz.) can of Italian plum tomatoes

4 cans of water (use tomato can, fill with water)

4 chicken bouillon cubes

2 large onions

1 large green pepper

1 large red pepper

1 bag fresh carrots

1 bunch celery

1 med. green cabbage

Sea salt

Pepper

Directions

Blend tomatoes and 4 cans of water. Add 4 bouillon cubes. Shred or chop all vegetables, except cabbage. Add to broth. Cook 2 hours, then add shredded cabbage and cook 1 more hour, slowly. Add salt and pepper to taste. To make soup more of a "meal" you may add cooked brown rice

Here is another recipe my friend just posted and I made over the weekend. (Thanks Linds, it was delish!) I could live on pancakes...wait, I sorta did my Sophomore year of college:) Yum, chocolate chip pancakes while watching reruns of Friends...good times.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk

Directions
Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-low heat.
In a bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix applesauce, sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Stir applesauce mixture and milk into the flour mixture until evenly moist and thick.
Scoop about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto the prepared griddle, and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides.

I added 1/2 tsp salt and about 1 TBL agave. Don't mistake the unbelievable moisture of these pancakes for being under-cooked! They are sooo good!! (And very healthy) -Lindsey

Produce Power!

I love it when my blogging peeps post mommy advice, recipes, consumer tips, etc...

So I am blogging it forward with a tip my sister introduced me to last month... The fabulous Community Food Co-op... the Co-op pulls every one's mula to have greater purchasing power from the farmers. Then people volunteer their time to cut down on distribution costs. The result is lower priced produce. Last Saturday I picked up my box filled with 7 different fruits and veggies for only 10 bucks! And it made me learn how to cook a cabbage... since it sort of came with the other stuff:)

The last day to make your purchase is this Friday, May 7th. Then you pick up your food at a local church a couple weeks later... the website explains more.

Hope this is helpful and makes you as passionate about your produce as me:)

Peace.

Come Swim!

Hey Girlfriends...

I am having a swim play date at my mom's indoor pool in Draper this Thursday

at 12:30. Bring your suits, towels, and a treat to share (anything you already have in your cupboard... apple slices, cheerios, whatever:)

Why you ALL should come...

1) Your kiddos will take the best nap after!

2) The light is dim and you don't have to worry about shaving, being tan, etc..FYI.. I will be wearing my mom's granny suit.

3) We all have spring fever and it's going to be another cold week:(... so let's just pretend we live in Cali as we chat by the pool:)

Let me know if you are thinking of coming and I'll send you the address... (hello, this is the internet... and we don't want some hairy man showing up;)

Hope all you bloggidies can come!