Sorry, I'm a day late. Crazy day yesterday.
Self Portrait Tuesday:
As American as apple pie.
Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesty, above the fruited plain.
These are beautiful mountains that sum up to me what America means. Strength, freedom, majesty, recreation, and life-giving.
We had our doctor visit today. Gretta officially has the weirdest shaped head I've ever seen. And it appears the Surgeon concurs. So in a week to ten days from today, she will no longer be known as Gretta, but as Helmut. Yes people, she will be wearing a helmet. Hopefully a cute, pink camo helmet. And hopefully it will only take 3 months to correct that weird shaped head. Then she can resume being the worlds cutest baby.
Well, the weekend shaped up nicely for us. After a crazy week of school getting out for Emma, and late work nights for Sean, we decided to head up to Park City for a quick weekend trip. Some serious relaxation was in order. Park City is so beautiful this time of year. Not too hot, and close enough that we can get there in a half hour, and still feel like we're on vacation. We did lots of fun touristy stuff that we always mean to do, but never make time for. Emma, Maggie and I rode the chair lift up the mountain to see the valley below. Sean and Gretta shopped for sweatshirts while we were on our little jaunt. We rode the main street trolley, and had lunch at the Park City Pizza and Noodle Factory. Yummy! We all took a nap on Saturday afternoon after our long day of shopping, sightseeing, and of course swimming. You'd think having a pool at home would deter the need to swim on vacation, but I think it just makes it more appealing. 
And now on to the "Happy Father's Day" portion of our entertainment. Sean hit a road hazard last week and blew out a tire. "A" tire. As in ONE. But what does needing one new $200 tire mean in man talk? New 20" wheels and tires, of course! I guess they never grow up. Oh well, now I'm off the hook for a gift, and he's happy as a clam. For now. I'm sure it won't be long until he wants a chip to make the truck that much faster. Men. Ha! What can ya do? 
This weeks Self Portrait Tuesday:
The colors of your world. I think it was more of a task to find a favorite color, but I just love color. Most colors. And I'm not afraid to show it. I'm pretty sure this is the most colorful stairwell I've ever seen.
Saturday consisted of several things. First, waking up at the butt crack of dawn to feed a hungry babe. Second, making 2 pans of chicken enchiladas, 1 pan of beef enchiladas, 1 pan of au gratin potatoes, and a run to Target for cheese.
Third, spending the remainder of the afternoon laying out by the pool, worshiping the skin cancer Gods. And fourth, participating in a Ward progressive dinner. It was interesting. I think every Ward has it's weirdo's, and somehow we got paired with all of them! Lucky us! I guess no ward will ever compare to the Ward you grew up in, right?
Which leads me to a dilemma.
If you could move back to your home ward, would you? Would it be weird to go back "home" as a grown up when you grew up there?
And what if it meant living in an older home? Would you?
What was yesterday, you ask?
Well, first of all, it was my parents' 39th anniversary.
And apparently it was the anniversary of several others as well.
Second, it was a blue moon.
And third, my dad had his appendix rupture!
So I guess this means their appendversary only comes once in a blue moon!
HA!
Thanks to my cute friend Brittany for giving me this idea.
I think it's important for us to focus on our good qualities and talents. Sometimes this can feel selfish or indulgent, but it helps us realize that we all have worth. Whether we have a full time job, a part time job, no job, stay at home, home school, are social butterflies, or shy wall flowers, we need to remember our selves. So here goes.
5 things I've accomplished this week:
1. Stayed current on my laundry.
2. Gave my mom a haircut.
3. Made a grocery list a mile long!
4. Checked the pool twice a day.
5. Cleaned my bathroom, the girls bathroom, and the nursery.
5 things I'm good at:
1. Taking care of my home. I like a clean, fairly organized place to live.
2. Getting up in the middle of the night. This just doesn't bother me.
3. Finding humor in just about everything.
4. Taking care of my kids. They might look like orphans occasionally, but I let them dress themselves and brush their own hair. I think it's good to have them assert their independence.
5. Relaxing. I love to lay by the pool and just chill.
5 things that make me feel good:
1. Seeing my kids learn new skills. Potty training, swimming, smiling, you name it.
2. When I hear Sean's truck pull in the driveway after work.
3. Accomplishing 1 task a day. Maybe it's laundry, dejunking a drawer, or dusting.
4. The smell of Gretta in the morning. I don't know what it is, maybe the diaper full of pee, or the spit up down her neck. But seriously, that is the best smell in the world after a night of good sleep. And seeing that sweet smile just makes it better.
5. 500 thread count sheets. Like butter.
5 things I love:
1. My home
2. My family
3. Pictures of other people
4. Vacations
5. My life
5 things I like to do:
1. Laugh at everything (and everyone!)
2. Catch up with friends and family
3. Blog
4. Nap
5. Eat good food
We had a fun Memorial day, busy for sure.
7 AM Breakfast at my mom's house.
11AM Cook up bacon for the summer salad (see recipe exchange for recipe!)
12PM Arrive at cemetery for Veteran's Program
1 PM Arrive at Aunt Julie's for BBQ with ENTIRE family.
3 PM Enjoy Nap
6 PM Arrive at Troy and Kelli's house for Tempura Party.
9 PM Finally home for the night!
Wait, tempura party, you ask? What could that be? I said the same thing. Pretty much it's where you tempura fry anything you can think of. The above pic is of the yummy veggies we did. Sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, onions, potatoes, green peppers, and peas. But then we had to mix it up a little. Pickles. Not so good. Beef jerky, pretty tasty. Sushi, yeah, yummy. Snickers and Twix, heavenly.
