Oh Happy Paris

Do you ever read the blog,

Oh Happy Day?! If you don't, you should. It's one of my favorites, and the author, Jordan, is living in Paris right now with her family. And she is giving away a trip to Paris. What?!? Scott and I have always talked about living in Italy for a year or two, but so far, we have never had the guts to just do it. Her experiences are making me rethink that. But, in the meantime I wouldn't mind a trip to Paris. I took 4 years of French in high school, with the sole goal of making a trip there. I even watch French films. And I sure like striped shirts. Doesn't that mean I we deserve it? It would be a dream. If we could manage getting the baby part, Paris would be the perfect Babymoon.

So, if you want to enter, (and you should, although it makes my chances worse), go here,

Oh Happy Day Goes to Paris

My fingers are crossed and triple crossed.

Now You See Her! Now You Don't!

Peak a Boo, is awfully entertaining. Her hands splayed out in the first photo kills me. She made sure to do that every time.

A Common Lament

How did this happen? How did my baby grow out of being a baby? In this photo she looks so grown-up. In a blink of an eye she is not even going to be a toddler anymore. I can see glimpses of the woman she is going to grow up to be. This makes me infinitely sad, yet utterly blessed. Lucy is my greatest joy. I still think that, even though Lucy cried screamed during every car ride today. I feel incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful, precocious, loving, happy, stubborn, independent, fashion loving little girl.

But oh, sometimes I miss her as a baby. Is there a way I can enjoy all the loveliness of today AND yesterday, whenever I want? Walk down the block, skipping with her, and hold her sweet little newborn body against mine when we fall asleep? And I guess that is one very good reason on why we have more babies. So we can have the best of both worlds.

I would like the best of both worlds, please.

The Longest Day EVER

The Polynesian Cultural Center seemed like a good idea at the time. $200, 10 melt-downs, 8 hours, epic puking, and two very worn out parents later, not so much.

More pictures and stories to follow.

A Girl and Her Dog

How can I be sad when I have these two?

I love when Lucy tells Oliver, "Ollie come on up!" and pats the bed. Getting Oliver was one of the best thing we could have done for Lucy. She has such a sweet heart around animals.

Resorting

There was a time, not too long ago, that Scott and I stayed in cheapie hotels. For us, it was good enough to just go on a vacation. We didn't have to stay anywhere luxurious. At least, that is what I would tell myself. But in my secret heart of hearts, I longed to stay in fancy places. Rooms with down comforters, and fireplaces. Sheets that didn't look like they have been there since 1980, and continental breakfasts without smashed donuts. And if there was a deep soaking tub or walk in shower, oh be still my heart. I can pinpoint when I decided that I was through with $60 dollar a night hotels. Remember this?

Enter Hawaii. I wanted to stay in a resort, just for once. Just to be fancy. Just because I had never been and always wanted to. But we also wanted something Lucy friendly. And so we compromised. Two nights at the Turtle Bay and 5 nights at a beach house. I know, this post is kind of obnoxious. But just think back to the hostel we stayed in when I was pregnant. You know the one with gun shots heard at night, and a night club downstairs? Yeah, I didn't use to be so high maintenance.

Anyway, to finish my ode to the Turtle Bay, it was awesome. Sure, when we first got there they put us in the handicap accessible room. And then when we requested a change, they put us in a room that was already occupied. That got awkward for a second. But finally, we were settled in our very own cottage, with a view of the ocean, and a hammock just outside, complimentary champagne for the mix-up (nice thought, he he!), and chocolates on our pillows. Did I mention Charles hooked us up with free t-shirts too? Who's Charles? Just one of the awesome staff members who chatted with us about Alpine, Utah and the Laie Temple Re-dedication. The Turtle Bay was really fun. But I have to say, 2 days was about perfect. After that, we were ready to be in our little, family friendly beach house.

But back to the Turtle Bay. Did you see the picture of the pool? Cool, right? The view? Amazing. And did I mention, there was a tub large enough for 4 people in our huge, luxurious bathroom. I kid you not. We had our very own swimming pool.

Dear,

Cousins, thank you for being such good friends to Lucy. She thinks you are the coolest. Thanks for playing so good with her at her first sleep over.

Rain, seriously? I hate to complain, but Scott has the day off, it's May 30th, and it's 40 degrees outside. I would say I'm overreacting, but then I read it's the wettest May since 1860 and the wettest Spring since 1875. Way to be rain. Way to be.

Deer Valley, you are awesome. Thanks for the snow. I mean it. I now get to check off hot tubing in the snow off my list. Who would have thought it would happen at the end of May?

Lucy, we love you so much, and you were very good in letting mom and dad have a mini one night stay away. But now you are super grouchy. Maybe we will wait another 18 months to do this.

Anniversary. You were awesome. Caputo's sandwiches, gelato and park time with Lucy? Yes, please. An overnight stay in Deer Valley. Double yes, please.

St. Regis, you also, were awesome. Next time though, I'm bringing some treats. I couldn't justify spending $15 for a hot chocolate. But your bathrooms are the nicest I have ever seen. Thank you for that.

Pounds gained, You were worth it. I'm looking at you bread pudding and chocolate raspberry tart for brunch. Oh, and you fettucini with a pea cream sauce. I don't regret you.

Yard work, bikes rides, the zoo, and picnics. I guess you are going to have to wait until I don't need to wear a coat.

Our Secret Beach

We had a secret beach in Hawaii. All you had to do was go through this tunnel of trees and you were there. Our beach house was basically in the bottom right corner of the photo. There may have been other people on our secret beach, but it sure didn't feel like it. The beach access was nestled in the neighborhood, several houses from the road. Meaning you pretty much had to be in the know to go there. We felt so lucky to have a beach basically in our front yard. How the other half lives is pretty nice.

Crispy

We grilled pizza last night. It was super yummy, except for the fact that the bottom burned. And our pizza stone also turned black. I'm assuming that isn't good? Next time we will try for a lower temperature. I had potato/caramelized onion/cherry tomato pizza. Scott had a Margherita.

Oh, and when I say the bottom burned, I'm not kidding. It was as burned as you could possibly get, without lighting on fire. I think this calls for a repeat. Let the pizza experimenting perfection begin!

Lucy Updates

Do people get tired of Lucy updates? Too bad, if you do, because she is hilarious right now. And when I say hilarious, I'm not exaggerating. She is so chatty and has such strong opinions. For example, she is obsessed with her summer PJ's. I need to post a picture of them. She finds them in the dirty clothes and sobs and sobs and sobs until you put them on her. Scott tried to put on her winter PJ's one cold day, and Lucy was heartbroken, crying, "No! No! No!", trying to run away, and basically having a complete meltdown. Finally he gave up, pulls out the summer ones and Lucy squeals, "YES!" and climbs in his lap so he could put them on. She prefers her summer PJ's with her winter boots. The girl has style.

She also says the cutest things. It's funny to see how your child mimic you. For example, she has started patted things and saying, "Ollie, come on up!" I always pat the bed for Ollie to do stories with us, and now she walks around inviting Ollie to jump up on things. She likes to sing songs with actions, jump on her walks, explore, throw rocks, give crazy kisses, march, go through my purse and shut my computer because I'm not paying enough attention to her.

Ahh me, I'm seriously loving her lately. We have been having so much fun. In the next week or so we are going to start swimming and doing bike rides. Having Lucy in our world is the best thing that has ever happened to Scott and I. We just love her to pieces.

This isn't a real Polaroid. This is a photo taken with my iPhone and run through the Shakeit App. I see myself taking a lot more snap shots than I previously have. I'm so excited about this!