La Caille

As a belated anniversary date, we partied like we were the Pitt’s and dined at one of Utah’s most posh restaurants.

We had to borrow a BMW, only order dessert, and use a coupon …but in the end, the crème brulee was pure billionaire bliss!

J'adore ma famille!

Because I am no longer nursing (Oh sad, painful day!) I haven't been able to get my bloggidy on:( Hopefully someday I will be able to catch up on our summer happenings.

In a few short hours I will be leaving on a jet plane for 11 whole days on a trip with my mom and sistahs. I don't have pics in my wallet, so I’m posting photos of my two favorite men to gaze upon as I sit in some far away Internet cafe.

John has become quite the chef all of the sudden. He has concluded that cooking is closer to chemistry than he previously thought. And by following a recipe with precision he will get a perfectly prepared pizza. I guess that is why my cooking could still use some improvement…I'm much more concerned about visual presentation than the formula for flavor.

Having a baby is like eating a delicious ice-cream cone on a hot summer day. We are trying to savor each new stage- every flavor, but time is melting away faster than we can eat it all up.

I don’t know how I am going to make it since I left James for a few short hours tonight and the sight of a mother ducky with her chicks made me want to cry. At least I know he is going to be in great hands with his Grandma Gregory.

So until next time… Au revoir!

So I Think This Girl Can Dance!

What is modern about modern dance

is its resistance to the past,

its response to the present,

its constant redefining if the idea of dance.

*Marcia B. Siegel*

My sister, Heather, just finished up a 2 week, 9-5 dance camp at the Repertory Dance Theater. I got to see her perform the last day with some of the company.

This chica has birthed 5 kids and she can still shake it like Polaroid picture. Impressive.

Thanks for your example to keep moving as a mother, sistah. Now I am going to get my groove on with the vacuum:)

James and Andy

July

Can I say, I am Gaga over Glenwood Springs! Here is why you and your fam should skip your next vacay to Vegas and head here instead: It’s such a pretty town where two beautiful rivers meet in the mountains. It’s only 45 minutes from Aspen and Vail but much more affordable. And, there is so much to do (biking, rafting, hot springs…I could go on for hours baby!)

The last night in Colorado we went on a long bike ride by the river. On the way back we saw a sign for Doc Holliday’s grave, so we biked up the mountain to an old cemetery to pay our respects to this ruffian of the wild west.

Oh ya, Meet Burley…Bob the stroller's new bunk mate. Thank you, Grandpa Gregory for the extra spending cash. We've already put lots of miles on this Mr.!

After Colorado, we took the Brontosaurs Boulevard and the Stegosaurus Freeway to Vernal, Utah (for reals…the gps even said!) When we were able to tear Drew away from Sponge Bob, we swam, biked, and got our museum hoppin on.

Friday, we rung in the holiday weekend with a Real Salt Lake soccer game. Afterwards, we decided to live la vida loca with a midnight showing of Eclipse. Which explains why we are convalescing on the couch with our suitcases still strewn on the living floor. This Sistah needs a little more siesta! So goodnight and have a fabulous Fourth!

Drew's letter from camp Gregory in Glenwood Springs, CO

This is the tub where we watch awesome movies in our swimsuits. -Drew

Pizza place.

We rode a tram up the mountain and it was very fun. -Drew

I played Laser Tag and I was on my own team and I won it against a kid and his dad. And I went in a maze and won a prize with Jessica and it was really hard. I also went in a cave simulator. There was a high swing thing, but I didn't go on it because it looked too scary. -Drew

The swimming pool was kind of cold but warm. -Drew

Warning: Brain Freeze May Occur...

We were on the road with John when James got sicker than a dog. We took him for a summer night walk when his cabin fever started to be worse than his temperature. When we happened upon a 7-11 we stopped in for some Slurpees. James little sip brought out his first smile of the trip and they had these new metal straws that seriously enhanced the slurpee experience by about 700%!

