Jessie's visit

I've let too much time elapse since Jessie's visit, and I have too much blogging to catch up on. I can't face multiple posts, so I've elected to post my favorite photos, all in one!

3 girls in a tub. Crowded chaos, shrieks of delight that can quickly become whines or protests: it's pretty much the way the whole 12 days went. As Grandma used to say when the children were babies, "Happy turned sad!" Things can turn on a dime.

We started out with all 3 girls sleeping in Eva's room. She was delighted. And then, she wasn't. She hurt Bella's feelings, and Bella wanted to sleep in my room. Suddenly, everyone was in agreement that Bella and Fiona should sleep in my room with me and Jessie.

I've learned not to be surprised by these turns of events (especially when Eva is involved). You just never know how it's going to go, so I'm getting better at going with the flow.

As previously reported, we braved the dinosaur museum during Spring break. Enough said.

I love Fiona's expression.

We went to a quilt shop in American Fork I had never been to before. Danger, danger! I wanted so many things. I'm sure I will be back.

Jessie talked Emily into cutting her hair! (She had had it cut shortly before her arrival, but wanted some changes.) I have never, ever cut anyone's hair, and was too terrified to oblige. It looks cute!

Jessie also cut Fiona's hair one morning. Fiona wasn't even particularly cooperative, and it turned out darling! It made me wonder if I could cut Lucas's hair. Marc put the kibosh on that idea.

We were able to sneak away to the temple one afternoon. We haven't been to the temple together other than Jessie's sealing! We did sealings, and it was a very sweet experience.

temple SP

We enjoyed a Creative Friday with Jill. It was quite the day of chaos, especially when my piano students turned up unexpectedly.

Jill brought little packs of m&ms for the girls, and Bella organized hers by color. I used to do that, too.

Jessie reading to all the girls.

Fiona appropriated the Snow White dress and was terribly distressed if anyone else tried to wear it. Jessie said that one of their friends calls Fiona a cartoon character, and the description is so very apt. Her expressions are varied and big.

Cute Bella on the slide. The weather was cool and rainy (or snowy) for much of the time they were here, so when it was nice, they played outside. Hallelujah.

Bella wanted to take Jack for a walk.

I thought the whole thing was doomed to failure, since he has never learned to properly heel and tends to pull horribly, but she would just sit down if she wanted him to stop. Worked like a charm!

Eva had to get in on that action.

Eva, reading to Fiona to cheer her up. She seemed to champion Fiona mainly when she and Bella were on the outs.

We got to see a lot of Emily while Jessie was here, since she had reading days for finals. She is so entertaining and such good company - we are always happy to have Emily around!

We played quite a few rounds of Bananagrams. Max loves it; Lucas hates it.

The plum trees bloomed! Always my favorite 2 weeks of the year.

Bella's treasures.

I love this picture of Fiona (not to be outdone, she had to have treasures as well).

Eva did, too, of course.

No visit to Utah is complete without a trip to the distribution center.

One day they spent the whole morning making a dinosaur museum in the family room.

Bella made everyone name tags, which consisted of names and eye color. (Except for Marc's, which simply said "happy customer.)

Later, Eva had to go to school, and the museum was closed, obviously.

Check out that static-y hair!!

Bella and Eva neglected to finish their yogurts, and my favorite cartoon character took over, two spoon-style!

Emily bought us all fountain drinks.

We did a decent amount of baking. One day, Jessie and Emily pulled out no less than 7 bags of coconut in various states of fulness. I endured much teasing about it. In my defense, I can only say that my lazy susan has been non-functional, so it was hard to see what I had and what I didn't. I guess I was making damn sure I had coconut on hand!

The girls enjoyed watching Lucas play video games in his room. One day, he told them he wanted a little alone time, so they migrated to the hall and took up a new position there.

(Incidentally, Lucas was very sweet with them. He was quite the peacemaker and broke up many arguments. He also played with them on multiple occasions. I love that guy.)

A collection of the friends Jessie has made for Eva over the last several years. (I love them all, but Fox is my favorite.)

We were hoping that, now that the girls are older, we wouldn't have so many sharing boot camp issues, that they would just go off and play and leave us in peace. Not so. But we're holding out hope for next time! It was definitely trying at times, but all worth it in the end.

I wish my sister didn't live so far away!

Conference weekend bliss

(Yep. I totally copied Jill's post title. It's just too perfect.)

After two times in a row of not being able to watch Conference, I was so very excited for last weekend. Not only were we able to watch every session as a family, but we didn't have to go anywhere! No other plans. Just Conference weekend bliss.


