Happy 1st Birthday Phoebes!

Yesterday the girls and I headed out to Layton to go to my brother David's home for his little girl Phoebe's birthday! She is so precious! They did such an amazing job with the party... The food was Chilean (thanks to Lexie and her mom and her mom's bf Pablo!) and divine!
The cake suckers were too amazing. I took one for Ella and she never got it... (wink!) Here's my Sabrina angling for the camera!

Mia-babes with her cupcake!

Ella with birthday schmootz on her face!

Cute Lexie with Phoebe and gift helpers!

Loved this picture of Granny-Loo.

Sarah took this picture of Sabrina. How CUTE is that?!

Messy Mia.

We seriously had such a great time. I LOVE kids birthday parties -they are a fun way to get together that totally includes the kiddos too... They're become good friends, and I love that! Thanks again Dave and Lexie! Happy Birthday little Phoebe!

SMILE

Braces: yanked.

*Thanks, Dr. H. :)

Bear Lake: Round 1

I am sure this will be the first of many visits to Bear Lake during the summer, so here we go! Lance had a few days of bereavement, and we decided that a good way to spend that time would be to take the fam and go for a drive -spend some time together...

Our fearless driver!

Excited little girlz!

Excited, but resting up...

Token self-shot! Unedited!

Me and Bri in the sun! :)

Sabrina's little square feet! ...She'd been to this same beach before -at one week old!

Ella's cute little feet -running around the sand!

LOVED these two shots of Sabrina with Lance!

After the lake, we went to Lance's parent's home for a fabulous dinner. We spent time working on funeral arrangements, on the obituary, and talking about Grandma Kay. It was such a beautiful day -one that will remain forever in my memory.

Goodbye, Kay

We received word this morning that Grandma Kay had passed away. Tonight we said a prayer for her, thanking God for her beautiful life, for raising Debbie, and for loving us. We will miss you, Kay. May God bless and keep you.

Kindergarten: OVER

This is Ella and Miss May from her final Kindergarten assessment. I don't know how she ranks in national percentiles, or anything like that... I do know that Ella has made some awesome strides this year. Her reading is coming along -and from a social perspective, she's still as optimistic and personable as ever. I'm so crazy about this kid! Congrats on finishing your first of many many many years of school, Ella!

Memorial Weekend

We'll start with the best shot! I love love love this picture of Sabrina. The lighting is so interesting to me, and she just looks right through you...

Me!

Over the weekend, I got to see my dear friends the Fronks. Here's Teri with my beebee! *GREAT to see you, Teri! SO nice to get together outside of the Fest o' Trees! :)

We spent some time hanging out with family. Some of these pix are courtesy of Sarah, so thanks!

How adorable is Ella?! *YES, she got sunburned. Bad mom.

Auntie Sarah with Brina-babes.

Auntie Sarah with a very dirty-faced Mia!

My family went to my brother's grave-site, but I wasn't aware of the gathering. I will go on my own (time to myself, are you kidding me?) later on... :(

This holiday has always just meant (to me) time spent with family- and since John's death, it still means the same...

Things that make you go hmmmm.

Um... Should I read anything into the fact that yesterday (after a morning with a migraine and looking the part) my sweet Mia thrust my make-up (tackle-box) at me and said "Here, go, Mommy!"??????????????

(Lance still can't stop laughing about it.)

Sometimes

Given where I am, sometimes I think more thought should go to into where I'm going.

Grandma Kay

Lance's sweet Grandma Kay broke her hip a little while back and has been in the hospital and now a care facility ever since. She is such an incredible woman -it's hard to see those we love suffer. We went to see her on Saturday, and she was doing really well -which is encouraging. She's a tough lady!

Towels!

Mom surprised my girls with some absolutely adorable and personalized towels the other day! THANKS, MOM!!!

You know, while growing up, I never realized that this kindred spirit of a mother would someday become such a dear friend to me. I have always loved her -but my respect and admiration of her go infinitely deeper. Mom has a heart of gold. She was raised in such humble circumstances -and now is such a sincere appreciator of the beauty in the world around her -it's one of my favorite things about her. Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for everything you do for me and my family. :)