Tulip Festival

Last week all the Miller girls were in the neighborhood, so naturally I couldn't resist crashing the party. We went to the Tulip Festival in Pella. I dropped my camera and it died in the first 10 minutes (so sad). But honestly it couldn't have been a better time or place to do it. Mandy, Mel and Megs all take tons of fabulous photos, so our trip was documented by them way better than it would have been by me.

cousins - yay

chowing down on fair food - yum

I'm so glad Bel was with me so I had an excuse to go down this slide - yahoo!

Mandy takes to most amazing photos - here is my favorite set...

where's bel?"boo!"

"ha - gotcha! I am so tricky!"

It was so much fun to see the tulips and a bunch of people that I love and enjoy so much.

making memories and headlines

Last week I went on vacation to Abby's place in exotic Iowa. I have to give my husband a lot of credit here, because he is the one working his tail off, but for some reason I was just in a rut. So Ryan insisted that I go spend a few days with Abs - which of course would heal any ailment.
It is here that I have to refer to my life as a musical and share the song I sing whenever I think of my sister...

it has a long intro, but you'll know what I sing when it gets there :)


We had a super fabulous time and even made the front page of the local paper. http://www.thehawkeye.com/viewImage/FEA-Ragbrai-Training-042909-jpg

Last but not least, I couldn't help but laugh at Bel's little bit of mischief...

In other news - this is what happens at 10pm at our house for the last 4 nights...

and Bel is still working up the courage to walk on her own and having a great time learning.

this week's happenings

little bel...

is feeling under the weather this week, so we did a lot of this...


mommy-daughter cuddle time. much of it spent with the gilmore girls and david copperfield - I don't want to wish sickness on my daughter, but I've sure had a fabulous week.

ryan's astute observation...

I wish I could bottle my husband's wit and charm - he makes me smile and laugh so often. (this is a ridiculous sign of the technological time that we live in and of how i communicate with my loved ones) I am always telling him - after I stop laughing hysterically - "oh that is so blog worthy". He's not a big fan of me blogging about him, but here's a charming little Ryan Anecdote from this week...

the other day Ryan filled the bird feeder in front of our house. when he came inside i was filling a massive canister with delectable chocolate animal crackers (mmmmmmmmmmm!) and ryan said...

"hmmm, bird feeder (looking out the window at the birds gathering instantly)...

girl feeder" (turning to me as my hand dove in to the newly filled snack jar)


how true it is - this quickly depleting snack has been a part of his girls' daily routine, (often coinciding with the afore mentioned WB drama series and Dicken's novel).


someone's brilliant version of scattering sunshine...

For any of you who have hung out with me for more than an hour at a time - it is likely that i have spontaneously burst into song or dance or made a statement of conversation into a song or something of the like. Some have even said, my life is a musical (strange since I am neither an accomplished singer or dancer- hmm). Well, I just had to share this amazing video since this is the materialization of a lifelong dream of mine - life as a musical. I love the faces of the bystanders (there is one gray haired lady in particular at about 1:20 that is probably as thrilled as I would have been, it just warms my heart to watch her). Just think of how many people this cheered up for at least a day - so cool!!



Last of all I just wanted to thank all of you who visit and leave comments. I was so thrilled when my creativity tag was redeemed within the evening (I'm looking forward to getting creative!) Ryan and I both love to hear what everyone has to say. It really makes my day to know what's baking in Boise and see who's holding hands in Mandy's back seat and what Henry said about his bogies and to be privy to your thoughts and ramblings and to see everyone's kids and adventures. Thanks for being a part of our lives and letting us peek into yours.

Before and After

More than 6 months ago at the general Relief Society meeting Elder Uchtdorf gave that fabulous talk entitled "Happiness, Your Heritage" with a section about the work of creation, in which he encouraged and invited everyone to create something. This excited me as I thought of the talents I should unbury and new things I should learn.

One invitation stuck out in particular, he said, "identify a space and beautify it". Immediately the front of our little house popped into my head and I thought, "shoo weee, space identified!" - I've been plotting my plan of attack for months and now the sun is out and planting is fair game so without further ado behold my little bit of beautification.