On Friday night, I made the raspberry rolls from the recipe that Jill posted. I took some to visiting teachees, and kept the rest for us. They were good, but a tad underbaked. I found the hot pink filling (caused by my homemade raspberry jam) to be quite humorous.

Eva helped me assemble the conference baskets on Saturday morning. For some reason, the kids are excited about using their Easter baskets. Who am I to question? I'll do whatever it takes to make Conference weekend something to look forward to. My goal is that one day they'll be as excited about it as I am.

The kids all worked on their Conference packets, taking notes and drawing pictures.

Emily and I took notes.

(and knitted)

Marc is not a note-taker, just a listener. I just love it when we're all together, laughing at the jokes, commenting on the hymn arrangements, asking the others if we've missed something, and expressing surprise over things we hadn't known, or agreeing on really good statements.

Jill, Lori, and Whitney came over to join us for donut night. (We have a family tradition of making donuts while the men are at the priesthood session.) The dough wasn't rising as fast as I expected, but they didn't seem to mind just hanging out and chatting.

Lucas and Whitney talked and played video games.

Eva helped me roll and cut out the donuts.

I was the fryer and Emily was the glazer. We tried a chocolate glaze for the first time, but Marc shocked me by shunning the chocolate, even going so far as to call it an abomination! I thought it was pretty good, but had to agree that the plain glazed was the clear winner.

Marc and Max told us some of the highlights (they both really loved President Uchtdorf's talk). Marc was typing in a favorite quote as his Facebook status as soon as he got home.

It's good to have extra people around to help eat the donuts.

This little aberration was a donut hole that stuck to the cookie sheet. I fried it anyway, just for fun, and decided that it looks like Ming Ming from The Wonder Pets. Emily thought it looked like a penguin. What do you see?

We played Bananagrams after Eva went to bed. Good times.

Sunday was more of the same, with donuts for breakfast and relaxing in our jammies.

Lucas and Eva got out the Legos on Sunday and did a pretty good job of playing quietly and whispering. I noticed that Lucas was still reacting to the talks, so he was still listening, at least somewhat.

There was one part of the weekend that was not blissful. During the Sunday morning session, I suddenly realized that I had promised to make a birthday cake for one of the young women in our ward. Her birthday was on Friday! I was mortified, and I just felt horrible. I don't know how I managed to forget, as it never entered my mind even once.

As soon as Conference was over, I called her to apologize and offered to make the cake immediately. So, stomach churning, I spent the in-between hours baking and caking a birthday cake. I finished frosting it just as the afternoon session was starting, so I decided to hold off on delivery.

We ate popcorn and m&ms for lunch!

When Conference ended, I went on my walk of shame to take the cake over. Boy did I ever feel humble! I still can't believe I forgot. I asked their forgiveness and hope we can still be friends.

On Sunday night I made this delectable dinner. Try it!

I'll have to post my notes when I have more time to type them in. Did you have a blissful weekend as well?

Seattle, day 3

After the busyness of our first two days, I needed a day of more leisurely activity. We decided to go to the University Village outdoor mall, one of our old favorite haunts. Our dear friend Katrina joined us there with her darling son, Matho.

First stop: World Wrapps for lunch! Come to Mama.

Max and I had the Samurai salmon rice bowls. Marc had the same thing, but in wrap form. I was a tiny bit bummed that I didn't get a wrap, because we make these rice bowls at home, but whatevs. It was still fabulous. And we all had our favorite peanut butter/banana smoothies.

Eva played on the little playground while we ate.

And hung with Red Eye.

After lunch, I went to explore Impress Rubber Stamps, which came to the mall after we left Seattle, so I had only shopped there online. Ooh la la. I wanted so many things, but I contented myself with samples of all of the colors of Divine Twine (be still my heart) – for me and my book club friends.

L'Occitane is a favorite store from Paris. I stopped in for a spritz of one of their new summer fragrances. They do lemon and verbena like nobody's business.

We had to sample cupcakes from another new (to us, anyway) place.

I had the triple coconut. Thumbs up!

Eva discovered some fountains to play in, and although we didn't have any extra clothing with us, she threw caution to the wind and got completely soaked. (And miraculously did not cry when she had to go around in wet clothes!)

Eva and Matho got on famously.

Katrina's a smart mama and brought both a change of clothing and toys to entertain the kids. We sat and caught up with each other while the kids played. Marc and the boys went to H&M and found Max some new jeans and Lucas a new hat.

Kat and Matho came back to our place for a swim. Well, Kat didn't have a suit with her, so she sat on the edge of the pool and talked to me while I swam with the little ones.

It was pretty much a perfect day.