Cherry Chick-a-dee

That tiny red chair belonged to June's great grandma. I love tiny red chairs.

And what is it about tiny fruits on tiny children that is just the sweetest thing ever? My creative, talented, funny, everything I want to be friend, Debbie, found this gem and kindly let June wear it. She has the best vintage clothes shop on Etsy; I've found some of my favorite shirts there. Take a look and keep going back, she's always adding things.

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June has been a little inconsistent on her sleeping habits lately. She's also been slightly clingy...

It's hard to tell if it's because of her teething, or the rain, or the heat that forces us to stay indoors, or the lack of fruit snacks in our cupboard, or the fact that she knows exactly where we keep the Otter Pops and she can't understand why we won't give her one every single waking minute of the day.

Despite everything, she has starting grabbing my hand to hold, voluntarily plopping herself in my lap, and giving us the most gentle kisses.

I'm the luckiest.

Stop and Stare

Our view on the bridge. The fog moved so quickly... it was magical.

I need to stop posting these pictures from San Francisco. It makes me angry at AZ for having weather like this and no Bi Rite Ice Cream.

But onward and upward...

This weekend we're grilling burgers, watching movies, and playing in Grandma's backyard. I'm also painting my nails, raiding my mom's cookbooks for easy recipe ideas, and finding ideas for June's Halloween costume... yes, it's that time again.

August and everything else

August is a good month. It's the time that I start looking forward to autumn: cooler weather, school supplies, sweaters (maybe not until November), holidays to get ready for, etc. 

August is a good month because there aren't any major holidays, except for my birthday. I'm not shy about announcing my birthday. When I taught 5th grade, I would make it a week long celebration. I would hang pictures of myself all over the classroom. I would serve my favorite treats to them. It was my way of saying, "We just started another school year, and you guys have it good. Let's celebrate my awesomeness."

Because it's my birthday month, I like to set new goals for my 28th year. 

Here's a sample:

· Carry your camera around

· Eat salad for lunch

· Try a Clark bar. 

Stop and Stare

The following are some things that have made me stop and stare:

·Utah sunsets:

·Holdman Studios:

We went here to visit Michael and David, and take a peek at the Gilbert Temple windows (which I couldn't photograph). I got all chills just looking at the amount of detail and work that goes into creating each window... I can't wait to see the finished product.

·June

It's amazing at how incredibly fast June is growing. I need to do an entire post on this fact.

· This hilarious video... I forgot all about it, until Daphne brought it up during Grilled Pizza Night (which should be a weekly event, okay Natalie?). It's one of my all-time favorite videos.


· And of course, the Olympics. I can't get enough... I tear up with every win and loss. And the tears come with the Olympic commercials too. 

Sometimes ups outnumber the downs

1. Good-looking cousins with good-looking kids.
2. Cornhole with June... a Utah staple.
3. A-COOL COOL COOL TRICKS.... YEAH!
4. Water-watchin' at City Creek
5. Good times and a good hair day on the Alpine coaster.
6. View on the bridge at City Creek
7. Locked out, but don't mind since we don't experience AZ weather in UT.
8. Booty shake with William's good-looking cousins
9. My first Park City visit. AHHHH-MAZING.


In July, June and I went to Utah twice.


The first time, we flew up with my mom and visited mostly her side of the family. The trip was so fun and again reiterated my belief that I have the funniest family on the planet. They are also the best storytellers (it helps that they also have the best stories to tell). Thanks to my mom for letting me come and treating us to shopping days and good eats. Thanks to my Aunt Carol and Judy for their amazing hospitality. Thanks to Jane and Susan (June's 3rd Grandma) for having such a beautiful home and a perfect lunch. Thanks to Katie and Aileen for traveling great distances to meet June. Thanks to Amy for just being plain awesome.


The second time we went to Utah, we went for a funeral. Then it turned into two funerals. I am so grateful that I got to know how wonderful Grandma B and Uncle Richard are. But I probably won't eat anymore funeral potatoes for a while. 


And of course, it's also always great to spend time with my in-laws: BBQs (my favorite meals), dance parties (complete with costumes), settling Cataan, and Alpine rides with NO BRAKES. Thanks to my in-laws for creating the best memories... and for being so good to June, even though times are tough for her when she's jet-lagged.


Now, a note:


Dear Uncle Reed,


While in Utah attending two funerals, hearing about your sneaky heart attack nearly gave me one. Please refrain from those Dana treat cravings.


Love,
Niece Jenny

San Francisco

I can talk about San Francisco in at least five posts. Lucky for you, I'll keep it at one (maybe two). I expected this city to be amazing. It exceeded my expectations, and we were there for only 48 hours. I already want to go back this very second.

Eat:

• Pizzeria Delfina - get two pizzas, eat both.

• Zazie's for breakfast - particularly their Challah French Toast

• Gott's Roadside - cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries AND onion rings

• Sausolito Taco Shop - William said these were the best tacos he's had since his mission in Mexico.

• Salted Caramel Ice Cream from Bi-Rite (I cannot emphasize this one enough.)

Do:

• Bike the bridge

• The Ferry Building on a Farmer's Market Day and sample EVERYTHING

• Trolley Ride to Union Square

• Ride a boat around the Bay

• Muir Woods 

 

A Day of Laziness and Close Calls.

(My Dback hot dog (they lost) and the only Fourth of July decor in my house was a drawing of fireworks on our chalkboard.)

Our 4th was pretty spectacular, to say the least. Of course, I planned several things to do on William's day off. But plans changed after we went to Walmart and Barros, then took a very long nap (because nothing says 'America' like Walmart, pizza, and laziness). 


This was probably the most exciting thing that happened for June:

Probably the best fifty cents we've ever spent.

Lucky for us, my mom planned a great evening of hot dogs, chips and salsa, pies, cupcakes, neighborhood rides (the weather was a m a z i n g, right?), and of course fireworks. 

June clapped after each firework. It was the best. 


We also had a horrifying moment when we lit what was supposed to be a "tame" firework. Instead of peacefully spinning itself on the ground, it flew up, barely missing the top of our heads, and went over the neighbor's house. 


My life flashed before my eyes and all I saw were delicious hot dogs.


And of course, June applauded.