Joy

Life has layers... like onions and ogres. I love my newest layer of being an Aunt to my sister's new baby.

Scout Amelia Ellis was born two months early on July 2nd, 2009. Weighing only 3lbs 13oz. Being the mini fighter she is, she showed us all that she was here and ready for life. For some reason, when your family members have children they are more beautiful and perfect. I can't get enough of this sweet little girl and watching my sister be such an amazing Mom. You really get to see who people are when they become parents and with no drugs and an early labor, Laura sure showed us what she is made of. It's amazing how much I love this little one who lives so far away -- I wish for baby Scout all the things I wish for her marinating cousin in my belly. I hope they grow up to be "best cousins".

Scout's First Day on Earth

Proud Parents

So Tiny

Laura and Scout on her Blessing Day

Scout and her Cousins Playing in her Bassinet

Baby Boating

I'm Pretty Sure Grandpa Couldn't be Happier

Look, Scout Sleeps with her Mouth Open Just like her Auntie!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage...

Then on January 3rd, comes the baby in the baby carriage....

Man in the Mirror

Look at the talent of my darling husband. I showed him the below picture and said I wanted these Mirrors for our entry way... 

and this is what he made... 

Pretty darn close and pretty darn cute in my opinion. What a talent - maybe I could get him on one of those remodeling shows - you know, like those cute carpenters they always have. I think he is pretty hot in his tool belt! 

He is also pretty cute in a bow tie...

Happy Birthday Colin

29 years ago today he was born and the world hasn't been the same since...

Growing up little girls dream of their future spouse - I was no different, but never in my dreams did I imagine someone quite as amazing as Colin. He has changed me for the better, is an example to all who know him, and I love and appreciate all he does for me. There are more than 29 reasons I love this boy, but I thought I would start with just that....

1. FUNNY - Nobody can make me laugh harder

2. Imaginative - The Scenarios that play out in his head are incredible

3. Friendly - I gave him the nickname "Coli-spaniel" early on

4. Talented - If I can dream it, he can build it

5. Ambitious - Maybe because he is so talented he feels comfortable with having big dreams

6. Big Hearted - He will always ask how I am feeling if, or if someone is okay when he knows things haven't been going so well. 

7. Excited about Life

8. Compassionate - He is always offering to help those less fortunate

9. Honest - He can be blunt, or embarrass his wife, but never tells a lie

10. He plays my games 

11. Generous - Except with his cupcakes

12. Smells Amazing

13. Can say he is Sorry 

14. Knows how to have a good time - Karaoke!

15. Silly - Ask him to make up a song on the spot... you will see what I mean

16. Brave - He always checks out the bumps in the night

17. Loyal 

18. He loves songs you get to yell when you sing 

19. Smart - Still remembers how to do every math equation

20. Athletic - He can still bust out back-handsprings and flips with no problem

21. Curious - He MUST know how it works and why

22. He lets me be me - Never once has he asked me to be different than I am

23. Hard Working - Even on his days off he is working on something

24. Authentic - I don't think he could be fake if he wanted to

25. Supportive 

26. Loving

27. Gentle - I love to see him with kids, he is so sweet

28. So Cute - I never get jealous when girls check him out... how could I blame them?

29. FUN - Never a dull moment in the last 3 years, or I'm sure the 29 of his life

Happy Birthday Babe!

Here are some of my favorite Colin Videos....

Not Gone... Just Away

(That title is for you A) 

We're here. So so busy, but still here. This last weekend Colin and I tried to find out exactly how much you could fit into 72 hours. The outcome? Quite a bit. First we started in the Dunes, with boys and their toys. Yep, I was the only girl. Then Friday night we made our way to San Diego to see the Campbell's and the ocean. Sunday we headed back to Mesa, but not without stopping in Quartzsite to see my Grandparents on another one of their motor home adventures. 

Studly Dune Cody

Colin's Idea of Romance = Mary & the Dunes

Colin's idea of Sand

Dune Sunset

Mary and Grandpa

Grandma and Aunt Lola

Mary's idea of Sand

Mary and Adrianne - Squinty, but Happy

Festive Lunch - Ole!

Hannah treating Colin and I to a story - Yes, 3 year old Hannah can read!

La Salsa

Let me please express to you... the wonder that is...  Rebecca Dent's salsa. 

In talking one day, my friend Rebecca explained to me that she makes and sells salsa out of her house. This was all new news to me, and Ms. Le Cordon Bleu chef mentioned it so modestly that I didn't really think anything of it, but I gladly placed an order. Once we received the salsa it only took us 3 DAYS to finish 3 containers. I couldn't get it in my mouth fast enough. Colin and I would do that "okay, just one more chip" game until we would finish an entire bag and were forced to finish. I have to admit that my stomach didn't feel very well from the massive amounts of tomato acid and tortilla chips... Really, I just couldn't stop! 

There are 3 amazing flavors -- Red (like you would have at a Mexican restaurant with chips before your meal), Green (This is Colin and his families favorite), and Chunky (which doesn't taste like chemicals and preservatives like at the store). I understand this is a lot to say about a little salsa, but I feel like when you come across a little gem like this you need to share. If you're interested, I am happy to pass on the Chef's information.