Popsicles and Pirates

The wonderful thing about spending time with family is there usually isn't one spectacular event that defines a visit as successful or a bust. It is all the small moments that combine to build memories together. Here are some of those little moments.

We have stubby toes and finger toes and toes that can cross and toes with freaky nails. We have pretty toes and hairy toes and pale toes and tan toes. And we compare them, just to make sure we all know whose are best.

Girls get to wear fun bows and clips in their hair. They get Girls' Night Out and sister time. Is it any wonder that some little boys get jealous? Good thing there's a pink wig around to play a little pretend.

It is possible to gather enough children to take down a grown man. Even the baby got in on the fun and tried to run her dad over with a train.

Pirates and water go hand-in-hand. Especially when you have skulls on your shirt. And your board shorts. And you captain a canoe into the depths of the seaweed forest. Because then you can say "Arrgh!" as many times as you want and it never gets old. Nor does the phrase, "The beach is straight ahead!" Which is a lot cuter coming out with the lisp of a 4-year-old.

When you play hard, it is good to take re-hydration breaks. Especially if the hydration comes in the form of a Popsicle. But wait...what is that???

Look!! A plane!!!!! The look on his face kills me.

As anyone with small children knows, there is no such thing as a clean way to eat. So after a while, you stop trying to keep the shirts and dresses and clothes tidy, and you just take it off when you give them food. And how can you look at those cheeks and those cute little rolls and not want to pinch them?!? I can't.

There's a right way to wear a hat, and then there is the cool way to wear a hat. 'Nuf said.

One night a storm blew in from over the Salt Lake. We went out on the porch and watched the lightning. All the kids were pretty big fans. Until the thunder started getting a little louder, then some of the boys decided they were finished.

Utah in July is one steady stream of fireworks. You have to see it to believe it. Last night the plan was to keep the fireworks small and not loud. Three of five children agree that loud fireworks are NOT fun. So we did sparklers and ground blooms and snaps and snakes. And when you have a couple of inventive guys around, all of those can become aerials! The finale (well, one of them...since every good fireworks show has at least one false finale) was the Statue of Liberty.

And this is what it all comes down to. Big cheesy grins and hugs and looking forward to the next time we get to see all of the cousins, siblings, nieces and nephews who live so far away! xoxoxo

Photos by Brookelyn

Last night was craft night. Mostly bows to go on the heads of sweet little girls. And during the festivities, my sis showed up with a munchkin to hang out for a few minutes. Brooke REALLY wanted to take some pictures with my phone. As I flipped through them later, they made me laugh.

DISCLAIMER: All photos were taken by the subject, and have not been modified in any way. I have done the good parts version, though, since there were about 50 more photos

She had a lollipop from the jar-o-fun that sits on our counter. It contents are mostly to bribe children. Works like a charm.

Just in case you missed that blue lollipop, here's a closer look. It will make more appearances, so let's give him a name. Hi, Buster!

Buster was tasty. As this picture demonstrates.

Buster left a blue tongue behind.

Here's a view of the crafting area. Oh, and Hi Buster!!

And hello eyebrows!!

 You might be wondering if it is just us older Westaways that make faces when we see a camera.

 

Nope, because here is the proof!

And that is the world through the eyes of a 4-year-old. It made my night.

A Few Photos From Saturday

This is a snapshot.  It is a little out of focus and the composition is not perfect. But adore the look of love on Tahnee's face. I had to try to capture it. Isn't this how every man wants his bride to look when she is looking at him?

I stalked the temple grounds with my camera while the wedding party was taking photos. But that isn't how I got this picture. I took this just walking up the sidewalk toward the temple. I glanced up when I was walking under a tree and the branches framed the spire just so. I stopped! I shot.

This was a little more carefully composed trees-framing-the-temple-spire shot. I know it's been done. In, like, the last picture! I still like the way this turned out.

I had fun with the settings here. I didn't know I could adjust the color balance even after I made a photo black and white! Now I do. And I'm a fan of the layers of battlements. Or whatever these are called. I kind of want more contrast. But this is a start. And not bad, considering that I shot through a chain link fence.

Just as I finished framing this, a girl in a pink dress walked around the corner. Oops. But where did she go?? It's magic.

The clouds cooperated and there was no rain during the ceremony, pictures, or the reception. But they make a great backdrop for a spectacular building.