We had a great time. In fact I think we had so much fun we made the earth move! (there was a small earthquake that night, like a 2.5).
What's in your wallet?
Well, I don't really carry a wallet, per se, but more of a large duffel bag. Shall we play a little game of "I Spy"?
We made a trip to Target today, (say it Tar-Zhay), and picked up this cute little thing. 
I thought getting Gretta up off her head and giving her a reason to strengthen her neck muscles would help with the Physical Therapy. I had never heard of Bumbo until I watched some show and they had them on. 
Now if only I could get those hands out of her mouth for longer than 1 second to get a picture of her!
After our visit with the pediatrician, she gave us the all clear to start solids!
At this point, it's more for practice than actual nutrition, but considering Gretta got most of it in her mouth, she got a good amount of nutrition anyway! As you can see, she wasn't too sure of it at first, but then we got smile after smile after each and every spoonful. Dang, she's a cutie!
Vital Stats:
11 pounds, 14 ounces
26 1/2 inches long.
Freakin' cute.
On a side note, it seems as though G has a case of plagiocephaly torticollis. A fancy schmancy name for a crooked head and tight neck muscles. A little Physical Therapy and a visit to a plastic surgeon should do the trick.
dun nuh nuh nuh. Happy Birthday To Carter!!!
My oldest nephew turns 11 today!!! 11!!! Wow, I was in college when he was born. I can't believe it's been 11 years! Time truly flies.
Old friends, new friends.
This is not the best picture of Gretta, but it is the only (?) picture I can find of my newest bestest friend Laura. And it's not even a good one of her! I guess I'll have to do some serious picture taking at the pool this summer. Laura and I have lived by each other for nearly 5 years now. We have been friends for 3 of those years. I'm not sure why we weren't friends before that, but it doesn't really matter. I first met laura at the pool, and then we were made visiting teaching partners shortly thereafter. But we really didn't become fast friends until one fateful weekend in July of '05. We decided to take the trailer and head to Aspen for a long weekend to watch Laura's husband Rob race his mountain bike. We had a series of weird events happen on that trip. It started with running out of fuel on I-70 exactly half way between Green River Utah, and Fruita Colorado. At 3:00 AM. That was one expensive tank of fuel. We had to wait on the side of the road for the truck to bring us the diesel, and we sat on lawn chairs under the full moon and chatted. On the side of the freeway. What a sight we were. Then later that weekend Laura and I decided to hit the spa. Turns out they had some freaky "vapor caves" under the spa which supposedly released toxins from your skin with their natural healing properties. HA! They were like sweaty mine shafts that smelled like rotten eggs! It was a total Ghetto spa. But we still had fun. Then Rob rubbed Ben-Gay on his boy parts, crashed and beat up his shoulder, and we drove home in a hurricane! It was good times. Laura is a great friend. She brought me treats when I was put on bed rest. She shares her trash mags with me and makes awesome food. She emails me everyday, just to say "hi", and some how she just knows that good food, sun, and a good magazine make my day! She's the best!
Sean and I go way back. Way, way back. Back all the way to Kindergarten. And maybe more, but I don't recall. So that definitely qualifies him as my oldest friend. And my dearest, of course. I realize that just "knowing" someone for years doesn't automatically qualify them as a friend, but the thing about Sean and I is that we have been friends this entire time. We have always had a special connection, even in the early days. Who would have ever thought that after years of saying he was "just Sean", we would end up falling in love. Insert "awwww" here. Not that our love and friendship hasn't been without its ups and downs, but alas, love is a turbulent ride. All these years we have sworn that it is our friendship roots that keep us together and also gives us the silly humor we share.
I recently received the mailer for our new Ikea that will be opening in 2 days. I'm an Ikea virgin, never been there, never ordered anything, I don't think I've even sat my butt in an Ikea chair. But after reading through the mailer and seeing that they serve Swedish Meatballs and baby food at their cafeteria, I was quite excited. More for the meatballs than the baby food, but I'm sure Gretta will get excited about that in a few months from now. I also found a nice bookcase and desk that will compliment my home nicely. So be prepared for some serious home updating pictures to follow.
I'm looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about. I can only hope it will live up to my expectations. I'm sure it will.
edit: I braved the crowds of people on Wednesday, May 23, for the opening day of Ikea. It was all I could have ever wanted. For those of you familiar with the area, the roads getting to Ikea way were all closed, save one, which was being used only for one way traffic to the store. The traffic was backed up from Bangerter Highway and 200 West, around the boat shop, and through a field. And despite being so busy, they kept traffic moving steadily, and parking was very organized. I actually got a front row spot! Inside was a different story. So many people. I didn't buy anything. With 2 kids, and small cart, and lots of stuff I wanted, there was no way I could have carried it all. Besides, I want to go back with Sean so he can partake of the Ikea paradise.
We're having a crisis right now. I let Maggie enjoy the last orange dreamsicle, and it seems to have disappeared. I can't find any evidence of it. No stick, no orange drippings, not even an orange mustache on the little devil herself.
Where could it be?
And on a side note, we will no longer by buying orange dreamsicles.
Edit: Thanks to Michelle for asking about the Popsicle. The latest update is I never did find any evidence of the popsicle. I never found an orange puddle, an orange stick, or even an orange mustache on the dog. I guess Maggie ate it, stick and all.
