Goodbye Summer

Elle and I have a tradition of going to the beach and saying goodbye to the summer. This year I had to carry her home with her little legs kicking in frustration. When I put her down she would run back to the sand.

I don't blame her. Goodbye summer. See you next year.

Then we walked barefoot over to Jack's house and he tried to cheer her up. I think it worked.

Room Make-Over

I have the coolest neighbors!
A friend of mine needed a little pick-me-up. So while she was out of town, two of my darling neighbors gave her a room make-over! Could you imagine coming home to this?

They asked me to reupholster the bench. I was apprehensive to say the least, but I really wanted in on this fun project so I agreed. I love the way the room turned out. It's bright and happy and full of charm. Oh, and the new mattress is so comfortable I'm surprised she ever gets out of bed.

One

LOVE this post on TOMS blog. I am blogging this as a nice reminder to myself.

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."

- Edward Everett Hale

*photo thanks to "benefit of hindsight" on flickr.com

Pigtails and Pony Rides

We went to the Salt Lake County Fair...


Ate some horrible-for-you-but-oh-so-yummy food.


Played a game or two.


And won a prize for Elle!

We had fun feeding the goats.

...for about two seconds.

So we moved onto the pony rides which were much more fun.


Two Side-notes:
1-I kind of think Elle looks like Dora. Such a tempting Halloween costume, but I don't think I can do the character thing yet.
2-The pony man assured me that these ponies are treated well. They get breaks and water often and are from nearby stables that take pride in treating their animals well.

Charlie

Charlie Schultz is the cutest thing in my little world right now so I thought I'd share a couple pics of Annie's baby. Born Aug. 6th.

Camp Out

We had a blast at our annual summer camp out with my family. Elle made her first s'mores and didn't know what to think. But she loved playing with her second cousins and running around in the mountains.

At the pier

Loving...
this summer.
the lake.
sunshine.
our neighborhood.
twirling barefoot.
this girl.

Happy Dad Day

It's no wonder Elle is always saying, "Dada, where are you?"
Everything is more fun, exciting, and just plain better when he is around.
D is an amazing dad. He'll stop at nothing to make sure his little girl is happy.
Whether it be running down the street to stop the ice cream man when she is sick or taking her to the pool even if it's closing in 15 mintues, he's always thinking of her.

Elle is sure one lucky girl
...and so am I.

Everything is never as it seems

Race for the Cure

We ran The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in celebration of our friend John and his darling wife Thessaly Barnes who is battling breast cancer. She is one of the most strong, beautiful, smart women I know. John and their kids are so lucky to have her.
And it's no doubt that John, with his witty humor and big kind heart, will help her through this "race" every step of the way.

**Top picture is of a couple I saw during the race. No idea who they are but I was touched by the little story they told just walking through the race together.