Teddy Bear Picnic

It's funny how every summer I can't quite find the will to blog. The weather is just too beautiful and summer days are literally full of our favorite things. 

With the summer coming to a close, I desperately wanted to throw a party for Madeleine. I was really planning on doing it on her half birthday, but we ended up moving right around then. So I decided to host an unbirthday teddy bear picnic. 

I kept the whole party pretty simple. I asked everyone to pack their own lunches. Siblings were welcomed and no gifts were needed. We pretty much just kept to inviting our neighbors that live in Princeton, but even with that limit we still had around 35 people come! 

It was so much fun. (At least for me)

Madeleine woke up that morning shocked to find so much sugar on our table. She only requested pink cupcakes (her current favorite color). I also bought goldfish, made honeycomb rice crispies, and 

Lotte Koala cookies. We grabbed our coffee table and our pile of quilts and headed to the park. 

Madeleine was thrilled that some of our friends were already there when we arrived, and by lunch time everyone had shown up. The kids ran around around while the adults sat on the blankets and talked. I really only saw Madeleine when she would run over and grab a cupcake before running off again.

We didn't have any games or anything, so around nap time people started heading home. It was nice and relaxing for me, and I loved seeing everyone that had been gone all summer. 

Hopefully we can do something like this next year. I think it was a good compromise for our little Christmas girl.

(All photo credit goes to my friend Rachel. I didn't take a single photo. Thankfully she did!)

Some of the people we visited in Utah

Our trip to Utah was great. 

I apparently like visiting it a lot more than living there. 

Madeleine and I had so much fun. 

We went on so many adventures and saw many of our friends. 

It was just about the right amount of time, 

because I have to say that we are so happy to be home.

The most important people Madeleine got to see were her grandparents!

Both sets! (I don't actually have any though with my parents. They are apparently all on my mom's camera...so hopefully I'll get one of those soon. Same for her Aunt Rosa and Steele.)

We also saw lot of friends.

We ran into Logan randomly the first time we went on campus.

We purposely met up with him and Erin though on Sat. :)

Also, Ryan and Ariel, but apparently I forgot to take a photo of them. :(

We also saw our friends Brittany and Bridgette. 

Last time we saw Bridgette, she was so tiny!

Now she's a lot bigger and could actually play with Madeleine.

(We'll use the term "play" loosely. 

It was more like Bridgette had a toy, and then Madeleine would take it.)

We also got to spend a lot of time with Baby Annalise.

That sweet baby was born the same day we moved from Utah,

so we hadn't met her yet!

Surprisingly Tiny loved her.

Each time we came over Madeleine would crawl straight over to her!

And then she would talk or grab at her foot.

That's surprisingly social for Madeleine.

Usually she just hangs out with older kids,

so I was pretty shocked.

(By the way, doesn't Bridgette and Annalise have the cutest headbands?)

We also saw Nathan and Brian!

I was so excited to see them, especially since Brian just got off his mission.

It was awesome seeing everyone that we did.

We didn't have that much time, so we squeezed as many people as we could in.

Award thing of some sort

Matt and I read a book called "Where Mild Things Are" at the library a few weeks ago to Baby.

It was quite an awful book. Each time we turned a page, it got less and less funny, which logically means the cover was the best page.

Matt and I both appreciated the award on the book.

"Winner of the Cheap Gold Sticker"

It was poking fun at how every book seems to have some type of prize.

Just like you "graduate" from each grade.

"Helen: I can't believe you don't want to go to your own son's graduation.

Bob: It's not a graduation. He is moving from the 4th grade to the 5th grade.

Helen: It's a ceremony!

Bob: It's psychotic! They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity, but if someone is genuinely exceptional..."

So yeah, in celebration of mediocrity, a while back I got a blogging award!

It's called the Liebster Award

Tada!!

I have a Junie B. Jones quote to go along with this to show just how excited I am.

