For years, I have written snapshots of the routines, habits, milestones and quirks that make up our current moment in time. I document events with way too many photos regularly, but the purpose of these written snapshots is to remind us in the future what life was like “way back…
We hosted Troy’s siblings at our house for Thanksgiving. His parents couldn’t join us until the next day because they had an assignment to serve the prisoners at the jail in Salt Lake City on Thanksgiving day. Hosting the entire meal made us feel like true adults. Having four children…
It seems like I always do a huge sigh of relief when Christmas is over. There is so much to pack in to the month of December and this year was no exception. Before we met up with extended family for countless festivities the week of Christmas, we filled our…
We made it through Christmas! Hallelujah. There were a few moments this month when I really didn’t know how I was going to pull it off. Especially when two days before Christmas I still didn’t have a single present wrapped and I was running around dropping off neighbor gifts with…
I hosted book club last weekend, and to go along with dinner, I set up an Italian soda bar. We read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which has nothing to do with Italy, but you never really need an excuse to have Italian sodas, right? Since Valentine’s Day is around…
Blake only had one request for his birthday this year: a rainbow cake. Every year, I have good intentions to throw him an actual birthday party with friends. And then his birthday rolls around year after year smack dab in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And despite my good intentions, I…
In the past month, we have traveled across many seas. We’ve crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Sailed through the Mediterranean Sea. Swam in the Black Sea. Let the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash against our toes. Although each sea and each grand ocean is mysterious and beautiful, there is no place…
I think that may be the tallest burger I’ve ever seen. It was stacked with loving care by my dad, the best chef I know. Whenever we ask him what ingredients are in his gourmet meals, he responds, “My own special blend of 11 herbs and spices.” Yeah, I think I…
I made some Peanut Butter Caramel Shortbread Bars to munch on when our friends from Colorado Springs visited us last weekend. They encompassed pretty much everything I love. Recipe here.
I have had the pleasure of hosting a couple baby boy showers for friends in the last few months. The first shower was for my lifelong friend from Michigan. She was kind enough to let us host the shower at her house which was a huge relief because it was…
