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So, for the past two weeks we have been sick around here. First pink eye, and now colds. I have just about had it with these nasty viruses. One of the worst parts about being sick is that I HATE feeling unproductive, like my life on hold is just mocking me. I hate looking around my house at things that need to be done and they simply stare back at me, leering, awaiting my slow recovery. I do my best to keep on top of things, but it is taking everything I have to get through simple tasks. I am also 36 weeks prego this week, and that has compounded things. I am tired, I am SORE, I am not sleeping well, this baby brother is so active and strong, he is always wiggling around and moving. My whole body is worn out. The kids are bored, I am bored, I am fit to be tied. I have such little energy, but I press on, swim lessons this morning, ballet tonight. I hope I have enough steam to head to the Eclipse Premiere tonight. I have been looking forward to it for months! We will see, I am at about 75% right now. In the meantime, enjoy the preview and hopefully tomorrow I will have a more update entry to share. =)

                    

I *Love*

Summer. SO MUCH. And I am loving summer here in MD. Okay, now the humidity is pretty awful, but how can you not love the magic of fireflies at night, fresh fruit picking at local farms, SWIMMING, and of course those CRAZY thunder/rain storms that hit in the afternoons, and dump rain when you least expect it?! During these fleeting months, it feels like the opportunity to go and do anything is always present, that adventures await around every corner, and we all feel the need to be outside exploring. This past week has been a little crazy for me, the girls have been sick, and I have been itching to get to the pool and enjoy some freedom and play before Ellie starts school in August. Finally today we were able to get back out and spend a good three hours there. We had lunch, the girls swam and practiced and played and loved every minute. I loved that it wasn't too hot, there was a breeze, and I was actually out of my house. 
So I am also getting into the groove to plan another party or get together. One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July, and I have been getting some great inspiration from the martha stewart site  and the current July issue. I Love love love it! I love the Americana focus, the highlights on American culture, food and traditions. The fourth of is one of my favorite days of the year. I feel so patriotic and close to my country on this day, and being a military wife of 9 years, I feel like the 4th of July is a time to celebrate not only the history of our country, but where we are going, what we have sacrificed in a deeply personal way. Our two deployments when we were first married were crazy! The first was 10 months of separation! Luckily, we haven't experienced a deployment in several years, but I know that once Chris is done with med school it is going to be a real possibility again. I am grateful we don't have to think about it right now. =) So, onward with 4th of July plans, I am getting my menu ready, thinking about what to do with the kids (since we are celebrating on the 3rd a Saturday, instead of Sunday)  One of the things I am itching to try are some home made ice pops, using fresh fruits and yogurt in the recipe. Or, this recipe from Martha Stewart are these Nectarine and Strawberry ice pops which look YUMMY.

I love summer.

Father's Day

Fathers have such an important significance to us, great memories, important lessons learned, influence and wisdom taught. My own father was such a sense of strength and support to me growing up, he was always there for me, always a great listener, kind, thoughtful wise, solid. No matter what was going on in my life as a kid, my dad always had time for me. He had a quiet way about him that I appreciated especially when I got older. He is the type of Dad that didn't have to fill the silence with talk and chatter, but when we did talk, it was always comfortable and easy. My Dad is a great cook, he takes care of so much at my parent's house, he loves to make sure everyone is comfortable and taken care of. He is a man I will always admire, a man who I respect and love so much.

My husband is the kind of Dad I always wanted for my own kids, dedicated, strong, a man with his goals and priorities in tact. My husband knows the value of sacrifice and hard work, consequences and truth. He loves to play and be a kid and also wants our children to grow up disciplined and kind. He is my best friend, someone I trust with my whole heart. I am so grateful for the dads in my life. I am grateful for their love, support, strength and goodness. I feel very blessed today and everyday for their guidance.

Sunday was fun. We enjoyed church, the girls gave daddy their gifts, and then we made a FEAST. Huge grilled steaks, marinated grilled veggies, homemade cherry pie, rice pilaf, yummy bbq beans, green salad and fruit courtesy of A&T. The cousins enjoyed playing together, and it was a great way to celebrate a special day, with family, good food and memories of times past. Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads in our lives!

Garden Tea Party

Ever since the new Alice in Wonderland movie came out, a few friends of mine and I have wanted to throw a party for our kids. It wasn't just going to be ANY tea party, it had to be feminine, pretty and whimsical. Here is the result...

My girls had such a fun time. I loved to watch them enjoying the beautiful table, the food and friends. They were thrilled to be a part of something so special. 