"I've never been first or won anything before! Not ever, ever, never! And so what is my prize for winning?"
"How about a broken piece of chalk and a yellow rubber band? Mrs. asked"
"Sold!"

The person who nominated me is my friend Natashya.

Her blog is wonderful, and it happens to be one of two blogs that Matt reads.

It's http://thoseweirdheims.blogspot.com, and you should check it out, 

because it really is quite delightful.

As part of the receiving this award, you get to answer question about yourself.

11 Questions

1. What is your favorite color?

I'm just "slightly" obsessed with blue, especially french blue. It's my favorite color. It's so bold, beautiful, and romantic all at once, which really does make it the best color ever. (And everyone knows you get your kitchen aid in your favorite color. Sadly they don't make french blue anymore...just cobalt and other shades of blue. I told Matt if mine ever dies we are just replacing the motor so I can keep the color.) 

                                             

2. What is your favorite time of the year?

I really love fall. I love cuddling up by a window with a book and hot chocolate. It's not so cold that you can't hold hands and you get to kick and crunch leaves. It became even more special because that's when Matt and I started dating. He thinks of it as the season that he fell in love with me, which is really quite romantic.

3. Do you have a Disney princess with whom you identify? Why?

I did identify with Belle. But then I married Matt...and he isn't very Beastly. So now I think I'm more like Anastasia (from the movie...not real life). Only thing is she isn't a Disney princess...so...I'll just hope they make another movie that fits me just right.

4. What is your favorite genre of reading material?

Children's books, I fairly consistently I love those. One of the very first things Matt and I do in any new place is find a used bookstore.

But I really do read all sorts of books. Right now I'm reading Oliver Twist and 

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children.

5. What is your favorite thing to make (be it food, craft, drink, music, or whatnot)?

Babies. You get to poke them in your belly and after they are born. You get a lot of random weird comments from people and get to have "cravings" for whatever you want. I mean I've only made one so far and she turned out pretty cute. 

Other than that...desserts.

6. What do you think is your best feature?

My fingernails. They are really quite gorgeous.

7. What luxury item do you most want?

I'm going to cheat. I have 2. 

1) a claw foot bathtub with a chandelier above it.

2) a butler pantry

8. Why do you enjoy blogging?

I basically use it to remember the good things that happen in our lives. It makes me more grateful and helps me find something positive even on really gloomy days.

9. Who is your hero, past or present?

The Queen Mum or Coco Chanel. The Queen Mum helped lead Britain through WWII and Coco Chanel invented the little black dress.

10. What is your favorite thing to wear and why?

Dresses...and to quote my 2 year old self "Because they are twirly." The reason hasn't change much since then. I also love wearing my wedding ring. It sparkles and it reminds me of Matt which makes me happy.

11. If you could be in any book, which would it be?

Magic Tree house book (any of them) but is that too much like asking a genie for more wishes? If so, probably Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows (7th book), because after Voldermort is dead, having magic would be a pretty sweet gig.  

11 random facts about me

1. I love linens. We own enough for a 4 bedroom house.

2. I hate the color orange.

3. Matt buys me sunflowers and so they are all over our home.

4. I'm a starter not a finisher.

5. I'm currently learning about opera in my free time.

6. I own 6 aprons and use them all the time.

7. I count grocery shopping as one of my hobbies. 

8. I'm quite vain about my nails.

9. I have a bucket list for each decade of my life.

10. I hate getting up when Matt isn't up in the morning. It really irritates me.

11. I can't grow anything to save my life.

I don't follow many small blogs, so I don't think I'll nominate anyone, but here are some you should check out.

1. A blog about love. This is without doubt my favorite blog. I love reading it. Their love story is to swoon for. She so far has posted 41 post of emails and pictures of them falling in love. It's like a movie I tell you. I read it when I can't find a good chickflick. On top of that, Mara writes some of the most inspirational blog post I've read. Checking her blog is part of my daily routine, and I highly highly recommend it. 

