Mesmerized

Jenna is completely mesmerized by "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Glee" (can you tell we are a bit of a TV family). It is so funny to watch her freeze whatever she is doing so that she can watch the latest song or dance. With her massive need for attention already, I fear we may have a performer on our hands. So funny.

Twelve Years

I cannot believe that Casey and I have been married for twelve years now. Every day I am grateful to have him as my husband. Thought in honor of the milestone I would list twelve things I adore about Caser (in no particular order):

1. He is one of the funniest people I know
2. He keeps me grounded
   
3. He is my best friend and helps me see the other side of any problem
4. He is the greatest father and husband
   
5. He is such a hard worker
   
6. He thinks I am funny
7. He more of a feminist than most the women I know
8. He has the kindest heart
9. He loves me, despite my flaws and baggage
10. He loves my family, despite their flaws and baggage
11. He so much fun to travel with
12. He does all the dishes (this one may have to be ranked number one)
    

Casey and I spent our anniversary this year in Coronado. He had an HR conference at the Loews Hotel down there and Sara and Chris offered to watch Jenna overnight so that we could have a date night without her. It was a great evening. After we made our appearances at the conference reception, we went on a gondola ride around Coronado. The gave us chocolate covered strawberries, which as you can see, Casey thoroughly enjoyed. He is such a goofball. Then we ordered room service, and I had quite possibly the best hamburger I had ever had.

Then Aunt Sara came to visit us at Coronado. She is so cute with Jenna. I am so grateful that she is my sister.

Bear Lake

My best friend Angie invited Jenna and I to join her and her family at their cabin in Bear Lake this week. We had such a good time! It was so nice to get some time with Angie, it never seems like I get enough of that. So hard when we don't live in the same city.

We played board games, hung on the beach, rode in the boat and on the jet skis (well, Jenna did join me for that part). I adore Angie's family. They are such kind, loving people. I'm so glad, as I always am, that we made the effort to get there.

My mom was driving through Bear Lake on the same day that we arrived. It just happened to be her birthday, so Jenna and I took her and Bob out to lunch. Best jumbleberry shake!

Ethan is so cute. Such a little mini-me of Sean. They were connected at the hip.

And Madi was the perfect little second mother to Jenna while I was there. She changed her diaper and got her dressed. She fed her and read her books and carried her up and down to the beach. It was so darling.

Maile's luau

My mom joined Jenna and me at Maile's hula performance in Layton last night. Maile did such a great job. She is an amazing and beautiful dancer. I miss her every day! Love you Miles, well done sweetheart!

Grandpa Randy

My dad is turning into the best Grandpa. He seems to have a great love for his grandchildren and I am so glad that he is embracing that roll.

Getting closer...

Jenna has started getting up on all fours. It feels like we are getting closer and closer each day to crawling. Heaven help us...we are so not baby-proofed!

Fourth of July

We had a really fun Fourth this year. It was a fairly low key event at the Quarders'. Lots of pool time, which with Sara and Chris' solar panels is always perfectly pleasant. I got a good deal of time with my siblings. Somehow it ended up being the four of us in the pool with our kids. It was so cool. If feels rare anymore to get time with just the four of us. Glad we made the effort to get down there.

Kim's Tea Party Baby Shower

Heather Kearl, Tasha Hadley, and I hosted a baby shower for Kim Henrie tonight. We did a tea party theme and it turned out fantastic, if I do say so myself. I had scoured the local DI, thrift stores, and consignments shops in search for tea cups, tea pots, and china plates. They looked awesome, so eclectic. We used white tulle to cover the chairs, and then used various colors of tulle tied in a bow at the back to pull it all together. Heather, Kim and I went to garage sales and bought linen napkins (we told Kim they were for Allie's birthday party). We lit tea light candles and had fresh flowers throughout. It looked so lovely. It was so fun seeing everyone dressed up. The food was delicious. Heather and Tasha made cucumber sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, and chicken salad sandwiches. We also had two different kind of scones, mini muffins (provided by Heather Wadsworth and Diane Dutson), a veggie tray, and chocolate covered strawberries. Heather also made a fabulous lemon cream cake. We had ice water, pink lemonade with Sprite and strawberries, and Sprite with sliced cucumbers to drink. It was quite a spread. Everyone had such a great time and Kim deserved every second of it!

Casey's birthday & Father's Day

We had such a great day today. Casey's 38th birthday falling on Father's Day this year was an added little bonus for his first Father's Day as a Dad. Casey and Matt wanted to go up to Zion's for lunch and a little hike. It was a beautiful day up there. It was certainly hot, but not overwhelmingly so. Casey seemed pleased with how his day went. Jenna got her Dad book, and I made him a Weber State t-shirt quilt (with a tremendous amount of help from Kim and Heather). He also got some clothes from his mom and brother. Good times all around!

We also got a little video of Jenna playing peek-a-boo...cracks me up!

Family Golf Outing

Jenna and I joined Casey for an evening round of golf. Jenna was quite keen to drive the golf cart. She was, as always, a dream. Casey, who has rather high expectations for his golf games was less then pleased with his performance...I thought he did great. But as is the new m.o. for our lives these days Jenna was the high light.