Some things I've learned about boys and girls......


It's a universal truth that all kids..boy or girl.... line things up. I've loved watching all my kids over the years display this phenomenon.  Case in point:

Kate's handy work as I prepped dinner last night.



Lover of all things Thomas the train- 2 summers ago.

However, I do see a clear distinction when it comes to breakfast companionship. It's doll baby mania with this girl. This is a very new concept around these parts and I'm seriously loving it. Except when My Little Pony's gross pink mane and oatmeal collide....

not cool!

A simply lovely visit...



Airplane behavioral score...9.93 out of 10..no joke. Miracles do happen.



Oh how I love to experience Utah, especially in the spring. I've returned from my annual favorite sister visit with lovely treasures for my home, a perfect jumbo cupcake cake pan for my little lady love's birthday next month, and minus one library book that's now up for grabs on Southwest flight 646. Dang it. 

We shopped for hours all over the valley... it was glorious. One fun stop included: Orson Gygi



Do yourselves a big fat favor and visit Orson Gygi if ever in SLC. It is a food/cooking/baking/eating/entertaining lovers dream. Rows and rows and rows of awesomeness. I could live inside the store.


So my favorite sister Kirsten is UBER (all caps) talented..I'm seriously amazed at the amount of things she can handle and accomplish successfully at one time. She's a mom to 5 and works part time at a funky and fabulous quilt/material shop. She can sew anything and everything and her talent never ceases to amaze me. She's started creating her own patterns a while back and it's so fun to see her vision become  reality. It was "Quilt Market" week in SLC. That's where vendors from around the nation come to get a look at what's hot for the upcoming season in the fabric world. The queen of all fabric/pattern designers out there is the amazing Amy Butler . She was in town for Quilt Market and came for a meet and greet at the shop where favorite sister works. It was magical.

Favorite sister Kirsten unfortunately had to pick up Amy and her assistant Mallory at their hotel to bring them to the event. Bummer deal huh? Nothing like sitting next to your idol and talking fabric and colors and cool stuff and patterns and prints and even more cool stuff.



Kirsten and Kendell with the newly detailed suburban. All fruit snack wrappers, apple cores, teddy grahams, orange peels, DS game cartridges....cleaned out. Amy Butler needed a ride. 

 

I'm very pleased to report that she was absolutely lovely in every way. She couldn't have been more kind and gracious (and tall) and her new line is once again to die for! Google her and check out her house and studio....simply spectacular. Look at her scarf..I mean how cool is that?




While I shopped and talked fabric sweet 16 year old nephew Curtis babysat Kate. She finally crashed flat on the floor still carrying a picture that her momma was in. Pretty cute.




3 of my favorite ladies....




It was so fun to watch my sister shine in her element with all talk of fabric and patterns and measurements and such. Her talent is super impressive...maybe she'll need an assistant one day? I can detail a suburban like no other. 



Good news!

Quote of the day:

-From the bathroom I hear "Mom, ....woah....I almost fell into the toilet, but I didn't... and that is good news!"

And isn't he so right about that?!

So what if Easter was 1 week ago.....

I still enjoyed my obligatory and once again.. much to be desired..after church Easter picture. This photo is so great in so many ways. Someday Kate will smile on command...I can feel it.  Jack was all fine and dandy until the camera came out and all of a sudden his tonsils hurt again...bet you couldn't tell. Then there's Cole cheesing it up for the floor and Brody... just ready to have it all over with so he can indulge on the candy filled carrot. Sunday perfection!



Baby Kate and baby bunny...pretty darn cute.




Glorious weather for the easter egg hunt. This guy was pretty pleased with the outcome!




A  lovely weekend filled with sunshine and family...now that is something to be happy about!

Kindred spirits, Lovely weather, and Star Wars....

The 10 charming children...

  My favorite kindred spirit Emily and I have been friends since the 2nd grade. Now that...is a long time! I simply adore her and unfortunately do not get to see her nearly enough. Thank heavens for spring breaks, brave mothers, and planets aligning because she made the looooong trip up north and made a pit stop with the Thomas crew. After all these years we finally got our children together.... all in one place......monumental. Destination of choice for young jedis and padowans...the Star Wars exhibit at the science center.


1 die hard fan and 1 land speeder.




Little Jeffrey  learning some inside scoop....while sporting delicious cheeks...




Who wouldn't want their picture taken with Darth Vader??




Young Jedi Kate listening...learning...feeling the ways of the force...while keeping an eye on General Greivious




"This is one of the best days EVER!"-Cole




Ever aware of when to insert appropriate movie lines..... "HE'S SO FLUFFFAAAAAAY!"-Brody after watching Despicable Me one too many times.



Fabulous afternoon in the city with the Kerns.

                                            Good times!

Maintaining patience..with my patient

It's been a long and rough week around these parts. You see this guy right here... he finally had his tonsils and adenoids removed...sliced away...AND had tubes put BACK in his ears, all in one morning. That's right, you heard me..BACK in his ears. I earned some major angelic mothering points for keeping his 85lb. violently flailing body from falling off his hospital bed coming out of anesthesia...holy moly. I had no idea. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry, it was all just so strange seeing him so disoriented... poor guy. After the meds wore off...it just kept getting better and better. 

Pre-removal...when all was still right with the world.



The first tastes of  Gramma Jan's special orange jello delight...the wall wasn't hit yet. 



O.k...here we go...the 3 amigos for the recovery week...everyone is all smiley pillows and rainbows....



Mid week...we're living on Popsicles and horrendous breath around here.....

 Pretty rough by mid week. Day 4 was rated by the patient as "worst day..ever." It's a toss up for me. I really have been trying to be as patient and kind as possible with Mr. Sick. He's an emotional kid as it is so throw in some missing tonsils and wooooah Nelly! I'm really proud of him showing as much bravery as he could muster. The week is finally over and he's wanted back at school by his buddies so tomorrow should be a telling day. Fingers crossed that yoplait and applesauce will be sufficient...without tears.

Kate had had enough. I found her just getting some quiet time..helping herself .... listening to an Ipod. I can't blame her. It's been a long long week.



The good run...

Me and Deb..one of my most favorites...ever!

I'm not a runner..nor do I profess to be. I do however, on occasion...enjoy running. Saturday was one of those days. Weather held out, small amount of participants, fabulicious playlist, and just a straight up fun and determined running partner. In fact, said running partner somehow set her Ipod on the trunk of her car before the race..couldn't find it..was literally looking in her car when the 15 second warning bell sounded....started late with only a set of jingling keys to serenade her through the entire 5k. What a champ! It feels so good to accomplish something I really wanted to do. I got my best time in months and now have a goal for my next race. It's kind of addicting. Not like someday I want to run a marathon addicting..or even a 1/2....more like....3.2 is perfect for me. However, a 10k has kinda got me thinking...hmmm.