My Summer Shames

I have been a neglectful blogger lately - mostly because I lost my camera - but also because I feel like I have been really busy....especially since Festival Days is next week. Despite claims at being forever busy, I somehow always find time to watch my favorite summer reality shows. Like, The Bachelorette - which I have to say has been super entertaining this season. They have literally had every crazy thing that could happen - happen. And, though I am well aware that it is highly likely that their claims at "reality" are more than likely incidents that are "producer influenced" - I still get a kick out of it. I wonder at the "characters" that allow themselves to be "motivated" by the powers of reality TV - like last Monday Bachelor Jake (who didn't get a rose the previous week and who "just happens" to be pilot) conveniently flew in to warn the Bachelorette that country singer Bachelor Wes was not only just on the show for his career, but also had a girlfriend back home. Did Jake REALLY decide to come back all on his own? I just can't picture that he would willingly walk into a character questioning situation like that, particularly after having just been rejected on national tv. I mean, reality TV entertainment at its best, but do they really expect me to believe that it wasn't, at the very least, encouraged by some exec? I know all of this and I still, not only watch, but wait for each new episode with excited anticipation. Say what you will about what this says about me.

My other summer reality TV addiction: So You Think You Can Dance. I am moved by dance. If only I had done the work to be able to DO it instead of WATCH it. Nevertheless, it has been an exciting season so far with the talent being so closely competitive that it is hard for me to pick a favorite. Right now I would say Randi and Evan. Whose yours?

With the summer being as wet as it has been this year, there has obviously been more time spent inside than out, it would seem - but I really don't watch as much TV as you might think - just to clear my name - and I have been REALLY busy with Festival Days. But, as it is all coming together, I am REALLY excited about it. Even if there are a few things that don't quite go as planned, it is going to be SO fun. So, read my earlier post and come to what you can. I'll be looking for you there!

Here's to You Honey!

Why I am honoring my husband on this Father's Day:

Matt is a caring and compassionate man. I have always admired his ability to see others needs and fill them without ever being asked. He actively seeks out ways to serve. He always wants to meet the new neighbors (even though I often shy away). He is always anxiously engaged in his church callings. He follows the golden rule and always gives people the benefit of the doubt.

Matt is an amazing father. He loves his girls. He makes opportunities to play with them. He teaches them. He knows them well and even designs our Family Home Evening lessons to cater to their needs or troubles.

Matt is extremely talented. He doesn't just play the piano like a pro, but he also sings and will act when forced (only because it has been beneficial to him in the past...wink! wink!). He can build anything - just show him a picture.

Matt is a loving and selfless husband. He has always shown me the upmost respect and concern. He tells me I am beautiful. He carries me to bed. He doesn't make fun of me when I fall asleep in movies at other people's houses. He is patient with me when I do ditzy or klutzy things.

I feel very blessed to be married to him. Happy Father's Day G.L.!

Festival Days Mania

Not sure if you know, but last year I was asked to Chair Farmington City's annual fair/festival called "Festival Days!" It has been quite an adventure, and I have to say a TON of fun! My amazing graphic designer of a brother came up with our logo and theme pictured above. Doesn't it ROCK!

It is a week-long event that begins July 6th and has something for everyone! Monday night is our Movie Night in the Park. We will be showing "Kung-Fu Panda" at Main Park in Farmington. The show starts at dusk. It is free admission, but be sure to come early for a good spot and to bring blankets and lawn chairs!

Tuesday and Thursday we have a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. We need teams to sign-up. The winners get some VERY nice basketball shorts and bragging rights!

Thursday July 9th we have added a Rock Band Tournament. The video game type. It is new this year and so far, it has been slow to gain interest, but here is the great thing about it. It is not just about getting a good score on the game - it's also about showmanship. We are hoping to get some great "bands" with some great performance skills! Anyway, it will start at 6:00pm at the Community Arts Center in Farmington. Let me know if you want to compete!

Friday is a Kid's Bike Parade - so fun for the little kids. Bring them with their bikes, trikes, skateboards, fun wheels, whatever - decorated and let them ride the parade route to cheers from family and friends! At the end we serve delicious popsicles. Kids love it. It starts at 6:00pm at the Bus Park on Glover's Lane in Farmington.

Saturday, July 11th is the BIG DAY! It all kicks off with our foot races. There is a 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon and they are all run very well. The registration includes a t-shirt and a totally legit Breakfast of French Toast, Sausage, Fruit, the works. It is soooo good. Anyone who wants to come to breakfast is welcome. It's $4.00 for an individual or $20.00 for a family of 5.

There is also a Bike Race. Kid's love this as well. Finisher medals and a t-shirt for anyone who rides. After which is our PARADE! Everyone loves a good parade. It runs down Main Street, onto State and then ends at Farmington Junior High. There is lots of candy to be had! When the parade ends there is a LOT going on at our Main Park including Helicopter Rides, Craft and Food Booths and Entertainment - all running from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. I have looked through our applications for our booths and there is going to be an extensive collection of crafts, food, jewelry - you name it. Come! You are sure to find something you'll love!

Our evening ends with a bang! We will have a free concert in Main Park featuring local artist Kat Tingey and the well-known and well-loved Beatles cover band "IMAGINE." We will also be serving free ice cream starting at 6:00pm. Then capping off our performances with an amazing fireworks show choreographed to some rockin' tunes from the car-hop days! You will be blown away!

