Cabin! We spent the night with the kids! Eeep!

Many many years we head to the cabin for the fourth of July weekend. This year was no different. It's nice to escape the early July heat and celebrate E's birthday up there. The mosquitos are terrible but everything else from the weather to the forest to our secret lake is perfectly lovely.

We arrived around lunch time and planned on not napping the kids. We wanted to spend the night so we wanted this girl to get really tired out so she'd fall asleep easily. (Ha! We are so naive!). We badly wanted to hike to the lake and Juliet was intent on riding in the backpack the entire way. Last year she hated the pack. This year she's back to love. This was taken on the cabin porch before E had even taken a single step into the hike. Thanks dear for dragging our large child up the mountain and back.

This man in the most incredible hiker. He lead the way the entire hike and set a fast pace that the less in shape adults (me included) and the fathers caring thirty pounds on their backs had a hard time matching. He never complains. He hikes fast and happy and is always on the lookout for water. 

Now, don't be hating on my Photoshop skills. Impressive I know. We arrived at the lake and were so hot from our climb up. I brought my suit because I love swimming in the lake. Both kids wanted in and I told them they were welcome to swim in their underpants. So in he goes. And it's cold!

Juliet, Daddy and Grandma found a little beachy rock to play on and relax.

My mom always jumps in with me so we were both in our suits. The kids were loving it!

In I jumped! I actually did a canon ball off a submerged rock and squealed with delight as I dunked under the cold green water. James saw me and wanted in, so in he came. Oh what fun. (I swam in this lake when I was pregnant with James too!)

After we dried off and dressed these two sat down to talk. They often are caught holding hands unprompted and I am so happy E caught this sweet moment. Best friends.

After we returned to the cabin everyone wanted to chill out in the dim cabin and let the kids play. They went upstairs to the loft bedroom and played and played. I have no idea what was so exciting up there, but they happily stayed up there for an hour or more. 

Soon the day was getting late and I wanted to go explore. I asked the kids to join me in the meadow and they were not interested. I asked my mom and Charles, and they wanted to rest. E wanted to stay back as well, so they suggested I go take a walk alone. Alone. The most dreamy word when you are a parent. I never get time alone, especially walking in the forests I love so much. Because I didn't have any little legs to slow down my route, I chose to bushwhack and soon stumbled upon this sweet duo. Mama and little calf. 

Next I found a big rock to take a rest on and looked down only to see this itty bitty nest filled with four perfect eggs. The entire nest was on a two inch lip off a rock, and was weaved with little pieces of green moss.

All too soon I got a SOS text from E saying he needed kiddo backup, since we was about to start dinner. While E grilled carne asada these two tromped into the woods with me and were about as sweet as sugar.

Seriously!

We ate a fantastic dinner of carne asada tacos and did s'mores near the fire pit.

We covered Juliet head to toe in clothes that had been treated with bug spray. Somehow this method really worked, since she didn't get a single bite (compared to last year when she got dozens). As dusk fell we told her she had to wear her bonnet (also treated with the bug spray) and it made for such darling classic photos. Don't mind the stained shirt and dirty face. ;)

This girl is a character. Even when smelling flowers.

We said goodbye to my mom and stepdad and made up some beds for the kids. Juliet was crying that she was ready for bed and I offered to take James on a twilight walk and he said he was ready or bed too. I had high hopes. The cabin was dark and quiet. As soon as we had them tucked in Juliet starting acting super wild and singing and not setting down at all. Finally (an hour later) she conked out, but by then James was so overtired that he sobbed that he just wanted to go home. He sobbed and sobbed for over an hour and finally finally they were both asleep. But sleeping on the floor between the two of them is not exactly relaxing. I hardly slept all night and by morning I was feeling it. 

After a crack of dawn wake up and a few shows via the iPhone, we finally wandered down to the meadow in our pjs.

This girl is almost always my partner, so I almost always have more photos of her. I don't mind. She at least looks at me and smiles.

The height of cabin fashion.

And guess what? A little muddy hole where we found dozens of frogs! This little guy escaped before I could get a photo of James holding him.

We were all exhausted. Off to home and some very very long naps in our own beds.

And yesterday was our eight (EIGHT!!!) year anniversary. E and I went out to dinner without kids and are headed to brunch this weekend to celebrate.

Happy happy fourth of July!

July forth this year was perfect in every way, particularly due to these two goof balls. We woke up and decided quickly that we needed to do something that involved water, otherwise we'd melt. The family consensus was on Temple Square and the splash pad at City Creek Mall.

