end of summer

With so much filling up our summer days, I have lots to update. Most recently...

At a family party a few weeks ago, George hit his eye on a marble fireplace at his cousins' house. We ended up in the ER, but it was quick, thanks to our in-laws' in-law, who works in the ER and was also at the party. He called ahead and got us right in, with no wait. We were also very grateful no stitches were necessary - only glue.

All the kids have been in school for several weeks now, except for Hank and George. They start preschool in September and are getting pretty excited, although I don't really think they know what to expect. New backpacks are in order and that is worth getting pumped about!

 Jonah and Grace are in junior high together this year.

Owen is alone at the elementary school in 3rd grade. He loves being the only one, which I thought would be an issue for him. Not even a worry. He's already sad that next year Hank and George will join the carpool.

Sweet niece Madalyn (in the middle) left for her mission to Rome, Italy! 

My side of the family had a fun reunion at the Nielsons' cabin in Pinetop, AZ. We were all there, which was awesome in itself, but my mom planned so many fun things for everyone and it made it that much better!

The swings were a favorite pastime. 

My brothers.

 Mummy wrapping game.

 My sister taking a test jump at Sunrise Ski resort. We did lots more of this at more thrilling heights, but I must get video from Mark to prove it. So fun!

My cute niece, Alice turned 5!

 Walks around the almost dry lake.

 Crafting creations.

 Marshmallow gluttony on our way to church.

And finally, we left for Pinetop with our bathroom like this:

And returned to fresh new paint, (Lower bathroom cabinets are soon to be painted white)

And our newly planked entry...

...was painted too.
And almost the whole house got a fresh coat of paint, including all the doors and trim. Now the house looks so clean and fresh. I love it! If only it could stay that way.
I can't wait to get everything back in order and take some better pics to share.

i'm going there someday

My latest Gilbert temple photos, taken May 5.

The exterior is looking mostly done. Except for windows. I understand it will not be complete until fall 2013, so obviously still lots to do.

all hail

March has brought finicky weather to Arizona. 80 degrees one day, then 50's the next. Last week we had perfect spring weather (cool nights with comfortably warm days - it's why we live here). But on Sunday, rain was expected and welcomed. Indeed, we got lots of rain all day and a little something extra - Hail!

We were home getting ready for church when we heard some serious pounding on the roof.

We opened all the doors to take pictures and watch the "snow" fall. It was awesome. At least one child went out to taste it.

It was a more-than-impressive hailstorm. During its several-minute showing, it tore leaves and gunk from our trees and plastered them all over our car parked in the driveway. We proudly drove to church in our camouflaged Yukon. (It was pretty gross, actually, but the kids thought it was cool.)

One child said it was "the best day EVER!"
We're nothing, if not easy to please.

a cape and a mask make anything cute

The boys in our family prefer commercially produced valentines with superheroes like Spiderman and R2D2 (yes, he's a hero of sorts). But Grace and I were smitten with a different kind of superhero on Pinterest and we couldn't pass it up. He's a little Nacho Libre-esque, if you ask me.

After much cutting, and a much-too-late-in-the-evening run to Walgreens for suckers, we brought this superhero to life.

We cannot get over how much we love this little guy (even if I did buy the wrong kind of suckers with extra wrapper twisted at the top). Grace is excited to give them to her friends today.

 Happy Valentine's day and Happy 100 years Arizona!

what shall i do with my shallots?

I first heard about the Backyard Farmer from my sister-in-law, Alice. Then, I Heart Mesa bragged about it too. I decided to try it for myself.

The backyard farmer sells and delivers locally grown produce. Officially it is not organic, because of the red-tape requirements. But UNofficially, it is.

Last week, for $40, I got tons of yellow, purple and orange carrots, multi-color baby carrots, golden potatoes, red cherry tomatoes, purple cherry tomatoes, cilantro, big bag of mixed baby greens, romaine lettuce, snow peas, sugar snap peas, tangelos, garlic, one huge red onion and shallots. AND, there was no delivery fee.

I made stir-fry for dinner that night and the veggies were delicious! We're still eating from the backyard farmer's bounty {salsa, breakfast potatoes, salad, smoothies...}.  And I got to choose everything I bought - no surprise turnip greens that we will never eat. I love this new-found service. It's like a farmer's market at my front door.

I really should plant a garden. That's next on the "soon" list, but for now, I love this alternative.