JUST DREAMING...

While on our trip in California, Mac and I happened upon this range in a Williams Sonoma store. Isn't it amazing?! I am completely obsessed with it. I love the blue and copper - so perfect for the tuscan home we are building - dontcha think? Unfortunately, they are ridiculously expensive - handmade in France might have something to do with it - and unless we can find someway to get a fabulous deal...it is prolly a no go. But just thought that I would share so you could all salivate over it too. Does anyone else salivate over appliances?! Hope that it is not just me...

WE LOVE LULU!

Again, playing catch up...Lisannie's birthday was on September 8th...Happy Birthday Lu! For those of you who don't know, Lisanne and I were best friends in high school. The Christensens moved to Alpine our Sophomore year and when I first saw her I thought that she was WAY too beautiful to be sweet. We didn't get close until the summer before our Junior year - then we were inseparable! Boy was I wrong! She is one of the sweetest, genuine and most caring people that you will ever meet. Lisanne has a special light about her - one that makes it impossible for anyone that meets her not to love her instantly. She is as beautiful inside as she is on the out (WOW! I know...) She is responsible for McKay and I -- she set us up and was even my partner in crime while we dated in secret! She is incredibly talented in too many areas to list and she has the voice of an angel. If you haven't heard her sing -- it could change your life... Instant water works for me - almost every time! She is a doting wife and the perfect mommy to baby Cha Cha. We love and adore you Lulu and feel so blessed to have you in our lives!
ps...This photo is really old... Lulu will prolly be wondering "When was that?!" But I still love it!

Labor Day...

Addie and Bella...A little too bright for Bella:)


Capris and Cole...They are the cutest little friends. Cole is constantly asking "Where Prisy?"


Cole cracks me up. Just lounging? hee hee...



Mimi and Ty...I couldn't resist this photo - isn't Ty just the cutest? We all love Mimi so much. She has the most adorable relationship with each of the grandbabies. We are beyond lucky that she is ours!

So I know that I am WAY behind to be posting pictures from Labor day, but I am determined to catch up! We spent the day at Promontory in Park City with McKay's family. The kids always have the time of their life up there and it is rough to get them to leave. Great for wearing them out though - so at least the whining doesn't last too long before they are fast asleep. :) We had a blast and are so grateful that Mom and Dad let us hang out up there whenever we want. The pool is amazing! Mac and I even attempted to play some tennis. Attempted being the operative word. Still working on even being able to play basic - let alone at Mac's level. He is so darling though - super patient with me and we have fun. I love to make him proud! (So KTate -- still brushing up on my skills - don't think we forgot! We need to do it soon!)

Finally Me!

It is Thursday and I am finally feeling a little more like me! Still not 100%, but definitely close! I wanted to thank everyone for the phone calls (most unreturned - sorry!) and sweetness shown while I was so sick! Kat -- you are an angel! I really appreciate the soup and help with my kids. I am so spoiled to have you for a friend! Everyone was very caring and it made me feel really loved! So thanks! I have so many pics to post and so much to catch up on, but unfortunately I need to unbury the house and make the living conditions a little more suitable around here first... So until then.... Thanks again!

FOOD POISONING...

I am dying a slow death! Mac and I arrived home from our trip to Cali on Saturday and I have been in bed since then... I am sure that I have never been so sick in my entire life! I would much rather be back in the delivery room experiencing natural childbirth - because at least I would have something at the end of such a horrid proccess! It is getting better, but I am still not great... I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! The Dr. finally called me in some medicine and it seems to be helping...Wish me luck -- as I am supposed to teach at the gym tomorrow night! So much to tell you about, but it will have to wait just a little bit until I am back to 100%...Ugh!

JUST PEEKING...

Love this photo of Cole - says so much about his little personality. I love having a little boy and a little girl -- the best of both worlds! Cole is ALL boy - so busy and into everything around him. He is so curious and so innocent. It is so much fun to see the world through his eyes and watch him experience everything new... He has the cutest little mischievious side -- just spying on the neighbors? hee hee...

Family Prayer...

Every night when we put the kids to bed we have to say TWO prayers - so that each child gets a turn to say it. I am waiting for this little phase to wear off, but really enjoying it in the meantime. Cole can say two lines - "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day..." then he pauses and waits for help. Bella, being the older sister, always tries to prompt him with what to say next, but Cole won't have it. "NO Bella!" So Mac or I help him and he is happy to listen to one of us... Then Bella says her prayer and we tuck them in for the night.
Well the other night, Bella was in the middle of her prayer and Cole decided that HE was going to help HER.
Cole says: "Cole, Coley, Cole....Cole." (Making sure of course that he wasn't forgotten in her prayer.)
Bella just keeps on going with what she was saying...
Cole: "SAY IT BELLA!"
And we all wound up in giggles...Somehow we managed to pull it together and finish our little night routine, but it kept me smiling until I fell asleep...

Oops...

We went up to Park City for Labor Day. (Photos to come...) We left Sunday after Church and stayed overnight. I completely spaced the milk that gets delivered on Sunday night! I didn't even think about it until we were leaving for school Tuesday morning. I freaked out - rushed outside and brought in the 5 containers. After turning them over and over and inspecting them for any gross chunks - I threw them in the fridge and took off for the day... So I am smart enough to realize that for sure milk is going to spoil outside for 24 hours...But feeling guilty for the oversight - I put them away to deal with it later...
Tonight after dinner, Mac sat down to enjoy some yummy milk and cookies and sure enough discovered the spoiled milk. I didn't even have to be in the same room to realize what was happening...Pretty sure I haven't laughed this hard in a long time! To be honest -- it was really funny!
Me: "Spoiled Milk?"
Mac: "Yeah...This one is!"
Me: "Well, prolly all five."
Mac: "What?!"
Me: "I brought them in a little late."
Mac: "How late?"
Me: "Like 24 hours late?"
Mac: "Are you kidding me? Well for sure they would spoil in the blazing heat for a whole 24 hrs!"
He gets the shudders and the dry heaves and I can't stop laughing... Not a very nice wife this week...

Chicken Fingers and Chopsticks?

Bella was lucky enough to have a sleepover at Auntie Lulu (Lisanne) and Uncle Jeffy's house - so fun! Lulu has posted pictures of the big night on her blog... I am going to get copies soon! Anyway, we had a special night out with just our little Coley man! We went up to Park City to see the parade of homes and went to dinner at HAPA Grill - YUM! It is a Pan-Asian restaraunt so we did the whole chopstick thing - Cole had the time of his life with his little cheater chopsticks. We giggled at his meal choice - chicken fingers and still using chopsticks. HA! We had so much fun with him - it was cute to see his little personality come out even more when he was alone and had our full attention! He is growing up way too fast...
**Disclaimer -- photos taken with camera phone -- not the best...

The Essence of Bella

More pictures from our Newport trip this summer... I love this little collage. Our photographer did such a great job at capturing the very essence of Bella. She is so innocent and pure, yet has so much personality! She loves to dance - it is in her blood... Everywhere we go she is twirling and performing for a sometimes imaginary audience, but more likely an audience of strangers. I love her more than words. These photos melt my heart and overwhelm me with pride -- I am SO proud that she is mine.