The best part of this (extensive) blog post - is that I need some help! I need a few fun and lovely and charming people to help in our information/t-shirt booth in the park from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. You don't have to commit to all 4 hours, but if you are interested in helping you will be compensated with one of our awesome and in-demand t-shirts that feature the above ROCKIN' logo. Let me know!

If you can't help - come for sure. It is sure to be the biggest party I will ever throw (wink, wink!).

The Girls

I just love these pictures of the girls. It was a lazy morning and the girls were hanging out on the bed in their matching purple shirts. Emma was being so kind to share her "video" (that is what she calls her portable DVD player) with Lucy and she was really concerned that Lucy be able to see. Emma is really compassionate and caring with her sister. She loves to get her toys and find her things to play with. They love to make each other laugh. I am so glad they like each other so much!

And just a cute one of Lucy:

I think that's it with the random catch up pics. Hope it was fun for a bit!

I-Phone Photo Cache Part 2

More pictures from the past few months:

This is a picture of some of Emma's cousins and first cousins once removed or second cousins depending on whatever each of those mean! We were at Grey and Oakley's baby boy Corver's blessing luncheon. Emma literally idolizes my cousins Olivia and Quinn (the two oldest girls in the pic). She followed Quinn around the entire time we were at the lunch. It really is cute!

This is from our California trip. Emma picked this hat up and loved it! We thought she looked pretty cute in it.

I was excited to find this picture of Emma with Goofy. Her favorite tv show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - so she was just as excited to see Goofy as she was to see Minnie.

This is one of the few pictures from Emma's 3rd Birthday celebration at our house. We had a Barbeque, even though the weather wasn't cooperating. Matt had some awesome flames going!

I'll post the random pics one more time, then we'll be all caught up!

I-Phone Photo Cache

I just loaded pictures from the last few months of off Matt's i-Phone. I thought it would be fun to share a few! This is a picture from Lucy's blessing. We had lost the camera that day and so Matt was using his phone. I had forgotten that we got some pretty good ones:

Matt took Emma sledding last winter and she loved it. She didn't want to come home. I am not one to go to all that work to get her dressed in all of her snow gear, take her out, put on her gloves repeatedly - it was just so much work! Plus, I am not a fan of being cold. So, if Emma wanted to play in the snow, it was her Daddy who made it happen. Wow, in reading that I sound so high-maintenance. I'll do it on occassion.... - we'll just simplify and say I am a fan of summer.

This is not the best picture in the world, but the story behind it is funny! We went to Chuck-E-Cheese for Caleb's birthday in March and Emma really had a ball! The only trying time was when she got stuck in the tunnels and I had to climb in and rescue her. It's funny looking back, but I was on the verge of motherly hysterics because she was on the verge of hysterics and I couldn't get to her. We kept sending in the cousins after her, but she just wouldn't respond to them and follow them to get out. Mom to the rescue!

This is some before and after action on the house Matt has been remodeling. This is the hideous bathroom that he literally had to tear down to the bones. See "after" (well, more like "mid"):

More to come!

Cupcakes, Princes and Drive-ins

I am so excited! Most of you know about my cupcake obsession - how, ever since I had a cupcake from 25 on Main in St. George I have had this driving desire to try and make a cupcake that is as good as theirs. Mostly since I crave them daily and can't make the drive...daily. Anyway, all of their cupcakes are fantastic, but on my maiden visit to the bakery I had their Coconut Cupcake and it was this cupcake that has been my in the back of my mind as I have baked and baked! So, tonight I finally attempted the Coconut Cupcake and I have to say it was a complete success! If you like my vanilla cupcakes and you like coconut in any way you are gonna have to try these! Now I have to deal with not gaining 10 pounds cause I can't stop eating them!

On a totally unrelated note, Emma said the cutest thing the other day. I was trying to distract her and asked her to help me pick out what to wear. In the process, I was explaining that I had to look really cute for a date with Daddy because he is my "handsome prince." She started to whimper and was visibly upset so I asked "Emma, what's the matter?" and with tears in her eyes she explained "But, Daddy is my handsome prince!" SO CUTE! Right now her handsome prince is putting her to bed. They have this new little bedtime routine and so she no longer likes me to put her to bed - it is daddy only. He tells her the best little bedtime stories. I totally understand why! I am so grateful that Emma has such a good dad and that they are building this unique relationship with each other!

Last night we went to the Drive-In. Matt and I started the tradition of going at least once a summer since the summer we got engaged and I have really grown to love it. Yes, I am exhausted from staying up until 2am to catch the co-hit and YES I have only had one drive-in excursion that didn't end with me watching the back of my eyelids, but it is still a favorite. I love taking a million pillows and blankets, opening up the back of the Jeep, and creating a cozy little temporary bed akin to a childhood fort and watching a movie against the backdrop of a star lit sky. The cool thing about last night was that not only did we get to watch Night at the Museum, but it was enhanced with the backdrop of an amazing lightning storm! We had a great night. If you decide to take a drive-in excursion - just a few tips from some frequent visitors: Take lots of pillows and blankets. Take as many treats as you want! Don't worry if you have to park in the back - you'll still get a pretty good view. Take an extra radio. Drink caffeine so you can take advantage of the two for one (or less) advantage. Take entertainment to pass the time while you wait for dusk. Hold on tight, have fun, and enjoy your ride! Oh - and invite us! We'd love to come!

Sarab