Before...

blah

notice that you can't see where the endless grass and weeds become the "flower bed"

During...

After...

Now side by side for my own satisfaction - ahhhhh - a sigh of fulfillment

I feel like I need to mention that this project was completed for less than $100 (excluding the child adorning the lawn - who was much more than that).

(Special thanks to the Millers for the digging fork that made this all possible and to my mama for letting me practice on her yard and getting me hooked on sweet potato vine)

And to end the inspiration where it began I turn again to Elder Uchtdorf

"As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

Today's Guest is ...

... the letter B!

So back in the days when I was watching Sesame Street they had a letter of the day (it would make sense that this only lasted for 26 episodes, since I'm not sure if they think letters or ideas are recyclable). Anyhow I have discovered a strange phenomenon in my daughter's life and it is that the letter B is the thematic guest of the day for Bel's entire life.

First things first - her name is Belén and here is a list of her favorite things :

(this one is not G rated - boobies - mine specifically, the first love of her life and with whom she spent hours and hours and hours of quality time - the rest will be G rated)

Brushes - of all kinds, hair brushes, toothbrushes, paint brushes, makeup brushes - if it's bristled she likes it

bubbles (thank you grandma cindy - hours of fun! Explanatory note: Cindy sent Bel a vile of "Touchable Bubbles" they have extra strong surface tension so they when they land on things they don't pop. the funny part is Bel - like her dad - doesn't like sticky things on her fingers - so when surrounded by all these bubbles on the floor she won't move UNTIL we arm her with a rag or paper towel, at which point she will commence wiping away all the bubbles in the house.

Check out this fantastic video - listen close at the end Bel says "bubbles"

Birds!

bananas

blueberries, berries in general & blueberry muffins

baby einstein

Buttons (mostly the kind you push)

blocks

balls

"breaking" things - she will track down our remotes and her new/my old cell phone and throw them on the floor because the backs come off and the batteries come out - huge thrill

Baths

books

being outside

binkie

and last but not least in fact most (since boobies are now out of the picture-yay) her Blankie

Now isn't that just amazing?!? I am certain that given hours of uninterrupted brainstorming time I would not be able to come up with a list this long starting with any other letter. And that is that. Thank goodness for my beloved Belén and the anything but boring letter B

creativity tag

This has taken me about 2 weeks to get the courage to post, but I'm in need of a good challenge and creative outlet so here goes...

The first five people to respond to this post will receive something made by me. HOMEMADE! The item will be my choice made just for you!
Restrictions and Limitations:
1. I have complete creative freedom (but feel free to make requests - not that I have a repertoire to request from - hmmm)
2. What I create will be just for you
3. It will be done within the next 6 months
4. You have no clue what it will be. It may be a personalized note cards. I might bake something. I might not think of anything until 6 months from now... The catch? Well this is supposed to be a tag but I just thinks it's a superb idea - you can post it if you want and if not - that's fine too.

The first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in, will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift from me!

Here's to creativity!

A Wonderful Weekend Visit

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get a visit from Ned and Cindy. I forget how much I miss being around family, until I get to be with them again. We had such a good time chatting and eating and hanging out. When the Millers come to visit they always leave the house in better condition and the fridge with more food in it than when they came - they are better than the tooth fairy!

(The only good thing about their departure is that Bel will let me hold her again - I am no competition with sweet grandma and grandpa.)

Bel bonded with both of them : One morning sweet Ned rescued Bel from Baby Einstein and fed her her traditional oatmeal and milk breakfast, then they played until her mother rolled out of bed at 8:30 (ahhh blessed sleep - thanks Ned!). And Cindy probably has stronger arms now, since she had to hold Bel during all her waking hours for 3 days straight - As soon as grandma walked into the room a certain little girl was at her feet or lunging from mom's arms toward grandma - so cute!

Not only did we take advantage of the free babysitting services for 2 movie nights (what a treat!!!), but they gave me a shiny new digging fork and just you wait till you see what I was able to do with it... (you'll have to check back for the next post to see before and after shots - i know the suspense is killing you)

Thanks so much for the visit - our house just isn't the same without your sweet company. All our love!!