Dearest Noah

Today you are five and I can hardly believe how fast the last few years have flown by. It almost seems like yesterday I found out you were going to join our family. You were our miracle baby, we waited so long for you, and you were well worth the wait. You were hand picked to join our family and have brought us more happiness and joy than you can possibly imagine.

You have such a tender heart for others and I adore that you still love to snuggle with mommy.

You are such a busy body and never stop making sound effects. You even tell us you don't know how to be quiet.

You are happy, smart, funny, and such a good boy. I especially love it when you talk in your robot voice and giggle uncontrollably.

You are quite creative and imaginative. I love listening to the stories you make up, especially on car rides and I love seeing the pictures you draw of people, animals, and Star Wars stuff.

And you are stinking cute, I'm pretty sure you will be a heart breaker one day.

I love the memories we have already created and hope you can remember some of our faves as we continue to make more. Such tiny hands to hold our hearts forever.

Love always,

Mommy

Today for Noah's special day the balloons and pennant flags are hanging all over the house

And on the agenda....

going to mcdonalds for breakfast...noah's choice (but i have to say their mcgriddle sandwiches are so stinking good!!!)

(while we were there some cute old men started a conversation with noah, he told them it was his birthday and one of the men pulled out a dollar bill for his special day- it make both our days!!)

sharing a birthday cake with pre-school friends
smurfs with mommy and daddy
chocolate fudge cake and a few more presents at home with mommy and daddy

pre-party for the big 5

Noah's birthday isn't until this Friday...but last weekend we had a little family dinner to get him excited for the big 5. My parents, sis Jenny, Chris & Candice and their kids came over for the festivities.

I'm horrible at taking pictures. I need to work on that. I have food pics...but some pics of my family would be nice. Ha ha.

But we had a fun and yummy dinner, went swimming, ate dessert, then concluded with some fireworks. Rob got some with army men that pop out with parachutes, those were a big hit!

the dinner spread...
pulled pork sandwiches
baked beans
garden salad with texas roadhouse ranch
chips and dip
mint limeade spiked with sprite
fresh strawberries

noah and eire

dessert...
cupcakes and cakebites from sweet tooth fairy
homemade lemon bars
root beer float
chocolate 'thank you' bars

candles on the cupcakes

singing

blowing out the candles

fishing pole from grams, grandpapa, and jenny- he is uber into fishing

making pizza with tanner- cute gift from his cousins

I love my little man!! So excited to do some more celebrating this weekend!! I can't believe he is nearly FIVE!!

randomness

A few weeks ago I won this so darling rosette clip (brooch on me below) from Posh Blvd thanks to a cute giveaway via Crowley Party. Yay, how fun to win something fabulous! Anyways I am dying over it...isn't it the cutest? So fun to dress up a plain t-shirt or cardi. As soon as I received it I ordered a couple more (one being identical- Candice if you happen to see this post you may see this brooch along with your birthday gifts...) along with some rosette hair clips.

Fuzzy no lighting picture of my darling new brooch!

It's been a busy week prepping for Noah's birthday party this weekend. My family is coming over and I am so excited to celebrate! And so is he! Last night I...

sewed a table cloth
made several paper banners
re-labeled chocolate bars
and water bottles

Not to mention I also had to give Rob a haircut, skipped Noah's, and had to vacuum the pool. What a busy night! I can't wait for the party to come together and to post some pics!

something refreshing

One of my all time favorite summer drinks is Mint Julep...when I was a kid we had a large patch of mint growing in the back yard and my mom would whip up a batch every summer.

It is simply refreshing mixed with Sprite, Lemonade, Limeade, or Gingerale. Find a patch of mint and whip some up for yourself. Trust me, you will love it!


Mint Julep
4 Cups water
4 Cups sugar
5 1/3 Cups lemon juice
1 Quart tightly packed spearmint leaves
Green food coloring

Boil water and sugar until the sugar melts. Stir in lemon juice then stir in mint leaves. Let sit overnight in fridge. Strain leaves from syrup and add a few drops of green food coloring. Store in fridge or freezer.

Mix with ice and Gingerale, Sprite, lemonade, or limeade. This makes a lot so you can make half or a third of a batch, or share with friends.

I'm linking up over at Casey's so if you want to check out other fab recipes check it out.

catching up

The last week has been quite the party...we have had night after night catching up with family/friends in town. Seriously such a blast! I'm pretty sure that is one of the best things about summer. I didn't realize how busy it's been until last night when I began reflecting on the week's events.

I think I am officially pooped and ready to do a lot of nothing this weekend. Do you recharge by spending time with others or do you recharge by having quiet time? I think since I spend the day at the office being social and hitting up lunch with my friends/coworkers that I probably recharge by having quiet time at home.