During the luncheon,  the bouquet needed a place to live. I thought the side light made for a great close-up of some stunning flowers. 

Quick Update

It was a beautiful and wonderful weekend. Here is the happy couple and their proud parents.

My contribution.

And the help that came from a quick little munchkin.

More to come. The family is in town!

About My Family

I love my family!!!

I am thinking of my cousin today, who had surgery to remove her kidney and the cancerous tumor it contained. I am so so grateful all went well and her recovery looks good. She has been in my thoughts and prayers every day.

I am thinking of my sister-in-law, who lost her grandfather this Sunday, and drove all day and all night so she and her little family could be here for the funeral tomorrow. I am so sorry for her loss. And also looking forward to seeing her and my brother and their little kids for a few hours before they have to turn around and drive all the way back to TX. I get to meet my mini me!! I hear she is adorable.

I am thinking of my sister and her family who went to six flags today. It was so much fun to have them stop here in Utah for a few days on their way out west. I am glad they are coming back through in a little over a week to spend more time. What an amazing bunch of people those kids are. (Yes, I know that just made me sound almost ready for a rocker and a lap blanket.) I feel lucky to be related to all of them.

I am thinking of my family here, who I get to see more often. My mom and her boundless enthusiasm for life. Her positive nature and love for others. She is missed when she goes on her roaming trips around the country. It will be good to have her back again soon. My dad makes me smile. I know that he is the quiet one when we all get together, but I feel his love for me and for each of us.

I think my brother rocks. He is an amazing example to me of perseverance and hard work. And the boy is smart. Who else can bring up 15th century agrarian guilds in casual conversation? No one I know!

And my sisters...ah, what does one say about sisters? I love them!

One of Those Weeks

It was one of those weeks that wouldn't end. Even amongst all that, there were some very cool moments. In no particular order, here were some of my favorites.

I loved meeting my friends fiance. (Which in my head is always a word that comes out in the voice of Holly Hunter from Raising Arizona...) It was a wonderful night of visiting and good food. I wish that I could take the city of Springville and all of the necessary stuff around it and plunk it down next to Layton.

Also a favorite would be the softball game on Monday night where I got to see my friends' girl pitch. Seej you have an arm on you! This was followed by some quality time on the new trampoline with my own niece and nephew. It's amazing how cool little kids think you are when you can bounce them on a trampoline.

Another good occurrence would be going to see Snow White and the Huntsman Wednesday night. Not because it was an awesome movie. But because I have finally found a movie where the Withering Stare gets a scene. And because the wicked witch is awesomely evil. Like ubber-creepy evil. Like the fruits of the devil. Evil. Also because I got to eat string cheese, strawberries, and popcorn for dinner.

Then last night I decorated a cake! It was a lot of work but I liked how it turned out.

First I had to practice. I wasn't sure what kind of scrolls I wanted to use to cover the cake. I ended up with this. I kind of like it!

Here is how the cake started. A blank canvas.

With dirty dishes surrounding it. That is just what happens when I decorate cakes. The kitchen kind of looks like a cake explosion of crumbs and frosting.

I looked it up and the technical term for this technique is "putting scrolly things on the cake." That is what happened here. Here is a close up.

Then the ribbon went on.

The end.

Mondays and Stuff

I went to lunch with my sis today, and the conversation went something like this.

"Hey what are you working on today?"
"Computer stuff. You?"
"Computer stuff. And I met with someone."

...Insert 20 min of silence...

"Hey I can't open any apps on my phone. Got any ideas?"
"Did you power cycle it?"
"Yep."
"Nope. I got no ideas."

...Insert 10 more minutes of silence...

"Sorry I'm not real talkative today. It's Monday."
"Yeah. Me either."

Isn't that just kind of how it goes some days?

And on other random notes...

I find watermelon a perfectly acceptable option for dinner. Followed by a fat piece of chocolate cake, of course.

I took a picture of myself walking into WalMart today to prove to someone that I will actually shop there.

In my perfect world, I would be addicted to exercise and cookies. I am 50% there.

On Memorial Day, I went with my sis and her two kids and my mom to Antelope Island. There was much merriment. And here are three of my favorite photos.

I'm not sure why she made this face, but I'm glad I caught it!

He had two sticks, and had to decide which one to share with his sister. This is no easy decision!

Luckily all turned out well.