Cutest dang babies you've ever seen

My neighborhood is in the suburbs. Nothing really special, except for everything is really special.

When we first moved in and I started walking, I hardly knew about all the hidden gems right in the middle of suburbia.

One of these hidden gems in the goat farm not far from my house. About six months after living in our home E said something along the lines of "have you ever seen the goats down the road?" I was skeptical and might have even made fun of him. Goats? Here? Nah.

Of course the very next day he wanted to prove me wrong, and for the first time I met them, the most perfect little heard of African Pygmy goats.

Since having children the "goat walk" has become a favorite. These little goats are so gentle, never biting or butting and both my children adore them.

Every spring the Mama goats have babies. It is one of my favorite things ever, to see these tiny babies and love them. One year we even saw a baby born.

This year we've visited the goats a handful of times and have enjoyed seeing the babies again and again.

Today when James suggested the goat walk to his favorite friend, a neighborhood boy, I knew I needed to grab my camera.

So so glad I did. :)

"Goats!"

The neighbor that owns the little herd is amazing. He lets us inside to see the babies and visit the new mommies. Such a treat.

I die of cute.

These babies are so tame, so gentle that they can easily be picked up and hugged.

My sweet gentle boy is a bit aggressive as of late when he gets frustrated or doesn't get his way, but seeing him with these babies, it melts me.

Hopping baby goats?!! NOTHING cuter.

And the sweet boy who joined us is James's "favorite friend." These two are tight as thieves, and are so cute together. After visiting the goats James said "let's hold hands and run up the big hill!" It was too sweet not to capture.

Mother's Day dinner with my Mother!

On Mother's Day we didn't have lots to do, thanks to our Friday night BBQ with E's family.

The night before E let me sleep in the basement and sleep in on Mother's Day morning as long as I wanted. I slept until 8:45 which is a new record (last time I slept that late was a long long long time ago). It felt crazy awesome. 

E made a fantastic brunch, he gave me a gift I'd been pining after: a copper rain chain to replace our old one. In Japan, all the rain chains are real copper. We napped, relaxed, played in the backyard and joined my family at my Mom's house for dinner. 

The weather was so lovely we sat outside and enjoyed ourselves so so much. 

Juliet looked so dang darling from head to toe in this dress. She competed the look with little pigtails.

Seriously, this girl is too much! 

I've mentioned again and again how much my Grandma has changed since her stroke. But she's still here, she's still able to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. James sang her "You are my Sunshine" and she broke into tears.

 Juliet only wants Daddy.

We all looked so nice I decided to ask my Grandma and mom for a photo with Juliet and I. Four generations of women celebrating Mother's Day. And all the oldest daughters too. (Don't look so thrilled Juliet!)

Soon the other ladies felt left out, so we invited them to a ladies photo in the honor of Mother's Day. Notice the far right. He sneaked in, and look how cute he is?! Smiling and everything.

Left to right: Kendra, Laura, Debbie, Barbra, me, Juliet, Melissa and James.

Then all of a sudden the guys felt left out and wanted a guy picture.

Left to right: Mike, Brandon, E, James, Chuck, Chandler, Witt.

 These two? Best buds. Somehow Brandon has stollen James's heart. They adore each other.

Phew. Long fantastic amazing Mother's Day weekend. What a treat. 

Mother's Day Picnic

On the Saturday before Mother's Day E spoils me. SPOILS me. Sunday is often full of family visits or hosting parties. But Saturday is my day. A day where I do virtually nothing and E takes care of every detail.

Over the last couple of years we've taken our picnic basket up to Red Butte Garden for dinner near our favorite waterfall. This tradition became one of our all time favorites, and although E likes to keep an element of surprise in the day's activities, I've long since thrown that out the window and just requested our annual picnic at Red Butte.

Everything has leaved out and turned green and stunning.

I've learned that kids and sticks are like peanut butter and jelly. They just go together. 

Juliet has turned into a MAJOR Daddy's girl over the last month. She does not want me if Daddy's around. If I take her from him she fusses and cries and reaches for him. Does this upset me? Not a bit. I'm happy they adore each other.

Japanese maples always are among my favorite trees.

And Red Butte's lilac collection is stunning. Pink lilacs? New to me!

E pulled the wagon the majority of the time, and kept a handle on the crazy kids, leaving me to enjoy the garden in peace. Here he spotted a big fat squirrel and was pointing it out to our boy.

Soon we arrived at our favorite spot for a picnic. We laid a blanket on the lawn and opened the picnic basket!

Wow!

Chocolate covered strawberries, sushi, cheese and crackers, special drinks for us all, the list went on and on.

One reason I love this spot is the way the light filters through the trees this time of day.

 Sun kissed babies that now walk more than crawl, well nothing's better.

 Pigtails on top, curls in the back!

 We usually end our loop with the three terraced gardens.

Each one is simply stunning this time of year.

 This time of night the gardens are almost deserted. Seems like our own little slice of heaven.

Our final stop was the Children's Garden. This was well planned you see, since the water feature is now turned on. We let the kids have at it, and Juliet was beyond thrilled.

 This girl loves to splash.

 James was soaked within minutes.

 My favorite night of the year ended with smiles, drenched children and so so so much love.

Mother's Day Weekend is my absolute favorite

I adore Mother's Day. How could I not? Let's just talk about the weather for a moment. This is what I've been waiting for THE ENTIRE YEAR. Within the last week all the trees have leaved out, flowers are blooming and the world looks like heaven.

E was gone for work all week (Detriot) and decided to take Friday off. Since the weekend of Mother's Day is always jam packed, we decided to have a BBQ with E's family on Friday night so we could spread out the fun and not feel so rushed on Sunday. PERFECT idea.

The weather was glorious, but I've already mentioned that.

We could not wait to see baby Emilia again. James and Juliet met her two weeks ago when we delivered dinner to Chelsea and Joe in Midway. We were so excited to have her join us for her first family party. James spotted her out front and ran to the back to tell me "she's this big! She's tiny!"

James was so excited to see his family. As each person arrived he asked where the next person was. It was darling.

Juliet was being quite the pillski before the party. Luckily she sweetened up in time to see Damma and tug on her earrings. (Is this not the sweetest photo? And look at baby girl's hair!)

Mostly people wanted to obsess over Emilia. And Chelsea? Newest mother of the group. Being a new mother is a stressful time, so we showered her with love.

Little lady dressed in yellow.

I could not wait to hold her. She's tiny!

And both my children were being darling with her. James took great care to bounce the bouncer just so, and touch her tiny head so carefully.

Daddy with his tiny tiny babe.

Other Daddy with his not to tiny babe who loves upside down neck kissies.

Can we just discuss how sweet new Daddies are?! I did not pose this photo. He was looking at Emilia like this, so full of love, I just knew I had to snap this photo.

After dinner was served and dessert devoured a rain storm moved it. We cleaned up the lawn and moved to the garage to watch the storm. 

Nothing much happened for a couple minutes so we taught James the art of rain dancing. These moments, dancing in the rain with the people I love are the moments that I never want to forget.

Soon the rain really began and a rainbow appeared. We convinced Chelsea and Joe to brave the rain and show Emilia her first ever rainbow.

Lots more rain-dancing ensued.

And the skies listened. It started pouring.

The sky got darker and darker and the evening grew late. James stayed up two hours post bedtime (all while Juliet slept inside) and the entire evening ended with magic.

More (lots more) Mother's Day goodness to come.