Her Name Was Lola...

She's my new perfume.

Marc Jacobs has done it again. Ooo La La. This is MY fragrance. It's like it was made for me. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Plus, how can you pass on the fantastic bottle design?! Makes me happy, yes indeed.

5K

Craig ran in a 5K last Saturday in support of a local youth getting his Eagle Scout Award. He did great - ran it in 30 min. Way to go honey! AJ and I waited at the start/finish line sipping hot chocolate.



Once Craig finished, AJ decided she wanted to run too and took several laps up and down the sidewalk.

Bliss

Book Orders - one of the highlites of my childhood. When the teacher would pass out the flyers, (and grouchily tell us to immediately put them in our backpacks) I would anxiously fidget until I could race home and spend hours combing through them with my trusty highlighter. The only thing better? The following Friday when I would enter the classroom and find a stack of glossy new books waiting on my desk. True bliss.

Even still, coming home with a heavy bag from Barnes and Noble tops my list. So imagine my shear delight when A.J. came home from school with her first book order. And I may have been a little teary-eyed when she whipped out a highlighter and started circling.

Happy Tunes: Lady Antebellum

I think this album is fantastic! If you like any kind of country, give it a try. If you don't, give it a try anyway. It may surprise you.

Breakfast of Champions

Because of this handy device,

I can literally have a breakfast sandwich, with bacon and cheese, in under 90 seconds. No joke.

And because of this lovely purchase,

I can accompany it with one of my favorite seasonal beverages, the caramel apple spice.

It almost makes me look forward to waking up early. Almost.

More Utah Tourism

I think I'm getting close to the end of our summer posts. I rock! I mean, it's only October?!

The ever-exciting Bingham Copper Mine:



Craig thinks you should always teach your kids to follow the rules:


Our favorite curry spot in Downtown Salt Lake:


We attended the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house:


Ate chinese for dinner that night - AJ was diggin' the giant fortune cookie:


Went camping, aka slept in the motorhome in Grandma's driveway:


Went shooting with Grandpa Nielsen at Eagle Mountain:


AJ tried her hand at throwing pigeons (didn't work out too well):



And shooting was a "bit noisy" for her:


She truly had most fun collecting "treasure" (discarded shotgun shells):


Toward the end of our stay, I escaped to attend BYU-Idaho Education Week with friends:


And also spent a few days in Mesquite, NV with my mom and her friend. (No pics because this is all we were doing):

You've Got Supper

So check out this fantastic website! Simply give them your email address and they will plan out your dinners for the week, recipes AND grocery list. This will save me at least an hour a week. That's 52 hours a year. Just think what you can do with 52 hours...

This Lady Is Amazing!

Have you seen this blog?

Last year she made this - AND GAVE IT AWAY! Go look at the photos, seriously.


This year, it's this.


Amazing. Wish I had talent like that.

A Jolly Holiday With Mary

On Saturday we went to the Mary Poppins Broadway Musical. It was really great. This was AJ's first theatre experience, and she loved it. I think she was a little ancy at the end, but that's a long time to sit still for a four-year-old. But when it was over, she wanted to see it again. She also insited that she would fall over dead if she didn't have the Mary Poppins umbrella and since her umbrella just broke, we caved (SUCKAS!). Can't say I regret it. It hasn't left her hands since.

Happy Tunesday: Chillout

Rock and Roll by Eric Hutchinson
Sunday Best by Augustana
Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Tangled and Wild by Oh Susanna
She Is Love by Parachute
Closer To Love by Mat Kearney
Other Side Of The World by KT Tunstall
Don't Believe In love by Dido
Sleeps With Butterflies by Tori Amos
Big Jumps by Emiliana Torrini
Say by John Mayer

Holy Crap

Truly, there are no words. (Maybe because my mouth is full)

BTW - Why are the best treats always "Limited Edition"? It's bunk!

Texas State Fair 2009 (Or the day we ate Fried Butter)

We had a great time at the Texas State Fair last week. AJ's favorite was the Bubble House, which she did twice. Plus, I am a sucker for fair food. Remember? My favorite this year, Fried Peaches and Cream:


We also gave the Fried Butter a try (how can you not?):

It was actually pretty good. Nevermind that you increase your risk of heart-attack by 5000%

The Bubble House



Feeding the animals


Craig nearly got his eyes pecked out by this ostrich


Little Hands On The Farm


AJ got picked to go up on stage for the puppet show


Me and AJ with Big Tex


Check out these creepy photos! Craig and AJ went on the scary funhouse ride, but these pictures look scary, don't they?!



The view from the skyway that goes over the fair


And lucky us... we get to do it all over again this weekend after Mary Poppins.