James's hair pretty much sums up how little sleep we got on this trip. I am sure mine was worse, but didn't have the precious factor that called for a photo opt:).

Utah Arts Fest

We hippied it up Friday night at the Arts Fest, where we watched Ballet West, ate delicious Thai food , and tarried in the fabulous fountains. It was a great reminder that with art, anything goes! I can use my new favorite shade of OPI pink nail polish, some paints, and a piece of paper to express my passion for my freshly planted Petunias. Sure a few elements and principles help with art’s aesthetics, but just the process of creating is exhilarating. Hopefully, I will be inspired and be able to post a product of my inner Picasso sometime soon.

If we were refurnishing a wing in our make-believe mansion, these would have been on our wish list. I am always huge on hue and John liked these steel sculptures...this one in particular of the Pac-Man like creatures kidnapping Grandma's garden gnome.

The Arts Fest goes on through tonight, so if you read this before then, put on your hemp and hightail it down to Library Square.

Wonderful, Ripe, Watermelon Day...

Great Grandpa Down tells a story about how he grew up picking watermelons in Texas. Under the starry summer skies, he and his friends would sneak out to the fields, crack open the biggest melon, and rip out the center. Then they would sink their teeth into this sweetest, seedless part of the fruit. Which probably explains your passion for the pink produce… it’s pretty much in your roots…

I can’t believe you’re 8 months old. While I write this you are cuddled up to me with your first official fever. It breaks my heart to see you not your smiling, crawling, inquisitive self… So I will take this short moment of silence to jot down a list of loves on this life log of mine…

We love that your daddy’s Blackberry and car keys bring out your biggest grin. We love that you sleep best when your forehead is touching ours. We love that your eyes aren’t really a color but more of a metallic. We love that you have a grin as big as the Grand Canyon. We love your willpower to start walking even though you've barely mastered the crawl.

Baby James, If life were a watermelon, you’d be the center, the heart, the yummiest part... We are so lucky to be your parents and we love you.

Is it so small a thing to ask for a swing?!

They have finally completed the much talked about amphitheater by our house. Since before we moved here they have promised a playground as part of the deal. For about nine months we've put up with loads of construction sounds, trash, and now noisy play practices. Not easy with a napping newborn. I've been pretty patient in anticipation for the playground and James and I have been taking walks everyday to see if the swings and slides have been put into place.

Well tonight when we walked over, to our disappointment this is what we found...

The yellow caution tape should probably stay.

I can kind of see what they were going for...Something artsy for their art center that fosters the imagination of children. Blah blah blah...

Well to me it looks like some strange torture device and I keep envisioning kids climbing up and breaking their necks, bumping their heads, and burning their bums on the sun scorched steel. Not to mention I think it is a complete eye sore that I get to see every morning as I pull out of the drive.

Here is what cracks me up... they have an ADA ramp... yup, how is any handicapped kid supposed to do anything on this equipment? This picture probably makes it look more fun than it really is. The ropes hurt your hands and and the chair things don't do a thing.

I am sure my mommy vision is pretty strong right now... I mean...my baby climbing on our coffee table pretty much freaks me out.

And who knows, maybe when James is 7 this rats nest of ropes and steal will be like his second heaven. But by then he will have a small sibling or two and where will they roam while he is exploring the ropes?

Last night I was irate and ready to write a petition for my politicians. Should I let it fizzle or start a fight? Because what mother wouldn't want a little more of this for their little one...

Savoring a Sabbath Sunset

I spoke too soon saying it was suddenly summer. Spring weather decided to come back for a weekend retreat. We obliged by breaking out our blankets, beanies, and umbrellas so we could enjoy the Seattle-esque skies.

Cotton candy clouds, my camera, and a cuddly baby = me being completely content :)

P.S...These pictures make me want to cry… That’s just how in love I am with this little guy!

Fireplace Before and After...