If I had...One Week

Some DEAR friends of ours just arrived in Napoli on three year orders. It has been fun helping them meet people, finding them a FABULOUS house, getting them connected to everything that makes Naples enjoyable: telling them where to shop, eat, what to avoid, where to visit first. It is one year ago next month that we left Italy, and boy do I MISS it some days. Of course, I do remember the bad days, the fear of break ins, the days of no internet, power, the trash problem, difficulties communicating with the locals, the corruption and high costs of things...SURE I remember those days, but I remember the good days and fun times most of all. I don't know if I would want to live again in Naples, but I sure hope I can go back to visit someday. Last night as I dozed off to sleep, I thought, 'wouldn't it be neat to go back, for a full week of my favorite things', forget about the travel time, this is what would I do if I had a full week of whatever I wanted, this is what I would do:

Day 1: Vietri shopping in the Morning, pizza at Il Mondo for Lunch, Bacoli Beach in the afternoon/evening dinner at La Tavola Viola
Day 2: Market Day-Vomero if it's Friday, Caserta or Shoe Alley, or Monterusciello if it is Wednesday. Zepollini Cart, purses, fresh buffalo mozzarella, BREAD. Afternoon- Visit friends Evening- Dinner at Vineria del Mare-Favorite Restaurant in Pozzuoli
Day 3: Amalfi Coast Day Trip
Day 4: Sunday at our old branch, lunch and dinner with friends
Day 5: Cooking Class at Veras,  Afternoon Shopping at Vinci Prova, Dinner at Batis
Day 6: Ischia-Negombo Spa Day- Dinner at Ischia
Day 7; Downtown Napoli Day Trip, Dinner with Friends

Gosh I miss Italy.

BLUE Baby Shower

Two friends of mine, Laurrel and Cari threw me a darling baby shower Friday night. Cari put together a darling candy bar, complete with all kinds of blue candy, as a party favor for the guests. The details were so thoughtful, and the evening was relaxed and fun. It was great to see friends from different wards, people I don't get to see all the time. Food was yummy, complete with tiny mini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Got some cute boy clothes, lots of stripes and fun graphics, I can't believe I am having a boy! It was a wonderful evening. Thanks ladies, I had a great night!

An Unusual Sunday

Around here we have been riding what I call the 'pink eye carousel'. Sophia had it last week, I got it next, and now poor Chris is just starting to deal with the symptoms. Ellie is the only one to have avoided the itchy, scratchy, goopy, runny,  horrible redness that accompanies pink eye. The virus has also brought with it a lovely fever and sore throat. Its been pretty miserable. Its Sunday today, and I dread not going to church. I was hoping that I would be able to go today, at least with Ellie. Being primary president, not being at church is difficult, everybody is needed to help things go smoothly. I woke up, stared at my red puffy eye and realized it just wasn't going to happen today. Hopefully tomorrow I will really be on the mend.

So, today has been really relaxed. We had a nice breakfast of homemade waffles (a new recipe courtesy of my friend Cami) family scripture time, games, and reading. Early this afternoon a thunder storm rolled in and dumped a ton of rain on us. Ellie and I enjoyed watching the rain fall as Chris and Sophia slept. She and I went outside after the rain subsided and I took some fun shots of the newly growing flowers in our yard. Hydrangeas (which are another of my favorite flowers), day lilies, and my petunias all looked so pretty drenched in the rain. We also have some very interesting green foliage in our backyard, HUGE leafy plants that I don't know the name of, that were fun to photograph. I must say that rain in June takes some getting used to, where I am from in Central California, we pray and hope for rain during the fall season, and we rarely get this kind of downpour even in the 'rainy season'. This weather is really different, and takes some getting used to. We enjoyed a break from the heat, but I also understand that this is why the humidity can be so oppressive here on the East Coast. Its been an unusual Sunday at home, but I am glad it has had some unexpectedly good moments.

And Spring Exits, with Summer Charging in...

It is June, and all I want to know is, where did our lovely spring weather go? It is HOT and the humidity is getting thick. Luckily, the pools have opened up and we have already been, twice. =) Our Memorial Day was crazy wonderful fun. We spent time down at the Baltimore Inner Habor on the Urban Pirates Cruise, ate lunch on the wharf, spent time at the pool, and ate a yummy dinner at home. Ever since Memorial Day things have been crazy busy around here. I am trying to catch my breath and try to not feel totally overwhelmed. For example, today we spent 7 hours running around, dog groomers, commissary run, two doctor visits for me, gymnastics, etc. I am beat. I am also fighting some kind of bug, probably the one Sophia had last week. We are looking forward to seeing some friends from my days at BYU tomorrow, and celebrating my sister in law's birthday on Sunday. Hopefully by then I will be back 100%. Chris' schedule has been winding down, he is starting finals and getting things wrapped up. It is hard to believe his first year of medical school is over, its been busy, but he has done well. With the baby coming in 7 weeks, I am hoping we will see more of him, but the military has plans to keep him busy well through the summer. Luckily he has some leave, and will be able to take time off once our baby boy arrives. We plan on spending more time at the pool, and getting our house ready for our new arrival. Chris and I have both been going through our junk, throwing things away and trying to de clutter our basement. It is amazing how much stuff you acquire over almost ten years of marriage! I think the summer is going to fly by us. I hope we can make some more great memories, like our Memorial Day adventure.