2. Bright Bazaar. I've been following Will for ages. His blog was the very first one I followed. I love his style and everything is so bright and happy. I love that he deals with a lot of small spaces and I'm constantly inspired by his eye for beauty. 

3. The Glamorous Housewife I was reading through Home and Garden magazine I think, and I saw photos of her house. I fell so in love with it that I found her blog and instantly I knew I could be friends with her. She likes all things vintage, but it's different than most of the vintage stuff on pinterest. I think it's a bit more fun. She has recipes, advice, clothing, tablescapes etc. and I love all of them.

4. Her Romantic Mind This is my friend Catherine's blog. I love reading her blog. It is cute and she updates it regularly. Her little boy is so adorable.

5. Women Living Well This is a more religious blog. Courtney is a preacher's wife and blogs about spiritual things. I don't agree with everything she writes, but a lot of the time I feel a bit more inspired to be a better person. I like her writing style and the simplicity of many of her messages. 

So tada! I'm done. :) Let me know if you read or check out any of these blogs.

Texas Thus Far

Last week, Matt and I dyed my hair purple and then packed our bags to head down to Texas with Baby.

It was Tiny's 2nd flight and she was great.

This time she had fun looking out the window.

I spent the whole time looking out it too as we past over the plains.

There were some pretty amazing clouds from the recent tornadoes.

They were huge! So big that we had to weave around them for most of our flight.

When we landed my grandparents were waiting for us. 

I was excited. I always like visiting this state.

After all I was born here...and even though I only lived here for 5 years, I still have some Texan pride.

(Not so much so that my house is decorated with the state and state flag everywhere.)

We passed through San Antonio and drove a while before we got to the ranch my grandparent's live on.

It has always been a fun place to visit, and I was excited for Matt to come here with me.

There are also a TON of animals at this ranch. Madeleine got to experience this first hand when Chewy the deer came up to the porch to check her out.

Then he licked her foot.

Baby with Pop

 On Monday, we drove up to Austin to visit our friends, Natashya and Andy.

We had so much fun.

Baby went swimming for the first time.

Baby's first time at the pool

We talked a lot, made pizza, went to Stein Mart (so jealous they live so close to one), tried on shoes, played video games, and probably other stuff that I can't remember. 

We also made this Hot Fudge Pie recipe.

The original blog post is really fun to read (you can read or look at pictures of it here)

Things you need

2 mixing bowls (one needs to go in the microwave)

1 stick of butter

1.5 oz of unsweetened chocolate

1 c of sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp of vanilla

1/4 c of flour

2 Tbs of milk

A tub of vanilla ice cream

(handful of nuts if you want)

What to do

Preheat oven to 350*

Spray a glass or ceramic pie or cake pan

In mixing bowl #1, melt chocolate and butter in the microwave

(I do it for 30 sec intervals so the chocolate doesn't burn...it took like 1 minute)

In mixing bowl #2, beat sugar and eggs together.

Then add the stuff from mixing bowl #1.

Stir them together well.

Add vanilla and milk.

Then mix in flour until everything is brown.

(Apparently don't over beat).

The mix should taste like tootsie rolls.

Then stick in the oven for 25 minutes.

When the top looks done, pull it out. 

(The middle will still be gooey)

Then serve with lots of ice cream.

It was really good and a bit lighter than brownies.

It only takes about 5 minutes to mix up and 25 minutes to cook.

Or as the lady said, "Should be done just as you finish dinner."

.....

While we were there, at one point I talked to Andy about how I need a new computer since Flo, my tiny computer, isn't doing too hot.

I told him I just wanted one that lasted.

He said "Oh!" and like the engineer he is rattled a long list of things I should look for.

I heard it as "lots of numbers memory...more numbers RAM...quad core processor...and a lot of other things."

The next day, Matt went to buy us a "pet" mouse. 

(keyboard mouse, if it was a real mouse, I told him I was buying a kitten or a snake)

While he was debating what he wanted, I went around the corner. 

The next thing he heard was "I found it!"

