Girly

Today concludes my 2-week escape to the Brackens. Everyone who is sick should be as lucky to have their help.

While I was there, Aileen redecorated my niece's room (above). How I will miss all the shabby chic-ness!

If there is ONE food in Heaven, I think it's...

If you live in or plan to visit the Los Angeles area...

1. Find a Pinkberry

2. Order an "Original"

3. Thank me later

Three Easter Bunnies

My parents told me from the get go that the Easter Bunny isn't real, like Santa Clause is real. The hidden eggs and baskets full of toys and candy? That was ALL Mom and Dad.

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This year, for our family, the work of the Easter Bunny was done by three...

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Jolie & Leah's beautiful dresses were a gift from Jack's dad, who is always surprising us with things that make life happy. He picked them out himself and we LOVE them!

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My brother's wife Dawn surprised us with complete, darling Easter baskets for the girls! Even from their beautiful new home by the mountains, it looks like she & Jeff can still remember what it was like to be struggling graduate students. That's kindness!

Since my morning (afternoon, evening) sickness began we've been living with my sister Aileen's family. The girls are in their glory, and I am essentially removed from all duties. While I spend my days trying to keep food down, they get to float through the Neverland that is their backyard - Tree house, slide, zip line, tents, toys, picnics...Heaven.

Make that four Easter Bunnies. It's sweet, the way her confidence belies how ridiculous she looks.

Location, Location, Location

We live 1/2 mile from the beach. The view from our kitchen window? Giant garbage receptacles.
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How'd we get so lucky?

You might think this an unfortunate location, but my girls are convinced that ours is the most coveted property on the central coast. How many kids do you know who get to watch the garbage man unload massive quantities, four times a week, from the comfort of their own home?

Certainly not those unfortunate children down the street...The ones in sprawling million-dollar homes with ocean views and only a single, plastic, pathetic excuse for a trash can - the kind that does nothing to showcase the garbage man's strength and valor.

I guess some people just have more than others.

If Chocolate Cinnamon Bears are Wrong..

Then I don’t want to be right.

I was first introduced to these by my sister Jane, who discovered them at the BYU Bookstore candy counter. The only other place I've been able to find them are Smith’s grocery stores in Utah (in large, scoop-yourself barrels - made by Sweet’s Candy Company). I have also made them myself, using melted Hershey’s Kisses.

I am sad (and, frankly, baffled) to report that not everyone is on board. In fact, when I try to spread the word about chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, I am often met with look that makes me wonder if when I try to say “CHOCOLATE” it doesn’t comes out sounding like “MUUUUSTARD.”

Oh well. More for me.

Econ Humor

(The following conversation took place after a preview for the movie 10,000)

Jack: That movie looks good. I want to see it.

Katie: It looks like the movie 300. Did you want to see 300?

Jack: No

Katie: So what's the difference between 10,000 and 300?

Jack: 9,700

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(Silence)

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Katie: That was funny. Except it wasn't.

Best in Show!

Congratulations Aunt Susan! She entered this amazing painting of Jolie w/ her Tombstone horse and cowboy hat in the Tombstone Art Show, and won BEST * IN * SHOW! We are as proud of her as we are our little Wyatt Erb.

Jack's Theory

According to Jack:

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Steve Nash + Wig + Makeup = Brooke White

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Scoff if you will, but let the records show: American Idol and Suns games have never taken place at the same time.

Line Upon Line

This month in sharing time, we have been learning about the Atonement of Christ. Yesterday I was rewarded (and fully amused) when Jolie found a personal application...

The girls were playing alone in their room when Jolie let out a terrible pain cry. Leah had tried to rip her hair out (I can tell you from personal experience - that hurts).

After she stopped crying, Jolie told me,
"Jesus needs to die for LEAH."