We arrived somewhat early before the heat of the day had set in and walked all over Temple Square. It is a favorite family activity because it's free, super beautiful and full of water features. We often end at the mall across the street for a treat or a meal and it really makes a nice weekend activity.

 Juliet wore a vintage sailor dress that everyone at Temple Square commented on. She gets comments on her cuteness wherever we go. Sweet girl.

 Plus the flowers were amazing.

When we'd all had enough we went across the street and changed the kids into their suits so they could play in the water. Love this pic! Totally laughing each time I look.

 At this particular splash pad boys must wear shirts, which is so odd. ;)

James loves the little bursts of water and would try to catch each one. I was surprised that we were the only ones there on a busy holiday weekend. Sweet!

After lunch near the water feature and naps at home we went over to E's family's house for dinner and fireworks. I was intent on getting a photo of them together and James always says "how about we kiss?" or "how about we hug?" Works for me bud!

All family parties are more fun when cousins are involved. Emilia follows around James and Juliet like a lost little puppy. They adore her and she just loves them. 

 After a BBQ complete with homemade raspberry pie we retreated to the front yard for fireworks.

 Soon it was Emilia's turn for a sparkler. Love this sweet bunch.

 See what I mean about these two? James and Emilia, particularly, are as thick as thieves.

 Some of the group. Fun crowd for sure.

Juliet was super frightened about the loud fireworks but James was LOVING them. Uncle David was the firework master for the most part and James said the next day "I just love Uncle David! We had so much fun." Sweet kiddo of mine.

And a little look back, because I love the fourth, summer and red, white and blue.

2010, James is seven months old.

2011, James is one and a half. 

2012, James is two and a half and Juliet is five months. 

One of my favorite photos of her. 

2013, James is three and a half and Juliet almost one and a half. Oh, and baby Emilia, she's just three months. 

 Look at them!!

2014, James is four and a half, Juliet almost two and a half and Emilia will be one and a half this autumn. Time goes too fast, I tell ya.

Constant celebrations, E's birthday weekend

Only two weeks ago we celebrated Father's Day and E was spoiled and loved upon all weekend long. And then on July 1st his birthday rolls around. And then next week is our anniversary. So there is a lot of celebrating going on, but celebrating love and fathers and this man, well there's nothing better.

We started out the day with a gourmet breakfast and presents. E has been excited about this leather satchel for some time and was quite excited to get it on Saturday.

The first thing I did on Saturday morning was whip of some homemade pancakes and sweet potato hash. I was chopping and string and cooking for an hour while E played with the kids, and the breakfast was divine!

After breakfast and presents we went downtown to one of our favorite parks, Memory Grove. The kids love it because there is a shallow river and waterfalls, a pond, and fountains. It is nestled in a canyon right near the capitol building and just beautiful.

We played in the water all morning long and even packed a picnic lunch, which we ate riverside.

After a nap for James, no nap for Juliet (remember we tried to take the binky away...), and wedding dress and bridesmaid dress shopping for me (David and Heather are tying the knot this October!), we drove up the canyon for a picnic dinner and a walk around Silver Lake.

I love this one. Juliet looks like a thug. ;)

Silver Lake is the perfect "hike" for little legs. It's less than a mile and almost flat. The trail includes a boardwalk, a mountainside view of the lake, and lots of places to spot wildlife.

My goof child with her new signature smile.

Trying to have her open her eyes... ha!

Always my snuggle bunny.

This girl is seriously a ham. Plus she loves root beer.

Sunset in the mountains is just stunning.

On Sunday morning we contented the celebrations with a trip to the local pool. I love that this pool opens at ten am on Sunday (woot!) and for the first fifteen minutes or so we had it to ourselves!

Let's just pretend this is the Caribbean.

Matching suits! And although I didn't get a photo James jumped off the diving board for the first time ever by himself. Sure, he was in his little life jacket but I was so stoked that he was brave enough. Plus, he swam to the edge alone after each jump. Impressed!

On Sunday night we left the sleeping kids (mostly thanks to giving back Juliet's binky) with E's mom and headed up Millcreek Canyon for dinner at Log Haven. Log Haven has been a long time favorite, the food is out of this world and the scenery, nothing better.

Ahi tuna tartare for an appetizer.

Filet for dinner (it was out of this world divine)! E and I talked about travel, our kiddos and our dreams over dinner. One day we'd like to have a house in the woods, and one day we'd like to take the kids on the Queen Mary 2. Ah, life is good talking about your dreams with the man you love.

And this amazing concoction for dessert. I could hardly eat any because I was stuffed. Luckily the birthday boy had room and was able to finish it off for me, it was too amazing to leave.

Happy 33 years my love. Many happy healthy years to come. xoxo