Thinking that I found a mouse, he came over, only for me to point to a computer.

"I want it," I said.

"But Michele, you don't even know what it looks like."

"Nope."

"Then why do you want it?"

"The price is right and it has the quad thing that Andy said to get."

When we got home, we told my dad about it, who was impressed by my savvy computer picking.

He couldn't believe I was the one to pick it out.

So the next day we bought it!

Presenting Matilda!

Isn't she great?

:)

(Matt is amused that Michele hasn't removed the protective plastic yet.)

Mugs and mercies

So once upon a time, I got married and moved into a scary new ward. It was a weird ward, where everyone was a couple. It was called the married student ward. I was not use to anything like this, and I was still getting used to my other half (we had only been married for 2 weeks at this point). Making friends was pretty difficult, because everyone already had a best friend...their one true love. Now if you learned anything from the Princess Bride, you know, that separating true love is a very difficult task.  They traveled in packs of two. Always together and happy, which is really great, just not so easy to make friends.

Married Ward in a nutshell

I was intimidated and worried I never find a friend. But then one day at church, I saw this girl. She was wearing mismatched socks even though she was wearing a very pretty dress. Hey I could be friends with her! It should have been easy from there...But I didn't say hi for awhile. I was scared to. Then one day, Matt got sick of me talking about how I could probably be friends with her, and how I wasn't expecting a bosom friend or anything, and made me commit to finding out her name. Ugh. I was terrified, but then I sat next to her at church. She was nice! She liked princesses! And Matt even thought her hubby was cool!!! Ding ding ding!! I went home found her on facebook, and even more importantly her blog. I found this blog post. It was everything I was thinking and feeling! After that I knew we would be good friends.

And we did. We bonded over cooking, chocolate, princesses, tea parties, fish heads, etc.

Then she moved away.

That was sad.

But never fear, we kept in touch. Mostly through our blogs. 

Yesterday though fate took action. I had a busy day full of being slightly sick with a sick offspring (so not very fun). I had a whole bunch of errands to run so I wasn't near my computer all day. Matt and I had a dinner date at 7, but I was so distracted buying stuff for baby's Easter basket that I was running late. I got home at 6 and noticed that Natashya wrote a new blog post. I looked at the time (it was now 6:50) and debated for a second, before deciding to read her post before leaving. (That isn't super normal for me, I hate being late.) It was about how she has been sick for a while. It made me sad reading it, because even though I had suspected something was up, I didn't like reading about my friend being sick. I kind of felt like moping a bit but I was late. So I grabbed baby and ran to the car and pulled out (it was like 7 sharp). When I pulled out of the parking garage. 

I stopped (you are supposed to but that wasn't the only reason that I stopped). 

There literally across the street was an Andy, and not just any Andy, but Natashya's husband Andy! He stared and me and I stared at him (I was still sick and tired. I knew there was a chance I was hallucinating)  before smiling. :) I parked my car diagonal across the street and said hi! We started talking quickly, before I remembered that I had something for her (oh and parking diagonal across a street isn't the smartest thing)! 

It had been sitting on my table for like 3 weeks. I read this post of hers about a sad day for flower mugs a long time ago, and since then I had been looking for a mug for her. And I found one not too long ago. Matt wasn't convinced I had the right address so he didn't want me to send it. (I didn't want to ask her for it again, because that ruins the surprise) But we needed it to go somewhere since we are moving in exactly 1 month. Andy seemed heaven sent. Not only could he take the mug that I so desperately wanted to give to her, but also seeing him made me feel better about her being sick and being so far away. It was a sweet tender mercy that God sent me in the middle of 3 really really crazy weeks. 

Little moments like that let me know that God loves me and that I matter to him. It was a great little message and reminder to have right before Easter. 

Wedding Photos

On our way to our awesome date (which Matt apparently wants to write about if he has the time), Matt and I got a copy of the CD of our wedding photos! They are beautiful, and we wanted to share some them with everyone who does not have access to our facebook account.

