One good looking little man!

Gardening

Mary, Mary, quite contrary

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

and pretty maids all in a row.

Okay, so it's vegetable garden instead...with zucchini, corn, and tomatoes, and carrots all in a row! And a few other things that I don't have pictures of, like green peppers, a couple of cucumbers, a snap pea or two, and a pumpkin. Since we're now living at 7000 feet in elevation instead of at sea level, in a climate that is much drier than was Long Island, and with a growing season that is much shorter than we're used to, this year has been an experiment for sure with gardening.

Brian built two raised garden beds earlier this spring (thank you my dear!) and planted seeds/seedlings shortly after Makenna was born. Experiencing life-with-a-new-baby three years ago with Jacob prepared me for the fact that not much gets done, so I knew that this summer would probably be a bust as well, as far as yard work & gardening goes. But even with the neglect, we've had the opportunity to enjoy some home grown vegetables. And hopefully a little experience can go even further for next summer's garden!

Aloha from Kauai

Whenever Brian and I talk about going on vacation, my first choice is Hawaii. We spent our honeymoon on the island of Maui and absolutely loved it! It was an incredible place to visit and I will always want to return. Funds for such a vacation, however, are not always available, and having small children can further complicates matters. Well, this summer marked 50 years of marriage for Brian's parents and they suggested a family celebration on the island of Kauai. How could we say no?

Though it was a very different experience from the first time we visited the Hawaiian Islands, we had a fabulous time. Kauai is called the Garden Isle and for good reason. I'm pretty sure that it rained at some point every day. Because of that, it was lush and green and absolutely beautiful.

And, thank goodness, Jacob and Makenna were great little travellers, even with the long flights and missed naps.



Jake loves the sandbox at home. What a treat to have a sandbox this big!!





We went to a luau dinner and show, complete with hula dancing and flame throwing. I thought it was excellent. Jacob sat on Daddy's lap through the entire show, his eyes glued to the stage and his hands clasped onto Daddy's shirt. I think he enjoyed it; it was just a little intense for a 3 year old boy. 





Brian, Frank, Danny, and I hiked a few miles of the Napali Coastline. Beautiful scenery.





I love Hawaii. Beautiful flowers, plants, and trees. Fresh, sweet, vine-ripened tropical fruit (had one of the best mangoes that I've eaten in a loooooong time!). Pristine waters full of amazing tropical fish. And the views! Oh the views! I think one of my favorites was that of the ocean and the palm trees seen right off the lanai of our condo. I kept telling Brian that I wanted to take the view home with me.





For some reason, Kauai is run amok with feral chickens, roosters, hens, and chicks alike.

Jake thought it was so fun to chase them.

All in all, we had a wonderful time with family that we don't get to see on a regular basis anymore. Happy 50th Anniversary to Mom & Dad Miller and mahalo again for a wonderful vacation.



3 Months Old

Trip to Utah & Makenna's Baby Blessing

We went on a road trip to Utah at the beginning of July to spend time with family, celebrate 3 birthdays, be there for my niece Elli's baptism, and to have our sweet Makenna blessed at church surrounded by family and friends. Both the Miller and Robinson families flew in for the occasion and we felt blessed to share such a special day with them.

And what a treat it was to spend time with some dear friends from years gone by! Tami and Vanessa, two of my college roommates, and Leah, another friend from my working days in Ogden, came and spent the afternoon with us that Sunday. It had been too many years since we'd seen each other and it was a lot of fun to meet each others' husbands and children, and sit around and talk. Let's plan that reunion, girls!

**a huge thank you to my talented friend Vanessa for the beautiful pictures on Makenna's blessing day**



Chocolate chip muffins are fun to eat!



The Robinson family at Elli's baptism (we missed you K &T!)

The blessed sound of SILENCE!

Jake loves dinosaurs--a convenient stopping point on our way home (i.e.  the baby needed to eat!)

We generally rush around our house on Sunday mornings, trying to get everybody dressed and ready for church and out the door on time. A couple of weeks ago I had finished dressing Makenna and put her in her crib where she could hang out for a bit while I moved onto the next needful thing. Jake likes to climb up on the side of her crib and "see the baby." As I'm walking out of her room, Jake peeked into the crib at his sister all dressed in flowery pink, and said in a pleasantly surprised voice, "Mom! The baby's pretty!" Too cute.