Salon Day!

Today, we got together to experience "Salon Day." Wherein, we "saloned" by munching on veggies, fruits, healthy crackers and salsa and homemade graham cracker bars; had our nails Shellaced (thanks Summer), soaked our feet, did pedicures and painted daisies on our toenails (thanks Melissa), had makeup and glitter applied to our youthful faces (thanks Lolly), made flower hair clips (thanks Lisa), drank "green" smoothies (thanks Amy) and traded some clothes while we Just Danced (with the Wii). There was a fair amount of creative chaos, some spontaneous giggles and hugs, a few tears, and some crying babies. Memories, friendships, relationships strengthened. Good times! Aunt Melissa doing toe daisies in acrylic paint. Dave's girls have "pretty toes." Ahh, foot soaking.Even little feet are sore. "Stop and smile!" Cousins rocking the dance party. Lolly and her magic makeup and "clients." Hyea Won helps with some of the nail polish. Princess Kaya showing off her nails, makeup and pink body/hair glitter Glitter toes. Summer does Shellac Nails on Amy. Soft hands anyone? (Paraffin Wax treatment) Lisa shows us how to make our own hair flowers. Some I finished.

La Caille

Joe and I enjoyed an elegant dinner at this chateau like restaurant nestled in the eastern hills of Salt Lake. (His reinsurance group from work was footing the bill). Pea hens and peacocks and other fowls amble through the restaurant and serenade the dinners with their calls.

Joe enjoyed New Zealand's Rack of Lamb with mint jelly...after all, "How could a million coyotes be wrong?"

My new "do."

Doggie Bag which was soon to be "Peacock Bag" (tarts, chocolate cake and some Filet Mignon for the kiddos at home).

Baby Ducklings Baby Goslings.

Hey, good looking!

Family Night with the Claytons

Family Night with Matt and Melissa's Family, Beth and her children, Our Family, and Dave and Hyea Won's Family:

It's the Human Bubble Wrap!

Aunt Melissa explains the rules.

'This is a Stick-up! Put your hands in the air."

Princess gets "a little wet."

Our hosts.

The perfect toasted marshmallow.

Baby's first S'more.

Jolly Ol' Saint Nicolas

St. Nick trying to Carjack Cora's vehicle. Smiles for Dad.

"Pppp-oker Face." (Note the tippy toes on the left).

Monday Evening, Matt and Melissa invited us to their home to have a water balloon fight and make S'mores. A sweet time had by all...until that last bucket of water had Bekah in tears! Time for bed.

Funny Sayings from Children....

Sunday morning I was helping Princess get dressed. I laid out a pull over shirt, flowered jumper, and white ruffled socks. "Susie, do you need some help?" "No. But my body's jiggling! It wants to have some fun I think." She giggles and laughs. I pulled the clothes on over her head and fixed the socks at church. On Monday, we were invited at the last minute to see the movie Cars II with Joe's newlywed brother and wife. Princess came and after the show we were walking different directions to our cars. In an after thought, she yells over her shoulder, "Bye--I love you guys!" Hannah busted out laughing when she overheard "Awww, thanks!" from a little boy (shorter than Susie, maybe 4) who was walking with his dad behind us.

Joe's Birthday Bash

Joe requested "ribs and cheesecake" this year and so I learned how to do ribs in the oven and remembered Grandma Hall's famous (no bake) cheesecake. Yum! We shared the evening with Amy and her children, Joe's parents and sister, Lavonalise and our newly returned camping daughter. These turned out to be easy and finger licking good! (Just towel off, rub on dry rub of spices, salt, BBQ sauce and bake in tin foil tent in oven for three hours. Add more sauce and broil for 15 minutes. Done!)

Shirts, sugar, and power tools--just what every man needs!

Birthday Picnic at the Lake

Joe asked me what I would like for my birthday and at first I mentioned "time" (time to clean off my desk, clean my closet, organize, take a bath alone, etc.). He and the children made me a delicious breakfast and we had a relaxing day. I got an itch to get away and we drove up to "the Lake" which is really a local reservoir. We packed a quick picnic and bought some muffin tops for my birthday cake. I feel so lucky and cherished tonight. I'm not sure why I am so blessed but love it!

Healing By Pamela Filippelli

Healing

by Pamela Filippelli

And now,

I put one foot in front of the other.

slowly and thoughtfully,

I will walk out of this chaos I’ve burdened myself with

this dark cave I am lost in does have an exit,

and I tread the cold black ground feeling hopeful.

these things I’ve learned the hard way,

are the things that make me change.

I am strong,

and I can fix this.

fear is my enemy.

I will not shrivel up and die.

…and all those who have hurt me,

deceived me, and left me…

I do forgive you,

and in such I free you,

to become better.

and in such, I free myself.

(Used without permission and copied from a piece of artwork at the Provo City Library)

A Thought

You can’t fell trees without some chips. You can’t achieve without some slips. Unless you try, you’ll wonder why Good fortune seems to pass you by. Success is not for those who quail She gives her best to those who fail, And then with courage twice as great Take issue once again with fate. ‘Tis better far to risk a fall, Than not to make attempt at all.

Keep Your Comments to Yourself

I enjoyed getting to know new ladies visiting teaching today. The first lady was a Labor and Delivery nurse. When I mentioned our third birth was "natural' and "wonderful" she got this sour milk look on her face and said, "If your going to go natural, why go to a hospital!? Why not just stay home! Don't even get me started. I hate woman who want to "go natural." Hmm. Guess it is easier for a nurse to have laboring women just "get an epidural" and not bother them!