Not That I'm Complaining...

because I'm not. The mild Texas winters are one of my favorite things about living here, but I'm wishing I had a reason to buy this. Isn't it lovely?

Happy Tunesday

My playlist today consists of:

Smile by Uncle Kracker (I LOVE THIS SONG!)
Take It Home by White Tie Affair
Dance by Lady Gaga
I Run To You by Lady Antebellum
How You Love Me Now by Hey Monday
Fireflies by Owl City
Don't Stop Believin' - "Glee" cast version (DON'T JUDGE)
Tell Me What To Do by Metro Station

The Invention of a Crappy Movie

Craig and I went to this show on Friday. We were so excited to see it. I think Ricky Gervais is hilarious and I thought this was a great concept for a movie. It started out funny, but tanked about half-way through. What they don't tell you in the preview, is that the big "lie" he comes up with is that there is a God, a place we go after we die, etc. etc. It is very offensive to anyone who is Christian - in fact several people got up and walked out. Just a heads-up if you are thinking of seeing this film, it's not what it's promoted to be.

Timpanogos Cave

While we were in Utah this summer, we hiked up to Timp Cave with A.J. She was a trooper and did most of the hike herself (she did hitch a shoulder ride or two). The hike is only 1 1/2 miles each way, but you gain over 1000ft. in elevation. She was a little nervous at first going into the cave, but she calmed down pretty quick and we had a great time.

The view on the way up



At the cave entrance (The little hole above our heads was the original entrance when the cave was first discovered)


A.J. had her hood on most of the time because she kept getting dripped on


In front of "The Heart of Timpanogos", the largest stalactite. (Note A.J.'s tribute)


They call this one "The Chef". Can you see it, with his fat tummy and chef's hat?


More pics of the cave - which really don't do it justice. It is pretty magnificent. I recommend it if you are ever in the Salt Lake area.




And as soon as we started driving home...

Boots - It's a Love/Hate Relationship

I love boots. So so happy they are in this fall. On the OUTSIDE of your jeans, so you can love them in all their leather glory. But finding the right ones? It's safe to say that the perfect casual brown boot has become my nemeses.

I bought a version of these about 5 years ago, justifiying the cost by saying that it was a staple, a classic look, THESE will be a lifetime in my closet.

So I ordered them. AND THEY KILL MY FEET. I now only wear them when I don't have to walk more than 50 yards in an evening. Which is pretty much never.

So this year, I wanted a more casual brown boot to wear over my jeans. When I saw THESE online,

I loved them, but didn't want to pay even that much, unless I had to. So I looked around - ALOT. Couldn't find anything. Finally resigned myself to the idea of spending more on brown boots and went to buy them. Walked in, saw them sitting there - as beautiful in real life as in the catalog, tried them on and...

they looked ridiculous. My feet looked like little round knobs. I don't know if the toe was too round or what, but the ankles were baggy - everything was just WRONG. And these were my back-up boots. My go-to-if-I-can't-find-any-other-boots boots. Then I was really perturbed.

So I finally settled for these, which I like a lot,

but they don't make my heart thumpity-thump.

Also picked up these which I think are fun.

Target is always my trusty friend.
Have you seen any great boots out there I should know about?

Happy Tunesday: Mika

This new album is GREAT! Buy it now and spunk up your fall today.

Tweet

I am LOVING these napkin rings.

Something I'll Miss About Summer...

Snowcones.

Ouch!

I saw this on TV at the gym yesterday and about fell off the treadmill.

I'm In Love

With my daughter.

(A.J., self-portrait)

Is it weird that my child is quickly growing into my best friend? I don't know when it happened, but she suddenly stopped being a drag to take everywhere and now I actually LIKE shopping with her. I PREFER her. She is fun and makes me happy and actually has pretty good taste, for a four year old.



After I picked her up from preschool, we spent the day today perusing around antique shops and browsing boutiques.


We even stopped for some refreshment at a charming cupcake shop. (A.J. had strawberry; mine was chocolate with mint buttercream icing and crushed Andes mints on top - SO GOOD!)


It was a fantastic day. I love that little girl. I am grateful to live such a blessed life and that she's part of it. Check out my great finds:

2 frames for A.J.'s room (yes it's STILL in the works)


Some fun new jewelry



And my new favorite thing EVER...


I have been on the never-ending-lookout for something new to hang my necklaces on. They were getting too jumbled on my current piece, plus to take one off, sometime you would have to take 5-6 off from in front of it. NOT ANY MORE - YAHOO!

Before:


After:

Each necklace can hang on its own little leaf. Plus it has a bird. Ya, I'm still on the bird thing.

