May Memory Cards

A little late with these, since I was out of town. But got them done and up. Now i have to work on June's so I don't get behind. Remember, click on image to read.

Too Pretty to Eat

I was searching the web and found these beautiful cakes by Miette and I mean beautiful. They are little cakes of art, so elegant and pretty. I thought I would share, if anything to have someone else share in my drooling for these yummy treats.

Last of the Photos

Our last day in Louisville, KY we went downtown and played at this great little park on the waterfront. It had a this great red chair swing that Hannah fell in love with and well, that was all she did. She wouldn't go and play with anything else on the playground. It was a pretty hot day, so when the ice cream van showed up, we had to get a nice refreshing treat. It was a fun little excursion with grandma and grandpa and Jamie and Walker before we had to say good-bye.

For a complete wrap up of our trip, you can go to my sister's blog, she did a great job at writing down the highlights. Thanks Jamie.

Is She a Threat?

Hannah and Ella and Walker have had a blast together. Walker loves to "give loves" by leaning his head up against a person or stuffed animal. He is constantly giving Ella loves by putting his head on hers. It is really quite cute. And then we have Hannah, this is the way Hannah gives loves. Not quite as cute, but it sure gave us a good laugh.

Behind her Lens

Anne Leibovitz is a world renowned photographer that is well-known for her photographs of famous people. Recently she has taken some buzz-worthy photographs that I really, really like and thought I would share, just in case you haven't seen them.

The first set is for Disney for their Year of a Million Dreams campaign. Celebrities pose as beloved Disney characters. Only a few ads have been released so far, but 10 or 12 (including Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid) are in development. They are absolutely breathtaking.

Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella wearing a $325,000 tiara from Harry Winston

Soccer star David Beckham as Sleeping Beauty's Prince Phillip

Spinning in a teacup are Beyonce Knowles as Alice, Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter and Lyle Lovett as the March Hare

The second are the current Vanity Fair covers. The issue is all about Africa. She shot 21 different covers with different well-known individuals having THE conversation we should probably all be having. (I think I am going to go pick this one up and give it a read). Again, genius on her part...check out all 21 covers they are best viewed all together to get the full affect.

Coming to an End

Our trip to KY is coming to an end, we head home tomorrow. What fun we have had these past two weeks. Here are just some pics that captured the fun.
Last night we went for a walk at Cherokee Park and saw tons and tons of fireflies.

Hannah's cousin Walker playing in the dirt.

Hannah playing with bubbles.

Cousins sharing a bench.

Every time we go to the Louisville Zoo Hannah has to ride the carousel with grandma. Here is a picture of the carousel.

This is grandma in Hannah's favorite wagon. Hannah plays with this thing all the time, every time we come to visit.

This is a sculpure at the zoo. This visit they actually had a brand new baby elephant that we were able to see. It was soooo cute, especially when it ran and it's ear were flapping in the wind.

Which one is not like the other?

While visiting my parents, they had a leadership seminar for all their zone leaders and of course Hannah had a blast with all the missionaries. She ate lunch with them, played catch with them, gave out non-stop "high fives" and left little candy treats in each of their shoes. At the end of the training, they always take a picture together and since our little girl is not shy, we had to pull her out of the official picture, but then we decided we had to get one with her and all the "elders". She is definitely in good company!

A few of my Favorite Things

Continuing from my last post, I thought I would share some of my favorite things. The first being the color red! If you couldn't tell by my little collage. These are just some of the things I love having in my life (at least materialistic things).

1. Stationary. I can't get enough of it. I could browse stationary all day long and I love having that perfect card or note to give to someone. This one is particular is so elegant and classy.

2. Service. I love serving and helping others. It truly gives me great happiness. Of course, I can be so much better at it than i am, but I recognize when I do it, I am making a difference in myself.

3. Flowers. I love fresh flowers. Roses, sunflowers, peonies and hydrangeas are just some of my favorites. I have a family friend who has fresh flowers in her house everyday. (now, granted she is filthy rich), but I like the idea. There is something about being surrounded by such beauty.

4. Serveware. I don't have the room for it, but i love anything you serve food on. Dishes, platters, cakestands, you name it. I wish I could have sets for different occasions all coordinated and cute. That might have to wait, but until then, looking at all of them is just as fun.

5. Purses. My mom and I were talking about how it is a good thing we don't like to transfer all our items from one purse to another, because if we were able to do it, we would own every purse we saw. There are so many cute purses out there - unlimited choices and some are even affordable. A purse is like shoes - they make an outfit.

6. Target. I love Target. I could go there everyday. I dont' know what it is about that place, but I just don't get tired of it.

7. Julius and Friends. I just love this cute little monkey. He isn't as cute as Curious George, but he is a close second. I think I like this litle guy so much because my uncle gave me a sock monkey when I was little that reminds me of Julius. I love the fun design and colors of this designer.

8. Ice Cream. Ever since my latest pregnancy, I just love ice cream. I can't eat it right now (I don't think Ella likes dairy), but there is nothing like good ice cream. My absolute favorite is Graeters Ice Cream which I can only get in KY, OH and IN. It is soooo good. If you ever have a chance to taste it, don't miss that chance!

