It's a family affair

We went to the Rooftop Concert last month and it was such a family affair I felt bad for leaving my baby with my parents. She'll come along this time around.

You should too.

Provo Bike Week

I'm praying for better weather so we can be a part of more of THIS!

Do you think we can wedge Baby A in a carrier? With an airplane on top?

Dizzying

We've had quite the week. My dear friend from Germany stayed with us and we shared a sun-filled ten days together.

She came in last Thursday and we walked downtown to have dinner at Guru's and I discovered not only does Guru's have a secret recipe for their fry sauce (yes, fry sauce has a recipe), but Caroline likes to eat it with a spoon.

Friday we explored parts of BYU. We went to the Education in Zion Exhibit, walked through the Annual Faculty Show, spent time in the Library, shopped at the Bookstore, went to the roof of the JFSB . . .

Saturday we went had breakfast with a few of Mikey's friends before she and I headed to the Park City Arts Festival. We liked only a handful of artists. One of my favorites was Olivia Mae Pendergast, although my favorite painting of hers isn't on the Phoenix Gallery website. We picked up Mikey from a day spent golfing and together we all went to his company party. It was quite a production and we had a great time. Caro couldn't believe what "an American experience" it was. We had J Dawgs and watched a sad match of kickball while eating ice cream and popcorn. Our one regret was not staying for the Karaoke contest. We're sure we could have made the podium.

Sunday was relaxed and beautiful. The Spirit filled our lessons and meetings at church and we spent much of the afternoon discussing gospel principles.

Monday we spent much too much time reading recipe books and exploring Blickenstaff's. Have you been there yet? It's magical. Caroline called it, "Paradise." It made me even more excited to be a mother. And buy books. And wooden toys. And a rocking horse. We went to an Italian film called Il Postino that afternoon and both of us cried. It was truly beautiful and if you have the chance, watch it.

Tuesday? Seven Peaks baby. How long has it been since you've ridden Cave In?

Wednesday we stopped by Hump Day Market before going out with Mikey's parents. They were nice enough to take us to La Jolla Groves (um, delicious). We talked the night away about patriotism, family, values, differences, and the future. I always love evenings spent with the crickets in the backyard, filling the air with ideas while they fill it with that endless Summer pulse.

Thursday we made a delicious dinner together while Mikey attended the bimonthly Provo Bicycle Committee Meeting. When he got back we ate together, like a little family of three (or four?)

Friday we played games with the family and drove around the city with the windows down. Again, I just keep falling in love with this place. I mean, I've spent my entire life here, but it feels new every Summer and familiar every Fall. I love it.

Saturday was our great adventure up north. We left that afternoon to pay homage to Robert Smithson's famous earthwork, The Spiral Jetty. We took the same car Mikey picked me up in for our first date (did I ever mention that he stalled the car that day?) and began a day trip to the Great Salt Lake. We passed the Golden Spike Memorial and stopped in for a big celebration and reenactment (reen-train-ment?) of the meeting of the Jupiter and the Union Pacific. It was interesting to see the train enthusiasts, but also fun to watch the steam blow out of these beautiful machines. Our day was fun, as was our week with inspiring Caroline.

Sweet Caroline

Mikey and Paigey

The gang atop the Defender

The dry, but beautiful, Spiral Jetty

I'm craving . . . not being hungry

I used to read recipe blogs. Loads of them. I'd bookmark things to try later, add fun ingredients to my grocery list. . .

But something happened called, I'm in baby growing mode, and now the thought of reading recipe blogs is about as enticing as eating my laptop.

I thought the aversion to recipe blogs would let up after I made through the first trimester (even though mine was mild). But not so! I still get sick looking at them. And nothing looks good to eat. Ever. Even in the grocery store I feel lost as I wander the aisles waiting for something to catch my eye. I find myself staring at the contents of my fridge until the gumball sized goosebumps on my arms (okay that may be a slight hyperbole) make me close the door and walk away.

Don't get me wrong. I'm eating. Oh boy, I'm eating.

But the satisfaction, the anticipation of a good meal has rarely accompanied my eating experiences as of late.

Except for my chicken and mushroom stuffed creps at La Jolla Groves. I could live off of those.

Falling in Love...all over again

I'm falling in love with Provo again. I just can't seem to get enough of the sights, sounds and smells. I love the morning air as I ride my bike to work. I love the sound of sprinklers keeping our lovely deseret a little more green than it maybe is used to. I love the people, the community, the involvement. . .

I love Provo. Over and over again.

P.S. Do you read Mayor Curtis' blog? It will make you even more proud of what folks in P-town keep themselves busy with.