Happy Fourth of July!

Grandma Stephens Chopping Block

Melissa was nice enough to let me babysit the chopping block she inherited from Great Grandma Stephens. When I got it, is was covered with a funky 60's laminate. I cleaned it up and sanded down the chopping block. I did, though, leave the deeper knife marks realizing that my Great Grandma had made those marks. I also added a 6 inch box all the way around the base. Grandma was rather short and I wanted it taller. I finished up by adding bead board, trim and painting it. It turned out a brighter red than I had anticipated, but I'm still pleased with it. Thanks to dad for teaching me how to use his miter saw and thanks to Melissa for the baby sitting job! You can have it back when you move back to Utah!

Happy Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day celebration up the canyon with Papa, Nana, Ginger and the Stevensons. The Stevensons were on their way to Colorado and timed it perfect. We had dutch oven lasagna and dutch oven cake. It took awhile for both to cook, but that's OK, Hunter provided a lot of entertainment! In a split second, he fell into the river. Thankfully, Auntie Ginger wasa right there and dove in after him. Soon the shock of the cold water, and the shock to all our hearts, wore off and we were able to enjoy a wonderful night together!















Papa with baby Thather















Me and Ellie















Before the fall into the river

After the fall

Latest Additions to our Home

Well, the latest addition to our home a glider rocker for our front porch. We actually bought it a few weeks ago, but when the box arrived, it was missing the hardware. Almost 2 weeks later, the hardware arrived and I put it together. It is a great swing that glides smoothly and is super comfy.














I am the epitome of a Mormon-mom. I love vinyl letters! Here's my latest spot in my house lucky enough to get the treatment!



















Well, the tulips and daffodils are finally out and the petunias and merry golds are in.

June Showers bring...June Flowers

It has rained for literally 10 days in a row. The mornings start out sunny, but by the afternoon, the thunder storms have rolled in bring lightning, thunder and buckets of rain. My roses have LOVED it. I am cutting almost a dozen a day. Whahoo!











































The rain has also been very good for my garden. It's still too early to harvest anything but strawberries, but things are certainly growing. We've got tomatoes (though we plan on giving them away, not eating them); carrots, peas, beans, red bell peppers, jalapenos, cantaloupe, watermelons, pumpkins, red potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes.

What a Great Grandma!!

I was lucky enough to grow up knowing my Great Grandmother Stephens. I am so happy that my little girl will know her Great Grandma as well. Grandma Fish is up here in Utah for a week or so for Heidi's wedding. Brent agreed to pick up Grandma at the airport, where she'd be waiting at the curb, on his way home from work. Yes, he made some comment about not too many Grandma's are picked up "on the street corner". Then we met Mom and Dad and all went out to dinner. We ate at McGrath's Fish House (appropiate, don't ya think?). Grandma played with Ellie all night, feeding her clam chower, oyster crackers and teaching her how to drink from a straw. It was a fun night!!



































Here's a video of Grandma trying to play Peek-a-boo. I think Ellie just wanted kisses.

The Angels Weren't Fast Enough

I believe that angels are always surrounding toddlers. How many times have they fallen down or plopped over and missed the corner of the table or fireplace by mere centimeters. Well, the angels weren't fast enough this time. Ellie was with me in the bathroom. She was on her knees and one hand (the tripod) and was banging on the shower door with her other hand. Well, the tile floor was wet and she lost her balance. Down she went...BANG on the corner of the threshold of the shower. Wanting to be a good mother, I didn't pick her up, just told her she was OK. Then I saw the blood on her face and FREAKED OUT! I felt so bad for the little thing. After 10 minutes of hiccup crying, she calmed down and it hasn't bothered her since. This was our first fall, and from what I've been told, it won't be our last. Just hope those angels don't slack off again!