the weekend haps

Friday night I stayed up super late, 2 am to be exact getting ready for company coming in from So Cal. I feel like my house is pretty clean most of the time- but when someone comes to stay the night I want everything spotless especially the details...as in the closets, fridge, pantry, cupboards, etc. (Note to self, I think over the years I have accumulated too much junk- it is time to throw out some stuff!!)

You know those great friends that you have an almost unexplained amazing connection with? And even if years have passed it is as if no time has passed? I love those friends and it was the Vogels that came to visit.

Rob went to high school with Rayna. She is tall, blonde, thin, and such a babe. She has great style, it's like Anthro meets surfer girl chic. She is also a whiz with home decorating- this girl does her own molding, painting, refinishing, etc. without help. It's awesome.

Rob also grew up with Ryan, they surfed and hung out non stop. Rob was responsible for them meeting loads of chicks at college and probably got Ryan in trouble a few times while he was at BYU. Ryan still has that great surfer style and is uber smart- he can crunch numbers like no one's business.

Rob was actually the one responsible for setting them up, and here they are married 12 years and three kids later. Their kids are darling, so sweet and polite. It was so nice to be around that laid back So Cal style again, sometimes we feel out of place up here. Yes, I know I am from here, but I am a Cali girl at heart. They are actually thinking of moving up here...and we totally hope they do!

I failed to take any pictures all weekend, so bad!! Pretty much this sums it up and even in order...

take out from rumbi and visiting a sweet neighbor's new baby
staying up until 2 am organizing/cleaning the house
breakfast with dear friends celebrating our june birthdays
all afternoon poolside (so glad my mom came over to join in)
welcoming our cali friends...and more poolside
dinner at cafe rio- and guess what- they have mint limeade, it is so refreshingly divine!!
roasting marshmallows up the canyon
staying up late chatting
creme brulee french toast for breakfast
seeing our friends off
skipping church (such a nice break)
nice little drive to park city
2 hour afternoon nap
evening walk with the fam

The whole weekend was heavenly!! Loads of blue skies, sunshine, and great friends.

cheers!!

A year or two ago Rob found the perfect birthday card for me. It said something like...

The only thing better than a birthday
Is a summer birthday

Touche. That is exactly how I feel. I love taking the day off and enjoying my summer birthday as my own personal holiday to do whatever I feel like doing.

On today's birthday agenda...

breakfast at corner bakery with my little man and sweet hubby
pedicure, time pending
1 1/2 hour massage
red mango for lunch
poolside all afternoon
dinner...at market street (i think)
and
cupcakes from sweet tooth fairy

source (not STF)

I love celebrating my birthday and making it a special and relaxing day filled with things I want to do, I seriously look forward to it every year.

I adore the lovely birthday wishes from sweet friends and family, and am so grateful for such wonderful friendships in my life. I am so blessed to have so many people that matter so much to me, they make life a great place.

The age factor kind of sucks...but at the same time it doesn't bother me...that much. I still feel like I am in my 20's but I have earned the perspective, confidence, and value/appreciation for life that comes in the 30's. For now I don't mind getting older and wiser.

Cheers to another year!

props to my baby daddy

I am madly in love with Rob for so many reasons and his awesome dad skills is like the cherry on top.

Some of his specialties include...

light saber fighting
gun wars
wrestling
video games
snuggling
riding bikes
reading bed time stories

And he does the everyday stuff too. I am so lucky!

The day started with breakfast in bed a la Noah- Fruity Pebbles and Diet Cheery Pepsi. Noah gave Rob this sweet Nixon watch. Perfect for summer!

I also loved wishing my dad a happy father's day. I am lucky to have two great men in my life! They both set great examples for Noah and bless my family so much.

oc lovin

I was in the OC for a couple of days this week for work...it was so nice to be there. Seriously, I love Cali so much and I am always trying to talk Rob into moving back to his home town. I dream of palm trees and year round sunshine.

It was such a shame to go and not be able to enjoy it with my boys or do any of the things I would do if I were there for pleasure versus business.

No beach
No watching the sets of waves roll in
No exploring awesome new restaurants and eats
No pool time
No sleeping in on super comfy hotel beds
No on demand movies
No sun kissed skin

I did actually get to do some shopping though. We stayed across the street from South Coast Plaza. Lot's of high end stores. I almost thought about getting a new something from Tiffany's or replacing my run down Louis Vuitton pochette just because it was accessible...but I behaved myself and just loaded up at H&M instead. (I seriously can't believe we don't have an H&M here in Utah. I found out Denver doesn't have one either and that did make me feel a little better.)

I got this awesome leather bracelet....in butter, cream, and black. I loved it so much I had to get it in every color. Perfect for summer.