Making It Easy

My sister and I were at Target tonight and of course walking through the Dollar Spot section to see what goodies they had this week. Well, they have a ton of camping items, but this items are even better for emergency preparedness kits (remember me talking about that a few weeks ago?) They had great items for, you guessed it - $1. Such things as waterproof matches, emergency blankets, flashlights, ponchos, emergency whistles, sunblock wipes, and other great things I can't think of right now. So, if you are looking for a cheap way to start an emegenecy kit - visit your local Target!

Kitchen Heaven

A few weekends ago, while we were in Santa Barbara, I was able to go into my favorite kitchen store Sur La Table. Of course, we don't have one where I live (which is probably a good thing), but anytime we travel to a city that has one, I just have to pop in. It has everthing from the simplest kitchen items to the fanciest items. There is always something I just adore in that store, each time I visit. Well, here is an example of what I am talking about, this adorable Eiffel Tower Tea Set, so darn cute!

Luckiest Girls

My daughters are the luckiest girls to have such wonderful grandmas like they do. This trip has been so great for me, my daughters and my mom. My mom has been the so wonderful. She plays with Hannah constantly teaching her and playing with her and holds Ella as much as she can (although Ella isn't the most cuddly baby). Grandma is always on and ready to do what she can to create those quality moments with her granddaughters.

So, far she has taken Hannah to the library to pick out books, run errands, play with toys at Target, go out to lunch at McDonalds, back to the library for reading hour and to make Hannah's favorite "big bad wolf" out of a paper plate, out for walks, playing with puzzles and of course playing outside. It was been a blast for Hannah, I am sure Ella is loving it inside that little brain of hers and wonderful for me to see it all happen.

I love grandmas!

The Birthday Boy

Like I mentioned earlier. We went to Jessica "Blackwell" Larson's son birthday party last week. It was a blast. He turned 1 years old and boy is this little guy cute. The kids had a great time, but of course Hannah had to try and take over the party. Charlton was ready to blow out his candle and Hannah chimed in... I want to blow. Jess being the nice mom she is, let Hannah help blow out the candle. Next, Charlton got a beautiful wood rocking motorcycle from his grandpa (It was great, because his grandpa has a Harley, so now they both have matching hogs!) It was the hit of the party. Hannah of course again, jumped right on the thing as soon as she had a chance and rode and rocked and rode until she was kicked off, so others could have a chance. So, as you can tell Hannah loved the party... thanks Charlton for sharing your special day!

My Signature Necklace

Okay, I know Mother's Day has passed, but I wish I had found these before. Little Jules are so darn cute. I am looking for a cute necklace that will be my signature necklace (you know the necklace one wears all the time and represents them). Currently, my signature necklace is a wonderful red square charm my sister gave to me from DC .... thanks Jamie! I love it because I love red (my signature color), but i am in search of a new one that I can wear more often. And I think this necklace is it. The thought of wearing something that reminds me of my daughters is so sweet and these little necklaces are beautiful and subtle.

Okay, I just thought to myself "Why do a need a reminder of my children around my neck?" They are with me 24/7! But I like the thought anyway and I love the necklace.

Relaxation Kentucky Style

There is nothing like Kentucky evenings (when there is no humidity). These last few nights have been so pleasant that each night we go outside and sit on the porch or play on the grass. That is what I think of, when I think of visiting my parents - sitting outside and enjoying the bright green trees, blue skies and fresh air. The only bummer part is that Hannah has horrible allergies and can't sleep, but it isn't slowing her a down a bit.

The other great thing about Kentucky is the fireflies. Growing up in SLC and Denver and California, we didn't have fireflies, so they are as magical and mesmerizing for me as they are for little kids and they are everywhere here. So, much fun in KY!

More Pool Photos

here are some more photos in the pool.

Lovin' Louisville

We have been having such a great time in Louisville with grandma and grandpa and aunt Jamie and cousin Walker. We arrived on Tuesday and have been hanging out and having fun together. Since it is hot and humid, the first order of business was to go to Target and pick up a little kiddie pool. Hannah and Walker had so much fun in their giant bathtub (with all there bath toys and warm water. The funniest thing. Hannah now calls Walker... Walker Docker Do (thanks to grandma's nick name for him). It is so funny, she won't just call him Walker, it has to be the whole thing.

The next day we got together with my friend Jessica "Blackwell" Larson and all the kids played together at a local kid playground which was a blast. Then the next day we went to Charlton's (jess' son) birthday party. What a hoot. I will post pics of that later and journal that event later.

Hannah is being a great older cousin and she and Grandma went out for some "grandma/granddaughter" time yesterday. They were gone for 3 1/2 hours together. They went to the library, out to lunch at McDonalds, then to Target and to the grocery store. Grandma said Hannah was an angel. Being able to have these kinds of moments is what it is all about. Hannah an Ella miss their daddy, but it is great to have these memories with family.