Thera-putty

Our good friend and neighbor, Shan, shared this "thera-putty" with the guy and we really have to get our own now. This stuff is awesome. It is different than play dough and blubber. The consistency is perfect for this activity. 

First, I hid a dinosaur in the putty and he had to pull it all apart to find the treasure inside. It is not easy to pull apart, so it strengthened his little fingers.

Later, I pulled out a second dinosaur and even later a little rock he fell in love with at the farmer's market.

He continuously played with these items, hiding and finding them and then acting out scenes with them, for almost an hour and a half before church today. He loved it! "Oh no, the dinos are stuck in the hot lava!"

I finally brought out some beads and he created this design. A masterpiece!

Such a happy guy. Thanks for sharing, Shan!

Radio Static

Sorry about the radio static for a while. We are alive, well, and busy. 

One recent activity was another trip to the farm, this time with new little piglets; the guy's favorite part.

Hair cut

I cut the guy's hair. It was getting a bit ridiculous. I like his curls a lot, but it was past the nice-looking stage.

before

after. like a sheep being sheared for the warm weather.

Angel friends

I love this girl and her parents. Thank you friends for visiting us! We are honored to be associated with you. 

The guy and this lady were friends before they were born. Both moms were pregnant together and our due dates were only a week apart. 

Two peas in a pod

They get along so well. They compliment each other, even in photography.

Happy Birthday, Jared!!

You'd think I would be more on top of posting about birthdays when it is my own beloved we just celebrated, but alas. I am still fashionably very late. : /

I can't even begin to describe what emotions I felt as we celebrated Independence Day and Jared's birthday. I am so overcome with love and gratitude for this man. Thinking about our little girl's upcoming birth, Jared's mom and her anticipation of birth 27 years ago, wishing she could celebrate with us, complete awe that Jared is my husband and that this is actually my incredible life..... All these feelings and more. 




















Our birthday celebrations included:

• buttermilk pancake breakfast
• morning spent with our lovelies, Charles, Mara and Martha visiting from CA
• homemade (to die for) carrot cake and homemade vanilla ice cream shared with neighbors and friends. Recipe courtesy of my sister. Gracias, Marsh!!
• frugal dinner at home
• snuggles and movies
• birthday sign up all week
• bits of love from family over the phone

It was quite quiet and it made me think we are getting old. Maybe. Happy to be home and calm. Jared's laid back like that. 

Jared knows how I feel about him, but in case the rest of you don't, here are some of my birthday wishes:

Jared, thank you for being born and sharing the last four years of your incredible life with me! My life dreams have come true and they would not be so wonderful without you working and making my paradise a reality. Thank you for your work, your goals, your love, your humor, your sacrifice, your patience, your humility, your flexibility, your strength, your growth, your tenderness, and all the years of birthdays that I will get to celebrate you. I celebrate you everyday. You are the best part of everyday. I love you so much it aches. Thank you for choosing me. 

Happy Birthday, Karla!

Happy (late) birthday, dear sister-o-mine. I celebrate her birth and her life! Karla is such a powerful woman. She has strength and determination that has helped her get through life's bumpy road. Karla's growth this last year of life has astounded me. Karla, hats off to your amazing inner strength, patience with affliction, hope centered on Christ, openness to a better life, growing personal confidence, and love for your children and others. I admire your power and know that you know where your Power comes from. Here's to another year of learning, strength, faith, and increasing amounts of happiness. I love you. Sorry my love arrives late, but it arrives whole heartedly. :) Happy birthday, hermana mia. 

Utah vacation

The guy and I really enjoyed ourselves in Utah last month, visiting family and friends and partying at Liz's wedding. We took few pictures, and the ones we got were not great. I forgot my camera and only had my phone. 

Flying in the airplane was strangely a highlight for my little mister. He loves planes and loved the airport. The day we flew back, he actually was disappointed when we didn't head straight to the planes when I told him we were getting ready to go. I certainly felt the pressure from the baby inside pushing back against the baby on the outside, who sat on my lap on both flights. It worked, but wasn't my favorite. We spent wonderful time with his four cousins, two grandparents and aunts and uncle. We enjoyed grandma's pool, cousin Lily's birthday water party, exploring the new City Creek outdoor mall, welcoming visiting friends, and especially Liz and Kevin's amazing wedding. It was so beautiful, very Christ-centered, and I participated in my first flash mob dance at the reception! A.MAZ.ING. Hopefully I can get my hands on a video to share. It was a blast, but we are also so glad to be home and back with Daddy O. 

My quiet, observant son - off to the far right

My missionary daddy! I am so proud of my parents.

GORGEOUS bride!

the birthday girl