I also got a few dresses including this navy striped number. It is more of a pool dress but it super comfy cas with leggings. Nevermind the crappy lighting and crappy picture.


My little trip triggered a little idea to plan more Cali time sometime later this summer or maybe early fall. I'm thinking maybe some Legoland and Seaworld and maybe a day or two in Newport or Laguna... then north of LA to Thousand Oaks to spend time with family and friends.

macaroon madness

I'm still on my coconut kick...but it is starting to die off. Last weekend I was sprinkling some coconut on something and the macaroon recipe on the package caught my eye. Years ago when I was newly married I made a batch and I thought it was high time to whip some up.

They were seriously so amazing!

Toasted on top and chewy in the middle. I may have to make them again this weekend and dip them in chocolate for my boys, they would love that extra touch!

picture from Pinterest (I think??)

Macaroons (Recipe from Baker's Coconut)

1 pkg (14 oz) Baker's Angel Flake Coconut
2/3 c sugar
6 T flour
1/4 t salt
4 egg whites
1 t almond extract

Preheat oven to 325*. Grease and flour baking sheets; set aside. Combine coconut, sugar, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in egg whites and almond extract until well blended.

Drop coconut mixture with a tablespoon into 36 mounds, 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered container.

the weekend haps

Finally. It was an amazing weather weekend. Seriously it could not have been more gorgeous. I unintentionally had the house spotless and groceries stocked up prior to the weekend. Boy was I glad because I forgot how pretty much nothing gets done inside when it is nice outside. I will have to make a mental note to adjust the household responsibilities so the weekends are blocked off exclusively for fun summer activities.

This weekend we...

did lots and lots of swimming
had our Tucano's dinner and walked around Gateway (again)
i got to wear my fedoras all weekend (and got a new one too) LOVE them for summer!
picked up rob's father's day gift, i can hardly wait
played lots of games with noah
had an uplifting day at church
made a 'summer' playlist on my ipod

My mom is out of town and my dad invited us up for dinner Sunday night. He made his famous red sauce and meatballs and sent us home with a quart of sauce. Delish! I have been wanting to make it with him for years and copy down the exact recipe...one of these days.

Noah helped Grandpapa feed the horses and snuggled up to watch some Thomas. Aunt Jenny gave Noah a cute panda bear from her zoo field trip.

My parents sold my childhood home a few years ago. It was a little traumatic but then they built 'the lodge' just half a mile down the road which softens the sting. After dinner Rob and I walked up to my old house, it is such a gorgeous walk. The neighborhood is nestled against the mountains and the trees are always so lush and green. I absolutely love visiting there and thinking about the fond memories i have.

i adore these flowers, anyone know what they are called? they only bloom in early summer

the view next to my old house. sigh. we use to hike to the reservoir from the front door


rob and i love this house. the landscaping is always impeccable. i think they vacuum the scrub oak leaves the way my dad does

Gotta earn it

Having one and only one kid makes spontaneous detours way too easy. Getting a treat or movie from Red Box is no problem. I don't have to deal with fighting, whining, or leaving anyone out.

Trips to Target use to include a walk down the toy isle and bringing something home. Noah always wanted to go to Target when I was going. Whoops! We had to put a stop to that and fast! I want to spoil Noah rotten but he needs to be appreciative and earn things.

The solution- we came up with the star chart.

Get dressed, earn a star
Make bed, earn a star
Clean up toys, earn a star
Brush teeth, earn a star
Flash me a smile, give me a hug and kiss, earn a star
Be a good boy, earn a star

Once the chart is full Noah can then pick out the toy of his choice. This week he chose another light saber, in green, like Yoda's.

I love the star chart- it's like bribing your kid but it is teaching them to be accountable and earn things.

*********

On tap for the weekend I don't even care what goes down. I have Arrested Development and Modern Family to watch, I'm sure we will go swimming, and the only place I want to hit up is Tucano's, I've had some major cravings.

brazilian limeade
grilled pineapple
cheese bread
garlic parmesan beef
brown sugar glazed ham
and
grilled veggies

Love, love, love

June is my all time favorite month, hands down!

June stands for...

the beginning of summer
loads of blue skies and sunshine
picnics, bbqs, cook outs, & dining al fresco
swimming
outdoor concerts
shorts and sandals
going on hikes
long days
running without having to bundle up
strolling outdoor shops (gateway!!)
summer vacations
ice cream, frozen drinks, & shaved ice
and...it is my birthday month!! I adore celebrating my birthday!!

Like grapefruit? Here is a fabulous way to prepare it. Sprinkle with brown sugar then shredded coconut and place under the broiler for 2-2 1/2 minutes to melt sugar and toast the coconut. It is lovely on a summer morning!