a funny thing happened on the way to...

Last week my sister-in-law, Felicia, invited me to go to an outdoor concert of The Fray with her and since she was buying I slowly jumped at the chance (it took some coercing since I could take or leave that group). I must admit, however, that once we were on our way I was very glad to have a chance for a girl's night out and I liked the opening acts--Meese and Jack's Mannequin--as much as I enjoyed The Fray.


But, in typical Felicia-fashion, and only after sitting in a looong line of traffic to get into the parking lot, as we're about to leave the car she announces that she forgot the tickets! CRAP! So we called Jeff who was less than enthusiastic about rushing (at a snails pace) over through traffic to give us the tickets--but he did anyway and so we were able to see all the opening acts and grab a bite to eat. (Incidentally that day was hands down THE worst eating day I've had in a long time: Twix for breakfast, Slurpee for lunch and nachos for dinner--ugh! I paid for it the next day!) We ended up having a lot of fun (shocker) and made it home late, but pretty smooth as far as traffic was concerned. Thanks Flea~love ya!

Entertaining ourselves while waiting for Jeff to arrive with the tickets.

Cracking ourselves up posing for up-the-nostril-double-chin shots!

(she's gonna kill me when she sees this)

The long line into the parking lot ("if you build it they will come").

Felicia getting the goods from Jeff (thank you bro).

The view from our seats--not too far back and not in the mosh pit that formed later.

Me and Flea, before The Fray came out.

They put on a pretty good show--decent lighting.

The Fray--How to Save a Life.

afternoon tea

My mother just had her 67th birthday and to celebrate we (Felicia, Lysette and I) took her to the Grand America hotel for afternoon tea & cakes. My mom has always wanted to go to the Grand America (Salt Lake's only 5 star hotel--thank you Warren Buffet) and see the interior or take a tour. She enjoyed herself as much as I suspected she would. Here's some pics of the day:

Mom and Lysette sitting in the foyer waiting for tea time.

My mom (who always dresses well) enjoying her raspberry tea.
This is the coolest thing: When you first sit at your table there's this glass with a small, tight bud inside of it. Then the waitress pours hot water into the glass and over a period of 10 minutes or so the bud slowly opens up and blooms. This is golden tea and, yes, it's drinkable like this.

While enjoying our tea and cakes the harp plays softly in the background.

These are the finger sandwiches & scones, we each got half a dozen--salmon, turkey, ham, egg salad, cucumber, etc. The scones were served with clotted cream and jam and were to. die. for!

We each got our own little tea pot (I had cranberry autumn with cream), and after the sandwiches our waitress delivered our french pastries with strawberries and cream for dessert.

Group photo--my mom, me, Felicia and Lysette. What a fun afternoon!

my sweet girls

These are completely random and miscellaneous, but I find them adorable.

The other day Sarah, Emma & Morgan were all playing in the frontroom and getting along so well that I just had to grab a picture. Perhaps it's because of what I was baking in the kitchen?

My three half-pints being silly.

Sarah giving Morgan & Emma (sort of) a "horsie" ride--cracked Morgan up!

Emma's favorite (can you tell), peanut butter finger cookies. Yum!

Morgan taking a bath by herself (usually she's with her sisters)

Emma got her training wheels off this week and, with Gene's help, has learned how to ride a two-wheeler. She picked it up very quickly and is so proud of herself!

Everyone riding their bikes in our church parking lot--it's a great place for Emma to practice her turns and stops (Gene is technically on MY mission bike, since his is not working).

Morgan hanging out, letting daddy do all the work!

independence day

I can't believe that it's already July! Time is ticking by faster and faster, ladies and gentlemen, mark my words, I'll wake up tomorrow and my kids'll be grown.

Anyway, just a quick note about the end of June--Emma went to the dentist (believe it or not she loves our dentist, seriously, he's right up there with Santa Claus) for a cavity filling. Morgan got her cast off. Yay! She was starting to use that thing as a weapon (and it really hurt). As a result of Sarah being enrolled in K12 we all got to participate in the K12 Lagoon day (discounted, thank you very much), and we had a blast (sorry, no pics)! The crowds and weather were perfect. And, I got a LOT of gardening done!

So, here we have the fourth of July and, as happens every year, I find myself a little less rock-n-roll and a little more country. (I've been listening to Martina McBride, Tim McGraw & the Wynonna Judd constantly for the last week.) I begin to feel my gratitude for this manifest destiny swell and I'm suddenly hyper-aware of my blessings in direct contrast to the tribulations in other lands. Despite the fact that I don't agree with the course of the current administration I remain grateful and hopeful and ever aware of God's hand in our freedoms. Enjoy the pics from our little corner of America:

Our annual 4th of July ward primary bike parade--Emma, Sarah and Lorenzo breaking rank.

Emma waving (incidentally she no longer needs those training wheels).

Morgan hanging in there till the annual ward breakfast following the parade

(the gold stars were supposed to go on this to make it look like a M*A*S*H jeep)

Gene, looking very patriotic, pulling the wagon and video duty.

Then Jeff, Felicia and cousins came over for a barbecue, games (Bocce) and fireworks.

Sarah with a blue smoke bomb.

I love this photo! Cousin Jordan (Jordie) helping Morgan with a sparkler.

(The girls love Jordie. Jordie loves being called Jordie.)

Dessert: a 3 milk cake, made by yours truly, frosted with cream cheese frosting and decorated with patriotic flair. (Dinner was hamburgers with side salads and corn on the cob.)

Hands down the moistest cake you'll ever have.

Emma and Alyssa cuddling on the swing with full tummies and happy faces.

Then Jordan got a hold of my camera and presents you with the following:

refreshments...

a close-up of my Kentucky bluegrass...

firecrackers, or poppers, in action...

his lighter...

and pyrotechnics.

LET FREEDOM RING!

best. daddy. ever.

Holy moly, it's been a while since I posted anything on my poor, sad blog (that gets neglected during the summer). I will try to make up for it. Here's a look at the recent past:

For father's day I made Gene homemade sausage egg 'mc'muffins for breakfast before church. During sacrament meeting the girls got up with the primary, of course, to sing to the dads--he loves to hear his girls sing! While he relaxed after church, Sarah and Emma rubbed his back and feet (and Morgan walked on his back--he loves it). Then for dinner I made yummy marinated steak fajitas (one of Gene's favorite dishes) with black bean salad. As a gift I got him season BYU football tickets (because apparently this coming season is supposed to be outta site--something about Florida State??). ;) In the evening he took the girls for a bike ride and, for the most part, just enjoyed the day I hope.

Sarah and Emma wanted to make him a "candy card" (as I had explained to them earlier what it was) and so they made this for Gene (with my help) & Emma made him another sports themed card. They love their daddy!!!

One of the reasons that Gene is the best daddy ever: he teaches his girls how to waltz.

Awwwww!