Laughter - The Best Medicine

We have had a pretty rough weekend around here. But somehow, AJ can get us laughing no matter what. Tonight, Craig took her on a quick motorcycle ride. The conversation went something like this:

DAD: Make sure you hold on tight.
AJ: Don't worry Dad, I'll just hold on to your fat.
DAD: (Akward silence - thinking "did she really just say that?")
AJ: So Dad, why are you so fat?
DAD: Well, I guess because I eat too much.
AJ: But you were fat before dinner.
DAD: (More akward silence - only the sound of self-esteem being crushed by a four year old.)

FANTASTIC!!!

This is one of my most favoritest books EVER! I'm so excited. the movie reminds of the Neverending Story Movie, which I also love. Can't wait for this - I hope AJ likes it.

Fourth of July

AJ kicked off the morning by helping grandma with her daily dog-doody round-up.


Then we went with Uncle Paul and Grandpa to the West Jordan Parade.

AJ and Grandpa Nielsen

Only in Utah can you see a full-scale float featuring Captain Moroni.


Although she did score some candy,


her favorite prize was this dashing fan.


A popsicle purchase by Uncle Paul came in close second, although it also cost him his chair.


AJ said her favorite part was "waving at the princesses".


Then we went back to the house and I got to spend some quality time with our new nephew Jaron, SO CUTE!


After dinner we did fireworks and sparklers in the back yard.





Later, we walked down to the park to see the big city fireworks. Craig was freezing! After all, it had dipped into the low 70s! HA HA. I think we have officially turned into warm-blooded Texans.

Hakuna Frittata

As I mentioned before, we participate in a local organic produce co-op, which I love. But occasionally we get things that I don't quite know what to do with. Recently, we received these little beauties:

Meet the sunburst squash


I only had four of them, so I did a little recipe research and decided to try this one. I am not normally a frittata fan, and I pretty much hate squash, including zucchini, but I thought this was really good. So next time you're at the market and spot these little babies, pick em up and give it a try. No worries!

Too Much Driving!

I am not much of a road-trip kind of gal anyway, but this was our second time DRIVING to Utah this year. Safe to say we're not going to do it again any time soon. All things aside, AJ is a great traveler, thanks to a DVD player and her trusty Hello Kitty dolls.

And we are not those crazy, straight-thru kind of people either (thank goodness), but we are incredible classy, this go-round staying at the lovely America's Best Value Inn.



Ah, I can hear Lee Greenwood now.

Tell me THAT doesn't make you proud to be an American!

Before we left:

AJ finished up swimming lessons:

She and Kielee were fast friends, since they had matching suits on the first day.

The end result:


Went to the Church Summer Primary Activity:

Geoffery, A.J. and Morgan

Went to the movies with a friend from preschool:

Natalie and A.J.

And had her first dentist appointment (can we say loser-mom? Ya - she's FOUR!) She was nervous at first, but stuck through it like a little trooper. Plus, ANYTHING is worth a dip in the treasure chest, right? Feeling good after claiming her prizes (and mom was feeling good since there were no cavities). Phew!

With all that under our belt, we packed up and headed to Utah for the rest of the Summer.

Home Sweet Home

We are back from our Summer vacation. Rather than tackle the daunting task of doing a giant post of everything we did, I'm doing random short ones that highlight my favs. We had a great time, but it's so nice to be back home. For starters, I love my house. I forgot just how much I love it until I was away for 6 weeks. I guess what they say is true - absence makes the heart grow fonder. (Works for husbandly affections as well!) And to top it off, Craig made some great home improvements while we were away. (He was only able to spend the first couple weeks with us and had to come back home to work.) He painted the main bath while we were gone,

before

after


did plenty of yard work including revamping the flower beds, planting new shrubs and adding outdoor lighting,



cleaned out the garage,


and shined up his new motorcycle. (That wasn't necessarily on MY list, but lots of work for him nonetheless.)


These lovely flowers have been an especially cheery addition. I SO love having fresh flowers in the house.



It really is nice to be home.

I'm Away...

Obviously, I'm a slacker. I'm away for the summer: Six weeks of relaxing and enjoying some cooler weather and the company of our families. I had good intentions - honest! - about blogging our lovely adventures each week (and they have been lovely) but now I am over two weeks in and nothing has been posted. My excuse? (And I think it's a goodie) I forgot the USB plug to connect my camera to the computer. And who wants to hear about the fun we're having if you can't SEE it, right? Rest assured, I will post a SUPER LONG AND BORING post when I get back to recap the fabulous summer we are having. I hope all you friends out there in blog land are having a great summer too, and that someone is still actually reading this.