May Photo-A-Day

#photoadaymay

Need I say more?

Home!

My all time favorite shoes: Reef flip flops. And my current favorite earrings: H&M hoops

My sister Sara + Running into old friends at the Hollywood Bowl + Coldplay = F - U - N!!!

My bird home!!!

All three of my sisters inspire mea great deal! Each one of them is a fierce, determined, hard working, intelligent, beautiful, and amazing mother and sister. Grateful often that I'm lucky enough to have friends that are also family!

Smells I adore: the breeze off the bay when I land at SAN, pumpkin spice, cinnamon pine cones, almond liquid soap in public bathrooms. (must be almond!)

Our nap time routine: read two books, sing two songs, get tucked in snug as a bug in the rug...night night Jenna

When I see the word cleared it means I made the flight off of the stand by list. I love getting cleared to fly. Doesn't matter where I'm going, just so long as I'm going somewhere.

This is my life. Crafts on the counter and dishes in the sink.

Watching Jenna hold her pinwheel high as we walked in the Cotton Days parade on behalf of Lee Ann Riddoch for Utah House District 74! 

Happy Mothers Day! Love you, Mom. Thanks for all you've done for us.

Our first stop on the drive to San Diego. Can't wait to see the fam.

Or rather...re-reading...don't judge...

Ahhhhh...home, on a plate...

Congrats to my Brother in Law, Chris Quarders on a degree well earned!!!

My home away from home; my room at my sister's house & her pool!

My two loves; Case and Jenna (not Jenna and Rapunzel).

Still firmly in his corner...Obama for America 2012

Everything is pink with this one these days...  {yeah...this was supposed to be day 22...oops}

Jenna's enjoying a little Sleeping Beauty while I play catch up. Got my email down to 36 from the 98 I had in my inbox!

Newly finished Dr. Suess bumper pads for my friend's nursery. 

I was working with iPhoto today and tagging faces, and I was struck by how much our adopted daughter (right) looks like my biological niece (left). I'll say it again, genetics is a funny thing.

I was dead asleep for nap time at noon today. So the only thing I saw was the inside of my eyelids.

My sweet girl with her must haves: blanket, sunglasses, pooh, and "tigger too". 

It's a sun hat wearing kind of a day!

Two: The number of curtains I finished for our bedroom.

This was a tough one for me; so I did what I always do when I get into a sticky wicket...I called my sister Sara @squarders. And of course age had the perfect solution. My shoes really do say it all for me. They're eclectic, bright, fun with undertones of seriousness, and ridiculously organized (by both style and color). There's a shoe for every piece of me. Sneakers (not for working out, mind you) for working on projects, leopard print for when I want to be outspoken and crass, sequined converse for my extroverted behaviors, and plain black uggs for my dark side that I hope no one but Casey has to see.

Are you getting sick of pictures of J Rose yet?! 

Just Keep Swimming...

My cousin Ashley and her three came to St. George for a couple days and Jenna and I went down to their community pool for a little swim time. As you can see, Jenna got all dressed up for the event. She really is getting more confident in the water. I am so grateful for that. I really her to have a love for water like I do. And so far, so good.

Wordless Wednesday

San Diego

My step-father, Bob Chambers ended up passing away from a heart attack on May 10. My mom and his family had a memorial service for him on the 21st. I was grateful they chose that day because it meant we would be able to attend since we were already going to be in San Diego last weekend for my brother in law, Chris' MBA graduation. 

It was very busy, fairly draining trip this time. I was very tired and emotional drained. There were some good times as well. My youngest sister,  Megan, Megan Bo Began aka Jose Bo Began is the story time lady at her local library. I love that she does this and it was so fun to go watch her do her thing. 

I am crazy proud of Chris. What a huge commitment, getting an MBA. Well done, Chris! 

After the actual graduation, Sara and Chris hosted a fabulous party at their house. It was such a good time. I know Chris was a little uncomfortable with that much attention being directed his way, but I was so glad to see so much support and love around him. He deserves it. 

Sara gave a really tender toast. I am incredibly grateful that my sister married her best friend and for how much love they have for each other. They have a very special relationship. 

Cutie Patootie Chloe

Cooper and Chris. So darling! 

Grandpa and Shiloh

Casey and Jenna aka Rapunzel 

Chris loving the taco cart vendor (how cool is that). Sara, my cousin Dori, and me. Chris' aunt & family. My motherhead. And cake stealing Shiloh.

The memorial for Bobareno was very nice. Afterward, there was wake/open mic at Bob's mom's home. 

After a "quick" stop at my Dad's {who did his fatherly duty to make sure the car was ready for the trip} we got home late yesterday. Jenna was a champ, once again. Which I was very grateful for. I had really strong winds and lots of traffic, so I'm glad she was good since I was driving by myself. 

What Do You Do With Your Free Work Swag?

If you're Casey, you bring home a magnifying glass for your two year old to read her bed time books with. Seriously, so darling. 

Cotton Days Parade

A few weeks ago I went to a campaign meeting for the democratic candidate for our utah house district 74. Her name is Lee Ann Riddoch, and the next thing I knew, I was the treasurer for her campaign. It's just another small way I can get involved and so far it's working out really well. All of the democratic candidates we walking in Washington City's Cotton Days Parade this morning. Jenna was absolutely darling, waving at everyone and swinging her pinwheel around. So cute. 

After the parade we spent a little time at the carnival. Jenna was loving the blow up obstacle course. Though, she still gets a little overwhelmed when other kids join her and started passing her by.  

Play Group

For play group this week we went to a park in Washington City that has this little stream that runs through it. The kids were in heaven! Knowing they wouldn't want to get it out one they got in we did our play ground playing first. Then headed over to the stream. Heather is our of town on a little vacation with Matt for their anniversary. So Morgan had her three kids as well. Glad it's her not me. Not I don't adore the Kearl kids, or that they aren't great kids, but the sheer number of being responsible for 4 children overwhelms me. I have no idea how my mom did it. 

I was especially grateful for the stream, as Jenna had not 1, not 2, but 3 accidents while we were playing at the park. She had been doing to great with the potty training until a couple weeks ago, when all of a sudden she either couldn't make it to the party or chose not to go in the toilet. It's getting so frustrating. I feel like we can't leave the house because, inevitably she would end up peeing her pants. I really don't understand the back sliding and hope this phase ends soon. 

Coldplay!!!!!!!

For my birthday Casey got me a ticket to see Coldplay in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. {I actually bought them for myself and then gave them to Casey to give to me. I'm totally turning into my Dad! Yikes.} My sister came with and we had a great time. 

My step-father has been in and out of the hospital for a few months now, and the doctors finally sent him up to Los Angeles to try and get a heart transplant. So before the concert Sara and I headed over to the hospital to visit with him and my Mom. He looked a lot better than I was expecting. We haven't always had a great relationship, and I was nice to feel like we had made peace. For my Mom's sake, I hope he can get better. But whether he survives or not, I am really grateful I got to see Bob - a - reno.

I was goofing around on Facebook during one of the opening acts (we missed the one opening act, The Pierces, I really wanted to see while we were at the hospital...bummer) I was playing around on Facebook and noticed that one of my friends from when I living in LA was checked in at the concert as well. I sent her a text and we met up before the concert started. Tiffany looked fantastic and it was so great to see her. He mother had just passed away very unexpectedly and it was nice to be able to give her a hug. 

The concert, as always, was fantastic! They are such amazing entertainers. Sara and I were on our feet the whole time, singing and dancing. I don't know why I was so worried about being cold, I was sweating to death. It's more exercise than I get all year...combined! 

My concert partner, Sara!