Bella turns two!

Bella's birthday was on June 23rd. TWO years old. We went swimming that afternoon and that evening I made 6 chocolate cupcakes and Bryndi and I sang happy birthday to Bella. I think she did a good job at joining in too.

Bella got a box of princess dress ups for her present.

Pretty princesses!

At the extended family party she got pina colada cupcakes with little umbrellas on top. The umbrellas were a big hit!

Tonight Richard was gone helping friends move and Bryndi was at a friend's house, so I got some alone time with Bella. We cuddled on the couch for a long time while I sang to her. If she knew the song she joined in. Everyone that talks to Bella is impressed with her vocabulary and speaking skills. She has full conversations, knows her colors, counting, songs, prayers, and how to repeat anything we say. So smart AND beautiful. I love this girl so much!!

Summerfest

Well, first I had to throw in this picture. I love the way Bella is can't get the cantaloupe into her mouth quickly enough!

We went to Orem's Summerfest on June 12. That also was our 6th anniversary and Richard arranged for us to have dinner at the Chef's Table the night before and stay at the Hines Mansion. Love that place. Anyway, I took my camera to summerfest and I only took 3 pictures. What?! We saw the whole parade and rode all sorts of rides and ate all sorts of terrible food--like cheesecake on a stick. Mmm. But, no pics. Sorry. At least we documented the carousel! Oh, and I lost my wedding ring. :( Of all the days to lose one's wedding ring--on my anniversary! I hope some poor person found it and hocked it at the pawn shop in order to buy food to put on their table. Or something like that.

Thank you Mommy

This morning Bryndi gave me a picture that she colored and said, "Mommy! I made this picture for you to thank you for being such a great mom!" Melt my heart.

The only thing is, the picture was one of Grumpy Bear with the caption saying, "Look who's grumpy!" I wonder if that has any significance...

Bathroom remodel

We needed a new tub for our bathroom downstairs, so we decided to put tile in while we were at it. Then of course we had to get a new shower curtain, then new towels and rug, new accessories, and paint too. Richard did all the work himself. I helped a little and did the painting. He did a great job!!

This is as close as I got to a "before" picture!

I love this shower curtain!

There wasn't a shelf by the old tub. Richard built this one in. So nice.

Now for the upstairs bathroom...

Little Red Riding Hood. 100 Miles. June 5, 2010

My sister-in-law Shelli and I rode the Little Red Riding Hood on Saturday, June 5th. It's a women's only cycling ride through Northern Utah and Southern Idaho.

My first tattoo. My sister-in-law Daneen wrote "Dylan" on my arm with Henna before the race. I dedicated the ride to my friend Dylan who passed away from leukemia 3 1/2 years ago at the young age of 15. I'm sure he could watch us from heaven!

We started at 8:30 am, after spending the night in Brigham City with Aunt Wendy and Uncle Rick.

There were rest stops every 10-15 miles and we took advantage of them! Plenty of food and water and women on bikes everywhere!
Shelli's first time to Idaho!




Thanks to Kelly for these great pictures!!
Victory at the finish line! We finished at 5:15 pm! 100 miles. Whew!

Preschool Graduation

Bryndi goes to the best preschool--Cathie's Academy. They had a graduation ceremony last week at a recital hall. They sang songs, got awards, and put on the most adorable graduation caps.

We love Miss Cathie!

Bryndi got the "Happy" award. Miss Cathie teared up while reading it. You can tell she really loves the kids!

"Happiness is contagious and there is always something to be happy about! You knew the second that Bryndi walked through the door that she was happy to be at school. She always greeted her friends with such enthusiasm that they just seemed to 'perk' up. From the moment she came through the door until she left at the end of school, her every move and gesture oozed with enthusiasm and happiness. Even if she got hurt of was disciplined or disappointed in any way, it never kept her down. In a matter of minutes she was her happy self again. You can't be around Bryndi without being happy yourself. Bryndi, you are a delight!"

Way to go Bryndi!!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

I know. I need to start a cooking blog.

I absolutely love strawberry rhubarb pie or cobbler. We planted some rhubarb last year and when it came up this year I couldn't wait to cut some for dessert! Well, today I did! I made this for dessert tonight, but it ended up being an afternoon snack instead, cause once I pulled it out of the oven we had to eat it warm with vanilla frozen yogurt on top!!

I adapted this recipe and scaled it down to only 4 servings (or 6 small servings). Because I know that if I made a huge 9x13 pan of it that I would be eating 1/2 the pan! I used a little 6 1/2 inch square casserole dish. But if you don't have a dish that small you could use an 8x4 loaf pan or just double the recipe and use a 9x9 or 7x11 pan or go ahead and triple it with a 9/13!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (read: pure heaven)

1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp flour
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup diced rhubarb
(feel free to add more fruit or substitute peaches, blueberries, blackberries and/or apples)
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Mix up sugar, 1 T flour, strawberries, and rhubarb in a bowl and set aside. Put 1/3 cup flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats in another bowl, then cut the butter in with a pastry blender or 2 knives until crumbly. Add nuts and mix well. Pour fruit mixture into greased baking dish (6x6 or 8x4). Pour crumb topping on top. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until topping is browned.