• last thursday...girls' dinner with rob's cousins who were in town. i love hanging out with them- they are all so beautiful, sweet, smart, creative, and down to earth. it was a delightful night.

• last friday...nothing (i was bored actually).

• last saturday...my darling niece ireland's baptism and a family luncheon to celebrate. my sister-in-law candice knows how to throw a fabulous party, everything was absolutely lovely! then date night with the honey.

• sunday...dad's birthday dinner a la chez moi.

• monday...dinner then playing at the park with a college bestie in from florida and our kids. it was amazing to catch up. i must have known her in the pre-existence because we just click and it doesn't matter if we only see each other once every year or two...we are always on the same wave length.

• tuesday...dinner, hanging out, and fireworks with rob's cousins. i love the clark family- they are uber talented and nearly all of them are entrepreneurs plus there is a dentist, doctor, and attorney. you even just might see two of them on shark tank in a few months...can't wait!

• wednesday...hanging out with rob's cousin/my friend amy- she is darling! we hit up tai pan (i found the cutest aqua hibiscus plate and little ceramic birds for my kitchen!!) and cost plus.
  

• thursday...family dinner at my grandmother's with my cousins, dad, bro's family, and the guest of honor was my darling cousin ethan. he is such a good guy!! (are there any single so cal ladies in the house?) he has been making the trek west since he is moving from nyc back to cali. my grandmother made the best manicotti...my mouth is still watering from it plus it was just a fabulous summer night with my awesome family.

some of the cousins...my bro chris, cousin ethan, cousin kinzee, and moi

cute little second cousins...eire and maddie, aren't they so darling?!

my grandmother and nearly all of her great grandkids. this is a rowdy crew and it was all they could do to stop playing to take a picture. each pic has at least one of them making a goofy face.

summer birthday dinner

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. But he doesn't want to celebrate birthdays anymore (who doesn't want to celebrate a birthday?)...and since my mom is in Idaho still and he is here in Utah we had him over for a (birthday) dinner, (birthday) cake, and (birthday) gifts.

It was a lot of fun to visit and have him over...and dang it I got some pictures of the table and food but nothing with my dad. :( I love my dad- he is such a great example to me of someone who is completely focused, hard working, dedicated, motivated, and righteous. It was fun to have him over for a refreshing summer dinner. Happy Birthday Dad!!

the menu

garlic marinated fillet kabobs with veggies and pineapple
arugula and spinach salad with our perri house balsamic dressing (my dad's creation)
crusty french bread and butter
watermelon
cherries
chocolate cake with semi-sweet ghiradelli dipped strawberries and cream cheese whipped cream

Garlic Marinade
This marinade is awesome...I like to marinade the steak/chicken for 24 hours. Just mix it all together and let the marinading begin.

1/4 c vegetable oil
4 cloves minced garlic
1T fresh chopped rosemary or 1t dried crushed rosemary (I skip- I HATE rosemary, weird know)
1/2 t dry mustard
2 t soy
1/4 c red or white wine vinegar
1/4 c dry sherry or apple juice


Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
Cream cheese makes anything better! For the frosting I whipped a brick of softened low fat cream cheese with powdered sugar to desired sweetness. Then in a separate bowl whipped a pint of heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla, again to desired sweetness then folded them together. Perfect cake topping.

destination sun valley

The only thing better than a long weekend is to sandwich it with a couple more days off work and head out of town. The 4th couldn't have come at a better time. I've felt super overwhelmed lately...like on the verge of a nervous breakdown a few times, and I am pretty much serious. I've had way too many little things going on. It was nice to recharge with a much needed road trip.

My family loves ski resort towns...they have so much rustic charm and Old West character. For the 4th we headed to Sun Valley, Idaho to hang out with my parents and sister Jenny. It was super relaxing and eventful at the same time. I adore Sun Valley and I think this may have been one of my favorite trips there. My parents are the best hosts and always treat us to an amazing time when we visit.

The 4th of July might be my favorite holiday...I love celebrating our country and all the freedoms we enjoy, we are so blessed to live here!

All the details of the holiday are so much fun. The flags, fireworks, BBQs, home made ice cream, rodeos, carnivals, etc... And I love the casual vibes of the celebrations. I was telling Rob the only thing that could make it more fun is if Santa visited us for a little mini gift extravaganza...I might start that tradition next year. :) Perfect timing right in the middle of the year, right?

Our weekend...

lots of mountain biking for the hubster
fishing with noah and jenny
hiking
lots and lots of swimming
noah learned how much fun jumping off the diving board is...after a toy bribe
watching old movies
sour dough waffles every morning
rico's pizza, chimichurri filets, and burgers
playing in the fountain at the pocket park
rodeo
fireworks
walking around town
children's carnival