catching up

First of all, for those of you who asked, a little resolution to my spider adventure. After watching the spider for a few minutes, I did put a clear glass over it, and we did further examination from outside the glass. The picture that was in my post was one I found online; the ones I took with my camera didn't turn out very well (remember how I was reluctant to get close enough to fully utilize the super macro mode?).

Yesterday morning we went to see the spider and she was dead. Our hypothesis that it was a female wolf spider with spiderlings all over her back was confirmed, as there were dozens of dead baby spiders all around her and her body was no longer bumpy. At this point, Max decided that she was no longer such a fascinating specimen, and we vacuumed up all the little spider carcasses. End of spider adventure. Hopefully no more to follow!

It was fun to go have lunch with Pam, Jill, and Amie on Monday. I know I met Pam at Jill's wedding, but I have no memory of it really. Plus, I had no context for Pam then. Now I so enjoy reading her comments on everyone's blogs that I just had to meet her, again. She did not disappoint. The only downside of the day was that when I got home that afternoon, I was so tired as to be entirely useless. Is that what a trip out to Eagle Mountain does to you? Sheesh.

Amie and her kids brought their new kitten, Snowball. I just love this photo of beautiful Whitney holding the kitten so gently. (unlike Eva, who picked him up by the scruff of his neck...) Where in the world did Whitney's come by that incredible bronze skin?


While driving out to Eagle Mountain, this field caught my eye. I love when the hay has been baled and you see these green rectangles spread out all over. It is beautiful to me. I stopped on the way home on the side of the road and just put the window down and took some shots from the driver's seat. I'm taking a page out of Jill's book -- trying to have my camera with me more often and just shoot things from my everyday life. It's nothing like Jill's photography for sure, but it makes me happy.

We did a few more fireworks on Monday night for Pioneer Day. We mostly had sparklers and a few little things left over from the 4th, but the boys didn't even seem to notice, they were still so excited. I had bought some California Sparklers, which apparently just turn different colors and smoke a whole lot. I'm so glad my boys are easy to please.


On Tuesday, the boys helped me all day long to get ready for Marc's return and my parents' arrival. They only had two short breaks, but other than that they worked. I have never worked them that hard, and I was so proud of their willingness to help. They cleaned their room, including under the bed (ew), picked up all the toys in the basement, gathered all the clippings from my pruning in the front yard, helped me clean the bathrooms, and washed the windows. We were going to wash the cars, but we ran out of time!

Max, Lucas, and I were doing some yardwork and I turned the hose on to flood certain areas of our poor, very dry lawn. Eva made the discovery of her life when she picked up the hose. She kept looking at us as if she could not believe her good fortune. Even though she would inadvertently douse herself right in the face, she just looked a little surprised and kept at it. After a few minutes, she was so soaked she looked like she had fallen into a pool.

Look at this darling package I got from Katie! A cute handmade card, a beautiful book, peanut butter m&ms, Riesens, and what is possibly the cutest bookmark in the world. (It combines ribbon and photos and you use it with a book -- come on! That's three passions in one!) I just can't get over getting good mail from people I have never actually met. Katie, you totally made my day, thank you!

Marc finally got back from his trip to Paris on Tuesday night. Everyone was so excited to see him. Eva has been reluctant to let him out of her sight ever since his return. He brought the boys his traditional gift of darling pajamas, as well as some t-shirts, bracelets, and French Pokemon cards. He brought Eva several outfits (what girl doesn't want clothes from Paris?) that I am excited for her to wear. He brought me some chocolate and..... a new fragrance called Un Jardin Sur le Nil by Hermes. (That translates to A Garden on the Nile.) Here's what it says on the box: A perfume of life and light, sparkling and generous, where the scents of green mango, lotus flowers and aromatic rushes mingle with incense and sycamore wood. Pretty cool, eh?


We went to our last pack meeting as a family last night. (Well, at least until next year when Lucas becomes a Cub Scout. Lucky devils. I have to keep going without them.) Max received his Arrow of Light award. This is him being simultaneously proud of his accomplishment and a little embarrassed at all the attention.

Today I taught my piano lessons and then watched Bella while Jessie went to Salt Lake for her interview with Imaginisce. That's pretty much all I've done this week. I hope to be more regular with blogging now!