here we go

Jilly and I are about to embark on our semi-annual trek across the country.  We're so so excited to be back in Virginia with family.  But before we can leave I have 2 questions-

1. What Kindle Fire apps do your kids love? We'll be on a plane for a looooong time and I'm hoping for lots of fun, new distractions.

2. Does anyone know where I can locate Hermione's beaded handbag?  I'm in desperate need.

Camping

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a huge camper but this trip turned out very fun.  We spent two days at Bear River Lake with Bryan's parents and his brother Chad.  Unlike her mother, Jillian was born to camp.  She loved running around in the dirt all day and collecting rocks and sticks.  I was super stressed about the nights because Jilly is such a bad sleeper, but she slept like a champ, mostly between Bry and I in the "H is for you-know-what" position.  Jilly slept great; Bryan and I - not so much .  But, all in all, it was a success and I just may be convinced to camp again.

It was chilly up there and somehow Jilly's pants didn't make it in the bag but luckily I did pack extra jammies so she wore these as pants

Uncle Chad's rock towers were a huge hit

 peach cobbler = my very favorite thing about camping

lots of time to relax and practice funny faces with daddy

hello world's largest pinecone

perhaps if she didn't have to wear that pesky life vest Jilly would love the canoe, but I guess we'll never know

we're just a little concerned about where this favorite activity could lead

We made it!  This is in the morning right before we left to go home

Festivities on the Fourth

We started out at a ward pancake breakfast.  Jilly loved watching all the kids in the bike parade which further solidified Bryan's resolve to get her a bike for her birthday.

Then we headed to Oakley and went swimming.  Jilly loved jumping to her daddy and Uncle Chad.

Luckily the water fight started after the girls got out

After a good old American barbeque, we headed out for a parade and fireworks.  Jilly was looking very patriotic.

Parade watching

Fireworks!  A check off our Sumer Bucket List!

(fireworks pictures taken by Chad)

Five

Today is our fifth anniversary.  So today we're doing the Friday Five: Marriage Edition

1. In five years we have earned 3 degrees, had 7 jobs, moved 2 times, been to 4 states, bought a car and a house (not at the same time), and had a baby!

2. In many things we are complete opposites- he is tall and I am short, he thinks things through and I am very impulsive, he likes vanilla and I like chocolate, he hates to shop and I love it, he loves to camp and I tolerate it, he prefers Mexican and I prefer Italian, he's from a family of all boys and I'm from an almost all-girl family, he likes to get messy outside, and I like to make messes inside

3. But there are a few important things that we are in perfect agreement on- Sunday night treats are a necessity, the beach is the best place to vacation, pets are an unnecessary evil, and Jilly is the cutest girl ever.

4. We have spent approximately 15 weeks apart (not consecutively.)  Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

5. We're so lucky to have had these 5 years together and many, many more to come!

weekend

Last week was kind of crazy around here.  Tuesday- I accidentally locked my keys in the car and Bryan was at a work conference so I had to call AAA to let me in my car.  Wednesday- the great burn catastrophe, Thursday- we took the Camry in to have something fixed (I honestly have no clue, vehicles are 100% Bryan's domain) Friday- Jilly runs into a corner and gets her first goose egg on her forehead, and a crayon *melts in her car seat.  I realize that may not sound like a lot, but compared to our usually rather calm and boring life, it was eventful and a little exhausting.  We were ready for a fun weekend.

First up was Bryan finding out that he PASSED his P.E. Exam!!  He's now an official engineer and I am so proud of him.  It's great to have this hurdle behind us.

(Bryan rides his bike to work so I almost never see him in his real work clothes- hopefully they're not too wrinkly when he gets there!)

Next up was the wedding!  We drove out to Dillon Beach, and although it was very foggy it wasn't too cold.  It was a lovely ceremony, and a very fun reception afterward.  Jilly had a blast running around with the other kids, and we enjoyed the delicious food (except for the oyster that Bryan made me try- blech!)

We headed back to Bryan's parents for the night and had a relaxing Sunday with them.  We have a very, very busy next few weeks so let the fun begin!

*If you should find yourself in this predicament, scrape off all the crayon that you can then make a baking soda paste and rub it on the stain.  It will take a lot of rubbing (very sore fingers) but it really works- nice new trick to now have in my repertoire!

friday five

1.  All of my dreams came true yesterday when a Chick-fil-A opened in Folsom.  We went to celebrate the grand opening with chicken nuggets, chick-fil-a sauce, and a milkshake.  I have taken it upon myself to be Chick-fil-A's personal ambassador and spread the word of its greatness.  These Californians don't know what they've been missing.

2. Bryan's cousin is getting married tomorrow and the ceremony is on the beach.  I'm excited to go to my first beach wedding!

3.  I saw that this chair was only $7.50 at Lowe's and decided that Jilly needed it.  It's perfect for a mid-afternoon snack (and our upcoming camping trip.)

4. My friend Miranda and I had a "jam session" this week and made lots of yummy strawberry jam.  It took all the self-control I possess to put the containers in the freezer and not immediately gobble them up.

5. Jilly had a checkup for her hand this morning.  The worst part of the appointment was when we took off all her clothes and weighed her- she screamed.  The rest of the checkup was fine though, her hand is healing and we got red bandages for the 4th of July!

How to patriotify a dress (and make up a word)

Independence Day is coming and I'm full of patriotism.  Usually we're at the beach and wearing swimsuits all day, but this year we'll be home so naturally we'll be sporting red, white, and blue.

I bought this dress for Jilly early in the summer because I loved the nautical feel.  Then I realized that with a little added red, it would be the perfect fourth of July outfit.

Step One: Make 3 red fabric yo-yos.  This tutorial is much better than any explanation I could give.  I cut 2 four-inch circles and 1 three-inch circle, and used the "large stitch method" to get a tighter center.

Step Two: Pin the yo-yos to your dress at desired locations.

Step Three: Stitch the yo-yo's on the dress through the middles (you can't see these stitches as long as your center is tight.)

Step Four: Add a few little stitches on the backsides of the yo-yo's so they lay flat and layer the way you want them.

Step Five: Congratulate yourself on successfully patriotify-ing a dress.  Hang it in the closet and count down the days til July 4th!