Our Families

Matt's Parents

Us and Matt's Grandfather who sealed us

My Sweet Bridesmaids

The Handsome Groomsmen

Wanna know a secret? We're married now.

My handsome hubby

Getting ready for the reception

My shoes...don't they look princess-y?

This is my favorite

We were so excited for this sign. Probably was our favorite decoration.

Beginning of our ring ceremony

Running down the hill

I loved our cake

My favorite family picture

These are just a handful of hundreds we have from our special day. The weather was gorgeous, and everyone seemed as happy as we were. Nonetheless, I think our marriage has been more amazing than our wedding. I'm so glad I'm married to my cute husband. He says if he wasn't so stressed about homework he would have something cute to say...but he can only think about his essay at the moment. So you'll have to ask him how he feels about our marriage when you see him next.

The Awesomeness of Tea Parties and Friends

The first week I walked into to our church when we just got married, I was terrified. I hid behind my husband most of the day as I studied all beautiful, confident girls happily talked to each other. They all seemed so happy and nice, but did I talk to them? No.

A few months into marriage though, I realized for the first time in my life I was really craving female companionship. I thought I was going crazy, but this craziness gave me enough courage to say a quick “Hi.”

Turned out saying “Hi” was one of the best decisions of my life. Other than getting to be with my sweet husband forever, one of my favorite parts of being married is meeting other newlywed women. The friends I have made since I got married are some of my favorite people in the world. We giggle, laugh, swap recipes, and talk whenever we are around each.

For example, last Sunday, we couldn’t stop cracking up because we all wanted to hold the Hymn book. So what did we do, all 3 of us held it, while trying to giggle and sing at the same time.  I felt like we were a group of 5^th graders that couldn’t stop being ridiculous, just because we were so happy that we knew each other.  

On Thursday, one of my friends went to Hunger Games with me, because Matt had too much homework. We had an awesome time, eating popcorn, and talking through the credits. Afterwards she even inwardly gloated with me, as we saw all the people sitting in line for the midnight showing. We got a 7:00 showing for the night before, because of another awesome, married friend.

The line of poor people waiting. (Courtesy of Kaitlan)

Aren't we spiffily fancy?

Food!

Table that Matt helped me set up (He also took the picture. His pictures> mine)

Then this week, I hosted my first tea party. I invited three girls (because I only have four chairs) that I knew would love getting dressed up with me for a tea party! They came all dressed up in their fancy clothes and they were as excited as me (It was really cute. Natashya’s husband even got dressed up to escort her to my door! Talk about snazzy.) We talked for basically two hours straight eating chocolate, listening to the random stories about how we met our husbands. The only word I think that properly describe our party is “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”  (Especially since we had the Mary Poppin’s hats.)

PS The girls at the tea party got married the same weekend as me. :) 

Pets!

A week ago, our apartment complex had a parade of homes. I walked through feeling amazed at how people transformed the same space we had into little glamorous areas. I came home feeling like I should make my home cuter. This week that all changed, because of this picture.

Water between our windowpanes

Water had collected between our windowpanes over the last few weeks! Lucky for us, it isn’t leaking, but Matt and I laughed so hard when we saw this. How in the world did that happen?

I told my friend Natashya about our window, and she wrote an awesome and amusing blog post about it. You can read it here.

And in it, she drew this picture (but really you should just read her post, the whole thing is great)

Her idea what our window should look like

Then we noticed our fish had arrived!

Bertie and Martha!!!

Which lead to our living room window to now look like this…(the fish are just too cool)

Federico and Jorge 

I love it. It makes me laugh every time I see it, and I think how lucky I am that my husband and my friend thinks it‘s funny too.

So the reason I am grateful I do not have a Parade of Homes apartment is if I had a really gorgeous and elegant apartment, my fish tank window would be completely out of place...but in my home, it fits in great. We now are proud owners of 4 new paper fish, Bertie and Martha and Federico and Jorge.

I love my life.